Rules for the use of telephone numbering capacity passed public discussion
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The norm, which allows the Ministry of Digital Transformation to withdraw the numbering resources issued to operators when they are not fully used, has provoked criticism from the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) and MegaFon. In their responses to the draft updated rules of the Ministry of Digital Development, it is proposed not to apply the threshold of 75% of unused capacity for its withdrawal, or at least to withdraw not the entire lot from the operator, but only unused numbers. The Ministry of Digital Resources reminds that the rule serves to combat the resale of “beautiful” numbers, and the partial withdrawal of this problem will not solve it, but will only increase the load on traffic routers.
“Kommersant” got acquainted with the feedback from the RSPP and MegaFon on the draft new rules for the distribution and use of numbering resources developed by the Ministry of Digital Development. They criticize the rule on the withdrawal of a resource used by less than 75% within two years from its allocation to the telecom operator. The same basis exists in the current version of the rules of 2018, but so far, due to the lack of elaboration of the administrative regulations, the norm has not been applied. “Probably, large operators saw the risk that the Ministry of Digital Transformation will start withdrawing after updating the rules,” says Dmitry Galushko, president of the Association of Small Telecom Operators of Russia.
Upon request, telecom operators receive numbering capacity from the Ministry of Digital Transformation for a certain period of time (a certain number of consecutive telephone numbers with reference to the region), while the numbers remain the property of the state. The rule on the withdrawal of numbering capacity that is not used by the operator by more than 75% has been in force since 2014. According to the rules, upon withdrawal, the operator loses the right to use all numbers from its composition and receives the right to replace the subscriber number with those customers who were affected by the change. The Ministry of Digital Transformation told Kommersant that mobile operators have not yet had any exemptions: “Most often, fixed-line operators face such a problem.”
RSPPaccording to the conclusion published on regulation.gov.ru, proposes to withdraw only the actually unused part of the resource, since its complete withdrawal “will lead to the impossibility of further provision of communication services to subscribers.” “Megaphone” proposed to exclude this provision from the rules altogether as creating grounds for abuse: allegedly, the criteria for using the numbering resource are not defined and each checking authority determines this in its own way.
Mintsifry pointed to regulation.gov.ru, which has already partially taken into account the proposals of market participants – in particular, it prescribed the possibility of interaction between operators and the ministry via e-mail. It, however, rejects proposals regarding the withdrawal of unused numbering resources. Withdrawal of only unused parts, as suggested by the RSPP, will increase the load on traffic routers and will only contribute to the growth of the number of companies “aimed at selling “beautiful” numbers.”
Unscrupulous operators, the Mintsifry explained to Kommersant, “pull out easily remembered numbers from the general list and, instead of giving numbers to subscribers sequentially, they sell them for a lot of money.”
Feedback on the project was provided by MTS. He, however, only pointed to duplication of existing regulation and “violations of legal technique”; The Ministry of Digital Development did not take into account his proposals. MegaFon told Kommersant that they “noted the constructive approach of the Ministry of Digital Transformation in matters of taking into account the interests of the industry.” MTS, Vimpelcom and Tele2 declined to comment.
“Beautiful” numbers are not such a valuable resource for operators to seek changes in the rules just because of it, says Denis Kuskov, CEO of Telecom Daily. In his opinion, companies most likely want to eliminate the risk of seizure and ensure “constancy and consistency” for themselves.
The draft rules of the Ministry of Digital Development have been sent for anti-corruption expertise; if approved, the norm will come into force on March 1, 2024.
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