tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post8022199879276455286..comments2024-03-28T09:19:27.451+00:00Comments on RevK<sup>®</sup>'s ramblings: Fun with numbersRevKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12369263214193333422noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-44147326474895125872013-09-02T07:33:04.724+01:002013-09-02T07:33:04.724+01:00Indeed - I would assume the number allocation only...Indeed - I would assume the number allocation only applied to incoming numbers but I don't see that in the numbering plan or GCs, so who knows what OFCOM think. No word from them yet.RevKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12369263214193333422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-66795915347595448292013-09-01T18:29:02.508+01:002013-09-01T18:29:02.508+01:00Ah, but the Ofcom policy is about *allocating* (or...Ah, but the Ofcom policy is about *allocating* (or terminating) numbers to a line/device, as opposed to presenting them as CLI (indeed, I have my Skype account set to present my mobile number on outbound calls). Since they're outbound only, there doesn't seem to be an issue in this case. (Of course, it would be much better if the SIMs did show the geographic number for CLI rather than an arbitrary unused 07 number, but I don't think O2 would be very helpful there.)<br /><br />Besides, the violation lies in O2 having assigned the number to a SIM card in the first place, since those are not exclusively mobile. Any reply from Ofcom yet, given their threats over A&A's use?jas88https://www.blogger.com/profile/05563592458314214904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-41995664317683963162013-08-30T19:00:45.404+01:002013-08-30T19:00:45.404+01:00Now that is an excellent example - those calls sho...Now that is an excellent example - those calls should not use 07 as CLI.. Ha!RevKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12369263214193333422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-63070586827377703172013-08-30T18:59:16.365+01:002013-08-30T18:59:16.365+01:00A good point indeed; the new VoIP setup at work do...A good point indeed; the new VoIP setup at work does least-cost routing by sending calls to mobiles over GSM from a big rack-mounted multi-line GSM-VoIP gateway. I'm pretty sure even Ofcom would struggle to stretch "mobile" to include "something bolted to a 19" rack running on mains power in a server room", though they'd probably try.<br /><br />Of course, by Ofcom logic, since any SIM card can be inserted in those units, this means 07 numbers must not be assigned to SIM cards. At all. Why, it's almost as if they hadn't thought the policy out properly ... surely not!jas88https://www.blogger.com/profile/05563592458314214904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-72547829833138227992013-08-30T18:11:38.746+01:002013-08-30T18:11:38.746+01:00Well, not 07s. Which is a good point. There are lo...Well, not 07s. Which is a good point. There are loads of devices from bus stops to alarm systems which do not meet the requirements for use of 07 numbers, but use them for SMS at least. We need to raise that with OFCOM.RevKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12369263214193333422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-49613925478097588372013-08-30T18:08:14.465+01:002013-08-30T18:08:14.465+01:00So what range of numbers are supposed to be used b...So what range of numbers are supposed to be used by devices in 'fixed' equipment which communicate using GSM/GPRS/SMS/3G etc?grahammmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04109132566499338078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-64029641222948103262013-08-29T13:10:16.255+01:002013-08-29T13:10:16.255+01:00In that, if we decided not to continue doing VoIP ...In that, if we decided not to continue doing VoIP and returned the number blocks, yes. Same with *any* telco. We don't have plans to pack in VoIP, but it depends how much of a pain and cost OFCOM make it.RevKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12369263214193333422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-18832025408884145862013-08-29T12:49:36.927+01:002013-08-29T12:49:36.927+01:00If I got a new number from A&A, would the same...If I got a new number from A&A, would the same problem still apply?Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03996533690674798085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-45280172543312575342013-08-29T12:05:09.246+01:002013-08-29T12:05:09.246+01:00The rules appear to be written to give the existin...The rules appear to be written to give the existing mobile operators <i>carte blanche</i> to do what they do, and anyone else is more likely to get <i>carte rouge</i>. That's hardly fair... they need to be consistent.Phil Reynoldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07080812032624786351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-71427974860869736862013-08-29T10:41:49.463+01:002013-08-29T10:41:49.463+01:00That will depend on Gradwell - if they decide it i...That will depend on Gradwell - if they decide it is no longer worth while because of the number tax they could return the block to OFCOM and that would stop it working. We have no control over that. It used to be that there was never any reason for any telco to return a number block, but now they cost money, that has changed.RevKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12369263214193333422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-17901362356828339422013-08-29T10:37:10.660+01:002013-08-29T10:37:10.660+01:00Regarding OFCOM's number tax... My home phone...Regarding OFCOM's number tax... My home phone uses A&A VOIP with an (01531) number ported in from Gradwell some years ago. Is my phone number going to stop working at some point?Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03996533690674798085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-66122475513115914092013-08-29T07:21:54.148+01:002013-08-29T07:21:54.148+01:00Indeed, except OFCOM were (when we applied for 07s...Indeed, except OFCOM were (when we applied for 07s) saying that even the chance that one call could go via SIP to a non mobile device was enough not to give us the block. If their app can be used on a cable, or by wifi to a device that can't practically be used in motion, it breaks the rules. But then, so does call forward to a landline, and voicemail. I agree, there is no need for these restrictions these days with the lower interconnect costs for mobiles, but rather than "informally relaxing" the rules it would be way better if they formally changed them!RevKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12369263214193333422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-74776012005754616722013-08-28T22:17:59.942+01:002013-08-28T22:17:59.942+01:00Presumably, changing it to reference laptops using...Presumably, changing it to reference laptops using WiFi would fix the problem.<br /><br />The real solution, of course, would be for Ofcom to fix the interconnect gouging: end the surcharge for 07 termination, and profiting by wrongly allocating 07 numbers is no longer possible. Ofcom may be getting more permissive in this respect as the surcharge (and hence the profit available from abuse) declines.<br /><br />I recall chafing at the absurdity of a mobile tariff for "handsets only, no tablets", followed by various debates about how they made that distinction: I can, after all, make voice calls from both my laptop and my iPad, and the heaviest data use (streaming video) is also available to all. They also conceded that using a phone with an external monitor would be fine, while maintaining that using it with a separate laptop would not. Now we know where Kafka went to work...jas88https://www.blogger.com/profile/05563592458314214904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-14346485353449980722013-08-28T08:50:22.208+01:002013-08-28T08:50:22.208+01:00As long as it is still to the mobile device and vi...As long as it is still to the mobile device and via wireless telegraphy, that is fine. O2 are talking about PCs that are clearly not designed or adapted to be used whilst mobile and may not even be connecting via WiFi.RevKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12369263214193333422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-19359096112009654662013-08-27T22:33:03.691+01:002013-08-27T22:33:03.691+01:00It isn't VoIP but my Orange phone has a featur...It isn't VoIP but my Orange phone has a feature called "Signal Booster" which is UMA over the WiFi connection. It is basically GSM/UMTS packets wedged into a VPN tunnel to the Orange servers and never hits a radio beyond the short hop over WiFi at the start.<br /><br />I get full usage of my phone when its connected like this so SMS, MMS, voice and even data if you bodge it. All of it using my regular 07 number. It even works on the tube.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03389862481565626927noreply@blogger.com