On May 25, 2009, the European Parliament and European Council’s 2009/136/EK Directive (25.11.2009) has come into force. This Directive amends 2002/22/EK Directive on universal service and users' rights relating to electronic communications networks and services. Section 27.a of Directive explains importance of introducing 116000 helpline, as well as its importance in cases when children are missing.
Responsible institutions in Latvia in accordance with requirements of the Directive have taken necessary measures – they have accepted and published the regulations and administrative provisions, that are necessary to meet with requirements mentioned in the Directive.
In accordance with the regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 684 "Regulations on the National Numbering Strategy" (25.08.2008.) is amended.
Six-digit format numbers that start with "116" (116XXX) are reserved for the European Union's electronic communications services. Reserved numbers of social services and their descriptions are published in the newspaper “Latvijas Vēstnesis” (26.03.2010. 49 (4241)) and in the website of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development- www.varam.gov.lv. At the moment, for reporting about the incident that children are missing, citizens may call to the emergency service phoneline -112.
The "Regulations on the National Numbering Plan" (also known as the National Numbering Plan) No. 684 of August 25th 2008 by Cabinet of Ministers determine the number, format and structure, as well as usage purposes and dialing procedures.
Article 27.a of the Directive on universal services and users’ rights relating to electronic communications networks and services has come into force.
Numbers are devided into georgraphic and non-georgaphic number classes and short or identification codes depending on their structure. Georgaphic numbers are used for registered public networks only. Non-geographic numbers are devided into free call numbers and pay-per-service numbers, public mobile phone numbers as well as others.
Short codes are used for special goals, for instance as access codes to choose an operator or as short phone numbers and their lengths is from 2 to 6 digits.
Short numbers are used to call the special services – emergency service 112, info services an also by the operators to provide certain services. Short numbers starting with 116 are meant for social importance services around the European Union.
Identification codes are used by public phone sector operators to identify their networks at the national and worldwide level as well as for mobile network and data transfer network identification.
The National Numbering plan consists of general regulation section and addendums. Regulations have already undergone a few corrections, for example, those aimed at setting new worldwide and national identification codes; spread the boundaries of the previously accepted range of registered public number section; re-plan previously accepted numeration settings for other non-geographic services.
Given the demand for electronic communications companies, numbering usage rights are provided by the Public Utilities Commission.
Usage rights are provided by the National Joint-Stock Company "Electronic Communications Office".
Any changes in The National Numbering Plans are being prepared in consultation with the numbering resource coordination working group of experts representing:
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the Latvian Telecommunications Association,
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the Latvian Information and Communication Technology Association,
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the Latvian Electrical Engineering and Electronics Industry Association,
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the Public Utilities Commission,
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SJSC "Electronic Communication",
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Ministry of Transport.