Ref: 75/02

Date: 20 December 2002

Oftel announced today that it will be working with the telecoms industry in the next few months to develop improved processes to allow telephone numbers to be transferred to new operators when a network is forced to close.

Oftel will also commission a detailed economic study on the merits of introducing a new central number database. This would enable calls to be routed automatically to the consumer’s chosen network, but would involve significant investment by the industry.

Under the current system, if a customer keeps their number when changing supplier, calls to their number continue to be routed over their original supplier's network before being passed on to the new operator. If the original supplier’s network were to be shut down, calls to these numbers would no longer be connected.

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications, said:

"Consumers need to be reassured that in the unlikely event that a telecoms supplier goes out of business, they will be able to keep their number when they change to another supplier.

"In the short term, Oftel will work with the industry to develop a process to allow swift transfer of number portability arrangements from a network facing closure to another operator.

"In the long term a central number database may be the solution to developing a more efficient automated process. But there are significant costs involved in such a project. These costs need to be carefully assessed and compared to the potential benefits."

Oftel will publish a further statement in Spring 2003.

Notes to Editors

1. Oftel's Statement on proposals to change the framework for number portability is published on Oftel’s website at www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/numbering/2002/nupo1202.htm. Hard copies are available to the media from Oftel’s Press Office, tel 020 7634 8991, and to the public from Oftel’s Research and Information Unit, tel 020 7634 8761.

2. This statement follows public consultation on Oftel’s proposals, which ended on 13 September 2002. These proposals were published in June 2002 and are on Oftel’s website at www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/numbering/2002/nupo0602.htm