ACMA - IFC 42/2011

Numbering matters affecting industry

Submissions

The ACMA has received the following submissions to this discussion paper:

Background

On 10 October 2011, the ACMA released a paper setting out its views on future arrangements for call charges to freephone and local rate numbers and announced its decision to take action on five matters which were explored through the course of the Numbering Work Program consultations and the ACMA’s Numbering Advisory Committee. The ACMA proposes to:

Remove sectoral boundaries from geographic numbers in capital cities.
Remove Schedule 12 in the Numbering Plan.
Remove six service types that have no allocations and are no longer required and to remove the unused portions of number ranges from six service types with limited use.
Amend the definition of the term ‘country code’ in the Numbering Plan dictionary
Expand mobile number capacity

The Authority will consider these matters via two proposed variations to the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 1997.

The first variation which incorporates items 2, 3 and 4 above as well as some additional administrative matters that have been identified separately to the Numbering Work Program is detailed in the paper Numbering Variation 2011 – understanding its effect on numbering.

The second variation, incorporating items 1 and 5 as well as proposals to supplement geographic numbers will be detailed in a public discussion paper to be released in late 2011 or early 2012.

The discussion paper is available in Word (590 kb) or PDF (381 kb) formats.

Submissions

Written submissions on the matters raised in this paper are welcome.

Submissions were due by close of business on 30 November 2011.

Submissions should be sent:

by email: numbering@acma.gov.au

by post:
Manager
Telecommunications Licensing, Numbering and Submarine Cables Section
Australian Communications and Media Authority
PO Box 13112
Law Courts
Melbourne, Victoria, 8010

Publication of submissions

In general, the ACMA publishes all submissions that it receives. However, the ACMA will not publish submissions that it considers contain defamatory or irrelevant material.

The ACMA prefers to receive submissions over which confidentiality is not claimed. However, the ACMA accepts that a submitter may sometimes wish to provide information in confidence. In these circumstances, submitters are asked to identify the material over which confidentiality is claimed and provide a written explanation for the confidentiality claim.

The ACMA will consider each claim for confidentiality on a case-by-case basis. If the ACMA accepts a confidentiality claim, it will not publish the confidential information unless required or authorised by law.

Release of information in submissions

Any submissions provided to the ACMA may be released under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth). The ACMA may also be required to release submissions for other reasons including for the purpose of parliamentary processes or where otherwise required by law (for example, a court subpoena). While the ACMA seeks to consult, and where required by law will consult, with submitters of confidential information before that information is provided to another party, the ACMA cannot guarantee that confidential information will not be released through these or other legal means.

Sharing of information

Under the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005, the ACMA may disclose certain information to the Minister, the Department (including authorised officials), Royal Commissions, the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman, certain Commonwealth authorities such as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and Australian Securities and Investments Commission, and the authority of a foreign country responsible for regulating matters relating to communications or media.

Effective consultation

The ACMA is working to enhance the effectiveness of its stakeholder consultation processes, which are an important source of evidence for its regulatory development activities. To assist stakeholders in formulating submissions to its formal, written consultation processes, it has developed Effective consultation: A guide to making a submission. This guide provides information about the ACMA's formal written public consultation processes and practical guidance on how to make a submission.