Geographic telephone numbers

Summary and introduction

1.1 In July 2012 Ofcom published a statement entitled Promoting efficient use of geographic telephone numbers (‘the July 2012 Statement’) ^(-1-) in which we set out, among other things, our decision to put in place a pilot scheme in which we will charge communications providers (‘CPs’) for geographic numbers they have been allocated in 30 area codes. The pilot scheme commences on 1 April 2013.

1.2 This document provides guidance on the administrative arrangements for the pilot scheme. It is important that all CPs which either have obtained, or intend to obtain, allocations of numbers from Ofcom in any of the area codes of the pilot scheme are aware of these arrangements. A list of the area codes included in the pilot scheme is provided at Annex 1 of this document.

1.3 The guidance will be updated as and when necessary and appropriate. It should be read in conjunction with:

• the July 2012 Statement; and
• the relevant conditions for charging for geographic numbers set out in General Condition 17 on the allocation, adoption and use of telephone numbers (‘GC17’). ^(-2-)

1.4This document includes:

• a summary of the key elements of the pilot scheme (Section 2);
• information on the administrative documents that Ofcom will issue to CPs with geographic number allocations in the area codes of the pilot scheme (Section 3);
• information on discounts to the number charge bill that CPs may apply for in respect of numbers allocated to them but used by another CP for regulatory reasons (Section 4);
• a description of the payment process (Section 5);
• the timetable for the administrative arrangements, including the charging and billing cycles (Section 6);
• the area codes included in the pilot scheme (Annex 1);
• an example of a schedule issued as part of the number charge billing process (Annex 2); and
• Ofcom contact details and links for further information (Annex 3).

Footnotes:

  1.-Ofcom, Promoting efficient use of geographic telephone numbers: Implementing a pilot scheme for certain geographic numbers and making a limited quantity of100-number blocks available for allocation Statement, 18 July 2012, http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/consultations/geo-numbers/statement/numbers-statement.pdf.

  2.- The consolidated version of the General Conditions of Entitlement is available at: http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/telecoms/ga-scheme/general-conditions/. Also see Annex 6 of the July 2012 Statement.

The full document is available below