A regulatory framework for Number Portability in Gibraltar. A Statement by the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority

Transcription

1 A regulatory framework for Number Portability in Gibraltar A Statement by the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority Notice No. 06/07 14 th September 2007 Gibraltar Regulatory Authority Suite 603, Europort Gibraltar Telephone Fax Web:

2 Contents Page Summary 2 Part 1: Introduction 3 Part 2: Reponses to the consultation 5 Part 3: Next steps 11 Annex: The Functional Specification for Number Portability 12

3 Summary S.1 Today the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority ( GRA ) publishes Functional Specification for Number Portability (the Functional Specification ). This follows on from the publication of a draft Functional Specification and consultation document on 1 st November S.2 This is a further significant step towards achieving number portability in Gibraltar. The Functional Specification sets out the framework of rules for porting individual numbers within service types in a consumer-led context. Neither bulk porting of numbers between networks, nor customer mobility within networks, were covered by the review nor will either be subject to the Functional Specification. S.3 The applicability of these rules to VoIP operators depends on the nature of the service being provided. Where such a service exists as an add-on to an existing service porting is largely irrelevant. Where a VOIP operator replaces an existing (traditional) provider, and so becomes the customer s public telecommunications operator, porting rules should and will apply. S.4 With the publication of this statement and the Functional Specification, the GRA is moving ahead with its plans to introduce number portability in Gibraltar. In order to harmonise the introduction of porting with the introduction of new numbering capacity there has been a delay to the ordinal proposed timescale. Number portability will now be implemented in parallel with the introduction of the New Gibraltar Numbering Plan for Gibraltar, announced on 7 June S.5 Accordingly, the GRA expects portability to be established between relevant operators providing services in Gibraltar from 1 st January Before then steps will be taken to develop more detailed porting rules over the next year or so in consultation with relevant operators. Those detailed rules will be owned by the operators concerned. The GRA will work with them over the next year or so to ensure that appropriate detailed rules are developed by the parties concerned. Page 2

4 Part 1: Introduction 1.1 On 1 st November 2006 the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority ( GRA ) published a consultation document setting out its plans to introduce number portability to Gibraltar (the November consultation ). Attached to that document was a proposed Functional Specification for Number Portability (the Functional Specification ). The publication of the draft Functional Specification was a key step towards the implementation of number portability in Gibraltar. 1.2 In its November consultation the GRA stated that it was proposing to establish number portability between network and service providers for geographic, nongeographic and mobile telephone numbers. That is, porting within the categories of geographic, non-geographic and mobile. There is no intention to oblige network or service providers to port telephone numbers between those categories. 1.3 The GRA believes that number portability will enable subscriber of publicly available telephone services in Gibraltar to change their service provider whilst keeping their existing telephone number. This will foster consumer choice and effective competition by enabling subscribers to switch between providers without the costs and inconvenience of changing telephone number. This development must be seen in conjunction with the GRA s recent announcement to open up new telephone number ranges and so significantly increase the availability of Gibraltar s telephone numbers. It is for this reason that the timescale for the introduction of number portability proposed in the November consultation has been adjusted so that porting will be introduced in parallel with the availability of new numbering: Both measures are key to fostering market growth and new competition. 1.4 Basic obligations in relation to porting were imposed on Gibraltar s telecommunications providers by Regulation 26 of the Communications Act The background of which was in part Article 30 of the Universal Service Directive (2002/22/EC). 1.5 Regulation 26 of the Communications Act 2006 set out that anyone providing a publicly available telephone service, including a mobile service, must ensure that all subscribers to such a service can, if they so request, have access to a number portability facility, restricted only by the limitation set out above in paragraph 1.3. It goes on to set out compliance obligations, including that there can be no direct charge to subscribers for porting or distortion of retail tariffs. Where retail tariffs for porting of numbers are permitted, the GRA will ensure that such tariffs are not imposed in a manner that would distort competition and may, by notice issued under section 12 of the Act, specify obligations to be complied with for this purpose. 1.6 Three responses to the November consultation were received. Overwhelmingly these were positive. In all they raise no barrier to the publication of the Functional Specification as Annex B to this statement. Key points raised by the respondents are set out and addressed in Part 2 of this document. Page 3

5 1.7 As set out in the November consultation, the rules within the Functional Specification cover only the porting of individual numbers within service type in a consumer-led context. Neither bulk porting of numbers between networks, nor customer mobility within a network, is covered in this review. In addition, the Functional Specification does not set out to establish either how portability is achieved within a network or how networks administer communicating customer requests to port between themselves. As previously stated, the first of these is primarily a matter for networks themselves, whilst the second will need to be developed, following discussions between networks and the GRA which will be confirmed through detailed and documented porting processes. These processes will include timescales for porting and agreements will be achieved on an appropriate charging structure. Page 4

6 Part 2: Responses to the Consultation 2.1 Three responses were received in response to the November consultation. These were from Gibtelecom, Sapphire Networks ( Sapphire ) and EasyCall. In the November consultation the GRA had asked for any general comments on the timetable proposed and the overall structure of the Functional Specification and proposed industry porting process manual. In addition specific comments or corrections to the draft Functional Specification were sought. General 2.2 Sapphire noted that the November consultation was primarily concerned with the Functional Specification, but that this is only one component of the process for introducing portability. It specifically noted that the administrative process was not included and hoped that in large measure such process documentation can be developed between operators with minimal regulatory intervention, as was case in UK. However, it hoped that the GRA will set appropriate timescales and charges. Similarly, Sapphire welcomed the GRA s approach of establishing a low Cost solution without the need for a new central database. 2.3 Sapphire identified a number of factors which could be used to measure the success of introducing number porting. These were that: the porting process has to be simple for customers to invoke, using a onestop-shop driven by the recipient operator (or in case of mobile portability possibly the donor operator); there should be a minimum number of valid reasons for a Donor to decline a port; the system should be as automated as possible; each operator should bear its own set-up costs cost of a port to be borne by Recipient and Donor not allowed to recover any additional conveyance costs; and the price of porting should be low ideally zero. 2.4 Whilst Sapphire generally supported the GRA s plan to follow the UK route, it was concerned that in the UK porting had not been as successful as in some other countries. It felt that this was due in part to delays in the set-up time have been built in, although it recognised that these were in turn designed as fraud, and specifically slamming, avoidance measures. 2.5 Alone amongst responders, EasyCall believed that due to changes in Gibraltar s Numbering Plan this was a unique chance to do porting the right way. By which it meant having a central database, neutrally located, maintained by a third party. It believed there would be little cost involved in maintaining both the Numbering Plan & individual ownership/ porting of numbers. Its response went on to set out options for such a database in some detail. Page 5

7 GRA comment 2.6 The GRA shares Sapphire views on the framework for porting and the relevance of the UK s experience. It is pleased to state that it intends to continue to work with existing operators and those intending to enter into the market to oversee the setting up of a sensible process that minimises legitimate delays and costs, but which also protects Gibraltar s consumers and operators from problems which can reasonably be anticipated based on experience elsewhere. 2.7 With regards to EasyCall s comments on a central database solution, the GRA is not inclined to consider that this would be a proportionate to the scale of Gibraltar in relation to the anticipated cost. Based on experience in other countries, the GRA anticipates that such a database would be unnecessarily costly both to create and maintain accurately, particularly were it to be tied in with the wider telephone number database. The proposed implementation timetable 2.8 Gibtelecom raised the issue of the inter-relation of the introduction of porting and availability of telephone number. It believed these come together specifically when considering the next stages of the roll-out process. 2.9 Sapphire stated that it believed portability could only occur once competition emerges for end-users. It thought that there may be an issue with the proposed end date for porting implementation, as that is dependent on any two networks having operational interconnection arrangements. It believed therefore that completion of such arrangements between operators, which would trigger need for actual porting and might not have occurred by, say, Spring Gibtelecom noted that it was in the process of undertaking an assessment of its network and considered that premature introduction of porting could require an interim solution which might wasteful and quickly redundant. It would ideally therefore wish to wait a further three years before porting was fully implemented. It believed that this should therefore be discussed with GRA to resolve cost recovery for both long term and short term porting solutions. GRA comment 2.11 The GRA recognises the necessary inter-relationship between the greater availability of numbering resource and the introduction of porting. For this reason it has delayed the publication of this statement until after that setting out its plans for the New Numbering Plan for Gibraltar 1. The key dates for the introduction of new Numbering Ranges are as follows: 1 The New Numbering Plan for Gibraltar, details published on 1 st June For further details see: ons. Page 6

8 1 st December 2007, start of parallel running, both old and new numbers may be dialled. 3 rd May 2008, Calling Line Identification will show new number. Directory Inquiries will reflect new numbers. Parallel running continues. September 2008, Gibraltar Telephone Directory published showing new numbers. 1 st October 2008, end of parallel running. Only new numbers may be dialled. Callers will get an announcement advising of misdialled number. 31 st December 2008, end of announcement period. Number change completed Accepting the logic that porting can only be effective once new numbering is fully effective, an appropriate date for porting to be effective would appear to be 1 st January The GRA is therefore happy to announce that it expects portability to be established between relevant operators providing services in Gibraltar from that date, 1 st January Before that date steps will be taken to develop more detailed porting rules over the next year or so in consultation with relevant operators. Those detailed rules will be owned by the operators concerned. The GRA will work with them over the next year or so to ensure that appropriate detailed rules are developed by the parties concerned and has already begun that process The GRA agrees with Sapphire that the actual implementation of porting is distinct from the introduction of porting rules. Whilst the latter will be in place on 1 st January 2009 the former is dependent on the availability of competitive networks in Gibraltar. However, actual availability to customers need have no impact on the need to create rules that will then become operational once contractual and technical practicalities between operators are agreed and are effective The GRA will discuss in detail with Gibtelecom the introduction of porting and how the network challenges can best be met both in the shorter and longer terms. Page 7

9 The Functional Specification 2.15 Sapphire was content that, subject to a few detailed comments, the draft Functional Specification formed an appropriate basis for the implementation of a number portability framework in Gibraltar However, Sapphire stated that it would be wrong to suggest that the Functional Specification can be technologically neutral or that it need not to some extent describe how portability is achieved within networks. It set out most of the common methods of implementing portability. It believed overall that in adopting the UK solution GRA is not being technologically neutral but is actually imposing an onward routing solution for fixed networks and a signalling relay functionality solution for mobile GSM networks Sapphire was rather surprised that the GRA expected that reciprocal porting arrangements will, subject to short-term technical issues, be established between network and service providing operators in Gibraltar. It considered this to be somewhat old-fashioned and noted that the UK had moved towards seeing porting more as a competition imperative than as a consumer right. It stated that the UK now believes that operators can incentivise non-porting with more attractive tariffs, and that the EU Commission appears to have given that position its informal consent. It did however note that other countries, including Spain, maintain Number Portability as primarily a user right. It sought clarification from the GRA on this matter. GRA comment 2.18 The GRA welcomes the views expressed on the Functional Specification. It was one of the GRA s intentions in undertaking the November consultation, and in its earlier pre-consultation discussions with some operators, to flush out the expertise on local operational matters that only they could have. This has been achieved and the GRA is pleased to acknowledge that the UK s solutions of onward routing or data decode for fixed networks and signal relay for mobile GSM networks appear to be appropriate for Gibraltar s fixed and mobile networks and that this has been acknowledged by respondents (with the notable exception of EasyCall) The GRA does not believe that there is any contradiction in believing that porting can be both a consumer right and a competition driver. It is happy to clarify that consumers in Gibraltar will have the right to port whilst acknowledging that operators may wish to incentivise consumers financially to not exercise that right. The GRA would draw Sapphire s attention to the placing of Number Portability in the Communications Act 2006: it is in Part III that part which sets out End Users Interests and Rights This placement was not accidental. Page 8

10 Details of the Functional Specification 2.20 Sapphire noted that there needs to be distinct rules for both fixed and mobile networks in the Functional Specification, and that this will also need to be reflected in distinct porting process manuals On the same point, Gibtelecom considered that the data decode method for porting on fixed networks could work as this would be similar to the BT/UK model. That is, a system where information is added to permit calls to be made to ported numbers. In relation to mobile network porting Gibtelecom s chief concern was that this is inevitably complex and it wanted to see a commitment from GRA to facilitate internetwork discussions so that it is demonstrably the community s interest that are met and not driven by Gibtelecom as incumbent Gibtelecom also referred to comments it made in September 2006 on the first informal draft of the Functional Specification On a point of detail, Sapphire noted that the Publicly Available Telephone Service ( PATS ) definition used in Functional Specification is different from that in the 2006 Communications. It suggested that the GRA will need to provide guidance on whether operators proving voice services over IP networks ( VoIP operators ) will qualify as PATS and whether VoIP operators have rights and obligations with respect to number portability. GRA comment 2.24 The GRA agrees with comments made on the necessity of including networkdistinct rules in the Functional Specification and this is reflected in the document as published. It notes that in the UK number portability prefix codes identify both the operator and their relevant exchange (i.e. there are two elements to porting prefix codes). Considering the size of Gibraltar and limited number of exchanges the GRA suspects that a simple operator-related code will suffice. However, it will pursue this matter in its discussions on developing porting process manuals with the operators The GRA took pre-consultation responses into account in producing its draft Functional Specification attached to the November consultation document. These included specific rules that relate to geographic, non-geographic and mobile number porting, suitable to the apparent network and routing differences The definition of PATS in the Functional Specification and its usage in the 2006 Communications Act do not differ in the most accurate sense of that word. This is simply because in the 2006 Communications Act the term is undefined and taken to be understood common usage: i.e. a telephony service which is available to the public. In the Functional Specification it has been useful to make the position completely unambiguous, following the UK practice in its number portability rules, hence it has been formally defined as: A service made available to the public for originating and receiving, or only receiving, national and international telephone calls through a Telephone Page 9

11 Number or Numbers in the Gibraltar Telephone Numbering Plan or international telephone numbering plan In relation to VoIP operators, the GRA believes that the applicability of porting is largely a matter of applying common sense. Where the VoIP service exists as an add-on service, for example, but not exclusively, to provide cheap international call access, and is reliant on the continuation of an existing telephone service provision by another operator, porting is not relevant. Where, however, a VoIP operator purports or does replace the existing provider as the relevant PATS operator, as far as the bill-paying end-user is concerned, then naturally porting and other obligations, as set out in the Communications Act 2006, are relevant. Appendix A to the Functional Specification 2.28 Finally it should be noted that Appendix A of the Functional Specification has been amended, since the November consultation, to take account of changes to Gibraltar s Numbering Plan, announced on 1 st June 2007, that will be fully effective from 31 st December Page 10

12 Part 3: Next Steps 3.1 As set out in the November consultation, the Functional Specification is only the first stage to establishing number portability in Gibraltar. 3.2 Following the UK practice, the Functional Specification does not include detailed matters relating to how portability is achieved within a network and how those networks administer customer requests to port between themselves. It was stated in the November consultation that the former could best be described as technical implementation, whilst the latter was a matter of administrative operation. 3.3 The GRA accepted in the November consultation that these were both important issues and that they would both need to be explored and to varying extents agreed or established before numbering portability can be established in Gibraltar. But it stated that neither were prerequisites to the in principle implementation of porting rules in Gibraltar, specifically the publication of this Functional Specification. 3.4 Whilst technical network implementation solutions may have an impact on the timescale of implementation overall this can substantially be worked out in parallel with the introduction of detailed administrative operational rules (i.e. the porting process manuals). 3.5 Having published this Functional Specification the GRA will now move on to discuss those detailed rules with the parties concerned. These rules will include such detail as is necessary to make geographic, non-geographic (i.e. number translation services) and mobile numbering work and will include, although will not necessarily be restricted to, the following: Porting process design objectives Business Rules Responsibilities Process description Porting process and event timeline Charging structure 3.6 The GRA believes at this time that it is entirely feasible to establish suitable detailed porting processes from autumn 2007 to autumn 2008 so that porting will be possible and enforceable from 1 st January Page 11

13 Annex The Functional Specification for Number Portability CONTENTS Page Purpose of Functional Rules for Number Portability 13 Scope of Number Portability 13 Definitions 14 Interpretation 16 Section 1: Common Rules 17 Section 2: Donor Provider s Rules 19 Section 3: Recipient Provider s Rules 21 Section 4: Transit Provider s Rules 23 Appendix A Number Ranges from the Gibraltar Numbering Plan to which Portability applies 24 14th September 2007 Page 12

14 Purpose of the Functional Specification for Number Portability 1. Number Portability allows Subscribers to change their Publicly Available Telephone Service provider while keeping their Telephone Number. Such Portability must be provided by one provider (i.e. the Donor) to another (i.e. the Recipient) in accordance with detailed rules, where such exist, under obligations imposed on such Donors under legislation implementing the provisions of Article 30 of the Universal Service Directive (2002/22/EC). 2. In addition, obligations are imposed under implementing legislation, the Communications Act 2006, on Recipients and Transit Providers as appropriate to provide Portability in accordance with the Functional Specification. 3. The Functional Specification sets out: (i) the technical and operational scope of the Portability facility to be provided; (ii) specific rules relating to processes to be carried out by providers of Publicly Available Telephone Services, which are necessary to ensure the efficient provision of Portability between them; and (iii) some general rules and other principles concerning the efficient use of Telephone Numbers where Portability services are being provided. Scope of Number Portability 4. Article 30(1) of the Universal Service Directive provides that "Member States shall ensure that all subscribers of publicly available telephone services, including mobile services, who so request can retain their number(s) independently of the undertaking providing the service: (a) in the case of geographic numbers, at a specific location; and (b) in the case of non-geographic numbers, at any location. This paragraph does not apply to the porting of numbers between networks providing services at a fixed location and mobile networks." That provision has been implemented into Gibraltar s legislation through the imposition of Regulation 26 (entitled Number Portability ), which is contained in the Communications Act 2006, The Communications (Universal Service and Users Rights) Regulations That Regulation imposes number portability obligations on all providers of Publicly Available Telephone Services. 5. In order to allow Subscribers to retain their Telephone Numbers when they change their provider of Publicly Available Telephone Services, those providers are required to provide Portability, in accordance with the Functional Specification, in respect of Telephone Numbers specified in the Appendix to the Functional Specification. Page 13

15 Definitions Donor The person whose Subscriber Number(s) are in the process of being, or have been passed or ported to a Recipient. E.164 An abbreviation of Recommendation E.164 entitled "The International Public Telecommunication Numbering Plan", published by the Telecommunications Standardisation Sector (ITU-T) of the International Telecommunications Union. Geographic Number A telephone number from a range of numbers in the Gibraltar Numbering Plan where part of its digit structure contains geographic significance used for routing calls to the physical location of the network termination point of the subscriber to whom the telephone number has been assigned. Mobile Number A telephone number from a range of numbers in the Gibraltar Numbering Plan that is allocated for use in conjunction with mobile network service provision. Mobile Portability Portability relating to Telephone Numbers allocated for use in conjunction with mobile network service provision. Non-Geographic Number A telephone number from a range of numbers in the Gibraltar Numbering Plan that is neither a Geographic Number nor a Mobile Number. Number Block A unit of numbers that have been allocated in accordance with the Gibraltar Numbering Conventions. Number Range A set of contiguous numbers of a specified or unspecified size. Point(s) of Connection A point at which one Public Telephone Network is connected to another. Portability Any facility which may be provided by one person to another enabling any of their Subscribers, who so requests Number Portability, to continue to be provided with any Public Available Telephone Service by reference to the same Telephone Number irrespective of the identity of the person providing such a Service. Page 14

16 Ported Number An individual Subscriber Number in relation to which the facility of Portability is in the process of being or has been provided. Public Telephone Network A network which is used to provide Publicly Available Telephone Services; it supports the transfer between Network Termination Points of speech communications, and also other forms of communication, such as facsimile and data. Publicly Available Telephone Services A service made available to the public for originating and receiving, or only receiving, national and international telephone calls through a Telephone Number or Numbers in the Gibraltar Telephone Numbering Plan or international telephone numbering plan. Recipient The person to whom Subscriber Number(s) are in the process of being, or have been passed or ported from a Donor. SCCP ( Signalling Connection Control Part ) An abbreviation of signalling connection control part (SCCP) documented in PNO-ISC Number 003 Interconnection Signalling Connection Control Part (SCCP), Issue 2, August 2000 and with regard to Portability documented in PNO-ISC/SER/008 Service Description Number 008 Mobile Number Portability. Subscriber A person who is party to a contract with the provider of Publicly Available Telephone Services for the supply of those services. Subscriber Number The Telephone Number (or Telephone Numbers) which any person s Public Telephone Network recognises as relating to a particular Subscriber of that person. Subsequent Portability A type of Portability where the Donor retrieves a Subscriber Number from a Recipient to whom that Number has been previously ported and ports it to a second Recipient. Transit provider A person providing, by agreement, Interconnection between a Donor and a Recipient via Points of Connection with both of the Donor and Recipient. Page 15

17 Interpretation Except in so far as the context otherwise requires, words or expressions in this Functional Specification for Number Portability shall have the meaning ascribed to them above under the heading Definitions. Otherwise, any word or expression shall have the meaning as it has in: (i) (ii) The Communications Act 2006; and The Gibraltar Numbering Plan For the purposes of interpreting this Functional Specification headings and titles shall be disregarded. Page 16

18 Section 1: Common Rules Rule 1 Entire Number Bock port (transfer) Where an entire Number Block of Subscriber Numbers is transferred from a Donor to a Recipient provider, the Donor shall notify the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority ( GRA ) to this effect. Such Blocks shall be transferred using the same technical method - amendments to the routing tables of switches on all Public Telephone Networks - as would be used if a new Number Block had been opened up by the Recipient, and by this means all calls to Telephone Numbers in that block will be automatically routed to their correct location. For the avoidance of doubt, the Number Portability Rule shall not need to be used to route calls to a Number Block that has been transferred in this way. Rule 2 GRA discretion to reallocate a Number Block a) Having regard to the Gibraltar Numbering Conventions, where a Donor loses 60% or more of its Subscriber Numbers to any Recipient, and at least 40% of those Subscriber Numbers are handled by one Recipient, the Donor (or that Recipient) may apply to the GRA for re-allocation of that block to that Recipient. (b) The GRA will retain absolute discretion as to whether to re-allocate such numbers in these circumstances. However, the following factors will be taken into account when reaching a decision: (i) There should be no adverse effect upon network services or facilities available (ii) to remaining Subscribers of the Donor once the re-allocation takes place; There shall be proper arrangements in place between all affected network service providers in order to co-ordinate consequent changes of primary routing of the re-allocated range of numbers and alteration of transfer arrangements in relation to those numbers; (iii) Having regard to the Gibraltar Numbering Conventions, if the Donor regains 60% or more of the Subscriber Numbers in a transferred Number Block, it may apply to the GRA for a further re-allocation of the transferred block back to itself, and the considerations set out under this Common Rule 2 shall apply; and (iv) Were a number block held by a Donor is reallocated in accordance with the rules set out above, the Donor may apply to the GRA for a new Number Block to be allocated in accordance with the Gibraltar Numbering Conventions. Rule 3 Minimising call set-up delay All calls to Ported Numbers, including calls handled by Transit Providers, shall use routing which minimises call set-up delay, commensurate with the technical capabilities of the Public Telephone Networks and having regard to the implementation costs. Rule 4 Reallocation of Ported Numbers The Recipient shall not reallocate any Ported Number relinquished by the ported Subscriber. The Donor shall not reallocate any Ported Number unless it is relinquished Page 17

19 by the ported Subscriber. The Recipient shall inform the Donor when a Subscriber has relinquished a Ported Number. For the avoidance of doubt, the Donor may reallocate any such number after having being informed by the Recipient that a Subscriber has given up a Ported Number. Rule 5 Cooperation of Donor and Recipient With the aim of ensuring that service to the Subscriber using the Ported Number is provided with as little disruption as possible, Recipients shall provide Subsequent Portability by co-operating with each other in ensuring that any Recipient who wins the Subscriber s business in relation to a Telephone Number from another Recipient, is informed of the identity of the Donor, and the Donor shall co-operate with both Recipients in establishing arrangements for Portability to be provided to the new Recipient. Rule 6 Changes to numbering, parallel running etc Where a Donor intends to substitute Telephone Numbers with more digits than those in the same Number Block as any Ported Number or provide Parallel Running associated with such numbers, the Donor shall give the Recipient sufficient advance notice of the approximate date of the planned substitution or introduction of Parallel Running to enable the Recipient to make appropriate technical arrangements to ensure a smooth handover. Generally, the Donor should be able to provide three months advance notice of the exact date of substitution or introduction of Parallel Running, subject to any practical difficulties which may affect that date by a reasonable period of time. The Donor shall provide to the Recipient the longer Telephone Number which corresponds to that Ported Number. The Recipient shall ensure that, concurrent with the Donor s substitution of the longer Number Block for the shorter Number Block, the Ported Number is also substituted. Page 18

20 Section 2: Donor Rules It is a Donor s responsibility to ensure that all calls destined for Ported Numbers, subject to any network management actions reasonably undertaken in order to maintain network integrity on the Public Telephone Network or, in response to abnormal demands, are dealt with in a manner conforming to the following rules: Part A: General Rule A.1: Calls to a Ported Number Calls to a Ported Number, whether originating on the Donor s Public Telephone Network or received from another Public Telephone Network, shall be passed to the Recipient over one or more Points of Connection as agreed between the Donor and Recipient, unless there is no direct Interconnection between them, in which case the Donor shall ensure that calls to the Ported Number are passed to the Recipient by means of a Transit provider. Rule A.2: Restricted ability to provide Portability If the Donor s ability to provide Portability becomes restricted due to unforeseen constraints on switching or processing capacity, the Donor shall promptly notify all relevant Recipients and the GRA. Rule A.3: Maintenance of parallel running To the extent that Parallel Running of any Telephone Numbers is permitted or required by the GRA, the Donor shall be able to recognise a Ported Number on the basis of receiving a call for the ported Subscriber based on his original and superseded Telephone Number(s). Part B: Geographic and Non-geographic numbers only Rule B.1: Use of Number Portability Codes Subject to Rule B.2, before handing over each call to a Ported Number in a Recipient s Public Telephone Network, the Donor shall ensure that an appropriate Number Portability Code, allocated for the purpose by the GRA to the Recipient and providing the identity of the Recipient, is inserted before the full national number. Rule B.2: Limitation on use of Internal Network Portability Codes The Donor shall not pass Internal Network Portability Codes across Points of Connection. Rule B.3: Limitation on use of Number Portability Codes Page 19

21 Subject to Rule B.2, Number Portability Codes shall be used in relation to Portability by the Donor and for no purpose other than to identify the Recipient. Part C: Mobile numbers only Rule C.1: Relaying messages The Donor shall, on receipt of a call for a ported Subscriber Number, either: i) relay a signalling enquiry message to the Recipient, with an SCCP called party address in the International E.164 format (Mobile Country Code plus Mobile Number Portability Code plus Subscriber number) or in E.164 National format (Mobile Number Portability Code plus Subscriber Number); or ii) for circuit-related calls, directly provide, as an option, on notification to the Recipient s network, its own routing instructions to enable direction of such calls to the Recipient s network and identification of the ported Subscriber using an intermediate routing number ("IRN"), without relaying an enquiry to the Recipient s network. Rule C.2: Onward routing On receipt of onward routing instructions as specified in Rule D.1 of the Rules for Recipients (Section 2), from the Recipient, the Donor shall pass calls to the Recipient in accordance with Donor Rule A.1 of Section1, above. Page 20

22 Section 3: Recipient Rules It is a Recipient s responsibility to ensure that all calls made to Ported Numbers, subject to any network management actions reasonably undertaken in order to maintain network integrity on the Public Telephone Network or, in response to abnormal demands, are correctly delivered once they are correctly received from the Donor, and in particular the following rules apply: Part A: General Rule A.1: Duty to inform Donor of change The Recipient shall inform the Donor of any change in the circumstances of the service associated with any Ported Number that may impact on the Donor s ability to route calls to that Ported Number. (This includes, inter alia, the transfer of Telephone Numbers to another exchange in the Recipient s network and significant changes in call traffic volumes expected to be generated to Ported Numbers.) Part B: Geographic numbers only Rule B.1: Routing within the local exchange Recipients shall route and terminate calls to a Ported Number within the local exchange, unless the Donor has agreed that the call may be passed back to the Donor via an alternative Point of Connection for recognition and re-routing. Part C: Non-geographic and Mobile numbers only Rule C.1: Routing within Recipient s network Where a call to a ported Non-geographic Number or Mobile Number originates on the same Public Telephone Network as that on which the Ported Number is held, the Recipient may recognise that call and route and terminate it within its Public Telephone Network, but in the absence of such an arrangement the call shall be passed to the Donor Provider via a Point of Connection for recognition and re-routing Part D: Mobile numbers only Rule D.1: Action on receipt of SCCP enquiry message On receipt of an SCCP enquiry message relating to a circuit related call from a Donor indicating that the Donor has a call for a Ported Number, the Recipient shall provide onward routing instructions back to the Donor s Public Telephone Network either: Page 21

23 (i) in standard mobile subscriber roaming number E.164 International format sufficient to identify the called party within the Recipient s Public Telephone Network; or (ii) in the form of an IRN either in E.164 International format (Mobile Country Code plus Mobile Number Portability Code plus Subscriber Number) or, in E.164 National format (Mobile Number Portability Code plus Subscriber Number). This will enable the Donor to route the call into the Recipient s Public Telephone Network. Digits after the Mobile Number Portability Code may be manipulated by the Recipient s Public Telephone Network to include additional routing information within the IRN. NB: For non-circuit related signalling messages, the Recipient shall respond to the Donor according to standard GSM procedures. Page 22

24 Section 4: Transit Provider Rules Part A: Geographic and Non-geographic numbers only Rule A.1 receipt and onward delivery of calls A Transit provider shall, when a call is received over a Point of Connection from a Donor with the appropriate Number Portability Code inserted before the full national Ported Number, deliver the call to the appropriate Point of Connection of the Recipient with the Number Portability Code. Part B: Mobile numbers only Rule B.1 - receipt and onward delivery of calls A Transit provider providing SCCP transit functionality between the Donor and Recipient s Public Telephone Networks shall support relay of a signalling enquiry message to the Recipient s Public Telephone Network, with an SCCP called party address in the International E.164 format (Mobile Country Code plus Mobile Number Portability Code plus Subscriber number). Public Telephone Networks providing call routing between Donor and Recipient Public Telephone Networks shall support the routing of IRNs either in the E.164 International format (Mobile Country Code plus Mobile Number Portability Code plus Subscriber number) or in E.164 National format (Mobile Number Portability Code plus Subscriber Number). Page 23

25 Appendix A Number Ranges from the Gibraltar Numbering Plan to which Portability applies: Description Local number - fixed Local number mobile Freephone Special Rate Local Rate Code 20x xxxxx 54 xxxxxx 56 xxxxxx 57 xxxxxx 58 xxxxxx 60 xxxxxx 80xx 81xx 82xx 83xx 84xx 85xx 86xx 88xx 89xx 87xx Page 24