Integrated Public Number Database (IPND)

The Integrated Public Number Database (IPND) is a centralised database that contains the record of each telephone number issued by Carriage Service Providers (CSPs) to their customers in Australia. Each IPND (or Public Number Customer Data) record includes the customer’s phone number, name, service and directory addresses, the type of service, whether the service is listed or unlisted and details about the CSP who provides the service. The types of services recorded in the IPND include:

• fixed telephone services;
  
• mobile phone services;
  
• VoIP services associated with a telephone number;
  
• freecall and local rate numbers (including 13 and 1800 numbers); and
  
• payphone services.

CSPs (who are Data Providers under the IPND Scheme) are legally required to send a Public Number Customer Data record to the IPND for each service they provide using a public number – and to swiftly correct any errors in or changes to that record. As at mid-2016, the IPND contained 107 million connected and disconnected IPND records. A failure by end customers to provide their CSP with accurate and up-to-date information about their service can have serious consequences in an emergency or life threatening situation, as can a failure by the CSP (as a Data Provider) to update the records of their customers in the IPND.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and the IPND Manager share arrangements under which data users are authorised or approved to access IPND data. Authorised or approved IPND ‘Data Users’ provide a range of ‘critical’ and ‘non-critical’ services to the community and their customers. Critical data users include: the Emergency Call Services (ECS) for Triple Zero (000 and 112) and 106, Emergency Alert system, Emergency Service Organisations (Police, Fire and Ambulance) and national security and law enforcement agencies.

Non-critical users of IPND information include public number directories publishers (which currently excludes White Pages^® directories), directory and operator assistance providers, location dependent carriage service (LDCS) providers and researchers for electoral, health and government policy research. These users provide a range of services and products to government, customers and the general public that would not be possible or would be much more difficult without the IPND.

Under the same regulations that Telstra was appointed as the IPND Manager by the Federal Government in 1998 to operate the IPND, Telstra must also produce and distribute the White Pages^® directories. In 2014, Telstra and Sensis entered into a contract under which Sensis would manage the production and distribution of the White Pages^® directories for Telstra.

Telstra owns 30% of the shares in Sensis but does not control Sensis which is now majority owned by Platinum Equity. Telstra and Sensis are separate companies and operate from separate premises and do not share systems or infrastructure. Telstra has no rights to access any of Sensis’ systems or premises.

Telstra provides the same listings data (Public Number Customer Data) to both Sensis for the production of White Pages^® and for the use by directory assistance (which is operated by Telstra) and to the IPND. Sensis does not have any interface with the IPND and does not use IPND data but obtains its listings data from Telstra and from other CSPs via commercial data supply arrangements.

Accordingly, Telstra’s function as the IPND Manager is entirely separate from the arrangements in place between Telstra and Sensis that supports the production of the White Pages^® directories.

White Pages^® is a registered trademark of Sensis Pty Ltd.

The IPND Scheme is administered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). The IPND Scheme details the processes by which ACMA may grant authorisation enabling access to and use of information in the IPND. Public Number Directory Publishers (PNDPs) and researchers will have to hold an authorisation from ACMA before they are allowed to access data from the IPND. Please visit the ACMA website for further information on the IPND Scheme.

IPND Code (ACIF C555:2017)

The IPND Code protects the interest of Data Providers, Data Users and the integrity of the IPND. The IPND Code provides a practical guide to how IPND Data Providers and Data Users interact with the IPND. Please visit the Communications Alliance website for further information on the IPND Code.

Communications Alliance was formed in 2006 with the merger of the Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) and the Service Providers Association Inc (SPAN).

IPND Data (ACIF G619:2017)

The IPND industry guideline is a valuable tool for Data Providers and Data Users. It assists Data Providers in providing accurate data to the IPND. Please visit the Communications Alliance website for further information on the IPND Data guidelines.

Becoming an IPND Data User

Thank you for your enquiry regarding the Integrated Public Number Database (IPND). The IPND Data User Information Pack (see below) contains a copy of the Communications Alliance IPND Code (C555:2017), IPND Technical Requirements Document, IPND Cost Summary and other related IPND documentation.

Data from the IPND can be used for approved purposes by Data Users. IPND data must not be used for unapproved purposes and publication of reverse search directories. Please refer to the Communications Alliance IPND (C555:2017) Code for the list of approved purposes.

Telstra manages the IPND on behalf of the telecommunications industry. Data is supplied to the IPND by carriage service providers also known as Data Providers. This data is from their service activation or billing systems. Subsequently, a Data User needs to build in significant data parsing and checking routines. There are systems and processes in place to inform carriers of incorrect data.
Please familiarise yourself with the IPND Scheme administered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).

If you intend to use data from the IPND for the purposes of publishing a directory or for research, you will require authorisation from the ACMA to access data from the IPND. Further details on the IPND Scheme are available at the ACMA website www.acma.gov.au
After obtaining authorisation from the ACMA the first step in the connection process is to fill in the Application of Intent to Use the IPND application form which is included in the Data User Information Pack. The form needs to be completed, signed and returned to the IPND Manager. Note that the IPND Manager will consult with the ACMA on all requests to access the IPND.

The application form identifies the additional steps required in the application process (e.g. payment of fee, credit check and requirement for ACMA authorisation). Additional steps also apply if the application is accepted (e.g. execution of a Standard IPND Data User Agreement).

IPND Data User Information Pack

1. ACIF-IPND code (ACIF C555 2017)
2. ACIF-IPND Industry Guideline (ACIF G619 2017)
3. Application of Intent to Use IPND
4. IPND Change Request Process
5. IPND Cost Summary 
6. IPND Data File Guidelines
7. Data Users and Data Providers Technical Requirements Document for IPND
8. IPND Error Correction
9. IPND User Connection
10. IPND Data Users & Data Providers Access to Internet Interface Service (IIS)

It is essential you read and understand the IPND checklist in the below AMCA link
http://www.acma.gov.au/Industry/Telco/Numbering/IPND/ipnd-checklist-for-csps-2

Please review the above documentation and feel free to contact The IPND Manager if you have any further questions.