Beyond the Numbering Conventions the regulation of numbering from July 2003 Nicholas Good 1 July 2002

no sooner do we have new Conventions… we get imminent changes to the regulatory environment: Communications BillCommunications Bill & Draft General ConditionsDraft General Conditions (a consequence of Bill & implementation of EU Directives)

Communications Bill published by DTI/DCMS - May 2002 in parliament Communications ActCommunications Act - summer 2003?

Draft General Conditions to meet with requirements of Bill/ Act & EU Directives* (ie, live 25 July 2003) consultation document published by Oftel - May 2002 three months consultation statement - late Autumn 2002 in place - July 2003 * re numbering policy these are: Framework Directive, Authorisation Directive, Universal Service Directive

a consequence of which is... we need a plan… the National Telephone Numbering Plan

the National Telephone Numbering Plan (1) It shall be the duty of OFCOM to publish a document (to be known as the National Telephone Numbering Plan) setting out (a) the numbers that they have determined to be available for allocation by them as telephone numbers; (b) such restrictions as they consider appropriate on the adoption of numbers available for allocation in accordance with the plan; and (c) such restrictions as they consider appropriate on the other uses to which numbers available for allocation in accordance with the plan may be put. Clause 43 of The Communications Bill: The national telephone numbering plan

National Telephone Numbering Plan (20.2) The Communications Provider shall have a Numbering Plan for such Telephone Numbers as OFCOM may allocate to it from time to time. Except where OFCOM otherwise consent in writing, such Numbering Plan shall be consistent with the National Telephone Numbering Plan… Condition 20 of Draft General Conditions of Entitlement: Allocation and Adoption of Telephone Numbers

two issues arise: National Telephone Numbering Plan 1- detailed rules: the National Telephone Numbering Plan & 2- eligibilty for numbering: (a) communications providers & (b) non-providers

the detailed conditions upon which numbers are allocated & adopted ie, successor to: ~Numbering Conventions & Numbering Code: ie, such restrictions as [OFCOM]... consider appropriate on the adoption [and]... other uses ~Specified Numbering Scheme: ie, numbers that they have determined to be available for allocation National Telephone Numbering Plan

IN IN rules from the Conventions/ Code - not covered elsewhere - that apply to Communications Providers & facts re the SNS OUT OUT guidance information & rules already in Bill or General Condition National Telephone Numbering Plan

detail IN ~detailed rules for particular number ranges & codes (eg, non-guidance-only sections of Parts A & B of Conventions & the Code) ~definitions (more & clearer) (eg, geographic, PNS, PRS, special services, etc)

detail OUT ~general Oftel/ OFCOM responsibilities (covered by Bill) ~eligibility criteria (Bill) ~timing of applications (Bill) ~allocations/ reservations procedure (Condition) ~withdrawal procedure (Bill) ~general conditions on allocations (Bill)

OUT continued... ~guidance on international standards ~number presentation (unless obligatory) ~background information re particular number ranges & codes Guide to Numbering these removed to a Guide to Numbering... detail

Guide to Numbering Oftel/ OFCOM responsibilities (reinstating, in general, principles set out in Bill/ Act) international standards number presentation background information

eligibilty (1) communications provider a provider of electronic communication Clause 43(10) Electronic communication means a communication for conveyance by means of an electronic communications network… communications providers are: (i) subject to the General Conditions & (ii)eligible for numbers relevant to communication service it provides

eligibilty (2) non-providers non- providers Clause 45: Telephone numbering conditions binding non- providers (1) OFCOM may set conditions relating to - persons who (a) the allocation of telephone numbers to persons who are not communications providers; (b) the use of telephone numbers by such persons… but that will be the subject of separate consultation...

timescale mop up conclusions re General Condition & Bill in parliament - Autumn 2002 Planconsultation document on Plan - Jan/ Feb 2003 three month consultation statement - May 2003 in place - 25 July 2003

this is not an opportunity to change policy only to clarify & re-implement policy ~hence consultation in 2003 (ie, after & taking into account any PRS/ 05 changes) ~hence work on last years major revision, & restructuring of Conventions not in vain!

questions?