A proposal floated by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Information Society and Media could result in businesses having an EU-wide telephone number. This proposal is part of the revisions to the EU regulatory framework in the realm of electronic communications, aimed at enhancing further the single market in the European Union.
Currently, a consumer who needs to contact a business abroad would need to rely on national geographic numbers, compelling the consumer to shell out the expense of an international call, having first to dial that country’s prefix code. Indeed, there are no European-wide numbers available for businesses operating across the borders.
Telephone numbers are administered on a national scale by local authorities, which allocate numbers in accordance with their specific numbering plans. In fact, telephone numbers generally indicate the geographical location of the number holder.
In a bid to counteract the negative consequences of extra costs and extra inconvenience of having such diverse numbering plans, the European Commission has launched a public consultation on the future harmonisation of numbering resources for the provision of business services.
The aim of the Commission’s proposal is to assist European manufacturers by facilitating sales and after-sales services over a single Europe-wide number, enabling them to simplify their internal operations. It is also intended to benefit consumers who will be able to contact a business through a single European contact point.
This is not the first attempt of a pan-European harmonisation measure in telephony. For instance, the Europe-wide 112 emergency number has assisted in the accessibility of emergency services in any member state, without consumers having to keep in mind various different national emergency telephone numbers, especially when an emergency arises. A decade ago a single number code – 3883 – was assigned to several countries to facilitate Europe-wide access to businesses. This measure however was not successful as it was not widely used and it lapsed on December 31.
The EU is now considering whether to introduce a short number, similar to the emergency number, which could be reserved for businesses, thus providing an identifier for a company across borders. Another option would be to take up the single number code previously used under the now-expired system, whereby telephone numbers would carry the +3883 code before the telephone number of the business, which would thus remain the same in all member states.
Interested parties are invited to send their views on the numbering policy they prefer and which they consider the better solution towards the further development of a single market. Contributions will be received until February 28, 2011. The Commission will subsequently prepare a policy decision outlining the most appropriate approach to the numbering policy, which will eventually be adopted.
Public services have already reaped benefits out of a harmonised numbering system. It is anticipated therefore that the same advantages will be obtained by businesses and consumers with the implementation of a harmonised telephone system in business-to-consumer relations.
jgrech@demarcoassociates.com
Dr Grech is an associate with Guido de Marco & Associates and heads its European law division.