UK businesses to benefit from new telecommunications technology with the launch of UK ENUM - One number that works across multiple communication channels and devices - 'Follow me' feature will determine how and when an ENUM call receiver chooses to be contacted - Cheap or free calls for businesses.

11/03/2009

Nominet, the national registry for .uk domain names, today announces that ENUM, a new registry service that combines UK telephone numbers and the Domain Name System (DNS) to simplify the way that VoIP calls (telephone calls made over the Internet) work, is live.  It will allow companies and their customers and suppliers to make free or cheaper calls. 

In addition to the cost savings, ENUM has the potential to offer a range of other value-added features to corporate communications such as a 'follow me' type function that will allow an individual to choose how (voice, fax, mobile, email, text messaging, location-based services and  websites), and when they would like to be contacted throughout the day. For example, users could direct everything to their mobile device between 9am to 5pm and then re-direct all communications to email after 5pm.

The core principle of ENUM is to translate a telephone number into a domain name. This allows users to continue to use the existing phone number formats they know, whilst allowing the device to route the call using a DNS lookup. Using the DNS makes ENUM a quick, stable and cheap link between telecommunications systems and the Internet.

And because the ENUM platform is based on standard DNS functionality it is an open platform, allowing for the development of exciting new applications.
Phil Kingsland, director of marketing and communications at Nominet comments: "Making cost savings and improving operational efficiency is at the top of the agenda for most organisations in the current economic climate. ENUM has come at just the right time as it cuts telecommunications costs and enables companies to build better relationships with suppliers and customers in a more cost effective manner."

"For example, if a large organisation and its suppliers used ENUM - all calls between them would be free every time. Equally, smaller organisations, for example in customer service environments, could set up an ENUM number - allowing customers to call for free, without incurring any call receiving costs themselves. Essentially, from today ENUM is set to extend the benefits of VoIP for UK businesses."

How does a company register for ENUM?

• Visit Nominet's web site for a list of available ENUM registrars
• Choose the registrar that best suits your business requirements
• Register your chosen phone number with the registrar
• The registrar will then validate your number (typically via a third party agency) and provide you with an ENUM registration  
• Finally, certain technical specifications need to be met for the installation of ENUM - please contact your registrar for further details.

The role of UKEC

The UK ENUM top level domain 4.4.e164.arpa is administered by the UK ENUM Consortium (UKEC), a limited company set up with the recognition of the Uk Government. UKEC are responsible for all matters of policy regarding UK ENUM.
For further information, please visit http://www.nominet.org.uk/enum/ or contact nominetuk@racepointgroup.com / 020 8752 3200.

Notes to editors

 

About Nominet

Nominet operates at the heart of e-commerce in the UK, running one of the world's largest Internet registries and managing over seven million domain names. Nominet maintains the register of .uk domain names and runs the DNS infrastructure that keeps .uk working.

It runs the technology that locates a computer in the Internet hosting the web site or email system you're looking for when you type in a web address or send an email to an address that ends in .uk.

Nominet is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee that has members not shareholders, pays no dividends and its charges only cover its running costs. Anyone with an interest in the Internet may become a member. Nominet has over 2,800 members representing all areas of the Internet industry.

Nominet also runs the Tier 1 registry for UK ENUM, a new UK registry service that combines telephone numbers and the Domain Name System to simplify the way telephone calls over the Internet work.  ENUM lets callers know that you can receive VoIP calls - it allows more VoIP calls to be connected directly over the Internet, for no charge, rather than via the traditional PSTN network.

About UKEC

The UK ENUM Consortium (UKEC) is the limited company set up with the recognition of the UK Government to administer the UK ENUM top level domain. UKEC is a not-for-profit membership company and offers membership to parties interested in the operation of the top level UK ENUM domain.

UKEC are responsible for all matters of policy and regularly run public consultations on policy issues. If you are interested in ENUM and have views on policy development, UKEC would appreciate your participate in their consultation process.

For further information, please contact:
Gemma Griffiths / Elissa Fry at Racepoint Group
Tel: 020 8752 3200
Email: nominet@racepointgroup.com

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