The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) reassigned number database was supposed to be available sometime this year, after delays in 2019. With only 3 weeks left in the year, it appears unlikely that they will meet that deadline. However, a new announcement shows that the FCC is still making slow progress on the project.
The FCC announced that SomosGov, Inc. will serve in the new position of Reassigned Numbers Database Administrator. The firm already serves as the administrator for the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) and as the Pooling Administrator (PA). SomosGov’s contract for this position lasts 5 years, with the possibility that the FCC can extend it as long as 8 years.
In their press release announcing the contract, the FCC describes the position as follows: “The Reassigned Numbers Database Administrator (RNDA) will create and operate a comprehensive Reassigned Numbers Database that will contain reassigned numbers information from each provider that obtains North American Numbering Plan U.S. geographic numbers and toll-free numbers.” The press release also mentions a reassigned number safe harbor that will be implemented in conjunction with the database. It does not say anything about when the database will be implemented.