The year-long trial previously highlighted by ZDNet Australia will utilise the Domain Name System (DNS) architecture to allow consumers to associate conventional phone numbers with online services such as Web sites, e-mail addresses, fax services and instant messenger usernames.
Key to testing the technology will be registry services provider AusRegistry International, which will manage the DNS servers that allow the ENUM numbers to utilise the public Internet.
Domain name registrars who are interested in offering the technology to customers will need to become accredited with AusRegistry, who will then allow them to connect directly to its database. Several have expressed interest so far.
AusRegistry general manager Adrian Kinderis said so far only Instra Corporation was a fully accredited registrar, but its competitor Enetica as well as the non-profit AARNet body were provisionally accredited. AARNet operates the Australian Academic and Research Network which spans major educational centres. The two are expected to be fully accredited in the next week or two.
The Australian Communications Authority -- the communications regulator which will be merged in July with the Australian Broadcasting Authority -- will oversee the trial and investigate issues such as privacy, security and regulation.
The Australian trial is among the first in the world.
