Telecommunications Numbering Plan 1997
as amended
made under subsection 455 (1) of the
Telecommunications Act 1997
This compilation was prepared on15 December 2006
taking into account amendments up to Telecommunications Numbering Plan Variation2006 (No. 4)
This document has been split into four volumes
Volume 1 contains sections 1.1–13.4 and Schedules 1–8, 11
Volume 2 contains Schedule 12 (Part 1)
Volume 3 contains Schedule 12 (Parts 2–5) and
Volume 4 contains the Dictionary and the Notes
Each volume has its own Table of Contents
Prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing,
Attorney-General’s Department, Canberra
Contents
Page
Contents
Chapter 1Preliminary
Part 1General
1.1Citation [see Note 1]
1.2Commencement
1.3Definitions— the dictionary etc
Part 2Objects of this plan
Division 1Primary objects
1.4Primary objects
Division 2Secondary objects
1.5Purpose of Division
1.6Access to end-users
1.7Consistency with objects of Part XIC of the Trade Practices Act 1974
1.8Consistency with other instruments
1.9Issue and use of numbers
1.10Carriage services
1.11Call charge and associated services
1.12Changes to numbers
1.13Technology
1.14Transfer, surrender and withdrawal of numbers
1.15Recognition of telecommunications industry
Chapter 2Numbers that are for use
2.1Purpose of Chapter 2
2.2Numbers that are for use— public
2.3Numbers that are for use— non-public
Chapter 3Telephone numbers
Part 1Geographic numbers
Division 1Information about geographic numbers
3.1Outline of Schedule for geographic numbers
3.2Application of Part 1
3.3Geographic numbers
3.4Use of geographic numbers
3.5Using numbers of local geographic significance: numbers in Part 1 of Schedule 3
3.6Using numbers of local geographic significance: other numbers
3.7Using numbers of broad geographic significance: numbers in Part2 of Schedule 3
3.8Use of local numbers
Division 2Creating standard zone units
3.8AApplication for creation of standard zone unit
3.8BNotification of application for creation of standard zone unit
3.8CObjections to application for creation of standard zone unit
3.8DACA decision on application for creation of standard zone unit
3.8ERegister of standard zone units
3.8FCreation of standard zone unit by registration
3.8GACA decision on request to rezone numbers to be used in new standard zone unit
Part 2Special services numbers
Division 1Information about special services numbers
3.9Outline of Schedule for special services numbers
3.10Application of Part 2
3.11Special services numbers
3.12Using special services numbers
3.13Call charge
3.14Incoming international access
Division 2Special services numbers that are shared numbers
3.15Shared numbers
3.16Shared numbers used on a selectable basis
3.17Shared numbers used on a non-selectable basis
3.17AShared numbers used on a not accessible to public basis
Division 3Special services numbers that are access codes
3.18International access codes
3.19Carriage service provider identification codes
3.20Virtual private network access codes
3.22Incoming only international access codes
3.23Miscellaneous access codes
Part 3Emergency service numbers
3.24Emergency service numbers
3.25Using emergency service numbers
Part 4Private numbers
3.26Private numbers
3.27Use in private numbering schemes
3.28Private numbering scheme with escape code
3.29Private numbering scheme without an escape code— numbers starting with ‘0’ or ‘1’
3.30Private numbering scheme without an escape code— numbers starting with ‘2’ to ‘9’
3.31Exceptions to private numbering schemes without an escape code
Part 5Freephone, local rate and premium rate numbers
Division 1Introductory
3.32Application of Part 5
3.33Delegation
Division 2Information about freephone, local rate and premium rate numbers
3.34Outline of Schedule for freephone numbers
3.35Outline of Schedule for local rate numbers
3.35AOutline of Schedule for premium rate numbers
3.36Incoming international access
3.37Entitlement of holder of freephone, local rate or premium rate number
Division 3Freephone, local rate and premium rate numbers that may be allocated
3.38Numbers that are available for allocation
3.39Declaration that number is available for allocation
3.40Matters to consider in making declaration
Division 4Registration of carriage service providers
3.41Registration is required before allocation, surrender, release from quarantine
3.42Approval of registration forms and arrangements
3.43Application for registration
3.44Decision on application for registration
3.45Registered carriage service provider
Division 5Allocation by reservation of number (withheld status)
3.46Withheld status
3.47Approval of forms and arrangements: allocation with withheld status
3.48Electronic allocation procedure
3.49Eligibility
3.50Entitlement to allocation with withheld status
3.51Application for allocation with withheld status
3.52Decision on application
3.53Unit size
3.54Extending reservation period
3.55Action during reservation period
3.56Notification of confirmation of allocation
3.57Notification of change of reservation
Division 6Allocation by reservation of number (reserved status)
3.58Reserved status
3.59Approval of forms and arrangements: allocation with reserved status
3.60Electronic allocation procedure
3.61Eligibility
3.62Entitlement to allocation with reserved status
3.63Application for allocation with reserved status
3.64Decision on application
3.65Unit size
3.66Extending reservation period
3.67Action during reservation period
3.68Notification of confirmation of allocation
Division 7Allocation without reservation of number
3.69Approval of forms and arrangements: allocation without reservation of number
3.70Electronic allocation procedure
3.71Eligibility
3.72Entitlement to allocation without reservation of number
3.73Application for allocation without reservation of number
3.74Decision on application
3.75Unit size
Division 7AAllocation by auction
3.75AAllocation by auction
3.75BDefinitions for Division 7A
3.75CApplication of the other provisions of this Plan
3.75DDeclaration
3.75EEntitlements after auction
3.75FAllocation
3.75GIssue
3.75HRegister
3.75JTrading the rights of use and licensing a number
3.75KSurrender of number - general
3.75LSurrender where rights of use waived
3.75MWithdrawal of number
3.75NCancellation of rights of use – false statement
3.75PCancellation of rights of use – no active service
3.75QCancellation of rights of use – charity’s excess number
3.75RRelease from auction-declared quarantine
3.75SRelease of number to ROU-holder
3.75TEmergency allocation
Division 8Surrender of numbers
3.76Approval of forms and arrangements: surrender of number
3.77Electronic surrender procedure
3.78Eligibility
3.79Entitlement to surrender number
3.80Application for surrender of number
3.81Decision on application
3.82Unit size
Division 9Quarantine of surrendered numbers
3.83Quarantining of number
3.84Approval of forms and arrangements: releasing quarantined number
3.85Eligibility
3.86Application for release of quarantined number
3.87Decision on application
3.88Unit size
Division 10Transfer of numbers
3.89Transfer of number
3.90Unit size
Division 11Withdrawal of numbers
3.91Telling the ACA whether numbers have been placed in service
3.92Withdrawal of numbers that have not been placed in service before first declaration under section 3.39
3.93Withdrawal of number by ACA: number not in service after first declaration under section 3.39
3.94Automatic withdrawal of reserved number: end of reservation period
3.95Withdrawal of number by ACA: inconsistency with Plan
3.96Withdrawal of number by ACA: non-payment of annual numbering charge
3.97Withdrawal of number by ACA: court order
3.98Unit size
Division 12Information about freephone, local rate and premium rate numbers
3.99Notification of changes in names etc
3.100Updating Register of Allocated Numbers
Division 13Transitional
3.101Numbers recovered by carriage service providers before commencement of Part 5
3.102Numbers reserved before commencement of Part 5
Chapter 4Data numbers
4.1Outline of Schedule for data numbers
4.2Application of Chapter 4
4.3Data numbers
4.4Use of data numbers
4.5Using data network identification codes
Chapter 5Telex numbers
5.1Outline of schedule for telex numbers
5.2Application of Chapter 5
5.3Telex numbers
5.4Using telex numbers
Chapter 5AInternational signalling point codes (ISPCs)
Part 1International signalling point codes and signalling area network codes
5A.1International signalling point code
5A.2Signalling area network code
Part 2Allocation of international signalling point codes after Chapter 5A commences
Division 1Introductory
5A.3Application of Part 2
5A.4Principles for allocation of international signalling point codes
Division 2Application for allocation
5A.5Entitlement to apply
5A.6How applications are to be made
5A.7Acknowledgment of applications
Division 3Decisions on application for allocation
5A.8Criteria for decisions about applications
5A.9Decisions on application
5A.10When decision takes effect
5A.11Notice of allocation of international signalling point codes
Part 3Allocation of international signalling point codes before Chapter 5A commences
5A.12Application of Part 3
5A.13International signalling point codes allocated before commencement of Part 3
Part 4Conditions of allocation of international signalling point codes
5A.14Conditions of allocation
5A.15When certain international signalling point codes are to be in service
5A.16When decisions take effect
5A.17Notice of decisions
5A.18Signalling point operators to notify ACA of changed circumstances
Part 5Transfer of international signalling point codes
5A.19Divestment
5A.20Merger, acquisition or joint venture
5A.21No transfer in other circumstances
Part 6Surrender of international signalling point codes
5A.22Entitlement to surrender international signalling point code
5A.23Acknowledgment of surrender
Part 7Revocation of allocation of international signalling point code for test network
5A.24Grounds for revocation
5A.25Revocation
Part 8Withdrawal of international signalling point code
5A.26Grounds for withdrawal
5A.27Withdrawal
5A.28Withdrawn international signalling point codes not to be reallocated
Chapter 6Allocation of certain numbers
Part 1Preliminary matters
6.1Purpose of Chapter 6
6.1AChapter 6 does not apply to certain numbers
6.2Allocation
6.4Outcomes of allocation
6.5Notification of changes in names etc
Part 2Allocation procedures
Division 1Non-pooled numbers
Subdivision 1Application of Division
6.6Application of Division
Subdivision 2Application for allocation of numbers
6.7Application for allocation
6.8Application charges
6.9Confidentiality of application
Subdivision 3Assessment of application
6.10Routine and complex applications
6.11ACA may ask for further information
6.12Dealing with application
6.13Dealing with complex application
6.14Numbers to be in use within 12 months
6.15Numbers not to be allocated
6.16Additional grounds for refusing allocation
6.17Numbers of broad geographic significance
6.18Incoming only international numbers
6.19Data network identification codes
6.20Number of network identification codes to be allocated
6.21Allocation of data terminal numbers to a carriage service provider
Subdivision 4Allocation procedures
6.22Allocation on request (more than 1 request)
6.23Unit size
6.24Units for allocation
6.25Allocation arrangements
6.26Extending, or making permanent, an allocation
Subdivision 5Conditional allocation
6.27Conditions— general
6.28Conditions— information program
Subdivision 6Making the decision
6.29Approval or refusal of routine application
6.30Approval or refusal of complex application
Part 3Variation of allocation of geographic numbers issued in error
6.31Application of Part 3
6.32Application by carriage service provider for variation of allocation
6.33Approval or refusal of application
6.34Time for approval or refusal of application
6.35Register
Chapter 7Transfer, surrender or withdrawal of numbers
Part 1Purpose
7.1Purpose of Chapter 7
7.1AChapter 7 does not apply to certain numbers
Part 2Rules for transfer of numbers
7.2Purpose of Part 2
7.3Numbers eligible to be transferred
7.4Numbers to be transferred to carriage service providers
7.5Advising ACA of permanent transfer of number
7.8Notification of changes in name etc
7.9Transfer not to affect customer’s right of use of number
7.10Inconsistency with Chapter 10
7.11Transfer of numbers allocated conditionally
Part 3Rules for surrender of numbers
7.12Purpose of Part 3
7.13Surrender of numbers
7.14Approved application form
7.15Unit sizes
7.16Application to surrender numbers
7.17Decision on application
7.17ANotification of decision
7.17BRegister
7.17CWhen surrender occurs
Part 4Rules for withdrawal of numbers
7.18Purpose of Part 4
7.19Withdrawal of numbers allocated in accordance with allocation system
7.20Inconsistency with this plan
7.21Non-payment of numbering charge
7.22Withdrawal of numbers allocated otherwise than in accordance with allocation system
7.23Withdrawal of numbers not in use
7.24Withdrawal of numbers— inconsistency with conditions on issue, transfer or use
7.24ACessation of business
7.25Expiry of allocation period
7.26Reservation— allocation not confirmed
7.27Pooled numbers that are not issued
7.28Telling the ACA whether pooled numbers are issued
7.29Decisions on withdrawal
7.30Register
Chapter 7AMonitoring and reporting use of geographic numbers
Part 1Preliminary
7A.1Purpose of Chapter 7A
7A.2Definitions for Chapter 7A
Part 2Obligations of ACA
7A.3Monitoring use of geographic numbers
7A.4Watch areas and protection areas
Part 3Obligations of carriage service providers
7A.5Reporting first use of numbers in protection and watch areas
7A.6Annual reporting of numbers
Chapter 8Use of numbers
Part 1Purpose
8.1Purpose of Chapter 8
Part 2Rules for issuing and using shared numbers, emergency service numbers, local numbers, and numbers in a number pool
8.2Purpose of Part 2
8.3Who may use shared number on non-selectable basis
8.4Emergency service numbers not to be issued
8.5Local numbers
Chapter 9Renumbering and notice of new numbers
Part 1Purpose
9.1Purpose of Chapter 9
Part 2Rules for renumbering of telephone numbers
Division 1Purpose
9.2Purpose of Part 2
Division 2Renumbering of geographic numbers
9.3Purpose of Division 2
9.5Routing to geographic numbers with new prefix
9.6Availability of changed number
9.7Advice about changed numbers
9.8Availability of local number dialling
Division 3Renumbering of special services numbers
9.9Purpose of Division 3
9.11Routing to special services numbers with new prefix
9.12Availability of changed number
9.13Advice about changed numbers
Chapter 10Carriage service provider’s obligations to customers about use of numbers
Part 1Purpose
10.1Purpose of Chapter 10
Part 2Who is a customer
10.2Who is a customer
Part 3Carriage service provider’s obligations: recovering and replacing numbers
10.3Application of Part 3
10.4Carriage service provider must not recover and replace numbers
10.5Deciding the application
10.6ACA may ask for further information
10.7ACA may ask for advice from advisory committee or ACCC
10.8Carriage service provider must tell customer about recovery and replacement
10.9Notification period
Part 4Carriage service provider’s obligations: recovering numbers without replacing them
10.10Application of Part 4
10.11Carriage service provider must not recover numbers without replacing them
10.12Carriage service provider’s obligations if issuing recovered number to another customer
Part 5Publicising carriage service provider’s obligations
10.13Application of Part 5
10.14Publicising carriage service provider’s obligations
Part 6Use of numbers not to be subject to certain conditions
10.15Application of Part 6
10.16Use of numbers not to be subject to certain conditions
Part 7Exemptions
10.17Carriage service provider may ask for exemption
10.18Deciding an application for exemption
10.19ACA may ask for further information
10.20ACA may ask for advice from advisory committee or ACCC
Chapter 11Number portability
Part 1Preliminary
11.1Purpose of Chapter 11
11.2Definitions
11.3Porting
11.4Portable services
11.5Implementation dates for number portability
11.6Public notice period for implementation date
11.7Application of Chapter 11 to carriage service providers and carriers
Part 2Providing portability
11.8Technical capability and technology
11.9Carriage service providers and carriers must provide number portability to customers
Part 3Providing equivalent service to ported numbers
11.10Meaning of equivalent service
11.11Obligation to ensure that an equivalent service is provided
Part 4Rules for routing to portable numbers
11.12Purpose of Part 4
11.13Routing arrangements
Part 5Cancellation of service
11.15Cancellation of service to a ported number
Part 6Exemptions from obligations
11.16Purpose of Part 6
11.17Applications for exemptions
11.17AConsultation with ACCC
11.17BRequest for further information
11.18ACA may grant exemptions
11.19Deciding an application for exemption
11.20Compliance with the Chapter after applying for an exemption
11.21Notice of decision about exemption
Part 7Management of portable numbers, and reporting
Division 1Registers of portable numbers
11.22Carriage service provider’s register of portable numbers
11.23Keeping the register up to date
Division 2Management of number portability
11.25Progress reports about number portability
11.26Reports about failure to provide number portability
Division 3Reports about digital mobile phone numbers
11.27Definitions for Division 3
11.28Type 1 report
11.29Type 2 report
11.30Compulsory Type 1 or Type 2 report
11.31Request for Type 1 or Type 2 report
11.32Using Type 1 or Type 2 report
Chapter 12Review of decisions
12.1Purpose of Chapter 12
12.2Decisions that may be subject to reconsideration by the ACA
12.3Deadlines for reaching certain decisions
12.4Statements to accompany notification of decision
12.5Applications for reconsideration of decisions
12.6Reconsideration by the ACA
12.7Deadlines for reconsiderations
12.8Statements to accompany notification of decisions on reconsideration
12.9Review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal
Chapter 13Numbers taken to have been allocated
Part 1Purpose of Chapter 13
13.1Purpose of Chapter 13
Part 2Declaration of numbers
13.2Declaration of numbers
13.3Person to whom numbers are taken to have been allocated
13.4Other information
Schedule 1Non-public numbers [see Note 2 and 3]
Part 1Special services numbers
Part 2Telex numbers
Schedule 2Geographic numbers
Schedule 3Numbers of geographic significance
Part 1Numbers of local geographic significance
Part 2Numbers of broad geographic significance
Schedule 4Special services numbers
Part 1General
Part 2International access codes
Part 3Carriage Service Provider Identification Codes
Part 4Virtual private network access codes
Part 6Incoming only international access codes
Part 7Miscellaneous access codes
Schedule 4AFreephone numbers
Schedule 4BLocal rate numbers
Schedule 4CPremium rate numbers
Schedule 5Data numbers
Part 1Data number components
Part 2Explanation of components of data numbers
Schedule 6Telex numbers
Part 1Services
Part 2Charging areas
Schedule 7Content of application for allocation of numbers
Part 1Applications for numbers for all types of carriage service
Part 2Additional information for applications for geographic numbers
Part 3Additional information for applications for special services numbers
Part 4Additional information for applications for data numbers
Schedule 8Unit sizes for allocation and surrender of special services numbers
Schedule 11Reviewable decisions of the ACA
Telecommunications Numbering Plan 1997 / 1Numbers that are for use / Chapter 2
Section 2.3
Chapter 1Preliminary
Part 1General
1.1Citation [see Note 1]
This plan may be cited as the Telecommunications Numbering Plan1997.
1.2Commencement
This plan commences on 31 December 1997.
Background to Numbering PlanSubsection 455(1) of the Telecommunications Act 1997 requires the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) to make a plan for:
- the numbering of carriage services in Australia; and
- the use of numbers in connection with the supply of such services.
- the numbers that are for use in connection with the supply of carriage services to the public in Australia
- rules about the allocation, transfer, surrender and portability of numbers.
The ‘second tier’ concept is allocation of numbers by the ACA to carriage service providers.
The ‘third tier’ concept is issue of numbers by carriage service providers to customers.
The plan may also empower the ACA to make decisions of an administrative character.
Simplified outline of plan
The plan has 13 Chapters.
The Chapters deal with the following matters:
Chapter1— Preliminary
Chapter2— Numbers that are for use
Chapter3— Telephone numbers
Chapter4— Data numbers
Chapter5— Telex numbers
Chapter6— Allocation of numbers
Chapter7— Transfer, surrender or withdrawal of numbers
Chapter 8— Use of numbers
Chapter9— Renumbering and notice of new numbers
Chapter10— Carriage service providers’ obligations
Chapter11— Portability and use of numbers
Chapter12— Review of decisions
Chapter13— Declaration of numbers taken to have been allocated.
Definitions for words and expressions used in the plan are to be found in the dictionary in the Schedule at the end of the plan.
1.3Definitions— the dictionary etc
(1)The dictionary at the end of this numbering plan defines certain words and expressions, and includes references to certain words and expressions that are defined in the Act or elsewhere in the plan.
Example
The signpost definition ‘address format prefix see Part 2 of Schedule 5’ means that the expression address format prefix is defined in Part 2 of Schedule 5.
NoteThe dictionary only includes a signpost definition for a word or expression if the word or expression is used in more than 1 section of this plan.
(2)The dictionary is part of this plan.
(3)A definition in this plan applies to each use of the word or expression in the plan unless the contrary intention appears.
Part 2Objects of this plan
Division 1Primary objects
1.4Primary objects
The primary objects of this plan are to:
(a)establish a framework for the numbering of carriage services in Australia; and
(b)establish a framework for the use of numbers in connection with the supply of such services; and
(c)specify the numbers for use in connection with the supply of carriage services to the public in Australia; and
(d)establish a framework for the allocation and portability of numbers.
Division 2Secondary objects
1.5Purpose of Division
This Division sets out the secondary objects of this plan.
1.6Access to end-users
An object of this plan is to facilitate any-to-any connectivity by ensuring that numbers are:
(a)clearly assigned to a type of service or multiple types of services; and
(b)allocated and used responsibly.
NoteThe objective of any-to-any connectivity is achieved if, and only if, each end-user who is supplied with a carriage service that involves communication between end-users is able to communicate, by means of that service, with each other end-user who is supplied with the same service or a similar service, whether or not the end-users are connected to the same telecommunications network. See subsection152AB(8) of the Trade Practices Act 1974.
1.7Consistency with objects of Part XIC of the Trade Practices Act 1974
An object of this plan is to ensure that decisions of the ACA of an administrative character made under this plan are consistent with the objects of the Part XIC of the Trade Practices Act 1974.
1.8Consistency with other instruments
An object of this plan is to ensure that the management of numbers under this plan is carried out in a way that is consistent with the requirements of other instruments made under the Act.
1.9Issue and use of numbers
(1)An object of this plan is to ensure the availability of numbers by promoting efficient issue and use of numbers by carriage service providers and customers.
(2)An object of this plan is to promote and facilitate fairness and equity in:
(a)the allocation of numbers to carriage service providers; and
(b)the issue of numbers to customers by carriage service providers.
(3)An object of this plan is to minimise obstacles to the continued and beneficial use by customers of the numbers legitimately issued to them, while the carriage service, in connection with which numbers are issued, is provided.
1.10Carriage services
An object of this plan is to ensure the availability of numbers to facilitate:
(a)the introduction and supply of carriage services; and
(b)access by customers, or connection by end-users, to the services; and
(c)proper routing of calls by carriage service providers.
1.11Call charge and associated services
An object of this plan is: