Number portability in telecommunications services
The European Commission, DG XIII, has launched an open call to tender for a study of the technical means to provide number portability and its related costs, in the context of open network provision (ONP). The aim of this study is to analyse the available technical alternatives for the implementation of local number portability and assess the experience in those markets where solutions are already operative. The study will focus on the number portability issue at local level (i.e. when the user changes telephone provider but does not change location). Particular aspects to be covered include: - Study of the different technical solutions available to provide local number portability between fixed networks and their implications on the network architecture and functions, taking into account the different levels of network modernization in Europe; - Study of number portability between mobile national networks and assessment of the level of costs associated to each technological solution. The study will recommend the most cost-effective options for implementing local number portability, with respect to the reference scenarios. It will also identify the requirements in order to facilitate an accelerated implementation of local number portability in the European Union. Requests for tender documents, as well as completed tenders, should be sent to: European Commission DG XIII - Telecommunications, information market and exploitation of research Ms. Alison Birkett Directorate A 200 rue de la Loi (BU 31 3/58) B-1049 Brussels Tel. +32-2-2968342/2968209; Fax +32-2-2968393