Electronic Numbering, or ENUM in short, is an enabler technology that allows phone numbers to be assigned to Internet Protocol (IP) devices, such as a mobile phone or facsimile. ENUM is basically a convergence of the fixed-line and IP networks, where a normal phone number is mapped to Internet functionalities.
Singapore, 08 September 2005
What is Electronic Numbering?
Electronic Numbering, or ENUM in short, is an enabler technology that allows phone numbers to be assigned to Internet Protocol (IP) devices, such as a mobile phone or facsimile. ENUM is basically a convergence of the fixed-line and IP networks, where a normal phone number is mapped to Internet functionalities.
This means that you can access voice, data, facsimile and your e-mail functions over the internet, using only a single normal phone number that is converted to a digital number. Thus, a single number replaces the multiple numbers and IP addresses.
ENUM is a standard adopted by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), where the domain name system is used to map telephone numbers to Web addresses, or uniform resource locators (URLs). ENUM provides a bridge between phone numbering and the Internet world. Further to the benefit of Internet users, ENUM opens up a world of added convenience.
Important?
ENUM will bring about new applications and services that uses phone numbers in new ways. For example, you can use phone numbers to surf the web, or send an email. Instead of multiples addresses on a namecard, an ENUM can be the phone number, as well as the website and email contact.
Here's a quick list of some of the advantages of ENUM:
- One Contact Point -
a single ENUM number can be mapped to a number of services (e.g. telephony number, email address, website address, etc). Thus, ENUM has the potential to provide a single point of contact for an ENUM subscriber.
- Number Portability -
since a single ENUM number can be mapped to a number of services, you can change service providers and still retain your electronic number by directing your electronic number to the new service.
- Call Preference -
ENUM also allows you to specify your preferences in receiving incoming communications. This gives you greater control over your communications. For example, you can specify a preference for voice-mail messages over live-calls during certain times of the day, indicate a destination for call-forwarding, or route all your communications to your electronic mailbox.
- Bridge between PSTN and IP Telephony -
you can make voice calls to another computer, or instead, to a normal telephone.
- Potential New Services -
a plethora of new services and applications can be generated as ENUM allows the mapping of telephone numbers to Internet addresses.
ENUM Developments
ENUM has generated international interest. Austria's Broadcasting & Telecom Regulatory Authority (RTR) is the first in the world to launch a commercial ENUM service this year. The Australian Communications Authority (ACA) has also recently held a Call for Expressions of Interest for a Tier-1 registry operator for their ENUM Trial.
In the Asia Pacific region, CNNIC (China Network Information Center), JPRS (Japan Registry Service), KRNIC (Korea Network Information Center), SGNIC (Singapore Network Information Center) and TWNIC (Taiwan Network Information Center) have formed the Asia Pacific ENUM Engineering Team (APEET), an informal technical project team formed to coordinate and synergize ENUM activities in the Asia Pacific region.
ARTICLE COURTESY OF THE POLICY DIVISION AND TECHNOLOGY GROUP
INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
Useful Links:
- INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE, 21 September 2004. Online.
Media Release: IDA Launches New Policy Framework for Internet Protocol (IP) Telephony and Electronic Numbering (ENUM). - INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE, 21 September 2004. Online.
Media Release: IDA Seeks Industry Feedback on Telecoms Policy Regarding Internet Protocol (IP) Telephony and Electronic Numbering.
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