We see more and more new applications emerging where phonenumbers are decoupled from SIM cards and/or fixed lines. They are dynamicallyassigned for short periods of time and or used for applications where there isno longer a strict relationship with a fixed/mobile phone line. Differentterminologies such as virtual numbers or cloud numbers, are used to describethis phenomenon.

These innovations have been made possible by using the cloudto provide electronic communications services.

There are many regulatory requirements in place in relationto the use of different types of number resources, in particular those designedto protect the interests of end-users, to facilitate competition and to ensurethe effective and efficient use of numbering resources. Are all of theseregulatory requirements reasonable and proportionate for those newapplications? In some circumstances they can even be contra-productive andhamper innovation.

The report will first of all describe these evolutions ofthe network and the new services based on those networks, will bring forward adefinition, make an assessment of the different regulatory requirements (e.g.number portability, CLI issues, emergency calls, relation of the identificationof calls with misuse or fraud) and other aspects (e.g. sub- assignment,security of communication) and their relevance to this new numbering usage andfinally make recommendations for the CEPT countries on numbering policy.

Special attention will be given to the question of whoexactly are the end-user and provider of the telephone numbers and theirtypical extraterritorial use.