Key Benefits:
The Autorité de régulation des communications électronique et des postes,
Having regard to Directive 2002 / 21 / EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 7 March 2002 on a common regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services (the "frame" directive);
Having regard to Directive 2002 / 20 / EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 7 March 2002 on the authorization of electronic communications networks and services (Directive "authorisation");
Given the Post and Telecommunications Code, including its articles L. 36-7, L. 44 and R. 20-44-27 to R. 20-44-33 ;
Considering the amended Decision No. 2005-1085 of 15 December 2005 establishing the use of the number categories of the national numbering plan;
In view of the public consultation on the future needs for mobile numbers and the opening of the 07 tranche at the mobile service launched on 10 November 2008 and closed on 5 December 2008 and the synthesis made, published on 3 March 2009;
Considering the opinion of the Radiocommunication Advisory Commission, consulted on 3 March 2009;
In view of the Advisory Commission on Electronic Communications Networks and Services and Positions, consulted on April 27, 2009;
After deliberating on 5 May 2009,
The following reasons:
The National Numbering Plan identifies ten-digit numbers starting with 06 for interpersonal communications services to mobile devices. It is in this number section that mobile phone services have developed since their appearance. Band 06 has so far been sufficient to meet the numbering requirements.
The development of the market has led to a significant consumption of the resources in tranche 06, which has made it necessary to carry out an assessment of the use of this number bracket and a forward-looking review of future numbering needs for mobile services.
The confrontation of this balance sheet and the synthesis of the needs expressed leads the Autorité to progressively extend the range of numbers reserved for mobile services in the numbering plan to the numbers starting with 07.
I. ∙ BILAN OF THE CONSUMMATION OF NUMBERS
The public consultation referred to and conducted by the Authority at the end of 2008 focused on the numbers used for the provision of mobile services. The balance sheet of the consumption of the ART's number 06 in this consultation is presented in part I below.
The numbers starting with 06 are a 100 million numbers. These 100 million are divided into three categories, as shown in the table below: a sub-plan in metropolis (85 million), an additional sub-plane (6 million) and a technical sub-plane (4 million). In addition, 5 million numbers are still in reserve.
| Sub-plan in metropolis | 85 million |
| Sub-plan in addition-mer | 6 million |
| Technical background | 4 million |
| Not affected by a sub-plan | 5 million |
1. Sub-plan in metropolis
This sub-plan is currently made up of 85 million numbers.
These numbers are open to mobile operators in metropolis. These are mostly mobile network operators GSM or UMTS, as well as virtual mobile operators (MVNO). However, some numbers are assigned to a mobile satellite service operator (Globalstar) and a radio station operator (E message).
In this sub-plan, 5.6 million numbers are still available in blocks that are partially allocated. The table below shows the different number assignments as of the date of this decision.
You can consult the table, not reproduced below, in
Click on the "Facsimile" link at the bottom of this page
It is noted that, for the metropolis, 77.1 million numbers are allocated to mobile operators GSM and UMTS (and MVNO) for approximately 54 million mobile customers (source: Monitoring mobile indicators, June 2008).
The existence of a number bearing fund available is essential for operators in the management of SIM card stocks, due to the constraints associated with marketing streams, number porting and number freezing due to recent cancellation. Bilateral exchanges between the AMF and the operators have made it possible to assess the needs for this working capital, especially with regard to the number of customers of each operator and the number management choices.
2. Sub-plan in addition-mer
The overseas sub-plan consists of 6 million mobile numbers, the allocation of which is geographically. A block of one million numbers (also known as a ZAB) is dedicated to a given department or a given overseas community. In this block of one million numbers, those who are not assigned to an operator are reserved for a subsequent application in the same department or community of overseas.
In Guyana and Mayotte, the resource available in mobile numbers is important. Only 30% of mobile numbers are assigned to mobile operators. For Guadeloupe, Martinique and La Réunion, the proportion of the resources allocated to operators is between 60% and 80%. Two ZABs are identified for the Meeting.
This situation, in effect since the start of overseas mobile services, in Guyana and Mayotte, generates a number freeze as the number of mobile customers is very much lower than the million.
3. Technical background
In tranche 06, resources for mobile network operators for the operation of their network are collected. These are mobile portability prefixes and international roaming resources. This sub-plan consists of four million numbers.
3.1. Mobile portability prefixes
These resources are in the block of a million numbers starting with 0600. These resources are necessary to post this prefix to the calls of users who have brought their mobile number to a new operator so that these calls are forward to this new operator.
Depending on the case, these resources are exploited either in the form of four-digit prefixes (600P), or in the form of five-digit prefixes (600PQ). In the national numbering plan, these numbers begin in fact by 06, the initial 0 is implied in the following.
The three mobile network operators in metropolis each have a portability prefix, to which is added a specific prefix for their activity within the framework of the extension program of mobile coverage in white zone. This specific resource is required because calls made in local roaming on the facilities implemented under this program are considered differently from calls on the rest of the mobile network of an operator.
To date, no virtual mobile operator (MVNO) has a mobile portability prefix. Nine Cegetel, who had one, returned it at the end of 2008 after joining the SFR group. The technical relations of MVNOs with their host operator are currently exempting them, given the nature of the MVNO models implemented.
Such a code would be necessary if a fourth mobile operator would be authorized. The resource currently available (6000) could then be used for this purpose.
In addition to these four-digit resources, twenty five-digit portability prefixes were identified, in the form 6004Q and 6005Q, in the overseas departments and overseas communities that are Guadeloupe, Guyane, Martinique, La Réunion, Mayotte, Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy.
Only eight prefixes are now assigned to mobile operators present in overseas departments and overseas communities.
3.2. Resources for International Roaming
These technical resources are used by the three metropolis mobile network operators for the management of foreign mobile roaming on a mobile network. When it enters metropolis, the foreign mobile connects to one of the three networks, the choice of the network based on interoperator agreements. The network operator then temporarily assigns to the mobile a number of the national plan, called international roaming number.
The number of numbers assigned to the three metropolis network operators is 2.5 million; 500,000 are currently available.
Overseas mobile operators do not have specific resources for international roaming.
II. ∙ EVALUATION OF MOBILE NUMÉROS
The elements provided by mobile operators in their contributions to the public consultation on mobile number needs confirmed the need to gradually open an additional tranche accessible to mobile services, in addition to tranche 06.
Operators have distinguished in their contribution the numbering requirements for the following categories: interpersonal communications of subscribers to mobile service, communications with machines and technical resources used to provide these services.
1. Growth factors
the number of mobile numbers required
The growth of the need in mobile numbers is a result of three parameters: the growth of the number of subscribers in mobile service, the evolution of the need in mobile numbers for calls to machines or between machines and the increase in the number of mobile numbers per subscriber.
1.1. Increased number of subscribers
Field Service
The growth of the mobile market for interpersonal use is based on the increase in the penetration of mobile service to the population, particularly in segments with a lower-than-average level of equipment (tranches 10-14 years, 55-65 years and over 66 years).
On the other hand, this growth could also rise from the diversification of service offerings, such as tourism-related offers or convergence offers that would replace subscribers to fixed offers, or based on the evolution of European regulation in international roaming that could make it attractive for a customer of a neighbouring country to hold a French subscription, even if it is not in France.
The appearance of a fourth mobile operator and the development of the innovative offers of virtual mobile operators (MVNO - Mobile Virtual Network Operator) could also be a lever for the growth of the mobile market for interpersonal use.
1.2. Machine communications
Communication offers to machines or machines using mobile communications infrastructure are currently a limited number of mobile numbers. These offers could develop in the coming years and use a large number of mobile numbers.
1.3. Increase in the number of mobile numbers per subscriber
This increase translates the multiplication of connecting terminals by subscriber, like the terminals needed to connect a laptop to the mobile network of data or voice in addition to the connection of the telephone terminal.
On the other hand, new communicant devices appear, such as GPS, game consoles, media players or devices, for health applications (bracelet to find the patients disoriented for example). Or, more simply, some phone offers require the use of two mobile phone numbers, like free-hand telephone offers by car.
It is noted that the rate of multi-equipment in SIM cards, and therefore in mobile phone numbers in France, is lower than that of other European countries. A study conducted by SOFRES in September 2007 indicates that the rate in France is 7% while Germany and the United Kingdom are 18% and 20% respectively.
2. The requirements exceed the availability of the 06 tranche
2.1. The balance sheet
The AMF noted, on the basis of the forecasted number of subscribers to the mobile service in 2010, 2015 and 2020, transmitted by mobile operators, that the number of numbers required for mobile subscribers alone exceeded the number of numbers still available in tranche 06 from 2010-2011.
If you take into account the need for applications to machines or between machines (called M2M - Machine to Machine), the number is exceeded by 2010. In order to ensure the best use of scarce resources such as numbers, it is envisaged that, in the long term, the targeting of these applications to machines or between machines is implemented with other address techniques than numbers.
2.2. On the gradual opening of the slice 07
mobile numbers
This progressive opening is intended to meet the needs expressed in mobile numbers.
In its Decision No. 2005-1085 of 15 December 2005 establishing the use of the categories of numbers of the National Numbering Plan, the Authority stated that Band 07 was kept in reserve. She pointed out that, in view of the operator's number needs and the use of the already open resources, it seemed appropriate to keep 07 in reserve for further use. It specified that this reserve could distinguish a new type of service, if necessary, or retain the separation between fixed and mobile, during the saturation of Band 06 by extending the 06 in Band 07.
3. Needs for communications with machines
Planning for the use of mobile numbers must take into account the use of these numbers for applications between machines or machines.
Indeed, in view of the large number of machines that could be used, address solutions for machines that do not use telephone numbers will have to be defined in the coming years.
It could be envisaged to establish the principle that the numbering plan resources are reserved for the only nambling needs, when the said resources do not provide address information. Addressing needs, especially for machine applications, will then be able to find their place in other resources, as long as it is technically feasible. This would allow for more effective management of scarce numbers and could be implemented within five years.
4. Resources for the technical sub-plan
With regard to international roaming technical resources, the synthesis of contributions to the intended public consultation has concluded that there is an adequacy between the resources allocated for this use and the future consumption for these resources.
With regard to the needs envisaged in portability prefixes with regard to the available resources, the appearance of new extended virtual mobile operators (called full MVNO) and the possible fourth mobile operator could lead to a shortage of mobile portability prefixes.
The operators indicated that the use of five-digit prefixes and this is done in the Caribbean-Guyane and Réunion-Mayotte areas is technically difficult in metropolis. This point was confirmed by the contributions of mobile operators in metropolis.
With a view to identifying possible new four-digit mobile portability prefixes, in 2008 the Autorité had initiated discussions with fixed and mobile operators to allow these future prefixes to be taken from the 05 tranche so as not to consume resources in 06. The prefix identified for this use is the prefix starting with 509. This solution allows to limit changes in networks and information systems. Operators indicated in their contributions to the public consultation that the effective implementation of a 0509P prefix in their information systems would require a period of 9 months to 18-24 months. These prefixes should be used in 2010.
On the other hand, it is not intended to identify portability prefixes in Band 07, as could be the case in the other geographic and non-geographical sections of the numbering plan.
III. ― OVERVIEW CONDITIONS 07
This slice 07 is open with conditions of use similar to slice 06. These are mobile interpersonal communications numbers.
1. Conditions of eligibility, attribution and use
The eligibility and use conditions for Band 07 are similar to those in Band 06.
For the attribution granularity, the minimum blocks that can be assigned will be 100,000 numbers.
2. A progressive opening
As the last available in the national numbering plan and the public consultation was the option of ensuring that, at the first time, a gradual opening of this tranche would meet the needs, the AMF therefore opens half of that tranche to mobile services.
This progressive opening allows to introduce some flexibility in the management and conditions of use of this tranche and eventually adapt it to the economic developments of the mobile and innovative services market.
This decision adds blocks starting with 075, 076, 077, 078 and 079 to the list of numbers identified for mobile services. Decision No. 2005-1085 of 15 December 2005 fixing the use of the number categories of the national numbering plan is amended to this end by adding the mention of the number blocks ZA = 75, 76, 77, 78 and 79 where the Z = 6 is quoted.
In the case that the allocation of additional resources in the Z = 6 range did not meet the needs of overseas departments and communities, given the availability and all requests, ARCEP would identify new blocks of mobile numbers for these departments and communities within the ZA = 79 range, in accordance with the geographic segmentation principles provided for in Decision No. 2005-1085. A new decision would be necessary to add these blocks of numbers to the list annexed to Decision No. 2005-1085. This list applies to blocks assigned for use outside Metropolitan France.
3. Operational Opening Modality
Following the entry into force of this decision, operators may be assigned number blocks beginning with 07. It will then be up to these attribute operators to make requests for the opening of the corresponding resources from the operators with whom they maintain interconnection relations. These discussions will be part of the legal framework of the interconnection defined in theArticle L. 34-8 of the Post and Electronic Communications Code.
Based on the responses of mobile network operators during the above-mentioned public consultation, the deadline for implementing tranche 07 is expected to be approximately one year, allowing for first assignments to number subscribers starting with 07 in the first half of 2010.
Upon request from the actors in the event of coordination difficulties, the Autorité will establish a follow-up committee to enable the effective implementation of this new numbering resource,
Decides:
In the appendix to the above-mentioned decision No. 2005-1085, in the section: "1. Interpersonal communications numbers, the terms "Z is 6" are replaced by: "Z is 6 or ZA is 75, 76, 77, 78 or 79".
In the Appendix to Decision No. 2005-1085 referred to above, in paragraph "b. Mobile Numbers (Z = 6)" of the Part: "1. Interpersonal communications numbers, the words "Z = 6" are replaced by: "Z = 6 or ZA = 75, 76, 77, 78 or 79".
The Chief of the Operators and Control of Rare Resources Service of the Autorité de régulation des communications électronique et des postes is responsible for the execution of this decision, which will be published in the Official Journal of the French Republic.
Done in Paris, May 5, 2009.
The president,
J.-C. Mallet
