The UK Government has launched a consultation on the ENUM Project – a technology standard that would allow consumers to use a single point of contact for telephone and internet communications.

ENUM is an electronic numbering system, which will enable users to specify a single identifier for their telephone numbers, e-mail and instant messaging communications, and fax and mobile phone numbers.

ENUM, also known as E.164.apra, "translates" phone numbers into a series of URLs or e-mail addresses and vice versa. Internet browsers or advanced telephone devices can automate this process.

The standard also allows consumers to make telephone calls through the internet, facilitating internet access through telephones, which have an input mechanism limited to 12 keys on a keypad.

Following a trial of the system in 2003, the Department of Trade and Industry is now seeking views on ENUM, in order to ensure that the proposals "result in open and fair competition and at the same time provide adequate safeguards to protect the public interest."

This is vital as the management of the system is, according to the DTI, "logically a single monopoly function".

Comments are invited by 10th November 2004.

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