The FCS Numbering Group was set up in April 2006 to represent companies that deliver numbers and number related services to businesses and consumers in the UK. The industry is changing fast; industry regulator, Ofcom, completed major reviews of telephone numbering generally and Number Translation Services (services based on “business rate” numbers in the 0844, 0845, 0870 and 0871 ranges). These have set in train major changes which directly affect numbering providers and resellers.
The FCS Numbering Group offers an avenue for these providers to co-operate and work with regulators and customers to deal with the impending changes
The Numbering group is chaired by Will Goodall of FleXtel Ltd and Kieron James of Zimo Communications Ltd.
Membership is open to companies that are, or are seeking to become, Numbering service providers or resellers or their suppliers. The Numbering Group is a membership group within FCS. Members of FCS may join the Numbering Group as well as other Groups relevant to their companies such as the Fixed Service Provider Association, the Association of Communication Service Providers and the VoIP Group
If you are interested in joining the FCS Numbering Group or would like further information about the group’s activities or any of the issues above, e-mail meagle@fcs.org.uk
Enter members' area
Companies delivering numbering services- click here
Consultations
FCS Number Portability Working Group and UK Porting
FCS set up the NPWG in December 2007 to provide input into the work of UK Porting -UKP-which has been set up by Ofcom to facilitate the Mobile and Fixed telecommunications industry in implementing the changes to General Condition 18 set out in Ofcom's Concluding Statement on Telephone Number Portability published on November 29th 2007.
The first meeting of the UKP Executive took place on 16th January where Jacqui Brookes, FCS CEO, represents FCS members and other industry stakeholders.
FCS also has representatives on the Working Groups which have been set up by UKP, as follows:
§ Policy - responsible for defining the overall architectural model including commercial relationships, business processes and systems - effectively to set out the top level picture of how number porting will work. FCS representatives are Dave Dadds of Vanilla IP and Sam Dawkins of Club Communications
§ Planning – responsible for identifying all tasks needed to deliver the Ofcom policy. FCS represented by Neil Wilson of Alternative Networks
§ Procurement - responsible for proposing a simple and rapid tendering process to enable potential suppliers of systems and services to be evaluated against the requirements.
§ Commercial - responsible for developing the governance arrangements for the legal entity that will supersede the interim MoU. This group is chaired by Frank Chapman of UK Porting; FCS is represented by Itret Latif of Scottish & Southern and Jacqui Brookes.
§ Technical – remit will be to propose the technical architectural model, taking input from NICC. FCS is represented by Will Goodall of FleXtel.
§ Business process – to propose the inter operator business processes.
More information is contained within the FCS members area:
Enter members' area