Network Code and Signalling Point code in EU

N. Gelvanovska

Adopted in EU countries order of receiving Adopted in EU countries order of receiving (allotment) of network codes, signaling point codes, (allotment) of network codes, signaling point codes,

abbreviated numbers of emergency and directory abbreviated numbers of emergency and directory enquiry servicesenquiry services

Natalija GelvanovskaCommunications Regulatory Authority of the Republic of Lithuania (RRT)Communications Regulatory Authority of the Republic of Lithuania (RRT)

Workshop on the implementation of an open and non-discriminatory numbering plan in telecommunications networks

February 2010, Kiev

The opinions expressed in this presentation are the personal views of the author and do not prejudge decisions of the RRT

N. Gelvanovska

Allocation of:Allocation of:

• Codes:– Signaling codes;– Network codes;– Issuer Identifier Number (IIN).

• Codes: overview of practices among EU MS;

• Number of Emergency;• Directory enquiry service number.

N. Gelvanovska 3 psl

Network Codes - SANCsNetwork Codes - SANCs

Allocation of CodesAllocation of Codes

• SANC is the code, assigned by the ITU for identification of the State, in which the operator, whose exchange is identified by ISPC is operating;

• SANC is an integral part of International Signaling Point Code (ISPC);

• Principles of allocation of SANCs are established by ITU-T Rec. Q.708 ITU-T Rec. Q.708 “Assignment procedures for international signaling point codes” [2]:

− The Director of the TSB shall assign an initial SANC or additional SANC(s);− The SANCs are being assigned to the State;− Assignments shall be made within one month from receipt of the request


Network Codes - MNCsNetwork Codes - MNCs


• A Mobile Network Code (MNC) is a combination of two digits in the form XX, where X is a digit from 0 to 9 and an integral part of IMSI;

• MNCs are used to identify a mobile operator’s home network (HPLMN) in the country and used to facilitate roaming with another national and international mobile networks;

• Decision on the use of MNC may be made in accordance with ITU-T Rec. E.212 ‘The international identification plan for mobile terminals and mobile users’ [6].

N. Gelvanovska5 psl

Network Codes - DNICsNetwork Codes - DNICs


– DNIC is used to identify a Public Data Network (PDN). Up to ten different network digits can be assigned per data country code (DCC);

– After the DNIC follows the network terminal number (NTN): maximum 10 digits. The NTN is assigned by the operator. An international data network number (DNIC + NTN) may consist of maximum 14 digits;

– Decision on the use of Data Network Identification Codes (DNIC) may be made in accordance with the ITU-T Recommendation X.121 ”International numbering plan for public data networks”.


Signaling Point CodesSignaling Point Codes


• Signaling Point – a node in a signaling network that either originates and receives signaling messages, or transfers signaling messages from one signaling link to another, or both;

• Signaling Point Code – a code used to identify a signaling point;

• Otherwise Signaling Point Codes (SPCs) are signaling addresses used in a signaling network employing common channel Signaling System No.7 (SS7) for call set-up. SPC is needed for establishing interconnection between two SS7 switches;

• The worldwide signaling network has two functionally independent levels: the international level and the national level. Hence are two types of SPCs:

– International Signaling Point Codes (ISPCs);– National Signaling Point Codes (NSPCs).


Signaling Point Codes - ISPCsSignaling Point Codes - ISPCs


– Within the international SS7 network signaling points are identified by International Signaling Point Codes (ISPCs):

• 14-bit binary codes used to establish direct SS7 signaling links and interconnection with overseas networks;

– Principles of allocation are established by ITU-T Rec. Q.708 ITU-T Rec. Q.708 “Assignment procedures for international signaling point codes ” [2] (List of all assigned ISPC is published by ITU [3]):

– only a single ISPC is to be assigned to a signaling point;– Assignment confers use of the ISPC resource but does not imply ownership by the operator;– ISPC is allocated by national Administration: ISPC = SANC + X, where X (0, …, 7)ISPC = SANC + X, where X (0, …, 7);– An ISPC derived from a SANC assigned to a Member State is expected to be used within the

territory of that Member State;– The ITU-T should be notified by the NPM of ISPC allocations and withdrawals within one month

of such an event.


Signaling Point Codes - NSPCsSignaling Point Codes - NSPCs


– Within the national SS7 network signaling points are identified by National Signaling Point Codes (NSPCs):

– 14-bits binary codes used to establish direct SS7 signaling links and interconnection with local networks;

– NSPC is a combination of four digits in the form XXXX, where X is a digit from 0 to 9;

– NSPCs are assigned by national Administrations in sequential order.


Issuer Identifier Number (IIN)Issuer Identifier Number (IIN)


• An Issuer Identifier Number (IIN) is used in the provision of electronic communications service and billing;

• Allocation and usage is regulated by the ITU-T Rec. E.118 ITU-T Rec. E.118 “The International telecommunications charge card” [1]:

– IINs “ <…> are normally used to distinguish among multiple OAs who issue cards within a country.”

– IIN is an integral part of the Charge Card Numbering system composing from 4 digits;− IIN “<…> should only be assigned to OAs with the agreement of their Administrations.”

Registration form should be authorized by the Administration and submitted to ITU-T;− One-time fee apply;− “Card issuers will be assigned a single IIN from the ITU's block <…>”


CodesCodes

Allocation PracticalitiesAllocation Practicalities

– Network codes and Signaling codes (Codes) are not part of National Numbering Plans (NNP). Nevertheless assignments of Codes in the Member States (MS) of the European Union (EU) are performed by the NNP administrators;

– In all EU MS assignments are performed by National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs);– Adopted among the EU MS assignment procedures are mostly common for E.164

numbers and Codes (almost always assigned in sequential order);– EU legislation is not applicable for Code’s assignment procedures. Those are established

by ITU-T Recommendations. Common principles of transparency, non-discrimination and efficiency apply:

• EU specific assignment approach for Codes does not exist.– Differences in assignment procedures among EU MS may be classified as following:

• In-service date; Application proceeding time; Charging Fees for Allocations.


Codes (2)Codes (2)

Allocation PracticalitiesAllocation Practicalities

• Differences in assignment procedures among EU MS may be classified as following:

– In-service dateIn-service date from 6 to 12 months, e.g.:• In Lithuania, Ireland: Codes (and Numbers) shall be put in service no longer

than 1 year form allocation;• In Germany, Sweden: applications may not be made more than 180 calendar

days prior to the planned in-service date;

– Application proceeding time Application proceeding time from ~ 2 weeks to 1 month, e.g.:• Germany – 14 working days, Romania – 3 weeks; Lithuania, Sweden – 21

working days.


EU legislationEU legislation

Numbers of EmergencyNumbers of Emergency

• European Conference of Post and Telecommunications (CEPT) recommended in its recommendation T/SF1 of 1976 the use of the number 112 as the single European emergency call number;

• Council Decision of 29 July 1991 on the introduction of a single European emergency call number (91/396/EEC) imposed obligation on EU MS to introduce 112 both in fixed and mobile networks up to December, 1996. 112 had to be implemented in parallel to existing Emergency numbers;

• In 2002 provisions of 91/396/EEC were transferred to the Universal Service Directive (2002/22/EC) [16]:

– According to Article 26.1 the 112 shall be available ‘in addition to any other national emergency call numbers’, while according to Article 26.4 ‘Member States shall ensure that citizens are adequately informed about the existence’ of the 112.

• The reform of EU telecoms rules (2009 package) strengthened EU rules on 112 [17], in particular for:

– quicker provision of caller location information to emergency authorities; awareness raising (specially for travellers); extending access obligations to certain types of internet telephony (VoIP) providers and access for disabled users.


EU legislationEU legislation

Directory enquiry servicesDirectory enquiry services

• As the telecoms market has been liberalized, the Directory Services (DS) market is also becoming competitive;

• Regulatory provisions for DS were firstly introduced in Article 6 of the EC Voice Telephony Directive 98/10/EC. Article 6 specifies that:

• all subscribers (to mobile and fixed services) should have the right to be included in a public directory;

• these DS should be available to all users in printed or electronic format• at least one telephone DS covering all listed subscribers must be available to all

users• directory information must be made available (e.g. to competing directory

service providers) in an agreed format on terms that are fair, cost-oriented and nondiscriminatory.

• Provisions of Article 6 remain unchanged both in 2002/22/EC Universal Service Directive (USD) and Amended USD of 2009.


Numbering parityNumbering parity


• Numbering parity concerns the telephone numbers that are assigned to DS;• Historically, the incumbent provided DS through one or more short codes, while

alternative providers had to use longer dial-up numbers;• Above situation gave a competitive advantage to the incumbent, since users are

more inclined to dial the familiar short code;• In order to establish numbering parity for providers of DS, a new numbering range new numbering range

118XY118XY (or some equivalent numbering scheme) has been chosen for such services in EU MS. Three levels of implementation exist:

• 118XY introduced, old short codes are not on use;• 118XY introduced, old short codes are still in use;• 118XY is not introduced.

• Introduction of numbering parity puts the incumbent and alternative DS providers in an equal footing, thus has a direct impact on competition;

• It is commonly acknowledged that elimination of the preferential short code for the incumbent, attracts new entrants into the DS market. Source [18]


Assignment criteriaAssignment criteria


• EU legal acts do not establish any rules, hence MS apply different regulatory approaches:

Source: [19]

Countries: To whom assign:

Czech Republic, Lithuania, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia

Electronic Communications Network or Electronic Communications Service providers

Greece, Germany, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, UK DS providers

Finland, France, Portugal Electronic Communications Network providers


Services provided via DS numbersServices provided via DS numbers


• EU legal acts do not establish any rules, hence MS apply different regulatory approaches:

Source: [19]

Countries: What services could be provided:

Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Lithuania, UK, the Netherlands, Sweden

Other than DS allowed

Germany, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Norway, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland

Only DS services


How EU approach could be achieved?How EU approach could be achieved?


• No common regulatory approach exists for DS regulation among EU;

• How then to achieve common EU goals with regards to DS provision? :− Improve the enforcement of the provisions of Article 6:

− in particular the provision which states that ‘all organisations which assign telephone numbers to subscribers meet all reasonable requests to make available the relevant information in an agreed format on terms which are fair, cost oriented and non – discriminatory’;

− define precisely the basis to be used for calculating cost-oriented access charges, including definitions of cost elements and methodologies;

− encourage the existence of national universal subscriber databases;− allow the market freedom to establish the most efficient management structure for

such universal databases;− fully adopt numbering parity and abolish any short codes favoring the incumbent;− encourage the use of standard data formats based on an open standard protocol.

Source [18]


Communications Regulatory Authority of the Republic of Lithuania

www.rrt.lt

Infrastructure sharing experience


References:References:[1] ITU-T Rec. E.118 at: http://www.itu.int/itu-t/recommendations/index.aspx?ser=E

[2] ITU-T Rec. Q.708 at: http://www.itu.int/itu-t/recommendations/index.aspx?ser=Q;

[3] List of assigned International Country Codes: http://www.itu.int/opb/publications.aspx?parent=T-SP&view=T-SP2;

[4] Charging Fees for Numbering Allocations in Denmark: http://en.itst.dk/numbering-issues-and-domain-aspects/numbering-issues/number-charges-for-the-year-2007;

[5] Charging Fees for Numbering Allocations in Ireland: http://www.comreg.ie/_fileupload/publications/ComReg0802.pdf;

[6] ITU-T Rec. E.212 at: http://www.itu.int/itu-t/recommendations/index.aspx?ser=E;

[7] Charging Fees for Numbering Allocation in Netherlands: http://www.opta.nl/en/numbers/tariffs/ ;

[8] Charging Fees for Numbering Allocations in Poland at: http://static1.money.pl/d/akty_prawne/pdf/DU/2004/283/DU20042832832.pdf;

[9] ITU-T Rec. X.121 at: http://www.itu.int/itu-t/recommendations/index.aspx?ser=X;

[10] All National Numbering Plans at: http://www.itu.int/oth/T0202.aspx?parent=T0202;

[11] Charging Fees for Numbering Allocations in Lithuania at: http://www.rrt.lt/index.php?1509629960;

[12] Charging Fees for Numbering Allocations in Sweden at: http://www.pts.se/upload/Ovrigt/Tele/Tekniska%20planer/Guidance_ISPC.pdf, http://www.pts.se/upload/Ovrigt/Tele/Tekniska%20planer/Guidance_MNC.pdf, http://www.pts.se/upload/Ovrigt/Tele/Tekniska%20planer/Guidance_NSCP.pdf;

[13] Charging Fees for Numbering Allocations in Estonia at: http://www.tja.ee/?id=12509;

[14] Charging Fees for Numbering Allocations in Belgium at: http://www.bipt.be/en/164/ShowDoc/2451/Charges___Fees/Charges_and_fees_2010.aspx .


References:References:[15] 91/396/EEC: Council Decision of 29 July 1991 on the introduction of a single European emergency call number

at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:31991D0396:EN:HTML ;

[16] Directive 2002/22/EC of Parliament and of the Council of 7 March 2002 on universal service and user’s rights relating to electronic communications networks and services, OJ L 108, 24.4.2002;

[17] Commission calls on Member States to step up awareness of Europe's single emergency number 112, 11 February, 2009 at: http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/151&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en;

[18] Study on "Regulatory framework and market developments concerning directory services in EU and EEA Member States", prepared by Analysys Consulting for European Commission, 2002, at: http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/topics/telecoms/regulatory/studies/index_en.htm ;

[19] CEPT Survey – Use of 118 numbers “Responses to Ireland’s Survey on use of 118 numbers for Directory Enquiry Services in CEPT countries”, September, 2009.


Source: ITU-T Rec. E.118

Network Code and Signalling Point code in EU

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