Vodafone Idea in its response to the consultation paper floated by TRAI over unified numbering submitted that there is a lot of scope for making more numbering resources available for mobile services, even within the existing 10-digit numbering framework. It further said that the proposal for the implementation of an integrated/unified numbering plan should be weighed against other available alternatives. OnlyTech accessed Vodafone Idea’s response to TRAI.
The company said that accessing intra-service and inter-service area mobiles from fixed-line by dialing prefix ‘0’, all sub-levels currently alotted for SDCA codes will be unavailable for mobile subscribers which means additional numbering resources would not become available.
The operator told that shifting ‘data only’ numbers to 13 digit numbering is not viable as it will cause customer issues and at IT level such migration will involve complex provisioning flow changes even after migration.
Vodafone Idea also said that there is no need for an 11-digit numbering plan as modifications in existing 10-digits numbers would also meet growth requirements adequately and efficiently. The company disagreed with the authority’s proposal of pricing of numbering resources.
To deal with the issue of the number shortage Vodafone Idea has submitted an alternate option. It suggested a mandatory prefix of ‘0+STD Code’ for fixed to fixed calling and removal of prefix ‘0’ for fixed to mobile and mobile to mobile (intra-circle and inter-circle). It said that this method will not cause disruption of subscribers numbers, major network/IT overhaul and also make available 7 billion numbers for allocation.
Additionally, the operator said that in case its suggested idea is not feasible by TRAI then dialing prefix ‘0’ can be used for both intra-service as well as inter-service area mobile from fixed-line. Lastly, Vodafone Idea submitted that it would be good to have updated the National Numbering Plan (NNP) and updated list of shortcodes that are in use by agencies.
