With the current Numbering Plan, Pre-selection Determination, and Portability Suppliers Determination due to sunset in 2025, the ACMA has been reviewing these instruments to ensure the rules remain fit for purpose in a changing telecommunications environment.
Following release of a discussion paper in June 2024 as well as other targeted consultations, the ACMA has now released a new draft Numbering Plan and draft Portability Suppliers Determination for public consultation. It proposes the Pre-selection Determination sunset on 1 April 2025.
Key changes in the draft Numbering Plan include:
- the introduction of new number ranges for internet of things services;
- mobile numbers classified as their own number type due to use and popularity;
- the removal of redundant or low use number types and ranges; and
- the addition of a provision to cancel the enhanced rights of use for smartnumbers if the number is used for scam calls.
The ACMA proposes to remake the Portability Service Suppliers Determination, with stakeholders agreeing that the Determination is still fit for purpose and should be remade and retained in its current form.
A key and contested issue considered as part of the review was the use of numbers by multiple carriage service providers, also referred to as the multiple service practice (MSP).
The ACMA does not propose to prohibit the long-standing MSP in the Numbering Plan but will take forward a program of work under our scam reduction program to explore and consult on regulatory controls within a holistic scam reduction framework for MSP. This program will balance consumer choice and competition against scam reduction objectives and minimise any related costs and regulatory impact. Further information on the reasoning for this position and anticipated timeframes to progress this work can be found in the consultation paper.
Submissions to the ACMA consultation close on Wednesday 12 February 2025.
The proposed draft instruments and accompanying consultation paper can be found at Have your say.