ECC WorkProgram Database

NaN2_05

Last update: 25-02-2026

ECC Report

ECC Report on international voice traceback

The WG NaN has already done a lot of work in combatting fraudulent electronic communications. With this work item another recommendation from Report 275 will be executed.

The objective of voice traceback is to find the source of illegal voice calls. It is important to identify the operators which are the source of illegal voice calls. These operators can then be held accountable for originating or being too passive allowing fraudulent traffic. Collaboration between operators/carriers is needed across international borders in the CEPT-area.

The aim of the report is

to develop an operational framework which enables international voice traceback;
identify regulatory and legal obstacles for such a international voice traceback as e.g. privacy concerns (GDPR and e- privacy laws impose strict regulations on the collection, processing, and storage of personal data, including voice communications) and contractual issues in interconnect agreements such as non-disclosure agreements;
Explore ideas to deploy voice traceback with other regions in the world.

If needed recommendations can be made for provisions enabling voice traceback in future European and national legislation.

In order to develop the report the approach in the US to trace the origin of the fraudulent traffic including the work of the Industry Traceback Group (ITG) will be studied.

S: 26-11-2024
T: 26-11-2026

Work item approved at WG NaN#29, Bonn, 26-28 November 2024.

In Progress

NaN2_06

Last update: 19-06-2026

ECC Report

ECC Report on prepaid SIM-card registration and related KYC requirements.

The work item will examine the regulatory approaches applied in European countries to prepaid SIM-card registration and related Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements, with particular attention to the growing risk of fraud, misuse of anonymously or weakly registered SIM cards, and the resulting challenges for numbering related fraud case investigation. The work will map the current situation across Europe, recognising that not all countries have mandatory prepaid SIM-card registration and that, in many cases, KYC obligations for prepaid SIM cards in the electronic communications sector are relatively recent, still evolving, or implemented with differing levels of strictness.

The work item will compare national frameworks, implementation models and verification practices, including the extent to which identity checks are required at the point of sale or activation, whether remote or digital onboarding is permitted, and how regulatory obligations are supported by operators' operational procedures. It will also identify common gaps, practical enforcement issues and emerging good practices that may help CEPT administrations assess whether existing national measures are sufficient to address fraud risks linked to prepaid SIM use.

The objective is not to harmonise national laws, but to provide a structured overview of the current European landscape and a basis for informed policy discussion on proportionate, effective and enforceable prepaid SIM-card registration and related KYC approaches.

S: 09-06-2026
T: 07-11-2028

Work item approved at WG NaN #32 (9-11 June 2026).

In Progress

NaN3_03

Last update: 19-06-2026

ECC Report

ECC Report on the availability of access to 112 via voice and text over 4G and 5G

With the imminent shutdown of both 2G and 3G networks within CEPT administrations in the coming 5 years, the fall back to access to 112 via 2G and 3G services will disappear relative quickly.

Therefore it’s important to have a current clear view of the existing available access to 112 via the 4G and 5G networks in each CEPT administration. And if these are available for national users, roamers and in limited state access. Additional it’s important to research if there are still technical, standardization or regulatory issues present that frustrate the proper access to 112 in one or more of these scenario’s without any fall back.

For this analysis it’s taken into account that currently PSAP’s might not be ready and some handsets are not compatible with 4G or 5G or with the current network settings. So therefor it’s needed to set in this analysis the hypothetical principles that PSAPS are ready to receive these services when there is no 2G or 3G and all handsets are compatible with 4G and 5G and the network settings. In order to assess the current state of implementations for accessing 112 via 4G and 5G or alternative via Wi-Fi in the CEPT networks.

S: 11-06-2026
T: 18-11-2027

Work item approved at WG NaN #32 (9-11 June 2026).

In Progress

NaN1_02

Last update: 30-07-2025

ECC Report

ECC Report on reviewing the distribution channel of geographical and mobile E.164- telephone numbers.

The ECC Report will make a pro contra analyses of the direct allocation of telephone numbers by the Administrations to end-users.

Since the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector, the Administrations competent for numbering have been allocating telephone numbers to operators, which in turn allocate them to their end-users or other operators. This distribution model is cost-efficient and has proven its merits. However, due to the increasing complexity of the telecommunications landscape, it is not always any longer clear who is the end end-end-user of the phone number. Different operators use different KYC procedures, which are often not strictly followed in practice.

This has given rise to abuses and gradually the administration responsible for numbering are losing control over the assigned numbers, making the enforceability of the regulations (e.g. lawful intercept, identification end-users) more difficult. It is also not optimal as it creates fragmentation and low efficiency of the usage of a scarce resource.

Citizens are increasingly using online tools for their interactions with the Government. This offers the possibility - unlike in the past - for Administrations to do the assignment of a phone number directly, via a standard process which is the same for every telephone number, independently of the by the citizen chosen operator to the end-user of the phone number at a low cost. As operators are not any longer involved in the assignment of the telephone number this will increase the KYC reliability.

This workitem will study the pro’s and contra’s of the direct allocation of telephone numbers from the administrations to the end-users of telecommunication services (so without involvement of the operator). It will also study the feasibility from a operational and technical point of view, including the impact on the operators (e.g. impact on NP, databases for emergency and directory services) with special attention to the transition of the existing to the “direct distribution” model of telephone numbers.

The direct allocation of telephone numbers on mass scale has become possible thanks to the introduction of eID services in the different countries. The eID is an electronic proof of identity (with chip) with which you can carry out electronic transactions. In the EU a system of mutual recognition of national electronic identification schemes (eID) across borders is being rolled out. It allows European citizens to use their national eIDs when accessing online services from other European countries.

A special point of attention is the allocation of telephone numbers to legal persons via direct allocation. It seems that a similar system as eID doesn’t already exist for legal persons, but is under development in the EU.

S: 17-06-2025
T: 19-10-2027

Work item approved at WG NaN #30, 17-19 June 2025.

Draft

NPS_07

Last update: 25-05-2021

ECC Report

CEPT cooperation process for withholding payments and/or blocking access to numbers or services in cases of cross-border fraud or misuse

One of the most effective long-term approaches to tackling fraud and misuse is greater cooperation and information sharing between regulators. This can help us to better understand the changing nature of fraud mechanisms and to develop ex-ante and ex-post measures to protect the interests of citizens and consumers. With this aim, it is proposed to define a process for cooperation in the investigation of cross-border cases of fraud and misuse. The process would assist any regulatory intervention in the withholding of payments and/or blocking of access to numbers or services where fraud or misuse has occurred.

As a starting point, we plan to review the BEREC cooperation process, as set out in report BoR (13)37. The BEREC cooperation process was developed to assist regulatory authorities in the effective application of powers provided by Article 28(2) of the Universal Service Directive (USD) to require the withholding of payments and/or blocking of access to numbers or services in cases of fraud or misuse. It is a cooperation and information sharing tool used to complement national processes in combating fraud and misuse. We would consider the strengths and weaknesses of the BEREC cooperation process in developing the CEPT process.

References:
ECC Report 275 (2018) The role of E.164 numbers in international fraud and misuse of electronic communications services
BEREC Report BoR (13)37 Article 28(2) USD Universal Service Directive: A harmonised BEREC cooperation process, March 2013

S: 31-05-2018
T:

On Hold

NaN2_05 Last update: 25-02-2026	ECC Report	ECC Report on international voice traceback	The WG NaN has already done a lot of work in combatting fraudulent electronic communications. With this work item another recommendation from Report 275 will be executed. The objective of voice traceback is to find the source of illegal voice calls. It is important to identify the operators which are the source of illegal voice calls. These operators can then be held accountable for originating or being too passive allowing fraudulent traffic. Collaboration between operators/carriers is needed across international borders in the CEPT-area. The aim of the report is to develop an operational framework which enables international voice traceback; identify regulatory and legal obstacles for such a international voice traceback as e.g. privacy concerns (GDPR and e- privacy laws impose strict regulations on the collection, processing, and storage of personal data, including voice communications) and contractual issues in interconnect agreements such as non-disclosure agreements; Explore ideas to deploy voice traceback with other regions in the world. If needed recommendations can be made for provisions enabling voice traceback in future European and national legislation. In order to develop the report the approach in the US to trace the origin of the fraudulent traffic including the work of the Industry Traceback Group (ITG) will be studied.	S: 26-11-2024 T: 26-11-2026	Work item approved at WG NaN#29, Bonn, 26-28 November 2024.	In Progress
NaN2_06 Last update: 19-06-2026	ECC Report	ECC Report on prepaid SIM-card registration and related KYC requirements.	The work item will examine the regulatory approaches applied in European countries to prepaid SIM-card registration and related Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements, with particular attention to the growing risk of fraud, misuse of anonymously or weakly registered SIM cards, and the resulting challenges for numbering related fraud case investigation. The work will map the current situation across Europe, recognising that not all countries have mandatory prepaid SIM-card registration and that, in many cases, KYC obligations for prepaid SIM cards in the electronic communications sector are relatively recent, still evolving, or implemented with differing levels of strictness. The work item will compare national frameworks, implementation models and verification practices, including the extent to which identity checks are required at the point of sale or activation, whether remote or digital onboarding is permitted, and how regulatory obligations are supported by operators' operational procedures. It will also identify common gaps, practical enforcement issues and emerging good practices that may help CEPT administrations assess whether existing national measures are sufficient to address fraud risks linked to prepaid SIM use. The objective is not to harmonise national laws, but to provide a structured overview of the current European landscape and a basis for informed policy discussion on proportionate, effective and enforceable prepaid SIM-card registration and related KYC approaches.	S: 09-06-2026 T: 07-11-2028	Work item approved at WG NaN #32 (9-11 June 2026).	In Progress
NaN3_03 Last update: 19-06-2026	ECC Report	ECC Report on the availability of access to 112 via voice and text over 4G and 5G	With the imminent shutdown of both 2G and 3G networks within CEPT administrations in the coming 5 years, the fall back to access to 112 via 2G and 3G services will disappear relative quickly. Therefore it’s important to have a current clear view of the existing available access to 112 via the 4G and 5G networks in each CEPT administration. And if these are available for national users, roamers and in limited state access. Additional it’s important to research if there are still technical, standardization or regulatory issues present that frustrate the proper access to 112 in one or more of these scenario’s without any fall back. For this analysis it’s taken into account that currently PSAP’s might not be ready and some handsets are not compatible with 4G or 5G or with the current network settings. So therefor it’s needed to set in this analysis the hypothetical principles that PSAPS are ready to receive these services when there is no 2G or 3G and all handsets are compatible with 4G and 5G and the network settings. In order to assess the current state of implementations for accessing 112 via 4G and 5G or alternative via Wi-Fi in the CEPT networks.	S: 11-06-2026 T: 18-11-2027	Work item approved at WG NaN #32 (9-11 June 2026).	In Progress
NaN1_02 Last update: 30-07-2025	ECC Report	ECC Report on reviewing the distribution channel of geographical and mobile E.164- telephone numbers.	The ECC Report will make a pro contra analyses of the direct allocation of telephone numbers by the Administrations to end-users. Since the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector, the Administrations competent for numbering have been allocating telephone numbers to operators, which in turn allocate them to their end-users or other operators. This distribution model is cost-efficient and has proven its merits. However, due to the increasing complexity of the telecommunications landscape, it is not always any longer clear who is the end end-end-user of the phone number. Different operators use different KYC procedures, which are often not strictly followed in practice. This has given rise to abuses and gradually the administration responsible for numbering are losing control over the assigned numbers, making the enforceability of the regulations (e.g. lawful intercept, identification end-users) more difficult. It is also not optimal as it creates fragmentation and low efficiency of the usage of a scarce resource. Citizens are increasingly using online tools for their interactions with the Government. This offers the possibility - unlike in the past - for Administrations to do the assignment of a phone number directly, via a standard process which is the same for every telephone number, independently of the by the citizen chosen operator to the end-user of the phone number at a low cost. As operators are not any longer involved in the assignment of the telephone number this will increase the KYC reliability. This workitem will study the pro’s and contra’s of the direct allocation of telephone numbers from the administrations to the end-users of telecommunication services (so without involvement of the operator). It will also study the feasibility from a operational and technical point of view, including the impact on the operators (e.g. impact on NP, databases for emergency and directory services) with special attention to the transition of the existing to the “direct distribution” model of telephone numbers. The direct allocation of telephone numbers on mass scale has become possible thanks to the introduction of eID services in the different countries. The eID is an electronic proof of identity (with chip) with which you can carry out electronic transactions. In the EU a system of mutual recognition of national electronic identification schemes (eID) across borders is being rolled out. It allows European citizens to use their national eIDs when accessing online services from other European countries. A special point of attention is the allocation of telephone numbers to legal persons via direct allocation. It seems that a similar system as eID doesn’t already exist for legal persons, but is under development in the EU.	S: 17-06-2025 T: 19-10-2027	Work item approved at WG NaN #30, 17-19 June 2025.	Draft
NPS_07 Last update: 25-05-2021	ECC Report	CEPT cooperation process for withholding payments and/or blocking access to numbers or services in cases of cross-border fraud or misuse	One of the most effective long-term approaches to tackling fraud and misuse is greater cooperation and information sharing between regulators. This can help us to better understand the changing nature of fraud mechanisms and to develop ex-ante and ex-post measures to protect the interests of citizens and consumers. With this aim, it is proposed to define a process for cooperation in the investigation of cross-border cases of fraud and misuse. The process would assist any regulatory intervention in the withholding of payments and/or blocking of access to numbers or services where fraud or misuse has occurred. As a starting point, we plan to review the BEREC cooperation process, as set out in report BoR (13)37. The BEREC cooperation process was developed to assist regulatory authorities in the effective application of powers provided by Article 28(2) of the Universal Service Directive (USD) to require the withholding of payments and/or blocking of access to numbers or services in cases of fraud or misuse. It is a cooperation and information sharing tool used to complement national processes in combating fraud and misuse. We would consider the strengths and weaknesses of the BEREC cooperation process in developing the CEPT process. References: ECC Report 275 (2018) The role of E.164 numbers in international fraud and misuse of electronic communications services BEREC Report BoR (13)37 Article 28(2) USD Universal Service Directive: A harmonised BEREC cooperation process, March 2013	S: 31-05-2018 T:		On Hold