The application of the annual number fee will be extended to public radio paging and mobile virtual network services from June 1.

The Office of the Telecommunications Authority today said the move will encourage efficient use of telecommunications numbers which are a limited public resource.

A number fee as a component of the annual licence fee for each allocated number has already been applied to service-based operators and unified carrier licensees. For consistency and fairness, public radio paging and mobile virtual network service operators will also be subject to the fee.

The licence fee for each mobile station will be reduced from $18 to $8 per year. Public radio paging and mobile virtual network service operators will therefore pay less in licence fees if they utilise the telecommunications numbers allocated to them more efficiently.

The office has established a mechanism which enables the operators concerned to return idle numbers. 

The new licence fee will be implemented from June 1 to allow sufficient lead-time for operators to make the necessary preparations for the return of idle numbers.