The information may also be found in a readily accessible form on the Warwick University pages.
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The consultation period for the document Freephone Numbers: Options for the Future formally ended on 16 October 1998. However, Oftel has been accepting late responses. In this regard please ensure that any comments on responses are forwarded to Oftel by Friday 13 November 1998, following which they will all be made available as part of the Public Register in Oftel's Research and Intelligence Unit.
The consultation resulted in a high proportion of responses expressing a preference for Option 2. Questions were raised as to exactly which digits would be used to effect this Option. In order to address these concerns, Oftel has decided to give further information in this regard for the purpose of clarification. It is stressed that, as yet, no decision has been taken on the way forward for freephone and the information following is given simply to clarify the intended migration arrangements for Option 2.
Further information on Option 2
In order to arrive at this possible migration, Oftel obtained utilisation information from BT on the 0800 9-digit ranges currently in use.
The principles of the Option 2 migration arrangements would be as follows:
Finally, the C&W 0500 XXXXXX 9-digit numbers would migrate to become 0800 2 XXXXXX 10-digit numbers.
There are a few existing allocations of 0800 4 and 0800 2 10-digit numbers to operators other than BT, where the 0800 9-digit blocks in steps 3 and 4 above would clash. These would need to be migrated separately. Again, BT and C&W would discuss arrangements with those customers affected. It is not intended to change numbers in existing 0800 4 and 0800 2 10-digit allocations.
The Next steps
Oftel will review the responses received and also take into account responses received to the consultation: Developing Numbering Administration before determining the most appropriate way forward. This is likely to involve conferring further with respondees. It is emphasised that a final decision for freephone is not imminent.
NCNC Group
The NCNC publishes information on its Web site. In particular, Maintainers are advised to check the Customers Premises Equipment (CPE) document.
Other features of this site include a checklist for business and a Number Change Engine, which will be available shortly to allow end users to translate old to new numbers.
Framework document
The current Oftel Framework document was issued on 1st October 1998 and now includes detail on:-
Recovery of "Unusable" Geographic ranges
Oftel has been issuing "Unusable" ranges to Operators where the application does not require local dialling, e.g. 0171 1XX XXXX, since 1996. Operators have been advised that in areas receiving a code change to 02X, new ranges will be substituted in order to allow the capacity to be recycled as usable capacity (in the above example, the range becomes 020 71XX XXXX which is a usable range). The time-scale for this is in line with the end date for parallel running, autumn 2000.
090 Premium rate services range
Parallel running of 090 numbers has commenced and new 090 PRS numbers have been in use since 1 October 1998.
NUMBER CHANGES IN THE IRISH REPUBLICThe Irish Telecommunications Regulator ODTR has reported that some UK business users are having difficulty in dialling new numbers introduced in the following area codes in the Irish Republic:- +353 21 +353 41 +353 42 +353 49 +353 65 +353 66
Maintainers are advised to check that PBX equipment is programmed to accept the new ranges, which were introduced on 1 September 1998. Parallel running is scheduled to end on 20 July 1999. Further details can be found on the ODTR Web site
READING CODE CHANGEFollowing a successful trial by BT, the specific announcement has been replaced by the standard mis-dial announcement. Maintainers are advised that the range 0118 3 should be opened in readiness for number allocations, starting with 0118 37X.
Annual Audit 1998
Annual Audit 1998 forms will be distributed, in early December 1998, to all Operators who have been allocated numbering capacity. The forms will be sent to the numbering contact as specified on the A6.2 list. Operators should therefore ensure that their respective numbering contact details on the A6.2 list are up-to-date. Operators should also ensure they have the data available to complete the Audit forms, and return them to Oftel's Numbering Unit by 31 January 1999. Oftel will not allocate further numbering capacity to those Operators who fail to send in an Audit 1998 Return by the date requested.
Operators are advised that this year, the Audit information requested for the S1 range will apply to all Geographic Areas.
Oftel still has not had a 1997 Annual Audit Return from the following Operators:
Atlas International Services Ltd
MTC Telemanagement Corporation
On Line Telecom Ltd
TeleBermuda International (UK) Ltd
Viatel UK Ltd
World Telecommunications Corp. Ltd
WORLDxCHANGE Comms. Ltd
Operators are reminded that submission of an Annual Audit Return is a licence requirement.
TOPICS FROM THE NUMBERING ADVISORY GROUP MEETING 21 OCTOBER 1998Broadband
The meeting discussed the possible implications of broadband services on numbering. Specifically considered was whether a new S-digit number range should be allocated for numbering end users who are capable of participating in broadband services. Additional work will be undertaken in this area.
In the meantime, operators requiring numbering for broadband services should first establish that the service can not be accommodated in open ranges, most likely, the S-digit 8 range. If Operators feel their service does not fulfil the criteria of an open range, they should approach Oftel individually to discuss requirements.
Number Layout
Having carried forward discussions concerning number layout with the Numbering Advisory Group, Oftel will consult on revisions to the existing recommendations for layout as part of its general review of the Numbering Conventions.
Numbering Conventions
The Numbering Conventions currently in force were revised in April 1997. Revisions for the third issue of the Conventions are underway. The revisions will rationalise the Conventions, reflecting changes in the industry and European legislation. Oftel plans to formally consult on the revisions during January 1999 and publish the revised Conventions in spring 1999.
NUMBER PORTABILITY : EUROPEAN UNION DEVELOPMENTSRevised Voice Telephony Directive And Numbering Directive
The current number portability regime in the UK, whereby telephone subscribers may retain their telephone numbers when they change operators, works on the principle of reciprocal agreement between "consenting" operators. Two new EU Directives were adopted in 1998 that will affect this regime: the RVTD (98/10/EC) and the Numbering Directive (98/61/EC). Both measures will change the existing driver for portability from operator to subscriber or customer driven portability.
The RVTD takes the first step by requiring, from 21 July 1998, changed number announcements or call forwarding for geographic numbers where portability is not provided on subscriber request. The Numbering Directive takes this process one step further by requiring, from 1 January 2000, portability on subscriber request for both geographic and non-geographic numbers.
All public operators should therefore be compliant with the number portability requirements of the RVTD.
This new regime does not affect telephone companies' existing obligations regarding the provision of telephone services. Mobile and paging services are not included within this new portability regime, but personal numbering services are included.
Core Text of Legislation
RVTD Text of Implementing Regulations
"public operators providing voice telephony services which do not yet offer the facility of number portability on request to a subscriber, shall provide to that subscriber a facility on request for a reasonable period after that subscriber has changed to a different supplier either:
Numbering Directive Text of Portability provisions of Directive
"National Regulatory Authorities shall encourage the earliest possible introduction of operator portability whereby subscribers who so request can retain their numbers on the fixed public telephone network and the ISDN independent of the organisation providing services, in the case of geographic numbers at a specific location and in the case of other than geographic numbers at any location, and shall ensure that this facility is available from 1 January 2000 at the latest.."
NUMBERS USED FOR DRAMAOftel continues to receive requests for numbers to be used for drama. In light of this Oftel intends to provide a list of Geographic and Non-Geographic numbers on the Numbering web-site to which enquirers will be referred. This service should be available from January 1999.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE SPECIFIED NUMBERING SCHEMEChanges to the Scheme are published on the Oftel web site pages.