Proposal to adjust numbering chargesConsultation paperAPRIL 2015

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1. Overview1.1 Introduction 11.2 Background 21.3 Regulatory framework 31.4 Way forward 3

2. The proposed charges2.1 Cost recovery target 42.2 Proposed charging methodology 42.3 Comparison of current and proposed charges 62.4 CSP registration charge 72.5 Smartnumbers 7

Invitation to commentMaking a submission 9

Appendix A—Explanation of numbering transaction typesTerms used in Table 1 11Terms used in Table 2 13

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1. Overview1.1 IntroductionThe Australian Communications and Media Authority (the ACMA) is Australia’s regulator for telecommunications, broadcasting, radiocommunications and the internet. The ACMA’s role includes regulating the use of, and allocating public resources such as telephone numbers. The ACMA is also responsible for setting the associated charges for the allocation of telephone numbers.

In 2014, the Commonwealth awarded a contract to ZOAK Solutions Pty Ltd (ZOAK) to provide allocation and administrative services in relation to most of Australia’s telephone numbers from August 2015.1

Under these new arrangements, ZOAK will provide the services that the ACMA and its current delegate (Industry Number Management Services Ltd (INMS)) currently provide, but at a reduced cost to industry. The ACMA will be able to decommission two legacy systems which require significant manual processing when the ZOAK system commences.

The proposed charge (a flat charge of $19.50 per transaction, except for smartnumbers) is significantly lower than the charges that currently apply to number transactions managed by the ACMA.

The ACMA considered several pricing methodologies and found that a flat price methodology was consistent with an automated allocation system where all number transactions are treated the same.

The ACMA is now seeking public comment on a proposal to set charges for the allocation of telephone numbers and associated number transactions that will apply from 1 August 2015.

The proposed charges are contained in drafts of the Telecommunications (Numbering Charges) (Allocation Charge) Determination 2015 and the Telecommunications (Charges) Amendment Determination 2015 (No. 1). The draft instruments can be found on the ACMA’s website

1 ZOAK will deliver allocation and administration services as a delegate of the ACMA for all number types specified in the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 2015 (the Numbering Plan), except for international signalling point codes, mobile network codes and some special types of numbers (such as emergency service numbers).

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1.2 BackgroundAllocation and administrative services for telephone numbers are presently provided in three ways:1. the ACMA provides administrative allocation and other administrative services for the

majority of number types, except for some freephone, local rate and premium rate numbers. This is undertaken through a combination of manual and automatic processes

2. the ACMA makes the enhanced rights of use2 to freephone and local rate numbers available using an automated auction system

3. the ACMA has a contract with INMS for the provision of delegated allocation and administrative services for a pool of freephone and local rate numbers, and 6–8 digit premium rate numbers. These services are provided using an automated system.

Between 2010 and 2012, the ACMA examined a wide range of issues related to the regulatory framework for telephone numbers that emerged as a result of deep changes in industry structures, service offers and consumer behaviour. This work is known as the Numbering Work Program. The aim of the Numbering Work Program was to identify what, if any, changes were needed to enable flexible, efficient and effective numbering arrangements for the future communications environment.

One outcome of the Numbering Work Program was that the ACMA examined alternatives for the sustainable provision of numbering services in the long term. The ACMA concluded that it would be timely to test the market for the provision of a system to administer and allocate an expanded range of numbering services, compared to the range delegated to INMS at that time.

On 12 September 2014, following a competitive tender process, the Commonwealth awarded ZOAK the contract to provide allocation and administrative services for most of Australia’s telephone numbers from August 2015.3

It is intended that ZOAK will provide services under delegation from the ACMA, in accordance with a contract with the Commonwealth, consistent with the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 2015 (the Numbering Plan).

Relevant to this proposal, the Numbering Plan:> removes most of the discretionary decision-making, relating to the allocation, transfer

and surrender of most number types to enable automation of these processes> moves from an auction4 to an over-the-counter allocation process for smartnumbers.

These two changes will mean that the decision-making processes in the new numbering system, almost entirely can be fully automated and the ACMA can decommission its two legacy systems (the online numbering system ‘NUMB’ and the smartnumbers auction system).

2 The person who is successful at an auction of a smartnumber obtains the enhanced rights of use to that number, meaning that person may sell or lease the number or have no service on that number for up to three years.3 ZOAK will deliver allocation and administration services as a delegate of the ACMA for all number types specified in the Numbering Plan, except for international signalling point codes, mobile network codes and some special types of numbers (such as emergency service numbers).4 Auctions of the enhanced rights of use of smartnumbers are held fortnightly. Prospective bidders must register and lodge their opening bid at least four business days before an auction.

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1.3 Regulatory frameworkUnder section 455 of the Telecommunications Act 1997 (the Telecommunications Act), the ACMA must make a written instrument for the numbering of carriage services in Australia. Among other things, the Numbering Plan may set out rules about the allocation, transfer and surrender or withdrawal of numbers in accordance with subsection 455(5) of the Telecommunications Act.

Section 463 of the Telecommunications Act provides for the ACMA to determine an allocation system for specified numbers.

The ACMA is able to set charges in relation to the allocation of numbers and in relation to the provision of numbering services under two Acts:5

> Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005 (the ACMA Act). Section 60 enables the ACMA to fix charges for services it provides and any matter in relation to which expenses are incurred under a number of acts and legislative instruments (including the Telecommunications Act and instruments made under the Telecommunications Act). These charges ‘must not be such as to amount to taxation.’ In setting charges under section 60, the ACMA is required to comply with the Australian Government Cost Recovery Guidelines.

> Telecommunications (Numbering Charges) Act 1997 (the Numbering Charges Act). The Numbering Charges Act enables the ACMA to set charges for numbers allocated under the Numbering Plan. Section 11 of the Numbering Charges Act imposes charge on the allocation of a number that is allocated to a carriage service provider (CSP) otherwise than in accordance with an allocation system determined under section 463. Section 12 of the Numbering Charges Act provides that the charge is payable by the CSP to which the number is allocated.

The ACMA sets the amount of charge under section 13 of the Numbering Charges Act; the amount of charge for allocation of a number must not exceed $100,000, and a geographic number allocated for the purposes of providing a standard telephone service is exempt from charge. The charge does not need to be set on a cost-recovery basis, although the ACMA has traditionally done so.

Because the costs to the Commonwealth of allocating and managing numbers are changing, it is timely to review the charges imposed in relation to the allocation and management of numbers. It is necessary to make some changes to the charging instruments, to reflect the new regime implemented by the Numbering Plan.

The charges for numbering allocation and administration functions that are proposed to apply from 1 August 2015 are set out in the following draft instruments:> Telecommunications (Numbering Charges) (Allocation Charge) Determination 2015.

This instrument will be made under the Numbering Charges Act> Telecommunications (Charges) Amendment Determination 2015 (No. 1). This

instrument will be made under the ACMA Act.

1.4 Way forwardThe ACMA welcomes submissions on the proposed charges to apply to numbering transactions from 1 August 2015.

The ACMA will review the charges regularly to ensure they remain set appropriately to recover the cost of the provision of numbering services.

5 However, the ACMA has the power only to collect fees and charges for the allocation of geographic numbers and registration charges under the ACMA Act.

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2. The proposed charges2.1 Cost recovery targetThe cost of providing the ACMA’s numbering functions is recovered from industry in two ways:1. Cost recovery—where the cost of providing a specific function can easily be

attributed to the user, for example, number allocation costs are recovered through direct cost recovery charges

2. Annual Carrier Licence Charge (ACLC)—where the cost of providing a specific function associated with the regulation of the telecommunication industry cannot easily be attributed to a single user, it is recovered from relevant carriers on a pro-rata basis of eligible revenue. The ACLC is not the subject of this consultation process.

The ACMA is now seeking public comment on a proposal to set fees for the allocation of telephone numbers and associated numbering transactions that will apply from 1 August 2015. The proposed charges relate to the cost recovery component described above.

The ACMA is proposing that the total revenue from the charges be set at a level which recovers the cost to the Commonwealth of arranging for the numbering allocation and administration services to be provided by ZOAK. The cost to the Commonwealth of the services provided under contract by ZOAK is $10,254,312 (including GST) over seven years (an average of $1,464,902 per annum).

However, the total amount the ACMA is planning to recover through charges has been adjusted as follows:> the amount is based on the contract’s GST-exclusive amount, in accordance with

relevant standard accounting practice> the amount is reduced by the cost of ZOAK allocating smartnumbers, which is

considered to be offset by revenue raised through the sale of smartnumbers> the amount is reduced by the cost of providing services relating to administering the

annual numbering charge (ANC), as this is recovered through the ACLC> the amount is increased by the ACMA’s costs in administering the ZOAK contract.

The total amount the ACMA is planning to recover through direct cost recovery is approximately $853,000 per annum.

Consistent with the objects of the Telecommunications Act and the Numbering Plan the ACMA has applied the following principles in proposing charges for number allocation and administration functions:> charges should be set to minimise barriers to market entry and to encourage

competition> no charge should accrue to transactions (for example, transfer6 and surrender of

numbers) that encourage efficiency in managing the numbering resource.

2.2 Proposed charging methodologyThe ACMA considered a number of alternative charging methodologies for the setting of numbering allocation and administration charges. These methodologies included consideration of historical transaction data, forward demand projections for number transactions, and calculations that sought to attribute charges to reflect the complexity of the system design. The ACMA also considered replicating the existing structure of

6 That is, transfer between carriage service providers as defined in the Numbering Plan.

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charges. It concluded that a methodology that delivers a flat charge structure (no differentiation in the charges for different transaction types) is most appropriate.

A flat-charge structure reflects that the ZOAK system will be almost entirely fully automated; for the majority of transactions there will be no human decision-making or discretion.

An alternative to this approach would be to set different charges based on the complexity associated with system development for the various transaction types. However, as there is no significant difference in the complexity of the various transaction types, the ACMA did not consider this methodology was appropriate.

A further variant to this approach would be to set different charges based on the quantity of numbers contained in an application. Most applications are for a single number or a single ‘standard unit’ of numbers (some numbers are generally only allocated in predetermined quantities under the Numbering Plan). However, for certain number types, mostly geographic and mobile numbers, a single application may include multiple separate ‘standard units’ of numbers.

In this scenario, the ‘bulk’ application could be considered to represent multiple applications and charged accordingly.7

The ACMA’s view is this methodology is not appropriate for the new allocation arrangements which have been simplified through automation.

A flat-charge structure is considered to be administratively easier for those CSPs, individuals and organisations who will use the numbering system.

The ACMA has calculated the proposed charges by dividing the annual cost of the services provided by ZOAK ($852,924) by the estimated number of annual transactions (estimated 43,796 per annum) to obtain a flat amount of $19.50 per transaction. The number of transactions was derived from an average of 2011–13 actual data (2014 was excluded because there was an abnormally high number of ‘issue’8 transactions in that year).

The ACMA will review the charges regularly to ensure they remain set appropriately to recover the cost of the numbering services provided under delegation by ZOAK.

ISSUE FOR COMMENT 1: Comments are sought on the proposed methodology to underpin the setting of numbering charges from 1 August 2015. Specifically:> Do you support the flat-charge methodology?> If you consider there is a different methodology that should be used to recover

the cost of providing numbering allocation and administration services from 1 August 2015, please provide details of that methodology and why it should be used.

7 This represents the current charging structure for geographic numbers where the first ‘block’ is charged at $138 and each subsequent ‘block’ is charged at $3.8 ‘Issue’ is the name of a transaction type used by the ACMA’s current delegate. It represents the allocation of certain freephone, local or premium rate numbers.

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2.3 Comparison of current and proposed chargesThe following tables compare the current and proposed charges for number transactions categorised by the instrument under which the proposed charges will be set. Consistent with existing policy, no charge is proposed to be imposed on the cancellation of enhanced rights of use, surrender of numbers or transfer of numbers.

Table 1 Charges to be imposed under the Numbering Charges Act (reflected in the draft Telecommunications (Numbering Charges) (Allocation Charge) Determination 2015)

Number type Transaction type Current fee Proposed fee

Estimated number of applications p.a.

Estimated revenue p.a.

Freephone, local rate and premium rate numbers

Allocation $34.00 per number

$19.50 per number

32,119 $626,320.50

Reserve/allocation for 90 days9

$22.00 per number

$19.50 per number

2,318 $45,201

Reserve extend/allocation for a further 30 days10

$22.00 per number

$19.50 per number

672 $13,104

Withhold/allocation for 14 days11

$22.00 per number

$19.50 per number

5,702 $111,189

Withhold extend/allocation for a further 14 days12

$22.00 per number

$19.50 per number

113 $2,203.50

Early release quarantine/allocation of an unlisted number13

$24.00 per number

To be included as an allocation

418 $0

Other numbers including mobile numbers

Allocation $138 per application

$19.50 per application

12 $234

Table 2 Charges to be imposed under the ACMA Act 2005 (reflected in the draft Telecommunications

9 ‘Reserve’ is a concept that applies only to the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 1997. A person may apply for an allocation of a freephone or local rate number (other than a smartnumber) or a premium rate number for 90 days instead of applying for reservation of a number.10 Reserve extend’ is a concept that applies only to the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 1997. A person who has been allocated a freephone or local rate number (other than a smartnumber) or a premium rate number for a period of 90 days may apply for a 30 day allocation instead of applying for the number to be ‘reserve extended’.11 ‘Withhold’ is a concept that applies only to the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 1997. A person may apply for an allocation of a freephone or local rate number (other than a smartnumber) or a premium rate number for 14 days instead of applying for withholding of a number.12 ‘Withhold extend’ is a concept that applies only to the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 1997. A person who has been allocated a freephone or local rate number (other than a smartnumber) or a premium rate number for a period of 14 days may apply for a further 14 day allocation instead of applying for the number to be ‘withheld extended’.13 ‘Quarantine’ is a concept that applies only to the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 1997. A number that has been withdrawn or surrendered may be removed from the list of numbers available to be allocated. However, a CSP may apply to the ACMA under Part 3 of Chapter 6 of the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 1997 for allocation of a number that is not on that list, which is broadly equivalent to the concept of ‘early release quarantine’.

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(Charges) Amendment Determination 2015 (No. 1))Number type Transaction

typeCurrent fee Proposed fee Estimated

number of applications p.a

Estimated revenue p.a

Geographic numbers

Application for allocation

$138 first block/$3 subsequent block

$19.50 per application

56 $1,092

All numbers Registration of CSP

$0 $19.50 per registration

3 $58.50

smartnumbers Registration of enhanced rights of use applicant14

$42.00 per registration

$19.50 per registration

2,800 $54,600

Total 43,795 $854,002.50

An explanation of the various transaction types is provided at Appendix A.

2.4 CSP registration chargeThe Numbering Plan requires a CSP to be registered to use the numbering allocation system. The Numbering Plan provides that a CSP registered under the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 1997 is taken to be registered under the Numbering Plan.

The requirement for registration makes the administration of numbering more efficient and transparent and the collection (and refund, where required) of charges more easily processed.

The registration requirement will have no financial impact on CSPs that are currently registered to be allocated numbers by either the ACMA or its delegate INMS. Table 2 above proposes a $19.50 fee for new CSPs registering to use the numbering system.

ISSUE FOR COMMENT 2: Comments are sought on the proposed charges outlined in tables 1 and 2 above. Specifically:> Do you support the proposed charge structure?> If you consider there is a different charge structure that should be used to

recover the cost of providing numbering allocation and administration services from 1 August 2015, please provide details of that charge structure and why it should be used.

2.5 SmartnumbersSmartnumbers are freephone and local rate numbers that may be valuable to people, because they are highly patterned (for example, they include repeated digits) or because they may ‘spell’ a number of words when the numbers are converted to the corresponding letters on a standard telephone keypad.

Currently, the enhanced rights of use to smartnumbers are auctioned in accordance with Telecommunications (Freephone and Local Rate Numbers) Allocation Determination 2007 (No. 1) (FLRN Allocation Determination), determined under section 463 of the

14 It is proposed registration charges will apply to new users and those persons who acquire the enhanced rights of use from another person. In this case it is proposed this new person will need to be registered and pay a registration charge.

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Telecommunications Act. A bidder applies to participate in an auction with a CSP, and if the bidder is successful, the Numbering Charges Act and the FLRN Allocation Determination operate such that the winning bid is the ‘allocation charge’ for the number.

Under the FLRN Allocation Determination, the ACMA has set ‘reserve prices’ for smartnumbers, at which the auction opens. Different smartnumbers have different reserve prices, depending on the relative value of the smartnumber. More information about how the reserve prices are set is available from the ACMA’s smartnumbers website.

The Numbering Plan will not involve the auction of enhanced rights of use; instead, a person may apply with a CSP ‘over-the-counter’ for a particular smartnumber. The ACMA is proposing that the reserve prices for smartnumbers become the allocation charge for those numbers, set under the Numbering Charges Act. So, for example, a six digit smartnumber that is a ‘Platinum’ smartnumber has a reserve price of $16,000. An auction for the number might result in a higher allocation charge being paid or it may result in only the reserve price being paid. Under the proposed changes, the allocation charge for the number would be fixed at $16,000.

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Invitation to commentMaking a submissionThe ACMA invites comments on the issues set out in this discussion paper or any other issues relevant to setting fees for number allocation and administration functions. Submissions should be made:By email: numbering@acma.gov.auBy mail: The Manager

Carrier Infrastructure and Monitoring SectionTechnical Regulation & Industry Monitoring BranchAustralian Communications and Media AuthorityPO 13112Melbourne VIC 8010

The closing date for submissions is COB, Friday 8 May 2015.

Electronic submissions in Microsoft Word or Rich Text Format are preferred.

Effective consultation The ACMA is working to enhance the effectiveness of its stakeholder consultation processes, which are an important source of evidence for its regulatory development activities. To assist stakeholders in formulating submissions to its formal, written consultation processes, it has developed Effective consultation—a guide to making a submission. This guide provides information about the ACMA’s formal written public consultation processes and practical guidance on how to make a submission.

Publication of submissionsIn general, the ACMA publishes all submissions it receives. The ACMA prefers to receive submissions that are not claimed to be confidential. However, the ACMA accepts that a submitter may sometimes wish to provide information in confidence. In these circumstances, submitters are asked to identify the material over which confidentiality is claimed and provide a written explanation for the claim.

The ACMA will consider each confidentiality claim on a case-by-case basis. If the ACMA accepts a claim, it will not publish the confidential information unless authorised or required by law to do so.

Release of submissions where authorised or required by lawAny submissions provided to the ACMA may be released under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (unless an exemption applies) or shared with other Commonwealth Government agencies and certain other entities under Part 7A of the ACMA Act. The ACMA may also be required to release submissions for other reasons including for the purpose of parliamentary processes or where otherwise required by law (for example, under a court subpoena). While the ACMA seeks to consult submitters of confidential information before that information is provided to another party, the ACMA cannot guarantee that confidential information will not be released through these or other legal means.

PrivacyThe Privacy Act 1988 imposes obligations on the ACMA in relation to the collection, security, quality, access, use and disclosure of personal information. These obligations are detailed in the Australian Privacy Principles that apply to organisations and Australian Government agencies from 12 March 2014.

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The ACMA may only collect personal information if it is reasonably necessary for, or directly related to, one or more of its functions or activities.

The purposes for which personal information is being collected (such as the names and contact details of submitters) are to:> contribute to the transparency of the consultation process by clarifying, where

appropriate, whose views are represented by a submission > enable the ACMA to contact submitters where follow-up is required or to notify them of

related matters (except where submitters indicate they do not wish to be notified of such matters).

The ACMA will not use the personal information collected for any other purpose, unless the submitter has provided their consent or the ACMA is otherwise permitted to do so under the Privacy Act.

Submissions in response to this paper are voluntary. As mentioned above, the ACMA generally publishes all submissions it receives, including any personal information in the submissions. If a submitter has made a confidentiality claim over personal information which the ACMA has accepted, the submission will be published without that information. The ACMA will not release the personal information unless authorised or required by law to do so.

If a submitter wishes to make a submission anonymously or use a pseudonym, they are asked to contact the ACMA to see whether it is practicable to do so in light of the subject matter of the consultation. If it is practicable, the ACMA will notify the submitter of any procedures that need to be followed and whether there are any other consequences of making a submission in that way.

Further information on the Privacy Act and the ACMA’s privacy policy is available at www.acma.gov.au/privacypolicy. The privacy policy contains details about how an individual may access personal information about them that is held by the ACMA, and seek the correction of such information. It also explains how an individual may complain about a breach of the Privacy Act and how the ACMA will deal with such a complaint.

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Appendix A—Explanation of numbering transaction typesTerms used in Table 1Freephone and local rate numbers (excluding smartnumbers) and premium rate numbers

1. IssueIn the present context, the ‘issue’15 of a number involves its allocation to a CSP for use with a connected service being used to supply services to an end user. A number may be issued with or without a registered CSP previously withholding or reserving the number. Registered CSPs that no longer require an issued number can surrender that number. Under the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 1997, surrendered numbers enter a period of quarantine (the number is not available for allocation), generally for six months.

There is no express rule about quarantine in the Numbering Plan. Instead, a number that has been surrendered may be removed from the list of numbers that are able to be allocated, at the ACMA’s discretion. The list of numbers able to be allocated is maintained under section 57 of the Numbering Plan. Even though a number is not on the list, a CSP may apply under Part 3 of Chapter 6 of the Numbering Plan for the allocation of the number, and the ACMA may approve or refuse to approve that application.

2. ReserveUnder the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 1997, reserving a number is a conditional allocation of the number, on application by a registered CSP, for a period that will give that provider time to establish a service in connection with the allocated number for itself or a contracted customer. The number is not connected to a service at this time. A number can be reserved for a period of up to 90 days.

There is no reservation of a number under the Numbering Plan. Instead, a CSP may apply for an allocation of 90 days.

3. Reserve extendThe Telecommunications Numbering Plan 1997 allows the reservation of the number to be extended for an extra 30 days.

There is no extension of a reservation of a number under the Numbering Plan. Instead, a CSP that has been allocated a number for 90 days may apply for a further allocation of 30 days (or for an allocation without a time limit).

4. WithholdUnder the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 1997, withholding a number is a conditional allocation of the number to allow a potential customer to consider the use of a small quantity of numbers. A number can be withheld for a period of up to 14 days.

There is no withholding of a number under the Numbering Plan. Instead, a CSP may apply for an allocation of 14 days.

15 As discussed earlier, the term issue is a term used by the ACMA’s current delegate to represent the allocation of certain freephone, local rate and premium rate numbers.

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5. Withhold extendUnder the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 1997, the withholding of the number can be extended for an extra 14 days.

There is no extension of the withholding of a number under the Numbering Plan. Instead, a CSP which has been allocated a number for 14 days may apply for a further allocation of 14 days (or for an allocation without a time limit).

6. SurrenderA CSP that has been allocated a number may choose to surrender that number. Under the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 1997, this will place the number into quarantine. Under the Numbering Plan there is no ‘quarantine’ of the number but the ACMA will create business rules around when numbers that have been surrendered may be relisted under section 57 of the Numbering Plan as available for allocation. After the relevant period has expired, the number may then be allocated to the same or a different registered CSP.

Consistent with existing policy, no fees are proposed for the surrender of a number.

7. ReturnUnder the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 1997, a CSP which has been conditionally allocated a number but does not wish to proceed to an allocation of the number may surrender the number by returning it. A returned number is not placed into quarantine.

There is no ‘return’ under the Numbering Plan. At the end of an allocation for a period of time (14 days, 90 days or a further 30 days), the number is automatically withdrawn from the CSP at the end of that period. The ACMA may, at its discretion, remove the number from the list of numbers available to be allocated and will develop business rules about the relisting of such numbers.

All other numbers (except geographic numbers)

8. AllocationThe allocation of numbers by the ACMA is the central concept of both the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 1997 and the Numbering Plan. A CSP that has been allocated a number may issue it to a customer. As set out in Table 1, the charge amount is per number, unless the numbers are allocated in standard units greater than one, in which case the charge is calculated by reference to the quantity of numbers included in the application.

Smartnumbers only

9. Allocation Under the Numbering Plan, a person may apply for the enhanced rights of use of a smartnumber (enhanced rights of use applicant). A smartnumber is allocated to a CSP on the application of an enhanced rights of use applicant, or at the request of an enhanced rights of use holder. The first allocation, on application of an enhanced rights of use applicant, will have an allocation charge of an amount that is related to the ‘value’ of the number, from a minimum charge of $250 to a maximum charge of $20,000. These prices are currently available on the ACMA’s smartnumbers website. Once ZOAK has commenced providing numbering services, these will also be available on ZOAK’s website.

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Terms used in Table 2CSP/smartnumbers user

10. Registration A registration fee is applicable to new users of the ZOAK system. It is a once-off fee. All existing users of the INMS and ACMA systems will be migrated to the ZOAK system with no fee applicable. It is proposed registration charges will apply to new users and those persons who acquire the enhanced rights of use from another person. In this case it is proposed this new person will need to be registered and pay a registration charge.

11. Allocation—geographic numbersThis allows a registered CSP to be allocated a number. As set out in Table 2, the charge is per application rather than per number.

Other terms

12. TransfersA CSP which has been allocated a number may transfer the number to another CSP. Consistent with existing policy, no charges are proposed for the transfer of a number.

13. SurrendersA CSP which has been allocated a number may surrender the number. Consistent with existing policy, no charges are proposed for the surrender of a number.

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