What is the ETNS?

Single Number Access for Pan-European Services
The European Telephony Numbering Space (ETNS) is a European numbering space parallel to existing national numbering spaces, and is to be used for the provisioning of pan-European services. A pan-European service is an international service that can be invoked from at least two European countries.

The main objective of the ETNS is to allow effective numbering for European international services for which national numbers may not be adequate and global numbers may not be available.

The designation of a new European country code—388—allows European international companies, services, and individuals to obtain a single European Number for accessing their services.

ETNS Services
Four ETNS services are now available: Public Service Application, Customer Service Application, Corporate Networks, and Personal Numbering. A European Service Identification (ESI) code has been designated for each ETNS service. The one-digit code follows the European Country Code 388 and European Service Code 3 (3883), as shown below.

 
ETNS Service ESI
Public Service Application (PSA) 3883 1
Customer Service Application (CSA) 3883 3
Corporate Network (CN) 3883 5
Personal Numbering (Personal) 3883 7

See ETNS Service Descriptions for more information.
Further details about ETNS services are available at the ETO Web Site

Affordable Calling for pan-European Services
The cost of a call to a European Number depends on the pan-European service and is comprised of two charges. First, for current services, the calling party, located within one of the European countries, will pay a tariff of up to the cost of a domestic long distance call. Callers from non-European countries are expected to pay the international call rate to Europe.

The second part of the payment is for the termination of the call and will be met by the receiving party. This is a matter of commercial arrangement between the receiving party and its network operator/service provider.

European Number Structure
An EN a standard international number structured as shown below.



The initial part, called the European Service Identity (ESI), consists of the country code (CC) and group identification code (GI) that identifies the ETNS (3883), followed by a European Service Code identifying a particular ETNS service. The European Subscriber Number (ESN) is the number assigned to a customer in the context of the specific service. The maximum length of an EN is 15 digits.

Example EN: 3883 X XXXXXXXX

Call Routeing
Double translation is the method used for routeing ETNS calls. Double translation can be implemented in two ways:

  1. Double translation method A utilises both speech and signalling paths between the Serving Network (SgN) and the ETNS Service Provider.

  2. Double translation method B utilises only a signalling path between the SgN and the ETNS Service Provider.

Double Translation Method A
The figure below depicts a simplified case of double translation method A.

  1. The calling party dials the European Number (EN) in its international format. Based on the ESI, the call is routed to the Serving Network.

    Note: A network is called a Serving Network when it is able to analyse and translate the European Number by using ETNS translation capabilities. The Assisted Network has only to analyse the ESI to route the call to the appropriate Serving Network.

  2. On receipt of an ETNS call, the Serving Network triggers the ETNS translation database to translate the incoming European Number (EN) into an outgoing Routeing Number (RN). The Routeing Number points to the Service Network to which the Service Producer is connected.

  3. A second translation is performed by the Service Producer to get a Terminating Number (TN) to address the called party.

Double Translation Method B
Double translation method B is expected to be implemented in the future and is based on the use of signalling interfaces between the ETNS translation database and the Service Producer database to allow the mapping of EN-RN-TN without using speech paths between the Serving and Service Networks.

Detailed descriptions of the routeing mechanisms are provided in the ETSI EN 301 160 “Routeing of calls to ETNS Services.”

ETNS Routeing Numbers
ETNS routeing numbers conform to international numbering standards; the structure and administration of these numbers is a national matter under the jurisdiction of the National Number Administrator (NNA). Alternatively, networks may bilaterally agree on the use of ETNS routeing numbers that do not conform to international numbering standards.

NeuStar is responsible for the distribution of the RNs to the appropriate Serving Networks. These RNs will be obtained by the ETNS Service Providers from their chosen Service Networks.

Number Portability Across Europe
Before ETNS, there was number portability within European countries, but not across countries. ETNS is a country code in which numbers are portable across participating countries, allowing European international services.

Number portability allows a subscriber of a pan-European service to change the ETNS Service Provider for this specific service while retaining the same European Number.

When an EN is ported between two Service Providers, a transfer of information is required between the Service Providers and the ETNS Registrar. This is how it works.

  1. The Donor SP informs the Registrar of the deactivation of the EN and the intention of the subscriber to port the number to another SP, the Recipient SP.

  2. The Recipient SP informs the Registrar of the activation of the ported EN.

  3. The Registrar verifies the Recipient SP’s qualification to provide the ETNS service. If the Recipient SP is not qualified to provide the service, it must become qualified or the Registrar must refuse the porting.

  4. When the Registrar accepts the EN porting, the change in SP is registered in the registration system.

Porting an EN also requires modifying the association between the EN and the Routeing Number.

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