Revision of telecom National Numbering Plan a must

TRAI in their consultation paper sought the suggestions on the need to introduce appropriate definition for ‘inactive connection’ for fixed line services and exact time duration after which telecom numbering resources associated with inactive phone connections can be reused

Like frequency spectrum, telecom numbering resources are limited, invaluable, natural and intangible assets which are to be prudently used. Their allotment should be based on the need, their utilisation should be constantly monitored and they should be reused if the utilisation drops below a threshold.

Day by day the mobile services customer base is increasing. The deployment of 5G networks will lead to transformative use cases such as autonomous vehicles, augmented/ virtual reality, smart cities and remote robotic surgeries. In the fixed services, although the number of landlines is decreasing, FTTH (Fiber to the Home) connections are increasing. Requirement of numbering resources for Machine to Machine communication is on the rise. There is a surge in the demand for short codes for helpline services of central/State government departments/NGOs. Because of these demands, the role of numbering resources or Telecommunication Identifiers (TIs) gains significance.

TIs serve as crucial identifiers for basic and value-added services. They enable the identification and differentiation of end users. They are a series of digits, characters and symbols or a combination of these used to identify a unique user of fixed line or mobile services. The purpose of the telecom numbering plan is to allot these identifiers in a structured way in tune with the international best practices. The numbering plan caters to existing as well as potential services and facilitates expansion without premature depletion of numbering resources. These resources should be equitably allocated to the service providers based on the traffic and should promote competition and innovation.

TRAI has recently released a discussion paper seeking views of the stakeholders for formulating a revised National Numbering Plan (NNP) for telecom services. This is based on a reference from DOT in Sep 2022 seeking recommendations of TRAI on this subject. Last dates for submitting comments and counter comments to TRAI are 4th July and 18th July respectively.

At present, in the Open numbering scheme used for fixed lines, the utilisation of number resources is not efficient as in some SDCAs (Short Distance Charging Areas), like Polavaram SDCA in A.P LSA (Licensed Service Area), the number of wireline subscribers is much less than the number resources allocated. As tariff within SDCA and within LSA is same, DOT in their reference to the TRAI in September 2022, asked TRAI to recommend whether the LDCA (Long Distance Charging Area) based number resources allocation is to be adopted in place of present SDCA based number resources allocation. DOT had received requests for the allocation of additional fixed line numbering resources from JIO and Airtel for providing FTTH connections. There is wire line numbering resource constraints in high growth areas like Gurgaon, Noida and Ghaziabad as well as in some other parts of the country. DOT has further requested TRAI to address present and possible future constraints related to availability of adequate fixed line numbering resources arising out of rapid growth of FTTH connections. TRAI has sought suggestions from stakeholders on migration to LDCA based numbering scheme in fixed line service.

The regulator has also sought views of the stakeholders on the need to tweak the current DOT prescribed criteria for the allocation of additional TI resources for fixed line services. Currently 50 per cent to 80 per cent subscriber activation is required for seeking additional fixed line numbers. More stringent regulations can prevent hoarding of TI resources by TSPs (Telecom Service Providers).

Currently for mobile services, a 10 digit closed numbering scheme is adopted and for fixed service, open numbering scheme is adopted. In the closed numbering scheme, the number of digits to be dialled remains the same. In the open numbering scheme, the number of digits to be dialled for local and national calls is different. For calls within the same SDCA, only the subscriber number is to be dialled. For calls to subscribers of other SDCA, SDCA code followed by subscriber number is to be dialled. Same subscriber number may be assigned to a different customer in a different local area (SDCA). In countries like Denmark and Norway there is only the closed numbering plan for fixed and mobile networks. TRAI is seeking suggestions whether a 10 digit closed numbering scheme can be adopted for fixed services also.

TRAI in their consultation paper sought the suggestions on the need to introduce appropriate definition for ‘inactive connection’ for fixed line services and exact time duration after which telecom numbering resources associated with inactive phone connections can be reused. It also sought suggestions on the need to revisit the definition of ‘inactive connection’ for mobile services. In mobile service, many people don’t want to lose their numbers as these numbers would have been linked with Aadhar, PAN, gas connection and banks and they get OTP on those numbers and the same is not the case with fixed line numbers where the number is not so critical. And also nobody would like to lose the vanity mobile number allotted to him as he would have paid a considerable amount for it.

In the discussion paper, the telecom regulator has also invited suggestions on the need for a charging mechanism and possible charges from the TSPs for existing and newly allocated TI resources to ensure efficient usage. Later TRAI also said that one major disadvantage of this is that the charges are likely to be passed on to customers by the TSPs. Subsequently TRAI has categorically denied any proposal to impose fees on mobile or landline numbers or charges for holding multiple SIMs or numbering resources from the customers. It said that it has just released a consultation paper and will be transparent and inclusive in its approach.

At present all TSPs conduct e-auction for allotment of mobile vanity numbers.

TRAI also wants to know whether financial disincentives can be imposed on TSPs if allocated TIs remain unused beyond a certain time frame.

DoT is getting a lot of requests from government and non-governmental organisations for allocation of Level 1 short codes. Regarding allocation of Level 1 short codes, TRAI wants to know whether any issue is there in the procedure being adopted now. It wants to know whether these codes should be reserved for government service only and whether their allotment should be on chargeable basis. It wants to explore the global best practices followed for judicious allocation and effective utilisation of these codes

The NNP needs to accommodate the TI demands of new and emerging technologies like Captive Non Public Networks (CNPNs). Adani Data Networks has acquired 5G spectrum for establishing CNPNs in its airport, ports, power generation plants and manufacturing plants. Of late, deployment of CNPN's by the TSPs using 5G technology has gained momentum. BSNL has tie-ups with TCIL, Amaantya and Echelon Edge for setting up CNPNs using its 5G spectrum. TRAI in their consultation paper wants to know what constraints are envisaged towards TI resources for MCC (Mobile Country Code) and MNC (Mobile Network code) being used for CNPNs.

Way forward

As per TRAI, numbering resources would play a significant role amid the convergence of next-generation technologies such as M2M, 5G and IOT, especially as these will be bedrock for universal accessibility. Hope TRAI will receive valuable inputs from the stakeholders based on which it will recommend revised NNP to DOT, meeting these challenges. A carefully crafted revised NNP by DOT based on TRAIs recommendations will mark a significant turning point for India’s telecom industry.

(The author is Former Advisor, DOT, Government of India.)