28 November 2011
Numbering rules evolve to meet the future
The ACMA today released its medium to long term proposals for telephone numbering arrangements in Australia, applying a managed evolutionary approach to its intent to increase the flexibility and efficiency of numbers and make pricing clearer for consumers.
‘Fundamental changes in networks and technologies, as well as profound changes in consumer behaviour and services, have put significant pressure on the regulatory arrangements for telephone numbers,’ said ACMA Chairman, Mr Chapman.
The paper, Telephone Numbering: Future Directions, anticipates that changes will be needed to the Numbering Plan in the short, medium and long term. This approach should minimise the short term adjustment costs to industry and information costs to consumers.
It identifies 24 specific changes needed for numbering arrangements and eight overarching future directions the ACMA intends to use to guide the management of telephone numbering. To assist with the evolution of the Numbering Plan, the ACMA has developed design principles to:
- increase the broad-based use of telephone numbers
- reduce the degree to which numbers are specified according to the technology by which services are provided
- provide price transparency to consumers, so that, where it is necessary to use numbering to recognise the costs of calls, this is supported
- achieve clarity in the Numbering Plan, so that it is as simple as possible and readily understood.
The paper also envisages an increased role for industry in the administration and allocation of numbers, including a staged migration from procedural rules to codes and guidelines.
‘I nonetheless anticipate that the ACMA will need to maintain an active evaluation and monitoring role in relation to numbering regulation into the future,’ said Mr Chapman. ‘The managed approach to evolution outlined in this paper provides industry and consumers with greater certainty as we face the accelerating convergence of communications and media.’
The ACMA is seeking feedback on the 24 actions proposed in the paper and accompanying questions. Submissions close on 31 January 2012.
The ACMA has extended the submission period to 29 February 2012.
More information about the ACMA’s numbering role is available on its website.
If you’re interested in providing feedback please email Numbering.Project@acma.gov.au or mail to:
Manager, Numbering Project, Australian Communications and Media Authority PO Box 13112, Law Courts, Melbourne, Victoria, 8010
For more information or to arrange an interview please contact: Blake Murdoch on (02) 9334 7817, 0411 504 687 or media@acma.gov.au.
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The ACMA is Australia’s regulator for broadcasting, the internet, radiocommunications and telecommunications. The ACMA’s strategic intent is to make communications and media work in Australia’s public interest. For more information: www.acma.gov.au.
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