The island’s competition watchdog is looking into the use of phone numbers in Jersey as part of a wider review of the numbering system – with a view to better protecting islanders from scams and aligning more closely with the UK.
The Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority’s call for information comes in the wake of changes to the Telecommunications (Jersey) Law 2002, which were backed by States Members in October.
The emergency legislation was brought forward by Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel, after UK regulator OFCOM discovered that there was “no legal basis” for its practice of allocating numbers in Jersey or the other Crown Dependencies.
At the time, the minister raised concerns that – unless the legislative framework was put in place – this would impact the allocation of new phone numbers and leave the island with “significant telecommunications service and security risks”.
The legal change also presents an opportunity for the JCRA to look more widely at the existing framework of rules governing the use of numbers in the island
JCRA statement
Announcing its consultation, the JCRA noted that the changes approved last year “formalised long-standing arrangements” under which Jersey numbers form part of the UK’s national numbering scheme.
It explained that access to the numbering scheme is controlled by OFCOM’s National Telephone Numbering Plan, which establishes conditions for telecoms providers on the use of certain number ranges – including freephone, premium rate and helplines.
“The JCRA’s call for information is seeking views on whether these conditions should apply in Jersey or whether there is a justifiable reason to exempt some,” the regulator continued.
“The legal change also presents an opportunity for the JCRA to look more widely at the existing framework of rules governing the use of numbers in the island.”
JCRA chief executive Tim Ringsdore described the call for information as “the first step” of the review, looking at how numbering is regulated locally.
He said: “We want to understand whether any parts of the UK NTNP may need to be adapted for Jersey, and we encourage all interested parties to share their views.”
The subsequent phase of the review could see potential updates to licence conditions and the development of a memorandum of understanding with OFCOM.
Responses will help shape the next phase of the JCRA’s numbering review, including potential updates to licence conditions and the development of a memorandum of understanding with OFCOM
JCRA statement
The JCRA also noted that there had been a “considerable increase in the misuse of numbers”, with fraudsters using scam calls to persuade people to hand over financial or personal details.
In a recent interview with Express’s sister publication, the Jersey Evening Post, financial investigator Faith Shalamon of the Joint Financial Crimes Unit highlighted that the UK police and OFCOM had “joined forces with major network operators” to crack down on fraudsters spoofing bank and government numbers.
She explained that: “The initiative forced telecom providers to block foreign calls masquerading as UK landlines.”
Those who wish to contribute to the JCRA consultation, which is open until 10 July, can find out how to respond to the call for information via the regulator’s website.
