Activation Deadline

Six months from the original Effective Date returned on the Part 3 Central Office Code Administrator’s Response/Confirmation or Part 3A Pooling Administrator’s Response/Confirmation and entered on the ACD or BCR/BCD screen in BIRRDS.  A Part 4 Confirmation of CO Code In Service or Part 4A Confirmation of Thousands-Block In Service should be returned to the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) or the Pooling Administrator (PA) by this date.

Active Thousands-Block

A Thousands-Block (NPA-NXX-X) Assigned by the Pooling Administrator (PA) and implemented in the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) for specific routing requirements as of the Thousands-Block Effective Date.

Active CO Code

A Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX) Assigned by the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) and implemented in the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) for specific routing and rating requirements as of the LERG™ Routing Guide Effective Date.

Administrative Constraint

A Limitation of the Switching Entity/Point of Interconnection (POI) where an existing Thousands-Block (NPA-NXX-X) and/or Telephone Number (TN) cannot be used for designated network routing and/or rating of Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) calls. An example of a Constraint would be the Limitation in the administration of a Thousands-Block across multiple Switching Entities/POIs in a Rate Center and would require a waiver from the appropriate regulatory authority.

Administrative Numbers

Numbers used by Telecommunications Carriers to perform internal administrative or operational functions necessary to maintain reasonable quality of service standards (47 CFR § 52.15 (f) (1) (i) and FCC 00-104 ¶36 and ¶62).  Examples of Administrative Numbers are: Test Numbers, Employee/Official Numbers, Location Routing Numbers (LRNs), Temporary Local Directory Numbers (TLDNs), Soft Dial Tone Numbers and Pseudo-Automatic Number Identification (p-ANI) numbers.

Administrative Operating Company Number (AOCN)

A four position numeric or alphanumeric value that identifies the administrator of one or more data records in BIRRDS.  If a Service Provider (SP) performs its own record administration, the Operating Company Number (OCN) value is most often the same value as an OCN assigned to that company based on a National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) assigned Company Code, If a SP chooses not to use one of its OCNs as an AOCN, or if data is administered by a non-SP third party, TRA assigns a unique OCN (formatted differently than Company Codes) as an AOCN value.

Aging Numbers

Disconnected numbers that are not Available for Assignment to another end user or customer for a specified period of time.  Numbers previously Assigned to residential customers may be aged for no more than 90 calendar days.  Numbers previously Assigned to business customers may be aged for no more than 365 calendar days. (47 CFR § 52.15 (f) (1) (ii) See Erratum in CC Docket 99-200, released July 11, 2000).
An Aging interval includes any announcement treatment period, as well as the vacant telephone number intercept period.  A number is disconnected when it is no longer used to route calls to equipment owned or leased by the disconnecting subscriber of record.

Allocated/Assigned

Numbering Resources are Allocated/Assigned to a Service Provider (SP) when the information has been entered into BIRRDS by the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) or the Pooling Administrator (PA).

Allocation Date

The Allocation Date is the date established by the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) or the Pooling Administrator (PA) when the Administrator assigns the Thousands-Block (NPA-NXX-X) or Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX) to a Service Provider (SP).

Applicant/CO Code Applicant/Thousands-Block Applicant

Service Providers (SP) who submit a Part 1 Central Office Code (NPA-NXX) Application to the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) for the purpose of being Assigned a Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX) for their use, or a Part 1A Thousands-Block (NPA-NXX-X) Application to the Pooling Administrator (PA) for the purpose of being Assigned a Thousands-Block (NPA-NXX-X) for their use.  In Thousands-Block Number Pooling, the PA is authorized to forward the request for the assignment of Central Office (CO) Codes (NPA-NXX) as outlined in Section 5.3.6 and 5.4.7 of these guidelines.

Assigned Numbers

Numbers working in the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) under an agreement such as a contract or tariff at the request of specific end users or customers for their use, or numbers not yet working but having a customer service order pending.  Numbers that are not yet working and have a service order pending for more than five calendar days shall not be classified as Assigned Numbers. (47 CFR § 52.15 (f) (1) (iii)).  Ported-out numbers should be included as a subcategory of Assigned Numbers. (FCC 00-104 ¶36)

Audit

Relative to these guidelines, the accumulation and evaluation of evidence about documented information of an Auditee to determine and report on the degree of compliance with Industry Numbering Committee (INC) industry guidelines and FCC rules.

Auditee

The Service Provider (SP), North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA), or Pooling Administrator (PA) that is the subject of an Audit.

Auditor

Relative to these guidelines, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Wireline Competition Bureau’s (formerly known as the Common Carrier Bureau) Audits Branch of the Accounting Safeguards Division or its other designated agents perform Audits of US Numbering Resources. (FCC 00-429 ¶90).  State Commissions also may conduct Audits. (FCC 01-362 ¶101)

Authorized User

A person from an Applicant's organization or its agent that has the legal authority to take action on behalf of the Applicant.

Available Numbers

Numbers that are Available for Assignment to subscriber access lines, or their equivalents, within a Rate Center and are not classified as Assigned, Intermediate, Administrative, Aging, or Reserved.  Available Numbers is a residual category that can be calculated by subtracting a sum of numbers in the Assigned, Intermediate, Administrative, Aging, and Reserved primary categories from the total of numbers in the Service Provider Inventory of a CO Code or Thousands-Block Holder (47 CFR § 52.15 (f) (1) (iv)).

BIRRDS

The iconectiv® Business Integrated Routing and Rating Database System is a centrally maintained database into which Service Providers (SP) or their agents enter data that supports the routing and rating of calls.  Data reflects all North American Numbering Plan (NANP) Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX) and Thousands-Block (NPA-NXX-X) assignments and is closely aligned with many of the processes and data elements addressed in these guidelines.  Data reflects current network configurations as well as planned future changes.  BIRRDS output includes the LERG™ Routing Guide and the TPM™ Data Source.

Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX)

Central Office Codes may also be referred to as CO Codes (47 CFR. §52.7(c)).  The sub-NPA code in a TN, i.e., digits D-E-F of a 10-digit North American Numbering Plan (NANP) area address.  The second three digits (NXX) of a 10-digit telephone number in the form NPA-NXX-XXXX, where N is a number from 2 to 9 and X is a number from 0 to 9 (e.g., 740 is the CO Code (NXX) in (201) 740-xxxx).

Certify/Certification

The authorization of a Service Provider (SP) by a regulator to provide a telecommunications service in the relevant geographic area. 47 CFR § 52.15 (g) (2) and 47 CFR § 52.15 (g) (3) requires that applications for Initial Numbering Resources include evidence that the Applicant is authorized to provide service in the area for which Numbering Resources are being requested.

CLLI™ Code

An eleven character, standardized, geographic identifier as defined in ATIS-0300253, Structure for the Representation of Location Entities for Information Exchange, which uniquely identifies the geographic location and certain functional categories of equipment.  Companies that are licensees of Common Languageâ products can refer questions to their company's Common Languageâ Coordinator.  Further information is available via the Common Languageâ Customer Support Center, 877-699-5577 and at www.commonlanguage.com.  (Common Languageâ  and Telcordia® are registered trademarks and CLLI™ is a trademark and the Intellectual Property of Telcordia Technologies®, Inc. dba iconectiv®.)

CO Code Administrator

The entity responsible for the administration of the Central Office (CO) Codes (NPA-NXX) within a Numbering Plan Area (NPA).  In the U.S. and its territories, this is currently the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA).  See 47 CFR § 52.7 (d) and (e).

CO Code Holder/Assignee

An Assignee of a Pooled or Non-pooled Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX).  A CO Code Holder is identified in the LERG™ Routing Guide as the NPA-NXX-A record holder.  The responsibilities of an Assignee for a Pooled Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX) are defined in Section 8.2 and for a Non-pooled CO Code are defined in Section 8.3 of these guidelines.

Company Code

See “Operating Company Number (OCN)” definition.

Conservation

Consideration given to the efficient and effective use of  finite Numbering Resources in order to minimize the cost and need to expand its availability in the introduction of new services, capabilities and features.

Contamination

Contamination occurs when at least one Telephone Number (TN) within a Thousands-Block (NPA-NXX-X) of TNs is not Available for Assignment to end users or customers.  Thousands-Blocks contaminated up to and including 10 percent are eligible for Donation/return.  For purposes of this provision, a TN is not Available for Assignment if it is classified as Administrative, Aging, Assigned, Intermediate, or reserved as defined in Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules (47 CFR § 52.7 (h)).

Critical Industry Inventory Insufficiency

Exists for a Rate Center when the Available Numbering Resources in the Industry Inventory Pool for a particular Rate Center fall below the actual and/or forecasted demand for the next 66 calendar days.

Dealer Numbering Pools

Numbers Allocated by a Service Provider (SP) to a retail dealer for use in the sale and establishment of service on behalf of that SP.  See “Intermediate Numbers” definition. (FCC 00-104 ¶20)

Donation

The process by which Service Providers (SP) are required to contribute Telephone Numbers (TN) to a Thousands-Block Number Pool (47 CFR § 52.7(i)).  In the context of these guidelines, SPs shall use the Thousands-Block (NPA-NXX-X) return/disconnect process to donate/return Thousands-Blocks to the Industry Inventory Pool.

Effective Date

The date by which routing and rating within the Public Switching Telephone Network (PSTN) shall be working for the Assigned Thousands-Block (NPA-NXX-X) or the Assigned Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX).  Also, the date by which the Thousands-Block becomes an Active –Thousands-Block or the CO Code becomes an Active CO Code.  Also referred to as the LERG™ Routing Guide Effective Date in these guidelines.

Emergency Service Query Key (ESQK) (VoIP)

Identifies an E911 call instance processed through a VoIP Positioning Center (VPC).  An ESQK is associated with a particular PSAP or area within a Public Service Answering Point (PSAP).  The ESQK is delivered to the PSAP as the calling number/ANI for the call and is subsequently used by the PSAP to request Automatic Location Identification (ALI) information for the call.  The ALI database includes the ESQK in location requests sent to the VPC.  The ESQK is used by the VPC as a key to look up the location object and other call information associated with an emergency call instance.  The ESQK is a non-dialable North American Numbering Plan (NANP) number in the format of NPA-NXX-XXXX.

Emergency Services Routing Digit (ESRD) and Emergency Services Routing Key (ESRK) (Wireless)

A 10-digit number used for the purpose of routing an E911 call to the appropriate Public Service Answering Point (PSAP) when that call is originating from wireless equipment.  The Emergency Services Routing Digit (ESRD) identifies the cell site and sector of the call origination in a wireless call scenario.  The Emergency Services Routing Key (ESRK) uniquely identifies the call in a given cell site/sector and correlates data that is provided to a PSAP by different paths, such as the voice path and the Automatic Location Identification (ALI) data path.  Both the ESRD and ESRK define a route to the proper PSAP.  The ESRK alone, or the ESRD and/or Mobile Identification Number (MIN), is signaled to the PSAP where it can be used to retrieve from the ALI database, the mobile caller’s call-back number, position and the emergency service agencies (e.g., police, fire, medical, etc.) associated with the caller’s location.  If a North American Numbering Plan (NANP) Telephone Number (TN) is used as an ESRD or ESRK, this number cannot be Assigned to a customer.  See “Administrative Numbers” definition.

Employee/Official Number

A number Assigned by a Service Provider (SP) for its own internal business purposes.  See “Administrative Numbers” definition.

Exchange Area

Tariffed (historically) by a state utilities commission and served by an Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC).  Generally documented in the state General Subscriber Services Tariff.
The term Exchange Area denotes a geographic area generally smaller than a Local Access and Transport Area (LATA) and may comprise several towns and unincorporated areas, may be just one town, or may be a section of a large city.  The term Exchange Area is often used interchangeably with the term Rate Center.

Exiting the Market

When a Service Provider (SP) no longer intends to provide service in the Rate Center where a Thousands-Block (NPA-NXX-X) or Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX) resides. The SP may not retain any Thousands-Blocks, CO Codes, Location Routing Numbers (LRN) or ported Telephone Numbers (TN) in the Rate Center.

FCC Form 502, North American Numbering Plan Numbering Resource Utilization/Forecast (NRUF) Report

The North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) gathers forecast and utilization information to monitor and project exhaust in individual Numbering Plan Areas (NPA)/area codes as well as in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) overall.  This semi-annual report includes number utilization information as well as a five year forecast of demand by year.  Thousands-Block Number Pooling Service Providers (SP) report at the Thousands-Block (NPA-NXX-X) level per rate center.  Non-pooling SPs report at the Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX) level per rate center.  For more detailed information, see the North American Numbering Plan Numbering Resource Utilization/Forecast Reporting (NRUF) Guidelines.

FCC Registration Number (FRN)

A 10-digit number Assigned by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to an entity that does business with the FCC. A filer, licensee, certificate holder, or any entity sending payments to the FCC is considered to be doing business with the FCC.  The FCC uses the FRN to determine if all of an entity’s fees have been paid.  The FRN is the same number used by entities on FCC Form 499-A and FCC Form 502 [North American Numbering Plan Numbering Resource Utilization/Forecasting (NRUF) Report].  More information about FRNs can obtained by calling the FRN Help Line (877-480-3201) or from the following website:
https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/coresWeb/publicHome.do.

Forecast Report Date

During a Supplemental Implementation Meeting (SIM) this is the deadline for Service Providers (SP) to report their forecasted Thousands-Block (NPA-NXX-X) demand to the Pooling Administrator (PA) using the Appendix 4 Thousands-Block Forecast Report.

Growth Block/CO Code/Numbering Resource

Additional Numbering Resource(s) Assigned to an Operating Company Number (OCN) where the OCN already has a Numbering Resource(s) in that same Rate Center. A Growth Block/CO Code/Numbering Resource is requested by an OCN when the Telephone Numbers (TN) Available for Assignment in a previously Assigned Number Resource(s) in the Rate Center shall not meet expected demand.

Initial Block/Code/Numbering Resource

The first geographic Numbering Resource Assigned to an Operating Company Number (OCN) in a Rate Center where the OCN has no other Assigned or retained Number Resources in the Rate Center. May also be referred to as a footprint Numbering Resource. (See also FCC 00-104, ¶86 and ¶191; See also 47 CFR §52.15 (g)(2) and 47 CFR §52.20 (c)(2)).

In Service

A Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX) or Thousands-Block (NPA-NXX-X) for which local routing information appears in the LERG™ Routing Guide, and one or more Telephone Numbers (TN) within the CO Code or Thousands-Block has been Assigned to an end user (FCC 00-104, ¶240).  Numbers that are categorized as Administrative, Aging, Intermediate, Reserved, or Available cannot also be Assigned and do not satisfy the In Service requirement

Interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Service Provider (SP)

An entity that provides interconnected VoIP service, as that term is defined in 47 U.S.C. § 153(25) (47 CFR § 52.5 (b)).
Interconnected VoIP providers are providers of a service that (1) enables real-time, two way voice communications, (2) requires a broadband connection from the user’s location, (3) requires Internet protocol-compatible customer premises equipment, and (4) permits users generally to receive calls that originate on the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and to terminate calls to the PSTN (47 CFR § 9.3).

Intermediate Numbers

Numbers that are made Available for use by another Telecommunications Carrier or non-Carrier entity for the purpose of providing telecommunications service to an end user or customer.  Numbers ported for the purpose of transferring an established customer’s service to another Service Provider (SP) shall not be classified as Intermediate Numbers (47 CFR § 52.15 (f) (1) (v)).  Numbers such as Dealer Number Pools should be included as a subcategory of Intermediate Numbers (FCC 00-104 ¶36).  An Intermediate Number is one that is made Available to a Carrier or non-Carrier entity from another Carrier, but has not necessarily been Assigned to an end-user or customer by the receiving Carrier or non-Carrier entity (FCC 15-70 ¶30).  Numbers provided to Carriers, Interconnected VoIP providers, or other non-Carrier entities by numbering partners should be reported as Intermediate, and do not qualify as end users or customers (FCC 15-70 ¶32).

Intra-Service Provider (ISP) Block Port

A process which allows a Service Provider (SP) to port a Thousands-Block (NPA-NXX-X) of numbers within a Non-pooled Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX) from one Switching Entity/Point of Interconnection (POI) to another serving the same Rate Center using a port type of pool in the Number Portability Administration Center (NPAC).  This can be used in an area where Thousands-Block Number Pooling has or has not been established.  An ISP Block Port may be denoted in BIRRDS with a Thousands-Block pooling status of “I” or “S.”

Intra-Service Provider (ISP) Port

A process which allows a Service Provider (SP) to retain unavailable Telephone Numbers (TN) in contaminated Thousands-Blocks (NPA-NXX-X) that are being donated/returned to an Industry Inventory Pool.  Specifically, numbers Assigned to customers from donated/returned Thousands-Blocks that are contaminated shall be ported back to the donating/returning SP to enable it to continue to provide service to those customers.  An ISP Port can also be used to move a TN(s) from one Switching Entity/Point of Interconnection (POI) serving a Rate Center to another Switching Entity/POI serving the same Rate Center where Location Routing Number (LRN)-Local Number Portability (LNP) technology is in use.

Inventory

Refers to all Telephone Numbers (TN) distributed, Assigned or Allocated: (1) To a Service Provider (SP), or (2) to the Pooling Administrator (PA) for the purpose of establishing or maintaining a Thousands-Block Number Pool (See 47 CFR § 52.7 (j)).

Industry Inventory Pool

Used in Thousands-Block Number Pooling to describe a reservoir of un-Allocated Thousands-Blocks (NPA-NXX-X) administered by the Pooling Administrator (PA) for purposes of assignment to Service Providers (SP) participating in Thousands-Block Number Pooling.

Jeopardy

A Jeopardy condition exists when the forecasted and/or actual demand for Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX) resources shall exceed the known supply during the planning/implementation interval for relief.

LATA (Local Access and Transport Area)

Defines an area within which Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (ILEC) directly addressed by the 1984 Modified Final Judgement (MFJ) are permitted to carry traffic.  Cross-LATA traffic, except in isolated waivered cases, is carried by interexchange carriers.  Although LATA restrictions do not apply to Service Providers (SP) not addressed by the MFJ, due to interconnection and other influencing factors, LATA restrictions impact all carriers to a degree.
A LATA is a 3-digit value.  Some LATA descriptions note a 5-digit value where, in Florida only, the last two digits represent Equal Access Exchange Areas (EAEAs) defined by the Florida utility commission. Many LATAs exist in multiple Numbering Plan Area (NPA) codes and many NPA codes exist in multiple LATAs.  LATAs generally align with state boundaries except in a few areas (e.g., NY, CT, IL, OR and the area between MD, VA and WV).

LERG™ Routing Guide

The iconectiv® LERG™ Routing Guide is an output from the BIRRDS database.  It is used by Service Providers (SP) and other carriers as a common means to reflect and exchange current and planned Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX) and Thousands-Block (NPA-NXX-X) assignments along with associated routing data. Data is provided for all SPs in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP).  It is generated monthly in its entirety, with daily change activity also available. See “Telecom Routing Administration (TRA)” definition.

Local Number Portability (LNP)

The ability of users of telecommunications services to retain, at the same location, existing telecommunications numbers without impairment of quality, reliability, or convenience when switching from one Telecommunications Carrier to another. Also referred to as Number Portability (47 CFR §52.21 (m)) or Service Provider (SP) Portability (47 CFR §52.21 (s)).

Local Number Portability (LNP) Port

The process of moving a Telephone Number (TN) from one Service Provider (SP) to another SP using Location Routing Number (LRN)-Local Number Portability (LNP) technology.  See also “Intra-Service Provider (ISP) Port” definition.

Location Routing Number (LRN)

A 10-digit (NPA-NXX-XXXX) number Assigned to a Switching Entity/Point of Interconnection (POI) by a CO Code Holder to a Switching Entity/POI for routing Local Number Portability (LNP) Ported Telephone Numbers (TN) in a Local Number Portability (LNP) environment.  See “Administrative Numbers” definition.

Major V&H Coordinates

5-digit numbers derived from latitude and longitude to pinpoint the location (e.g., middle) of an Exchange Area (technically the Rate Center).  Major Vertical and Horizontal (V&H) Coordinates can be used to calculate mileage between two Rate Centers to apply against appropriate mileage rates in determining the charge for Message Telephone Service (MTS) calls.  Horizontal Coordinates in parts of the Caribbean are a negative 4-digit number.
V&H Coordinates are similarly derived and used for network elements such as Switching Entities/Points of Interconnection (POI) to apply against mileage based special access rates.  V&H values for a Rate Center and those for a Switching Entity/POI in a common Exchange Area, for various reasons, may, or may not, have the same values.

Mandated Implementation Date

During the Supplemental Implementation Meeting process, the date identified by the appropriate regulatory body by which Thousands-Block Number Pooling is to be implemented. Also called the Implementation and Pool Start/Allocation Date.

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

One of several statistical designations defined by the U.S. government’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) used to refer to regions that broadly consist of a city and its suburbs plus any surrounding communities that are closely linked to the city because of social and/or economic factors.  The purpose of these definitions is to give a uniform basis for identifying urbanization in the context of the population census.  An MSA has an urbanized core of minimally 50,000 population and includes outlying areas determined by commuting measures.  The OMB will occasionally rename and redefine MSAs.

Minor V&H Coordinates

5-digit numbers derived from latitude and longitude.  They are used to rate Message Telephone Service (MTS) calls in some areas of the U.S. when the calling and called Central Office (CO) Codes (NPA NXX) are associated with Rate Centers that are closer than a number of air miles specific in the rating company’s tariff (usually 40 miles).
Minor V&H coordinates in Alaska are computed using a different algorithm and are utilized for specific tariffed reasons within Alaska.

Months to Exhaust (MTE)

Used by Service Providers (SP) to document the need for a Growth Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX) or Thousands-Block (NPA-NXX-X) as follows:
=               Telephone Numbers (TN) Available for Assignment              __________________________________________
                            Average Monthly Growth Rate
When used by the Pooling Administrator (PA) to document the need for a Growth CO Code:
=                Thousands-Blocks Available for Assignment                      ________________________________________
                           Average Monthly Growth Rate

NANP (North American Numbering Plan)

A numbering architecture in which every station in the NANP area is identified by a unique ten-digit address consisting of a three-digit Numbering Plan Area (NPA) code, a three digit Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX) of the form NXX, and a four-digit line number of the form XXXX, where N represents the digits 2-9 and X represents the digits 0-9.
It is the basic numbering scheme for the telecommunications networks located in Anguilla, Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, Sint Maarten, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Turks & Caicos Islands, Trinidad & Tobago, and the United States (including American Samoa, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) [See also 47 CFR § 52.5 (d)].

NANPA (North American Numbering Plan Administration)

The Administrator responsible for the neutral administration of North American Numbering Plan (NANP) Numbering Resources, subject to directives from regulatory authorities in the NANP member countries (See 47 CFR § 52.7 (e)).
The NANPA is an impartial non-governmental entity that is not aligned with any particular telecommunications industry segment.   Under contract to the FCC, NANPA's responsibilities include assignment of NANP resources, and, in the U.S. and its territories, coordination of Numbering Plan Area (NPA) code relief planning and collection of utilization and forecast data.  See 47 CFR § 52.13.

National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA)

A membership association of U.S. local telecommunications companies. NECA is the administrator of Company Codes which are used to uniquely identify telecommunications Service Providers (SP) per industry standard ATIS-0300251, Codes for Identification of Service Providers for Information Exchange. NECA assigns all Company Codes (www.neca.org). 

NECA Tariff FCC No. 4

National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) Tariff FCC No. 4 is a Service Provider’s (SP) legal billing authority for interstate access service charges in the U.S.  Tariff FCC No. 4 is the database that SPs reference for interconnection information that supports the ordering, billing and provisioning of interstate access services in North America.  Tariff FCC No. 4 also contains information that describes the location and technical capabilities of the SPs’ wire centers which provide interstate access.
All NECA member Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC) companies participate in Tariff FCC No. 4.  Effective 1996, NECA began to include NECA non-member [Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC), Unbundled Local Exchange Carrier (ULEC), Wireless, and Personal Communications Service (PCS) carriers] Wire Center and interconnection information in Tariff No. 4 should such companies choose to participate.

Newly Acquired Numbers

Those Numbering Resources that have been activated within the LERG™ Routing Guide, and thus are Available for Assignment, within the preceding 90 days of reporting utilization (FCC 00-104 ¶111).  Newly acquired Numbering Resources may be excluded from the calculation of Utilization Level (47 CFR §52.15 (g) (3) (ii)).

Numbering Plan Area (NPA)

The is the 3-digit code that occupies the A, B, and C positions in the 10-digit North American Numbering Plan (NANP) format that applies throughout the NANP area, also called Area Code.  NPAs are of the form NXX, where N represents the digits 2-9 and X represents any digit 0-9.  In the NANP, NPAs are classified as either geographic or non-geographic.
Geographic NPAs are NPAs which correspond to discrete geographic areas within the NANP area.
Non-geographic NPAs are NPAs that do not correspond to discrete geographic areas, but which are instead Assigned for services with attributes, functionalities, or requirements that transcend specific geographic boundaries.  The common examples are NPAs in the N00 format, e.g., 800, 900.

Numbering Resources

For the purpose of these guidelines, this term refers to both CO Codes (NPA-NXX) and Thousands-Blocks (NPA-NXX-X). See Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX) and Thousands-Block (NPA-NXX-X).

NPA Code Relief

An activity that shall be performed when the available Central Office (CO) Codes (NPA-NXX) within a Numbering Plan Area (NPA) near exhaust. Options for relief are described in Section 6.0 of the NPA Code Relief Planning & Notification Guidelines.

NPA Relief Date

The earliest Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX) activation date in the new Numbering Plan Area (NPA) as a result of NPA Code Relief activity.

NPAC (Number Portability Administration Center)

The database that contains routing information on ported Telephone Numbers (TN) and Thousands-Block Number Pooled Thousands-Blocks (NPA-NXX-X) and facilitates the updating of the routing databases of all subtending Service Providers (SP) in the portability area. Also called the Number Portability Administration Center (NPAC) Service Management System (SMS)

Operating Company Number (OCN)

A four position alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies providers of local telecommunications service.  OCN assignments are required of all Service Providers (SP) in their submission of utilization and forecast data (FCC 00-104 ¶41 and Public Notice DA 00-1549).  Relative to Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX) assignments addressed by these guidelines, National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) assigned Company Codes are used as OCNs.  Companies with no prior Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX) or Company Code assignments shall contact NECA (www.neca.org; 800-228-8597) to be assigned a Company Code(s).  Since multiple OCNs and/or Company Codes may be associated with a given company, companies with prior assignments should direct questions regarding appropriate OCN usage to the iconectiv® Telecom Routing Administration (TRA) (www.trainfo.com; 866-672-6997).  See “Administrative Operating Company Number (AOCN)” definition.

Parent Company OCN

The Operating Company Number (OCN) of the highest related legal entity located within the state for which the Service Provider (SP) is reporting data or requesting Numbering Resources. See 47 CFR § 52.15 (f) (3) (ii).

Point of Interconnection (POI)

The physical location where a Service Provider's (SP) connecting circuits interconnect for the purpose of interchanging traffic on the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).

Pooling Administrator (PA)

Refers to the entity responsible for administering a Thousands-Block Number Pool (47 CFR § 52.7 (g)).  The PA is responsible for the neutral administration of Thousands-Blocks (NPA-NXX-X) from Central Office (CO) Codes (NPA-NXX) in areas where Thousands-Block Number Pooling has been ordered or implemented.  The PA is an impartial non-governmental entity that is not aligned with any particular telecommunications industry segment and is under contract to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Pool Start/Allocation Date

The date the Pooling Administrator (PA) may start allocating Thousands-Blocks (NPA-NXX-X) from the Industry Inventory Pool to Service Providers (SP).  This is also the start date for SPs to send applications for Thousands-Blocks to the PA.

Premature Exhaust

When referring to North American Numbering Plan (NANP):  Premature Exhaust means the exhaust of North American Numbering Plan (NANP) resources (i.e., requires expansion beyond the 10-digit format) much sooner than the best industry projections.  The NANP is expected to meet the numbering needs of the telecommunications industry well into the 21st century (i.e., a minimum of 25 years).
When referring to Numbering Plan Area (NPA):  Premature Exhaust is when a specific date for NPA relief has been established and the NPA is projected to exhaust prior to that date.

Private Networks

Private Networks are composed of stations which are not directly accessible from all Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN) stations via the use of North American Numbering Plan (NANP) E.164 numbers.

Protected Code

A Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX) Assigned in one Numbering Plan Area (NPA) that is not Available for Assignment in an adjacent NPA in order to permit 7-digit dialing across the NPA boundary.

Protected Route

A route where the local calling scope from one or more Rate Centers to other Rate Centers across Numbering Plan Area (NPA) boundaries permits either 7- or 7 and 10-digit dialing across the NPA boundary.  In the case of a Protected Route with 7-digit dialing, a Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX) Assigned in one specific geographic area of an NPA is not Available for Assignment in a specific geographic area of an adjacent NPA, but the CO Code may be Assigned outside the identified geographic area of the adjacent NPA or local calling scope.

Pseudo-Automatic Number Identification (p-ANI)

A 10-digit number used for the purpose of routing an E911 call to the appropriate Public Service Answering Point (PSAP).  P-ANIs include but are not limited to: ESRD, ESRK, and ESQK numbers.  If a North American Numbering Plan (NANP) Telephone Number (TN) is used as a p-ANI, this number cannot be Assigned to a customer.  See “Administrative Numbers” definition.

Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)

All circuit-switched transmission, switching facilities, and signal processors supplied and operated by all telecommunications common carriers for use by the public.  Every station on the PSTN is capable of being accessed from every other station on the PSTN via the use of North American Numbering Plan (NANP) E.164 numbers.

Rate Center

A uniquely defined point (Vertical & Horizontal Coordinates) located within an Exchange Area from which mileage measurements are determined. These measurements can be used with the tariffs in the message rating processes.  See “Exchange Area” definition. A Rate Center is used for Numbering Resource applications and reports to associate Telephone Numbers (TN) with a geographic area, as defined by the relevant regulatory agency. 

Reassignment

The process of reestablishing the assignment of a Numbering Resource, which was previously Assigned.

Reclamation

The process by which Service Providers (SP) are required to return Numbering Resources to the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA) or Pooling Administrator (PA). (47 CFR § 52.15 (i) (1))

Reorder Announcement (ROA)

This announcement is played when a call did not traverse the network to completion for a myriad of reasons.  An example of such a recording is as follows: “We’re sorry your call did not go through.  Please try your call again later.” (See ATIS-0300011, Next Generation Interconnection Interoperability (NGIIF) Reference Document: Part III – Installation and Maintenance Responsibilities for SS7 Links and; ATIS-0300019, Next Generation Interconnection Interoperability (NGIIF) Reference Document Part III Installation, Testing and Maintenance Responsibilities for SS7 Links and Trunks, Attachment H – SS7 Cause Codes and Tones and Announcements, available at www.atis.org.  A reorder “tone” (known as fast busy) may occur in lieu of an announcement.  See “Vacant Code Announcement” definition.

Reporting Carrier

Refers to a Telecommunications Carrier that receives Numbering Resources from the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA), the Pooling Administrator (PA) or another Telecommunications Carrier.

Reseller

A Service Provider (SP) which purchases facilities and/or services from another SP for resale.  See “Intermediate Numbers” definition.

Reserved CO Code

A Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX) that has been temporarily set aside for an Applicant while the Applicant awaits a decision from the appropriate regulatory authority on a safety valve waiver already submitted.

Reserved Numbers

Numbers that are held by Service Providers (SP) at the request of specific end users or customers for their future use.  Numbers held for specific end users or customers for more than 180 calendar days shall not be classified as Reserved Numbers (47 CFR § 52.15 (f) (1) (vi).

Service Provider (SP)

A Telecommunications Carrier or other entity that receives Numbering Resources from the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA), the Pooling Administrator (PA) or, from a Telecommunications Carrier for the purpose of providing or establishing telecommunications service.  For the purposes of these guidelines, the term S includes an interconnected VoIP SP. (47 CFR §52.5 (e)).

Service Provider Inventory

The Inventory of all geographic North American Numbering Plan (NANP) Telephone Numbers (TN) Allocated by the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA)/Pooling Administrator (PA) to a CO Code/ Thousands-Block Holder.

Soft Dial Tone Numbers

Numbers that permit restricted dialing, such as calling emergency services and sometimes receive incoming calls (FCC 00-104 ¶33).  See Administrative Numbers definition.

Switching Entity

An electromechanical, electronic, or digital system for connecting lines to lines, lines to trunks, or trunks to trunks for the purpose of originating/terminating Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) calls.  A single switching system may handle several Central Office (CO) Codes (NPA-NXX).

Technical Requirement, Reason, Limitation or Constraint

A Limitation of the Switching Entity/Point of Interconnection (POI) where an existing Thousands-Block (NPA-NXX-X) and/or Telephone Numbers (TN) cannot be used for designated network routing and/or rating of Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) calls.  Examples that constitute a Technical Constraint include Limitations on a Switching Entity/POI, network element or planning Constraint, CPE Limitations or unique AIN triggers.

Telecommunications Carrier or Carrier

Any provider of telecommunications services, except that such term does not include aggregators of telecommunications services (as defined in 47 U.S.C. 226(a)(2)). For the purposes of these guidelines, the term Telecommunications Carrier or Carrier includes an Interconnected VoIP SPs.

Telecom Routing Administration (TRA)

A process administered by iconectiv® that manages the BIRRDS database and its associated output (e.g., LERG™ Routing Guide, TPM™ Data Source).
Contact Information:
Telecom Routing Administration (TRA)
100 Somerset Corporate Blvd.
Room 6E-603C
Bridgewater, NJ  08807
732-699-6700
tra@iconectiv.com

Temporary Local Directory Number (TLDN)

A number dynamically Assigned on a per call basis by the serving wireless Service Provider (SP) to a roaming subscriber for the purpose of incoming call setup.  See “Administrative Numbers” definition.

Test Number

A Telephone Number(s) (TN) Assigned for inter- and intra-network testing purposes.  See “Administrative Numbers” definition.

Temporary Local Directory Number (TLDN)

A number dynamically Assigned on a per call basis by the serving wireless Service Provider (SP) to a roaming subscriber for the purpose of incoming call setup.  See “Administrative Numbers” definition.

Thousands-Block (NPA-NXX-X)

A range of one thousand Telephone Numbers (TN) within a Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX) beginning with X000 and ending with X999, where X is a value from 0 to 9.

Thousands-Blocks Available for Assignment

Thousands-Blocks (NPA-NXX-Xs) within the Industry Inventory Pool Rate Center which are within a Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX) that is flagged as Local Number Portability (LNP) capable in the LERG™ Routing Guide and the Number Portability Administration Center (NPAC), and which are Available for Assignment within the Service Provider’s (SP) Rate Center.

Thousands-Block Disconnect Date

The deadline for Service Providers (SP) to donate/return their Thousands-Block(s) (NPA-NXX-X) during a Supplemental Implementation Meeting.

Thousands-Block Forecast Report (Appendix 4)

All Thousands-Block Number Pooling Service Providers (SP) shall provide an Appendix 4 Thousands-Block Forecast Report to the Pooling Administrator (PA), on a semi-annual basis, by Rate Center for all Number Resource requirements in Thousands-Block Number Pooling Rate Centers, including full Central Office (CO) Codes (NPA-NXX) as well as Thousands-Blocks (NPA-NXX-X). The Appendix 4 is based on a 12-month interval. The semi-annual Thousands-Block Forecast Report deadline dates are on or before February 1 for the period ending December 31 and on or before August 1 for the period ending June 30. The PA gathers forecast information to monitor and project exhaust in individual Industry Inventory Pools based on the forecasts received and to compile the forecast demand of all SPs participating in each Industry Inventory Pool for semi-annual reporting to North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA).

Thousands-Block Holder/Assignee

The entity to which a Thousands-Block (NPA-NXX-X) has been Assigned for use.

Thousands-Block Number Pooling

A process by which the 10,000 numbers in a Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX) are separated into ten sequential blocks of 1,000 numbers each (Thousands-Block (NPA-NXX-X)), and all ten thousand Telephone Numbers (TN) within each CO Code continue to be associated with the same Rate Center designation (i.e., V&H coordinates), but can be distributed among multiple Service Providers (SP) at the Thousands-Block level (47 CFR § 52.20 (a)).

Thousands-Block Protection and Donation/Disconnect Identification Date

During a Supplemental Implementation Meeting, the deadline by which  Service Providers (SP) are required to protect Thousands-Blocks (NPA-NXX-X) with 0% up to and including 10% Contamination from further Contamination, and identify their surplus of Thousands-Blocks.  This is also the date when SPs may begin to port all Telephone Numbers (TN) in contaminated Thousands-Blocks that they are donating/returning to the Industry Inventory Pool.  All Thousands-Blocks to be donated/returned shall have the associated Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX) opened in the Number Portability Administration Center (NPAC) and marked portable in BIRRDS.

TPM™ Data Source

An output from the BIRRDS database.  It is used by Service Providers (SP) in support of systems used in rating of telephone calls.  It contains relevant rating data associated with all active and to be active (Assigned to become effective in the future) Central Office (CO) Codes (NPA-NXX) and Thousands-Blocks (NPA-NXX-X) in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP).  Relevant data includes Rate Center names, time zone, daylight savings indicator, Operating Company Number (OCN), and Rate Center Vertical & Horizontal coordinates.  It is generated monthly in its entirety.

Type 1 Interconnection Service Provider

A wireless Service Provider (SP) that utilizes Type 1 (trunk side with line treatment) interconnection with another SP’s end office Switching Entity.  See ATIS 0300081.

Type 2 Interconnection Service Provider

For purposes of these guidelines, this specifically pertains to Type 2A which are true trunkside connections that employ trunk side signaling protocols.  See ATIS 0300081.

 Unassignable Code

A Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX) designated by the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) which shall not be made Available for Assignment to any CO Code Applicant.  For example, the CO Code “911” will not be Assigned as a CO Code so as to avoid potential conflict with emergency services.

Unavailable TNs (Telephone Numbers)

See “Contamination” definition.

Utilization Level or Threshold

The Service Provider’s (SP) current Numbering Resource Utilization Level for the Rate Center in which it is seeking Growth Numbering Resources.
The Numbering Resource Utilization Level shall be calculated by dividing all Assigned Numbers by the total Numbering Resources in the Applicant’s Service Provider Inventory and multiplying the result by 100.  Numbering Resources activated in the LERG™ Routing Guide (within the preceding 90 calendar days of reporting Utilization Levels may be excluded from the Utilization Threshold calculation).
All Applicants for Growth Numbering Resources shall achieve a 75% Utilization Threshold, calculated in accordance with 47 CFR § 52.15 (h), for the Rate Center in which they are requesting Growth Numbering Resources.

Vacant Code Announcement (VCA)

This announcement is played when an invalid Numbering Plan Area (NPA), Central Office (CO) Code (NPA-NXX), or Telephone Number (TN) is dialed (e.g., customer misdial).  An example of such a recording is as follows: “We’re sorry, your call cannot be completed as dialed.  Please check the number and try again.” (See ATIS-0300019, Next Generation Interconnection Interoperability (NGIIF) Reference Document: Part III, Installation, Testing and Maintenance Responsibilities for SS7 Links and Trunks, Attachment H – SS7 Cause Codes and Tones and Announcements” available at www.atis.org.  (See Reorder Announcement (ROA) definition)