Recommendations
A suitable number plan is discussed below and it is recommended for discussion with stakeholders toward a final plan.
An example set of Rules or Guidelines (the Example Numbering Rules Administration Manual)is attached to this report and is recommended for discussion with stakeholders toward a final set of Rules and guidelines for administering numbers in Lao PDR. Noting that most of this work has been done outside of the Lao PDR, the included Administration Manual attempts to address all possible issues. Accordingly some of the issues addressed in the Manual may not be issues in the Lao PDR context and could be removed to simplify the Manual. What is removed and what could be modified is a matter for MPT discussion with the stakeholders though a consultative committee of other arrangement.
An example database built around Microsoft Excel is offered for number allocations recording and administrative management. It incorporates the proposed Number Plan and is set up for immediate experimental use. The system at present does not incorporate user, manager and developer level security so that MPT staff may investigate and develop familiarity with this system as well as incorporate any additional functions they may wish. Once the database functionality has been settled the requisite security may be incorporated. The example Excel database is at Appendix 5 and a brief description of it at Appendix 5a.
Alternatively should the MPT wish to embark on development or purchase of a commercial database technology solution for this function, this report includes
• An outline technical specification suitable for MPT expansion in consultation with industry and other stakeholders for in-house of contracted development of a suitable database; and
• Brochures of well-established commercial databases suitable for number management.