THE UK regulator responsible for allocating phone numbers in Jersey has had no legal basis for doing so for more than two decades, it has emerged – as emergency legislation has been lodged to address the issue.
Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel has warned that “critical” telecommunications infrastructure projects could face disruption unless the regulator is given the “necessary legal framework” to continue doing so.
Deputy Morel warned that the issue presented “significant telecommunications service and security risks” and has lodged a proposition.
If approved, it would see the Telecommunications (Jersey) Law 2002 amended, to give powers to UK regulator OFCOM and the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority relating to the allocation, management and withdrawal of phone numbers in the Island.
In the report accompanying his proposal, Deputy Morel explained that at the end of last year, OFCOM discovered that there was “no legal basis” for its practice of allocating numbers in Jersey or the other Crown Dependencies.
“OFCOM is unable to further allocate telephone numbers in Jersey until this legal basis is put in place,” he continued.
“This poses significant telecommunications service and security risks in Jersey.
“Without the necessary legal framework, OFCOM and the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority (the “JCRA”) cannot enforce new security requirements regarding the use of +44 numbers, potentially allowing Jersey providers to engage in activities harmful to the security interests of Jersey and the UK.”
Deputy Morel also noted that the inability to allocate new phone numbers was “likely to disrupt critical telecommunications infrastructure projects, such as network transformation programmes and the launch of services”, citing the expected launch of the Co-op mobile service as an example.
But Deputy Morel stated that, if adopted, the legal amendments would help ensure “the continued availability, reliability and security of Jersey’s telecommunications networks and services”.
“As the telephone numbering issue affects all of the Crown Dependencies, the Government of Guernsey and the Isle of Man Government have been part of the engagement process,” he added.
“All three Crown Dependency Governments agreed that this issue was a priority to address and will put in place the appropriate solution.
“The Crown Dependencies each has its own unique legislative environment and so the practical solutions may differ.”
