The telecommunications regulator (Arcep) has just announced a major change with regard to telephone numbering, since two numbers will be reserved for individuals as of next year.
While scams have abounded in recent years, whether canvassing for false CPF training or even a vital card scam by SMS, the telecommunications regulator (Arcep) announced on Monday a new measure aimed at “ strengthen the protection “of users against” fraud and abuse », and other nuisance commercial calls.
Under the law of November 15, 2021 aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of digital technology in France, Arcep was able to modify the number allocation system, and therefore specify the categories of numbers that can be used between individuals or with businesses.
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Businesses must change numbers next year
As of January 1, 2023, the use of telephone numbers beginning with 06 or 07 will be exclusively reserved for communication services “ interpersonal “. In other words, only individuals will be allowed to use these numbers. ” For the sake of clarity for subscribers, the Authority reserves the use of mobile numbers in 06 and 07 – durably attached to a user in the minds of all – exclusively for interpersonal communications services. It thus associates this type of number with the compulsory provision by operators of at least one voice call and message service “said Arcep in a press release.
For “non-interpersonal” uses, i.e. as soon as a company or a telephone platform » wants to call an individualit will have to switch to the new category of numbers starting in 09. “ These numbers could, for example, be used to establish conversations by message between a brand and its customer, or for very short-term use of telephone numbers for certain situations of ephemeral contact via a platform (parcel deliverers, VTC drivers , etc.) “, explained the telecommunications regulator.
This change will therefore be eagerly awaited by individuals, since it should enable them to better identify who is calling them at a glance, and thus strengthen their security against fraudulent calls. We will have to wait to see if this measure allows to sustainably reduce telephone scamsor whether Arcep should explore new avenues to curb these frauds.
Source: Arcep