National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology of the Republic of Moldova

On March 31, 2012, the Republic of Moldova will make the transition to the numbering plan of “closed” type, which according to the modifications operated in the National Numbering Plan (NNP), provides for calling geographic telephone numbers by dialing prefix „0” and national significant number which comprises the national destination and the subscriber number. The decision was approved by Order (doc. in state language) of the Ministry of Information Technologies and Communications no. 93 of 25.11.2011 on modification and amendment of the NNP which was published in the Official Gazette of 09.12.2011.

Currently, the NNP is an “open” numbering plan and provides that geographical numbers of range „2” within the area of one geographic zone are called by dialing the subscriber number (in a short format), and at national level – by dialing the national significant number (in a long format). As the mentioned Order enters in force on 31.03.2012, the NNP will become a “closed” numbering plan which requires the obligatory use of the long format of calling geographical numbers of ranges „2” and „3”.

This change is required by the accelerated development of electronic communications networks and services, accompanied by the fast increase in the requests for numbering resources from range “2” from alternative operators offering triple-play services (Internet, TV and telephony). In only 11 months of 2011 37 thousand new numbers were applied for only Balti and Chisinau municipalities. According to the estimations of the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI), the increase in the requests for numbering resources will be maintained on the entire territory of the country in the upcoming years.

As the numbering resources for fixed telephony from range „2” are almost exhausted, which fact hinders competition development on this market, it became necessary to assign numbering resources of range “3”. The issue of numbering resource deficiency was discussed at multiple sessions with the participation of providers of fixed telephone networks and services. They supported the idea to open range “3” and apply the “closed” type of numbering plan. This exercise will enable ANRCETI to assign additional 8 million numbers.

A new element of the new “closed” type of numbering plan lies in the fact that once range “3” of numbers is opened, additional destination codes (for geographic zones) will be used. These codes are identical with the existing codes for range “2”, except the first figure which is replaceable with figure 3. Starting March 31, 2012, for every municipality and district, two destination codes will be usable: one, existing – for range “2” and another, new, for range “3”. For example, Chisinau municipality will have 22 and 32 as destination codes, Balti – 231 and 331, Briceni – 247 and 347, Cahul – 299 and 399 etc.

Numbers of „2” and „3” ranges will always be called by dialing 9 figures (prefix „0”, national destination code and subscriber number). For example, a number in Chisinau will be called by dialing the long format „0+22+6-figure number” or „0+32+6-figure number”, to Briceni – „0+247+5-figure number” or „0+347+5-figure number”, regardless of the geographic zone where the call is originated.

If Moldova had maintained the “open” type NNP, upon opening range “3”, the numbers from ranges „2” and „3” would have been called differently: numbers of range „2” – by dialing 5 or 6 figures, depending on the geographic zone, numbers of range „3” – by dialing 9 figures, regardless of call destination. To admit of no discrimination of subscribers regarding the method of calling numbers from ranges „2” and „3”, it was decided to use a single format for calling the numbers of both ranges. This “closed” format of numbers is used in many EU countries, such as Italy, Romania, Latvia, Estonia etc.

The NNP is the document which establishes the structure, format and destination of the numbering resources used in the Republic of Moldova for the provision of electronic communications services via public electronic communications networks. A geographic number is a NNP number, in the structure of which a part of figures have geographic significance and are used for directing the calls to the physical location of the network termination point, whereas the national destination code is a sequence of figures, offering the end users information about the geographic zone (municipality or district) where the terminal points called are situated.

According to the legislation in force, ANRCETI is entitled to manage the numbering resources from the NNP and assign them to license holders – providers of electronic communications networks and services, upon their request. They use the assigned numbering resources for their own needs, offer them to their subscribers or other persons authorized to provide public services.

December 15, 2011