The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released its recommendations on the ‘Revision of National Numbering Plan’ to optimise telecommunication identifiers (TIs) and numbering resources. The move aims to enhance accessibility and ensure the efficient allocation of numbering resources across telecom networks.
The revision comes in response to a reference from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) seeking recommendations on improving the availability of fixed-line numbering resources amid rapid telecom expansion. The scope of the review included fixed-line numbering schemes, shortcodes, Service Control Point (SCP) codes, National Signalling Point (SP) Codes, Mobile Country Code-Mobile Network Code (MCC-MNC) for Captive Non-Public Network (CNPN), and other numbering aspects crucial to network efficiency.
Consultation Process and Stakeholder Engagement
To gather insights, TRAI issued a Consultation Paper on June 6, 2024, followed by an Open House Discussion (OHD) held virtually on October 8, 2024. The recommendations were finalised after considering stakeholder inputs, discussions, and in-depth analysis of the numbering framework.
Key Recommendations:
- Charges on Numbering Resources – TRAI has advised against imposing additional charges or financial disincentives on numbering resources at this stage. The DoT will monitor the annual usage of allocated numbering resources and may withdraw unutilized resources if necessary.
- Fixed-line Numbering Scheme Revision –
- Migration from a Short Distance Charging Area (SDCA) to a License Service Area (LSA)-based 10-digit closed numbering scheme to enhance resource availability.
- Implementation of a uniform dialling pattern for fixed-line services: all fixed-line to fixed-line calls must include a ‘0’ prefix, followed by the STD code and subscriber number.
- No changes in dialling patterns for fixed-to-mobile, mobile-to-fixed, and mobile-to-mobile calls.
- A six-month transition period for implementing the new scheme.
- Adoption of a Fixed-line Location Routing Number (FLRN) code within five years to enable fixed-line number portability nationwide.
- Combatting Unsolicited Communications and Spoofing –
- Expedited implementation of Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) services in Indian telecom networks.
- Introduction of CLI Authentication and a Distributed Certification Authority framework to prevent spoofing and tampering, in line with ITU recommendations.
- Deactivation Timeline for Numbering Resources –
- No deactivation of mobile or fixed-line numbers until 90 days of non-usage.
- Mandatory deactivation of numbers that remain inactive for 365 days following the 90-day non-usage period.
- Mobile and M2M Numbering –
- Ensuring adequate 13-digit numbering resources for Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications.
- Phasing out 10-digit SIM-based M2M numbers in favour of the 13-digit format, as previously recommended by TRAI.
- Shortcode Allocation and Audit –
- Level-1 shortcodes are to be provided only to government entities free of charge.
- Annual audits to assess shortcode utilization, with inactive codes subject to withdrawal in consultation with user entities.
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The complete set of recommendations is available on TRAI’s official website (www.trai.gov.in). For further clarifications, stakeholders may contact Shri Abdul Kayum, Advisor (Broadband and Policy Analysis), TRAI, at +91-11-20907757.