11Use of geographic numbers

11  Use of geographic numbers

 (1) A geographic number may be used only in connection with the supply of a local service.

 (2) This section does not prevent a number other than a geographic number being used in connection with the supply of those services.

 (3) A geographic number allocated to a standard zone unit must only be used in connection with the supply of a carriage service:

 (a) that terminates calls to the number at a location in the standard zone unit; or

 (b) for which the call charge for the calls is worked out as if the calls were terminated at a location in the standard zone unit.

Note: A carriage service provider generally relies on information contained in a geographic number to find out the location of the service being called for the purpose of working out the charge for a call. Part 4 of the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999 contains requirements about charging for local calls.

 (4) A geographic number is specified for use in relation to a standard zone unit if the standard zone unit is:

 (a) mentioned for the number in column 2 of Schedule 1; or

 (b) included in a charging district mentioned for the number in column 2 of Schedule 1.

 (5) Geographic numbers must be used in connection with the supply of carriage services in a way consistent, as far as practicable, with the existing patterns of use, including patterns corresponding to areas where geographic numbers with the same first 6 digits have been issued.