Telecommunications Numbering Plan Variation 2007 (No. 3) (Cth)
Telecommunications Numbering Plan Variation 2007 (No. 3)
The AUSTRALIAN COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA AUTHORITY makes this Variation under section 455 of the Telecommunications Act 1997.
Dated 11th April 2007
[signed]
Chris Chapman
Chair
[signed]
Marcus Bezzi
General Manager
Australian Communications and Media Authority
Name of Variation
This Variation is the Telecommunications Numbering Plan Variation 2007 (No. 3).
Commencement
This Variation commences on 31 May 2007.
Variation of Telecommunications Numbering Plan 1997
Schedule 1 varies the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 1997.
Schedule 1 Variations
(section 3)
[1] Paragraph 2.2 (1) (k)
substitute
(k) ENUM trial numbers; and
(l) location independent communications service numbers.
[2] After subsection 3.4 (1)
insert
Note 1 Carriage service providers applying for geographic numbers to provide local services through IP telephony are required to have regard to the guidelines in Part 5 of Schedule 7 when completing an application.
Note 2 Part 4 of Schedule 2 to the Act requires that if a carriage service provider supplies a carriage service to an end‑user, and the end‑user has a public number, then the carriage service provider must give to Telstra such information as Telstra reasonably requires to meet its obligation to maintain an integrated public number database.
[3] Schedule 4, Part 1
omit
| 05 (except 059) | Universal personal telecommunications service | 10 digit number | Yes Not shared |
insert
| 0500 | Universal personal telecommunications service | 10 digit number | Yes Not shared |
| 0550 | Location independent communications service | 10 digit number | Yes Not shared |
[4] Schedule 7, Part 2, item 2.6, after the note
insert
2.7 If the application is for geographic numbers for local services provided using IP telephony:
(a) a statement that the carriage service provider has had regard to the guidelines in Part 5 of Schedule 7; and
(b) sufficient information to satisfy the requirements for geographic numbers set out in the table in the guidelines.
2.8 A carriage service provider complies with paragraph 2.7 (a) if the carriage service provider states in writing that he or she:
(a) has taken into account the guidelines in Part 5 of Schedule 7; and
(b) understands his or her obligations with respect to the use of geographic numbers pursuant to Chapter 3 of the Numbering Plan.
[5] Schedule 7, Part 3, after item 3.6
insert
3.7 If the application is for location independent communications service numbers for location independent communications services, a statement that the carriage service provider has had regard to the guidelines in Part 5 of Schedule 7.
[6] Schedule 7, after Part 4
insert
Part 5 Guidelines — application for numbers for use in connection with a location independent communications service
These guidelines set out matters to which a carriage service provider (CSP) must have regard when providing a statement required by subsection 6.7 (2) in an application for the allocation of numbers for a location independent communications service.
The Provision of numbers for carriage services within Australia
Under section 455 of the Telecommunications Act 1997 the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is required to develop and maintain the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 1997 (the Numbering Plan). The Numbering Plan provides for the specification of numbers for carriage services by service type. Numbers must be allocated to CSPs as specified under the Numbering Plan. Numbers allocated to CSPs must be issued to customers for the supply of carriage services that are consistent with the service type for which they have been specified. CSPs must take reasonable steps to ensure that numbers are used in a manner that complies with the provisions of the Numbering Plan.
Geographic Numbers
Geographic numbers are specified in Schedule 2 of the Numbering Plan. The provisions of Chapter 3 of the Numbering Plan stipulate how geographic numbers may be used in connection with the supply of carriage services in Australia. Section 3.4 of the Numbering Plan sets out the manner in which a geographic number must be used. Subsection (1) prohibits the use of geographic numbers except in connection with the supply of a local service. Subsection (4) provides that the call on a geographic number must terminate in the standard zone unit (SZU) to which the geographic number was allocated to the CSP. This requirement can also be satisfied if the CSP can establish a location to which call charges can be applied ‘as if’ the geographic number terminated within the SZU to which it was originally allocated.
Therefore, when requesting an allocation of geographic numbers, a CSP must be able to establish a permanent location to which calls to the number must terminate. The underlying rationale for these requirements in the use of geographic numbers is to provide CSPs with the ability to meet their obligation to provide the untimed local call option to customers in accordance with section 105 of the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999 (TCPSS Act) on eligible local calls.
Section 3.4 provides some flexibility in the use of geographic numbers. For example, a service which provides for temporary call diversions from the normal call termination location will still be considered appropriate for a geographic number because calls to that number can still be charged as if they terminate in the normal location. In addition, geographic numbers connected to a PABX or VPN may be used across multiple locations outside of the original SZU via the network. Calls to those numbers are charged ‘as if’ they terminated in a location within the SZU to which they were originally allocated.
Furthermore CSPs when applying for geographic numbers must have regard to the criteria described in the table below.
Location independent communications services (LICS)
A new special services number range 0550 has been specified for use by LICS providers to accommodate nomadic services. This range has been specified in Part 1 of Schedule 4 of the Numbering Plan. The range is for the allocation of numbers for services that will not be charged by reference to a fixed location because they are nomadic. The service will be considered nomadic if it is itinerant in nature or otherwise departs significantly from other service types specified in the Numbering Plan, particularly local services.
The LICS range is also suitable for services that fall below any of the service characteristics of PSTN or equivalent levels.
Geographic numbers will be allocated to CSPs for a service utilising IP telephony if it meets the requirements of a local service in accordance with Chapter 3 of the Numbering Plan. A service will be considered to have met these requirements if the CSP can demonstrate a sufficient link between the SZU to which the numbers will be allocated, so that calls to the numbers can be charged as if they terminate in that SZU. However, a service where a fixed location cannot be established must be allocated a number from the new LICS range. CSPs must not issue a geographic number to a customer to provide a carriage service if this requirement cannot be established. For example, a CSP that provides a carriage service utilising IP telephony to a Melbourne‑based customer must not issue a number allocated to a SZU in Brisbane.
Selection of numbers
When applying for numbers to be issued to customers for use with IP telephony, CSPs should select a number range that is consistent with the comparable service type described in the following table. Note that PC‑PC based services, independent of the PSTN network, are not included because they are not ‘carriage services to the public’ within the meaning of section 455 of the Telecommunications Act 1997.
| Item | Type of LICS Service | Type of number | Criteria | Examples | Call Charges |
| 1 | Stand‑alone voice service on the premises | Geographic | (a) Always on (b) Location dependence (static) (c) Provides location‑based information (d) Service is pre‑configured (e) Quality of service is equivalent to that of a PSTN telephone service | Example 1.1 Example 1.2 | Calls can be terminated in the SZU to which the numbers were allocated |
| 2 | Service with the capacity to be nomadic on an occasional basis | Geographic or LICS | (a) Location is virtually fixed (b) Normally available subject to user set‑up (c) Provides location‑based information (d) Service may be configured by user (e) High quality service (f) Equipment home‑based with the capacity to roam | Example 2.1 Independent handset and bundled voice service provided on modem or home PC | There is a sufficient link between the calls and the SZU so that calls can be charged as if they terminated within the SZU. Customer is offered the option of untimed local calls for geographic numbers |
| 3 | Nomadic voice service | LICS | (a) Personalised/location independent (b) Intermittently available subject to user set‑up and dynamic choices (c) Location based information is not available (number on the IPND to be flagged as ‘true’) (d) Service may be configured by user choices (e) Variable quality service | Example 3.1 Handset is optional | The service is nomadic to the extent that a permanent fixed location for call charges cannot be established |
[7] Schedule 8
omit
| Universal personal telecommunications service | 05 (except 059) | 100,000 numbers |
insert
| Universal personal telecommunications service | 0500 | 100,000 numbers |
| Location independent communications service | 0550 | 1,000 numbers |
[8] Dictionary, definition of digital mobile service
after
a mobile telephone service
insert
or a public mobile telecommunications service
[9] Dictionary, definition of freephone service, paragraph (b)
after
other than a
insert
location independent communications service or a
[10] Dictionary, definition of local rate service, subparagraph (d) (i)
after
other than a
insert
location independent communications service or a
[11] Dictionary, after definition of local service
insert
location independent communications service means a carriage service that:
(a) is capable of voice telephony; and
(b) is provided for receiving incoming calls at a location that can be identified by the originating carriage service provider as:
(i) a point of intersect for delivery to another carriage service provider; or
(ii) the location of the customer; and
(c) is not:
(i) a local service; or
(ii) a digital mobile service; or
(iii) a freephone service; or
(iv) a local rate service; or
(v) a premium rate service.
Note for paragraph (a) The requirement in paragraph (a) that the service ‘is capable of voice telephony’ is a minimum requirement. A service that meets the definition may be capable of other additional functions.
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