80Decision on application to surrender numbers

80  Decision on application to surrender numbers

 (1) The ACMA must make a decision on an application made by a carriage service provider under section 79 no later than 10 business days after receiving the application.

 (2) If the units of the numbers to which the application relates are not a multiple of standard units for the type of number, the ACMA must decide not to approve the application unless it is satisfied of each of the following:

 (a) that the surrender of the numbers is consistent with the current number analysis capabilities of telecommunications networks operated in Australia; and

 (b) that the carriage service provider is unable to surrender numbers as a multiple of standard units, or would be significantly disadvantaged or inconvenienced by being required to surrender the numbers as a multiple of standard units; and

 (c) that it is appropriate to allow the surrender of the numbers in all the circumstances.

 (3) In considering whether it is appropriate to allow the surrender of the numbers for the purposes of paragraph (2)(c) the ACMA may take into account any matter that it considers relevant and may, in writing, ask the carriage service provider who lodged the application to give the ACMA further information about the matters to which application relates.

 (4) The period mentioned in subsection (1) does not include a period:

1.       starting when the ACMA asks the carriage service provider for further information; and
2.       ending when the ACMA receives the information.

 (5) If the applicant does not give the ACMA the information within a period of 30 business days after the request, the applicant is taken to have withdrawn the application at the end of that period.

 (6) The ACMA must approve an application unless it is required not to approve it under subsection (2).