An open meeting of the ETNS Interconnect Working Group was held on 5 March 2003 in Brussels.

Meeting notes

An introduction to the current status of the ETNS, the past activities of the Interconnect Working Group, and requirements of ETNS services for routing numbers was provided by Mr Tunney (chairman of the Interconnect Working Group). In particular, it was noted that work on routing and signalling issues related to ETNS interconnection were complete but that work on associated tariffing issues was ongoing.

Some sample services which could be applications for ETNS numbers were discussed (credit card blocking service; Red Cross service). The following points were raised during this discussion:

• Different Assisted Networks are likely to handle calls to ETNS numbers differently, with some handing over calls to a Serving Network directly from a local switch and others taking ETNS calls up to an international gateway from the local switch. Additionally, some Assisted Networks may choose to be Serving Networks and undertake their own translation of ETNS numbers to routing numbers;
• Each ETNS number may be associated with just one routing number, or separate routing numbers linked to the one ETNS number may be associated with different Serving Networks;
• NeuStar will apply a charge for sending each advice of routing number changes, modifications or deletions to Serving Networks;
• There would be merit in having an enhanced understanding of the functionality of the database used by NeuStar;
• It was hoped that, following the meeting, participants will consider some simple services employing ETNS numbers;
• Different views were present on whether or not the carriage of a call to an ETNS number after it leaves the Serving Network is the same as for any other domestic or cross-border call;
• It is hoped that interconnect charges for handling of ETNS calls will be another schedule in existing interconnection agreements, to avoid the complexity that would result from interconnect agreements being negotiated individually many times between multiple network operators. In principle, interconnect charges for carriage of ETNS calls between Serving Networks and Service Networks could be similar to interconnect charges for carrier pre-selection calls;
• In principle, if a particular Serving Network does not have all the information in order to route an ETNS call to the appropriate Service Network, it should be able to hand the call over to another Serving Network which is able to route the call;
• In principle, a given ETNS number will be reachable from anywhere in Europe, and potentially anywhere in the world, except where the ETNS customer does not wish to receive calls from a certain country; and
• It is not clear whether the obligation in the EU Universal Service Directive on network operators to handle calls to ETNS numbers, or the preference of an ETNS customer not to receive calls to an ETNS number from a given country takes precedence.

Guidelines for inter-operator charging and tariffing for the ETNS were discussed. In particular, the functions performed by Assisted Networks and Serving Networks and the costs associated with these functions were discussed. It was noted that an Assisted Network would be responsible for the following:

• Routing the call to the Serving Network;
• Invoicing and collecting payment from the ETNS customer; and
• After deducting a service charge, passing the remainder of the call party tariff to the Serving Network.

The Serving Network would be responsible for the following:

• Maintaining a database of ETNS routing information;
• Analysing the ETNS number for the purpose of translation to a routing number; and
• Routing the call to the Service Network.

It was noted during this discussion that the volume of calls is an important consideration in calculating the cost of interconnection of ETNS calls but, as with the introduction of carrier selection, there is no obvious means for estimating this call volume.

Actions

The following topics were identified for further action:

• Retail and interconnect tariffing;
• Sample services;
• Serving Network responsibilities;
• Payment for routing number distribution (action for ETNS Steering Committee); and
• Switching of ETNS calls as per international calls.

Next Meeting

A further open meeting of the ETNS Interconnect Working Group will be held on Tuesday 15 April 2003, at ETNO’s offices in Brussels.

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