The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released recommendations on the ‘Revision of National Numbering Plan‘ to address constraints related to the availability of fixed-line numbering resources.
The recommendations include migrating from a Short Distance Charging Area (SDCA) based system to a License Service Area (LSA) based 10-digit closed numbering scheme for fixed-line services. This change would unlock numbering resources that are currently restricted to the SDCA level.
Under the new scheme, all fixed-line to fixed-line calls would be dialed using a prefix of ‘0’, followed by the STD code and the subscriber number. The dialing pattern for fixed-to-mobile, mobile-to-fixed, and mobile-to-mobile calls would remain unchanged. Existing subscriber numbers would also remain unchanged. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) would allow a period of six months to implement the new numbering scheme.
The proposed scheme aims to address both SDCA and LDCA constraints concurrently. The different options suggested by stakeholders to implement a 10-digit closed numbering scheme are as follows:
- Maintaining the status quo on the current Subscriber Number (SN) and SDCA codes for existing connections, while introducing an LSA-based numbering series for new connections.
- Routing all fixed-line emergency calls to the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS), regardless of the numbering scheme.
- Optimizing the existing numbering system by merging fixed-line numbers with STD/SDCA codes.
- Creating a unified 10-digit numbering scheme for fixed lines, similar to mobile numbers.
- Provisioning new fixed-line numbers using a scheme similar to Mobile Numbers (MSC Codes).
The implementation of these recommendations is expected to ensure the availability of adequate TI resources to meet the demands of both current and future telecommunications services.