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Customer Protection in Case of Misuse of Unauthorised Use of International E.164 Numbering Resources
Background
International numbering resources are increasingly misused or used in an unauthorised way. The CEPT plenary instructed the WG NNA to study the abuses of international E.164 numbering resources and propose adequate measures. A fist step was already taken by the WG NNA via a contribution to amend Resolution 20 of the convention in the last World Telecommunications Standardization Assembly (WTSA) to give the ITU-T Director more power to intervene in case of misuses of international E.164 numbering resources. This initative evolved into a Draft ITU-T Recommendation E.156 on the procedures to determine ITU action on reported misuse of E.164 numbering resources. ECC Recommendation (ECC/REC/(05)09) proposes complementary measures to the ITU-T implemented interim procedures for reporting potential misuse of numbering resources keeping in mind the final responsibility of individual countries.
A typical example of misuse is a dial up internet access caused by dialler programs which permanently change dial up settings often without the user's consent. The result is that the user is connected ot the internet at high international call rates instead of the normal call rate for internet access. All too frequently, the subscriber will only realise that he has fallen victim when he receives a telephone bill with high call charges to international numbers.
Early Alert System
EAS is a channel for information exchange between National Regulatory Authorities (NRA), who have decided to participate the system. All the actions, if any, and responsibilities are taken on a national level.
According to the Recommendation (ECC/REC/(05)09) misuse is understood as the use of international E.164 numbering resources
- non effectively assigned, often within CC without the knowledge of the assignee (or number resource holder); or
- to initiate calls that do not terminate in the country or network of the number resource holder, except in cases where the end-user invokes the call forwarding functionality; or
- for purposes other than those for which they were assigned.
The information exchanged within the EAS is restricted to the participating NRAs. It is a national matter how to exchange information between the NRA and market parties. ECO cannot disclose any information regarding the correspondence within the EAS.
Additional information for the participating NRAs can be found on the EAS document area (a username and a password are required). |
