Numbering Plan

The objective of the numbering plan is uniquely identify

every subscriber connected to telecommunication
network.
A large centrally located exchange called the main
exchange serving the main business centre of the town
and number of small exchanges known as satellite
exchanges serving different residential localities.
The area containing the complete network of the main
exchange and the satellites is known as multiexchange
area.
A common numbering scheme was then required for the
area so that the digits dialed to identify the terminating
exchange do not vary with the exchange originating the
call. The common numbering scheme is called a linked
numbering scheme.
Subscriber Trunk Dialing or Direct Distance Dialing
(STD or DDD)
International Subscriber Dialing (ISD)

A numbering plan may be
Open (Nonuniform Numbering Plan)
Semi open
Closed numbering plan(Uniform Numbering Plan)

There are four possible approaches to dialing
procedures

1. Use a single uniform procedure for all calls, viz. local,
national and international calls.
2. Use two different procedures, one for international
calls and the other for local, national calls.
3. Use three different procedures, one for international
calls second for national trunk calls third for local.
4. Use four different procedures, three procedures same
as above and a fourth procedure for calls in the
adjacent numbering areas.
Another important aspect of the numbering plan is the
direct inward dialing (DID) facility for PABXs.

With the advent of electronic switching , most of the
PABXs provide direct dialing access to the public
networks i.e., direct outward dialing (DOD).

There are basically two approaches to providing DID
facility.
1. Use a set of suffix digits to national number to
identify PABX extensions.
2. Allot a national number to each PABX extension.
Charging Plan
A charging plan for a telecommunication service levies
three different charges on a subscriber:
1. An initial charge for providing a network connection
2. A rental or leasing charge
3. Charges for individual calls made.
Certain operational costs are incurred even if the network
carries no traffic. These are covered by rental.

The technical progress in trunk transmission has
resulted in significant cost reduction in trunk networks
whereas the local network service still continue to be
expensive.

By feeding revenue from one service to another, the
subscribers are given reasonable tariff structures for both
local and long distance services.
Charging for individual calls is accounted for by using
either a metering instrument connected to each
subscriber line or a metering register assigned to each
subscriber in the case of electronic exchanges.
The count in the meter represents the number of
charging units. A bill is raised by assigning a rate to the
charging unit. The count is incremented by sending a
pulse to the meter.
Methods for individual calls fall under two broad
categories:
Duration independent charging
Duration dependent charging.
Local calls with in a numbering area are usually charged
on a duration independent basis. The charging meter is
incremented once for every successful call, i.e. whenever
the called party answers.
The scheme of sending more than one pulse for a call is
known as multimetering.
In the multiexchange case the control system in the
originating exchange sends as many pulses as the
number of exchanges in the connection, to the calling
subscriber meter.
To avoid the capital cost of providing meters and the
operating costs of reading them at regular intervals and
preparing the bills, some administrations have adopted a
flat rate tariff system.
flat rate tariff system is advantageous to subscribers
who make a large number of calls but unfair to sparing
users. To reduce the disparity, business subscribers are
charged a higher flat rate compared to domestic
subscribers.
Some administrations combine the features of flat rate
and call rate charging.
In the case of duration dependent charging, a periodic
train of pulses from a common pulse generator operates
the calling subscribers meter at appropriate intervals.
This method is called periodic pulse metering.
The traffic carried by a telecommunication network
varies throughout the day. The quantum of switching
equipment and junction plant provided in the network is
based on the estimated busy hour traffic.
Trunk calls are almost invariably charged on a duration
dependent basis.
In addition, the charges also depend on the radial
distance between the calling and the called stations.
That is, the trunk call charging is based on the distance-
time product.
When DDD or STD facility is used to establish a long
distance call, charging is usually accounted for by
pulsing the meter at an appropriate rate.
Depending on the time of day and the distance involved
between the stations, the meter pulsing frequency varies.
In countries that employ a flat rate tariff for local calls,
subscribers do not have meters and an automatic
method known as automatic toll ticketing or automatic
message accounting is used for trunk call charging.
When ISD is used, call charging is carried out by the
same methods as for STD. However, pulse metering may
encounter two difficulties.
For international connections, it is necessary to associate
call metering with incoming and outgoing international
circuits in addition charges for calls passing through
more than one country and to collect charges from other
administrations as required.
In countries where electronic exchanges are not yet
prevalent, operator assistance is required to obtain
special trunk services like person-to-person calls and
reverse charging. These services are expensive.
Public telephone booths use coin operated boxes which
are two types: prepayment and post payment type.