Oftel Numbering Unit publishes Numbering Bulletins regularly. Previous Numbering Bulletins are also available.

E-mail Notification for Numbering Documents

There are two e-mail notification lists to which you can subscribe:

1. the first is the general Oftel list, which will notify youof all documents published by Oftel.
2. the second is for notification of Numbnering issues and documents only.

1. Audit 2001

Operators are reminded that Numbering Audit 2001 'packs' have recently been sent out to the designated Numbering Contact (as shown on the Operator Contact List on Oftel's web site).

All forms should be completed and returned to Oftel's Numbering Unit by 31 January 2002. Oftel will not process applications for further numbering capacity after this date for those operators who do not return the completed Audit 2001 forms.

If you have any queries with regard to your audit please contact Christine Thompson on 020 7634 8877 or by
e-mail: christine.thompson@oftel.gov.uk

2. New Numbering Conventions & Numbering Code

Oftel published the third issue of the Numbering Conventions on 30 November 2001.

Oftel allocates, reserves and withdraws numbers in accordance with the Conventions. Those operators to whom numbers and codes are allocated are obliged to have Numbering Plans that accord with the Conventions by the 'Numbering Arrangements Condition' in their Telecommunications Act licences.

In addition to the Conventions, Oftel has formalised the status of other codes and numbers which are outside the scope of the Numbering Arrangements Condition, and which should therefore not be dealt with in the Conventions. These are now covered by the new Numbering Code.

When compared with the second issue of the Conventions (April 1997), the major changes include:
· general restructuring;
· creation of the Numbering Code;
· a new guiding principle - that Oftel will allocate numbers on a 'first come first served' basis;
· clarification that, firstly, only those operators who are running a system licensed under the Telecommunications Act 1984 are eligible for number allocations, but, secondly, this includes those running systems under a class licence, provided that such licences contain a 'Numbering Arrangements Condition';
· banning end user revenue share for 070 Personal Numbers;
· revision of the list of Conservation Issues coupled with the announcement that Oftel will, from six months after the publication of the new Conventions, allocate blocks of 1,000 numbers in more critical 'Type A Conservation Areas';
· formalisation of the practice that Oftel will not open new 100,000 ranges, whilst blocks are still free in already opened ranges within that code area; and
· revision of Status Indicators that appear on the SNS List.

The new Conventions, and the Code, are enforceable from three months after their publication: ie, from 1 March 2002.

3. Numbering Conventions and Code workshop

With the publication of the new Numbering Conventions, Oftel has decided that it would be timely and useful to hold a workshop with our various stakeholders, focussing on number allocation, withdrawal and reservation procedures.

We believe this would be useful not only to go over the various changes that have taken place and clarify any points that are opaque but will also give us an insight into areas that may need further attention in future.

The workshop will take place at Oftel on 6 February 2001 at 2pm. Oftel will send out invitations in the New Year. This workshop will be open to Telecom operators who are registered on the Numbering Contact list.

4. Allocating Codes for Directory Enquiry (DQ) Services

Oftel issued a consultation document on 14 December 2001 entitled Allocating Codes for Directory Enquiry Services. This document sets out Oftel's proposals on the method of allocating such codes, and the necessary changes to the Numbering Conventions.

The main issues addressed in the consultation are:
(i) length of codes: ie, 5- or 6-digit;
(ii) eligibility to apply for codes;
(iii) first instance application and allocation procedures; and
(iv) the number of codes to be available per operator/service provider.

The consultation document is available on the 'Publications' part of Oftel's web site, and the consultation will run until 28 January 2002.

5. Personal Numbering

Oftel published a statement setting out its decision on future rules for Personal Number (ie, 070 numbers) on 31 October 20021.

There has been an increasing number of complaints concerning abuses in the 070 number range. These problems have begun to undermine consumer and industry confidence in legitimate Personal Numbering service provision. Oftel invited comments on steps to deal with the problem through a Consultation Document in May 2001.

Oftel concluded in the statement that the benefit of a Personal Number to the end-user is that a connection has been made, not that the called party receives payment for receiving the call. Oftel announced that it would:
(i) Ban end-user revenue-share through the new issue of the Numbering Conventions;
(ii) Keep other revenue-share issues (eg, on 084 and 087) under review and act decisively, if abuse occurs; and
(iii) consider removing the ban on end-user revenue sharing if a Code of Practice for Personal Numbering Service Providers were developed that would be effective in preventing abuse of PNS.

The ban will come into force via the new Numbering Conventions - ie, there must be no end-user revenue sharing from 1 March 2002

6. NU Database Update

The Numbering Unit is continuing to work on updating its internal database for numbering, and application case processing. This is due for completion around May 2002, and should help in ensuring applications for numbering are handled more speedily and effectively.

As and when we get to the point where we are beginning to define how, eg, the web site or online application forms may work Oftel will solicit the further input of operators and contacts

7. Allocation Certificate copies

Oftel has recently been receiving requests from operators for copies of allocation certificates for number ranges that have been allocated for some time. Oftel is aware that allocation certificates are generally required as part of a DMA request - to set up numbers ranges in other operator's networks - and also for operators own records.

Operators are reminded that number ranges allocated at least 6 months ago should have been brought into service or relinquished back to Oftel - copies of certificates should therefore not be required for DMA purposes.

Operators requiring copies of certificates to update their records are reminded to keep allocation certificates in a safe place for future reference. Also, allocation certificates are only generally relevant at the time they are issued ie. copies of certificates may also show number ranges that have subsequently been withdrawn by Oftel. This may lead to confusion over which number ranges operators actually have allocated. Operators should refer to the number ranges shown on it's web site for up to date information on allocations.

8. National Code and Number Change network announcements

A review of customers' dialling behaviour and levels of misdialled calls to numbers in all geographic NCNC areas found that misdials had maintained low level for a number of months. In response, operators were instructed to remove the geographic announcements from the networks between 8 October and 12 October 2001. The review also examined misdialled calls to mobile, paging, special rate and PRS numbers hitting the NCNC announcements. Statistics showed that misdialling levels were not as consistent as for geographic and it could not be concluded that misdials had levelled out. The timescale for the removal of the non-geographic announcements provisionally remained as April 2002, with a further review in December 2001 to assess whether an earlier removal would be acceptable.

The Big Number helpdesk service on 0808 22 4 2000 was discontinued on 31 October 2001. A notification of withdrawal of the number was sent to all operators

9. Corporate Numbering

Oftel stated in 1997 that the 05 range was designated for Corporate Numbering use and awaited proposals of interest from users. To date Oftel has received enquiries from potential users and has made an allocation of 20,000 numbers to BT for multimedia services for Corporate users. Oftel believes the use of 05 for Corporate numbers should be market driven, and is conducting a review of the corporate market's needs to ensure the range satisfies its requirements. Interested parties are encouraged to speak to Oftel over the next few months to discuss their thoughts on Corporate Numbering. Oftel plans to consult on the 05 range in the New Year.

10. Tariffing on 0844 (up to 5ppm - non-internet), and on 0871 (up to 10ppm - non-internet) - tariff set by terminating operator

The issue of tariffing on 0844 and 0871 non-internet ranges has recently been discussed at the numbering sub-group of the operator forum.

It has become apparent that, as operators cannot distinguish tariffing below the 100k number level, and as the terminating operator is unlikely to change the tariff for services in these ranges, an effective method of allocating such number ranges needs to be developed to ensure that differing tariffs do not appear across the same 100k number range as well as ensuring that numbers are allocated efficiently to allow for future growth.

Oftel has therefore decided to use the same method of allocating these ranges as is currently used for Premium Rate Service numbering ie. Oftel will show tariff for each 100k range (where a block has been allocated from the range) on the web site and operators will need to select the range(s) they require from the tariffs shown. Where a block is not available at the tariff required, operators should contact Oftel to request the opening of a new 100k range.

Oftel will update Form S8 - application form for 08 numbering - to reflect the new arrangements for allocating. Operators should ensure that they only use the new form from the web site when applying for 08 numbering.

11. Internal CPS Codes

Oftel has designated 10 CPS codes for internal operator use. The codes may be used by all operators for test purposes etc without application to Oftel. Their usage must not extend beyond internal network boundaries. The codes are 8890 - 8899.

12. Reseller Identification Codes

Oftel has opened a range of three character alphabetic codes (eg 'BAA') to be used to identify resellers of an operator's CPS service for administrative purposes. Application forms are available from the Numbering Unit.

13. Codes of Practice for numbers in closed/migration ranges

Oftel has completed the consultation exercise on the Code of Practice (CoP) for numbers in closed/migration ranges. The CoP is published on Oftel's website. Click here to access it. It governs the provision of service on number ranges in use but not open for new business, eg 0500 and 0800 6-digit numbers. It also covers numbers in migration ranges that are closed to new business, eg parts of the 0845 and 0870 number ranges. The CoP is to be observed by operators with allocations of numbers in closed/migration ranges and by operators in receipt of numbers ported from such ranges. Operators should consult the CoP when dealing with customer requests to transfer ownership of numbers, or permit provision of service on numbers, in closed/migration ranges.

14. Number Changes in French overseas departments

The French Regulatory Authority has asked NRAs to alert operators to number changes in the French Overseas Departments of Guadeloupe, Guyana, Martinique and la Reunion. Network operators in the 4 islands have found that some overseas operators have not implemented the new dialling sequence for international inbound calls, resulting in calls failing. Information on the changes can be downloaded from the English section of the French NRA website:
http://www.art-telecom.fr/eng/index.htm

15. Pre-Allocation Portability (PAP)

Operators have agreed to continue with the Phase 1 trial of Pre-Allocation Portability of Non Geographic Numbers. This is a mechanism where a participating Operator can request the availability of a number from a block of numbers already allocated to another participating operator. If that number is un-allocated then the block-holding operator will arrange for it to be ported to the enquiring operator.

16. Operator Contact ("Convention 7") List

Oftel maintains a list of contacts in organisations to whom notifications of the dates of activation of allocated codes and number blocks should be sent. Operators are required (old, Issue 2, Convention A6.2, new, Issue 3, Convention 7) to advise Oftel of such contacts on an ongoing basis.

Oftel recognises that there have been recent difficulties resulting from operators failing to inform Oftel of changes. Oftel will shortly be writing to all operators to:
(i) remind them of their obligations;
(ii) inform them that where operators fail to supply Oftel with an appropriate contact, Oftel will use, as a default, any contact address that it has on file until supplied with a workable alternative; and
(iii) request that operators tell Oftel of specific problems that they are experiencing with the list so that Oftel can promptly investigate them as & when they arise.

17. Numbering Forum

The fifth Numbering Forum was held on 31st October 2001 to discuss numbering issues. Click here for details of the agenda, associated papers and minutes.

The next Numbering Forum will be held in 6 months time - details will be published on the Numbering website.