CITC is tasked with allocating numbers to telecom service providers DAMMAM: Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Jaafari, Governor of the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC), held public consultation here Wednesday with the private sector, including the region's business community, on the National Numbering Plan (NPP) for the Kingdom now being prepared by CITC. Al-Jaafari explained during the dialogue, which was convened and hosted by the Asharqia Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Eastern Province, the importance of NPP in meeting the current economic and development thrusts and vision of the Kingdom. CITC is mandated to prepare, publish, modify and manage the NNP by allocating numbers and number ranges to telecom service providers and other relevant parties using licensing procedures and fees. The approved NNP will set out the rules and guidelines for the numbering of all types of telecom services in the Kingdom, including Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTNs) and Public Mobile Networks (PMNs) such as GSM. The rules and guidelines contained in the NNP apply to all licensees and other users of the plan. “Because numbers are national resource, the country must ensure they are used and managed efficiently and effectively in meeting our national growth,” Al-Jaafari said. For example, public emergency and disaster response calls must be applied and directed only to Civil Defense, Ministry of Interior, police and fire departments, the Red Crescent and medical emergency institutions, and the electricity and water authorities with allotted number of 3 or 4. The public consultation has been extended up to March 2, 2011. Parties can also contact CITC's Deputy Governor for Technical Affairs to express their opinions and suggestions regarding the NNP. During his meeting with leaders of the business community in the Eastern Province, the CITC governor also discussed major issues that are relevant to the growth of the communication and information technology. The deputy governor underscored the role of CITC in drawing up a forward-looking direction of the Kingdom's telecommunications sector.
