Abstract :
“Time T” is when the global telephone numbering scheme will undergo similarly radical changes to the UK´s PHONEDAY on 16th April 1995, permitting the length of international numbers to expand from twelve to fifteen digits. Numbering volatility in telecommunications is a by-product of technological progress (and consequently the new services and facilities that operators can now offer beyond plain old telephone service) and of progress from monopoly telephone services to the present and future competitive, open markets. There have been many changes in the UK numbering system, including the London code change of 1990 and the national code change. Similar changes are taking place internationally. Responding to competitive pressures, pressures for new global services and pressures for more numbering capacity. This paper looks at the background to administration of the global numbering space, examine the pressures leading to a decision to expand the potential length of international numbers and discuss the implications for users, operators and the industry, in the UK and world-wide
