Issues to be addressed
Having been designed prior to the growth of mobile services in the Lao PDR, the 2003 Number Plan placed considerable emphasis on arrangements for fixed network services and structures reflecting good practice of the time. This resulted in the creation of a large number of area codes (initially ten but later eighteen)) coupled with commensurate usage of the number space (considering the area codes, the fixed network consumed eightleading digits of the available ten. This required a special arrangement for mobile service (‘020’) and WLL (‘030’). Within this scheme ofthe remaining digits, two digits must bereserved, one for access codes and short dialling codes and one for future update of the number plan.
The structure for allocation of subscriber digits to indicate a provider is intrinsically wasteful (the provider necessarily is allocated a standard block size regardless of the number of customers) and can limit the number of providers to which numbers may be allocated. The current arrangement for example does not enable another operator to enter this market as the digit space is full unless the introduction is on the basis that the new operator accept a two digit prefix that has a first digit that is already well known to consumers as being ‘owned’ by a separate provider. Additionally, the arrangement can limit the number of subscribers a five digit based provider may accept and also means that a provider that fails to attract a customer base is an inefficient use of numbers. This effectively denies another provider access to numbers that they may require and is a limitation on competition.
Accordingly the issues now to be addressed are:
• To compact the space set aside for fixed services without limiting that service into the future
• To balance the space available for the provision of mobile services in a way that will not limit future options ( e.g. number portability);
• To establish spare digits for future services and a reserved digit to enable easier future change to the number plan (the goal for life of the Plan is 30 years)
• To provide for more fixed service providers should operators wish to enter this market;and
• Improve the efficiency of use of numbers and foster competition.
Separate but necessarycomponents of the change will be to re structure the groupings of services built on short codes and access codes (‘1’ and ‘0’ ranges) for more efficient use of the number space, provision for key commercial services (e.g. Freephone, National Rate and Premium Rate) as well as easier management and understanding by non-specialists.