Following a strategic review of Non-Geographic Numbers (NGNs) in Ireland, the Irish telecommunications regulator ComReg has launched a consultation presenting its findings that the current NGN regime is harming consumers and proposing two regulatory measures:
- Introduction of a ‘geo-linked’ tariff for ‘1850’, ‘1890’, ‘0818’ and ‘076’ NGNs such that calls to these numbers cost the same as a call to a geographic number. Where geographic calls are provided “in bundle”, calls to NGNs must also be included in the same bundle of call minutes.
- Simplification of the NGN regime by reducing the five NGN classes to just two over a period of two to three years. ComReg proposes to retain the ‘1800’ Freephone number and the ‘0818’ number as the single ‘geo-linked’ NGN.
ComReg’s consultation documents, animation and infographic can be found on its website alongside alongside a report prepared by DotEcon, which supported ComReg during its review.