Numbering

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Mission & Vision

Mission Statement

To be effectively provide regulatory services to the ICT sector in order to enhance Universal Access to the ICT services

Vision Statment

An efficient and competitive ICT sector that provides quality, reliable and affordable goods and services that are universally accessible to and meet the needs of the Zambian community.

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Numbering

In 2007 Zambia changed its numbering plan by adding an extra digit to its 40 year-old six-digit subscriber numbers.
The incumbent operator was given a new Network Destination Code (NDC) 021 to pave way for further competition in the fixed line services. Apart from increasing the capacity of the numbering plan, the change brought about increased opportunity of offering new and advanced services on the landscape of the Zambian ICT sector.

New Number Ranges

The new numbering plan introduced new policies, rules and new number ranges for advanced services. The PREMIUM RATE numbers (0900) as well as the FREE PHONE (0800) were introduced to pave way for innovative services.

Short Codes & Application Procedure

The plan also specifies not only the structure of the short codes but also the rules and procedures of allocating the short codes.
The Authority allocates short codes in the range 3XXX and 4XXX for voice and data through a simple application procedure. It takes less than two (2) weeks to obtain the short code.

In order to bring sanity to short code allocation in the sector, the Authority will, this year, embark on short code harmonisation project that is aimed at migrating the existing short codes to the proposed short code structure as per national numbering plan.

Numbering Fees Charges

The Authority has conducted wide consultation and research on the introduction of numbering fees in order to promote the efficient utilisation of the numbering plan. The fees are expected to introduce once the Statutory Instrument is put in place.

Signalling Point Codes

The Authority is also responsible for managing the numbering resources used within the Zambian networks such as Signalling Point Codes (SPC).The Authority is in charge of all point code assignment behind the Signalling Area Network Code (SANC) 0690 as assigned by the ITU.

A network operator wishing to obtain the national point codes (NDC) or International Signalling Point Codes (ISPC) must follow the guidelines and apply by filling in the appropriate forms.