In December 2002, Oftel announced that it would be working with the industry to develop improved processes to allow telephone numbers to be transferred to new operators when a network is forced to close.

One of the difficulties currently faced by UK customers when they are subject to a network closure, is that they risk losing their telephone numbers even if they have transferred (ported) them to a new provider in advance of the closure. This arises because, under current porting arrangements, the donor network remains responsible for the onward routing of calls to the ported numbers.

Currently, the only way to avoid this loss of numbers is for another network to host the numbers of the failing network and carry out the necessary data build to allow them to function on its network. There is no simple process for this and operators generally regard it as too costly and time consuming to arrange.

Oftel’s statement sets out that, 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. This would enable calls to be routed automatically to the consumer’s chosen network. 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 therefore commission a detailed economic study on the merits of introducing a new central number database.

A further statement is due to be published later this year.

For further information, contact Warwick Izzard (tel: 020 7634 8981/ e-mail: warwick.izzard@oftel.gov.uk).