ANRCTI launches for public consultation the draft decision on the allocation and use of national short numbers for European harmonised services: national numbers within the 116 numbering range for harmonised services of social value, and national numbers within the 118 numbering range for directory enquiry services.
National short numbers for harmonised services of social value will consist of 6 digits, arranged according to the 116(xyz) format, where xyz are associated with a specific service. These numbers have a pan-European identity, i.e. such a number will be used for access to the same service in different Member States of the European Union. The services provided through these numbers answer specific social needs, thus contributing to the citizens’ well-being and safety or helping people in distress. These numbers will ensure access to information or assistance, a communication instrument for the citizens, or a combination of the two elements. Calls to 116 numbers will be free of charge.
Currently, the Annex of the European Commission’ s Decision no.2007/116/EC specifies 3 short numbers for harmonised services of social value which will be available for allocation also in Romania: 116000 – ”hotline for missing children”, continuously available; 116111 – ”child helplines” and 116123 – ”emotional support helplines”, for people with personal grievances, who need moral support or contemplate suicide.
The number 116112 shall not be available for allocation, in order to avoid confusion with the unique emergency call number 112.
Upon the entry into force of this decision, ANRCTI will publish – on its website – the 116 numbers available for allocation and will specify the conditions attached to the service provided by means of the respective numbers, as established in the Annex to the European Commission’ s Decision no.2007/116/CE.
Although Romania, as a Member State, does not have the obligation to actually implement the services provided by these numbers, ANRCTI encourages the providers of electronic communications services to contribute to the implementation and accessibility of these services at the national level, from all the networks, and will take the necessary steps for promoting these numbers.
Numbers within numbering ranges beginning with 118 are, used at the European level, for directory enquiry services. In Romania, the providers of publicly available electronic communication services will have the possibility to use the 118(xyz) number to offer both directory enquiry services and ancillary services, such as information on the users’ field of activity or profession, as well as directory enquiry services in international languages.
The procedure for the allocation of 118(xyz) numbers will be initiated shortly after the entry into force of this decision.
The draft decision on the allocation and use of national short numbers for European harmonised services is available for consultation on the ANRCTI website. The interested persons are invited to send their comments and suggestions by March 13, 2008, to the ANRCTI headquarters (14 Libertatii Blvd., sector 5, Bucharest) or directly to the ANRCTI registration office, as well as to its territorial offices in the closest county capital city. Comments may be sent, as well, by fax, to +40 21 307 54 02, or by e-mail to consultare@anrcti.ro.