The Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority is introducing new measures to prevent the misuse of ‘Global Titles’ in telecoms networks and protect consumers.
Global Titles are technical addressing identifiers used within mobile networks to ensure calls and text messages are routed correctly, particularly when customers are roaming internationally. Operating behind the scenes, they help enable call routing, the delivery of text messages and roaming services.
In Jersey, Global Titles are associated with +44 telephone numbers allocated to local telecom operators.
The regulator’s review follows findings by the UK communications regulator Ofcom that some Global Titles had been misused for malicious signalling traffic, creating security and privacy risks and enabling fraud. Because Jersey numbers also use the +44 numbering range, the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority (JCRA) considers that similar risks could apply locally and has acted to address the potential threat to island consumers and telecoms infrastructure.
To reduce the likelihood of fraud and other malicious activity, the JCRA has updated telecoms licences to prevent the leasing of Global Titles. From 1st March 2026, operators will no longer be permitted to lease any new Global Titles, and from 1st May 2027 all leasing arrangements will be prohibited. The change means companies will no longer be able to rent these identifiers to third parties, removing a route through which misuse has occurred in other jurisdictions.
Alongside the licence changes, the regulator has published draft Interim Guidance outlining the steps operators should take to prevent misuse of Global Titles that remain in operation. The proposed measures include carrying out customer verification checks, assessing the risk of suspicious or malicious signalling traffic, monitoring networks for unusual activity, implementing appropriate technical and contractual safeguards and responding quickly if misuse is suspected.
The guidance reflects the regulatory approach adopted in the UK but has been adapted to Jersey’s legal and regulatory framework.
