Results of consultation on telecoms numbering policy
The European Commission, on the initiative of Commissioner Martin Bangemann, responsible for telecommunications policy, has adopted a communication on the results of the consultation on a numbering policy for European telecoms services. The consultations were based on a Green Paper, published in November 1996, which presented a number of options on a common approach to certain aspects of numbering. The aim is to ensure that, in a liberalized market, users are able to benefit fully from the choices available through having the ability to keep their number when changing operator. On the basis of the consultations, the Commission has set a number of objectives: - By the beginning of January 1998, users will have the option to select the company offering the most advantageous terms for each call, by using a code or selecting a company by default, for example for long-distance calls; - By the beginning of 1999, a numbering system for pan-European services, such as freephone, premium rate and shared cost calls, should be introduced; - By 1 January 2000, company pre-selection must be made available in all Member States by all major service providers; these operators must make number portability available for users changing operators; and number portability must also be made available for non-geographical numbers such as freephone, premium rate and shared cost calls.