Numbering (SIM, M2M, Short Codes etc.)

Telephony Numbering Resources are a string of numbers and or alphanumeric used to address electronic communication terminals, networks, protocols, or applications.

Being a finite national resource, the NCA regulates the use of various numbering resources. It also provides for a procedure for application for those made accessible to service providers, some of which include:

• Network Destination Codes (NDC): These form part of the National Number, which identifies the network or a range holder.
• Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN): This is a number used to identify a mobile phone number internationally. This number includes a country code (CC) and a National Destination Code (NDC), which identifies the subscriber's operator.
• Mobile Network Codes (MNC): The Mobile Country Code (MCC) consists of 3 decimal digits and the Mobile Network Code consists of 2 or 3 decimal digits.
• Machine to Machine Numbering Resources(M2MNR): These are numbering resources specifically allocated for a machine-to-machine communications services
• Geographic Numbering Resource (GNR): This is a numbering resource that is tied to a particular area

The NCA also provides Special Numbering Resources (SNR), which are non-geographic and non-network dependent codes used in sending data and voice. These encompass the following:

• Toll-Free Numbering Resources
• Shared Cost Numbering Resources (SCNR)
• Premium Rate Numbering Resources:
• Short Codes

Mandate of the Authority

The mandate to establish, control and manage the national electronic communication numbering plan for network and application services is provided under Section 65 of the Electronic Communications Act 775 and is reiterated in section 3(w) of the NCA Act 769. Under this mandate, the NCA developed and continuously updates a framework, known as the National Electronic Numbering Plan (NECNP), used to manage numbering resources in Ghana. It defines among other things the type and format of numbering resources..

This framework also empowers the Authority to determine criteria for eligibility as well as guidelines on the management of the various numbering resources created therein.

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Application for Special Numbering
Application for Numbering

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