ECO

The following provides an overview of the various market entities that may be involved in providing ETNS services, and introduces the terms used in this FAQ and elsewhere to describe these different entities.

The network to which a calling user is connected has the function of identifying that a call is to an ETNS number. Once done, it passes the ETNS call to a second network that can identify the specific network from which the provision of service for an ETNS number is triggered. This first network is known as an Assisted Network.

The next network that receives an ETNS call identifies an appropriate route to a network that can trigger the provision of the required service for a particular number. This second network is known as a Serving Network.

The network that next receives an ETNS call is responsible for triggering the provision of the specific service associated with a given ETNS number, and passing the call to the network to which the subscriber is connected. Triggering the provision of service may involve the use of a service provision platform which manages any specific features which the ETNS Subscriber requires for their service. This third network is known as a Service Network. The service provision platform is operated by an ETNS Service Producer.

Finally, the network to which the ETNS Subscriber is connected is responsible for terminating an ETNS call. This network is known as a Terminating Network.

The entity that has a contractual relationship with an ETNS Subscriber for the provision of an ETNS service is known as an ETNS Service Provider.

It is feasible and legitimate for two or more of these responsibilities to be fulfilled by a single entity. It is also feasible for transit networks to be involved in carrying an ETNS call between any of the networks mentioned above.

Aspects of the ETNS – including interconnection, technical, administrative and regulatory areas – are addressed in this FAQ. Further information on these subjects may be found in the ETNS Conventions, and in the three ETSI standards on the ETNS.

1.	How should a network operator in a given country handle a call to an ETNS number if no ETNS Serving Network exists in that country?
	>>> Initially, it will be necessary for network operators in some countries to forward calls to ETNS numbers via a Serving Network in another country. Any such interaction should be established using normal business arrangements. Over time, points of interconnect may be deployed by Serving Networks in most CEPT countries.
2.	Which party bills a calling party for an ETNS call?
	>>> The network on which a call originates normally bills the ETNS calling party. In the case where carrier selection or pre-selection applies to a call, the selected network operator will bill the ETNS calling party.
3.	How should the appropriate tariff for a caller of an ETNS number be determined?
	>>> Currently, the tariff for all types of ETNS numbers is specified by the ETNS Administrator in the designation of “European Service Identities” as “national rate”, equivalent to the charge for a domestic long distance call from a given network. If new types of ETNS numbers become available in future, the European Service Identity will identify both the type of service and the category of tariff for an ETNS number. Currently, the European Service Identity corresponds to the first 5 digits of an ETNS number (3883x).
4.	In the event that the costs of routing a call to an ETNS number exceeded the retail tariff for the call, how would the additional costs be recovered?
	>>> There may have to be a flow of interconnect payments back from the terminating network in the direction of the origination of an ETNS call, sourced from the ETNS Subscriber.
5.	Since calls to ETNS numbers are dialled with the international access code ‘00’, will not calls to ETNS numbers need to be routed and handled by billing systems as if they were normal international calls?
	>>> ETNS calls do not necessarily cross international borders and may originate and terminate in the same country. It may, however, be appropriate for ETNS calls to be handled as international calls from a technical point of view, especially in the early phase of ETNS development, in order to simplify call routing and interconnection. Operators’ billing systems vary considerably, so it is not possible to provide definitive information about the implications of ETNS calls for each operator’s billing system
6.	Given the variation in “national rate” calls between networks in different countries and between mobile and fixed networks in the same country, and the absence of a distinction between local and national rate calls in some countries, what is the meaning of “national rate” as the tariff for calls to ETNS numbers?
	>>> The tariff currently specified by the ETNS Administrator for calls to all types of ETNS numbers may not exceed that for domestic long distance calls, as charged by the billing operator (see also question 3). Consequently, it is acceptable for the tariff for calls to ETNS numbers to vary between countries, between networks in the same country, and even between different call packages offered by the same network, according to what the relevant tariff for a domestic long distance call is for each.
7.	From an operational and technical perspective, what obligation do networks in EU countries have in relation to routeing and billing of calls to ETNS numbers?
	>>> The EU Universal Service Directive, which applies from 25 July 2003, obliges network operators to handle all ETNS calls while recognising their need to recover the cost of carrying the calls. The recital to the Directive also contains guidance which indicates that networks should ensure that calls to ETNS numbers are directly or indirectly interconnected to ETNS Serving Networks. The arrangements for interconnection are governed by the provisions of the EU Access Directive. The European Service Identity contains the information required by a network to identify a call as an ETNS call for the purpose of both billing the calling party and handing the call over to a Serving Network. The European Service Identity is currently the first 5 digits of an ETNS number (3883x).
8.	Is there a difference between termination of ETNS calls and “normal” international calls?
	>>> ETNS calls are not necessarily equivalent to international calls as it is possible they may originate and terminate in the same country. For simplicity of call routing and interconnection, it may be appropriate for networks to handle ETNS calls technically as international calls in the early phase of ETNS development. The switching level at which ETNS calls are handed over to a Serving Network – that is, a local, national or international point of interconnect – is a matter to be addressed between the relevant network operators.
9.	How is the routing information that is required by ETNS Serving Networks provided?
	>>> Information about ETNS routing numbers – which facilitate the routing of calls from ETNS Serving Networks to ETNS Service Networks – is distributed to the appropriate Serving Networks by the ETNS Registrar. A fee applies to this service; for further information, click on “Price List” at the ETNS Registrar website. Serving Networks will then update their own databases or routing tables in accordance with this information.
10.	In what countries are routing numbers for the ETNS available?
	>>> A list is available of European countries which have currently either: made provision in their national numbering plans for numbers to be used specifically as ETNS routing numbers, or will make generic international routing numbers available for this purpose.
11.	Can ETNS numbers be dialled if international calls are barred on the calling party’s line?
	>>> If access to numbers dialled with the international code ‘00’ are barred, ETNS numbers, which are dialled starting with ‘00’, will not be able to be dialled. Calling parties with selective call barring should be able to permit ETNS access