The minister of Traffic, Transportation and Environmental Planning, in adopting the National Numbering Plan, is obliged to observe the frameworks of the agreed upon international numbering systems as laid down by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-T) and the national policy in the field of, among other things, recognizability, manageability of numbers for end users and inter-operability of telecommunications networks.

In the interest of efficient numbering management the allocation of numbers is subject to restrictions and regulations. These regulations and restrictions are intended to facilitate the collaboration between concession holders and service providers. In practice each number assignment takes place in conformity with regulations.

The authority of the minister to allocate numbers comprises three specific tasks carried out by BT&P on behalf of the minister of Traffic, Transportation and Environmental Planning regarding numbering control.

Task 1: The allocation, rejection and withdrawal of numbers

The minister is authorized to allocate numbers to concession holders and service providers. The minister will make a careful assessment in doing so and apply a transparent and fair allocation procedure where the interests of the other number applicants or potential applications are duly observed.

The allocation of numbers gives the concession holder or service provider the right to use the allocated number or the allocated number blocks. A distinction applies here between numbers for which a concession holder is eligible and numbers for which a service provider is eligible.

Concession holders are eligible for:

• Subscriber numbers
• 0801/0802-numbers for their own use or for the use by a service provider
• Free and paid access numbers and information services numbers, being 080X and 090X numbers
• Carrier select codenumbers when it concerns a long distance concession holder
• Numbers for network use

A service provider is characterized as a contracting party of a concession holder who provides information services. A contracting party is eligible for:

• Free and paid information service numbers with the exception of 0801-numbers and 901-numbers

Furthermore, a number of substantive assessment criteria are applied to the number assignment:

• There is a test to verify whether the use of the numbers falls within the indicated designation for that purpose in the numbering plan
• There is a test to verify whether it is plausible that the numbers applicant will be able to realize the use of the number within the 6-month term that is set
• There is a test to verify whether the amount of numbers applied for is actually necessary

Numbers that have already been allocated by the minister may be withdrawn. This will take place:

• At the request of number holders
• When the issued numbers are not used in accordance with the designation of the numbering plan
• When the reasons upon which the allocation was based, cease to apply
• When the allocated numbers remain unused for a period in excess of one year
• For reasons regarding efficient use of numbers
• Upon violation of the law
• When a number holder has the intention to trade one or more numbers

Task 2: The reservation of numbers

For the reservation of numbers the same assessment criteria apply as with the application for the allocation of numbers. In case of number reservations, the applicant may also pronounce a number preference, however, this shall not be binding on the minister.

The reservation of numbers has the advantage that the applicant can express his number preference at an earlier time than a later application for number assignment. As a result, there will be greater chance that the preference of the number applicant will be met.

The reservation of numbers has the advantage for the government that it provides information about the extent of the reserved number capacity for the coming years, and at the same time also about the future growth of the number requirement. This information is therefore relevant for the numbering policy and control by the minister.

Task 3: The transfer of numbers

It is prohibited to trade numbers. In the event that upon the application it becomes apparent that such is the intention, this shall constitute sufficient grounds to reject the allocation.

However, a combined application by the number holder or reservation holder and a third party for the transferal of an assigned number or reservation is possible.