PAP

What is PAP?

and

Where did it come from?

PAP

Pre - allocation portability

A service offered from the non-geographic number portability product set, allowing

customers to take the number of their choice to the network operator of their choice.

PAP

• Originally conceived as a “value added” service by operators offering NGNP on a voluntary basis.

• First discussed by BT, C&WC, Diamond Cable and Torch in 1998.

• Adopted by many operators by early/mid 2000.

The Phases of PAP

Phase 1

A simple “cold call” fax based system.

Phase 2

An out-sourced web-site holds a repository of numbers allocated to network operators together with their status.

Phase 3 …

PAP 1 - How Does It Work?

The customer establishes that their chosen number is allocated to a particular network operator.

The customer requests service from the network operator of their choice.

The chosen network operator approaches the range holding network operator to establish availability.

If available, the chosen network operator initiates porting via an approved variant to the standard processes.

The customer has the number of their choice with the network operator of their choice.

PAP 2 - How Does It Add?

In PAP 2, the customer will be able to determine via a web-site that the number they

desire has been both allocated to a network operator and brought into service, and that the

number is not currently in use.

PAP Availability

• Must be in the contract between any pair of network operators offering NGNP on a reciprocal basis.

• Only applies to “conformant” numbers from 0800, 084X, 087X and 090X.

• Ten digit freephone (0800 and 0500) specifically excluded.

Why PAP?

• Many network operators believe that PAP will meet Oftel public policy objectives for number allocations.

• Increases customer choice.

• Provides more efficient use of existing allocated number ranges.

What Next?

• Stakeholders to confirm that PAP will meet their requirements.

• network operators will issue Invitation To Tender for the Phase 2 Website.

• Phase 2 launch.

However

PAP is not mandatory but is

“encouraged”.

The best encouragement for network operators is customer demand!

But…

PAP 1 is already launched and in place between some pairs of network operators.