National Numbering Plan Of Sultanate Of Oman (NNP) Presented By Eng. Mohammed Al-Ismaily

Outline Background Roles of TRA in National Numbering Plan Existing Numbering Plan New Numbering Plan Dialing Plan for Public Service Codes Number Portability Conclusion

Background TRA is a body corporate  regulates establishment, operation & maintenance of telecommunications services in the Sultanate It promotes interest of telecommunications service providers and beneficiaries, ensuring that consumers receive international standards of telecommunications services, with a reasonable range of choices at affordable prices

Why Regulate? Promote access to world class telecom services Setting guidelines for Licensees Tackle anti-competition practices Ensure QoS Solve disputes between operators

Regulatory Framework Royal Decree number 30/2002 “The Act” is the primary legislation for regulation of the Omani telecommunications sector The Act established the TRA TRA duties and powers (which amongst other things include): To prepare & implement the general policy for the sector approved by Government To encourage use of telecom services to access world markets

The Roles of TRA in NNP In the past, incumbent operator (Omantel) has been responsible for the planning & management of NNP In 2002 the responsibility of NNP was transferred to TRA The Minister issues primary rules & procedures in connection with NNP TRA accordingly sets out guidelines for numbering of all types of telecommunications services in the Sultanate

The Roles of TRA in NNP TRA takes into account of the following guiding principles when managing, allocating & reserving numbers Ensure that sufficient numbers are available  meet end user & operator demand Fair, equitable & transparent allocations Ensure that NNP is fully compatible with relevant international agreements, standards & recommendations NNP is formatted to ensure numbers of different types give a broad indication of service & tariff

Numbers allocations & Reservations Authority’s task is to allocate, reserve, assign, modify & withdraw numbers Licensed operators providing public telecommunication services are eligible to apply for allocation/reservation of numbers Public at large must seek number allocation from licensed operators Allocation/reservation of numbers is done on a “first come first served” basis Neither operators nor users have ownership rights over any numbers allocated

Existing Numbering Plan Range Use 2xx xxx Southern region 3/4xx xxx Dakhliyah & Sharqiya 5/6/7xx xxx Capital area (Muscat) 8xx xxx Batinah & Musandam 91 xxx xx Paging 92/3/4/8 xxx xx GSM Post Paid 90/5/6/7 xxx xx GSM Pre Paid 72 xx xx xx

Why Change? The current numbering plan suffers from the following: The structured allocation of number groups is exhausted Too many exchanges sharing same lower levels Some exchanges are already running out of numbers There is no spare numbering capacity for the introduction of new operators

New Numbering Plan A new numbering plan of 8 digits scheme is proposed for the following reasons: Will allow easy identification of regions Offer immediate availability of additional numbers, in particular for mobile services Offer long term availability of numbers for new services & new operators It is, quick and simple to implement implementation started in July 2004 & will be completed by year 2005 Contains the following number ranges

New Numbering Plan Range Use 23 xxx xxx Dhofar, Wusta 24 xxx xxx Capital Area (Muscat) 25 xxx xxx Dakhliyah, Sharqiya & Dhahira 26 xxx xxx Batinah & Musandam 91 xxx xx Paging 99/92 xxx xxx OmanMobile 95xxx xxx New operator

New Numbering Plan Why closed scheme Simpler for the caller as he doesn’t need to remember the area code Oman has always been using closed numbering scheme and will be difficult to convince the public to adopt the area codes. Expected customer base can be accommodated within the new 8 digits closed plan for foreseeable future Requirements for new operators & new services can be as effectively accommodated within a closed numbering scheme

Dialing Plan for Public Service Codes 4 digits shot codes has been implemented starting with digit 1 Authority categorizes access codes by type of service for which they are used into the following: Type A access Code  used to reach commonly used services (e.g 9999 for emergencies) Type B access Code  have network wide significance  used to access services available from operators’ system

Charges and Fees Charges made for numbering allocation is to be based on the administrative costs of the Authority in administering the numbering plan An annual charge of 25 OR per 1 block of 1000 numbers is currently under study It also proposed a 250 OR per a short code annually

Number Portability Technical implementation of mobile number portability Operators have been instructed to implement the distributed database solution Requires operators to set up their national databases containing records of individual ported numbers Originating network has to recognize ported number & transfer it to the respective Gateway

Number Portability Operator obligations under number portability Has technical capability required to provide number portability for the portable service Has technology available for use within its network to provide number portability & enables end-to-end connectivity Management of ported numbers Each operators must make & keep register of the ported numbers Operators must make register available for inspection

Conclusion TRA is responsible for the National Numbering Plan Existing Numbering Plan is running short of capacity New Numbering Plan is currently under implementation Mobile Operators must adopt Number portability In future fixed operators shall also adopt number portability when it will be feasible

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