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FAQs Registrations

Frequently asked questions about ENUM registrations

  1. Numerous registrars are listed on your website. Can you recommend one or more? 
  2. Do I need to change anything on my PC if I register my number for ENUM? 
  3. Which phone numbers can be registered? 
  4. Where can I find a registrar to register my number for ENUM? 
  5. Where can I find a validation agent? 
  6. How do I register my number for ENUM? 
  7. How can I find out whether a phone number is registered for ENUM? 
  8. How do I change my registration details? 
  9. How do I cancel my registration? 
  10. What should I do if I have a complaint or objection? 
  11. Can I change the registrar that looks after my registration? 
  12. Can I transfer my registration to another registrant? 
  13. How can I register a non-Dutch phone number for ENUM? 
  14. What does an ENUM registration cost? 
  15. Can I check the status of my application? 
  16. Can I register a number for ENUM directly with ENUM NL? 
  17. What is the situation with regard to number portability? 
  18. How is an ENUM domain name structured? 
  19. If I register my phone number for ENUM, will people be able to find out my number from my IP address? 
  20. If I register for ENUM, will my personal details be in the public domain? 
  21. Can I use my own organisation's DNS server?

1. Numerous registrars are listed on your website. Can you recommend one or more?
No, ENUM NL is strictly neutral. Make a choice on the basis of the ENUM services that the various registrars offer.
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2. Do I need to change anything on my PC if I register my number for ENUM?
No, but you will need one or more ENUM-enabled applications: these may be in the form of software, hardware or external devices.
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3. Which phone numbers can be registered?
Any e.164 phone number or number block, which is available in the National Telephone and ISDN Service Number Plan, and which can be validated, can be registered for ENUM use. The only numbers you cannot register are those that begin with:
00 (the international access number; numbers beginning ‘00' are not included in the National Number Plan)
014 (internal network service numbers for routing, testing, etc; these numbers cannot be dialled by end users)
082 (virtual private network numbers);
1 (special service numbers, such as those beginning 112 and 15xy and 16xy, which are carrier (pre)select codes; these are not e.164 numbers)
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4. Where can I find a registrar to register my number for ENUM?
A list of ENUM registrars is published here.
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5. Where can I find a validation agent?
A list of ENUM validation agents is published here.
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6. How do I register my number for ENUM?
Click here for more information about registering your number for ENUM.
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7. How can I find out whether a phone number is registered for ENUM?
You can see whether a number is registered by visiting http://enumquery.com/.
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8. How do I change my registration details?
You need to ask your registrar to update the register for you.
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9. How do I cancel my registration?
You need to ask your registrar to cancel your registration for you.
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10. What should I do if I have a complaint or objection?
Click here for more information about the ENUM registration complaints and objections procedures.
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11. Can I change the registrar that looks after my registration?
To change your registrar, you need to cancel the registration through your existing registrar, then re-register through a new registrar.
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12. Can I transfer my registration to another registrant?
To transfer your registration, you first need to cancel the registration through your existing registrar. The party to whom you transfer your number can then re-register it through a new registrar.
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13. How can I register a non-Dutch phone number for ENUM?
ENUM NL registers names within the Dutch ENUM domain only; it is not involved in the registration of non-Dutch phone numbers. You therefore need to approach the registry for the country in question. Various other European and other countries either already have ENUM systems operating, or are working hard to set them up. See www.enumdata.org for a list of countries where ENUM is active.
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14. What does an ENUM registration cost?
To register a phone number for ENUM, you have to go through an ENUM registrar. ENUM NL charges registrars fees for registering numbers, keeping them registered and updating registrations. Registrars then charge their customers for the services they provide; what registrars charge varies. You do not have to pay anything directly to ENUM NL.
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15. Can I check the status of my application?
Unfortunately, ENUM NL cannot tell you anything about the status of your application. You need to contact your registrar.
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16. Can I register a number for ENUM directly with ENUM NL?
No, to register a phone number for ENUM, you have to go through an ENUM registrar. All applications, register amendments, payments, etc must be made through your registrar.
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17. What is the situation with regard to number portability?
If your number is ‘ported' to another telephony service provider, your ability to use it for ENUM is unaffected. The ENUM registration for your phone number is in your name: you are the subscriber, not your telephony service provider. When a number is ‘ported' to another telephony service provider, the subscriber stays the same, so the ENUM registration is not affected and the subscriber can go on using ENUM services.
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18. How is an ENUM domain name structured?
ENUM domain names are based on phone numbers. Phone numbers are structured according to a global standard: the e164 number plan of the ITU (International Telecommunications Union). Although it isn't apparent to the user, ENUM works with phone numbers in reverse order. This is because domain names are hierarchically arranged from right to left, while phone numbers are structured the other way around. By reversing a phone number and adding ‘e164.arpa', you get a domain name that can be used on the Internet or, in fact, on any IP network. So the (fictitious) Dutch phone number +31 (0) 20 123 4567 becomes 7.6.5.4.3.2.1.0.2.1.3.e164.arpa.
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19. If I register my phone number for ENUM, will people be able to find out my number from my IP address?
No. The ENUM system involves creating a domain name based on your phone number. Contact and access information, including phone numbers, is then associated with this domain name. So, although there is a direct link between your phone number and your ENUM domain name, there is no link between your IP address and your phone number, unless you choose to create one in your access information. Even if you do so, no one will be able to look up your phone number using your IP address.

It is entirely up to you whether your phone number is registered for ENUM. Registrations are not made automatically; the subscriber always has to actively apply to a registrar to get the number registered.
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20. If I register for ENUM, will my personal details be in the public domain?
There will not be a Whois service for Dutch ENUM domains. So it will not be possible to use ENUM registration details to find out who the related phone number's subscriber is.
It will be possible, however, to find out from the registry the name of the organisation that manages the registration (i.e. who the registrar is). This may be necessary if, for example, it appears that information is being misused.
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21. Can I use my own organisation's DNS server?
It is entirely up to the registrant of an ENUM domain name how the name is supported. You can make use of your service provider's name servers, or your own organisation's name servers. The relevant server details need to be provided when you register your phone number for ENUM, which you do via a registrar.
Thereafter, changes to your ENUM domain's name server details are made in exactly the same way as changes involving an ‘ordinary' domain name.

NB. All contact and access details included in any reference are in the public domain. So the phone number that the ENUM domain name is based on will also be visible.
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