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TERMS
OF REFERENCE
Working Group
Objective
To advise Oftel
on charging and related policy in respect of individual number allocation.
Background
In
the consultative document Developing Number Administration
published in July 1998, Oftel made proposals for the introduction
of individual number allocation and the charging for allocations
to bring more efficiency to numbering administration. In February
1999, the Trade and Industry Select Committee in its inquiry into
telephone numbering stated: "We think it vital that
the efficiency with which the nation’s resource of telephone
numbers is used is increased and believe that economic incentives
are more likely to achieve this than regulatory diktat."
In
the Statement Developing Numbering Administration and Freephone
Numbers published on 13 May 1999, Oftel concluded that:
- individual
number allocation should be introduced, to be carried out by a
Number Allocation Organisation paid for by annual rental and allocation
charges;
- charges for
allocations of individual numbers, amongst others, should be introduced;
and
- a period
of informal consultation would take place including a Working
Group set up to consider how best to set up the system of charging
for individual number allocations.
The informal
consultation will lead to a more formal consultation/ progress report
early in the year 2000. In setting up the Groups, Oftel’s aims
are:
- to provide
greater transparency of policy making;
- to obtain
the views of users, service providers and equipment suppliers;
and
- to enable
a consensus on issues to develop between the major interest groups
where practical.
Means of
Operation
Oftel
working papers on the development of policy on charging for individual
number allocation will be posted on Oftel’s web- page. Comments
on these papers are invited either in discussions at the Working
Group or, for those not attending, in writing to Oftel.
Members of the
Group will be expected to participate actively in its work and should
be prepared to provide papers and other information to assist meetings.
Oftel will present
key issues arising out of the working papers and responses to the
Group for discussion. The Group may decide to ask members to produce
papers or provide information for future discussion/comment. Outputs
from the Group will normally be posted on Oftel’s web- page.
Oftel expects
that the Group will meet up to five times between September 1999
and February 2000.
Chairman
and Secretary
The
chairman will be appointed by Oftel. Oftel will provide the Secretariat
functions.
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