1.1 Ofcom is proposing to modify the documents that we publish in order to fulfil our duties in relation to telephone numbering under Part 2 of the Communications Act 2003 (the Act).
1.2 The proposed modifications are to the following documents:
1.2.1 the National Telephone Numbering Plan (the Numbering Plan), which sets out telephone numbers available for allocation and any restrictions on their adoption or use;
1.2.2 General Condition 17 of the General Conditions of Entitlement (GC17), which sets out general requirements relating to the allocation, adoption and use of telephone numbers; and
1.2.3 the application forms that communications providers (CPs) must complete when applying for the allocation of telephone numbers from Ofcom (the Numbering Application Forms).
1.3 We are doing this to ensure that the documents are clear, accurate, and accessible, and that they reflect current numbering policy in a consistent manner. The proposed modifications to the Numbering Plan and GC17 are intended to:
1.3.1 create a single reference point for CPs and other stakeholders in relation to number ranges and related restrictions;
1.3.2 simplify the provisions relating to compliance with the Numbering Plan and other restrictions on the adoption or use of numbers;
1.3.3 improve the clarity of the Numbering Plan, and remove unnecessary duplication;
1.3.4 ensure consistent reflection of current numbering policy across GC17 and the Numbering Plan;
1.3.5 delete obsolete or redundant text; and
1.3.6 correct textual and typographical errors.
1.4 We are also proposing to make some minor consequential modifications to the Numbering Application Forms.
1.5 No changes to numbering policy are suggested and our proposed modifications are not intended to alter the current scope of substantive regulation.
1.6 We are undertaking this consultation now, as we are likely to be proposing substantive modifications to the Numbering Plan in the context of our ongoing review of non-geographic call services (NGCS). It seems appropriate to ensure that the existing provisions of the Numbering Plan, and the related requirements of GC17, are clear, accessible and accurate.
1.7 The reasons for the proposed modifications are explained in more detail in sections 3 to 5 of this document. The specific text that we propose to modify in the Numbering Plan, in GC17 and in the Numbering Application Forms is set out in Annexes 7 to 9, respectively.
1.8 We are seeking responses to the specific consultation questions set out in this document and general comments on our proposals by 5pm on 19 September 2012.
The full document is available below