Study group 2 (SG2) of the International Telecommunication Union Standardisation Sector (ITU-T) met last 20-29 January in Geneva. Portugal only attended on 26-28 January, participating in discussions on question 1 of SG2, designated Q1/2 – Applications of Numbering and Addressing Plans for Fixed and Mobile services.
The following results stand out:
- the determination, for approval, of Recommendation E.212 (international identification plan for public networks and subscriptions), which was modified given the rise, for example, of machine-to-machine providers, concerning the criteria for allocating mobile network code, which currently can only be assigned to traditional mobile operators;
- continuation of the process of modifying Recommendations: i) E.156 – Guidelines for ITU-T action on reported misuse of E.164 number resources, to engage the bilateral cooperation of affected countries; ii) E.157 – Calling Party Delivery, to define more appropriate rules for identifying the caller in a communication at international level; and iii) E.210 – Ship station identification for VHF/UHF and maritime mobile-satellite services and E.217 – Maritime communications – Ship station identity, which will be included in one single recommendation;
- the evaluation regarding creation of a new project on the internet of things (IoT), the aim being to assess its impact on numbering resources, names and addresses and the determination of future needs, bearing in mind the requisites/specificities associated to IoT.
The future of SG2 was also examined, along with its structure and leadership for the next study period. Following approval, the respective result should be presented at the meeting of the upcoming 2016 World Telecommunications Standardisation Assembly, to be held at the end of this year.
