Article 84 National Numbering Plan
84.1 In accordance with Article Fifteen of the Act, the Commission shall prepare, publish and manage a National Numbering Plan and shall assign numbers and number ranges to service providers and users in accordance with the National Numbering Plan. The Commission shall prepare the National Numbering Plan taking into account the following principles:
a ) The plan shall account for expected growth in demand for telecommunications services, so that numbers can be assigned without delay;
b ) Numbers shall minimize inconvenience to service providers and users and be consistent with the efficient use of the service provider’s telecommunications network;
c ) The plan shall facilitate number portability and carrier pre-selection;
d ) Costs to incumbent service providers in accommodating the National Numbering Plan shall be reasonable;
e ) Allocation of numbers shall not confer an unreasonable advantage or disadvantage any service provider; and,
f ) Implementation of the National Numbering Plan shall be effected so as to limit inconvenience to service providers and users.
84.2 The Commission may modify the National Numbering Plan by issuing a notice to users and service providers at a reasonable time prior to the date when the anticipated change is to be effected, in accordance with Article Seventeen of the Act.
84.3 The National Numbering Plan shall be consistent with the requirements of international and regional conventions, regulations and recommendations.
84.4 All service providers shall be required to use numbers assigned to them by the Commission in accordance with the National Numbering Plan and shall ensure that these numbers are used efficiently and in accordance with the National Numbering Plan.
Article 85 Number Licenses
85.1 The Commission shall assign numbers and number ranges by a licensing process to be determined by the Commission.
85.2 The Commission shall determine the conditions governing applications for number licenses. Upon application for numbers required for the provision of telecommunications services, and where the Commission determines that those numbers are available, the Commission shall, after taking into account the National Numbering Plan, and upon payment of the prescribed fee, license the numbers required for usage. Fees for number licenses, for special numbers, number series, names or addresses, shall be consistent with the efficient administration of all available numbering resources.
85.3 The Commission shall address matters relating to the amendment, renewal, suspension, revocation or re-assignment of number licenses in accordance with the Rules of Procedure.
Article 86 Allocation of Numbers to Users
86.1 Users and service providers shall not have any property rights in numbers.
86.2 A service provider shall only change a user’s number:
a ) On request of a user; or
b ) If it has reasonable grounds for doing so and if it has given reasonable advance written notice to the user in question, stating the reason and anticipated date of change. In cases of emergency, oral notice with subsequent written confirmation shall be sufficient; or
c ) If a user of a fixed service changes his fixed location
86.3 A service provider may charge a surcharge above the usual tariff for a type of service in order to provide a specific number or series of numbers requested by a user.
86.4 When a service provider changes a user's number on its own initiative, it shall
a ) Provide reference of call service for the number for a reasonable time;
b ) Where the number is a specific number for which the user has paid the service provider a surcharge, the service provider shall consult with the user and agree to provide a specific different number as a replacement. If the parties do not agree, either may apply to the Commission to resolve the issue.
Article 87 Number Portability
87.1 The Commission may, after consultation with the affected service providers, issue a decision directing one or more service providers to develop a number portability implementation plan. The decision may set out guidelines for the development of the plan, including guidelines on:
a ) The schedule for implementation of number portability;
b ) Markets and service providers covered by the plan;
c ) Technical means of providing number portability; and
d ) Payment of costs for implementation of the plan
87.2 Upon receipt of a decision under paragraph 87.1 of this Article, the service providers to whom the direction applies shall negotiate with each other to develop a number portability implementation plan. A plan developed under this Article shall be submitted to the Commission for approval before it is implemented.
87.3 If service providers cannot agree on a number portability implementation plan within ninety (90) days after a decision is made under paragraph 87.1 of this Article, the Commission may:
a ) Appoint an inquiry officer under Article 8 of this Bylaw and direct the inquiry officer to develop a plan; or
b ) Deal with the issues in dispute between the service providers pursuant to Chapter 6 of this Bylaw
87.4 The Commission may issue a decision approving a number portability implementation plan, before or after completion of the processes outlined in paragraph 87.3 of this Article. Service providers shall provide number portability in accordance with the plan approved by the Commission.