U.S. backs Enum network phone initiative

The U.S. Department of Commerce has recommended that the U.S. join an international electronic numbering domain system called Enum.

Enum lets an end user type a telephone number into a Web browser and access a listing of Internet resources for that number, such as addresses for IP telephony, e-mail or Web sites. The Internet Engineering Task Force developed it and is implementing it in coordination with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the Internet Architecture Board (IAB). The IAB has set aside a global domain, e164.arpa, for the system.

Under the protocol, each user's phone number would be translated to an Enum identifier. The number +44 20 7291 5981, for example, would become 1.8.9.5.1.9.2.7.0.2.4.4.e164.arpa. The Enum system would then recognize all addresses and numbers associated with that signifier.

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The U.S. Department of Commerce has recommended that the U.S. join an international electronic numbering domain system called Enum.

Enum lets an end user type a telephone number into a Web browser and access a listing of Internet resources for that number, such as addresses for IP telephony, e-mail or Web sites. The Internet Engineering Task Force developed it and is implementing it in coordination with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the Internet Architecture Board (IAB). The IAB has set aside a global domain, e164.arpa, for the system.

Under the protocol, each user's phone number would be translated to an Enum identifier. The number +44 20 7291 5981, for example, would become 1.8.9.5.1.9.2.7.0.2.4.4.e164.arpa. The Enum system would then recognize all addresses and numbers associated with that signifier.

In a letter posted to the Commerce Department's Web site last week, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) administrator Nancy Victory wrote to the U.S. Department of State that Enum "has the potential to facilitate convergence of communications networks by linking e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, fax numbers and cell phone numbers for individuals or businesses."

The U.S. should "seize this opportunity and take steps to participate," Victory said.

Thus far, 13 ITU member countries have opted into e164.arpa and are beginning trials to establish Enum services. It is time for the U.S. to become more active on this issue, she said, she said.

The NTIA has developed principles to ensure Enum can be implemented while protecting competition, interoperability, security and privacy. These include preserving national sovereignty and the right to decide if Enum will be implemented, the letter said.

Law is a correspondent with the IDG News Service's London bureau.

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