PTS proposes more flexible geographic telephone numbering

Sweden’s National Post and Telecom Agency (PTS) has issued proposals to change the national numbering plan to fully support the utilisation of geographical (fixed) telephone numbers in other area codes as well as in mobile networks. The regulator’s announcement said that there is an increasing demand for the use of more flexible telephone numbers, for example, to move a fixed geographical number to another area code or to use the geographical number in the mobile network. This type of service exists today but is not permissible in Sweden on the basis of the numbering plan and licence conditions. PTS identified in its strategy for telephony numbering (2014) these changes as being possible to implement in the short term (2017 onwards). The Agency also found that the changes are not expected to create problems such as potential complications for emergency calls, number portability and additional services such as SMS and MMS. The statement added that: ‘In the short term, PTS procedures for the allocation of geographic numbers remain unchanged. A major change, such as to completely remove the current area codes, can become relevant only in the longer term (2025 onwards).’ Market participants have until 15 June 2016 to respond to the PTS’ latest proposals.