Exhibit 10.57
Part A
AGREEMENT
FOR LOCAL WIRELINE NETWORK INTERCONNECTION
AND
SERVICE RESALE
Between
AT&T Communications of the Mountain States, Inc.
and
U S WEST Communications, Inc.
[NOTE: In this Agreement, italicized language corresponds to language agreed to
by the Parties; bold language corresponds to language included to comply with
the Commission's Orders]; bold language in italics corresponds to agreed
language regarding a subject addressed in the Commission's Orders
TABLE OF CONTENTS
RECITALS.................................................................. 1
SCOPE OF AGREEMENT........................................................ 1
DEFINITIONS............................................................... 2
TERMS AND CONDITIONS...................................................... 13
1. General Provisions.................................................... 14
2. Most Favored Nation Terms and Treatment............................... 15
3. Payment............................................................... 15
4. Taxes................................................................. 16
5. Intellectual Property................................................. 16
6. Severability.......................................................... 17
7. Responsibility for Environmental Contamination........................ 17
8. Branding.............................................................. 18
9. Independent Contractor Status......................................... 18
10. Referenced Documents.................................................. 19
11. Publicity and Advertising............................................. 19
12. Executed in Counterparts.............................................. 20
13. Headings Not Controlling.............................................. 20
14. Joint Work Product.................................................... 20
15. Survival.............................................................. 20
16. Effective Date........................................................ 20
17. Amendment of Agreement................................................ 20
18. Indemnification....................................................... 21
19. Limitation of Liability............................................... 22
20. Term of Agreement..................................................... 22
21. Governing Law......................................................... 23
22. Cancellation Charges.................................................. 23
23. Regulatory Approvals.................................................. 23
24. Compliance............................................................ 24
25. Force Majeure......................................................... 24
26. Escalation Procedures................................................. 25
27. Dispute Resolution.................................................... 25
28. Nondisclosure......................................................... 26
29. Notices............................................................... 28
30. Assignment............................................................ 29
31. Warranties............................................................ 29
32. Default............................................................... 30
33. Remedies.............................................................. 31
34. Waivers............................................................... 31
35. No Third Party Beneficiaries.......................................... 31
36. Physical Security..................................................... 31
37. Network Security...................................................... 32
38. Revenue Protection.................................................... 33
39. Law Enforcement Interface............................................. 33
40. Collocation........................................................... 34
41. Technical References - Collocation.................................... 45
42. Number Portability.................................................... 46
43. Dialing Parity........................................................ 53
44. Directory Listings.................................................... 54
45. [Left Intentionally Blank for Numbering Consistency].................. 57
46. U S WEST Dex Issues................................................... 57
47. Access to Poles, Ducts, Conduits, and Rights of Way................... 57
48. Bona Fide Request Process for Further Unbundling...................... 62
49. Audit Process......................................................... 65
50. Miscellaneous Services................................................ 66
51. Unused Transmission Media............................................. 83
52. Service Standards..................................................... 85
53. Entire Agreement...................................................... 86
54. Reservation of Rights................................................. 86
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 Rates and Charges
Attachment 2 Resale
Attachment 3 Unbundled Access/Elements
Attachment 4 Interconnection
Attachment 5 Business Process Requirements
Attachment 6 Electronic Interfaces/1/
Attachment 7 Implementation Schedule/2/
__________________________
/1/ AT&T/USWC Agreement Only
/2/ AT&T/USWC Agreement Only
This Interconnection Agreement (this "Agreement"), effective June 28, 1998
(the "Effective Date"), is entered into by and between AT&T Communications of
the Mountain States, Inc., a Colorado Corporation, and U S WEST Communications,
Inc., a Colorado corporation, to establish the rates, terms and conditions for
local interconnection, local resale, and the purchase of unbundled network
elements (individually referred to as the "service" or collectively as the
"services").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, pursuant to this Agreement, AT&T and U S WEST will extend certain
arrangements to one another within each LATA in which they both operate within
Utah. This Agreement is a combination of agreed terms and terms imposed by
arbitration under Section 252 of the Communications Act of 1934, as modified by
the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the rules and regulations of the Federal
Communications Commission, and the orders, rules and regulations of the Utah
Public Service Commission; and as such does not necessarily represent the
position of either Party on any given issue; and
WHEREAS, the Parties wish to interconnect their local exchange networks in
a technically and economically efficient manner for the transmission and
termination of calls, so that subscribers of each can seamlessly receive calls
that originate on the other's network and place calls that terminate on the
other's network, and for AT&T's use in the provision of exchange access ("Local
Interconnection"); and
WHEREAS, AT&T wishes to purchase Telecommunications Services for resale to
others, and U S WEST is willing to provide such services; and
WHEREAS, AT&T wishes to purchase on an unbundled basis Network Elements,
Ancillary Services and Functions and additional features separately or in any
Combination, and to use such services for itself or for the provision of its
Telecommunications Services to others, and U S WEST is willing to provide such
services;
Now, therefore, in consideration of the terms and conditions contained
herein, AT&T and U S WEST hereby mutually agree as follows:
SCOPE OF AGREEMENT
A. This Agreement specifies the rights and obligations of each Party with
respect to the purchase and sale of Local Interconnection, Local Resale and
Network Elements in the LATA in Utah where U S WEST operates.
B. In the performance of their obligations under this Agreement, the
Parties shall act in good faith and consistently with the intent of the Act.
Where notice, approval or similar action by a Party is permitted or required by
any provision of this Agreement (including, without limitation, the obligation
of the Parties to further negotiate the resolution of new or open issues under
this Agreement) such action shall not be unreasonably delayed, withheld or
conditioned.
C. U S WEST will provide AT&T with at least the level of service quality
or performance of obligations under this Agreement as U S WEST provides itself
or any other Person with respect to all Telecommunications Services, Local
Interconnection, Services for Resale, and Network Elements as applicable and
shall provide such level of service quality or performance of service
obligations in accordance with the specific requirements agreed to in Attachment
5.
D. U S WEST shall provide to AT&T Services for Resale that are equal in
quality, subject to the same conditions (including the conditions in U S WEST's
effective tariffs which are not otherwise inconsistent with the terms and
conditions contained herein), within the same provisioning time intervals
Part A
that U S WEST provides these services to itself, its Affiliates and others,
including end users, and in accordance with any applicable Commission service
quality standards, including standards the Commission may impose pursuant to
Section 252 (e)(3) of the Act.
E. Each Network Element provided by U S WEST to AT&T shall be at least
equal in the quality of design, performance, features, functions, capabilities
and other characteristics, including, but not limited to, levels and types of
redundant equipment and facilities for power, diversity and security, that U S
WEST provides to itself, U S WEST's own subscribers, to a U S WEST Affiliate or
to any other entity.
F. The Parties agree to work jointly and cooperatively in testing and
implementing processes for pre-ordering, ordering, maintenance, provisioning and
billing and in reasonably resolving issues which result from such implementation
on a timely basis.
G. If a Party makes a change in its network which it believes will
materially affect the interoperability of its network with that of the other
Party, the Party making the change shall provide advance notice of such change
to the other Party in accordance with applicable FCC or Commission regulations.
H. In accordance with Section 251(c)(5) of the Act and the rules and
regulations established by the FCC and the Commission, the Parties shall provide
reasonable notice of changes in the information necessary for the transmission
and routing of services using that local exchange carrier's facilities or
network, as well as of any other changes that would affect the interoperability
of those facilities and networks.
I. Except as otherwise provided for in Section 8 of Attachment 2, U S WEST
shall not discontinue or refuse to provide any service required hereunder
without AT&T's prior written agreement in accordance with Section 17 of this
Part A, nor shall U S WEST reconfigure, reengineer or otherwise redeploy its
network in a manner which would materially impair AT&T's ability to offer
Telecommunications Services in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, the
Act or the FCC's rules and regulations. U S WEST agrees that all obligations
undertaken pursuant to this Agreement, including, without limitation,
performance standards, intervals, and technical requirements are material
obligations hereof and that time is of the essence.
DEFINITIONS
Certain terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings set forth
herein or as otherwise elsewhere defined throughout this Agreement. Other terms
used but not defined herein will have the meanings ascribed to them in the Act
and the FCC's rules and regulations.
"911 Service" means a universal telephone number which gives the public direct
access to the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). Basic 911 service collects
911 calls from one or more local exchange switches that serve a geographic area.
The calls are then sent to the correct authority designated to receive such
calls.
"911 Site Administrator" is a person assigned by AT&T to establish and maintain
911 service location information for its subscribers.
"Access Services" refers to interstate and intrastate switched access and
private line transport services.
Part A
"Act" means the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. Section 151 et seq.), as
amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and as from time to time
interpreted in the duly authorized rules and regulations of the FCC or by the
Commission.
"ADSL" or "Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line" means a transmission technology
which transmits an asymmetrical digital signal using one of several transmission
methods (for example, carrier-less AM/PM discrete multi-tone, or discrete
wavelet multi-tone).
"Affiliate" is an entity, as defined in the Act, that directly or indirectly
owns or controls, is owned or controlled by, or is under common ownership or
control with, another entity. For the purposes of this Agreement, "own" or
"control" means to own an equity interest (or equivalent) of at least ten
percent (10%), or the right to control the business decisions, management and
policy of another entity performing any of the obligations set forth in this
Agreement.
"AIN" ("Advanced Intelligent Network") is a network functionality that permits
specific conditions to be programmed into a switch which, when met, directs the
switch to suspend call processing and to receive special instructions for
further call handling instructions in order to enable carriers to offer advanced
features and services.
"AIN Services" means architecture and configuration of the AIN Triggers within
the SCP as developed and/or offered by U S WEST to its customers.
"ALI" (Automatic Location Identification) is a database developed for E911
systems that provides for a visual display of the caller's telephone number and
address, and the names of the emergency response agencies responsible for that
address. The ALI also shows an Interim Number Portability (INP) number, if
applicable.
"ALI/DMS" (Automatic Location Identification/Data Management System) means the
emergency service (E911/911) database containing subscriber location information
(including name, address, telephone number, and sometimes special information
from the local service provider) used to determine to which Public Safety
Answering Point (PSAP) to route the call.
"AMA" means the Automated Message Accounting structure that initially records
telecommunication message information. AMA format is contained in the Automated
Message Accounting document, published by Bellcore as GR-1100-CORE, which
defines the industry standard for message recording.
"Ancillary Services" or "Ancillary Functions" means, collectively, the
following: (I) Collocation as described in Section 40; (2) access to poles,
ducts, conduits and rights of way as described in Section 47; (3) unused
transmission media as described in Section 51; (4) Directory Listings as
described in Section 44; (5) E911 as described in Section 50.1; (6) Directory
Assistance Service as described in Section 50.2; (7) Operator Services as
described in Section 50.3; (8) Directory Assistance and listings services
requests as described in Section 50.4; and (9) Directory Assistance data as
described in Section 50.5.
"ANI" (Automatic Number Identification) is a feature that identifies and
displays the number of a telephone that originates a call.
"ARS" (Automatic Route Selection) is a service feature that provides for
automatic selection of the least expensive or most appropriate transmission
facility for each call based on criteria programmed into the system.
Part A
"ASR" (Access Service Request) means the industry standard forms and supporting
documentation used for ordering Access Services. The ASR may be used to order
trunking and facilities between AT&T and U S WEST for Local Interconnection.
"AT&T" means AT&T and any Affiliates, subsidiary companies or other entities
performing any of the obligations of AT&T set forth in this Agreement. For
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purposes of Section 47 of this Part A of this Agreement, the obligations of AT&T
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shall be limited to those facilities of AT&T Communications of the Mountain
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States, Inc. that are used for the purpose of providing local services under the
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terms of this Agreement./3/
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"BLV/BLI" (Busy Line Verify/Busy Line Interrupt) means an operator call in which
the end user inquires as to the busy status of, or requests an interruption of,
a telephone call.
"Business Day" means any day Monday through Friday except for mutually agreed to
holidays.
"CABS" means the Carrier Access Billing System which is defined in a document
prepared by the Billing Committee of the OBF. The Carrier Access Billing System
document is published by Bellcore in Volumes 1, 1A, 2, 3, 3A, 4 and 5 as Special
Reports SR-OPT-001868, SR-OPT-0011869, SR-OPT-001871, SR-OPT-001872, SR-OPT-
001873, SR-OPT-001874, and SR-OPT-001875, respectively, and contains the
recommended guidelines for the billing of access and other connectivity
services.
"Calling Party Number" or "CPN" is a CCS parameter which refers to the number
transmitted through a network identifying the calling party.
"CCS" (Common Channel Signaling) means a method of digitally transmitting call
set-up and network control data over a digital signaling network fully separate
from the public switched telephone network that carries the actual call.
"Central Office Switch" means a switch used to provide Telecommunications
Services, including, but not limited to:
a) "End Office Switches" which are used to terminate Customer station
loops for the purpose of interconnecting to each other and to trunks;
b) "Tandem Office Switches" which are used to connect and switch trunk
circuits between and among other Central Office Switches. Access
tandems provide connections for exchange access and toll traffic while
local tandems provide connections for local/EAS traffic; or
c) Combination End Office/Tandem Office Switches.
"Centrex", including Centrex Plus, means a Telecommunications Service that uses
central office switching equipment for call routing to handle direct dialing of
calls and to provide numerous private branch exchange-like features.
"Charge Number" is a CCS parameter which refers to the number transmitted
through the network identifying the billing number of the calling party.
_________________________
/3/The underlined text in the definition of AT&T is included only because U S
WEST prevailed on the issue of reciprocal access to poles, ducts, conduits and
ROW in Section 47.1.
Part A
"CLASS" (Bellcore Service ▇▇▇▇) is a set of call-management service features
that utilize the capability to forward a calling party's number between end
offices as part of call setup. Features include Automatic Callback, Automatic
Recall, Caller ID, Call Trace, and Distinctive Ringing.
"CLEC" means a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier.
"Combinations" means provision by U S WEST of two or more connected Network
Elements ordered by AT&T to provide its Telecommunication Services in a
geographic area or to a specific subscriber and that are placed on the same or
related order by AT&T, subject to restrictions, if any, imposed by the
Commission.
"Commission" means the Utah Public Service Commission.
"Competitive Local Exchange Carrier" or "CLEC" means an entity authorized to
provide Local Exchange Service that does not otherwise qualify as an incumbent
LEC.
"Conduit" means a tube or protected pathway that may be used to house
communication or electrical cables. Conduit may be underground or above ground
(for example, inside buildings) and may contain one or more innerducts.
"Confidential Information" has the meaning set forth in Section 28 of Part A of
this Agreement.
"Contract Year" means a twelve (12) month period during the term of this
Agreement commencing on the Effective Date and each anniversary thereof.
"Control Office" is an exchange carrier center or office designated as its
company's single point of contact for the provisioning and maintenance of its
portion of local interconnection arrangements.
"Custom Calling Features" is a set of call-management service features available
to residential and business subscribers including call-waiting, call-forwarding
and three-party calling.
"Customer" means a third-party (residence or business) that subscribes to
Telecommunications Services provided by either of the Parties.
"DBMS" (Database Management System) is a computer system used to store, sort,
manipulate and update the data required to provide, for example, selective
routing and ALI.
"Databases" are the Network Elements that provide the functionality for storage
of, access to, and manipulation of information required to offer a particular
service and/or capability. Databases include, but are not limited to: Number
Portability, LIDB, Toll Free Number Database, Automatic Location
Identification/Data Management System, and AIN.
"Digital Signal Level" means one of several transmission rates in the time
division multiplexing hierarchy, including, but not limited to:
"Digital Signal Level 0" or "DS-0" means the 56 or 64 Kbps zero-level
signal in the time-division multiplex hierarchy.
Part A
"Digital Signal Level 1" or "DS-1" means the 1.544 Mbps first-level signal
in the time-division multiplex hierarchy. In the time-division
multiplexing hierarchy of the telephone network, DS-1 is the initial level
of multiplexing.
"Digital Signal Level 3" or "DS-3" means the 44.736 Mbps third-level in the
time-division multiplex hierarchy. In the time-division multiplexing
hierarchy of the telephone network, DS-3 is defined as the third level of
multiplexing.
"Directory Assistance Database" refers to any set of subscriber records used by
U S WEST in its provision of live or automated operator-assisted Directory
Assistance including, but not limited to, 411, 555-1212, NPA-555-1212.
"Directory Assistance Service" provides listings to callers. Directory
Assistance Services may include the option to complete the call at the caller's
direction.
"Directory Listings" or "Listings" refers to subscriber information, including,
but not limited to, name, address and phone numbers, in Directory Assistance
Services or directory products.
"Discloser" means that Party to this Agreement which has disclosed Confidential
Information to the other Party.
"E911" (Enhanced 911 Service) means a telephone communication service which will
automatically route a call dialed "911" to a designated Public Safety Answering
Point (PSAP) attendant and will provide to the attendant the calling party's
telephone number and, when possible, the address from which the call is being
placed, and the emergency response agencies responsible for the location from
which the call was dialed.
"E911 Message Trunk" is a dedicated line, trunk or channel between two central
offices or switching devices which provides a voice and signaling path for E911
calls.
"Extended Area Service" ("EAS") is intraLATA traffic treated as "local" traffic
between exchanges (rather than as "toll" traffic) as established by the
Commission and as reflected in the effective U S WEST tariffs.
"Effective Date" is the date, indicated in the Preamble, on which this Agreement
shall become effective.
"Emergency Response Agency" is a governmental entity authorized to respond to
requests from the public to meet emergencies.
"EMR" means the Exchange Message Record System used among LECs for exchanging
telecommunications message information for billable, non-billable, sample,
settlement and study data. EMR format is contained in BR-010-200-010 ▇▇▇▇
Exchange Message Record, published by Bellcore, which defines the industry
standard for exchange message records.
"ESN" (Emergency Service Number) is a number assigned to the ALI and selective
routing databases for all subscriber telephone numbers. The ESN designates a
unique combination of fire, police and emergency medical service response
agencies that serve the address location of each in-service telephone number.
"FCC" means the Federal Communications Commission.
Part A
"FCC Interconnection Order" is the Federal Communications Commission's First
Report and Order in CC Docket No. 96-98 released August 8, 1996, as effective.
"Fiber-Meet" means an interconnection architecture method whereby the Parties
physically interconnect their networks via an optical fiber interface (as
opposed to an electrical interface) at a mutually agreed upon location.
"Gateway" (ALI Gateway) is a telephone company computer facility that interfaces
with AT&T 's 911 administrative site to receive Automatic Location
Identification (ALI) data from AT&T. Access to the Gateway will be via a dial-
up modem using a common protocol.
"HDSL" or "High-Bit Rate Digital Subscriber Line" means a two-wire or four-wire
transmission technology which typically transmits a DS-1-level signal (or,
higher level signals with certain technologies), using, for example, 2 Binary/1
Quartenary ("2B1Q").
"ILEC" means the incumbent local exchange carrier.
"Information Service Traffic" means traffic which originates on a local access
line and which is addressed to an information service provider.
"INP" (Interim Number Portability) is a service arrangement whereby subscribers
who change local service providers may retain existing telephone numbers with
minimal impairment of quality, reliability, or convenience when remaining at
their current location or changing their location within the geographic area
served by the initial carrier's serving central office.
"Integrated Digital Loop Carrier" ("IDLC") means a digital subscriber loop
carrier system which interfaces with the switch digitally at a DS-1 (1.544Mbps)
or higher level.
"Integrated Services Digital Network" or "ISDN" means a switched network service
that provides end-to-end digital connectivity for the simultaneous transmission
of voice and data. Basic Rate Interface-ISDN (BRI-ISDN) provides for a digital
transmission of two 64 Kbps bearer channels and one 16 Kbps data channel (2B+D).
Primary Rate Interface-ISDN (PRI-ISDN) provides for a digital transmission of
twenty-three (23) 64 Kbps bearer channels and one 64 Kbps data channel (23B+D).
"Interconnection" is as described in the Act and refers to the connection of
separate pieces of equipment, facilities, or platforms between or within
networks for the purpose of transmission and routing of telephone exchange
service traffic and exchange access traffic.
"IXC" (Interexchange Carrier) means a provider of interexchange
Telecommunications Services.
"LATA" means Local Access Transport Area.
"LEC" means local exchange carrier.
"LIDB" (Line Information Data Base(s)) is an SCP database that provides for such
functions as calling card validation for telephone line number cards issued by
LECs and other entities and validation for collect and billed-to-third services.
"Local Interconnection" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this
Agreement.
Part A
"Local Resale" or "Services for Resale" or "Resale Services" means,
collectively, Telecommunications Services and service functions provided by U S
WEST to AT&T pursuant to Attachment 2 of this Agreement.
"Local Traffic" is intraLATA traffic within an exchange that is treated as toll
free traffic as established by the Commission and as reflected in the effective
tariffs of U S WEST.
"Loop" is a transmission facility between a distribution frame, or its
equivalent, in a U S WEST central office or wire center, and the Network
Interface Device (as defined herein) or network interface at a subscriber's
premises, to which AT&T is granted exclusive use. This includes, but is not
limited to, two-wire and four-wire analog voice-grade loops, and two-wire and
four-wire loops that are conditioned to transmit the digital signals needed to
provide ISDN, ADSL, HDSL, and DS-1 level signals. A Loop may be composed of the
following components:
Loop Concentrator/Multiplexer
Loop Feeder
Network Interface Device (NID)
Distribution
"Main Distribution Frame" or "MDF" means the distribution frame of the Party
providing the Loop used to interconnect cable pairs and line and trunk equipment
terminals on a switching system or transmission facility.
"MECAB" refers to the Multiple Exchange Carrier Access Billing (MECAB) document
prepared by the Billing Committee of the Ordering and Billing Forum, which
functions under the auspices of the Carrier Liaison Committee (CLC) of the
Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS). The MECAB document,
published by Bellcore as Special Report SR-BDS-000983, contains the recommended
guidelines for the billing of an access service provided by two or more LECs
(including a LEC and a CLEC), or by one LEC in two or more states within a
single LATA.
"MECOD" refers to the Multiple Exchange Carriers Ordering and Design (MECOD)
Guidelines for Access Services - Industry Support Interface, a document
developed by the Ordering/Provisioning Committee under the auspices of the
Ordering and Billing Forum, which functions under the auspices of the Carrier
Liaison Committee (CLC) of the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry
Solutions (ATIS). The MECOD document, published by Bellcore as Special Report
SR STS-002643, establishes recommended guidelines for processing orders for
access service which is to be provided by two or more LECs (including a LEC and
a CLEC). It is published by Bellcore as SRBDS 00983.
"Meet-Point Billing" or "MPB" refers to an arrangement whereby two LECs
(including a LEC and AT&T) jointly provide Switched Access Service to an
Interexchange Carrier, with each LEC (or AT&T) receiving an appropriate share of
the access element revenues.
"Mid-Span Meet" is a point of interconnection between two networks, designated
by two Telecommunications Carriers, at which one carrier's responsibility for
service begins and the other carrier's responsibility ends.
"MSAG" (Master Street Address Guide) is a database defining the geographic area
of an E911 service. It includes an alphabetical list of the street names, high-
low house number ranges, community names, and emergency service numbers provided
by the counties or their agents to U S WEST.
Part A
"North American Numbering Plan" or "NANP" means the numbering plan used in the
United States that also serves Canada, Bermuda, Puerto Rico and certain
Caribbean Islands. The NANP format is a 10-digit number that consists of a 3-
digit NPA code (commonly referred to as the area code), followed by a 3-digit
NXX code and 4-digit line number.
"NENA" (National Emergency Number Association) is an association with a mission
to ▇▇▇▇▇▇ the technological advancement, availability and implementation of 911
nationwide.
"Network Element" means a facility or equipment used in the provision of a
Telecommunications Service including all features, functions and capabilities
embedded in such facility or equipment./4/
"NP" (Number Portability) means the use of the Location Routing Number (LRN)
database solution to provide fully transparent NP for all subscribers and all
providers without limitation.
"NPA" (Numbering Plan Area) (sometimes referred to as an area code) is the three
digit indicator which is designated by the first three digits of each 10-digit
telephone number within the NANP. Each NPA contains 792 possible NXX Codes.
There are two general categories of NPA, "geographic NPAs" and "Non-Geographic
NPAs." A "Geographic NPA" is associated with a defined geographic area, and all
telephone numbers bearing such NPA are associated with services provided within
that geographic area. A "Non-Geographic NPA," also known as a "Service Access
Code (SAC Code)" is typically associated with a specialized Telecommunications
Service which may be provided across multiple geographic NPA areas; 500, 800,
900, 700, and 888 are examples of Non-Geographic NPAs.
"NXX" means the fourth, fifth and sixth digits of a ten-digit telephone number
within the North American Numbering Plan.
"OBF" means the Ordering and Billing Forum, which functions under the auspices
of the Carrier Liaison Committee (CLC) of the Alliance for Telecommunications
Industry Solutions (ATIS).
"Operator Services" includes, but is not limited to, (1) operator handling for
call completion (e.g., collect calls); (2) operator or automated assistance for
billing after the subscriber has dialed the called number (e.g., credit card
calls); and (3) special services (e.g., BLV/BLI, emergency agency call).
"Operator Systems" is the Network Element that provides operator and automated
call handling with billing, special services, subscriber telephone listings, and
optional call completion services.
"P.01 Transmission Grade of Service (GOS)" means a trunk facility provisioning
standard with the statistical probability of no more than one call in 100
blocked on initial attempt during the average busy hour.
"PLU" (Percent Local Usage) is a calculation which represents the ratio of the
local minutes to the sum of local and intraLATA toll minutes between exchange
carriers sent over Local Interconnection trunks. Directory assistance, BLV/BLI,
900, 976, transiting calls from other exchange carriers and switched access
calls are not included in the calculation of PLU.
"Party" means either U S WEST or AT&T and "Parties" means U S WEST and AT&T.
_______________________
/4/ AT&T Order at pg. 1, "Local Switch - Vertical Features"
Part A
"Person" means, collectively, an Affiliate, subsidiary, Customer, end user and
subscriber of U S WEST.
"Point of Interconnection" or "POI" means the physical point that establishes
the technical interface, the test point, where applicable, and the operational
responsibility hand-off between AT&T and U S WEST for the local interconnection
of their networks for the mutual exchange of traffic.
"Point of Interface" is the physical point where AT&T hands off transmission
media to the U S WEST provided entrance facility associated with a Collocation
arrangement for the purpose of connecting the entrance facility to some point
located within U S WEST's premises.
"Pole Attachment" means the connection of a facility to a utility pole. Some
examples of facilities are mechanical hardware, grounding and transmission
cable, and equipment boxes.
"POP" means an IXC's point of presence.
"Port" means a termination on a Central Office Switch that permits Customers to
send or receive Telecommunications Services over the public switched network,
including switch features or switching functionality./5/
"Premises" refers to U S WEST's central offices and serving wire centers, as
well as all buildings or similar structures owned or leased by U S WEST that
house its network facilities, and all structures that house U S WEST facilities
on public rights-of-way, including, but not limited to, vaults containing loop
concentrators or similar structures./6/
"Premium Listing", such as additional, foreign, cross reference, informational,
non-listed, privacy, etc. are as described in the U S WEST general exchange
listing tariff.
"Primary Listing" (for example, main list, additional main, joint user, client
main list or answering service list) shall mean the one appearance of an end
user telephone subscriber's main telephone number and other content such as name
and address, which each AT&T residence or business subscriber is entitled to
receive in the white pages directory published by U S WEST Dex at no charge from
U S WEST Communications. Where U S WEST business end users are entitled to
receive a courtesy listing in the yellow pages section of any directory
published on U S WEST's behalf, AT&T's business customers will receive the same
entitlement.
"Proprietary Information" shall have the same meaning as Confidential
Information.
"PSAP" (Public Safety Answering Point) is the public safety communications
center where 911 calls placed by the public for a specific geographic area will
be answered.
"Rate Center" means the geographic point and corresponding geographic area which
are associated with one or more particular NPA-NXX codes which have been
assigned to U S WEST or AT&T for its provision of basic exchange
Telecommunications Services. The "Rate Center Point" is the finite geographic
point identified by a specific V&H coordinate, which is used to measure
distance-sensitive end user traffic to/from the particular NPA-NXX designations
associated with the specific Rate Center. The "Rate Center Area" is the
exclusive geographic area identified as the area within which U S WEST or AT&T
will provide basic exchange Telecommunications Services bearing the particular
NPA-NXX designations associated with the specific Rate Center. The Rate Center
Point must be located within the Rate Center Area.
____________________________
/5/ AT&T Order at p. 1, "Local Switch - Vertical Features"
/6/ MCI Order at p.10, Issue 31
Part A
basic exchange Telecommunications Services bearing the particular
NPA-NXX designations associated with the specific Rate Center. The Rate Center
Point must be located within the Rate Center Area.
"Rating Point" means the point at which transport mileage is calculated for the
termination of calls. Each Party shall establish its own Rating Point(s) for
its own services.
"Real Time" means the actual time in which an event takes place, with the
reporting on or the recording of the event simultaneous with its occurrence.
"Recipient" means that Party to this Agreement (1) to which Confidential
Information has been disclosed by the other Party, or (2) who has obtained
Confidential Information in the course of providing services under this
Agreement.
"Reseller" is a category of Telecommunications Services providers who obtain
Telecommunications Services from another provider through the purchase of
wholesale priced services for resale to their end user subscribers.
"Routing Point" means a location which U S WEST or AT&T has designated on its
own network as the homing (routing) point for traffic inbound to basic exchange
Telecommunications Services provided by U S WEST or AT&T which bear a certain
NPA-NXX designation. The Routing Point is employed to calculate mileage
measurements for the distance-sensitive transport element charges of Switched
Access Services. Pursuant to Bellcore Practice BR ▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇, the Routing
Point may be an "End Office" location, or a "LEC Consortium Point of
Interconnection." Pursuant to that same Bellcore Practice, examples of the
latter shall be designated by a common language location identifier (CLLI) code
with (x)KD in positions 9, 10, 11, where (x) may by any alphanumeric A-Z or 0-9.
The Routing Point need not be the same as the Rate Center Point, nor must it be
located within the Rate Center Area, but must be in the same LATA as the NPA-NXX
"ROW" (Right of Way) means the right to use the land or other property owned,
leased, or controlled by another party to place poles, conduits, cables, other
structures and equipment, or to provide passage to access such structures and
equipment. A ROW may run under, on, or above public or private property
(including air space above public or private property) and may include the right
to use discrete space in buildings, building complexes or other locations.
"SAG" (Street Address Guide) is a database containing an alphabetical list of
street names, high-low house number ranges, descriptive addresses, community
names, tax codes, subscriber names, telephone numbers, NXXs, central office
names, CLLI and other information maintained by U S WEST.
"SECAB" means the Small Exchange Carrier Access Billing document prepared by the
Billing Committee of the OBF. The Small Exchange Carrier Access Billing
document, published by Bellcore as Special Report SR OPT-001856, contains the
recommended guidelines for the billing of access and other connectivity
services.
"Selective Routing" is a service which automatically routes an E911 call to the
PSAP that has jurisdictional responsibility for the service address of the
telephone from which 911 is dialed, irrespective of telephone company exchange
or wire center boundaries.
"Service Control Point" or "SCP" is a specific type of Database Network Element
functionality deployed in a Signaling System 7 (SS7) network that executes
service application logic in response to SS7 queries sent to it by a switching
system also connected to the SS7 network. SCPs also provide operational
interfaces to allow for provisioning, administration and maintenance of
subscriber data and service
Part A
application data (e.g., a toll free database stores subscriber record data that
provides information necessary to route toll free calls.
"Signaling Transfer Point" or "STP" provide functionality that enable the
exchange of SS7 messages among and between switching elements, database elements
and Signaling Transfer Points.
"Switch" -- See Central Office Switch.
"Switched Access", "Switched Access Service", "Switched Exchange Access Service"
or "Switched Access Traffic" are as defined in the Parties' applicable tariffs.
"Tandem Office Switches" are Class 4 switches which are used to connect and
switch trunk circuits between and among End Office Switches and other tandems.
"Tariff Services" as used throughout this Agreement refers to the applicable
Party's interstate tariffs and state tariffs, price lists, price schedules and
catalogs.
"Technically Feasible" refers solely to technical or operational concerns,
rather than economic, space, or site considerations, in accordance with the
rules and regulations of the FCC and the Commission.
"Telecommunications" means the transmission, between or among points specified
by the user, of information of the user's choosing, without change in the form
or content of the information as sent and received.
"Telecommunications Carrier" means any provider of Telecommunications Services,
except that such term does not include aggregators of Telecommunications
Services (as defined in Section 226 of the Act). A Telecommunications Carrier
shall be treated as a common carrier under the Act only to the extent that it is
engaged in providing Telecommunications Services, except that the FCC shall
determine whether the provision of fixed and mobile satellite service shall be
treated as common carriage.
"Telecommunications Services" means the offering of Telecommunications for a fee
directly to the public, or to such classes of users as to be effectively
available directly to the public, regardless of the facilities used.
"Toll Traffic" is traffic that originates in one Rate Center and terminates in
another Rate Center with the exception of traffic that is rated as EAS.
"Transit Service" provides the ability for a Telecommunications Carrier to use
its connection to a local or access tandem for delivery of calls that originate
with a Telecommunications Carrier and terminate to a company other than the
tandem company, such as another Competitive Local Exchange Carrier, an existing
LEC, or a wireless carrier. In these cases, neither the originating nor
terminating end user is a customer of the tandem Telecommunications Carrier.
The tandem Telecommunications Carrier will accept traffic originated by a Party
and will terminate it at a Point of Interconnection with another local,
intraLATA or interLATA network Telecommunications Carrier. This service is
provided through local and access tandem switches.
"Transit Traffic" is any traffic, other than Switched Access Traffic, that
originates from one Telecommunications Carrier's network, transits another
Telecommunications Carrier's network, and terminates to yet another
Telecommunications Carrier's network.
"TRCO" means Trouble Reporting Control Office.
Part A
"U S WEST" means U S WEST Communications, Inc. and any Affiliates, subsidiary
companies or other entities performing any of the obligations of U S WEST set
forth in this Agreement.
"Voluntary Federal Subscriber Financial Assistance Programs" are
Telecommunications Services provided to low-income subscribers, pursuant to
requirements established by the appropriate federal or state regulatory body.
"Wire Center" denotes, for the purposes of Collocation, a building or space
within a building, that serves as an aggregation point on a given carrier's
network, where transmission facilities and circuits are connected or switched.
Wire Center can also denote a building where one or more central offices, used
for the provision of Telecommunications Services and Access Services, are
located. Wire Center shall mean those points eligible for such connections as
specified in the FCC Docket No. 91-141, and rules adopted pursuant thereto.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Part A
1. General Provisions
1.1 Each Party is individually responsible to provide facilities
within its network which are necessary for routing, transporting,
measuring, and billing traffic from the other Party's network and for
delivering such traffic to the other Party's network in the standard
format compatible with AT&T's network and to terminate the traffic it
receives in that standard format or the proper address on its network.
The Parties are each solely responsible for participation in and
compliance with national network plans, including the National Network
Security Plan and the Emergency Preparedness Plan.
1.2 Neither Party shall impair the quality of service to other
carriers or to either Party's Customers, and each Party may
discontinue or refuse service if the other Party violates this
provision. Upon such violation, either Party shall provide the other
Party notice of such violation, at the earliest practicable time.
1.3 Each Party is solely responsible for the services it provides to its
Customers and to other Telecommunications Carriers.
1.3.1 The Parties recognize that equipment vendors may manufacture
telecommunications equipment that does not fully incorporate
and may deviate from industry standards referenced in this
Agreement. Due to the manner in which individual equipment
manufacturers have chosen to implement industry standards into
the design of their products, along with differing vintages of
individual facility components and the presence of embedded
technologies pre-dating current technical standards, some of
the individual facility components deployed within U S WEST's
network, including, without limitation, Network Elements and
associated business processes and the standards associated with
the equipment providing such Network Elements (collectively,
"Network Components"), may not adhere to all the specifications
set forth and described in the Bellcore, ANSI, ITU and other
technical and performance standards outlined in this Agreement.
Within forty-five (45) days after a request by AT&T, the
Parties will develop processes by which U S WEST will inform
AT&T of deviations or planned deviations, and the
implementation date of such planned deviations, from standards
referenced in this Agreement for Network Components that may be
ordered by AT&T. In addition, the Parties agree that those
deviations from such standards documented by U S WEST to AT&T
shall, to the extent permitted by FCC and Commission rules and
regulations, supersede sections of this Agreement referencing
technical standards otherwise applicable for the affected
Network Elements./9/
1.3.2 U S WEST agrees that in no event shall it
intentionally allow any Network Component provided by U S WEST
to AT&T under this Agreement to perform below the standards or
deviations therefrom reflected in Section 1.3.1, except where
requested by AT&T. U S WEST
_________________________
/9/ AT&T Order at pg. 8, Technical Standards
Part A
shall minimize any degradation to its equipment relative to
currently applicable service, where reasonable in view of
industry adopted performance standards and technological
developments. Written notice (the "Change Notice") of any
planned changes in standards for any Network Component which
could impact that Network Component will be provided at
least ninety (90) days (or at the make/buy point) prior to
the planned implementation. If AT&T notifies U S WEST of how
the proposed change may adversely impact AT&T or its
Customers within fourteen (14) calendar days after receipt
of U S WEST's Change Notice, U S WEST and AT&T will schedule
joint discussions to address and attempt to resolve the
matter, including, without limitation, consideration of
proposed alternatives. In addition, if U S WEST learns that
any Network Component purchased by AT&T under this Agreement
has been permitted (even if not intentionally) to fall
materially below the level or specification in effect as of
the Effective Date of this Agreement, U S WEST shall inform
AT&T immediately./10/
1.3.3 The Parties recognize that providing a number of the
services specified in this Agreement depends upon the
"technical feasibility" of providing that service, as that
term is defined under the Act and/or by FCC or Commission
rules and decisions. If the Parties cannot agree on whether
providing a service is technically feasible, the matter,
including cost and expenses (if any), shall be resolved
through good faith negotiation or the dispute resolution
process outlined in this Agreement.
2. Most Favored Nation Terms and Treatment
2.1 Until such time as there is a final court determination
interpreting Section 252(i) of the Act, U S WEST shall make available
to AT&T the terms and conditions of any other agreement for
interconnection, unbundled network elements and resale services
approved by the Commission under Section 252 of the Act, in that
agreements entirety. After there is a final court determination
interpreting Section 252(i) of the Act, the Parties agree to revise
this Section 2.1 to reflect such interpretation.
3. Payment
3.1 In consideration of the services provided by U S WEST under
this Agreement, AT&T shall pay the charges set forth in Attachment 1
to this Agreement. The billing procedures for charges incurred by AT&T
hereunder are set forth in Attachment 5 to this Agreement.
3.2 Amounts payable under this Agreement, unless reasonably disputed, are
due and payable within thirty (30) days after the date of U S WEST's
invoice or within twenty (20) days after receipt of the invoice,
whichever is later. If the payment due date is not a Business Day,
the payment shall be made the next Business Day.
___________________
/10/ AT&T Order at pg. 8, Technical Standards
Part A
3.3 A late payment charge of 1.5% applies to all billed balances, not
reasonably disputed, which are not paid within the applicable time
period set forth in Section 3.2 above. To the extent AT&T pays the
billed balance on time, but the amount of the billed balance is
reasonably disputed by AT&T, and, it is later determined that a refund
is due AT&T, interest shall be payable on the refunded amount in the
amount of 1.5% per month. To the extent AT&T pays the billed balance
on time, but the amount of the billed balance is reasonably disputed
by AT&T, and, it is later determined that no refund is due AT&T, no
interest shall be payable on the disputed amount.
3.4 Late payment charges shall not be used as a "credit" to a
deposit, if any, without the express approval of U S WEST.
3.5 Unless specified otherwise in this Agreement, U S WEST shall ▇▇▇▇
all amounts due from AT&T for each resold service in accordance with
the terms and conditions as specified in the U S WEST tariff.
4. Taxes
4.1 Any federal, state or local excise, sales, or use taxes
(excluding any taxes levied on income) resulting from the performance
of this Agreement shall be borne by the Party upon which the
obligation for payment is imposed under applicable law, even if the
obligation to collect and remit such taxes is placed upon the other
Party. Any such taxes shall be shown as separate items on applicable
billing documents between the Parties. The Party so obligated to pay
any such taxes may contest the same in good faith, at its own expense,
and shall be entitled to the benefit of any refund or recovery,
provided that such Party shall not permit any lien to exist on any
asset of the other Party by reason of the contest. The Party obligated
to collect and remit taxes shall cooperate fully in any such contest
by the other Party by providing records, testimony and such additional
information or assistance as may reasonably be necessary to pursue the
contest. To the extent a sale is claimed to be for resale tax
exemption, the purchasing Party shall furnish the providing Party a
proper resale tax exemption certificate as authorized or required by
statute or regulation by the jurisdiction providing said resale tax
exemption. Failure to timely provide said resale tax exemption
certificate will result in no exemption being available to the
purchasing Party during the applicable reporting period.
5. Intellectual Property
5.1 Obligations of Party Requesting Access. As a condition to the access or
use of patents, copyright, trade secrets, and other intellectual
property (including software) owned or controlled by a third party to
the extent necessary to implement this Agreement or specifically
required by the then applicable federal and state rules and regulations
relating to Interconnection and access to telecommunications facilities
and services ("Third Party Intellectual Property"), the Party providing
access may require the other, upon written notice from time to time, to
obtain a license or permission for such access or use of Third Party
Intellectual Property, make all payment, if any, in connection with
obtaining such license, and provide evidence of such license.
Part A
5.2 Obligations of Party Providing Access. The Party providing access shall
provide a list of all known and necessary Third Party Intellectual
Property applicable to the other Party, and, take all necessary and
appropriate steps to facilitate the negotiation of any mandatory
licenses. The treatment of third party licenses shall be in accordance
with FCC rules and regulations and/or judicial determinations.
5.3 Any intellectual property jointly developed in the course of performing
this Agreement shall belong to both Parties who shall have the right to
grant non-exclusive licenses to third parties except as otherwise
designated in writing by one Party to another. Any intellectual
property which originates from or is developed by a Party shall remain
in the exclusive ownership of that Party. Except for a limited license
to use patents or copyrights to the extent necessary for the Parties to
use any facilities or equipment (including software) or to receive any
service solely as provided under this Agreement, no license in patent,
copyright, trademark or trade secret, or other proprietary or
intellectual property presently or hereafter owned, controlled or
licensable by a Party, is granted to the other Party or shall be
implied or arise by estoppel.
6. Severability
6.1 In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained
herein shall for any reason be held to be unenforceable or invalid in
any respect under law or regulation, the Parties will negotiate in
good faith for replacement language. If any part of this Agreement is
held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, such invalidity or
unenforceability will affect only the portion of this Agreement which
is invalid or unenforceable. In all other respects this Agreement will
stand as if such invalid or unenforceable provision had not been a
part hereof, and the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full
force and effect.
7. Responsibility for Environmental Contamination
7.1 AT&T shall in no event be liable to U S WEST for any costs
whatsoever resulting from the presence or release of any environmental
hazard AT&T did not introduce to the affected work location. U S WEST
shall, at AT&T's request, indemnify, defend, and hold harmless AT&T,
and each of its officers, directors and employees from and against any
losses, damages, claims, demands, suits, liabilities, fines, penalties
and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or
resulting from (a) any environmental hazard U S WEST, its contractors
or agents introduce to the work location, or (b) the presence or
release of any environmental hazard for which U S WEST is responsible
under applicable law.
7.2 U S WEST shall in no event be liable to AT&T for any costs
whatsoever resulting from the presence or release of any environmental
hazard U S WEST did not introduce to
Part A
the affected work location. AT&T shall, at U S WEST's request,
indemnify, defend, and hold harmless U S WEST, and each of its
officers, directors and employees from and against any losses,
damages, claims, demands, suits, liabilities, fines, penalties and
expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or
resulting from (a) any environmental hazard AT&T, its contractors or
agents introduce to the work location, or (b) the presence of release
of any environmental hazard for which AT&T is responsible under
applicable law.
7.3 In the event any suspect materials within U S WEST-owned,
operated or leased facilities are identified to be asbestos-
containing, AT&T will ensure that, to the extent any activities which
it undertakes in the facility disturb such suspect materials, such
AT&T activities will be in accordance with applicable local, state and
federal environmental and health and safety statutes and regulations.
Except for abatement activities undertaken by AT&T or equipment
placement activities that result in the generation of asbestos
containing material, AT&T shall not have any responsibility for
managing, nor be the owner of, not have any liability for, or in
connection with, any asbestos containing material. U S WEST agrees to
immediately notify AT&T if U S WEST undertakes any asbestos control or
asbestos abatement activities that potentially could affect AT&T
equipment or operations, including, but not limited to, contamination
of equipment.
7.4 Each Party will be solely responsible, at its own expense, for
proper handling, storing, transport and disposal of all (a) substances
or materials that it or its contractors or agents bring to, create or
assume control over at work locations, or (b) waste resulting
therefrom or otherwise generated in connection with its or its
contractors' or agents' activities at the work locations.
8. Branding/11/,/12/
8.1 U S WEST will offer AT&T unbranded Directory Assistance and Operator
Services.
8.2 U S WEST will not be required to rebrand uniforms and vehicles.
8.3 At AT&T's request, U S WEST shall be obligated to provide branding and
unbranding of services provided to AT&T Customers pursuant to this
Agreement in a nondiscriminatory manner consistent with the branding
of such services to U S WEST Customers.
8.4 If AT&T requests that a service provided under this Agreement be
branded as an AT&T service and U S WEST informs AT&T that such
branding is not available or if it is not practical to so brand the
service, then U S WEST will offer AT&T the service on an unbranded
basis at AT&T's request. If AT&T requests unbranding of a service
under such circumstances, U S WEST must unbrand their own service.
8.5 Without limitation of the provisions of Section 8.1 and 8.2, if U S
WEST is offering a service on an unbranded basis, U S WEST may brand
such service with the U S
________________________
/11/ MCI Order at pg. 5, Issue 23
/12/ Sections 8.3-8.5 pursuant to Final Arbitration Order at pg. 4, Issue A-1
Part A
WEST brand only if U S WEST also offers to brand the service with the
AT&T brand.
8.6 U S WEST shall provide, for AT&T's review, the methods and procedures,
training and approaches to be used by U S WEST to assure that U S WEST
meets AT&T's branding requirements.
8.7 This Section 8 shall confer on U S WEST no rights to the service
marks, trademarks and trade names owned by or used in connection with
services by AT&T or its Affiliates, except as expressly permitted by
AT&T.
8.8 At the request of AT&T, and where technically feasible, U S WEST will
rebrand Operator Services and Directory Assistance in AT&T's name.
9. Independent Contractor Status
9.1 Nothing contained herein shall constitute the Parties as joint
venturers, partners, employees or agents of one another, and neither
Party shall have the right or power to bind or obligate the other.
9.2 Each Party is an independent contractor, and has and hereby
retains the right to exercise full control of and supervision over its
own performance or its obligations under this Agreement and retains
full control over the employment, direction, compensation and
discharge of all employees assisting in the performance of such
obligations. Each Party will be solely responsible for all matters
relating to payment of such employees, including compliance with
social security taxes, withholding taxes, and other payroll taxes with
respect to their respective employees, as well as any taxes,
contributions or other obligations imposed by applicable state
unemployment or workers' compensation acts and all other regulations
governing such matters. Each Party has sole authority and
responsibility to hire, fire and otherwise control its employees.
9.3 Subject to the limitations on liability and except as otherwise
provided in this Agreement, each Party shall be responsible for (a)
its own acts and performance of all obligations imposed by applicable
law in connection with its activities, legal status and property, real
or personal, and (b) the acts of its own Affiliates, employees, agents
and contractors during the performance of that Party's obligations
hereunder. Except for provisions herein expressly authorizing one
Party to act for the other, nothing in this Agreement shall constitute
a Party as a legal representative or agent of the other Party, nor
shall a Party have the right or authority to assume, create or incur
any liability or any obligation of any kind, express or implied,
against or in the name or on behalf of the other Party unless
otherwise expressly permitted by such other Party. Except as otherwise
expressly provided in this Agreement, neither Party shall undertake to
perform any obligation of the other Party, whether regulatory or
contractual, or to assume any responsibility for the management of the
other Party's business.
10. Referenced Documents
10.1 All references to Sections, Exhibits, and Schedules shall be
deemed to be references to Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to,
this Agreement unless the
Part A
context shall otherwise require. Whenever any provision of this
Agreement refers to a technical reference, technical publication, AT&T
practice, U S WEST practice, any publication of telecommunications
industry administrative or technical standards, or any other document
specifically incorporated into this Agreement, it will be deemed to be
a reference to the most recent version or edition (including any
amendments, supplements, addenda, or successors) or such document that
is in effect, and will include the most recent version or edition
(including any amendments, supplements, addenda, or successors) of
each document incorporated by reference in such a technical reference,
technical publication, AT&T practice, U S WEST practice, or
publication of industry standards, unless AT&T elects otherwise.
11. Publicity and Advertising
11.1 Neither Party shall publish or use any advertising, sales
promotions or other publicity materials that use the other Party's
logo, trademarks or service marks without the prior written approval
of the other Party.
12. Executed in Counterparts
12.1 This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but such counterparts shall
together constitute one and the same instrument.
13. Headings Not Controlling
13.1 The headings and numbering of Sections, Parts, Appendices and
Attachments in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not
be construed to define or limit any of the terms herein or affect the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
14. Joint Work Product
14.1 This Agreement is the joint work product of the Parties and has
been negotiated by the Parties and their respective counsel and shall
be fairly interpreted in accordance with its terms and, in the event
of any ambiguities, no inferences shall be drawn against either Party.
15. Survival
15.1 Any liabilities or obligations of a Party for acts or omissions
prior to the cancellation or termination of this Agreement; any
obligation of a Party under the provisions regarding indemnification,
confidential information, limitation of liability, and any other
provisions of this Agreement which, by their terms, are contemplated
to survive, or to be performed after, termination of this Agreement,
shall survive cancellation or termination thereof.
16. Effective Date
Part A
16.1 This Agreement shall become effective pursuant to Sections 251
and 252 of the Act, on June 27, 1998.
17. Amendment of Agreement
17.1 Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no amendment or
waiver of any provision of this Agreement, and no consent to any
default under this Agreement, shall be effective unless the same is in
writing and signed by an officer of the Party against whom such
amendment, waiver or consent is claimed. If either Party desires an
amendment to this Agreement during the term of this Agreement, it
shall provide written notice thereof to the other Party describing the
nature of the requested amendment. If the Parties are unable to agree
on the terms of the amendment within thirty (30) days after the
initial request therefor, the Party requesting the amendment may
invoke the dispute resolution process under Section 27 of this Part A
of this Agreement to determine the terms of any amendment to this
Agreement.
18. Indemnification
18.1 Notwithstanding any limitations in remedies contained in this
Agreement, each Party (the "Indemnifying Party") will indemnify and
hold harmless the other Party ("Indemnified Party") from and against
any loss, cost, claim, liability, damage and expense, including
reasonable attorney's fees, to third parties, relating to or arising
out of the libel, slander, invasion of privacy, misappropriation of a
name or likeness, actual or alleged infringement or other violation or
breach of any patent, copyright, trademark, service ▇▇▇▇, trade name,
trade dress, trade secret or any other intellectual property presently
existing or later created, negligence or willful misconduct by the
Indemnifying Party, its employees, agents, or contractors in the
performance of this Agreement or the failure of the Indemnifying Party
to perform its obligations under this Agreement. In addition, the
Indemnifying Party will, to the extent of its obligations to indemnify
hereunder, defend any action or suit brought by a third party against
the Indemnified Party. The Party providing access under this Agreement
shall have no indemnification obligation hereunder for any loss, cost,
claim, liability, damage or expense arising on account of Third Party
Intellectual Property after having given written notice to the other
Party of the Third Party Intellectual Property pursuant to Section 5
above. /13/
18.2 The Indemnified Party will notify the Indemnifying Party promptly in
writing of any written claim, lawsuit, or demand by third parties for
which the Indemnified Party alleges that the Indemnifying Party is
responsible under this Section 18 and tender the defense of such
claim, lawsuit or demand to the Indemnifying Party. Failure to so
notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party
of any liability that the Indemnifying Party might have, except to the
extent that such failure prejudices the Indemnifying Party's ability
to defend such claim.
____________________
/13/ AT&T Order at pg. 10, "Indemnification"; Final Arbitration Order at p. 6
Part A
18.2 The Indemnified Party also will cooperate in every reasonable
manner with the defense or settlement of such claim, demand, or
lawsuit. The Indemnifying Party shall keep the Indemnified Party
reasonably and timely apprised of the status of the claim, demand or
lawsuit. The Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own
counsel, including in-house counsel, at its expense, and participate
in but not direct the defense; provided, however, that if there are
reasonable defenses in addition to those asserted by the Indemnifying
Party, the Indemnified Party and its counsel may raise and direct
such defenses, which shall be at the expense of the Indemnifying
Party.
18.4 The Indemnifying Party will not be liable under this Section 18 for
settlements or compromises by the Indemnified Party of any claim,
demand or lawsuit unless the Indemnifying Party has approved the
settlement or compromise in advance or unless the defense of the
claim, demand or lawsuit has been tendered to the Indemnifying Party
in writing and the Indemnifying Party has failed to timely undertake
the defense. In no event shall the Indemnifying Party settle or
consent to any judgment pertaining to any such action without the
prior written consent of the Indemnified Party.
19. Limitation of Liability
19.1 Except as otherwise provided in the indemnity section, no Party shall
be liable to the other Party for any Loss, defect or equipment
failure caused by the conduct of the other Party, the other Party's
agents, servants, contractors or others acting in aid or concert with
the other Party.
19.2 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency]
19.3 In no event shall either Party have any liability whatsoever to the
other Party for any indirect, special, consequential, incidental or
punitive damages, including, but not limited to, loss of anticipated
profits or revenue or other economic loss in connection with or
arising from anything said, omitted or done hereunder (collectively,
"Consequential Damages"), even if the other Party has been advised of
the possibility of such damages; provided, that the foregoing shall
not limit a Party's obligation to indemnify, defend and hold the
other Party harmless against any amounts payable to a third party,
including any losses, costs, fines penalties, criminal or civil
judgments or settlements, expenses (including attorneys' fees) and
Consequential Damages of such third party. Nothing contained in this
section shall limit either Party's liability to the other for (i)
willful or intentional misconduct (including gross negligence); (ii)
bodily injury, death or damage to tangible real or tangible personal
property proximately caused by such party's negligent act or omission
or that of their respective agents, subcontractors or employees; or
(iii) under the circumstances presented to the arbitrator, the
Commission or other decision maker, as the case may be pursuant to
the dispute resolution process in Section 27, a pattern of conduct is
found to exist by such arbitrator, the Commission or other decision
maker in violation of a party's obligations under this Agreement that
justifies an award of Consequential Damages, /14/ nor shall anything
contained in this section limit the Parties' indemnification
obligations, as specified above.
19.4 Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 19.3, to the extent that US
WEST tariffs contain limitations on liability, AT&T shall submit
language for inclusion in its Intrastate
_____________________________________
/14/ Final Arbitration Order at p. 7
Part A
retail tariffs, that is substantially similar to the limitation of
liability language contained in U S WEST's tariffs, and such
limitations of liability shall govern for Customer claims. In
addition, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 19.3, to the
extent that the Commission's quality of service rules provide for
remedies to AT&T or its Customers for Customer claims, then those
remedies shall govern as to such claims.
20. Term of Agreement
20.1 This Agreement shall be effective for a period of three (3) years, and
thereafter shall continue in force and effect unless and until a new
agreement, addressing all of the terms of this Agreement, becomes
effective between the Parties. The Parties shall commence negotiations on
a new agreement no later than one (1) year prior to the expiration of the
term of this Agreement. Either Party may request resolution of open issues
in accordance with the provisions of Section 27 of this Part A of this
Agreement, Dispute Resolution, beginning nine (9) months prior to the
expiration of this Agreement. Any disputes regarding the terms and
conditions of the new interconnection agreement shall be resolved in
accordance with said Section 27 and the resulting agreement shall be
submitted to the Commission. This Agreement shall remain in effect until a
new interconnection agreement approved by the Commission has become
effective.
21. Governing Law
21.1 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the Act and the FCC's rules and regulations, except insofar as
state law may control any aspect of this Agreement, in which case the
domestic laws of the State of Utah, without regard to its conflicts of
laws principles, shall govern.
22. Cancellation Charges
22.1 Except as provided pursuant to a Bona Fide Request, or as
otherwise provided in any applicable tariff or contract referenced
herein, no cancellation charges shall apply.
23. Regulatory Approvals
23.1 This Agreement, and any amendment or modification hereof, will
be submitted to the Commission for approval in accordance with Section
252 of the Act. In the event any governmental authority or agency
rejects any provision hereof, the Parties shall negotiate promptly and
in good faith such revisions as may reasonably be required to achieve
approval.
23.2 U S WEST shall provide AT&T a summary describing the proposed
change(s) to each Telecommunication Service which is available
pursuant to this Agreement. U S WEST shall also provide AT&T a summary
describing the proposed change(s) of each intrastate and interstate
tariff which provides for an Interconnection, unbundled Network
Element or Ancillary Service that is available pursuant to this
Agreement. Such summaries shall be available through an Internet Web
page to be posted on the same day the proposed change is filed with
the Commission or the FCC or at least thirty (30) days in advance of
its effective date, whichever is earlier.
Part A
23.3 In the event any governmental authority or agency orders U S
WEST to provide any service covered by this Agreement in accordance
with any terms or conditions that individually differ from one or more
corresponding terms or conditions of this Agreement, AT&T may elect to
amend this Agreement to reflect any such differing terms or conditions
contained in such decision or order, with effect from the date AT&T
makes such election. The other services covered by this Agreement and
not covered by such decision or order shall remain unaffected and
shall remain in full force and effect.
23.4 The Parties intend that any additional services requested by
either Party relating to the subject matter of this Agreement will be
incorporated into this Agreement by amendment.
24. Compliance
24.1 Each Party shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and
local laws, rules and regulations applicable to its performance under
this Agreement.
24.2 Each Party represents and warrants that any equipment,
facilities or services provided to the other Party under this
Agreement comply with the Communications Law Enforcement Act of 1994
("CALEA"). Each Party (the "Indemnifying Party") shall indemnify and
hold the other Party (the "Indemnified Party") harmless from any and
all penalties imposed upon the Indemnified Party for such
noncompliance and shall, at the Indemnifying Party's sole cost and
expense, modify or replace any equipment, facilities or services
provided to the Indemnified Party under this Agreement to ensure that
such equipment, facilities and services fully comply with CALEA.
24.3 All terms, conditions and operations under this Agreement shall
be performed in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations and
judicial or regulatory decisions of all duly constituted governmental
authorities with appropriate jurisdiction, and this Agreement shall be
implemented consistent with the FCC Interconnection Order and any
applicable Commission orders. Each Party shall be responsible for
obtaining and keeping in effect all FCC, Commission, franchise
authority and other regulatory approvals that may be required in
connection with the performance of its obligations under this
Agreement. In the event the Act or FCC or Commission rules and
regulations applicable to this Agreement are held invalid, this
Agreement shall survive, and the Parties shall promptly renegotiate
any provisions of this Agreement which, in the absence of such
invalidated Act, rule or regulation, are insufficiently clear to be
effectuated, violate, or are either required or not required by the
new rule or regulation. [The following underlined language is for the
AT&T agreement only] During these negotiations, each Party will
------------------------------------------
continue to provide the same services and elements to each other as
-------------------------------------------------------------------
are provided for under this Agreement. Provided, however, that either
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Party shall give ten (10) Business Days notice if it intends to cease
---------------------------------------------------------------------
any development of any new element or service that is not at that time
----------------------------------------------------------------------
being provided pursuant to this Agreement. In the event the Parties
------------------------------------------
cannot agree on an amendment within thirty (30) days from the date any
such rules, regulations or orders become effective, then the Parties
shall resolve their dispute, including liability for non-compliance
with the new clause or the cost, if any, of performing activities no
longer required by the rule or regulation during the renegotiation of
the new clause under the applicable procedures set forth in Section 27
herein.
25. Force Majeure
Part A
25.1 Neither Party shall be liable for any delay or failure in
performance of any part of this Agreement from any cause beyond its
control and without its fault or negligence including, without
limitation, acts of nature, acts of civil or military authority,
embargoes, epidemics, terrorist acts, riots, insurrections, fires,
explosions, earthquakes, nuclear accidents, floods, work stoppages,
equipment failure, power blackouts, volcanic action, other major
environmental disturbances, unusually severe weather conditions,
inability to secure products or services of other persons or
transportation facilities or acts or omissions of transportation
carriers. No delay or other failure to perform shall be excused
pursuant to this Section 25 unless such delay or failure and the
consequences thereof are beyond the control and without the fault or
negligence of the Party claiming excusable delay or other failure to
perform. In the event of any such excused delay in the performance of
a Party's obligation(s) under this Agreement, the due date for the
performance of the original obligation(s) shall be extended by a term
equal to the time lost by reason of the delay. In the event of such
delay, the delaying Party shall perform its obligations at a
performance level no less than that which it uses for its own
operations. In the event of a labor dispute or strike, the Parties
agree to provide service to each other at a level equivalent to the
level they provide themselves. In the event of a labor dispute or
strike or work stoppage that continues for a period in excess of
forty-eight (48) hours, AT&T may obtain replacement services for those
services affected by such labor dispute or strike or work stoppage, in
which event any liability of AT&T for the affected services shall be
suspended for the period of the work stoppage or labor dispute or
strike. In the event of such performance delay or failure by U S WEST,
U S WEST agrees to resume performance in a nondiscriminatory manner
and not favor its own provision of Telecommunications Services above
that of AT&T.
26. Escalation Procedures
26.1 AT&T and U S WEST agree to exchange escalation lists which
reflect contact personnel including vice president-level officers.
These lists shall include name, department, title, phone number, and
fax number for each person. AT&T and U S WEST agree to exchange up-to-
date lists as reasonably necessary.
27. Dispute Resolution
27.1 If any claim, controversy or dispute between the Parties, their
agents, employees, officers, directors or affiliated agents
("Dispute") cannot be settled through negotiation, it may be resolved
by arbitration conducted by a single arbitrator engaged in the
practice of law, under the then current rules of the American
Arbitration Association ("AAA"). The Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C.
Secs. 1-16, not state law, shall govern the arbitrability of all
Disputes. The arbitrator shall not have authority to award punitive
damages. All expedited procedures prescribed by the AAA rules shall
apply. The arbitrator's award shall be final and binding and may be
entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof and shall be noticed
to the Commission. The arbitrator shall determine which
Part A
which Party or Parties will bear the costs of arbitration, including
apportionment, if appropriate. The arbitration shall occur in Denver,
Colorado and the governing law shall be in accordance with Section
21.1 above./15/
27.2 In the event AT&T and U S WEST are unable to agree on certain issues
during the term of this Agreement, the Parties may identify such
issues for arbitration before the Commission. Only those points
identified by the Parties for arbitration will be submitted./16/
27.3 If a Dispute is submitted to arbitration pursuant to Section 27.1
above, the procedures described in this Section 27.3 shall apply,
notwithstanding the then current rules of the AAA. Discovery shall be
controlled by the arbitrator and shall be permitted to the extent set
forth below. Each party may submit in writing to a Party, and that
Party shall so respond, to an agreed amount of the following:
interrogatories, demands to produce documents, and requests for
admission. Not less than ten (10) days prior to the arbitration
hearing, the Parties shall exchange witness and exhibit lists.
Deposition discovery shall be controlled by the arbitrator. Additional
discovery may be permitted upon mutual agreement of the Parties or the
determination of the arbitrator. The arbitration hearing shall be
commenced within thirty (30) days after a demand for arbitration by
either Party and shall be held in Denver, Colorado. The arbitrator
shall control the scheduling so as to process the matter
expeditiously. The Parties may submit written briefs. The arbitrator
shall rule on the dispute by issuing a written opinion within seven
(7) days after the close of the hearings. The times specified in this
section may be extended upon mutual agreement of the Parties or by the
arbitrator upon a showing of good cause. The decision of the
arbitrator shall be final and binding upon the Parties and judgment
upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in a court
having jurisdiction. The decision shall also be submitted to the
Commission./17/
28. Nondisclosure
28.1 All information, including, but not limited to, specifications,
microfilm, photocopies, magnetic disks, magnetic tapes, drawings,
sketches, models, samples, tools, technical information, data,
employee records, maps, financial reports, and market data (a)
furnished by one Party to the other Party dealing with Customer
specific, facility specific, or usage specific information, other than
Customer information communicated for the purpose of publication of
directory database inclusion, or (b) in written, graphic,
electromagnetic, or other tangible form and marked at the time of
delivery as "Confidential" or "Proprietary", or (c) declared orally or
in writing to the Recipient at the time of delivery, or by written
notice given to the Recipient within ten (10) days after delivery, to
be "Confidential" or "Proprietary" (collectively referred to as
"Proprietary Information"), shall remain the property of the
Discloser. A Party who receives Proprietary Information via an oral
communication may request written confirmation that the material
____________________________
/15/ AT&T Order at p. 10, "Dispute Resolution"
/16/ AT&T Order at p. 10, "Dispute Resolution"
/17/ AT&T Order at p. 10, "Dispute Resolution"
Part A
is Proprietary Information. A Party who delivers Proprietary Information
via an oral communication may request written confirmation that the
Party receiving the information understands that the material is
Proprietary Information.
28.2 Upon request by the Discloser, the Recipient shall return all
tangible copies of Proprietary Information, whether written, graphic or
otherwise, except that the Recipient's legal counsel may retain one (1)
copy for archival purposes.
28.3 Each Party shall keep all of the other Party's Proprietary
Information confidential and shall use the other Party's Proprietary
Information only in connection with this Agreement. Neither Party shall
use the other Party's Proprietary Information for any other purpose
except upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon between the
Parties in writing.
28.4 Unless otherwise agreed, the obligations of confidentiality and
non-use set forth in this Agreement do not apply to such Proprietary
Information that:
28.4.1 was, at the time of receipt, already known to the
Recipient free of any obligation to keep it confidential
evidenced by written records prepared prior to delivery by the
Discloser; or
28.4.2 is or becomes publicly known through no wrongful
act of the Recipient; or
28.4.3 is rightfully received from a third person having
no direct or indirect secrecy or confidentiality obligation to
the Discloser with respect to such information; or
28.4.4 is independently developed by an employee, agent,
or contractor of the Recipient which individual is not involved
in any manner with the provision of services pursuant to this
Agreement and does not have any direct or indirect access to the
Proprietary Information; or
28.4.5 is approved for release by written authorization
of the Discloser; or
28.4.6 is required by law, a court, or governmental agency, provided
that the Discloser has been notified of the requirement promptly
after the Recipient becomes aware of the requirement, subject to
the right of the Discloser to seek a protective order as
provided in Section 28.5 below.
28.5 For a period of ten (10) years from receipt of Proprietary Information,
the Recipient shall (a) use it only for the purpose of performing under
this Agreement, (b) hold it in confidence and disclose it only to
employees, authorized contractors and authorized agents who have a need
to know it in order to perform under this Agreement, and (c) safeguard
it from unauthorized use or disclosure using no less than the degree of
care with which the Recipient safeguards its own Proprietary
Information. Any authorized contractor or agent to whom Proprietary
Information is provided must have executed a written agreement
comparable in scope to the terms of this Section. Not withstanding the
foregoing, each Party shall provide advance notice of three (3) Business
Days to the other
Part A
of the intent to provide Proprietary information to a governmental
authority and the Parties shall cooperate with each other in attempting
to obtain a suitable protective order. The Recipient agrees to comply
with any protective order that covers the Proprietary Information to be
disclosed.
28.6 Each Party agrees that the Discloser would be irreparably injured
by a breach of this Section 28 by the Recipient or its representatives
and that the Discloser shall be entitled to seek equitable relief,
including injunctive relief and specific performance, in the event of
any breach of this Section 28. Such remedies shall not be exclusive but
shall be in addition to all other remedies available at law or in
equity.
28.7 CPNI related to either Party's subscribers obtained by virtue of
Local Interconnection or any other service provided under this Agreement
shall be the Discloser's Proprietary Information and may not be used by
the Recipient for any purpose except performance of its obligations
under this Agreement, and in connection with such performance, shall be
disclosed only to employees, authorized contractors and authorized
agents with a need to know, unless the subscriber expressly directs the
Discloser to disclose such information to the Recipient pursuant to the
requirements of Section 222(c)(2) of the Act. If the Recipient seeks and
obtains written approval to use or disclose such CPNI from the
Discloser, such approval shall be obtained only in compliance with
Section 222(c)(2) and, in the event such authorization is obtained, the
Recipient may use or disclose only such information as the Discloser
provides pursuant to such authorization and may not use information that
the Recipient has otherwise obtained, directly or indirectly, in
connection with its performance under this Agreement.
28.8 Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Section 28,
nothing herein shall be construed as limiting the rights of either Party
with respect to its subscriber information under any applicable law,
including, without limitation, Section 222 of the Act.
28.9 Effective Date Of This Section. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement, the Proprietary Information provisions of
this Agreement shall apply to all Proprietary Information furnished by
either Party with a claim of confidentiality or proprietary nature at
any time.
29. Notices
29.1 Except as otherwise provided herein, all notices or other
communication hereunder shall be deemed to have been duly given when
made in writing and delivered in person or deposited in the United
States mail, certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested,
or delivered by prepaid overnight express mail, and addressed as
follows:
To AT&T: AT&T
Vice President, Local Services
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Copy to: AT&T
Part A
Vice President, Law
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
To U S WEST: U S WEST
Executive Director Interconnect Services
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Copy to: U S WEST, Inc.
Senior Counsel, Law Dept.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
29.2 If personal delivery is selected to give notice, a receipt of
such delivery shall be obtained. The address to which notices or
communications may be given to either Party may be changed by written
notice given by such Party to the other pursuant to this Section 29.
30. Assignment
30.1 Neither Party may assign, transfer (whether by operation of law
or otherwise) or delegate this Agreement (or any rights or obligations
hereunder) to a third party without the prior written consent of the
other Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, provided
that each Party may assign this Agreement to an Affiliate or an entity
under its common control or an entity acquiring all or substantially all
of its assets or equity by providing prior written notice to the other
Party of such assignment or transfer. Any attempted assignment or
transfer that is not permitted under the provisions of this Section 30
is void ab initio. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
-- ------
this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of
the Parties' respective successors and assigns. No assignment or
delegation hereof shall relieve the assignor of its obligations under
this Agreement.
30.2 If any obligation of U S WEST under this Agreement is performed
by a subcontractor or Affiliate, U S WEST shall remain fully responsible
for the performance of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, and
U S WEST shall be solely responsible for payments due to its
subcontractors.
30.3 If any obligation of AT&T under this Agreement is performed by a
subcontractor or Affiliate, AT&T shall remain fully responsible for the
performance of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, and AT&T
shall be solely responsible for payments due to its subcontractors.
31. Warranties
31.1 U S WEST shall conduct all activities and interfaces which are
provided for under this Agreement with AT&T Customers in a carrier-
neutral, nondiscriminatory manner.
31.2 U S WEST warrants that it has provided, and during the term of
this Agreement it will continue to provide, to AT&T true and complete
copies of all material agreements in
Part A
effect between U S WEST and any third party (including Affiliates)
providing any services to AT&T on behalf of or under contract to U S
WEST in connection with U S WEST's performance of this Agreement, or
from whom U S WEST has obtained licenses or other rights used by U S
WEST to perform its obligations under this Agreement, provided, however,
that U S WEST may provide such agreements under appropriate protective
order.
32. Default
32.1 In the event of a breach of any material provision of this
Agreement by either Party, the non-breaching Party shall give the
breaching Party and the Commission written notice thereof, and:
32.1.1 if such material breach is for non-payment of
amounts due hereunder pursuant to Section 3.2 of Part A of this
Agreement, the breaching Party shall cure such breach within
thirty (30) calendar days of receiving such notice. The non-
breaching Party shall be entitled to pursue all available legal
and equitable remedies for such breach. Amounts disputed in good
faith and withheld or set off shall not be deemed "amounts due
hereunder" for the purpose of this provision.
32.1.2 if such material breach is for any failure to
perform in accordance with this Agreement, which, in the sole
judgment of the non-breaching Party, adversely affects the non-
breaching Party's subscribers, the non-breaching Party shall give
notice of the breach and the breaching Party shall cure such
breach to the non-breaching Party's reasonable satisfaction
within ten (10) calendar days or within a period of time
equivalent to the applicable interval required by this Agreement,
whichever is shorter. If the breaching Party does not cure such
breach within the applicable time period, the non-breaching Party
may, at its sole option, terminate this Agreement, or any parts
hereof. The non-breaching Party shall be entitled to pursue all
available legal and equitable remedies for such breach. Notice
under this Subsection 32.1.2 may be given electronically or by
facsimile, provided that a hard copy or original of such notice
is sent by overnight delivery service.
32.1.3 if such material breach is for any other failure to
perform in accordance with this Agreement, the breaching Party
shall cure such breach to the non-breaching Party's reasonable
satisfaction within forty-five (45) calendar days, and, if it
does not, the non-breaching Party may, at its sole option,
terminate this Agreement, or any parts hereof. The non-breaching
Party shall be entitled to pursue all available legal and
equitable remedies for such breach.
32.2 AT&T may terminate this Agreement in whole at any time only for cause
upon sixty (60) calendar days' prior written notice. AT&T's sole
liability shall be payment of amounts due for services provided or
obligations assumed up to the date of termination.
Part A
32.3 In the event of any termination under this Section 32, U S WEST
and AT&T agree to cooperate to provide for an uninterrupted transition
of services to AT&T or another vendor designated by AT&T to the extent
that U S WEST has the ability to provide such cooperation.
32.4 Notwithstanding any termination hereof, the Parties shall
continue to comply with their obligations under the Act.
33. Remedies
33.1 In the event U S WEST fails to switch a subscriber to AT&T
service as provided in this Agreement, U S WEST shall reimburse AT&T
in an amount equal to all fees paid by such subscriber to U S WEST for
such failed-to-be-transferred services from the time of such failure
to switch to the time at which the subscriber switch is accomplished.
This remedy shall be in addition to all other remedies available to
AT&T under this Agreement or otherwise available.
33.2 All rights of termination, cancellation or other remedies
prescribed in this Agreement, or otherwise available, are cumulative
and are not intended to be exclusive of other remedies to which the
injured Party may be entitled at law or equity in case of any breach
or threatened breach by the other Party of any provision of this
Agreement. Use of one or more remedies shall not bar use of any other
remedy for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this Agreement.
34. Waivers
34.1 No waiver of any provisions of this Agreement and no consent to
any default under this Agreement shall be effective unless the same
shall be in writing and properly executed by or on behalf of the Party
against whom such waiver or consent is claimed.
34.2 No course of dealing or failure of either Party to strictly
enforce any term, right, or condition of this Agreement in any
instance shall be construed as a general waiver or relinquishment of
such term, right or condition.
34.3 Waiver by either Party of any default or breach by the other
Party shall not be deemed a waiver of any other default or breach.
34.4 By entering into this Agreement, neither Party waives any right
granted to it pursuant to the Act.
35. No Third Party Beneficiaries
35.1 The provisions of this Agreement are for the benefit of the
Parties hereto and not for any other person; provided, however, that
this shall not be construed to prevent AT&T from providing its
Telecommunications Services to other carriers. This Agreement shall
not provide any person not a party hereto with any remedy, claim,
liability, reimbursement, claim of action, or other right in excess of
those existing without reference hereto.
36. Physical Security
Part A
36.1 U S WEST shall exercise the same degree of care to prevent harm or
damage to AT&T or its employees, agents or subscribers, or its
property as U S WEST provides itself. AT&T shall exercise the same
degree of care to ensure the security of its equipment physically
collocated within U S WEST's space as AT&T provides such security to
itself.
36.1.1 U S WEST will restrict access to approved personnel
to U S WEST's buildings. AT&T is responsible for the action
of its employees and other authorized non-AT&T personnel; U S
WEST is responsible for the action of its employees and other
authorized non-U S WEST personnel.
36.1.2 U S WEST will furnish to AT&T the current name(s) and
telephone number(s) of those central office supervisor(s)
where a physical Collocation arrangement exists. The central
office supervisor(s) will be the only U S WEST employee(s)
with access to AT&T Collocation space.
36.1.3 U S WEST will comply at all times with U S WEST
security and safety procedures at the individual central
office locations where AT&T has physical Collocation
arrangements. The Parties will cooperate to analyze security
procedures of each company to evaluate ways in which security
procedures of U S WEST may be enhanced.
36.1.4 U S WEST will allow AT&T to inspect or observe its physical
spaces which house or contain AT&T equipment or equipment
enclosures at any time upon completion of the physical
Collocation quotation. Upon completion of the build out of
the physical space, U S WEST will furnish AT&T with all keys,
entry codes, lock combinations, or other materials or
information which may be needed to gain entry via direct
access to AT&T's physical space.
36.1.5 U S WEST agrees to logically partition any U S
WEST owned access device systems, whether biometric or card
reader, or types which are encoded identically or mechanical
coded locks on external and or internal doors to spaces which
house AT&T equipment.
36.1.6 U S WEST agrees to limit the keys used in its
keying systems for spaces which contain AT&T equipment to the
U S WEST supervisor for the specific facility to emergency
access only. AT&T shall further have the right to change
locks where deemed necessary for the protection and security
of its physical spaces and will provide the U S WEST
supervisor with the current key.
36.1.8 U S WEST shall control unauthorized access from
passenger and freight elevators, elevator lobbies and spaces
which contain or house AT&T equipment or equipment space in
the same manner as U S WEST provides such control for itself.
36.1.9 U S WEST will provide notification to
designated AT&T personnel to indicate an actual or attempted
security breach of AT&T physical space in the same time frame
as U S WEST provides such notification to itself.
37. Network Security
Part A
37.1 U S WEST shall provide an appropriate and sufficient back-up and
recovery plan to be used in the event of a system failure or
emergency.
37.2 U S WEST shall install controls to (a) disconnect a user for a
pre-determined period of inactivity on authorized ports; (b) protect
subscriber proprietary information; and (c) ensure both ongoing
operational and update integrity.
37.3 Each Party shall be responsible for the security arrangements
on its side of the network to the Point of Interconnection. The
Parties shall jointly cooperate to analyze network security
procedures and cooperate to ensure the systems, access and devices
are appropriately secured and compatible.
38. Revenue Protection
38.1 U S WEST shall make available to AT&T all present and future
fraud prevention or revenue protection features that U S WEST
provides to itself or others.. These features include, but are not
limited to, operator screening codes, information digits assigned
such as information digits '29' and '70' which indicate prison and
COCOT payphone originating line types respectively. In accordance
with the requirements established by the FCC, call blocking of
domestic, international blocking for business and residence, ▇▇▇,
▇▇▇-▇▇▇, and specific line numbers. U S WEST shall additionally
provide partitioned access to fraud prevention, detection and control
functionality within pertinent Operations Support Systems ("OSS")
which include, but are not limited to, Line Information Data Base
Fraud monitoring systems.
38.2 Uncollectible or unbillable revenues resulting from, but not
confined to, provisioning, maintenance, or signal network routing
errors shall be the responsibility of the Party causing such error.
38.3 Uncollectible or unbillable revenues resulting from the
accidental or malicious alteration of software underlying Network
Elements or their subtending operational support systems by
unauthorized third parties shall be the responsibility of the Party
having administrative control of access to said Network Element or
operational support system software.
38.4 Each Party shall be responsible for any uncollectible or
unbillable revenues resulting from the unauthorized use of facilities
under its control or services it provides, including clip-on fraud.
38.5 The Parties shall work cooperatively to minimize fraud
associated with third-number billed calls, calling card calls, and
any other services related to this Agreement.
39. Law Enforcement Interface
39.1 U S WEST shall provide all necessary assistance to facilitate
the execution of wiretap or dialed number recorder orders from law
enforcement authorities.
Part A
40. Collocation
40.1 General Description
40.1.1 "Collocation" means an arrangement whereby AT&T's facilities
are terminated in its equipment necessary for Interconnection
or for access to Network Elements on an unbundled basis which
has been installed and maintained at U S WEST's Premises.
Collocation may be "physical" or "virtual." In "Physical
Collocation," AT&T installs and maintains its own equipment U
S WEST's Premises consistent with Section 40.3 of Part A of
this Agreement. In "Virtual Collocation," U S WEST installs
and maintains its equipment in U S WEST's Premises consistent
with Section 40.3 of Part A of this Agreement.
40.1.1.1 AT&T may collocate transmission equipment
(including Digital Cross Connect Systems and Remote
Switching Units (RSU)) to terminate basic
transmission facilities. Nothing in this Agreement
requires U S WEST to permit collocation of
equipment used to provide enhanced services. AT&T
shall not use RSUs to enable the bypassing of
switched access charges./18/
40.1.2 Collocation is offered for network interconnection between
the Parties. AT&T may cross connect to other collocated
parties via facilities provided by U S WEST, provided that
AT&T's collocated equipment is also used for Interconnection
with U S WEST or access to U S WEST's unbundled Network
Elements./19/
40.1.3 AT&T is responsible for bringing its own or leased facilities
to the U S WEST-designated Point of Interface ("POI"). U S
WEST will extend AT&T's facilities from the POI to the cable
vault within the wire center. If necessary, U S WEST may
bring the facilities into compliance with U S WEST internal
fire code standards and extend the facilities to the
collocated space.
40.1.4 AT&T will be provided two (2) points of entry into the U S
WEST wire center only when there are at least two (2)
existing entry points for U S WEST cable and when there are
vacant entrance ducts in both.
40.1.5 AT&T must identify what equipment will be installed, to allow
for U S WEST to use this information in engineering the
power, floor loading, heat release, environmental participant
level, and HVAC.
40.1.6 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency]
40.1.7 Expanded Interconnection Channel Termination (EICT).
Telecommunications interconnection between AT&T's collocated
equipment and U S WEST's network may be accomplished via an
Expanded Interconnection Channel Termination (EICT). This
element can be at the
______________________
/18/ Per UT AT&T Order, p. 7 and UT MCIm Order, pg. 10, Issue 32
/19/ MCI Order at pg. 2, "Issue 12," first sentence
Part A
▇▇-▇, ▇▇-▇, ▇▇-▇, or any other technically feasible level,
subject to network disclosure requirements of the FCC,
depending on the U S WEST service to which it is connected.
The terms and conditions of the tariff for EICT are
incorporated only to the extent that they are agreed to by the
Parties. Within ninety (90) days (or other acceptable time
agreed to by the Parties) after a request by AT&T, the Parties
will meet to review the tariff and seek resolution on
disagreed items. /20/
40.1.8 Consistent with U S WEST's internal practice, within ten (10)
Business Days of AT&T's request for any space, U S WEST shall
provide information available to it regarding the
environmental conditions of the space provided for placement
of equipment and interconnection, including, but not limited
to, the existence and condition of asbestos, lead paint,
hazardous substance contamination, or radon. Information is
considered "available" under this Agreement if it is in U S
WEST's possession or files, or the possession of an agent,
contractor, employee, lessor, or tenant of U S WEST's that
holds such information on U S WEST's behalf.
40.1.9 U S WEST shall allow AT&T to perform any environmental site
investigations, including, but not limited to, asbestos
surveys, which AT&T deems to be necessary in support of its
Collocation needs. AT&T shall advise U S WEST in writing of
its intent to conduct such investigation, and shall receive
written approval from U S WEST to proceed. AT&T shall
indemnify U S WEST according to Section 18 of Part A to this
Agreement for any loss or claim for damage suffered by U S
WEST as a result of AT&T's actions during any site inspection.
40.1.10 If the space provided for the placement of equipment,
interconnection, or provision of service contains
environmental contamination or hazardous material,
particularly, but not limited to, asbestos, lead paint or
radon, which makes the placement of such equipment or
interconnection hazardous, U S WEST shall offer an alternative
space, if available, for AT&T's consideration.
40.2 Virtual Collocation
40.2.1 U S WEST shall provide virtual collocation for the purpose of
Interconnection or access to unbundled Network Elements
subject to the rates, terms and conditions of this Agreement.
40.2.2 Upon mutual agreement, AT&T will have physical access to the U
S WEST wire center building pursuant to a virtual collocation
arrangement.
40.2.3 AT&T will be responsible for obtaining and providing to U S
WEST administrative codes, e.g., common language codes, for
all equipment specified by AT&T and installed in wire center
buildings.
_______________________
/20/ MCI Order at pp. 2-3, "Issue 12, second sentence. Supersedes UT Commission
Agreement, Att. 4, (S) 2.1.2
Part A
40.2.4 AT&T will be responsible for payment of training of U S WEST
employees for the maintenance, operation and installation of
AT&T's virtually collocated equipment when that equipment is
different than the equipment used by U S WEST. Training
conditions are further described in the Virtual Collocation
Rate Element section following.
40.2.5 AT&T will be responsible for payment of reasonable charges
incurred as a result of agreed upon maintenance and/or repair
of AT&T's virtually collocated equipment.
40.2.6 U S WEST does not guarantee the reliability of AT&T's
virtually collocated equipment, but U S WEST is responsible
for proper installation, maintenance and repair of such
equipment, including the change out of electronic cards
provided by AT&T.
40.2.7 AT&T is responsible for ensuring the functionality and
interoperability of virtually collocated SONET equipment
provided by different manufacturers.
40.2.8 AT&T, as ▇▇▇▇▇▇, will transfer possession of AT&T's virtually
collocated equipment to U S WEST, as bailee, for the sole
purpose of providing U S WEST with the ability to install,
maintain and repair AT&T's virtually collocated equipment.
Title to the AT&T virtually collocated equipment shall not
pass to U S WEST.
40.2.9 AT&T shall ensure that upon receipt by U S WEST of AT&T's
virtually collocated equipment, AT&T will make available all
access to ongoing technical support to U S WEST, as available
under the equipment warranty or other terms and conditions,
all at AT&T's expense. AT&T shall advise the manufacturer and
seller of the virtually collocated equipment that it will be
installed, maintained and repaired by U S WEST.
40.2.10 AT&T's virtually collocated equipment must comply with the
Bellcore Network Equipment Building System (NEBS) Generic
Equipment Requirements TR-NWT-000063, electromagnetic
compatibility (EMC) per GR-1089-CORE, Company wire center
environmental and transmission standards and any statutory
(local, state or federal) and/or regulatory requirements, all
of the foregoing which may be in effect at the time of
equipment installation or which may subsequently become
effective. AT&T shall provide U S WEST interface
specifications (e.g., electrical, functional, physical and
software) of AT&T's virtually collocated equipment.
40.2.11 AT&T must specify all software options and associated plug-ins
for its virtually collocated equipment.
40.2.12 AT&T is responsible for purchasing and maintaining a supply of
spares. Upon failure of the AT&T virtually collocated
equipment, AT&T is responsible for transportation and delivery
of maintenance spares to U S WEST at the wire center housing
the failed equipment.
40.2.13 Where AT&T is virtually collocated in a premises which was
initially prepared for virtual Collocation, AT&T may elect to
retain its virtual Collocation in that
Part A
premises and expand that virtual Collocation according to the
rates, terms and conditions of this Agreement.
40.3 Physical Collocation
40.3.1 U S WEST shall provide to AT&T physical collocation of
equipment necessary for Interconnection or for access to
unbundled Network Elements, except that U S WEST shall provide
for virtual collocation where space is available or expansion
or rearrangement is possible if U S WEST demonstrates to the
Commission that physical collocation is not practical for
technical reasons or because of space limitations, as provided
in Section 251(c)(6) of the Act./21/ AT&T shall pay a prorated
amount for expansion of said space. U S WEST shall provide
such collocation for the purpose of Interconnection or access
to unbundled Network Elements, except as otherwise mutually
agreed to in writing by the Parties or as required by the FCC
or the Commission subject to the rates, terms and conditions
of this Agreement.
40.3.1.1. U S WEST shall permit AT&T to use vendors for all
required engineering and installation services
associated with its collocated equipment which are
being collocated by AT&T pursuant to this
Agreement. Within one hundred and twenty (120) days
a request by AT&T, U S WEST and AT&T shall compose
and agree on a list of approved vendors and/or
agree on minimum qualifications for such
contractors consistent with industry standards,
such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld. In
the event such agreement cannot be reached and the
dispute resolution process outlined in Section 27
above has not concluded on the issue of approved
vendors, the list of approved vendors maintained by
U S WEST as of the Effective Date of this Agreement
shall be the default list until the conclusion of
the dispute resolution process.
40.3.2 Where AT&T is virtually collocated in a premises which was
initially prepared for virtual Collocation, AT&T may elect,
unless it is not practical for technical reasons or because of
space limitations, to convert its virtual Collocation to
physical Collocation at such premises in which case AT&T shall
coordinate the construction and rearrangement with U S WEST of
its equipment (IDLC and transmission) and circuits for which
AT&T shall pay U S WEST at applicable rates, and pursuant to
the other terms and conditions in this Agreement. In addition,
all applicable physical Collocation recurring charges shall
apply.
40.3.3 AT&T will be allowed access to the POI on non-discriminatory
terms. AT&T owns and is responsible for the installation,
maintenance and repair of its equipment located within the
space rented from U S WEST.
40.3.4 AT&T must use leased space as soon as reasonably possible and
in no event later than 60 (sixty) days from the completion of
construction of the
_____________________
/21/ MCI Order at pg. 10, Issue 31, first sentence
Part A
collocated space/22/, and may not warehouse space for later
use or sublease to another provider. Physical Collocation is
offered on a space-available, first-come, first-served basis.
/23/
40.3.5 The minimum standard leasable amount of floor space is one
hundred (100) square feet. AT&T must efficiently use the
leased space and no more than fifty percent (50%) of the floor
space may be used for storage cabinets and work surfaces. AT&T
and U S WEST may negotiate other storage arrangements on a
case-by-case basis. AT&T may store spares within its
collocated space.
40.3.6 AT&T's leased floor space will be separated from other
competitive providers and U S WEST space through cages or hard
walls. AT&T may elect to have U S WEST construct the cage, or
choose from U S WEST approved contractors to construct the
cage, meeting U S WEST's installation Technical Publication
77350. Any deviation to AT&T's request must be approved.
40.3.7 The following standard features will be provided by U S
WEST:
(a) Heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
(b) Smoke/fire detection and any other building code
requirement.
40.3.8 U S WEST Responsibilities
(a) Design the floor space within each location which will
constitute AT&T's leased space.
(b) Ensure that the necessary construction work is performed
on a timely basis to build AT&T's leased physical space
and the riser from the vault to the leased physical
space.
(c) Develop a quotation specific to AT&T's request.
(d) Extend U S WEST-provided and owned fiber optic cable,
from the POI through the cable vault and extend the
cable to AT&T's leased physical space or place the cable
in fire retardant tubing prior to extension to AT&T's
leased physical space.
(e) Installation and maintenance and all related activity
necessary to provide Channel Termination between U S
WEST's and AT&T's equipment.
(f) Work cooperatively with AT&T in matters of joint testing
and maintenance.
40.3.9 AT&T Responsibilities
(a) Determine the type of enclosure for the physical space.
________________________
/22/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 9
/23/ AT&T Order at p. 8, 1/st/ full paragraph
Part A
(b) Procure, install and maintain fiber optic facilities up
to the U S WEST designated POI.
(c) Provide for installation, maintenance, repair and
service of all AT&T's equipment located in the leased
physical space.
(d) Ensure that all equipment installed by AT&T complies
with Bellcore Network Equipment Building System Generic
Equipment requirements, U S WEST environmental and
transmission standards, and any statutory (local,
federal, or state) or regulatory requirements in effect
at the time of equipment installation or that
subsequently become effective.
40.3.10 The installation of any interconnection service will be
coordinated between the Parties so that AT&T may utilize
those services once AT&T has accepted its leased physical
space.
40.3.11 If, at any time, U S WEST reasonably determines that the
equipment or the installation does not meet standard
industry requirements, such failure being due to actions of
AT&T or its agents, AT&T will be responsible for the costs
associated with the removal, modification to, or
installation of the equipment to bring it into compliance.
If AT&T fails to correct any non-compliance within thirty
(30) calendar days or as soon as reasonably practical after
the receipt of written notice of non-compliance, U S WEST
may have the equipment removed or the condition corrected at
AT&T's expense.
40.3.12 If, during installation, U S WEST reasonably determines that
AT&T activities or equipment are unsafe, non-industry
standard or in violation of any applicable laws or
regulations, U S WEST has the right to stop work until the
situation is remedied. If such conditions pose an immediate
threat to the safety of personnel, interfere with the
performance of U S WEST's service obligations, or pose an
immediate threat to the physical integrity of the conduit
system or the cable facilities, U S WEST may perform such
work and/or take action as is necessary to correct the
condition at AT&T's expense.
40.3.13 U S WEST shall provide basic telephone service with a
connection ▇▇▇▇ as requested by AT&T from U S WEST for the
collocated space. Upon AT&T's request and following the
normal provisioning process, this service shall be available
at the AT&T collocated space on the day the space is turned
over to AT&T by U S WEST.
40.3.14 Where available, U S WEST shall provide access to eyewash
stations, bathrooms, and drinking water within the
collocated facility on a twenty-four (24) hours per day,
seven (7) days per week basis for AT&T personnel and its
designated agents.
40.3.15 U S WEST shall provide AT&T with written notice five (5)
Business Days prior to those instances where U S WEST or its
subcontractors may be performing work that could reasonably
potentially affect AT&T's service. U S WEST will make
reasonable efforts to inform AT&T by telephone of any
emergency related activity prior to the start of the
activity that U S WEST or its
Part A
subcontractors may be performing that could reasonably
potentially affect AT&T's service, so that AT&T can take any
action required to monitor or protect its service.
40.3.16 U S WEST shall provide information regarding the location,
type, and cable termination requirements (i.e., connector
type, number and type of pairs, and naming convention) for U
S WEST point of termination to AT&T within five (5) Business
Days of AT&T's acceptance of U S WEST's quote for collocated
space.
40.3.17 U S WEST shall provide the dimensions for AT&T outside plant
fiber ingress and egress into AT&T collocated space within
five (5) Business Days of AT&T's acceptance of U S WEST's
quote for collocated space.
40.3.18 U S WEST shall provide the sizes and number of power feeders
for the collocated space to AT&T within ten (10) Business
Days of AT&T's acceptance of U S WEST's quote for collocated
space.
40.3.19 U S WEST shall provide positive confirmation to AT&T when
construction of AT&T collocated space is fifty percent (50%)
completed. This confirmation shall also include confirmation
of the scheduled completion and turnover dates.
40.3.20 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency]
40.3.21 With the exception of Subparagraph (b) below, U S WEST shall
provide the following information to AT&T within five (5)
Business Days or as reasonably necessary upon receipt of a
written request from AT&T:
(a) additional work restriction guidelines.
(b) U S WEST or industry technical publication guidelines
that impact the design of U S WEST collocated equipment,
unless such documents are already in the possession of
AT&T. The following U S WEST Technical Publications
provide information regarding central office equipment
and collocation guidelines:
77350 Central Office Telecommunications Equipment
Installation and Removal Guidelines
77351 Central Office Telecommunications Equipment
Engineering Standards
77355 Grounding - Central Office and Remote
Equipment Environment
77386 Expanded Interconnection and Collocation
for Private Line Transport and Switched
Access Services
AT&T may obtain the above documents from:
▇▇▇▇▇▇ Office Products Company
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇., ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Part A
(▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
(c) appropriate U S WEST contacts (names and telephone numbers)
for the following areas:
Engineering
Physical & Logical Security
Provisioning
Billing
Operations
Site and Building Managers
Environmental and Safety
(d) escalation process for the U S WEST employees (names,
telephone numbers and the escalation order) for any
disputes or problems that might arise pursuant to AT&T's
collocation.
40.3.22 Power as referenced in this Agreement refers to any
electrical power source supplied by U S WEST for AT&T equipment.
U S WEST will supply power to support AT&T equipment at
equipment specific DC and AC voltages. At a minimum, U S WEST
shall supply power to AT&T at parity with that provided by U S
WEST to itself. If U S WEST performance, availability or
restoration falls below industry standards, U S WEST shall bring
itself into compliance with such industry standards as soon as
technologically feasible.
(a) Central office power supplied by U S WEST into the AT&T
equipment area, shall be supplied in the form of power
feeders (cables) on cable racking into the designated AT&T
equipment area. The power feeders (cables) shall
efficiently and economically support the requested quantity
and capacity of AT&T equipment. The termination location
shall be mutually agreed upon by the Parties.
(b) U S WEST power equipment supporting AT&T's equipment shall:
i. comply with applicable industry standards (e.g.,
Bellcore, NEBS, IEEE, UL, and NEC) or manufacturer's
equipment power requirement specifications for
equipment installation, cabling practices, and
physical equipment layout;
ii. have redundant power feeds with physical diversity and
battery back-up as required by the equipment
manufacturer's specifications for AT&T equipment, or,
at minimum, at parity with that provided for similar U
S WEST equipment at that location;
iii. provide central office ground, connected to a ground
electrode located within the AT&T collocated space, at
a level above the top of AT&T equipment plus or minus
two (2) feet to the left or right of AT&T's final
request;
Part A
iv. provide an installation sequence and access that will
allow installation efforts in parallel without
jeopardizing personnel safety or existing services of
either Party;
v. provide cabling that adheres to ▇▇▇▇ Communication
Research (Bellcore) Network Equipment-Building System
(NEBS) standards TR-EOP-000063;
vi. provide Lock Out-Tag Out and other electrical safety
procedures and devices in conformance with the most
stringent of OSHA or industry guidelines; and
vii. ensure that installed equipment meets Bellcore
specifications.
40.4 Collocation Rate Elements
40.4.1 Common Rate Elements
The following rate elements are common to both virtual and
physical collocation:
(a) Quote Preparation Fee. This covers the work involved in
developing a quotation for AT&T for the total costs involved
in its collocation request.
(b) Entrance Facility. Provides for fiber optic cable on a per
two (2) fiber increment basis from the point of
interconnection utilizing U S WEST owned, conventional
single mode type of fiber optic cable to the collocated
equipment (for virtual collocation) or to the leased space
(for physical collocation). Entrance facility includes
riser, fiber placement, entrance closure, conduit/innerduct,
and core drilling.
(c) Cable Splicing. Represents the labor and equipment to
perform a subsequent splice to the AT&T provided fiber optic
cable after the initial installation splice. Includes a
per-setup and a per-fiber-spliced rate elements.
(d) 48 Volt Power. Provides 48 volt power to the AT&T
collocated equipment. Charged on a per ampere basis.
(e) 48 Volt Power Cable. Provides for the transmission of -48
Volt DC power to the collocated equipment. It includes
engineering, furnishing and installing the main distribution
bay power breaker, associated power cable, cable rack and
local power bay to the closest power distribution bay. It
also includes the power cable (feeders) A and B from the
local power distribution bay to the leased physical space
(for physical collocation) or to the collocated equipment
(for virtual collocation).
(f) Inspector Labor. Provides for the U S WEST qualified
personnel necessary when AT&T requires access to the POI
after the initial installation or access to its physical
collocation floor space, where an
Part A
escort is required. A call-out of an inspector after
business hours is subject to a minimum charge of four (4)
hours. Maintenance Labor, Inspector Labor, Engineering Labor
and Equipment Labor business hours are considered to be
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and after
business hours are after 5:00 p.m. and before 8:00 a.m.,
Monday through Friday, all day Saturday, Sunday and
holidays.
(g) Expanded Interconnection Channel Regeneration. Required
when the distance from the leased physical space (for
physical collocation) or from the collocated equipment (for
virtual collocation) to the U S WEST network is of
sufficient length to require regeneration.
(h) U S WEST will provide external synchronization when
available.
(i) U S WEST will provide 20 hertz ringing supply when
available.
40.4.2 Physical Collocation Rate Elements
The following rate elements apply only to physical collocation
arrangements:
(a) Enclosure Buildout. The Enclosure Buildout element, either Cage or
Hardwall, includes the material and labor to construct the
enclosure specified by AT&T or AT&T may choose from U S WEST
approved contractors to construct the cage, meeting U S WEST's
installation Technical Publication 77350. It includes the enclosure
(cage or hardwall), air conditioning (to support AT&T loads
specified), lighting (not to exceed 2 ▇▇▇▇▇ per square foot), and
convenience outlets (3 per cage or the number required by building
code for the hardwall enclosure). Also provides for humidification,
if required. Pricing for Enclosure Buildout will be provided on an
individual basis due to the uniqueness of AT&T's requirements,
central office structure and arrangements.
(b) Floor Space Rental. This element provides for the rental of the
floor space provided to AT&T pursuant to a physical collocation
arrangement.
40.4.3 Virtual Collocation Rate Elements
The following rate elements apply only to virtual collocation
arrangements:
(a) Maintenance Labor. Provides for the labor
necessary for repair of out of service and/or service
affecting conditions and preventative maintenance of the
AT&T virtually collocated equipment. AT&T is responsible for
ordering maintenance spares. U S WEST will perform
maintenance and/or repair work upon receipt of the
replacement maintenance spare and/or equipment for AT&T. A
call-out of a maintenance technician after business hours is
subject to a minimum charge of four (4) hours. Maintenance
Labor, Inspector Labor, Engineering Labor and Equipment
Labor business hours are considered to be Monday through
Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and after business hours are
after 5:00 p.m. and before 8:00 a.m., Monday through Friday,
all day Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
Part A
(b) Training Labor. Provides for the billing of
vendor-provided training for U S WEST personnel on a
metropolitan service area basis, necessary for AT&T
virtually collocated equipment which is different from
equipment used by U S WEST. U S WEST will require three (3)
U S WEST employees to be trained per metropolitan service
area in which the AT&T virtually collocated equipment is
located. If, by an act of U S WEST, trained employees are
relocated, retired, or are no longer available, U S WEST
will not require AT&T to provide training for additional U S
WEST employees for the same virtually collocated equipment
in the same metropolitan area. Fifty percent (50%) of the
amount of training billed to AT&T will be refunded to AT&T,,
should a second collocator or U S WEST in the same
metropolitan area select the same virtually collocated
equipment as AT&T. The second collocator or U S WEST will be
charged one half of the original amount paid by AT&T for the
same metropolitan area.
(c) Equipment Bay. Provides mounting space for the AT&T
virtually collocated equipment. Each bay includes the seven
(7) foot bay, its installation, and all necessary
environmental supports. Mounting space on the bay,
including space for the fuse panel and air gaps necessary
for heat dissipation is limited to 78 inches. The monthly
rate is applied per shelf.
(d) Engineering Labor. Provides the planning and engineering of
the AT&T virtually collocated equipment at the time of
installation, change or removal.
(e) Installation Labor. Provides for the
installation, change or removal of the AT&T virtually
collocated equipment.
40.5 Collocation Installation Intervals
40.5.1 U S WEST shall have a period of thirty (30) calendar days
after receipt by AT&T of a Request for Collocation to provide
AT&T with a written quotation containing all nonrecurring charges
and fees for the requested collocation (the "Quotation
Preparation Period"). AT&T shall make payment of fifty percent
(50%) of the nonrecurring charges and fees upon acceptance of the
quotation ("Initial Payment") with the remainder due upon
completion of the construction. In the event AT&T disputes the
amount of U S WEST's proposed nonrecurring charges and fees, AT&T
shall deposit fifty percent (50%) of the nonrecurring charges and
fees into an interest bearing escrow account prior to the
commencement of construction ("Initial Deposit"). The remainder
of the nonrecurring charges and fees shall be deposited into the
escrow account upon completion of the construction. Upon
resolution of the dispute, the escrow agent shall distribute
amounts in the account in accordance with the resolution of such
dispute and any interest that has accrued with respect to amounts
in the account shall be distributed proportionately to the
Parties. U S WEST shall complete installation pursuant to the
AT&T Request for Collocation within a maximum of three (3) months
after the Initial Payment or Initial Deposit for physical or
virtual collocation.
Part A
If there is a dispute between U S WEST and AT&T regarding the
amount of any nonrecurring charges and fees, such dispute shall
be resolved in accordance with Section 27 above. The pendency of
any such dispute shall not affect the obligation of U S WEST to
complete collocation within the installation intervals described
above.
41. Technical References - Collocation
Subject to Sections 1.3.1 and 1.3.2 of this Part A of this Agreement, U S WEST
shall provide collocation in accordance with the following standards:
41.1 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Standard 383, IEEE Standard for Type Test of Class 1 E Electric
Cables, Field Splices, and Connections for Nuclear Power Generating
Stations;
41.2 National Electrical Code (NEC), use most recent issue;
41.3 TA-NPL-000286, NEBS Generic Engineering Requirements for System
Assembly and Cable Distribution, Issue 2 (Bellcore, January 1989);
41.4 ▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Equipment-Building System (NEBS) Generic
Equipment Requirements, Issue 3, March 1988;
41.5 ▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Requirements for 24-, 48-, 130-, and
140- Volt Central Office Power Plant Rectifiers, Issue 1 (Bellcore,
May 1985);
41.6 ▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Requirements for Lead-Acid Storage
Batteries, Issue 1 (Bellcore, June 1985);
41.7 TR-NWT-000154, Generic Requirements for 24-, 48-, 130, and 140-
Volt Central Office Power Plant Control and Distribution Equipment,
Issue 2 (Bellcore, January 1992);
41.8 TR-NWT-000295, Isolated Ground Planes: Definition and
Application to Telephone Central Offices, Issue 2 (Bellcore, July
1992) ;
41.9 TR-NWT-000840, Supplier Support Generic Requirements (SSGR), (A
Module of LSSGR, FR-NWT-000064), Issue 1 (Bellcore, December 1991);
41.10 TR-NWT-001275 Central Office Environment Installations/Removal
Generic Requirements, Issue 1, January 1993; and
41.11 Underwriters' Laboratories Standard, UL 94.
42. Number Portability
42.1 Interim Number Portability (INP)
42.1.1 General Terms
Part A
(a) The Parties shall provide Interim Number Portability (INP)
on a reciprocal basis to the extent technically feasible.
(b) Until permanent number portability is implemented
by the industry pursuant to regulations issued by the FCC or
the Commission, the Parties agree to provide INP to each other
through Remote Call Forwarding, Direct Inward Dialing, or other
appropriate means as agreed to by the Parties.
(c) Once permanent number portability is implemented
pursuant to FCC or Commission regulation, either Party may
withdraw, at any time and at its sole discretion, its INP
offerings, subject to advance notice to the other Party with
sufficient time to allow for coordination to allow the seamless
and transparent conversion of INP Customer numbers to permanent
number portability. Upon implementation of permanent number
portability pursuant to FCC regulations, both Parties agree to
conform and provide such permanent number portability. The
Parties agree to expeditiously convert Customers from interim
number portability to permanent number portability, provided
that the interim service is not removed until the Customer has
been converted.
(d) U S WEST will update and maintain its Line
Information Database ("LIDB") listings for numbers retained by
AT&T and its Customer, and restrict or cancel calling cards
associated with these forwarded numbers as directed by AT&T.
Further, U S WEST will not block third party and collect calls
to those numbers unless requested by AT&T.
(e) The ordering Party shall specify, on a per telephone number
basis, which method of INP is to be employed and the providing
Party shall provide such method to the extent technically
feasible.
(f) Where either Party has activated an entire NXX, or activated a
substantial portion of an NXX with the remaining numbers in
that NXX either reserved for future use or otherwise unused, if
these Customer(s) choose to receive service from the other
Party, the first Party shall cooperate with the second Party to
have the entire NXX reassigned in the LERG (and associated
industry databases, routing tables, etc.) to an End Office
operated by the second Party. Such transfer will be
accomplished with appropriate coordination between the Parties
and subject to appropriate industry lead-times for movement of
NXXs from one switch to another.
42.1.2 Description Of Service
(a) Interim Number Portability Service ("INP") is a
service arrangement that can be provided by U S WEST to AT&T or
by AT&T to U S WEST.
Part A
(b) INP applies to those situations where an end-user
Customer elects to change service providers, and such Customer
also wishes to retain its existing or reserved telephone
number(s). INP consists of providing the capability to route
calls placed to telephone numbers assigned to one Party's
switches to another Party's switches.
(c) INP is available as INP-Remote Call Forwarding
("INP-RCF") permitting a call to a U S WEST assigned telephone
number to be translated to AT&T's dialable local number. AT&T
may terminate the call as desired. Additional capacity for
simultaneous call forwarding is available where technically
feasible on a per path basis. AT&T will need to specify the
number of simultaneous calls to be forwarded for each number
ported.
(d) DID is another INP method that makes use of direct
inward dialing trunks. Each DID trunk group used for INP is
dedicated to carrying DID INP traffic between the U S WEST end
office and the AT&T switch. Traffic on these trunks cannot
overflow to other trunks, so the number of trunks shall be
conservatively engineered by U S WEST. Also, inter-switch
signaling is usually limited to multi-frequency (MF). This
precludes passing Calling Line ID to the AT&T switch.
(e) RI-PH will route a dialed call to the U S WEST
switch associated with the NXX of the dialed number. The U S
WEST switch shall then insert a prefix onto the dialed number
which identifies how the call is to be routed to AT&T. The
prefixed dialed number is transmitted to the U S WEST tandem
switch to which AT&T is connected. Route indexing is only
available with seven (7) digit local dialing.
(f) The prefix is removed by the operation of the
tandem switch and the dialed number is routed to AT&T's switch
so the routing of the call can be completed by AT&T.
i. DN-RI is a form of RI-PH that requires
direct trunking between the U S WEST switch to which the
ported number was originally assigned and the AT&T switch
to which the number has been ported. The U S WEST switch
shall send the originally dialed number to the AT&T switch
without a prefix.
ii. U S WEST shall provide RI-PH or DN-RI on
an individual telephone number basis, as designated by
AT&T. Where technically feasible, calls to ported numbers
are first directed to the AT&T switch over direct trunks
but may overflow to tandem trunks if all trunks in the
direct group are occupied.
iii. For both RI-PH and DN-RI the trunks used may, at
AT&T's option, be the same as those used for exchange of
other local traffic with
Part A
U S WEST. At AT&T's option, the trunks shall employ SS7
or in band signaling and may be one way or two way.
(g) INP is subject to the following restrictions:
i. An INP telephone number may be assigned
by AT&T only to AT&T's Customers located within U S
WEST's local calling area and toll rating area that is
associated with the NXX of the ported number. This is
to prevent the possibility of Customers using number
portability to extend the local calling area.
ii. INP is applicable only if AT&T is
engaged in a reciprocal traffic exchange arrangement
with U S WEST.
iii. INP is not offered for NXX Codes 555,
976, 960 and 1+ sent-paid telephones, and Service
Access Codes (i.e., 500, 700, 800/888, 900). INP is not
available for FGA seven-digit numbers (including
foreign exchange (FEX), FX and FX/ONAL and foreign
Central Office service). Furthermore, INP numbers may
only be used consistent with network efficiency and
integrity, i.e., inhibitions on mass calling events.
iv. The ported telephone number will be
returned to the switch which originally had the ported
number when the ported service is disconnected. The
normal intercept announcement will be provided by the
porting company for the period of time until the
telephone number is reassigned.
v. Within thirty (30) days after a request
by AT&T, U S WEST shall provide AT&T a list of those
features that are not available for INP telephone
numbers due to technical limitations.
42.1.3 Ordering and Maintenance
(a) AT&T is responsible for all direct
interactions with AT&T's end users with respect to ordering and
maintenance.
(b) U S WEST shall exchange with AT&T SS7 TCAP
messages as required for the implementation of Custom Local Area
Signaling Services (CLASS) or other features available in the
U S WEST network.
Part A
(c) Each Parties' designated INP switch must
return answer and disconnect supervision to the other Party's
switch.
(d) U S WEST shall disclose to AT&T any technical or capacity
limitations that would prevent use of a requested INP in a
particular switching office.
(e) The Parties will develop and implement an
efficient deployment process to ensure call routing integrity
for toll and local calls, with the objective to eliminate
Customer downtime.
(f) For INP, AT&T shall have the right to use the
existing U S WEST 911 infrastructure for all 911 capabilities.
When RCF is used for AT&T subscribers, both the ported numbers
and shadow numbers shall be stored in the ALI databases. AT&T
shall have the right to verify the accuracy of the information
in the ALI databases via direct connection to the SCC ALI
database pursuant to the same process and procedures SCC makes
available to U S WEST.
42.2 Permanent Number Portability (PNP)
42.2.1 Upon implementation of Permanent Number Portability
(PNP) pursuant to FCC regulations, both Parties agree to conform
and provide such Permanent Number Portability. To the extent
consistent with the FCC rules as amended from time to time, the
requirements for PNP shall include the following:
42.2.2 Subscribers must be able to change local service
providers and retain the same telephone number(s) consistent with
FCC rules and regulations.
42.2.3 The PNP network architecture shall not subject alternate local
exchange carriers to any degradation of service compared to U S
WEST in any relevant measure, including transmission quality,
switching and transport costs, increased call set-up time and
post-dial delay, and AT&T shall not be required to rely on the U
S WEST network for calls completing to its ported Customers.
42.2.4 When an office is equipped with PNP, in accordance with the
procedures specified by the North American Numbering Council, the
NXXs in the office shall be defined as portable and translations
will be changed in the Parties' switches to open those NXXs for
database queries.
42.2.5 When an NXX is defined as portable, it shall also be defined
as portable in all PNP-capable offices which have direct trunks
to the given switch.
42.2.6. Upon introduction of PNP in a Metropolitan
Statistical Area ("MSA"), the applicable switches will be
converted according to a published
Part A
schedule with no unreasonable delay. All portable NXXs shall be
recognized as portable, with queries launched from these
switches.
42.2.7 Prior to implementation of PNP, the Parties agree to
develop, implement, and maintain efficient methods to maintain
911 database integrity when a subscriber ports to another service
provider. The Parties agree that the Customer should not be
dropped from the 911 database during the transition.
42.2.8 When a subscriber ports to another service provider and has
previously secured a reservation of line numbers from the donor
provider for possible activation at some future point, these
reserved but inactive numbers shall "port" along with the active
numbers being ported by the subscriber. So long as AT&T
maintains the reserved numbers, U S WEST shall not reassign said
numbers. The Parties will allocate the revenue generated from
number reservations in accordance with a schedule to be mutually
agreed upon by the Parties within ninety (90) days after a
request by AT&T. U S WEST shall provide AT&T the ability to
reserve numbers.
42.2.9 During the process of porting a subscriber, the
donor service provider shall implement the 10-Digit trigger
feature, when the technology is made available in each switch in
accordance with the schedules adopted by the FCC. When the donor
provider receives the porting request, the unconditional trigger
shall be applied to the subscriber's line at the time that has
been agreed to via the Western Region LNP Operations Guidelines
in order to overcome donor network time delays in the
disconnection of the subscriber. Alternatively, when an
activation notice is sent to an NPAC to trigger a broadcast to
service provider databases, the donor switch shall have its
translations changed to disconnect the subscriber's line within
thirty (30) minutes or less after the donor network Local SMS's
has received the broadcast. Porting requests that require
coordination between service providers, in accordance with the
guidelines, will be handled on a case-by-case basis and will not
be covered by the above./24/
42.2.10 Both AT&T and U S WEST shall:
(a) support all emergency and Operator Services.
(b) use scarce numbering resources efficiently and
administer such resources in a competitively neutral manner.
(c) jointly cooperate with each other to provide the
information necessary to rate and ▇▇▇▇ all types of calls.
(d) jointly cooperate with each other to apply PNP consistently
on a nationwide basis, and in accordance with all FCC
directives.
42.2.11 A ten-digit code, consistent with the North American
Numbering Plan, shall be used as a network address for each
switch that terminates subscriber lines, i.e., an end office.
This address shall support existing six-digit routing and may be
--------------------------------
/24/ MCI Order at pg. 3, Issue 13 and as subsequently agreed by the Parties
Part A
implemented without changes to existing switch routing
algorithms. In existing end offices, this address shall be
selected from one of its existing NPA-NXXs. New end offices
shall be assigned an address through normal administrative
processes.
42.2.12 PNP employs an "N-1" (N minus 1) Query Strategy for interLATA
or intraLATA toll calls, by which the originating carrier
will pass the call to the appropriate toll carrier who will
perform a query to an external routing database and
efficiently route the call to the appropriate terminating
local carrier either directly or through an access tandem
office.
42.2.13 U S WEST shall furnish AT&T with the first six (6) digits of
the originating address when it supplies AT&T with the
Jurisdiction Information Parameter for the originating
address message.
42.2.14 U S WEST agrees to begin the introduction of PNP to end user
subscribers who may begin changing local service providers
and retaining their existing telephone number based on the
time line set out by the FCC in its Telephone Number
Portability Order (CC Docket No. 95-116), or in accordance
with a Commission order if such time for introduction of PNP
set by the Commission is earlier than would result under the
FCC Order.
42.2.15 The generic requirements for the PNP alternative will be
implemented in accordance with industry standard
specifications.
42.2.16 For a local call to a ported number, the originating carrier
is the "N-1" carrier. It will perform an external database
query as soon as the call reaches the first PNP-capable
switch in the call path and pass the call to the appropriate
terminating carrier. A PNP-capable originating switch shall
query on a local call to a portable NXX as soon as it
determines that it (the originating switch) does not serve
the dialed number.
42.2.17 U S WEST shall be the default carrier for
database queries where AT&T is unable to perform its own
query due to abnormal conditions. AT&T shall be the default
carrier for database queries where U S WEST is unable to
perform its own query due to abnormal conditions.
42.2.18 U S WEST will provide AT&T PNP for subscribers moving to a
different location, or staying at the same location, within
the same rate center area.
42.2.19 U S WEST will work cooperatively with other
local service providers to establish the Western Region
Number Portability Administration Center/Service Management
System (SMS). The SMS shall be administered by a neutral
third party to provide for the efficient porting of numbers
between carriers. There must be one (1) exclusive NPAC per
portability State or region,
Part A
and U S WEST shall provide all information uploads and
downloads regarding ported numbers to/from, respectively,
the exclusive NPAC. U S WEST and AT&T shall cooperate to
facilitate the expeditious deployment of PNP through the
process prescribed by the FCC, including, but not limited
to, participation in the selection of a neutral third party
and development of SMS, as well as SMS testing for effective
procedures, electronic system interfaces, and overall
readiness for use consistent with that specified for
provisioning in this Agreement.
42.3 Requirements for INP and NP
42.3.1 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency]
42.3.2 Cut-Over Process
The Parties shall cooperate in the process of
porting numbers from one carrier to another so as to limit
service outage for the ported subscriber. This shall
include, but not be limited to, each Party updating its
respective network element translations within fifteen (15)
minutes following notification by the industry SMS, or
ported-to local service provider, and deploying such
temporary translations as may be required to minimize
service outage, e.g., unconditional triggers. In addition,
AT&T shall have the right to determine who initiates the
order for INP in specific cut-over situations. The time
frames in this paragraph shall be pursuant to Generic
Requirements for SCP Application and GTT Function for Number
Portability, Issue 0.99, January 6, 1997 and subsequent
versions which may be adopted from time to time. The Parties
shall cooperate to review and, if necessary, adjust the
above time frame based on their actual experiences./25/
42.3.3 Testing
U S WEST and AT&T shall cooperate in
conducting AT&T's testing to ensure interconnectivity
between systems. U S WEST shall inform AT&T of any system
updates that may affect the AT&T network and U S WEST shall,
at AT&T's request, perform tests to validate the operation
of the network. Additional testing requirements may apply as
specified by this Agreement.
42.3.4 Engineering and Maintenance
(a) U S WEST and AT&T will cooperate
to ensure that performance of trunking and signaling
capacity is engineered and managed at levels which are
at least the same level of service as provided by U S
WEST to its subscribers and to ensure effective
maintenance testing through activities such as routine
testing practices, network trouble isolation processes
and review of operational elements for translations,
routing and network fault isolation.
_____________________________________
/25/ MCI Order at pg. 3, Issue 13
Part A
(b) Additional specific engineering
and maintenance requirements shall apply as specified
in this Agreement.
42.3.5 Recording and Billing
The Parties shall provide each other with
accurate billing and subscriber account record exchange data
necessary for billing their subscribers whose numbers have
been ported.
42.3.6 Operator Services and Directory Assistance
With respect to Operator Services and
Directory Assistance associated with NP for AT&T
subscribers, U S WEST shall provide the following:
(a) While INP is deployed and prior to conversion to PNP:
i. The Parties acknowledge that technology, as of the
Effective Date of this Agreement, does not permit
the provision of BLV/BLI to ported numbers. When
such becomes available in the U S WEST network,
such technology shall be made available to AT&T.
ii. U S WEST shall allow AT&T to order provisioning of
Telephone Line Number (TLN) calling cards and
Billed Number Screening (BNS), in its LIDB, for
ported numbers, as specified by AT&T. U S WEST
shall continue to allow AT&T access to its LIDB.
Other LIDB provisions are specified in this
Agreement.
iii. Where U S WEST has control of directory listings
for NXX codes containing ported numbers, U S WEST
shall maintain entries for ported numbers as
specified by AT&T in accordance with the Listings
Section of this Agreement.
(b) When PNP is in place:
i. The provisions in Section 42.3.6 preceding, shall
apply when PNP is in place.
ii. If Integrated Services Digital Network User Part
(ISUP) signaling is used, U S WEST shall provide
the Jurisdiction Information Parameter in the SS7
Initial Address Message. (See Generic Switching
and Signaling Requirements for Number Portability,
Issue 1.0, February 12, 1996 (Editor - Lucent
Technologies, Inc.)).
iii. The Parties shall provide, when received from the
NPAC, a 10-Digit Global Title Translation (GTT)
Node for routing queries for TCAP-based Operator
Services (e.g., LIDB). The acquiring company will
provide the GTT to the NPAC. The NPAC will
distribute this information to the donor company
and all other parties.
iv. U S WEST OSS shall meet all requirements specified
in "Generic Operator Services Switching
Requirements for Number Portability," Issue 1.1,
June 20, 1996, as updated from time to time.
43. Dialing Parity
43.1 The Parties shall provide dialing parity to each other as required
under Section 251(b)(3) of the Act or state law or regulation as
appropriate.
43.2 U S WEST shall ensure that all AT&T Customers experience the same
dialing parity as similarly-situated Customers of U S WEST services,
such that, for example, for all call types: (a) an AT&T Customer is
not required to dial any greater number of digits than a similarly-
situated U S WEST Customer; and (b) the AT&T Customer may retain its
local telephone number, so long as the Customer continues receiving
service in the same central office serving area.
44. Directory Listings
44.1 Directory Listings General Requirements
44.1.1 This Section 44 pertains to Directory Listings requirements
for the appearance of AT&T end user directory listings in
Directory Assistance service or directory product.
44.1.2 U S WEST shall include in its master directory listing
database all list information for AT&T Customers.
44.1.3 U S WEST shall not sell or license, nor allow any third party,
the use of AT&T Customer Listings without the prior written
consent of AT&T. U S WEST shall not disclose nor allow any
third party to disclose non-listed name or address information
for any purpose other than what may be necessary to complete
directory distribution.
44.1.4 AT&T Customer listings in the U S WEST Directory Assistance
database and directory listing database shall be co-mingled
with listings of U S WEST and other CLEC Customers./26/
44.1.5 Each AT&T Customer Primary Listing shall be provided, at no
charge, the same white page listings that U S WEST provides
its Customers./27/
44.1.6 Each AT&T business Customer Primary Listing shall be provided,
at no charge, the same yellow page classified courtesy
listings that U S WEST provides its Customers./28/
______________________________
/26/ MCI Order at pg. 11, Issue 36, first paragraph - third sentence and second
paragraph - first and second sentences.
/27/ MCI Order at pg. 11, Issue 36, first paragraph - first sentence
/28/ MCI Order at pg. 11, Issue 36, first paragraph - first sentence
Part A
44.1.7 U S WEST shall also ensure that its directory publisher
publishes all types of listings for AT&T Customers that are
available to U S WEST Customers under the same terms, and
conditions, including, but not limited to:/29/
(a) Foreign listings
(b) Reference listings
(c) Information listings
(d) Alternate call listings
(e) Multi-line listings
(f) Multi-line/Multi-owner listings
44.1.8 AT&T end user listings properly identified by AT&T as State,
Local, and Federal government listings shall be appropriately
coded in the U S WEST Directory Listing database. U S WEST
will provide government code information to AT&T.
44.1.9 The listing and handling of AT&T listed and non-listed
telephone numbers shall be at least at parity with that
provided by U S WEST to its own Customers, including AT&T
customers who have ported telephone numbers from U S WEST.
44.1.10 U S WEST shall ensure that its directory publisher publishes
AT&T sales, service, billing, and repair information for
business and residential Customers, along with the AT&T logo
in the customer information/guide pages of each directory at
no charge to AT&T./30/
44.1.11 U S WEST is responsible for maintaining Listings, including
entering, changing, correcting, rearranging and removing
Listings in accordance with AT&T orders. Upon request, and at
least one (1) month prior to a given white page directory
close, a method of reviewing and correcting Listings will be
provided.
44.1.12 AT&T shall receive commissions from U S WEST's directory
publisher by all compensation generated by such advertising at
the same rate paid, if any, to U S WEST or any of its
Affiliates as specified in the directory publishing agreement
between U S WEST and U S WEST Dex and any other Affiliate or
in any other written agreement./31/
44.1.13 U S WEST will permit AT&T Customers to place orders for
Premium Listings and privacy listings. AT&T will be charged
for Premium Listings and privacy listings at U S WEST's
general exchange tariff rates less the wholesale discount
rate. The Premium and privacy listing charges will be billed
to AT&T and itemized at the telephone number sub-account
level.
44.1.14 U S WEST shall ensure a third party distributes
appropriate alphabetical and classified directories (white and
yellow pages) and recycling services to AT&T Customers at
parity with U S WEST end users, including providing
______________________________
/29/ MCI Order at pg. 11, Issue 36, first paragraph - second sentence
/30/ MCI Order at pg. 11, Issue 36, third paragraph
/31/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 10
directories, a) upon establishment of new service; b) during
annual mass distribution; and c) upon Customer request.
44.1.15 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency.]/32/
44.1.16 U S WEST will provide the option of having CENTREX users
listed when AT&T purchases CENTREX type services for resale.
44.1.17 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency.]/33/
44.2 Scope
44.2 Scope
44.2.1 AT&T grants U S WEST a non-exclusive license to incorporate
Listings information into its Directory Assistance database.
AT&T shall select one of two options for U S WEST's use of
Listings and dissemination of Listings to third parties.
EITHER:
(a) Treat the same as U S WEST's end user listings - No prior
authorization is needed for U S WEST to release Listings
to directory publishers or other third parties. U S WEST
will incorporate Listings information in all existing and
future Directory Assistance applications developed by U S
WEST. AT&T authorizes U S WEST to sell and otherwise make
Listings available to directory publishers.. Listings
shall not be provided or sold in such a manner as to
segregate end users by carrier.
OR:
(b) Restrict to U S WEST's Directory Assistance Services --
Prior authorization required from AT&T for all other
uses. AT&T makes its own, separate agreements with U S
WEST, third Parties and directory publishers for all uses
of its listings beyond Directory Assistance. U S WEST
will sell or provide Listings to directory publishers
(including U S WEST's publisher affiliate) or other third
Parties only after the third party presents proof of
AT&T's authorization. Listings shall not be provided or
sold in such a manner as to segregate end users by
carrier.
__________________________________
/32/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 11
/33/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 12
Part A
(c) U S WEST shall be entitled to retain all revenue
associated with any sales pursuant to subparagraphs (a)
and (b) above./34/
44.3 U S WEST will take reasonable steps in accordance with
industry practices to accommodate non-published and non-listed
Listings provided that AT&T has supplied U S WEST the
necessary privacy indicators on such Listings.
44.4 AT&T Responsibilities
44.4.1 AT&T agrees to provide to U S WEST its end user names,
addresses and telephone numbers in a standard mechanized
format, as utilized by U S WEST.
44.4.2 AT&T will supply its ACNA/CIC or CLCC/OCN, as appropriate,
with each order to provide U S WEST the means of identifying
listings ownership.
44.4.3 AT&T represents the end user information provided to U S WEST
is accurate and correct. AT&T further represents that it has
reviewed all listings provided to U S WEST, including end user
requested restrictions on use such as non-published and non-
listed.
44.4.4 AT&T is responsible for dealings with, and on behalf of,
AT&T's end users on the following subjects:
a) All end user account activity, e.g., end user queries and
complaints.
b) All account maintenance activity, e.g., additions,
changes, issuance of orders for Listings to U S WEST.
a) Determining privacy requirements and accurately coding the
privacy indicators for AT&T's end user information. If end
user information provided by AT&T to U S WEST does not
contain a privacy indicator, no privacy restrictions will
apply.
45. [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency.]
46. U S WEST Dex Issues
46.1 U S WEST and AT&T agree that certain issues, such as yellow page
advertising, directory distribution, access to call guide pages, and
yellow page listings, will be the subject of negotiations between AT&T
and directory publishers. U S WEST acknowledges that AT&T may request U S
WEST to facilitate discussions between AT&T and U S WEST Dex./35/
___________________________________
/34/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 13
/35/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 13
47. Access to Poles, Ducts, Conduits, and Rights of Way
47.1 Each Party shall provide the other Party nondiscriminatory access to
poles, ducts, rights-of-way and conduits it controls on terms,
conditions and prices as described herein. While the language in
Section 47 describes the provision of poles, ducts, rights-of-way and
conduits by U S WEST to AT&T, the language in this Section shall apply
reciprocally to the provision of poles, ducts, rights-of-way and
conduits by AT&T to U S WEST on terms, conditions and prices
comparable to those described herein./36/
47.2 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency]
47.3 Definitions
"Poles, ducts, conduits and ROW" refer to all the physical facilities
and legal rights which provide for access to pathways across public
and private property. These include poles, pole attachments, ducts,
innerducts, conduits, building entrance facilities, building entrance
links, equipment rooms, remote terminals, cable vaults, telephone
closets, building risers, rights-of- way, or any other requirements
needed to create pathways. These pathways may run over, under, across
or through streets, traverse private property, or enter multi-unit
buildings. A Right-of-Way ("ROW") is the right to use the land or
other property owned, leased, or controlled by any means by U S WEST
to place poles, ducts, conduits and ROW or to provide passage to
access such poles, ducts, conduits and ROW. A ROW may run under, on,
or above public or private property (including air space above public
or private property) and shall include the right to use discrete space
in buildings, building complexes, or other locations.
47.4 Requirements
47.4.1 U S WEST shall make poles, duct, conduits and ROW available to
AT&T upon receipt of a request for use within the time periods
provided in this Section, providing all information necessary
to implement such use and containing rates, terms and
conditions, including, but not limited to, maintenance and use
in accordance with this Agreement and at least equal to those
which it affords itself, its Affiliates and others. Other
users of these facilities, including U S WEST, shall not
interfere with the availability or use of the facilities by
AT&T.
47.4.2 Within ten (10) Business Days of AT&T's request for specific
poles, ducts, conduits, or ROW, U S WEST shall provide any
information in its possession or available to it regarding the
environmental conditions of such requested poles, ducts,
conduits or ROW route or location including, but not limited
to, the existence and condition of asbestos, lead paint,
hazardous substance contamination, or radon. Information is
considered "available" under this Agreement if it is in U S
WEST's possession or files, or the possession of an agent,
contractor, employee, lessor, or tenant of U S WEST's that
holds such information on U S WEST's behalf. If the poles,
ducts, conduits or ROW contain
/36/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 16
Part A
such environmental contamination, making the placement of
equipment hazardous, U S WEST shall offer alternative poles,
ducts, conduits or ROW for AT&T's consideration. U S WEST shall
allow AT&T to perform any environmental site investigations,
including, but not limited to, Phase I and Phase II environmental
site assessments, as AT&T may deem to be necessary.
47.4.3 U S WEST shall not prevent or delay any third party assignment
of ROW to AT&T.
U S WEST shall offer the use of such poles, ducts, conduits and
ROW it has obtained from a third party to AT&T, to the extent
such agreement does not prohibit U S WEST from granting such
rights to AT&T. They shall be offered to AT&T on the same terms
as are offered to U S WEST. AT&T shall reimburse U S WEST for U S
WEST's reasonable costs, if any, incurred as a result of the
exercise of its eminent domain authority on behalf of AT&T in
accordance with the provisions of this paragraph.
47.4.5 U S WEST shall provide AT&T equal and non-discriminatory access
to poles, ducts, conduit and ROW and any other pathways on terms
and conditions equal to that provided by U S WEST to itself or to
any other Person. Further, U S WEST shall not preclude or delay
allocation of these facilities to AT&T because of the potential
needs of itself or of other Person, except a maintenance spare
may be retained as described below.
47.4.6 U S WEST shall not attach, or permit other entities to attach
facilities on, within or overlashed to existing AT&T facilities
without AT&T's prior written consent.
47.4.7 U S WEST and AT&T agree to provide current detailed engineering
and other plant records and drawings for specific requests for
poles, ducts, conduit and ROW, including facility route maps at a
city level, and the fees and expenses incurred in providing such
records and drawings on the earlier of twenty (20) Business Days
from the date of request or the time within which U S WEST
provides this information to itself or any other Person. Such
information shall be of equal type and quality as that which is
available to U S WEST's or AT&T's own engineering and operations
staff. Either Party shall also allow personnel designated by the
other Party to jointly examine, at no cost to the other Party for
such personnel, such engineering records and drawings for a
specific local routing at Central Offices and engineering offices
upon ten (10) days' written notice. U S WEST and AT&T acknowledge
that the request for information and the subject matter related
to the request made under this Section shall be treated as
Proprietary Information./37/
47.4.8 U S WEST shall provide to AT&T a Single Point of Contact for
negotiating all structure lease and ROW arrangements.
47.4.9 U S WEST shall provide information regarding the availability and
condition of poles, ducts, conduit and ROW within five (5)
Business Days of AT&T's request if
______________________________________
/37/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 18
the information then exists in U S WEST's records (a records
based answer) and within twenty (20) Business Days of AT&T's
request if U S WEST must physically examine the poles, ducts,
conduits and ROW (a field based answer) ("Request"). AT&T shall
have the option to be present at the field based survey and U S
WEST shall provide AT&T at least twenty-four (24) hours' notice
prior to the start of such field survey. During and after this
period, U S WEST shall allow AT&T personnel to enter manholes and
equipment spaces and view pole structures to inspect such
structures in order to confirm usability or assess the condition
of the structure. U S WEST shall send AT&T a written notice
confirming availability pursuant to the Request within such
twenty (20) day period ("Confirmation").
47.4.10 For the period beginning at the time of the Request and ending
ninety (90) days following Confirmation, either U S WEST or AT&T
shall reserve such poles, ducts, conduit and ROW for the other
Party and shall not allow any use thereof by any third Party,
including the Party providing Confirmation. The Party requesting
access shall elect whether or not to accept such poles, ducts,
conduit and ROW within the ninety (90) day period following
Confirmation. AT&T or U S WEST may accept such facilities by
sending written notice to the Party providing Confirmation
("Acceptance")./38/
47.4.11 Reservation. After Acceptance by AT&T, AT&T shall have six (6)
months to begin attachment and/or installation of its facilities
to the poles, ducts, conduit and ROW or request U S WEST to begin
make ready or other construction activities. Any such
construction, installation or make ready by AT&T shall be
completed by the end of one (1) year after Acceptance. AT&T shall
not be in default of the 6-month or 1-year requirement above if
such default is caused in any way by any action, inaction or
delay on the part of U S WEST or its Affiliates or subsidiaries.
47.4.12 Make Ready. U S WEST shall rearrange, modify and/or make ready
existing poles, ducts, conduit and ROW where necessary and
feasible to provide space for AT&T's requirements. Subject to the
requirements above, the Parties shall endeavor to mutually agree
upon the time frame for the completion of such work within five
(5) days following AT&T's request; provided, however, that any
such work required to be performed by U S WEST shall be completed
within sixty (60) days or a reasonable period of time based on
standard construction intervals in the industry, unless otherwise
agreed by AT&T in writing.
47.4.13 New Construction. After Acceptance, U S WEST shall complete any
new construction, relocation or installation of poles, ducts,
conduits or ROW required to be performed by U S WEST or any U S
WEST construction, relocation or installation requested by AT&T
within a reasonable period of time based on standard construction
intervals in the industry or sixty (60) days after obtaining all
governmental authority or permits necessary to complete such
construction, relocation or installation. If U S WEST anticipates
that construction, relocation or installation will go beyond
standard industry intervals or the sixty (60) day period, U S
WEST shall immediately notify AT&T and the Parties shall mutually
agree on a completion date.
______________________________________
/38/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 19
Part A
47.4.14 AT&T shall begin payment for the use of newly constructed
poles, ducts, conduit, and ROW upon completion of such
construction and installation and confirmation by appropriate
testing methods that the facilities are in a condition ready
to operate in AT&T's network or upon use (other than for
testing) by AT&T, whichever is earlier.
47.4.15 AT&T shall make payment for construction, relocation,
rearrangements, modifications and make ready in accordance
with Section 3.5 of Attachment 1 of this Agreement.
47.4.16 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency]
47.4.17 AT&T may, at its option, install its facilities on poles,
ducts, conduit and ROW and use AT&T or AT&T designated
personnel to attach its equipment to such U S WEST poles,
ducts, conduits and ROW.
47.4.18 If available, U S WEST shall provide AT&T space in manholes
for racking and storage of cable and other materials as
requested by AT&T.
47.4.19 U S WEST shall rearrange, modify and/or make ready any conduit
system or poles with retired cable by removing such retired
cable from conduit systems or poles to allow for the efficient
use of conduit space and pole space. Before denying access
based on a lack of capacity, U S WEST must explore potential
accommodations with AT&T.
47.4.20 Where U S WEST has innerducts which are not, at that time,
being used or are not reserved as emergency or maintenance
spare in accordance with FCC rules and regulations, U S WEST
shall offer such ducts for AT&T's use.
47.4.21 Where a spare innerduct does not exist, U S WEST shall allow
AT&T to install an innerduct in U S WEST conduit, at AT&T's
cost and expense. U S WEST must review and approve any
installation of innerduct in any U S WEST's duct prior to the
start of construction. Such approval shall not be unreasonably
delayed, withheld or conditioned. AT&T shall provide notice to
U S WEST of any work activity not less than twenty-four (24)
hours prior to the start of construction.
47.4.22 Where U S WEST has any ownership or other rights to ROW to
buildings or building complexes, or within buildings or
building complexes, U S WEST shall offer such ROW to AT&T.
(a) Subject to the approval of the building owner, if
required, the right to use any available space owned or
controlled by U S WEST in the building or building
complex to install AT&T equipment and facilities;
(b) Subject to the approval of the building owner, if
required, ingress and egress to such space; and
(c) Subject to the approval of the building owner, if
required, the right to use electrical power at parity
with U S WEST's rights to such power.
Part A
47.4.23 Whenever U S WEST intends to modify or alter any poles, ducts,
conduits or ROW which contain AT&T's facilities, U S WEST
shall provide written notification of such action to AT&T so
that AT&T may have a reasonable opportunity to add to or
modify its facilities. AT&T shall advise U S WEST, in writing,
of its intentions to add or modify the facilities within
fifteen (15) Business Days of U S WEST's notification. If AT&T
adds to or modifies its facilities according to this
paragraph, AT&T shall bear a proportionate share of the costs
incurred by U S WEST in making such facilities accessible.
47.4.24 AT&T shall not be required to bear any of the costs of
rearranging or replacing its facilities, if such rearrangement
or replacement is required as a result of an additional
attachment or the modification of an existing attachment
sought by any entity other than AT&T, including U S WEST.
47.4.25 U S WEST shall maintain the poles, ducts, conduits and ROW at
its sole cost. AT&T shall maintain its own facilities
installed within the poles, ducts, conduits and ROW at its
sole cost. In the event of an emergency, U S WEST shall begin
repair of its facilities containing AT&T's facilities within a
reasonable time frame based on industry standards or a time
frame requested by AT&T. If U S WEST cannot begin repair
within the requested time frame, upon notice and approval of U
S WEST, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld,
AT&T may begin such repairs without the presence of U S WEST
personnel. AT&T may climb poles and enter the manholes,
handholds, conduits and equipment spaces containing U S WEST's
facilities in order to perform such emergency maintenance, but
only until such time as qualified personnel of U S WEST
arrives ready to continue such repairs. For both emergency and
non-emergency repairs, AT&T may use spare innerduct or
conduits, including the innerduct or conduit designated by U S
WEST as emergency spare for maintenance purposes; provided,
however, that AT&T may only use such spare conduit or
innerduct for a maximum period of ninety (90) days.
47.4.26 In the event of a relocation necessitated by a governmental
entity exercising the power of eminent domain, when such
relocation is not reimbursable, all parties shall share pro
rata in costs for relocating the base conduit or poles and
shall each pay its own cost of cable and installation of the
facilities in the newly rebuilt U S WEST poles, ducts,
conduits and ROW.
48. Bona Fide Request Process for Further Unbundling
48.1 Any request for Interconnection or access to an unbundled Network
Element not already available via price lists, tariff, or as described
herein shall be treated as a Request under this Section.
48.2 U S WEST shall use the Bona Fide Request Process ("BFR") process as
described in this Section 48, to determine the technical feasibility
of the requested interconnection or Network Element(s) and, for those
items found to be technically feasible, to provide the terms and
timetable for providing the requested items. Additionally, elements,
services and functions which are materially or substantially different
from those services, elements or functions already provided by U S
WEST to itself, its Affiliates, Customers, or end users may, at the
discretion of AT&T, be subject to this BFR process.
Part A
48.3 A Request shall be submitted in writing and, at a minimum, shall
include: (a) a complete and accurate technical description of each
requested Network Element or Interconnection; (b) the desired
interface specifications; (c) a statement that the Interconnection or
Network Element will be used to provide a Telecommunications Service;
(d) the quantity requested; (e) the location(s) requested; and (f)
whether AT&T wants the requested item(s) and terms made generally
available. AT&T may designate a Request as Confidential.
48.4 Within forty-eight (48) hours of receipt of a Request, U S WEST shall
acknowledge receipt of the Request and review such Request for initial
compliance with Subsection 48.3 above. In its acknowledgment, U S WEST
shall advise AT&T of any missing information reasonably necessary to
move the Request to the preliminary analysis described in Subsection
48.5 below.
48.5 Unless otherwise agreed to by the Parties, within thirty (30) calendar
days of its receipt of the Request and all information necessary to
process it, U S WEST shall provide to AT&T a preliminary analysis of
the Request. As reasonably requested by AT&T, U S WEST agrees to
provide status updates to AT&T. U S WEST will notify AT&T if the
quote preparation fee, if any, will exceed $5,000. AT&T will approve
the continuation of the development of the quote prior to U S WEST
incurring any reasonable additional expenses. The preliminary
analysis shall specify whether or not the requested Interconnection or
access to an unbundled Network Element is technically feasible and
otherwise qualifies as a Network Element or Interconnection as defined
under the Act.
48.5.1 If U S WEST determines during the thirty (30) day period that
a Request is not technically feasible or that the Request
otherwise does not qualify as a Network Element or
Interconnection required to be provided under the Act, U S
WEST shall so advise AT&T as soon as reasonably possible of
that fact, and promptly provide a written report setting forth
the basis for its conclusion but in no case later than ten
(10) calendar days after making such determination.
48.5.2 If U S WEST determines during the thirty (30) day period that
the Request is technically feasible and otherwise qualifies
under the Act, it shall notify AT&T in writing of such
determination, no later than ten (10) calendar days after
making such determination.
48.5.3 Unless otherwise agreed to by the Parties, as soon as
feasible, but no more than ninety (90) calendar days after U S
WEST notifies AT&T that the Request is technically feasible, U
S WEST shall provide to AT&T a Request quote which will
include, at a minimum, a description of each Interconnection
and Network Element, the quantity to be provided, the
installation intervals (both initial and subsequent), the
impact on shared systems software interfaces, the ordering
process changes, the functionality specifications, any
interface specifications, and either:
(a) the applicable rates (recurring and nonrecurring),
including the amortized development costs, as appropriate
pursuant to Section 48.5.4 below, of the Interconnection
or Network Element; or
Part A
(b) the payment for development costs, as appropriate
pursuant to Section 48.5.4 below, of the Interconnection
or Network Element and the applicable rates (recurring
and nonrecurring), excluding the development costs.
48.5.4 The choice of using either option (a) or (b) above shall be
at U S WEST's sole discretion. A payment for development
cost, however, is appropriate only where AT&T is the only
conceivable user of the functionality (including
consideration of U S WEST as a potential user) or where the
requested quantity is insufficient to provide amortization.
48.6 If U S WEST has used option (a) above in its Request quote, then,
within thirty (30) days of its receipt of the Request quote, AT&T
must indicate its nonbinding interest in purchasing the
Interconnection or Network Element at the stated quantities and
rates, cancel it Request, or seek remedy under the dispute resolution
section of this Agreement.
48.7 If U S WEST has used option (b) above in its Request quote, then,
within thirty (30) days of its receipt of the Request quote, AT&T
must either agree to pay the development costs of the Interconnection
or Network Element, cancel its Request, or seek remedy under the
dispute resolution section of this Agreement.
48.8 If U S WEST has used option (b) in its Request quote and AT&T has
accepted the quote, AT&T may cancel the Request at any time, but will
pay U S WEST's reasonable development costs of the Interconnection or
Network Element up to the date of cancellation.
48.9 U S WEST will use reasonable efforts to determine the technical
feasibility and conformance with the Act of the Request within the
first thirty-two (32) days of receiving the Request. In the event U S
WEST has used option (b) above in its Request quote and U S WEST
later determines that the Interconnection or Network Element
requested in the Request is not technically feasible or otherwise
does not qualify under the Act, U S WEST shall notify AT&T within ten
(10) Business Days of making such determination and AT&T shall not
owe any compensation to U S WEST in connection with the Request. Any
quotation preparation fees or development costs paid by AT&T to the
time of such notification shall be refunded by U S WEST.
48.10 To the extent possible, U S WEST will utilize information from
previously developed BFRs to address similar arrangements in order to
shorten the response times for the currently requested BFR. In the
event AT&T has submitted a Request for an Interconnection or a
Network Element and U S WEST determines in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 48 that the Request is technically
feasible, the Parties agree that AT&T's subsequent request or order
for the identical type of Interconnection or Network Element shall
not be subject to the BFR process. To the extent U S WEST has
deployed an identical Network Element under a previous BFR, a
subsequent BFR is not required. For purposes of this Section 48.10,
an "identical" request shall be one that is materially identical to a
previous request with respect to the information provided pursuant to
Subsections (a) through (e) of Section 48.3 above.
48.11 In the event of a dispute under this Section 48, the Parties agree to
seek expedited Commission resolution of the dispute, to be completed
within twenty (20) days of U S WEST's response denying AT&T's BFR,
and in no event more than thirty (30) days
Part A
after the filing of AT&T's petition. Alternatively, the Parties may
mutually agree to resolve any disputes under this section through the
dispute resolution process pursuant to Section 27, Part A of this
Agreement.
48.12 All time intervals within which a response is required from one Party
to another under this Section 48 are maximum time intervals. The
Parties agree that they will provide all responses to the other Party
as soon as the Party has the information and analysis required to
respond, even if the time interval stated herein for a response is
not over.
49. Audit Process
49.1 As used herein, "Audit" shall mean a comprehensive review of services
performed under this Agreement. Either Party (the "Requesting Party")
may perform up to three (3) Audits per 12-month period commencing
with the Effective Date.
49.2 Upon thirty (30) days' written notice by the Requesting Party to the
other Party (the "Audited Party"), the Requesting Party shall have
the right, through its authorized representative, to make an Audit,
during normal business hours, of any records, accounts and processes
which contain information related to the services provided and
performance standards agreed to under this Agreement. Within the
above-described 30-day period, the Parties shall reasonably agree
upon the scope of the Audit, the documents and processes to be
reviewed, and the time, place and manner in which the Audit shall be
performed. The Audited Party agrees to provide Audit support,
including appropriate access to and use of the Audited Party's
facilities (e.g., conference rooms, telephones, copying machines).
49.3 Each Party shall bear its own expenses in connection with the conduct
of the Audit. The reasonable cost of special data extractions
required by the Requesting Party to conduct the Audit will be paid
for by the Requesting Party. For purposes of this Section 49.3, a
"Special Data Extraction" shall mean the creation of an output record
or informational report (from existing data files) that is not
created in the normal course of business. If any program is developed
to the Requesting Party's specifications and at the Requesting
Party's expense, the Requesting Party shall specify at the time of
request whether the program is to be retained by the Audited Party
for reuse for any subsequent Audit. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Audited Party shall pay all of the Requesting Party's external
expenses (including, without limitation, the fees of any independent
auditor), in the event an Audit results in an adjustment in the
charges or in any invoice paid or payable by the Requesting Party
hereunder in an amount that is, on an annualized basis, more than the
greater of (a) one percent (1%) of the amount in dispute or (b)
$10,000.
49.4 Adjustments, credits or payments shall be made and any corrective
action shall commence within thirty (30) days from the Audited
Party's receipt of the final audit report to compensate for any
errors or omissions which are disclosed by such Audit and are agreed
to by the Parties. The highest interest rate allowable by law for
commercial transactions shall be assessed and shall be computed by
compounding daily from the time of the original due date of the
amount of dispute.
49.5 Neither such right to examine and audit nor the right to receive an
adjustment shall be affected by any statement to the contrary
appearing on checks or otherwise.
Part A
49.6 This Section 49 shall survive expiration or termination of this
Agreement for a period of two (2) years after expiration or
termination of this Agreement.
49.7 All transactions under this Agreement which are over thirty-six (36)
months old are no longer subject to Audit.
49.8 All information received or reviewed by the Requesting Party or the
independent auditor in connection with the Audit is to be considered
Proprietary Information as defined by this Agreement. The Audited
Party reserves the right to require any non-employee who is involved
directly or indirectly in any Audit or the resolution of its findings
as described above to execute a nondisclosure agreement satisfactory
to the Audited Party. To the extent an Audit involves access to
information of third parties, the Audited Party will aggregate such
competitors' data before release to the Requesting Party, to insure
the protection of the proprietary nature of information of other
competitors. To the extent a competitor is an Affiliate of the
Audited Party (including itself and its subsidiaries), the Parties
shall be allowed to examine such Affiliate's disaggregated data, as
required by reasonable needs of the Audit.
49.9 "Examination" shall mean an inquiry reasonably requested by either
Party into specific element(s) or process(es) where the requesting
Party raises a dispute concerning services performed by the other
Party under this Agreement and such dispute has not been resolved
through the escalation process described in this Agreement. Only that
information that is necessary to resolve the dispute in issue must be
provided in the course of an Examination and the total time involved
in an Examination for each Party may not exceed three (3) people for
three (3) days. Appropriate provisions of this Section 49 that apply
to Audits shall also apply to Examinations, except that either Party
may conduct only a total of nine (9) Examinations and Audits per year,
with a maximum of three (3) Audits per year./39/
50. Miscellaneous Services
50.1 Basic 911 and E911 General Requirements
50.1.1 Basic 911 and E911 provides a caller access to the appropriate
emergency service bureau by dialing a 3-digit universal
telephone number (911). Basic 911 and E911 access from Local
Switching shall be provided to AT&T in accordance with the
following:
50.1.2 Each Party will be responsible for those portions of the 911
System for which it has reasonable control, including any
necessary maintenance to each Party's portion of the 911
System.
50.1.3 E911 shall provide additional routing flexibility for 911
calls. E911 shall use Customer data, contained in the
Automatic Location Identification/Data Management System
("ALI/DMS"), to determine to which Public Safety Answering
Point ("PSAP") to route the call.
____________________
/39/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 21
Part A
50.1.4 If available in the U S WEST network, U S WEST shall offer a
third type of 911 service, S911. All requirements for E911
also apply to S911 with the exception of the type of signaling
used on the interconnection trunks from the local switch to
the E911 Tandem.
50.1.5 Basic 911 and E911 functions provided to AT&T shall be at
least at parity with the support and services that U S WEST
provides to its Customers for such similar functionality.
50.1.6 Basic 911 and E911 access from Local Switching shall be
provided to AT&T in accordance with the following:
50.1.6.1 U S WEST shall conform to all state regulations
concerning emergency services.
50.1.6.2 For E911 provided to resold lines or in association
with unbundled switching, U S WEST shall use its
service order process to update and maintain
Customer information in the ALI/DMS data base.
Through this process, U S WEST shall provide and
validate Customer information resident or entered
into the ALI/DMS data base.
50.1.7 U S WEST shall provide for overflow 911 traffic consistent
with U S WEST policy and procedure.
50.1.8 Basic 911 and E911 access from the AT&T local switch shall be
provided to AT&T in accordance with the following:
50.1.8.1 If required by AT&T, U S WEST shall interconnect
direct trunks from the AT&T network to the E911
Tandem for connection to the PSAP. Such trunks to
the E911 Tandem may alternatively be provided by
AT&T.
50.1.8.2 In government jurisdictions where U S WEST has
obligations under existing agreements as the primary
provider of the 911 System to the county, AT&T shall
participate in the provision of the 911 System as
follows:
(a) Each Party shall be responsible for those
portions of the 911 System for which it has
control, including any necessary maintenance to
each Party's portion of the 911 System.
(b) U S WEST shall be responsible for maintaining
the E-911 database.
50.1.8.3 If a third party is the primary service provider
to a government agency, AT&T shall negotiate
separately with such third party with regard to the
provision of 911 service to the agency. All
relations between such third party and AT&T are
totally separate from this
Part A
Agreement and U S WEST makes no representations on
behalf of the third party.
50.1.8.4 If AT&T or an Affiliate is the primary service
provider to a government agency, AT&T and U S WEST
shall negotiate the specific provisions necessary
for providing 911 service to the agency and shall
include such provisions in an amendment to this
Agreement.
50.1.8.5 Interconnection and database access shall be
priced as specified in Attachment 1 to this
Agreement or at any rate charged to other
interconnected carriers, whichever is lower.
50.1.8.6 AT&T will separately negotiate with each county
regarding the collection and reimbursement to the
county of applicable Customer taxes for 911 service.
50.1.8.7 U S WEST shall comply with established,
competitively neutral intervals for installation of
facilities, including any collocation facilities,
diversity requirements, etc.
50.1.8.8 In a resale situation, where it may be
appropriate for U S WEST to update the ALI database,
U S WEST shall update such database with AT&T data
in an interval no less than is experienced by U S
WEST Customers, or than for other carriers,
whichever is faster, at no additional cost.
50.1.9 The following are Basic 911 and E911 Database Requirements:
50.1.9.1 The ALI database shall be managed by U S WEST, but
is the property of U S WEST and any participating
telephone company and CLEC for those records
provided by the company.
50.1.9.2 U S WEST, or its agent, will be responsible for
maintaining the E-911 Database. U S WEST, or its
agent, will provide a copy of the Master Street
Address Guide ("MSAG"), and periodic updates, to
AT&T.
50.1.9.3 Copies of the MSAG shall be provided within twenty-
one (21) calendar days from the time requested and
shall be provided on diskette, magnetic tape, or in
a format suitable for use with desktop computers.
50.1.9.4 AT&T assumes all responsibility for the accuracy of
the data that AT&T provides to U S WEST for MSAG
preparation and E-911 Database operation.
50.1.9.5 AT&T shall be solely responsible for providing AT&T
database records to U S WEST for inclusion in U S
WEST's ALI database on a timely basis.
Part A
50.1.9.6 AT&T will provide end user data to the U S WEST ALI
database that are Master Street Address Guide (MSAG)
valid.
50.1.9.7 AT&T will update its end user records provided to
the U S WEST ALI database to agree with the 911 MSAG
standards for its service areas.
50.1.9.8 U S WEST and AT&T shall arrange for the automated
input and periodic updating of the E911 database
information related to AT&T end users for resold
lines in accordance with Section 10.1 of Attachment
2 of this Agreement. AT&T may request, through the
BFR process, similar arrangements for AT&T customers
served on a non-resale basis. U S WEST will furnish
AT&T any variations to NENA recommendations required
for ALI database input. The cost of magnetic tape
transfer shall be borne by AT&T.
50.1.9.9 U S WEST and AT&T shall arrange for the automated
input and periodic updating of the E911 database
information related to AT&T end users. For resold
services, U S WEST shall work cooperatively with
AT&T to ensure the accuracy of the data transfer by
verifying it against the Master Street Address Guide
(MSAG). For AT&T's customers served by unbundled
Network Elements or through AT&T's own facilities,
AT&T shall ensure the accuracy of its 911 data by
verifying it against the MSAG.
50.1.9.10 AT&T shall assign an E911 database coordinator
charged with the responsibility of forwarding AT&T
end user ALI record information to U S WEST or via a
third-party entity, charged with the responsibility
of ALI record transfer. AT&T assumes all
responsibility for the accuracy of the data that
AT&T provides to U S WEST.
50.1.9.11 The Parties shall maintain a single point of contact
to coordinate all E911 activities under this
Agreement.
50.1.9.12 For resold services, AT&T shall provide information
on new Customers to U S WEST within one (1) Business
Day of the order completion. U S WEST shall update
the database within two (2) Business Days of
receiving the data from AT&T. If U S WEST detects an
error in the AT&T provided data, the data shall be
returned to AT&T within two (2) Business Days from
when it was provided to U S WEST. AT&T shall respond
to requests from U S WEST to make corrections to
database record errors by uploading corrected
records within two (2) Business Days. Manual entry
shall be allowed only in the event that the system
is not functioning properly. AT&T may request,
through the BFR process, similar services from U S
WEST for their customers who are served on a non-
resale basis.
50.1.9.13 The Parties will cooperate to implement the adoption
of a Carrier Code (NENA standard five-character
field) on all ALI records received from AT&T, when
those standards, NENA-02-00N, are
Part A
adopted by the industry standards process. U S WEST
will furnish AT&T any variations from NENA
recommendations required for ALI database input. The
Carrier Code will be used to identify the carrier of
record in INP configurations.
50.1.9.14 AT&T will provide end user data to the U S WEST ALI
database utilizing NENA-02-001 Recommended Formats
For Data Exchange, and Recommended Standard For
Street Thoroughfare Abbreviations and Protocols For
Data Exchange and Data Quality utilizing NENA
Recommended Formats for Data Exchange document dated
June 1993.
50.1.9.15 U S WEST shall identify which ALI databases cover
which states, counties or parts thereof, and
identify and communicate a point of contact for
each.
50.1.9.16 U S WEST will provide AT&T with the identification
of the U S WEST 911 controlling office that serves
each geographic area served by AT&T.
50.1.9.17 U S WEST shall provide to AT&T, for AT&T Customers,
E911/911 call routing to the appropriate Public
Safety Answering Point ("PSAP") for resold lines. U
S WEST shall provide and validate AT&T Customer
information to the PSAP in the same fashion as it
does for its own Customers. U S WEST shall use its
service order process to update and maintain, on the
same schedule that it uses for its end users, the
AT&T Customer service information in the ALI/DMS
used to support E911/911 services. AT&T may request,
through the BFR process, similar services from U S
WEST for their customers who are served on a non-
resale basis.
50.1.9.18 AT&T exchanges to be included in U S WEST's E911
Database will be indicated via written notice and
will not require an amendment to this Agreement.
50.1.10 The following are Basic 911 and E911 Network Requirements:
50.1.10.1 U S WEST, at AT&T option, shall provide a minimum of
two (2) E911 trunks per jurisdictional area, or that
quantity which will maintain P.01 transmission grade
of service, or the level of service provided by U S
WEST to itself, whichever is the higher grade of
service. These trunks will be dedicated to routing
911 calls from AT&T switch to a U S WEST E911
tandem.
50.1.10.2 U S WEST shall provide AT&T a data link to the
ALI/DMS database or permit AT&T to provide its own
data link to the ALI/DMS database. U S WEST shall
provide error reports from the ALI/DMS database to
AT&T immediately after AT&T inputs information into
the ALI/DMS database. Alternately, AT&T may utilize
U S WEST or a third party entity to enter Customer
information into the database on a demand basis, and
validate Customer information on a demand basis.
Part A
50.1.10.3 U S WEST shall provide the selective routing of E911
calls received from AT&T switching office. This includes
the ability to receive the ANI of the AT&T Customer,
selectively route the call to the appropriate PSAP, and
forward the Customer's ANI to the PSAP. U S WEST shall
provide AT&T with the appropriate CLLI codes and
specifications regarding the tandem serving area
associated addresses and meet points in the network.
50.1.10.4 Copies of E911 Tandem Boundary Maps shall be available
to AT&T. Each map shows the areas served by that E91
tandem. The map provides AT&T the information necessary
to set up its network to route E911 callers to the
correct E911 tandem.
50.1.10.5 AT&T shall ensure that its switch provides an eight-
digit ANI consisting of an information digit and the
seven-digit exchange code. AT&T shall also ensure that
its switch provides the line number of the calling
station. In the event of a change in industry standards,
the Parties shall cooperate to incorporate the changed
standards in their respective networks.
50.1.10.6 Each ALI discrepancy report shall be jointly
researched by U S WEST and AT&T. Corrective action shall
be taken immediately by the responsible party.
50.1.10.7 Technical specifications for E911 network interface
are available through U S WEST technical publication
77338. Technical specifications for database loading and
maintenance are available through the third party
database manager -- SCC.
50.1.10.8 U S WEST shall begin restoration of E911 and/or E911
trunking facilities immediately upon notification of
failure or outage. U S WEST must provide priority
restoration of trunks or networks outages on the same
terms/conditions it provides itself and without the
imposition of Telecommunications Service Priority (TSP).
50.1.10.9 U S WEST shall identify any special operator-assisted
calling requirements to support 911.
50.1.10.10 Trunking shall be arranged to minimize the likelihood
of central office isolation due to cable cuts or other
equipment failures. There will be an alternate means of
transmitting a 911 call to a PSAP in the event of
failures.
50.1.10.11 Circuits shall have interoffice, loop and carrier
system diversity when such diversity can be achieved
using existing facilities. Circuits will be divided as
equally as possible across available carrier systems.
Diversity will be maintained or upgraded to utilize the
highest level of diversity available in the network.
Part A
50.1.10.12 Equipment and circuits used for 911 shall be
monitored at all times. Monitoring of circuits shall be
done to the individual circuit level. Monitoring shall
be conducted by U S WEST for trunks between the tandem
and all associated PSAPs.
50.1.10.13 Repair service shall begin immediately upon receipt
of a report of a malfunction. Repair service includes
testing and diagnostic service from a remote location,
dispatch of or in-person visit(s) of personnel.
Technicians will be dispatched without delay.
50.1.10.14 All 911 trunks must adhere to the Americans with
Disabilities Act requirements.
50.1.10.15 The Parties will cooperate in the routing of 911
traffic in those instances where the ALI/ANI information
is not available on a particular 911 call.
50.1.10.16 AT&T is responsible for network management of its
network components in compliance with the Network
Reliability Council Recommendations and meeting the
network standard of U S WEST for the 911 call delivery.
50.1.11 Basic 911 and E911 Additional Requirements
50.1.11.1 All AT&T lines that have been ported via INP shall
reach the correct PSAP when 911 is dialed. U S WEST
shall send both the ported number and the AT&T number (if
both are received from AT&T). The PSAP attendant shall
see both numbers where the PSAP is using a standard ALI
display screen and the PSAP extracts both numbers from
the data that is sent.
50.1.11.2 U S WEST shall work with the appropriate government
agency to provide AT&T the ten-digit POTS number of each
PSAP which sub-tends each U S WEST E911 Tandem to which
AT&T is interconnected.
50.1.11.3 U S WEST will provide AT&T with the ten-digit
telephone numbers of each PSAP agency, for which U S WEST
provides the 911 function, to be used by AT&T operators
for handling emergency calls in those instances where the
AT&T Customer dials "O" instead of "911."
50.1.11.4 AT&T will provide U S WEST with the ten-digit
telephone numbers of each PSAP agency, for which AT&T
provides the 911 function, to be used by U S WEST
operators for handling emergency calls in those instances
where the U S WEST Customer dials "O" instead of "911."
50.1.11.5 U S WEST shall notify AT&T forty-eight (48) hours in
advance of any scheduled testing or maintenance affecting
AT&T 911 service, and provide notification as soon as
possible of any unscheduled outage affecting AT&T 911
service.
Part A
50.1.11.6 AT&T shall be responsible for reporting all errors,
defects and malfunctions to U S WEST. U S WEST shall
provide AT&T with the point of contact for reporting
errors, defects, and malfunctions in the service and
shall also provide escalation contacts.
50.1.11.7 AT&T may enter into subcontracts with third parties,
including AT&T affiliates, for the performance of any of
AT&T duties and obligations stated herein.
50.1.11.8 U S WEST shall provide sufficient planning information
regarding anticipated moves to SS7 signaling for the next
twelve (12) months.
50.1.11.9 U S WEST shall provide notification of any pending
tandem moves, NPA splits, or scheduled maintenance
outages, with enough time to react.
50.1.11.10 U S WEST shall provide "reverse ALI" inquiries by
public safety entities, consistent with U S WEST's
practices and procedures.
50.1.11.11 U S WEST shall manage NPA splits by populating the
ALI database with the appropriate new NPA codes,
consistent with U S WEST's practices and procedures for
resold services.
50.1.11.12 U S WEST must provide the ability for AT&T to update
911 database with end user information for lines that
have been ported via INP or NP.
50.1.11.13 The data in the ALI database shall be managed by U S
WEST but is the property of U S WEST and all
participating telephone companies.
50.1.12 Performance Criteria. E-911 Database accuracy shall be as
set forth below:
50.1.12.1 Accuracy of ALI (Automatic Location Identification)
data submitted by AT&T to U S WEST will be measured
jointly by the PSAPs and U S WEST. All such reports
shall be forwarded to AT&T by U S WEST and will indicate
incidents when incorrect or no ALI data is displayed. A
report regarding any inaccuracy shall be prepared by U S
WEST.
50.1.12.2 Each discrepancy report will be jointly researched by
U S WEST and AT&T. Corrective action will be taken
immediately by the responsible party.
50.1.12.3 Each party will be responsible for the accuracy of
the Customer records it provides.
50.2 Directory Assistance Service
50.2.1 U S WEST shall provide for the routing of Directory Assistance
calls, including but not limited to 411, 555-1212, NPA-555-1212
dialed by AT&T Customers directly
Part A
to either the AT&T Directory Assistance service platform or U S
WEST Directory Assistance service platform as specified by AT&T.
50.2.2 AT&T Customers shall be provided the capability by U S WEST to
dial the same telephone numbers for access to AT&T Directory
Assistance that U S WEST Customers use to access U S WEST
Directory Assistance.
50.2.3 U S WEST shall provide Directory Assistance functions and
services to AT&T for its Customers as described below until, at
AT&T's discretion, U S WEST routes calls to the AT&T Directory
Assistance Services platform.
50.2.3.1 U S WEST agrees to provide AT&T Customers with the
same Directory Assistance service available to U S WEST
Customers.
50.2.3.2 U S WEST shall notify AT&T in advance of any
changes or enhancements to its Directory Assistance
Service, and shall make available such service
enhancements on a non-discriminatory basis to AT&T.
50.2.3.3 U S WEST shall provide Directory Assistance to
AT&T Customers in accordance with U S WEST's internal
operating procedures and standards, which shall, at a
minimum, comply with accepted professional and industry
standards.
50.2.3.4 U S WEST shall provide AT&T with the same level of
support for the provisioning of Directory Assistance as
U S WEST provides itself.
50.2.3.5 Service levels shall comply, at a minimum, with
Commission requirements for Directory Assistance.
50.2.3.6 U S WEST agrees to maintain an adequate operator
work force based on a review and analysis of actual call
attempts and abandonment rate.
50.2.3.7 AT&T shall participate in all call monitoring
activities available to U S WEST and to remote call
monitor as customarily practiced by the outsource
customers of call centers./40/
50.2.3.7.1 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency./41/
50.2.3.8 ____U S WEST shall provide the following minimum
Directory Assistance capabilities to AT&T Customers:
(a) A maximum of two (2) Customer listings and/or
addresses or U S WEST parity per AT&T Customer
request.
_________________________
/40/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 22
/41/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 23
Part A
(b) Name and address to AT&T Customers upon request,
except for unlisted numbers, in the same states
where such information is provided to U S WEST
Customers.
(c) For AT&T customers who are served exclusively
through resold U S WEST retail services, AT&T may
resell U S WEST's Directory Assistance call
completion services to the extent U S WEST offers
call Directory Assistance completion to its own end
users. For AT&T customers who are served from an
AT&T switch, AT&T may request Directory Assistance
call completion services through the BFR process.
Such BFR process shall address the identification of
the AT&T end user at the U S WEST Directory
Assistance platform for purposes of routing and
billing of intraLATA and interLATA toll calls.
(d) The U S WEST mechanized interface with the U S WEST
subscriber listing database is not available for
AT&T as of the Effective Date of this Agreement.
When the mechanized interface is available, U S WEST
will populate the Directory Assistance database in
the same manner and in the same time frame as for
U S WEST Customers.
(e) Any information provided by a Directory Assistance
Automatic Response Unit (ARU) shall be repeated the
same number of times for AT&T Customers as for U S
WEST Customers.
(f) When an AT&T Customer served on a resale or
unbundled switching basis requests a U S WEST
Directory Assistance operator to provide instant
credit on a Directory Assistance call, the U S WEST
Directory Assistance operator shall inform the AT&T
Customer to call an 800 number for AT&T Customer
service to request a credit. The accurate
identification of AT&T as the customer's local
service provider by the U S WEST Directory
Assistance operator requires the use of separate
AT&T trunks to the Directory Assistance Platform.
50.2.3.9 For resold lines and unbundled switching, U S WEST shall
provide data regarding billable events as requested by
AT&T.
50.2.3.10 U S WEST agrees to (a) provide to AT&T operators, on
line access to U S WEST's Directory Assistance database
equivalent to the access provided to U S WEST operators;
(b) allow AT&T or an AT&T designated operator bureau to
license U S WEST's subscriber listings database on terms
and conditions equivalent to the terms and conditions
upon which U S WEST utilizes such databases; and (c) in
conjunction with branded or unbranded Directory
Assistance services pursuant to Section 8 of this Part
A, provide caller-optional Directory Assistance call
completion service which is comparable in every way to
the Directory Assistance call completion service U S
WEST makes available to its own users. AT&T may, at its
Part A
option, request U S WEST not to provide call completion
services to AT&T.
50.2.3.11 In addition to charges for Directory Assistance, when
call completion for an intraLATA toll call is requested,
the applicable charge for the completion of such
intraLATA toll call will apply.
50.3 Operator Services
50.3.1 U S WEST shall provide, for the routing of local Operator Services
calls (including, but not limited, to 0+, 0-) dialed by AT&T
Customers directly to either the AT&T Operator Service platform or
U S WEST Operator Service platform as specified by AT&T.
50.3.2 AT&T Customers shall be provided the capability by U S WEST to dial
the same telephone numbers to access AT&T Operator Service that U S
WEST Customers dial to access U S WEST Operator Service.
50.3.3 U S WEST shall provide Operator Services to AT&T as described
below until, at AT&T's discretion, U S WEST routes calls to the
AT&T local Operator Services platform.
50.3.3.1 ____U S WEST agrees to provide AT&T Customers the same
Operator Services available to U S WEST Customers. U S
WEST shall make available its service enhancements on a
non-discriminatory basis.
50.3.3.2 ____U S WEST shall provide the following minimum Operator
Service capabilities to AT&T Customers:
(a) U S WEST shall complete 0+ and 0- dialed local calls,
including O-Coin, Automatic Coin Telephone Service
(ACTS) and the completion of coin calls, the
collection of coins and the provision of coin rates.
(b) U S WEST shall complete 0+ intraLATA and, when
offered, interLATA toll calls. The Parties will
cooperate to develop industry standards to include
the end user's PIC in Operator Services signaling and
the development of associated routing procedures.
(c) U S WEST shall complete calls for AT&T Customers that
are billed to calling cards and other commercial
cards on the same basis as provided to U S WEST own
customers and AT&T shall designate to U S WEST the
acceptable types of special billing.
(d) U S WEST shall complete person-to-person calls.
(e) U S WEST shall complete collect calls.
Part A
(f) U S WEST shall provide the capability for callers to
▇▇▇▇ to a third party and complete such calls.
(g) U S WEST shall complete station-to-station calls.
(h) U S WEST shall process emergency calls.
(i) U S WEST shall process Busy Line Verify and Busy Line
Interrupt requests.
(j) U S WEST shall process emergency call trace in
accordance with its normal and customary procedures.
(k) U S WEST shall process operator-assisted Directory
Assistance calls.
(l) U S WEST operators shall provide AT&T Customers with
long distance rate quotes to the extent U S WEST
provides such rate quotes to its own end users.
Based on technology available as of the Effective
Date of this Agreement, the provision of rate quotes
to AT&T Customers requires a separate AT&T trunk
group to the U S WEST Operator Services platform to
identify the caller as an AT&T Customer.
(m) U S WEST operators shall provide AT&T Customers with
time and charges to the extent U S WEST provides such
time and charges to its own end users. Based on
technology available as of the Effective Date of this
Agreement, the provision of time and charges to AT&T
Customers requires a separate AT&T trunk group to the
U S WEST Operator Services platform to identify the
caller as an AT&T Customer.
(n) U S WEST shall route 0- traffic to a "live" operator
team.
(o) When requested by AT&T, U S WEST shall provide
instant credit on Operator Services calls on a non-
discriminatory basis as provided to U S WEST
Customers or shall inform AT&T Customers to call a
toll free number for AT&T Customer service to request
a credit. U S WEST shall provide one (1) toll free
number for business Customers and another for
residential Customers. A record of the request for
credit and the amount of any credit actually issued
by U S WEST shall be passed on to AT&T through the
AMA record. The aggregate value of any credit issued
to an AT&T Customer shall be shared equally by each
Party. U S WEST shall in the normal course of
billing issue AT&T credit equal to 50% of the
aggregate value of
Part A
operator service and directory assistance credits
issued by U S WEST on AT&T's behalf./42/
(p) U S WEST shall provide caller assistance for the
disabled in the same manner as provided to U S WEST
Customers.
(q) When available to U S WEST end users, U S WEST shall
provide operator-assisted conference calling to AT&T.
50.3.3 U S WEST shall exercise at least the same level of fraud
control in providing Operator Service to AT&T that U S WEST
provides for its own Operator Service, where the AT&T fraud
control data is in U S WEST's LIDB database.
50.3.4 U S WEST shall perform billed number screening when handling
collect, third party, and calling card calls, both for station
to station and person to person call types.
50.3.5 AT&T shall be permitted to participate in all call monitoring
activities available to U S WEST and to remote call monitor as
customarily practiced by the outsource customers of call
centers./43/
50.3.5.1 [Intentionally left blank.]/44/
50.3.6 U S WEST shall direct Customer account and other similar
inquiries to the Customer service center designated by AT&T.
50.3.7 U S WEST shall provide an electronic feed of Customer call
records in "EMR" format to AT&T in accordance with the time
schedule mutually agreed between the Parties.
50.3.8 U S WEST shall update the Line Information Data Base ("LIDB")
for AT&T Customers. Additionally, U S WEST must provide access
to LIDB for validation of collect, third party billed, and LEC
card billed calls.
50.3.9 Where INP is deployed and when a BLV/BLl request for a ported
number is directed to a U S WEST operator and the query is not
successful (i.e., the request yields an abnormal result), AT&T
may request, through the BFR process, that the operator
confirm whether the number has been ported and direct the
request to the appropriate operator.
50.3.10 U S WEST shall allow AT&T to order provisioning of Telephone
Line Number ("TLN") calling cards and BNS, in its LIDB, for
ported numbers, as specified by AT&T. U S WEST shall continue
to allow AT&T access to its LIDB.
50.3.11 Toll and Assistance ("T/A") refers to functions Customers
associate with the "O" operator. Subject to availability and
capacity, access may be provided via
_________________________________
/42/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 25
/43/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 22
/44/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 23
Part A
Operator Services trunks purchased from U S WEST or provided
by AT&T via collocation arrangements to route calls to AT&T's
platform.
50.3.12 Automated Branding - ability to announce the carrier's name
to the Customer during the introduction of the call.
50.3.13 Interconnection to the U S WEST Toll and Assistance Operator
Services from an end office to U S WEST T/A is technically
feasible at least at three (3) distinct points on the trunk
side of the switch. The first connection point is an Operator
Services trunk connected directly to the T/A host switch. The
second connection point is an Operator Services trunk
connected directly to a remote T/A switch. The third
connection point is an Operator Services trunk connected to a
remote access tandem with operator concentration capabilities.
50.3.14 All trunk interconnections will be digital.
50.3.15 The technical requirements of Operator Services type trunks
and the circuits to connect the operator positions to the host
are covered in the Operator Services Switching Generic
Requirements ("OSSGR") Bellcore Document number FR-NWT-000271.
50.3.16 Busy Line Verify and Interrupt
50.3.16.1 At the request of AT&T operators or Customers, U S
WEST operators will perform Busy Line Verify
("BLV") and/or Busy Line Interrupt ("BLI")
operations where such capacity exists.
50.3.16.2 When possible and where consistent with the service
U S WEST provides to its own Customers and/or end
users, U S WEST shall engineer its BLV/BLI
facilities to accommodate the anticipated volume of
BLV/BLI requests during the busy hour. AT&T may,
from time to time, provide its anticipated volume
of BLV/BLI requests to U S WEST. In those instances
when failures occur to significant portions of the
BLV/BLI systems and databases and those systems and
databases become unavailable, U S WEST shall
promptly Inform AT&T.
50.3.16.3 BLV is performed when one Party's Customer requests
assistance from the other Party's operator or
operator bureau to determine if the called line is
in use; provided, however, that the operator bureau
will not complete the call for the Customer
initiating the BLV inquiry. Only one (1) BLV
attempt will be made per Customer operator bureau
call, and a charge shall apply whether or not the
called party releases the line.
50.3.16.4 BLI is performed when one Party's Customer requests
assistance from the other Party's operator bureau
to interrupt a telephone call in progress after BLV
has occurred. The operator bureau will interrupt
the busy line and inform the called party that
there is a call waiting. The operator bureau will
only interrupt the call and will not complete
Part A
the telephone call of the Customer initiating the
BLI request. The operator bureau will make only one
(1) BLI attempt per Customer operator telephone
call and the applicable charge applies whether or
not the called party releases the line.
50.3.16.5 Each Party's operator bureau shall accept BLV and
BLI inquiries from the operator bureau of the other
Party in order to allow transparent provision of
BLV/BLI traffic between the Parties' networks.
50.3.16.6 Each Party shall route BL/BLI Traffic inquiries
over direct trunks between the Parties' respective
operator bureaus. Unless otherwise mutually agreed,
the Parties shall configure BLV/BLI trunks over the
Interconnection architecture defined in Attachment
4 to this Agreement.
50.4 Directory Assistance and Listings Service Requests
50.4.1 These requirements pertain to U S WEST's Directory Assistance
and Listings Service Request process that enables AT&T to (a)
submit AT&T Customer information for inclusion in U S WEST
Directory Assistance and Directory Listings databases; (b)
submit AT&T Customer information for inclusion in published
directories; and (c) provide AT&T Customer delivery address
information to enable U S WEST to fulfill directory
distribution obligations.
50.4.1.1 [Intentionally left blank for numbering
consistency.]
50.4.1.2 U S WEST will accept the following Directory Listing
Migration Orders from AT&T, valid under all access
methods, including, but not limited to, Resale,
unbundled Network Elements and facilities-Based, and
will process the orders in a mechanized format:
(a) Migrate with no Changes: Maintain all directory
listings for the Customer in both Directory
Assistance and Directory Listing. Transfer
ownership and billing for listings to AT&T.
(b) Migrate with Additions: Maintain all directory
listings for the Customer in both Directory
Assistance and Directory Listing. Incorporate
the specified additional listings order.
Transfer ownership and billing for the listings
to AT&T.
(c) Migrate with Deletions: Maintain all directory
listings for the Customer in both Directory
Assistance and Directory Listing. Delete the
specified listings from the listing order.
Transfer ownership and billing for the listings
to AT&T.
50.4.1.3 The Directory Listings Migration Options should
not be tied to migration options specified for a
related service order (if any) such that a service
order specified as migration with changes may be
Part A
submitted along with a directory listing order specified
as migration with no changes.
50.4.1.4 U S WEST shall enable AT&T to electronically transmit
multi-line listing orders.
50.4.1.5 U S WEST agrees to work cooperatively with AT&T to
define specifications for, and implement a daily summary
report of, Directory Service Requests. The summary
information will include, but is not limited to, the
following information:
(a) White page listings text and format (name, address,
phone, title, designation, extra line requirements )
(b) Listing Instruction codes
50.4.1.6 To ensure accurate order processing, U S WEST shall
provide to AT&T the following information, with updates
within one (1) Business Day of change and via electronic
exchange:
(a) A matrix of NXX to central office
(b) Geographical maps, if available, of U S WEST service
area
(c) A description of calling areas covered by each
directory, including, but not limited to, maps of
calling areas and matrices depicting calling
privileges within and between calling areas
(d) Listing format rules
(e) Listing alphabetizing rules
(f) Standard abbreviations acceptable for use in listings
and addresses
(g) Titles and designations
50.4.1.7 Based on changes submitted by AT&T, U S WEST shall
update and maintain Directory Assistance and Directory
Listings data for AT&T Customers who:
(a) Disconnect Service
(b) Change carrier
(c) Install Service
(d) Change any service which affects Directory Assistance
information
(e) Specify Non-Solicitation
(f) Are Non-Published, Non-Listed, or Listed
50.4.1.8 U S WEST shall not charge for storage of AT&T
Customer information in the Directory Assistance and
Directory Listing systems.
50.4.1.9 AT&T shall not charge for storage of U S WEST
Customer information in the Directory Assistance and
Directory Listing systems.
50.5 Directory Assistance Data
Part A
50.5.1 This Section refers to the residential, business, and
government Customer records used by U S WEST to create and
maintain databases for the provision of live or automated
operator assisted Directory Assistance. Directory Assistance data
is information that enables telephone exchange carriers to
swiftly and accurately respond to requests for directory
information, including, but not limited to, name, address and
phone numbers. Under the provisions of the Act and the FCC
Interconnection Order, U S WEST shall provide unbundled and non-
discriminatory access to the residential, business and government
Customer records used by U S WEST to create and maintain
databases for the provision of live or automated operator
assisted Directory Assistance.
50.5.2 U S WEST shall provide an initial load of Customer records and
Customer list information to AT&T, in a mutually-agreed-to
format, via electronic transfer, within thirty (30) calendar days
after a request by AT&T. The initial load shall include all data
resident in the U S WEST Databases and/or systems used by U S
WEST for housing Directory Assistance data and/or Customer
listing data. In addition, the initial load shall be current as
of the prior Business Day on which the initial load is
provided./45/
50.5.3 U S WEST shall provide AT&T daily updates to the Customer
records and Customer list information in a mutually-agreed-to
format via electronic transfer.
50.5.4 U S WEST shall provide the ability for AT&T to electronically
query the U S WEST Directory Assistance database and listings
database in a manner at least consistent with and equal to that
which U S WEST provides to itself or any other Person.
50.5.5 U S WEST shall provide AT&T a complete list of ILECs, CLECs,
and independent telephone companies that provided data contained
in the database.
50.5.6 On a daily basis, U S WEST shall provide updates (end user and
mass) to the Listing information via electronic data transfer.
Updates shall be current as of one (1) Business Day prior to the
date provided to AT&T.
50.5.7 U S WEST shall provide AT&T access to Directory Assistance
support databases. For example, AT&T requires access to use
restriction information including, but not limited to, call
completion.
50.5.8 Directory Assistance data shall specify whether the Customer
is a residential, business, or government Customer.
50.5.9 Directory Assistance data shall be provided on the same terms,
conditions, and rates that U S WEST provides such data to itself
or other third parties.
___________________________________
/45/ MCI Order at p. 12, Issue 42(a)
Part A
50.5.10 U S WEST shall provide complete refresh of the Directory
Assistance data upon request by AT&T.
50.5.11 U S WEST and AT&T will cooperate in the designation of a
location at which the data will be provided.
51. Unused Transmission Media
51.1 Definitions
51.1.1 Unused Transmission Media is physical inter-office
transmission media (e.g., optical fiber, copper twisted pairs,
coaxial cable) which have no lightwave or electronic
transmission equipment terminated to such media to
operationalize transmission capabilities.
51.1.2 Dark fiber is excess fiber optic cable which has been placed
in a network and is not currently being lit by electronics
from any carrier. Dark Fiber, one type of Unused Transmission
Media, is unused strands of optical fiber. Dark Fiber also
includes strands of optical fiber which may or may not have
lightwave repeater (regenerator or optical amplifier)
equipment interspliced, but which has no line terminating
facilities terminated to such strands. Unused Transmission
Media also includes unused wavelengths within a fiber strand
for purposes of coarse or dense wavelength division
multiplexed (WDM) applications. Typical single wavelength
transmission involves propagation of optical signals at single
wavelengths (1.3 or 1.55 micron wavelengths). In WDM
applications, a WDM device is used to combine optical signals
at different wavelengths on to a single fiber strand. The
combined signal is then transported over the fiber strand. For
coarse WDM applications, one (1) signal each at 1.3 micron and
1.55 micron wavelength are combined. For dense WDM
applications, many signals in the vicinity of 1.3 micron
wavelength and/or 1.55 micron wavelength are combined.
51.2 While U S WEST is not required to provide Unused Transmission Media,
AT&T may, subject to the agreement of U S WEST, lease copper twisted
pairs, coaxial cable or other Unused Transmission Media./46/
51.3 Requirements
51.3.1 Subject to Section 51.2 above, U S WEST shall make available
Unused Transmission Media to AT&T under a lease agreement or
other arrangement.
51.3.2 U S WEST shall provide a single point of contact for
negotiating all Unused Transmission Media use arrangements.
51.3.3 AT&T may test the quality of the Unused Transmission Media to
confirm its usability and performance specifications.
________________________________
/46/ AT&T Order at p. 8, "Dark Fiber" and MCIm at p. 2, Issues 8, 9 &10
Part A
51.3.4 Where Unused Transmission Media is required to be offered or
is agreed to be offered by U S WEST, U S WEST shall provide to
AT&T information regarding the location, availability and
performance of Unused Transmission Media within ten (10)
Business Days for a records based answer and twenty (20)
Business Days for a field based answer, after receiving a
request from AT&T ("Request"). Within such time period, U S
WEST shall send written or electronic confirmation or any
other method of notification agreed to by the Parties of
availability of the Unused Transmission Media
("Confirmation").
51.3.5 Where Unused Transmission Media is required to be offered or
is agreed to be offered by U S WEST, U S WEST shall make
Unused Transmission Media available for AT&T's use in
accordance with the terms of this Section 51 within twenty
(20) Business Days or a reasonable time frame consistent with
industry standards after it receives written acceptance from
AT&T that the Unused Transmission Media is wanted for use by
AT&T. Splicing of AT&T fiber may be performed at the same
points that are available for U S WEST splices.
51.4 Requirements Specific to Dark Fiber
51.4.1 AT&T may test Dark Fiber leased from U S WEST using AT&T or
AT&T designated personnel subject to Section 51.2. U S WEST
shall provide appropriate interfaces to allow testing of Dark
Fiber. U S WEST shall provide an excess cable length of
twenty-five (25) feet minimum, where available, for fiber in
underground conduit. U S WEST shall provide splicing of AT&T
fiber to U S WEST Dark Fiber under normal circumstances
(e.g., no construction) in metropolitan areas within
seventeen (17) calendar days of AT&T's request, and within
thirty (30) calendar days of a request in a non-metropolitan
area. AT&T may request expedited splicing, which shall be
subject to available U S WEST resources.
51.4.2 For WDM applications, U S WEST shall provide to AT&T an
interface to an existing WDM device or allow AT&T to install
its own WDM device (where sufficient system loss margins
exist or where AT&T provides the necessary loss compensation)
to multiplex the traffic at different wavelengths. This
applies to both the transmit and receive ends of the Dark
Fiber.
51.5 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency.]
51.6 Portions of the bandwidth of the fiber may be sectioned and AT&T may
share the bandwidth with U S WEST and other CLECs.
52. Service Standards
52.1 U S WEST will provide all Local Resale, Ancillary Functions, Network
Elements or Combinations in accordance with service standards,
measurements, and performance requirements that are expressly
specified in this Agreement and Attachment 5 hereto. In cases where
such performance standards are not expressly specified, U S WEST will
Part A
provide all Local Resale, Ancillary Functions, Network Elements or
Combinations in accordance with performance standards which are at
least equal to the level of performance standards and/or quality of
service that U S WEST provides to itself, its Affiliates, to other
CLECs, or other quality of service requirements imposed by the
Commission, whichever is higher, in providing Local Resale, Ancillary
Functions, Network Elements or Combinations to itself, to its end-
users or to its Affiliates. If AT&T requests a higher level of
service than that provided by U S WEST to itself, AT&T shall make the
request pursuant to the BFR process.
52.2 [Intentionally left blank]/47/
52.3 [Intentionally left blank]/48/
52.4 Metrics and Gap Closure Plans/49/
The metrics in this Attachment or superseding Commission rule are
tracked and measured on a monthly basis. These monthly performance
results are managed as part of the Supplier Performance Quality
Management System (SPQMS).
SPQMS requires that when the monthly results do not meet the required
performance levels described in this Attachment, Gap Closure Plans
are implemented to improve performance. These Gap Closure Plans
include:
. evaluation of the opportunity for continuous improvement, systems
enhancements and re-engineering;
. forecasted improvement to the desired level of performance for
each issue or initiative;
. evaluation of pertinent changes in periodic (monthly, weekly)
results; and
. a date for compliance with the expected performance.
The Gap Closure Plans will be reviewed monthly by AT&T, or more
frequently as updated data and analysis are available. U S WEST shall
modify its Gap Closure plans to accommodate AT&T's reasonable
business concerns.
53. Entire Agreement
53.1 This Agreement shall include the Attachments, Appendices and other
documents referenced herein all of which are hereby incorporated by
reference, and constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties
and supersedes all prior oral or written agreements, representations,
statements, negotiations, understandings, proposals and undertakings
with respect to the subject matter hereof.
__________________________________
/47/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 28
/48/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 28
/49/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 28
Part A
53.2 If a provision contained in any U S WEST tariff conflicts with
any provision of this Agreement, the provision of this Agreement shall
control, unless otherwise ordered by the FCC or the Commission.
54. Reservation of Rights
54.1 The Parties acknowledge that the terms of this Agreement were
established pursuant to an order of the Commission. Any or all of the
terms of this Agreement may be altered or abrogated by a successful
challenge to this Agreement (or the order approving this Agreement) as
permitted by applicable law. By signing this Agreement, neither Party
waives its right to pursue such a challenge.
54.2 The Parties enter into this Agreement without prejudice to any
position they may have taken previously, or may take in the future in
any legislative, regulatory, or other public forum addressing any
matters, including matters related to the types of arrangements
prescribed by this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their respective duly authorized representatives.
AT&T Communications of the Mountain U S WEST Communications, Inc.
States, Inc.
_________________________________ _____________________________________
Signature** Signature*
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
----------------------------------
_____________________________
Name Printed/Typed Name Printed/Typed
Business Markets - Vice President
----------------------------------
_____________________________
Title Title
__________________________________ _____________________________________
Date
*Signed as ordered by the arbitrator/commission in Docket
Nos__________________________. Signature does not indicate agreement with all
aspects of the arbitrator's decision, nor does it waive any of U S WEST's right
to seek judicial review of all or part of the agreement, or to reform the
agreement as the result of successful judicial review.
** Submission and execution of this agreement by AT&T does not represent any
acknowledgement or agreement on its behalf that the agreement complies with the
requirements of the Act, including without limitation Section 271 of the Act,
including without limitation access to unbundled network elements and operations
support systems.
Attachment 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. General Principles....................................... 1
2. Resale Rates and Charge.................................. 1
3. Construction and Implementation Costs.................... 2
4. Unbundled Loops - Conditioning Charge.................... 3
5. Transport and Termination................................ 3
6. Number Portability....................................... 5
7. Rate Structure........................................... 6
Attachment 1
RATES and CHARGES
1. General Principles
1.1 All rates provided under this Agreement shall remain in effect for the term
of this Agreement unless they are not in accordance with all applicable
provisions of the Act, the rules and regulations of the FCC, or the Commission's
rules and regulations.
1.2 Except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, as approved or ordered by
the Commission, or as agreed to by the Parties through good faith negotiations,
nothing in this Agreement shall prevent a Party through the dispute resolution
process described in this Agreement from seeking to recover the costs and
expenses, if any, it may incur in (a) complying with and implementing its
obligations under this Agreement, the Act, and the rules, regulations and orders
of the FCC and the Commission, and (b) the development, modification, technical
installation and maintenance of any systems or other infrastructure which it
requires to comply with and to continue complying with its responsibilities and
obligations under this Agreement.
2. Resale Rates and Charges
U S WEST shall make its retail Telecommunications Services available to
AT&T for resale at the interim wholesale rates specified in Appendix A
to this Attachment 1.\1\
2.2 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency]
2.3 If the resold services are purchased pursuant to tariffs and the
tariff rates change, charges billed to AT&T for such services will be
based upon the new tariff rates less the applicable wholesale discount
as agreed to herein. The new rate will be effective upon the tariff
effective date.
2.4 A Subscriber Line Charge (SLC) will continue to be paid by AT&T
without discount for each local exchange line resold under this
Agreement. All federal and state rules and regulations associated
with SLC or as found in the applicable tariffs also apply.
2.5 AT&T will pay to U S WEST the PIC change charge without discount
associated with AT&T end user changes of inter-exchange or intraLATA
carriers.
2.6 AT&T agrees to pay U S WEST at the wholesale discount rate when its
end user activates any services or features that are billed on a per
use or per activation basis (e.g., continuous redial, last call
return, call back calling, call trace, etc.). U S WEST shall provide
AT&T with detailed billing information per applicable OBF standards
unless otherwise agreed to by the Parties as necessary to permit AT&T
to ▇▇▇▇ its end users such charges.
2.7 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency]
Nonrecurring charges will be billed as approved by the Commission.
2.9 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency]
_____________________________
\1\ AT&T Order, pg. 2, "Resale Restrictions" paragraph 1
Page 1
Attachment 1
2.10 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency]
2.11 Resale prices shall be wholesale rates determined on the basis of
retail rates charged to subscribers for the Telecommunications
Service requested, excluding the portion thereof attributable to any
marketing, billing, collection and other costs that will be avoided
by U S WEST, as specified in the Act, by the FCC and/or the
Commission. U S WEST shall be obligated to offer its volume and term
discount service plans to AT&T provided that AT&T complies with the
volume and term requirements contained therein. If selected by AT&T,
an appropriate wholesale discount shall also be applied to such
plans. With the exception of the preceding, AT&T shall not be
required to agree to volume or term commitments as a condition for
obtaining Local Service.\2\
2.12 U S WEST shall ▇▇▇▇ AT&T and AT&T is responsible for all applicable
charges for Resale Services. AT&T shall be responsible for all
charges associated with services that AT&T resells to an end user.
3. Construction and Implementation Costs
3.1 3.1 U S WEST shall perform construction for AT&T for the services
provided hereunder pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of U
S WEST's retail and wholesale construction charge tariffs, as
appropriate for the type of service provided. Such construction
charge tariffs shall be imposed only if U S WEST assesses its own end
users such charges for similar construction and also demonstrates to
the Commission that it is customary industry practice to charge end
users for similar costs. If another CLEC or U S WEST receives a
benefit from the construction or other activity for which AT&T is
charged, AT&T is entitled to recover contribution from the CLEC, or,
if applicable, U S WEST as a beneficiary, for a share of the
costs.\3\
3.2 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency]
3.3 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency]
3.4 A quote for the AT&T portion of a specific job will be provided to
AT&T. The quote will be in writing and will be binding for ninety
(90) days after the issue date. When accepted, AT&T will be billed
the quoted price and construction will commence after receipt of
payment. If AT&T chooses not to have U S WEST construct the
facilities, U S WEST reserves the right to ▇▇▇▇ AT&T for the expense
incurred for producing the engineered job design.
3.5 AT&T shall make payment of fifty percent (50%) of the nonrecurring
charges and fees upon acceptance of the quotation with the remainder
due upon completion of the construction. In the event that AT&T
disputes the amount of U S WEST's proposed construction costs, AT&T
shall deposit fifty percent (50%) of the quoted construction costs
into an interest bearing escrow account prior to the commencement of
construction. The remainder of the quoted construction costs shall be
deposited into the escrow account upon completion of the
construction. Upon resolution of the dispute, the escrow agent shall
distribute amounts in the account in accordance with the resolution
of such dispute, and any interest that has accrued with respect to
amounts in the account shall be distributed proportionately to the
Parties. The pendency of any such dispute shall not affect the
obligation of U S WEST to complete the requested construction.
____________________
\2\ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 30
\3\ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 34
Attachment 1
4. Unbundled Loops - Conditioning Charge
4.1 To the extent AT&T requires an Unbundled Loop to provide ISDN, HDSL,
ADSL or D-S1 service, such requirements will be identified on the order for
Unbundled Loop Service. Conditioning charges to condition such loops to ensure
the necessary transmission standard will be accrued at actual cost by US WEST
for each such loop. U S WEST's actual out-of-pocket costs to condition loops of
varying lengths will be examined in Docket No. ▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇ (Phase III).\4\
5. Transport and Termination - Interim Prices and Methodology\5\
5.1 Rate Structure
5.1.1 Local Traffic
5.1.1.1 Call Termination
5.1.1.1.1 The Parties agree that call termination
rates as described in Appendix A to this
Attachment 1 will apply reciprocally for
the termination of EAS/Local traffic per
minute of use. If the exchange of
EAS/Local traffic between the Parties is
within +/- 5% of balance (as measured
monthly), the Parties agree that their
respective call termination charges will
offset one another, and no compensation
will be paid. The Parties agree to perform
monthly joint traffic audits, based upon
mutually agreeable measurement criteria
and auditing standards. In the event that
the exchange of traffic is not in balance
as described above, the call termination
charges in Appendix A will apply.
5.1.1.1.2 For traffic terminated at an U S WEST or
AT&T end office, the end office call
termination rate in Appendix A shall
apply.
5.1.1.1.3 For traffic terminated at a U S WEST or
AT&T tandem switch, the tandem switched
rate and the tandem transport rate in
Appendix A shall apply in addition to the
end office call termination rate described
above.
5.1.1.4 Switching shall be purchased on a per line basis with
all functionality and features of such switch
including, but not limited to call routing.
_______________________________________
\4\ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 35
\5\ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 40
Page 3
Attachment 1
5.1.1.5 All other unbundled network elements may be purchased
separately or in combination on the basis outlined in
Appendix A.
5.1.2 Transport
5.1.2.1 If the Parties elect to each provision their own one-way
trunks to the other Party's end office for the
termination of local traffic, each Party will be
responsible for its own expenses associated with the
trunks and no transport charges will apply.
5.1.2.2 If one Party desires to purchase direct trunk transport
from the other Party, the following rate elements will
apply. Transport rate elements include the direct trunk
transport facilities between the POI and the terminating
party's tandem or end office switches. The applicable
rates are described in Appendix A.
5.1.2.3 Direct-trunked transport facilities are provided as
dedicated DS3 or DS1 facilities without the tandem
switching functions, for the use of either Party between
the Point of Interconnection and the terminating end
office or tandem switch.
5.1.2.4 If the Parties elect to establish two-way direct trunks,
the compensation for such jointly used `shared'
facilities shall be adjusted as follows. The nominal
compensation shall be pursuant to the rates for direct
trunk transport in Appendix A. The actual rate paid to
the provider of the direct trunk facility shall be
reduced to reflect the provider's use of that facility.
The adjustment in the direct trunk transport rate shall
be a percentage that reflects the provider's relative
use (i.e., originating minutes of use) of the facility
in the busy hour.
5.1.2.5 Multiplexing options are available at rates described in
Appendix A.
5.1.3 Toll Traffic.
Applicable Switched Access Tariff rates, terms, and conditions
apply to toll traffic routed to an access tandem, or directly to an
end office.
5.1.4 Transit Traffic.
Applicable switched access, Type 2 or LIS transport rates apply for
the use of U S WEST's network to transport transit traffic. For
transiting local traffic, the applicable local transit rate applies
to the originating Party per Appendix A. For transiting toll
traffic, the Parties will charge the applicable Switched Access
rates to the responsible carrier. For terminating transiting
wireless traffic, the Parties will charge their applicable rates to
the wireless
Page 4
Attachment 1
provider. For transiting wireless traffic, the Parties will charge
each other the applicable local transit rate.
6. Number Portability
6.1 AT&T may request U S WEST to provide AT&T call detail records
identifying each IXC which are sufficient to allow AT&T to render bills to
IXCs for calls IXCs place to ported numbers in the U S WEST network which U
S WEST forwards to AT&T for termination. To the extent U S WEST is unable
to provide billing detail information within a reasonable time frame, the
Parties may agree on an interim method to share access revenues pursuant to
a mutually agreed upon surrogate approach.
7. Rate Structure
The prices set forth in Appendix A to this Attachment 1 which are
designated as interim in nature are subject to true-up upon establishment
of permanent rates by the Commission in Docket ▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇. The prices set
forth in Appendices A and B to this Attachment 1 which are designated as
final in nature are subject to change if the Commission so orders in its
pricing dockets.
Page 5
Attachment 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Description................................................................................. 1
2. General Terms and Conditions for Resale..................................................... 3
3. Basic Service Requirements.................................................................. 4
4. Requirements for Specific Services.......................................................... 5
5. Service Functions........................................................................... 9
6. Security and Law............................................................................ 10
7. Ordering and Maintenance.................................................................... 10
8. Changes in Retail Service................................................................... 11
9. Customer Authorization Process.............................................................. 11
10. AT&T Responsibilities....................................................................... 14
11. Pricing..................................................................................... 15
12. Deposit..................................................................................... 15
Attachment 2
RESALEError! Reference source not found.
1. Description
1.1 AT&T may resell to any and all classes of end-users
Telecommunications Services obtained from U S WEST under this
Agreement, except for Centrex and Lifeline Assistance/Link-Up (or
similar) services, which AT&T may only resell to those subscribers
who are eligible for such services. U S WEST will not prohibit, nor
impose unreasonable or discriminatory conditions or limitations on
the resale of its Telecommunications Services. AT&T may not resell
residential service to business customers, and business service may
not be resold to residential customers./1/,/2/
1.2 U S WEST will also make the following services available for resale:
residence basic exchange, Centrex Plus, Operator Services, Directory
Assistance, Optional Calling Plans, Volume Discount Plans,
Discounted Feature Packages, Private Line Transport, negotiated
contract arrangements, Business Basic Exchange, PBX Trunks, Frame
Relay Service, ISDN, listings, features, IntraLATA toll, AIN
services, and WATS. This list of services is neither all inclusive
nor exclusive./3/
1.3 At the request of AT&T, and pursuant to the requirements of the Act,
and FCC rules and state rules and regulations, U S WEST shall make
available to AT&T for resale any Telecommunications Services that U
S WEST currently provides or may offer hereafter. Resale discounts
may vary from the standard resale discount, subject to the approval
of the Commission. U S WEST shall also provide Service Functions, as
agreed to in this Attachment 2. The Telecommunications Services and
Service Functions provided by U S WEST to AT&T pursuant to this
Attachment 2 are collectively referred to as "Local Resale".
1.4 This Section 1 describes several services which U S WEST shall make
available to AT&T for resale pursuant to this Agreement. This
description of services is neither all inclusive nor exclusive.
Except as may be noted elsewhere in this Agreement, all services or
offerings of U S WEST which are to be offered for resale pursuant to
the Act are subject to the terms herein, even though they are not
specifically enumerated or described.
1.5 Voice mail and inside wire and other non-regulated enhanced services
are not available for resale./4/
1.5.1 Voice Mail
-----------------------------------
/1/ MCIm Order, p. 4 and AT&T Order pg. 2
/2/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 43
/3/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 30
/4/ AT&T Order, carryover paragraph on pp. 2-3, MCIm Order at p. 4, Issue 21 and
Final Arbitration Order at pg. 45.
Attachment 2
U S WEST shall make available the SMDI-E ("Station Message Desk
Interface-Enhanced"), where available, or SMDI (Station Message Desk
Interface), where SMDI-E is not available, feature capability
allowing for Voice Mail Services. U S WEST shall make available,
where available, the MWI (Message Waiting Indicator) stutter
dialtone and message waiting light feature capabilities. U S WEST
shall make available CF-B/DA (Call Forward on Busy/Don't Answer),
CF/B (Call Forward on Busy), and CF/DA (Call Forward Don't Answer)
feature capabilities allowing for Voice Mail services.
1.6 Grandfathered Services
U S WEST shall offer for resale to AT&T all grandfathered services.
AT&T may resell such services only to the same limited group of
customers that have purchased such services in the past./5/ For
purposes of this Agreement, a grandfathered service is a service
that U S WEST no longer offers to new subscribers or a class of new
subscribers. AT&T shall be notified of any U S WEST request for the
termination of service and/or its grandfathering filed with the
Commission or U S WEST's intent to grandfather/withdraw a service at
least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the effective date of such
grandfathering or intended termination. The form of notification may
be either in written or electronic form.
1.7 N11 Service
AT&T shall have the right to resell any N11 service, including, but
not limited to, 411 and 911 services.
1.8 Promotions
Promotions of ninety (90) days or less need not be made
available to AT&T at the wholesale discount rate./6/
1.9 The specific business process requirements and systems interface
requirements are set forth in Attachment 5.
1.10 To the degree a term or condition contained in a U S WEST tariff or
price list restricts AT&T's intended application or use of a
wholesale service, U S WEST and AT&T shall, within fifteen (15) days
following U S WEST's refusal to provide a wholesale service, show
why any limitation of use disclosed in a tariff or price list is or
is not overly restrictive and contrary to law. Existing Commission
orders that impose resale restrictions are effective until amended
or superseded by subsequent order or rule./7/
2. General Terms and Conditions for Resale
--------------------------------
/5/ MCIm Order at p. 4, Issue 21
/6/ AT&T Order, at p. 2, MCIm Order at p. 4 and Final Arbitration Order at pg.
31
/7/ MCI Order p. 4, Issue and AT&T Order, p. 2, "Resale Restrictions" paragraph
2
Attachment 2
2.1 Primary Local Exchange Carrier Selection. U S WEST shall
apply the principles set forth in Section 64.1100 of the FCC Rules,
47 C.F.R. (S)(S). 64.1100 as implemented, to the process for end-
user selection of a primary local exchange carrier. In accordance
with the customer authorization process described elsewhere in this
Agreement, U S WEST shall not require notification from the
customer, another carrier, or another entity, in order to process an
AT&T order for local service for a customer.
2.2 Except where otherwise provided, AT&T, or AT&T's agent, shall act as
the single point of contact for its end users' service needs,
including, without limitation, sales, service design, order taking,
provision, change orders, training, maintenance, trouble reports,
repair, post-sale servicing, billing, collection and inquiry. AT&T
shall inform its end users that they are customers of AT&T for
resold services. AT&T's end users who inadvertently contact U S WEST
with questions regarding their AT&T service will be instructed to
contact AT&T. U S WEST end users who inadvertently contact AT&T with
questions regarding their U S WEST service will be instructed to
contact U S WEST. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to
prohibit either Party from discussing its products and services with
customers of the other Party who solicit such information or who are
directly contacted by a Party.
3. Basic Service Requirements
3.1 Call Types
3.1.1 U S WEST shall provide the following call types, features
and functions to AT&T and its end users with no loss of
feature or functionality: (a) dial tone and ringing; (b)
capability for either dial pulse or touch tone; (c) flat and
measured services; (d) speech recognition as available with
other custom calling and CLASS features; (e) same extended
area service free calling area; (f) 1 + intraLATA toll
calling; (g) access to interLATA toll calling; (h) access to
international calling; (i) lines as well as trunks (DID,
DOD); (j) analog and digital private line - all speeds; (k)
off-premises extensions; (l) Centrex; and (m) ISDN.
3.2 U S WEST will provide access for AT&T and all its end user
customers to all call types, including, but not limited to, 500,
700, 800, 900, exchanges and dial around services (10XXX).
3.3 U S WEST shall impose no restrictions on customer's calling
(e.g., there should not be a 750 minute limit on flat rate calling).
3.4 U S WEST will provide pre-subscription services for intraLATA and/8/
interLATA toll services in accordance with currently accepted
methods and procedures as ordered in Docket No. ▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇/9/.
3.5 Features Requirements
3.5.1 U S WEST will provide AT&T the ability to suspend
and restore customer service including vacation suspension service
at the direction of AT&T.
____________________________________
/8/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 45
/9/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 45
Attachment 2
3.5.2 End Office Features. U S WEST will provide to
AT&T the same End Office Features available to U S WEST's
end users, including, but not limited to, CLASS features,
Custom Calling features, and AIN features.
3.5.3 Call Blocking Features. U S WEST will provide
to AT&T the same Call Blocking features as are available to
U S WEST's own Customers.
3.6 Upon request, U S WEST shall provide AT&T a list, in an
agreed upon format by central office, of all the
Telecommunications Services, features and functions offered
by U S WEST within sixty (60) days after such request and
shall provide updates to such lists as further described in
Attachment 5. U S WEST shall also provide an electronic
access method for AT&T to ascertain the service availability
of a particular USOC in a given central office.
4. Requirements for Specific Services
4.1 IntraLATA Toll
U S WEST will provide AT&T its intraLATA toll service to AT&T
for resale where 1+ intraLATA toll presubscription is not available.
4.2 Private Line Services
The following private line services shall be made available
without restriction from U S WEST: (a) voice grade private line
services; (b) off premise extensions; (c) foreign exchange line
service; (d) point-to-point and multi-point digital services (e.g.,
9.6 kbps-56 kbps; fractional DS-1); (e) DS-1 Services; (f) DS-3
services; (g) OC-3 service (where available); (h) frame relay
service; (i) packet switched services; (j) switched digital
services; and (k) other private line services as they are made
available.
4.3 Centrex Requirements
4.3.1 At AT&T's option and as they are available to U S
WEST's own end users via interstate tariffs and state tariffs, price
lists, price schedules, catalogs, or Individual Case Basis, AT&T may
purchase a single, any combination, or the entire set of Centrex
features, including Centrex Management System (CMS) or its
equivalent as described in Attachment 5. The Centrex service
provided for resale will meet the requirements set forth in the
following provisions of this Section.
4.3.2 All service levels and features of Centrex service
provided by U S WEST for resale by AT&T shall be at parity with
levels and features provided to its own customers or as mutually
agreed upon by the Parties.
4.3.3 AT&T may aggregate the Centrex local exchange and
intraLATA traffic usage of AT&T subscribers to the extent U S WEST
makes such aggregation available to itself or to its end users,
Customers, or Affiliates.
4.3.4 AT&T may aggregate multiple AT&T customers on
dedicated access facilities.
Attachment 2
4.3.5 U S WEST shall make CMS information available to AT&T
at the common block level via an electronic interface, as provided
to U S WEST's own end users.
4.3.6 AT&T may use remote call forwarding in conjunction with
Centrex service to provide service to AT&T local service Customers
residing outside of the geographic territory in which U S WEST
provides local exchange service. However, U S WEST is not obligated
to provide facilities outside its service territory.
4.3.7 AT&T may purchase any and all levels of Centrex service
for resale, without restriction on the minimum or maximum number of
lines that may be purchased for any one level of service, equivalent
to what is offered to U S WEST's own end users.
4.3.8 U S WEST will provide to AT&T the ability to suppress
the need for AT&T customers to dial "9" when placing calls outside
the Centrex system.
4.3.9 U S WEST shall make available to AT&T for resale, at no
additional charge, intercom calling among all AT&T customers within
a common block who utilize resold Centrex service.
4.4 CLASS and Custom Features Requirements
AT&T may purchase a single, any combination, or the entire
set of CLASS and custom features and functions, on a customer-
specific basis. CLASS features shall include, but not be limited to:
caller identification, name and number; call screening; call
tracing; and automatic call back on busy (*69). U S WEST shall
provide to AT&T a list of all such CLASS and custom features and
functions within ten (10) days after a request by AT&T and shall
provide updates to such list when new features and functions become
available.
4.5 Customer Financial Assistance Programs
4.5.1 Local services provided to low-income subscribers, pursuant
to requirements established by the appropriate state
regulatory body, include programs such as Lifeline,
Voluntary Federal Customer Financial Assistance Program, and
Link-Up America ("Voluntary Federal Customer Financial
Assistance Programs"). When a U S WEST subscriber eligible
for the Voluntary Federal Subscriber Financial Assistance
Programs or other similar state programs chooses to obtain
local service from AT&T, U S WEST shall forward information
available to U S WEST regarding such subscriber's
eligibility to participate in such programs to AT&T in
electronic format when available in accordance with the
procedures set forth herein.
4.5.2 U S WEST shall offer for resale Lifeline and Link-Up
Service; provided, however, that AT&T may only resell
Lifeline and Link-Up Service to those Customers eligible to
receive such services./10/ U S WEST will provide information
about the certification process for the provisioning of
Lifeline, Link-up,
------------------------------------
/10/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 32
Attachment 2
and similar services. U S WEST will forward to AT&T, in
electronic format (when available), information available to
U S WEST regarding a subscriber's program eligibility,
status and certification when a U S WEST subscriber
currently on any U S WEST telephone assistance program
changes service to AT&T as their local exchange carrier. U S
WEST will cooperate in obtaining any subsidy associated with
a subscriber transfer to AT&T.
4.5.2.1 In connection with the transfer of a customer from
U S WEST to AT&T, U S WEST shall provide to AT&T a
customer profile, including customer name, billing
and residence address, billing telephone
number(s),eligibility for Voluntary Federal
Customer Financial Assistance Program, and other
similar services, and identification of U S WEST
features and services subscribed to by customer.
4.6 Discount Plans and Services
4.6.1 In accordance with FCC rules and regulations, U S WEST shall
offer for resale all Discount Plans and Services.
4.6.2 AT&T can utilize any volume discounts that U S WEST makes
available to its end user customers.
4.7 Hospitality Service
U S WEST shall provide all blocking, screening, and all other
applicable functions available for hospitality lines utilized as
such.
4.8 Telephone Line Number Calling Cards. Effective ten (10) Business
Days after the date of an end-user's subscription to AT&T service or
within twenty-four (24) hours after AT&T has notified U S WEST that
it has replaced the subscriber's calling card, whichever is earlier,
U S WEST will terminate its existing telephone line number-based
calling cards and remove any U S WEST-assigned telephone line
calling card number subaccount and PIN (including area code) ("TLN")
from the LIDB. AT&T may issue a new telephone calling card to such
customer, utilizing the same TLN, and AT&T shall have the right to
enter such TLN in the LIDB for calling card validation purposes. U S
WEST will assume responsibility for billing its calling card calls
that appear before the card is terminated. Nothing in this section
shall prohibit U S WEST from terminating calling card service to U S
WEST customers who have been determined to be a credit risk,
according to U S WEST's normal business practices.
4.8.1 Except as provided above, the Parties will cooperate in the
deactivation and activation of calling cards and will make
reasonable efforts to minimize the time a customer is
without an active calling card.
4.8.2 U S WEST shall not prohibit AT&T from issuing a new
telephone calling card to an AT&T customer utilizing the
same TLN and AT&T shall have the right to enter the TLN in
the LIDB for calling card verification purposes.
4.8.3 U S WEST will provide AT&T the ability to utilize U S WEST's
LIDB for calling card validation.
Attachment 2
US WEST shall make engineering support available to AT&T for Resale
Services on the same basis as it provides such support for U S WEST
end users. To the extent the cost of such engineering support has
been considered an avoided cost in the development of the avoided
cost discount, the cost of such engineering support shall be borne
by AT&T.
4.10 Payphone Services
U S WEST agrees to sell for resale all tariffed PAL services at a
appropriate wholesale discount to be determined by the Commission.
4.10.1 U S WEST shall offer for resale, at a minimum, the
following: Coin Line, PAL, and PAL Coinless features.
Billed Number Screening
Ability to "freeze" PIC selection
One (1) ▇▇▇▇ per line and/or multiple lines per BAN
Point of demarcation at the Network Interface location
Detailed billing showing all 1+ traffic on paper, diskette
or electronic format
Touch-tone service
Option for listed or non-listed numbers
Access to 911 service
One (1) directory per line
4.10.2 At a minimum, U S WEST shall offer for resale the following
Coin Line features:
Access to all central office intelligence required to
perform answer detection, coin collection, coin return, and
disconnect
Answer Detection
Option to block all 1+ calls to international destinations
IntraLATA Call Timing
Option of one-way or two-way service on line
Flat Rate Service, where available
Originating line screening
U S WEST central office intelligence for rating and other
functions
Option of measured service, where available
Ability to block any 1+ service that cannot be rated by the
coin circuits/
TSPS/OSPS to the extent provided on U S WEST coin lines
Protect against clip on fraud to the extent provided on U S
WEST coin lines
Protect against blue box fraud to the extent provided on U S
WEST coin lines
Provision of Information Digit 27
4.10.3 At a minimum, U S WEST shall offer for resale the following
PAL and PAL Coinless features:
Originating line screening
Two-way service option
Flat rate service based on rate groups, where available
Option of one-way service on the line, where available
Option of measured service, where available
Attachment 2
Ability to keep existing serving telephone numbers if
cutover to AT&T
AT&T resale line incoming/outgoing screening
Provision of Information Digit 07
Provision of International Toll Denial Recognition Tone,
when available
4.10.4 At a minimum, U S WEST shall offer for resale the following
PAL Coin feature:
Blocking for 1+ international, 10XXXX1 + international,
101XXXX1 + international, 1+900, N11, 976 and option to
block all 1-700 and 1-500 calls
Line side supervision option
4.10.5 At a minimum, U S WEST shall offer for resale the following
PAL Coinless feature:
Blocking for 1 + international, 10XXXX1 + international,
101XXXX1 +International, 1+900, N11, 976, and 7 digit local
4.10.6 U S WEST shall provide installation intervals for PAL
services to AT&T for ordering, call transfer, billing, and
PIC changes in accordance with performance standards that
are established by the Commission, pursuant to subsequent
agreement between the Parties or as provided to any other
Person.
5. Service Functions
5.1 U S WEST shall provide AT&T with the information available to U S
WEST that AT&T will need to certify subscribers who transfer from U
S WEST as exempt from charges (including taxes), or eligible for
reduced charges associated with providing services.
5.2 U S WEST shall provide AT&T with appropriate notification of all
area transfers with line level detail one hundred twenty (120) days
before service transfer, and will also notify AT&T within one
hundred twenty (120) days before such change or any LATA boundary
changes.
5.3 U S WEST will work cooperatively with AT&T in practices and
procedures regarding the handling of law enforcement and service
annoyance calls.
5.4 Support Functions
5.4.1 Routing to Directory Assistance, Operator and Other Services
5.4.1.1 U S WEST shall make available to AT&T the ability
to route:
Error! Reference source not found.(a) all Local
Directory Assistance calls (411, (NPA) 555-
1212) dialed by AT&T Customers directly to
the AT&T Directory Assistance Services
platform, where technically feasible and
consistent with FCC rules; and
(b) Local Operator Services calls (O+, O-) dialed
by AT&T Customers directly to the AT&T Local
Operator Services platform, where technically
feasible and consistent with FCC rules. Such
traffic shall
Attachment 2
be routed over trunk groups between U S WEST
end offices and the AT&T Local Operator
Services Platform, using standard Operator
Services dialing protocols of O+ or O-.
5.4.1.2 All direct routing capabilities described herein
shall permit AT&T Customers to dial the same
telephone numbers for AT&T Directory Assistance
and Local Operator Service as U S WEST customers
use to access similar services.
6. Security and Law
6.1 U S WEST will maintain and safeguard all AT&T customer information
according to CPNI privacy guidelines.
6.2 U S WEST and AT&T will work jointly in security matters as they
relate to AT&T customers in a resale environment including, but not
limited to, harassment and annoyance calls.
6.3 U S WEST and AT&T will work jointly to support law enforcement
agency requirements including, but not limited to, taps, traces and
court orders.
6.4 U S WEST will work jointly with AT&T with respect to prevention and
settlement of fraud.
6.5 U S WEST and AT&T will work jointly to provide access to lines in a
hostage situation.
7. Ordering and Maintenance
7.1 AT&T shall transmit to U S WEST the information necessary for the
installation (billing, listing and other information), repair,
maintenance and post-installation servicing according to U S WEST's
standard procedures, as described in the U S WEST resale operations
guide that will be provided to AT&T. When U S WEST's end user or the
end user's new service provider discontinues the end user's service
in anticipation of moving to another service provider, U S WEST will
render its closing ▇▇▇▇ to the end user effective with the
disconnection. Should AT&T's end user, a new service provider or
AT&T request service be discontinued to the end user, U S WEST will
issue a ▇▇▇▇ to AT&T for that portion of the service provided to the
AT&T end user. In no event, shall the transition of an end user from
U S WEST to AT&T cause a disconnection of service other than as
specifically provided for in this Agreement. It is understood that
AT&T's decision to request a change in class of service (or a
conversion to a re-used unbundled loop) at "transition" may involve
a few minutes out-of-service. The preceding may be modified by
agreement of the Parties.
7.2 U S WEST will notify AT&T by fax or other processes as agreed to by
the Parties, when an end user moves to another service provider.
7.3 The new service provider shall be responsible for issuing either a
transfer of service or disconnect/new connect order, as appropriate.
7.4 The Parties agree that they will work cooperatively to develop the
standards and processes applicable to the transfer of such accounts
that are in arrears.
Attachment 2
8. Changes in Retail Service.
8.1 U S WEST will notify AT&T of any changes in the terms and conditions
under which it offers Telecommunications Services at retail to
subscribers who are not telecommunications service providers or
carriers, including, but not limited to, the introduction or
discontinuance of any features, functions, services or promotions.
8.2 U S WEST will provide to AT&T advance notice of the availability of
new Telecommunication Services in accordance with Section 23.2 of
Part A of this Agreement.
8.3 In the event U S WEST intends to terminate the provisioning of any
resold services to AT&T for any reason, AT&T shall be responsible
for providing any and all necessary notice to its end users of the
termination. In no case shall U S WEST be responsible for providing
such notice to AT&T's end users. U S WEST will provide sufficient
written notice to AT&T of U S WEST's intent to terminate a resold
service so that AT&T may notify its customers or intervene in the
proceedings on a timely basis consistent with Commission rules and
notice requirements.
9. Customer Authorization Process
9.1 U S WEST and AT&T will use the existing PIC process as a model, and
the same or similar procedures for changes of local providers. For a
local carrier change initiated by AT&T or an agent of AT&T to a
customer, one of the following four (4) procedures will constitute
authorization for the change: (a)Obtain the customer's written
authorization (letter of authorization or LOA); (b) Obtain the
customer's electronic authorization by use of an toll-free number;
(c) Have the customer's oral authorization verified by an
independent third party (third party verification); or (d) Send an
information package, including a prepaid, returnable postcard,
within three (3) days of the customer's request for a local carrier
change, and wait fourteen (14) days before submitting the local
carrier change to the previous carrier.
9.2 It is understood by U S WEST and AT&T that these procedures may be
superseded or modified by FCC rules or industry standards.
9.3 U S WEST will provide AT&T authorization for a local carrier change
that is initiated by a customer call to AT&T. In this case AT&T
will: (a) maintain internal records verifying the customer's stated
intent to switch carriers; and (b) produce the record in case of a
slamming dispute consistent with FCC rules.
9.4 Should an end user dispute or a discrepancy arise regarding the
authority of AT&T to act on behalf of the end user, AT&T is
responsible for providing a written response evidencing its
authority to U S WEST within five (5) Business Days of receipt of a
written request from U S WEST describing the basis of the dispute or
discrepancy. If there is a conflict between the end user designation
or AT&T does not provide a response within five (5) Business Days, U
S WEST shall honor the designation of the end user. In the event the
end user designation is honored by U S WEST as described above, then
AT&T shall remit a slamming charge, if any, in accordance with
Section 258 of the Act and Commission Rules.
Attachment 2
9.5 Should an end user dispute or a discrepancy arise regarding the
authority of U S WEST to act on behalf of the end user, U S WEST is
responsible for providing a written response evidencing its
authority to AT&T within five (5) Business Days of receipt of a
written request from AT&T describing the basis of the dispute or
discrepancy. If there is a conflict between the end user designation
or U S WEST does not provide a response within five (5) Business
Days, AT&T shall honor the designation of the end user. In the event
the end user designation is honored by AT&T as described above then
U S WEST shall remit a slamming charge, if any, in accordance with
Section 258 of the Act and Commission rules.
9.6 AT&T shall designate the Primary Interexchange Carrier (PIC)
assignments on behalf of its end users for interLATA services and
for intraLATA services when intraLATA presubscription is
implemented.
9.7 When Customers switch from U S WEST to AT&T, or to AT&T from any
other service provider, such Customers shall be permitted to retain
their current telephone numbers if they so desire and if they do not
change their service address to an address served by a different
central office. U S WEST shall take no action to prevent AT&T
customers from retaining their current telephone numbers.
10. AT&T Responsibilities
10.1 AT&T must send to U S WEST either: (a) complete and accurate end
user listing information for Directory Assistance and 911 Emergency
Services using processes mutually agreed to by the Parties, or (b)
notification of as is migration. AT&T must provide to U S WEST
accurate end user information to ensure appropriate listings in any
databases in which U S WEST retains and/or maintains end user
information. AT&T assumes liability for the accuracy of information
provided to U S WEST. After receiving accurate information from
AT&T, U S WEST assumes liability for the accuracy of transmission of
such information to the database provider (e.g., SCC).
10.2 U S WEST shall provide AT&T with the capability to assign large
quantities (i.e., greater than ten (10)) of telephone numbers for
multiple line and PBX customers in accordance with U S WEST's
tariffs and/or its own internal practices.
10.3 AT&T will provide a three year non-binding forecast within ninety
(90) days a request by AT&T. The forecast shall be updated and
provided to U S WEST on a quarterly basis. The initial forecast will
provide:
The date service will be offered (by city and/or state)
The type and quantity of service(s) which will be offered
AT&T's anticipated order volume
AT&T's key contact personnel
11. Pricing
The wholesale discount rate charged to AT&T for Local Service are set forth
in Attachment 1 of this Agreement.
12. Deposit
Attachment 2
12.1 U S WEST may require a suitable deposit to be held by U S WEST as a
guarantee for payment of U S WEST's charges for companies which
cannot demonstrate sufficient financial integrity based on
commercially reasonable standards, which may include a satisfactory
credit rating as determined by a recognized credit rating agency
reasonably acceptable to U S WEST.
12.2 When the service is terminated or when AT&T has established
satisfactory credit, if required under the terms of the preceding
paragraph, the amount of the initial or additional deposit, with any
interest due, will, at AT&T's option, be either credited to AT&T's
account or refunded. Satisfactory credit for AT&T's is defined as
(a) twelve (12) months positive payment history in another capacity
with U S WEST, such as in the interexchange area; (b) financial
standing as outlined in the preceding paragraph above; (c) posting a
bond; or (d) twelve (12) consecutive months' service as a reseller
without a termination for nonpayment and with no more than one (1)
notification of intent to terminate service for nonpayment. Interest
on the deposit shall be accumulated by U S WEST at a rate equal to
the federal prime rate, as published in the Wall Street Journal from
time to time.
Attachment 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction............................................................................................. 1
2. Unbundled Network Elements............................................................................... 1
3. Standards for Network Elements........................................................................... 3
4. Tandem Switching......................................................................................... 3
5. Shared Transport......................................................................................... 6
6. Common Transport......................................................................................... 6
7. Dedicated Transport...................................................................................... 9
8. Loop..................................................................................................... 18
9. Distribution............................................................................................. 26
10. Local Switching.......................................................................................... 28
11. Network Interface Device................................................................................. 35
12. Operator Systems......................................................................................... 37
13. E911..................................................................................................... 38
14. Directory Assistance Data................................................................................ 38
15. Signaling Link Transport................................................................................. 38
16. Signaling Transfer Points (STPs)......................................................................... 39
17. Service Control Points/Databases......................................................................... 43
18. Additional Requirements.................................................................................. 53
18.1 Cooperative Testing...................................................................................... 53
18.2 Performance.............................................................................................. 55
Attachment 3
UNBUNDLED ACCESS/ELEMENTS
1. Introduction
1.1 U S WEST shall provide unbundled Network Elements in accordance
with this Agreement, the Act, FCC rules and regulations, and state
rules, regulations and orders. The price for each Network Element is
set forth in Attachment 1 of this Agreement. Except as otherwise set
forth in this Attachment, AT&T may order Network Elements as of the
Effective Date of this Agreement.
1.2 General Terms
1.2.1 U S WEST agrees to make available the following unbundled
Network Elements which are addressed in more detail in the
following sections of this Attachment: (a) local loop, (b)
local and tandem switches (including all vertical switching
features provided by such switches)/1/, (c) interoffice
transmission facilities, (d) network interface devices, (e)
signaling and call-related database facilities, (f) operations
support systems functions, and (g) operator and directory
assistance facilities.
1.2.2 U S WEST shall offer each Network Element individually and in
Combinations with any other Network Element or Network Elements
in order to permit AT&T to combine such Network Element or
Network Elements obtained from U S WEST or with network
components provided by itself or by third parties to provide
Telecommunications Services to its subscribers. AT&T may
purchase unbundled Network Elements individually or in
Combinations without restrictions as to how those elements may
be rebundled subject to the provisions of 47 CFR 51.309, 51.315
and 51.515(c), as effective./2/
Section 2.Unbundled Network Elements
2.1 U S WEST shall offer Network Elements to AT&T on an unbundled basis on
rates, terms and conditions that are just, reasonable, and non-
discriminatory in accordance with the terms and conditions of this
Agreement.
2.2 U S WEST shall permit AT&T to connect AT&T's facilities or facilities
provided to AT&T by third parties with each of U S WEST's unbundled
Network Elements at any technically feasible point designated by AT&T.
2.3 AT&T may use one or more Network Elements to provide any feature,
function, capability, or service option such Network Element(s) is
capable of providing or any feature,
______________
/1/ AT&T Order at p. 2, "Local Switch - Vertical Features"
/2/ MCI Order at p.3, Issue 14 and AT&T Order at p. 2, "Combination of Unbundled
Elements"
Attachment 3
function, capability, or service option described in the technical
references identified herein, or as may otherwise be determined by
AT&T.
2.3.1 AT&T may, at its option, designate any technically feasible
method of access to unbundled Network Elements, including
access methods currently or previously in use by U S WEST.
2.4 For each Network Element, U S WEST shall provide a demarcation point
(e.g., at a Digital Signal Cross Connect, DCS, Light Guide Cross
Connect panel or a Main Distribution Frame) and, if necessary, access
to the AT&T side of such demarcation point, which AT&T agrees is
suitable. Where U S WEST provides combined Network Elements at AT&T's
direction, however, no demarcation point shall exist between such
contiguous Network Elements. AT&T may purchase unbundled Network
Elements without restrictions as to how AT&T may rebundle those
elements./3/
2.5 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency]
2.6 This Attachment describes the initial set of Network Elements which
AT&T and U S WEST have identified as of the Effective Date of this
Agreement:
Loop
Network Interface Device
Distribution (subject to the BFR)
Local Switching
Operator Systems
Shared Transport
Common Transport
Dedicated Transport
Signaling Link Transport
Signaling Transfer Points
Service Control Points/Databases
Tandem Switching
911
Directory Assistance
2.7 AT&T and U S WEST agree that the Network Elements identified in this
Attachment are not all of the possible Network Elements.
2.8 AT&T may identify additional or revised Network Elements as necessary
to provide Telecommunications Services to its subscribers, to improve
network or service efficiencies or to accommodate changing
technologies, customer demand, or other requirements.
2.8.1 AT&T will request such Network Elements in accordance with the
Bona Fide Request Process described in the Part A of this
Agreement. Additionally, if U S WEST provides any Network
Element that is not identified in this Agreement to itself, to
its own subscribers, to a U S WEST Affiliate or to any other
Person, U S WEST shall make available the same Network Element
to AT&T on terms
_____________
/3/ MCIm Order at p. 3, Issue 14 and AT&T Order at p. 2, "Combination of
Unbundled Network Elements"_____
Attachment 3
and conditions no less favorable to AT&T than those provided to
itself or to any other party.
3. Standards for Network Elements
3.1 Each Network Element shall be furnished at a service level equal to or
better than the requirements set forth in the technical references
identified herein for each such Network Element, as well as any
performance or other requirements, identified in this Attachment,
subject to Sections 1.3.1 and 1.3.2 of Part A of this Agreement.
3.2 If one or more of the requirements set forth in this Agreement are in
conflict, the Parties agree to resolve such conflict in accordance
with the, dispute resolution provisions of Part A of this Agreement.
3.2.1 U S WEST shall provide to AT&T, upon request, engineering,
design, performance and other network data sufficient for AT&T
to determine that the requirements of this Section 3 are being
met. In the event such data indicates that the requirements set
forth herein are not being met, U S WEST shall, within ten (10)
days, cure any design, performance or other deficiency and
provide new data sufficient for AT&T to determine that such
deficiencies have been cured.
3.2.2 U S WEST agrees to work cooperatively with AT&T to provide
Network Elements that will meet AT&T's needs in providing
Telecommunications Services to its subscribers.
3.3 Unless otherwise requested by AT&T, each Network Element or any
Combination thereof and the connections between Network Elements
provided by U S WEST to AT&T shall be made available to AT&T at any
technically feasible point, that is equal to or better than the manner
in which U S WEST provides such Network Elements, Combinations and
connections to itself its own subscribers, to a U S WEST Affiliate or
to any other Person.
Description of Unbundled Elements
4. Tandem Switching
U S WEST will provide a tandem switching element ("Tandem Switching") on an
unbundled basis. The tandem switch element includes the facilities
connecting the trunk distribution frames to the switch, and all the
functions of the switch itself, including those facilities that establish a
temporary transmission path between two (2) other switches. The definition
of the tandem switching element also includes the functions centralized in
tandems rather than in separate end office switches, such as call
recording, the routing of calls to Operator Services, and signaling
conversion functions.
4.1 Definition:
Tandem Switching is the function that establishes a communications path
between two (2) switching offices through a third switching office (the
tandem switch) including, but not limited to, those of AT&T, U S WEST,
independent telephone companies (ICOs), IXCs and wireless carriers.
4.2 Technical Requirements
Attachment 3
4.2.1 Tandem Switching provided by U S WEST to AT&T shall have the
same capabilities or equivalent capabilities as those described
in ▇▇▇▇ Communications Research TR-TSY-000540 Issue 2R2, Tandem
Supplement, June 1, 1990. The requirements for Tandem Switching
include, but are not limited to, the following:
4.2.1.1 Tandem Switching shall provide signaling to establish
a tandem connection;
4.2.1.2 Tandem Switching shall provide screening (digit
analysis) and routing as designated by AT&T;
4.2.1.3 Where technically feasible, Tandem Switching shall
provide recording of all billable events designated by
AT&T;
4.2.1.4 Tandem Switching shall allow passing of Advanced
Intelligent Network triggers supporting AIN features;
4.2.1.5 Tandem Switching shall provide connectivity to
Operator Systems as designated by AT&T;
4.2.1.6 Tandem Switching shall provide access to toll free
number portability database where AT&T sends such
traffic to a tandem;
4.2.1.7 Tandem Switching shall allow the passing of all
functions associated with traffic for all trunk
interconnection discussed under the "Network
Interconnection" section of this Agreement (e.g., SS7,
MF, DTMF, Dial Pulse, PRI-ISDN, DID, and CAMA-ANI (if
appropriate for 911));
4.2.1.8 Tandem Switching shall provide connectivity to PSAPs
where 911 solutions are deployed and the tandem is
used for 911; and
4.2.1.9 Tandem Switching shall provide connectivity to Transit
Traffic to and from other carriers.
4.2.2 Tandem Switching shall accept connections (including the
necessary signaling and trunking interconnections) between end
offices, other tandems, IXCs, ICOs, CAPs and CLEC switches.
4.2.3 Tandem Switching shall provide local tandeming functionality
between two (2) end offices including two (2) offices belonging
to different CLECs (e.g., between an AT&T end office and the
end office of another CLEC).
4.2.4 Tandem Switching shall preserve CLASS/LASS features and Caller
ID as traffic is processed. Additional signaling information
and requirements are provided in Section 15 of this Attachment.
4.2.5 Tandem Switching shall record billable events and send them to
the area billing centers designated by AT&T. Billing
requirements are specified in Attachment 5 of this Agreement.
Attachment 3
4.2.6 U S WEST shall perform routine testing and fault isolation on
the underlying switch providing Tandem Switching and all its
Interconnections. When requested by AT&T, the results and
reports of the testing shall be made immediately available to
AT&T.
4.2.7 When requested by AT&T, U S WEST shall provide to AT&T for
review performance data regarding traffic characteristics or
other measurable elements with respect to AT&T traffic.
4.2.8 Tandem Switching shall control congestion using capabilities
such as Automatic Congestion Control and Network Routing
Overflow. Congestion control provided or imposed on AT&T
traffic shall be at parity with controls being provided or
imposed on U S WEST traffic (e.g., U S WEST shall not block
AT&T traffic and leave its own traffic unaffected or less
affected).
4.2.9 Tandem Switching shall route calls to U S WEST or AT&T
endpoints or platforms (e.g., Operator Services and PSAPs) on a
per call basis as designated by AT&T. Detailed primary and
overflow routing plans for all interfaces available within the
U S WEST switching network shall be mutually agreed to by AT&T
and U S WEST. Such plans shall meet AT&T requirements for
routing calls through the local network.
4.2.10 Tandem Switching shall process originating toll free traffic
received from an AT&T local switch.
4.2.11 In support of AIN triggers and features, Tandem Switching shall
provide SSP capabilities when these capabilities are not
available from the Local Switching Network Element.
4.2.12 The Local Switching and Tandem Switching functions may be
combined in an office. If this is done, both Local Switching
and Tandem Switching shall provide all of the functionality
required of each of those Network Elements in this Agreement.
4.3 Interface Requirements
4.3.1 Tandem Switching shall provide interconnection to the E911 PSAP
where the underlying Tandem is acting as the E911 Tandem.
4.3.2 Tandem Switching shall interconnect, with direct trunks, to all
carriers with which U S WEST interconnects.
4.3.3 U S WEST shall provide all signaling necessary to provide
Tandem Switching with no loss of feature functionality.
4.3.4 For applicable call types, Tandem Switching shall interconnect
with AT&T's switch, using two-way trunks, for traffic that is
transiting via the U S WEST network to interLATA or intraLATA
carriers. At AT&T's request, Tandem Switching shall record and
keep records of traffic for billing.
Attachment 3
4.3.5 At AT&T's request, Tandem Switching shall provide overflow
routing of traffic from a given trunk group or groups onto
another trunk group or groups according to the methodology
employed by U S WEST as designated by AT&T.
4.4 Tandem Switching shall meet or exceed each of the requirements for
Tandem Switching set forth in the following technical references:
4.4.1 ▇▇▇▇ Communications Research TR-TSY-000540 Issue 2R2, Tandem
Supplement, June 1, 1990;
4.4.2 GR-905-CORE covering CCSNIS;
4.4.3 GR-1429-CORE for call management features; and
4.4.4 GR-2863-CORE and GR-2902-CORE for CCS AIN interconnection.
5. Shared Transport
U S WEST will provide unbundled access to U S WEST transmission facilities
between end offices, end offices and the tandem switch, and the tandem
switch and end offices for completing local calls. Such transmission
facilities would be shared with U S WEST and, as applicable, with other
CLECs. Transport routing shall be on an identical basis as routing is
performed by U S WEST, providing the same efficiencies that U S WEST
employs for itself. Costs will be allocated appropriately based upon the
transmission path taken by each call. Shared transport shall meet the
technical specifications as itemized below for Common Transport./4/
6. Common Transport
6.1 Definition
Common Transport is an interoffice transmission path between U S WEST
Network Elements shared by carriers. Where U S WEST Network Elements
are connected by intra-office wiring, such wiring is provided as a
part of the Network Elements and is not Common Transport. U S WEST
shall offer Common Transport as of the Effective Date of this
Agreement, at ▇▇-▇, ▇▇-▇, ▇▇-▇, STS-1 or higher transmission bit rate
circuits. Common Transport consists of U S WEST inter-office transport
facilities and is distinct and separate from Local Switching.
6.2 Technical Requirements
6.2.1 U S WEST shall be responsible for the engineering,
provisioning, and maintenance of the underlying equipment and
facilities used to provide Common Transport.
6.2.2 In accordance with Sections 1.3.1 and 1.3.2 of Part A of this
Agreement at a minimum, Common Transport shall meet all of the
requirements set forth in the following technical references,
as applicable for the transport technology being used:
_____________
/4/ Final Arbitration Order at pg.56
Attachment 3
6.2.2.1 ANSI T1.101-1994, American National Standard for
Telecommunications-Synchronization Interface Standard
Performance and Availability;
6.2.2.2 ANSI T1.102-1993, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Digital Hierarchy - Electrical
Interfaces;
6.2.2.3 ANSI T1.102.01-199x, American National ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ - ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ - ▇▇▇.▇;
6.2.2.4 ANSI T1.105-1995, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Synchronous Optical Network
(SONET) - Basic Description including Multiplex
Structure, Rates and Formats;
6.2.2.5 ANSI T1.105.01-1995, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Synchronous Optical Network
(SONET) Automatic Protection Switching;
6.2.2.6 ANSI T1.105.02-1995, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Synchronous Optical Network
(SONET) - Payload Mappings;
6.2.2.7 ANSI T1.105.03-1994, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Synchronous Optical Network
(SONET) - Jitter at Network Interfaces;
6.2.2.8 ANSI T1.105.03a-1995, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Synchronous Optical Network
(SONET)-Jitter at Network Interfaces -DS-1
Supplement;
6.2.2.9 ANSI T1.105.05-1994, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Synchronous Optical Network
(SONET) - Tandem Connection;
6.2.2.10 ANSI T1.105.06-199x, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Synchronous Optical Network
(SONET) - Physical Layer Specifications;
6.2.2.11 ANSI T1.105.07-199x, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Synchronous Optical Network
(SONET) - Sub STS-1 Interface Rates and Formats;
6.2.2.12 ANSI T1.105.09-199x, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Synchronous Optical Network
(SONET) - Network Element Timing and Synchronization;
6.2.2.13 ANSI T1.106-1988, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Digital Hierarchy - Optical
Interface Specifications (Single Mode);
Attachment 3
6.2.2.14 ANSI T1.107-1988, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Digital Hierarchy - Formats
Specifications;
6.2.2.15 ANSI T1.107a-1990, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Digital Hierarchy - Supplement
to Formats Specifications (DS3 Format Applications);
6.2.2.16 ANSI T1.107b-1991, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Digital Hierarchy - Supplement
to Formats Specifications;
6.2.2.17 ANSI T1.117-1991, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Digital Hierarchy - Optical
Interface Specifications (SONET) (Single Mode - Short
Reach);
6.2.2.18 ANSI T1.403-1989, Carrier to Subscriber Installation,
DS-1 Metallic Interface Specification;
6.2.2.19 ANSI T1.404-1994, Network-to-Subscriber Installation
-DS-3 Metallic Interface Specification;
6.2.2.20 ITU Recommendation G.707, Network node interface for
the synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH);
6.2.2.21 ITU Recommendation G.704, Synchronous frame
structures used at 1544, 6312, 2048, 8488 and 44736
kbit/s hierarchical levels;
6.2.2.22 Bellcore FR-440 and TR-NWT-000499, Transport Systems
Generic Requirements (TSGR): Common Requirements;
6.2.2.23 Bellcore GR-820-CORE, Generic Transmission
Surveillance: DS-1 & DS-3 Performance;
6.2.2.24 Bellcore GR-253-CORE, Synchronous Optical Network
Systems (SONET) Common Generic Criteria;
6.2.2.25 Bellcore TR-NWT 000507, Transmission, Section 7,
Issue 5 (Bellcore, December 1993) (A module of LSSGR,
FR-NWT-000064.);
6.2.2.26 Bellcore TR-NWT-000776, Network Interface Description
for ISDN Subscriber Access;
6.2.2.27 Bellcore TR-INS-000342, High-Capacity Digital Special
Access Service-Transmission Parameter Limits and
Interface Combinations, Issue 1, February 1991;
6.2.2.28 Bellcore ST-TEC-000052, Telecommunications
Transmission Engineering Textbook, Volume 2:
Facilities, Third Edition, Issue 1, May 1989; and
Attachment 3
6.2.2.29 Bellcore ST-TEC-000051, Telecommunications
Transmission Engineering Textbook Volume 1:
Principles, Third Edition, Issue 1, August 198?.
Section 7. Dedicated Transport
7.1 Definition:
7.1.1 Dedicated Transport is an interoffice transmission path between
AT&T designated locations to which AT&T is granted exclusive
use. Such locations may include U S WEST central offices or
other locations, AT&T network components, other carrier network
components, or subscriber premises.
7.1.2 U S WEST shall offer Dedicated Transport in each of the
following manners:
7.1.2.1 as capacity on a shared facility;
7.1.2.2 as a circuit (e.g., ▇▇-▇, ▇▇-▇, STS-1) dedicated to
AT&T; and
7.1.2.3 as a system (i.e., the equipment and facilities used
to provide Dedicated Transport such as SONET ring)
dedicated to AT&T.
7.1.3 When Dedicated Transport is provided as a circuit or as
capacity on a shared facility, it shall include, as
appropriate:
7.1.3.1 multiplexing functionality;
7.1.3.2 grooming functionality; and,
7.1.3.3 redundant equipment and facilities necessary to
support protection and restoration.
7.1.4 When Dedicated Transport is provided as a system, it shall
include:
7.1.4.1 transmission equipment such as multiplexers, line
terminating equipment, amplifiers, and regenerators;
7.1.4.2 inter-office transmission facilities such as optical
fiber, copper twisted pair, and coaxial cable;
7.1.4.3 redundant equipment and facilities necessary to
support protection and restoration; and
7.1.4.4 access to the Digital Cross-Connect System ("DCS")
functionality as an option in the same manner
provided to IXCs that purchase transport services.
DCS is described below in Section 7.5 of this
Attachment.
7.2 Technical Requirements
This Section sets forth technical requirements for all Dedicated
Transport.
Attachment 3
7.2.1 When U S WEST provides Dedicated Transport as a circuit or a
system, the entire designated transmission circuit or system
(e.g., ▇▇-▇, ▇▇-▇, STS-1) shall be dedicated to AT&T designated
traffic.
7.2.2 U S WEST shall offer Dedicated Transport using currently
available technologies including, but not limited to, DS-1 and
DS-3 transport systems, SONET Bi-directional Line Switched
Rings, SONET Unidirectional Path Switched Rings, and SONET
point-to-point transport systems (including linear add-drop
systems), at all available transmission bit rates.
7.2.3 When requested by AT&T, Dedicated Transport shall provide
physical diversity. Physical diversity means that two (2)
circuits are provisioned in such a way that no single failure
of facilities or equipment will cause a failure on both
circuits.
7.2.4 When physical diversity is requested by AT&T, U S WEST shall
provide the maximum feasible physical separation between
transmission paths for all facilities and equipment,unless
otherwise agreed to by AT&T.
7.2.5 Upon AT&T's written request, where technically feasible and
available, U S WEST shall provide real time and continuous
remote access to performance monitoring and alarm data
affecting, or potentially affecting, AT&T's traffic.
7.2.6 U S WEST shall offer the following interface transmission rates
for Dedicated Transport:
7.2.6.1 DS-1 (Extended SuperFrame - ESF/B8ZS, D4, and
unframed applications shall be provided, except for
those local/EAS tandems as designated by U S WEST);
7.2.6.2 DS-3 (C-bit ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇, and unframed applications
shall be provided);
7.2.6.3 SONET standard interface rates in accordance with
ANSI T1.105 and ANSI T1.105.07 and physical
interfaces per ANSI T1.106.06, including referenced
interfaces. In particular, VT1.5 based STS-1s will be
the interface at an AT&T service node; and
7.2.6.4 where available, SONET Standard interface rates in
accordance with International Telecommunications
Union ("ITU") Recommendation G.707 and Plesiochronous
Digital Hierarchy ("PDH") rates per ITU
Recommendation G.704.
7.2.7 U S WEST shall provide intraoffice wiring up to a suitable
Point of Termination ("POT") between Dedicated Transport and
AT&T designated equipment. U S WEST shall provide the following
equipment for the physical POT:
7.2.7.1 DSX1 or DCS for DS-1s or VT1.5s;
7.2.7.2 DSX3 or DCS for DS-3s or STS-1s; and
7.2.7.3 Light guide cross-connect for optical signals (e.g.,
OC-3 and OC-12).
Attachment 3
7.2.8 For Dedicated Transport provided as a system, U S
WEST shall design the system including, but not
limited to, facility routing and termination points,
according to AT&T specifications.
7.2.9 Upon AT&T's request and where available, U S WEST
shall provide AT&T with electronic provisioning
control, of AT&T specified Dedicated Transport via
Command-A-Link or equivalent interface in the same
manner as is provided to IXCs.
7.2.10 U S WEST shall offer Dedicated Transport together
with and separately from DCS.
7.3 Technical Requirements for Dedicated Transport Using SONET
Technology.
This Section sets forth additional technical requirements for
Dedicated Transport using SONET technology including rings,
point-to-point systems, and linear add-drop systems.
7.3.1 All SONET Dedicated Transport provided as a system
shall:
7.3.1.1 be synchronized with a primary Stratum 1
level timing source;
7.3.1.2 where technically feasible, provide SONET
standard interfaces as available in the U S
WEST network and consistent with generally
accepted industry standards which properly
interwork with SONET standard equipment from
other vendors, including, but not limited
to, SONET standard section, line and path
performance monitoring, maintenance signals,
alarms, and data channels;
7.3.1.3 provide Data Communications Channel ("DCC")
or equivalent connectivity through the SONET
transport system. Dedicated Transport
provided over a SONET transport system shall
be capable of routing DCC messages between
AT&T and SONET network components connected
to the Dedicated Transport. For example, if
AT&T leases a SONET ring from U S WEST, that
ring shall support DCC message routing
between AT&T and SONET network components
connected to the ring; and
7.3.1.4 support the following performance
requirements for each circuit (STS-1, ▇▇-▇,
▇▇-▇, etc.):
7.3.1.4.1 no more than ten (10) Errored
Seconds Per Day (Errored
Seconds are defined in the
technical reference at Section
7.4.5); and
7.3.1.4.2 no more than one (1) Severely
Errored Second Per Day
(Severely Errored Seconds are
defined in the technical
reference at Section 7.4.5).
7.3.2 SONET rings shall:
Attachment 3
7.3.2.1 be provisioned on physically diverse fiber
optic cables (including separate building
entrances where available). "Diversely
routed" shall be interpreted as the maximum
feasible physical separation between
transmission paths, unless otherwise agreed
to by AT&T;
7.3.2.2 support dual ring interworking per SONET
Standards where available in the U S WEST
network;
7.3.2.3 provide the necessary redundancy in optics,
electronics, and transmission paths such
that no single failure will cause a service
interruption;
7.3.2.4 where available, provide the ability to
disable ring protection switching at AT&T's
direction (selective protection lock-out).
This requirement applies to line switched
rings only;
7.3.2.5 where available, provide the ability to use
the protection channels to carry extra
traffic. This requirement applies to line
switched rings only;
7.3.2.6 provide 50 millisecond restoration as
defined in SONET standards;
7.3.2.7 where available, have settable ring
protection switching thresholds that shall
be set in accordance with AT&T's
specifications;
7.3.2.8 where available, provide revertive
protection switching with a settable wait to
restore delay with a default setting of five
(5) minutes. This requirement applies to
line switched rings only;
7.3.2.9 provide non-revertive protection switching.
This requirement applies to path switched
rings only; and
7.3.2.10 adhere to the following availability
requirements, where availability is defined
in the technical reference set forth in
Section 7.4.5:
7.3.2.10.1 no more than 0.25 minutes of
unavailability per month; and
7.3.2.10.2 no more than 0.5 minutes of
unavailability per year.
7.4 In accordance with Sections 1.3.1 and 1.3.2 of Part A of this
Agreement, at a minimum, Dedicated Transport shall meet each
of the requirements set forth in Section 7.2.3 of this
Attachment and in the following technical references:
7.4.1 ANSI T1.105.04-1995, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Synchronous Optical Network
(SONET) - Data Communication Channel Protocols and
Architectures;
7.4.2 ANSI T1.119-1994, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Synchronous Optical Network
(SONET) - Operations, Administration, Maintenance,
and Provisioning (OAM&P) Communications;
Attachment 3
7.4.3 ANSI T1.119.01-1995, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Synchronous Optical Network
(SONET) Operations, Administration, Maintenance, and
Provisioning (OAM&P) Communications Protection
Switching Fragment;
7.4.4 ANSI T1.119.02-199x, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Synchronous Optical Network
(SONET) Operations, Administration, Maintenance, and
Provisioning (OAM&P) Communications Performance
Monitoring Fragment; and
7.4.5 ANSI T1.231-1993 -American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Digital Hierarchy - Layer 1 In-
Service Digital Transmission Performance Monitoring.
7.5 Digital Cross-Connect System
7.5.1 Definition
7.5.1.1 Digital Cross-Connect System ("DCS") is a
function which provides automated cross
connection of Digital Signal level 0 ("DS-0") or
higher transmission bit rate digital channels
within physical interface facilities. Types of
DCSs include, but are not limited to, DCS 1/0s,
DCS 3/1s, and DCS 3/3s, where the nomenclature
1/0 denotes interfaces typically at the DS-1 rate
or greater with cross-connection typically at the
DS-0 rate. This same nomenclature, at the
appropriate rate substitution, extends to the
other types of DCSs specifically cited as 3/1 and
3/3. Types of DCSs that cross-connect Synchronous
Transport Signal level 1 ("STS-1") or other
Synchronous Optical Network ("SONET") signals
(e.g., STS-3) are also DCSs, although not denoted
by this same type of nomenclature. DCS may
provide the functionality of more than one of the
aforementioned DCS types (e.g., DCS 3/3/1 which
combines functionality of DCS 3/3 and DCS 3/1).
For such DCSs, the requirements will be, at
least, the aggregation of requirements on the
"component" DCSs.
7.5.1.2 In locations where automated cross connection
capability does not exist, a Digital Signal
Cross-Connect ("DSX") or light guide
cross-connect patch panels and D4 channel banks
or other DS-0 and above multiplexing equipment
used to provide the function of a manual cross
connection will be made available.
7.5.1.3 Interconnection between a DSX or light guide
cross-connect, to a switch, another
cross-connect, or other service platform device,
is included as part of DCS.
7.6 DCS Technical Requirements
7.6.1 DCS shall provide completed end-to-end cross
connection of the channels designated by AT&T.
7.6.2 DCS shall perform facility grooming, multipoint
bridging, one-way broadcast, two-way broadcast, and
facility test functions, where technically feasible.
Attachment 3
7.6.3 DCS shall provide multiplexing, format conversion,
signaling conversion, or other functions, where
technically feasible.
7.6.4 The end-to-end cross connection shall be input to the
underlying device used to provide DCS from an
operator at a terminal or via an intermediate system.
The cross connection assignment shall remain in
effect whether or not the circuit is in use.
7.6.5 U S WEST shall administer and maintain DCS.
7.6.6 Where available, U S WEST shall provide various types
of DCSs, including:
7.6.6.1 DS-0 cross-connects (typically termed DCS
1/0);
7.6.6.2 DS1/VT1.5 (Virtual Tributaries at the
1.5Mbps rate) cross-connects (typically
termed DCS 3/1);
7.6.6.3 DS-3 cross-connects (typically termed DCS
3/3);
7.6.6.4 STS-1 cross-connects; and
7.6.6.5 other technically feasible cross-connects
designated by AT&T.
7.6.7 U S WEST shall provide immediate and continuous
configuration and reconfiguration of the channels
between the physical interfaces (i.e., U S WEST shall
establish the processes to implement cross connects
on demand), where available, based on engineering
forecasts.
7.6.8 U S WEST shall provide scheduled configuration and
reconfiguration of the channels between the physical
interfaces (i.e., U S WEST shall establish the
processes to implement cross connects on the schedule
designated by AT&T) or, at AT&T's option, permit AT&T
to control such configurations and reconfigurations,
where available, based on engineering forecasts.
7.6.9 DCS shall continuously monitor protected circuit
packs and redundant common equipment.
7.6.10 DCS shall automatically switch to a protection
circuit pack on detection of a failure or degradation
of normal operation.
7.6.11 DCS equipment shall be equipped with a redundant
power supply or a battery back-up.
7.6.12 U S WEST shall have available and utilize spare
maintenance facilities and equipment necessary for
provisioning repairs.
7.6.13 At AT&T's option, U S WEST shall provide, where
available, AT&T with real time performance monitoring
and alarm data on the signals and the components of
the underlying equipment used to provide DCS that
actually impact or might impact AT&T's services. For
example, this may include hardware alarm data and
facility alarm data on a DS-3 in which an AT&T DS-1
is traversing.
Attachment 3
7.6.14 At AT&T's option, U S WEST shall provide AT&T with
real time ability to initiate tests on integrated
equipment used to test the signals and the underlying
equipment used to provide DCS, as well as other
integrated functionality for routine testing and
fault isolation where available.
7.6.15 Where available, DCS shall provide SONET to
asynchronous gateway functionality (e.g., STS-1 to
DS-1 or STS-1 to DS-3).
7.6.16 Where available, DCS shall perform optical to
electrical conversion where the underlying equipment
used to provide DCS contains optical interfaces or
terminations (e.g., Optical Carrier level 3, i.e.,
OC-3, interfaces on a DCS 3/1).
7.6.17 Where available, DCS shall have SONET ring terminal
functionality where the underlying equipment used to
provide DCS acts as a terminal on a SONET ring.
7.6.18 DCS shall provide multipoint bridging of multiple
channels to other DCSs. AT&T may designate multipoint
bridging to be one-way broadcast from a single master
to multiple tributaries, or two-way broadcast between
a single master and multiple tributaries.
7.6.19 DCS shall multiplex lower speed channels onto a
higher speed interface and demultiplex higher speed
channels onto lower speed interfaces as designated
by AT&T.
7.7 DCS Interface Requirements
7.7.1 U S WEST shall provide physical interfaces on ▇▇-▇,
▇▇-▇, and VT1.5 channel cross-connect devices at the
DS-1 rate or higher. In all such cases, these
interfaces shall be in compliance with applicable
Bellcore, ANSI, ITU, and AT&T standards.
7.7.2 U S WEST shall provide physical interfaces on DS-3
channel cross-connect devices at the DS-3 rate or
higher. In all such cases, these interfaces shall be
in compliance with applicable Bellcore, ANSI, ITU,
and AT&T standards.
7.7.3 U S WEST shall provide physical interfaces on STS-1
cross-connect devices at the OC-3 rate or higher. In
all such cases, these interfaces shall be in
compliance with applicable Bellcore, ANSI, ITU, and
AT&T standards.
7.7.4 Interfaces on all other cross-connect devices shall
be in compliance with applicable Bellcore, ANSI, ITU,
and AT&T standards.
7.8 In accordance with Sections 1.3.1 and 1.3.2 of Part A of this
Agreement, DCS shall, at a minimum, meet all the requirements
set forth in the following technical references:
7.8.1 ANSI T1.102-1993, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Digital Hierarchy - Electrical
Interfaces;
7.8.2 ANSI T1.102.01-199x, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Digital Hierarchy - VT1.5;
Attachment 3
7.8.3 ANSI T1.105-1995, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Synchronous Optical Network
(SONET) - Basic Description including Multiplex
Structure, Rates and Formats;
7.8.4 ANSI T1.105.03-1994, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Synchronous Optical Network
(SONET) - Jitter at Network Interfaces;
7.8.5 ANSI T1.105.03a-1995, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Synchronous Optical Network
(SONET): Jitter at Network Interfaces - DS-1
Supplement;
7.8.6 ANSI T1.105.06-199x, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Synchronous Optical Network
(SONET) - Physical Layer Specifications;
7.8.7 ANSI T1.106-1988, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Digital Hierarchy - Optical
Interface Specifications (Single Mode);
7.8.8 ANSI T1.107-1988, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Digital Hierarchy - Formats
Specifications;
7.8.9 ANSI T1.107a-1990, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Digital Hierarchy - Supplement
to Formats Specifications (DS-3 Format Applications);
7.8.10 ANSI T1.107b-1991, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Digital Hierarchy - Supplement
to Formats Specifications;
7.8.11 ANSI T1.117-1991, American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Digital Hierarchy - Optical
Interface Specifications (SONET) (Single Mode - Short
Reach);
7.8.12 ANSI T1.403-1989, Carrier to Subscriber Installation,
DS-1 Metallic Interface Specification;
7.8.13 ANSI T1.404-1994, Network-to-Subscriber Installation
- DS-3 Metallic Interface Specification;
7.8.14 ITU Recommendation G.707, Network node interface for
the synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH);
7.8.15 ITU Recommendation G.704, Synchronous frame
structures used at 1544, 6312, 2048, 8488 and 44736
kbit/s hierarchical levels;
7.8.16 FR-440 and TR-NWT-000499, Transport Systems Generic
Requirements (TSGR): Common Requirements;
7.8.17 GR-820-CORE, Generic Transmission Surveillance: DS1 &
DS3 Performance;
7.8.18 GR-253-CORE, Synchronous Optical Network Systems
(SONET): Common Generic Criteria; and
Attachment 3
7.8.19 TR-NWT-000776, Network Interface Description for ISDN
Subscriber Access.
8. Loop
8.1 Definition
8.1.1 A Loop is a transmission facility between a
distribution frame, or its equivalent, in a U S WEST
central office or wire center, and the Network
Interface Device (as defined herein) or network
interface at a subscriber's premises, to which AT&T
are granted exclusive use. This includes, but is not
limited to, two-wire and four-wire analog voice-grade
loops, and two-wire and four-wire loops that are
conditioned to transmit the digital signals needed to
provide ISDN, ADSL, HDSL, and DS-1 level signals. A
Loop may be composed of the following components:
Loop Concentrator / Multiplexer
Loop Feeder
Network Interface Device (NID)
Distribution
8.1.1.1 AT&T may purchase Loop and NID on an unbundled
basis. AT&T shall use the Bona Fide Request
process set forth in Part A of this Agreement
to request unbundling of Loop
Concentrator/Multiplexer, Loop Feeder and
Distribution./5/
8.1.2 If U S WEST uses Integrated Digital Loop Carrier
("DLCs") systems to provide the local Loop, U S WEST
will make alternate arrangements, equal in quality,
to permit AT&T to order a contiguous unbundled local
Loop. These arrangements may, at U S WEST's option,
include the following: providing AT&T with copper
facilities or universal DLC that meet established
technical parameters, deploying Virtual Remote
Terminals, allowing AT&T to purchase the entire
Integrated DLC, or converting integrated DLCs to
non-integrated systems.
8.1.3 U S WEST shall provide the BRI U interface using
2-wire copper loops in accordance with TR-NWT-000393,
January 1991, Generic Requirements for ISDN Basic
Access Digital Subscriber Lines.
8.2 Technical Requirements
Subdivided to each component as detailed below.
8.3 Interface Requirements
Subdivided to each component as detailed below.
8.4 Loop Components
8.4.1 Loop Concentrator/Multiplexer
8.4.1.1 Definition:
--------------------------------
/5/ MCIm Order at p. 2, Issues 8, 9 & 10, second paragraph
Attachment 3
8.4.1.1.1 The Loop Concentrator/Multiplexer is
the Network Element that:
(a) aggregates lower bit rate or
bandwidth signals to higher bit rate or
bandwidth signals (multiplexing); (b)
disaggregates higher bit rate or
bandwidth signals to lower bit rate or
bandwidth signals (demultiplexing); (c)
aggregates a specified number of
signals or channels to fewer channels
(concentrating); (d) performs signal
conversion, including encoding of
signals (e.g., analog to digital and
digital to analog signal conversion);
and (e) in some instances performs
electrical to optical (E/O) conversion.
8.4.1.1.2 The Loop Concentrator/Multiplexer
function may be provided through a DLC
system, channel bank, multiplexer or
other equipment at which traffic is
encoded and decoded, multiplexed and
demultiplexed, or concentrated.
8.4.1.2 Technical Requirements
8.4.1.2.1 The Loop Concentrator/Multiplexer shall
be capable of performing its functions
on the signals for the following
services, as needed by AT&T to provide
end-to-end service capability to its
subscriber, including, but not limited
to:
8.4.1.2.1.1 two-wire & four-wire analog
voice grade loops;
8.4.1.2.1.2 two-wire & four-wire loops
conditioned to transmit the digital
signals needed to provide digital
services;
8.4.1.2.1.3 4-wire digital data
(2.4Kbps through 64Kbps and "n" times
64Kbps (where n * 24);
8.4.1.2.1.4 DS-3 rate private lines
where available; and
8.4.1.2.1.5 Optical SONET rate private
lines where available.
8.4.1.2.2 The Loop Concentrator/Multiplexer shall
perform the following functions as
appropriate:
8.4.1.2.2.1 analog to digital signal
conversion of both incoming and
outgoing (upstream and downstream)
analog signals;
8.4.1.2.2.2 multiplexing of the
individual digital signals up to higher
transmission bit rate signals (e.g.,
▇▇-▇, ▇▇-▇, ▇▇-▇, or optical SONET
rates) for transport to the U S WEST
central office through the Loop Feeder;
and
8.4.1.2.2.3 concentration of end-user
subscriber signals onto fewer channels
of a Loop Feeder (when available the
concentration ratio shall be as
specified from time to time by AT&T).
* Less than
Attachment 3
8.4.1.2.2.4 Concentration ratios shall
not impair analog or digital
performance.
8.4.1.2.3. AT&T may request U S WEST to provide
power for the Loop
Concentrator/Multiplexer through a non-
interruptible source, if the function
is performed in a central office, or
from a commercial AC power source with
battery backup, if the equipment is
located outside a central office. Such
power shall also adhere to the
requirements stated herein.
8.4.1.2.4 In accordance with Sections 1.3.1 and
1.3.2 of Part A of this Agreement, the
Loop Concentrator/Multiplexer shall be
provided to AT&T in accordance with the
following Technical References:
8.4.1.2.4.2 Bellcore TR-NWT-000393,
Generic Requirements for ISDN Basic
Access Digital Subscriber Lines;
8.4.1.2.4.3 T1.106 - 1988, American
National Standard for
Telecommunications - Digital Hierarchy
- Optical Interface Specifications
(Single Mode);
8.4.1.2.4.4 ANSI T1.105-1995, American
National Standard for
Telecommunications- Synchronous Optical
Network (SONET) - Basic Description
including Multiplex Structure, Rates
and Formats;
8.4.1.2.4.5 ANSI T1.102-1993, American
National Standard for
Telecommunications - Digital Hierarchy
- Electrical Interfaces;
8.4.1.2.4.6 ANSI T1.403-1989, American
National Standard for
Telecommunications - Carrier to
Subscriber Installation, DS-1 Metallic
Interface Specification;
8.4.1.2.4.7 Bellcore GR-253-CORE,
Synchronous Optical Network Systems
(SONET), Common Generic Criteria;
8.4.1.2.4.8 Bellcore TR-TSY-000008,
Digital Interface Between the SLC 96
Digital Loop Carrier System and a Local
Digital Switch, Issue 2, August 1987;
8.4.1.2.4.9 Bellcore TR-NWT-000303,
Integrated Digital Loop Carrier System
Generic Requirements, Objectives and
Interface, Issue 2, December 1992; Rev.
1, December 1993; Supplement 1,
December 1993;
8.4.1.2.4.10 Bellcore TR-TSY-000673,
Operations Systems Interface for an
IDLC System, (LSSGR) FSD 20-02-2100,
Issue 1, September 1989; and
Attachment 3
8.4.1.2.4.11 Bellcore Integrated Digital
Loop Carrier System Generic
Requirements, Objectives and Interface,
GR-303-CORE, Issue 1, September 1995.
8.4.1.3 Requirements for an Intelligent Loop
Concentrator/ Multiplexer:
8.4.1.3.1 In addition to the basic functions
described above for the Loop
Concentrator/Multiplexer, the
Intelligent Loop
Concentrator/Multiplexer ("IC/M") shall
provide facility grooming, facility test
functions, format conversion and
signaling conversion, as appropriate.
8.4.1.3.2 The underlying equipment that provides
such IC/M function shall continuously
monitor protected circuit packs and
redundant common equipment.
8.4.1.3.3 The underlying equipment that provides
such IC/M function shall automatically
switch to a protection circuit pack on
detection of a failure or degradation of
normal operation.
8.4.1.3.4 The underlying equipment that provides
such IC/M function shall be equipped
with a redundant power supply or a
battery back-up.
8.4.1.3.5 AT&T may request U S WEST to provide
AT&T with real time performance
monitoring and alarm data on IC/M
elements that may affect AT&T's traffic.
This includes IC/M hardware alarm data
and facility alarm data on the
underlying device that provides such
IC/M function.
8.4.1.3.6 AT&T may request U S WEST to provide
AT&T with real time ability to initiate
tests on the underlying device that
provides such IC/M function integrated
test equipment as well as other
integrated functionality for routine
testing and fault isolation.
8.4.1.4 Interface Requirements
8.4.1.4.1 The Loop Concentrator/Multiplexer shall
meet the following interface
requirements, as appropriate for the
configuration that AT&T designates:
8.4.1.4.2 The Loop Concentrator/Multiplexer shall
provide an analog voice frequency copper
twisted pair interface at the serving
wire center.
8.4.1.4.3 The Loop Concentrator/Multiplexer shall
provide digital 4-wire electrical
interfaces at the serving wire center.
8.4.1.4.4 The Loop Concentrator/Multiplexer shall
provide optical SONET interfaces at
rates of O1.C-3, OC-12, OC-48, and OC-N.
8.4.1.4.5 The Loop Concentrator/Multiplexer shall
provide the Bellcore ▇▇-▇▇▇ ▇▇-▇ level
interface at the serving wire center.
Loop Concentrator/
Attachment 3
Multiplexer shall provide Bellcore TR-08
modes 1&2 DS1 interfaces when designated
by AT&T.
8.4.1.4.6 The Intelligent Loop
Concentrator/Multiplexer shall be
provided to AT&T in accordance with the
Technical References set forth in
Sections 8.4.1.2.4.8 through
8.4.1.2.4.11, above.
8.4.2 Loop Feeder
8.4.2.1 Definition:
8.4.2.1.1 The Loop Feeder is the Network Element
that provides connectivity between (a) a
Feeder Distribution Interface (FDI)
associated with Loop Distribution and a
termination point appropriate for the
media in a central office, or (b) a Loop
Concentrator/Multiplexer provided in a
remote terminal and a termination point
appropriate for the media in a central
office.
8.4.2.1.2 Pursuant to a Bona Fide Request for
unbundled feeder or distribution, U S
WEST shall provide AT&T physical access
to the FDI and the right to connect the
Loop Feeder to the FDI.
8.4.2.1.3 Upon request from AT&T regarding a
specific area, U S WEST shall provide
information on Feeder Distribution
Interface (FDI) within a reasonable
time. If such information is available
as part of U S WEST's operations support
system, it must be made available to
AT&T on the same terms and conditions as
it is available to U S WEST./6/
8.4.2.1.4 The physical medium of the Loop Feeder
may be copper twisted pair, or single or
multi-mode fiber or other technologies
as designated by AT&T. In certain cases,
AT&T will require a copper twisted pair
loop even in instances where the medium
of the Loop Feeder for services that U S
WEST offers is other than a copper
facility. Special construction charges
may apply if no copper twisted pair
facilities are available.
8.4.2.2 Requirements for Loop Feeder
8.4.2.2.1 The Loop Feeder shall be capable of
transmitting analog voice frequency,
basic rate ISDN, digital data, or, where
available in the network, analog radio
frequency signals, as appropriate.
8.4.2.2.2 U S WEST shall provide appropriate power
for all active elements in the Loop
Feeder. U S WEST will provide
appropriate power from a central office
source, or from a commercial AC source
with rectifiers for AC to DC conversion
and 8-hour battery back-up when the
equipment is located in an outside plant
Remote Terminal ("RT").
------------------------------
/6/ MCIm Order at p. 13, Issue 42(h)
Attachment 3
8.4.2.3 Additional Requirements for Special Copper Loop
Feeder Medium
In addition to the requirements set forth above,
AT&T may require U S WEST to provide copper
twisted pair Loop Feeder unfettered by any
intervening equipment (e.g., filters, load coils,
and range extenders), so that AT&T can use these
Loop Feeders for a variety of services by
attaching appropriate terminal equipment at the
ends.
8.4.2.4 Additional Technical Requirements for DS-1
Conditioned Loop Feeder
In addition to the requirements set forth above,
AT&T may designate that the Loop Feeder be
conditioned to transport a DS-1 signal. The
requirements for such transport are defined in
the references below in Section 8.4.2.6.
8.4.2.5 Additional Technical Requirements for Optical
Loop Feeder
In addition to the requirements set forth above,
AT&T may designate that Loop Feeder will
transport DS-3 and OC-n (where "n" is defined in
the technical reference in Section 8.4.1.2.4.4).
The requirements for such transport are defined
in the references below in Section 8.4.2.6.
8.4.2.6 In accordance with Sections 1.3.1 and 1.3.2 of
Part A of this Agreement, U S WEST shall offer
Loop Feeder in compliance with the requirements
set forth in the following Technical References:
8.4.2.6.1 ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇, Issue 5, December 1993,
section 7 for DS-1 interfaces;
8.4.2.6.2 Bellcore TR-NWT-000057, Functional
Criteria for Digital Loop Carrier
Systems, Issue 2, January 1993;
8.4.2.6.3 Bellcore TR-NWT-000393, Generic
Requirements for ISDN Basic Access
Digital Subscriber Lines;
8.4.2.6.4 ANSI T1.106-1988, American National
Standard for Telecommunications -
Digital Hierarchy - Optical Interface
Specifications (Single Mode);
8.4.2.6.5 ANSI T1.105-1995, American National
Standard for Telecommunications -
Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) -
Basic Description including Multiplex
Structure, Rates and Formats;
8.4.2.6.6 ANSI T1.102-1993, American National
Standard for Telecommunications -
Digital Hierarchy - Electrical
Interfaces;
8.4.2.6.7 ANSI T1.403-1989, American National
Standard for Telecommunications -
Carrier to Subscriber Installation, DS-1
Metallic Interface Specification; and
8.4.2.6.8 Bellcore GR-253-CORE, Synchronous
Optical Network Systems (SONET), Common
Generic Criteria.
Attachment 3
8.4.2.7 Interface Requirements
8.4.2.7.1 The Loop Feeder point of termination (POT)
within a U S WEST central office will be as follows:
8.4.2.7.1.1 Copper twisted pairs shall terminate
on the MDF;
8.4.2.7.1.2 DS-1 Loop Feeder shall terminate on a
DSX1, DCS1/0 or DCS3/1; and
8.4.2.7.1.3 Fiber optic cable shall terminate on
a light guide termination panel or equivalent.
8.4.2.7.2 In accordance with Sections 1.3.1 and 1.3.2
of Part A of this Agreement, Loop Feeder shall be
equal to or better than each of the applicable
interface requirements set forth in the following
technical references:
8.4.2.7.2.1 Bellcore TR-TSY-000008, Digital
Interface Between the SLC 96 Digital Loop Carrier
System and a Local Digital Switch, Issue 2,
August 1987;
8.4.2.7.2.2 Bellcore TR-NWT-000303, Integrated
Digital Loop Carrier System Generic Requirements,
Objectives and Interface, Issue 2, December 1992;
Rev. 1, December 1993; Supplement 1, December
1993; and
8.4.2.7.2.3 Bellcore Integrated Digital Loop
Carrier System Generic Requirements, Objectives
and Interface, GR-303-CORE, Issue 1, September
1995.
9. Distribution
9.1 Definition:
9.1.1 Distribution provides connectivity between the NID
component of Loop Distribution and the terminal block
on the subscriber-side of an FDI. The FDI is a device
that terminates the Distribution Media and the Loop
Feeder, and cross-connects them in order to provide a
continuous transmission path between the NID and a
telephone company central office. There are three (3)
basic types of feeder-distribution connections: (a)
multiple (splicing of multiple distribution pairs
onto one (1) feeder pair); (b) dedicated ("home
run"); and (c) interfaced ("cross-connected"). While
older plant uses multiple and dedicated methods,
newer plant and all plant that uses DLC or other
pair-gain technology necessarily uses the interfaced
connection method. The feeder-distribution interface
("FDI") in the interfaced design makes use of a
manual cross-connection, typically housed inside an
outside plant device ("green box") or in a vault or
manhole.
9.1.2 The Distribution may be copper twisted pair, coax
cable, single or multi-mode fiber optic cable or
other technologies. A combination that includes two
(2) or more of these media is also possible. In
certain cases, AT&T shall require a copper twisted
pair Distribution even in instances where the
Distribution for
Attachment 3
services that U S WEST offers is other than a copper
facility. Special construction charges may apply if
no copper twisted pair facilities are available.
9.2 Requirements for All Distribution
9.2.1 Distribution shall be capable of transmitting signals
for the following services, as requested by AT&T:
two-wire & four-wire analog voice grade loops; and
two-wire & four-wire loops conditioned to transmit
the digital signals needed to provide digital
services.
9.2.2 Distribution shall transmit all signaling messages or
tones. Where the Distribution includes any active
elements that terminate any of the signaling messages
or tones, these messages or tones shall be reproduced
by the Distribution at the interfaces to an adjacent
Network Element in a format that maintains the
integrity of the signaling messages or tones.U S WEST
shall not interfere with AT&T's ability to support
functions associated with provisioning, maintenance,
performance monitoring and testing of the unbundled
Distribution.
9.2.3 U S WEST shall not interfere with AT&T's ability to
support functions associated with provisioning,
maintenance, performance monitoring and testing of
the unbundled Distribution.
9.2.4 Distribution shall be equal to or better than all of the
applicable requirements set forth in the following technical
references:
9.2.4.1 Bellcore TR-TSY-000057, "Functional Criteria
for Digital Loop Carrier Systems"; and
9.2.4.2 Bellcore TR-NWT-000393, "Generic
Requirements for ISDN Basic Access Digital
Subscriber Lines."
9.3 Additional Requirements for Special Copper Distribution
In addition to Distribution that supports the requirements set
forth in Section 9.2. above, AT&T may designate Distribution
to be copper twisted pair unfettered by any intervening
equipment (e.g., filters, load coils, range extenders) so that
AT&T can use these loops for a variety of services by
attaching appropriate terminal equipment at the ends.
9.4 Additional Requirements for Fiber Distribution
Fiber optic cable Distribution shall be capable of
transmitting signals for the following services in addition to
the those set forth in Section 9.2.1 above:
9.4.1 DS-3 rate private line service;
9.4.2 Optical SONET OC-n rate private lines (where "n" is
defined in the technical reference in Section
8.4.1.2.4.4; and
Attachment 3
9.4.3 Where available in the U S WEST network, Analog Radio
Frequency based services (e.g., Cable Television
(CATV)).
9.5 Additional Requirements for Coaxial Cable Distribution
Where available in the U S WEST network, Coaxial cable (coax)
Distribution shall be capable of transmitting signals for the
following services in addition to those set forth in Section
9.2.1 above:
9.5.1 Broadband data, either one way or bi-directional,
symmetric or asymmetric, at rates between 1.5 Mb/s
and 45 Mb/s; and
9.5.2 Analog Radio Frequency based services (e.g., CATV).
9.6 Interface Requirements
9.6.1 Signal transfers between the Distribution and the NID
and an adjacent Network Element shall have levels of
degradation that are within the performance
requirements set forth in Section 18.2 of this
Attachment.
9.6.2 Distribution shall be equal to or better than each of
the applicable interface requirements set forth in
the following technical references:
9.6.2.1 Bellcore TR-NWT-000049, "Generic
Requirements for Outdoor Telephone Network
Interface Devices," issued December 1, 1994;
9.6.2.2 Bellcore TR-NWT-000057, "Functional Criteria
for Digital Loop Carrier Systems", issued
January 2, 1993;
9.6.2.3 Bellcore TR-NWT-000393, "Generic
Requirements for ISDN Basic Access Digital
Subscriber Lines"; and
9.6.2.4 Bellcore TR-NWT-000253, SONET Transport
Systems: Common Criteria (A module of TSGR,
FR-NWT-000440), Issue 2, December 1991.
10. Local Switching
10.1 Definition:
10.1.1 Local Switching is the Network Element that provides
the functionality required to connect the appropriate
lines or trunks wired to the Main Distributing Frame
("MDF") or Digital Cross Connect ("DSX") panel to a
desired line or trunk. The desired connection path
for each call type will vary by subscriber and will
be specified by AT&T as a routing scenario that will
be implemented in advance as part of or after the
purchase of the unbundled Local Switching. The Local
Switching function also provides access to transport,
signaling (ISDN User Part ("ISUP") and Transaction
Capabilities Application Part ("TCAP"), and platforms
such as adjuncts, Public Safety Systems ("911"),
Operator Services, Directory Assistance Services and
Advanced Intelligent Network ("AIN"). Remote
Switching Module functionality is included in the
Local Switching function. Local
Attachment 3
Switching shall also be capable of routing local,
intraLATA, interLATA and international calls to the
subscriber's preferred carrier, call features (e.g.,
call forwarding) and Centrex capabilities.
10.1.2 Local Switching, including the ability to route to
AT&T's transport facilities, dedicated facilities and
systems, shall be unbundled from all other unbundled
Network Elements, i.e., Operator Systems, Common
Transport, Shared Transport and Dedicated Transport.
10.2 Technical Requirements
10.2.1 Local Switching shall be equal to or better than the
requirements for Local Switching set forth in Bellcore's
Local Switching Systems General Requirements
FR-NWT-000064.
10.2.1.1 U S WEST shall route calls to the appropriate
trunk or lines for call origination or
termination.
10.2.1.2 U S WEST shall route calls on a per line or per
screening class basis to (a) U S WEST platforms
providing Network Elements or additional
requirements, (b) AT&T designated platforms, or
(c) third-party platforms.
10.2.1.3. U S WEST shall provide to AT&T recorded
announcements as furnished by AT&T and call
progress tones to alert callers of call progress
and disposition. The installation cost shall be
borne by AT&T for such announcements and call
progress tones to the extent they are different
than those standardly used by U S WEST.
10.2.1.4 U S WEST shall change a subscriber from U S
WEST's services to AT&T's services without loss
of feature functionality, unless designated
otherwise by AT&T.
10.2.1.5 U S WEST shall perform routine testing (e.g.,
Mechanized Loop Tests ("MLT") and test calls such
as 105, 107 and 108 type calls) and fault
isolation on AT&T's unbundled Network Elements,
as designated by AT&T.
10.2.1.6 U S WEST shall repair and restore any equipment
or any other maintainable component that may
adversely impact AT&T's use of unbundled Local
Switching.
10.2.1.7 U S WEST shall control congestion points such as
mass calling events and network routing
abnormalities using capabilities such as
Automatic Call Gapping, Automatic Congestion
Control, and Network Routing Overflow.
Application of such control shall be
competitively neutral and not favor any user of
unbundled switching or U S WEST.
10.2.1.8 U S WEST shall perform manual call trace as
designated by AT&T and shall permit subscriber
originated call trace.
Attachment 3
10.2.1.9 U S WEST shall record all billable events,
involving usage of the Network Element, and send
the appropriate recording data to AT&T as further
described in Attachment 5.
10.2.1.10 For Local Switching used as E911 tandems, U S
WEST shall allow interconnection with AT&T
switches in that same local switch used as a E911
tandem and shall route calls to the appropriate
Public Safety Access Point ("PSAP"). In the event
the Local Switching element and the E911 tandem
are contained within the same U S WEST switch,
such trunking shall be provided on an
intra-switch basis.
10.2.1.11 Where U S WEST provides the following special
services, it shall provide to AT&T:
10.2.1.11.1 essential Service Lines;
10.2.1.11.2 Telephone Service Prioritization
("TSP");
10.2.1.11.3 related services for handicapped;
10.2.1.11.4 where U S WEST provides soft dial
tone, it shall do so on a
competitively-neutral basis; and
10.2.1.11.5 any other service required by law or
regulation.
10.2.1.12 U S WEST shall provide Switching Service Point
("SSP") capabilities and signaling software to
interconnect the signaling links destined to the
Signaling Transfer Point Switch ("STPs"). In the
event Local Switching is provided out of a switch
without SS7 capability, the Tandem shall provide
this capability as further described in Section 4
of this Attachment. These capabilities shall
adhere to Bellcore specifications TCAP
(GR-1432-CORE), ISUP (GR-905-CORE), Call
Management (GR-1429-CORE), Switched Fractional
DS1 (GR-1357-CORE), Toll Free Service
(GR-1428-CORE), Calling Name (GR-1597-CORE), Line
Information Database (GR-954-CORE), and Advanced
Intelligent Network (GR-2863-CORE).
10.2.1.13 U S WEST shall provide interfaces to adjuncts
through industry standard and Bellcore
interfaces. These adjuncts may include, but are
not limited to, Service Node, Service Circuit
Node, Voice Mail and Automatic Call Distributors.
Examples of existing interfaces are ANSI ISDN
standards Q.931 and Q.932.
10.2.1.14 Upon AT&T's request, U S WEST shall provide
performance data regarding a subscriber line,
traffic characteristics or other measurable
elements to AT&T.
10.2.1.15 U S WEST shall offer all technically feasible
Local Switching features, and, in providing such
features, do so at parity with those provided by
U S WEST to itself or any other Person.
10.2.1.15.1 Such feature offerings shall include,
but are not limited to:
Attachment 3
Basic and primary rate ISDN;
Residential features;
Custom Local Area Signaling Services
(CLASS/LASS);
Custom Calling Features; and
Centrex (including equivalent
administrative capabilities, such as
subscriber accessible reconfiguration
and detailed message recording).
10.2.1.15.2 AT&T may use the BFR process set forth
in Part A of this Agreement to request
unbundling of Advanced Intelligent
Network ("AIN") triggers supporting AT&T
and U S WEST service applications in U S
WEST's SCPs. U S WEST shall offer
AIN-based services in accordance with
applicable technical references. Such
services may include, but are not
limited to:
10.2.1.15.2.1 Off-Hook Immediate;
10.2.1.15.2.2 Off-Hook Delay;
10.2.1.15.2.3 Private EAMF Trunk;
10.2.1.15.2.4 Shared Interoffice Trunk
(EAMF, SS7);
10.2.1.15.2.5 Termination Attempt;
10.2.1.15.2.6 3/6/10;
10.2.1.15.2.7 N11;
10.2.1.15.2.8 Feature Code Dialing;
10.2.1.15.2.9 Custom Dialing Plan(s),
including 555 services;
and
10.2.1.15.2.10 Automatic Route
Selection.
10.2.1.16 U S WEST shall assign each AT&T subscriber
line the class of service designated by AT&T
(e.g., using line class codes or other
switch specific provisioning methods), and
at AT&T's option shall route Directory
Assistance calls from AT&T subscribers as
directed by AT&T. This includes each of the
following call types:
10.2.1.16.1 0+/0- calls;
10.2.1.16.2 911 calls;
10.2.1.16.3 411/DA calls;
10.2.1.16.4 InterLATA calls specific to
PIC or regardless of PIC;
10.2.1.16.5 IntraLATA calls specific to
PIC or regardless of PIC;
Attachment 3
10.2.1.16.6 Toll free calls, prior to
database query;
10.2.1.16.7 Call forwarding of any type
supported on the switch, to
a line or a trunk; and
10.2.1.16.8 Any other customized
routing that may be
supported by the U S WEST
switch.
10.2.1.17 U S WEST shall assign each AT&T subscriber
line the class of service designated by AT&T
(e.g., using line class codes or other
switch specific provisioning methods) and
shall route operator calls from AT&T
subscribers as directed by AT&T at AT&T's
option. For example, U S WEST may translate
0- and 0+ intraLATA traffic, and route the
call through appropriate trunks to an AT&T
Operator Services Position System ("OSPS").
Calls from Local Switching must pass the
ANI-II digits unchanged.
10.2.1.18 If an AT&T customer subscribes to AT&T
provided voice mail and messaging services,
U S WEST shall redirect incoming calls to
the AT&T system based upon designated
service arrangements (e.g., busy, don't
answer, number of rings). In addition, U S
WEST shall provide a Standard Message Desk
Interface-Enhanced (SMDI-E) interface to the
AT&T system. U S WEST shall support the
Inter-switch Voice Messaging Service (IVMS)
capability.
10.2.1.19 Local Switching shall be offered in
accordance with the requirements of the
following technical references and their
future releases:
10.2.1.19.1 GR-1298-CORE, AIN Switching
System Generic Requirements;
10.2.1.19.2 GR-1299-CORE, AIN Switch-Service
Control Point (SCP)/Adjunct Interface
Generic Requirements;
10.2.1.19.3 TR-NWT-001284, AIN 0.1 Switching
System Generic Requirements; and
10.2.1.19.4 SR-NWT-002247, AIN Release 1
Update.
10.2.2 Interface Requirements:
10.2.2.1 U S WEST shall provide the following
interfaces to Loops:
10.2.2.1.1 Standard Tip/Ring interface,including
loopstart or groundstart, on-hook
signaling (e.g., for calling number,
calling name and message waiting lamp);
10.2.2.1.2 Coin phone signaling as part of a public
access line (PAL);/7/
_______________________
/7/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 58
Attachment 3
10.2.2.1.3 Basic Rate Interface ISDN adhering to
ANSI standards Q.931, Q.932 and
appropriate Bellcore Technical
Requirements;
10.2.2.1.4 Two-wire analog interface to PBX to
include reverse battery, E&M, wink start
and DID;
10.2.2.1.5 Four-wire analog interface to PBX to
include reverse battery, E&M, wink start
and DID;
10.2.2.1.6 Four-wire DS-1 interface to PBX or
subscriber provided equipment (e.g.,
computers and voice response systems);
10.2.2.1.7 Primary Rate ISDN to PBX adhering to
ANSI standards Q.931, Q.932 and
appropriate Bellcore Technical
Requirements;
10.2.2.1.8 Switched Fractional DS-1 with
capabilities to configure Nx64 channels
(where "n" = 1 to 24); and
10.2.2.1.9 Loops adhering to Bellcore TR-NWT-08 and
TR-NWT-303 specifications to
interconnect Digital Loop Carriers.
10.2.2.2 U S WEST shall provide access to the
following, but not limited to:
10.2.2.2.1 SS7 Signaling Network or Multi-Frequency
trunking, if requested by AT&T;
10.2.2.2.2 Interface to AT&T operator services
systems or Operator Services through
appropriate trunk interconnections for
the system; and
10.2.2.2.3 Interface to AT&T Directory Assistance
Services through the AT&T switched
network or to Directory Services through
the appropriate trunk interconnections
for the system; and 950 access or other
AT&T required access to interexchange
carriers as requested through
appropriate trunk interfaces.
10.3 Customized Routing
10.3.1 Description
Customized routing will enable AT&T to direct
particular classes of calls to particular outgoing
trunks based upon line class codes. AT&T may use
customized routing to direct its customers' calls to
411, 555-1212, 0+ or 0-, to its own Operator Services
platform Directory Assistance platform.
10.3.2 Limitations
Because there is a limitation in the technical
feasibility of offering custom routing beyond the
capacity of the 1A ESS switch, custom routing will be
offered to CLECs on a first-come, first-served basis.
Attachment 3
10.4 Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
10.4.1 Integrated Services Digital Network ("ISDN") is
defined in two (2) variations. The first variation is
Basic Rate ISDN ("BRI"). BRI consists of 2 Bearer (B)
Channels and one Data (D) Channel. The second
variation is Primary Rate ISDN ("PRI"). PRI consists
of 23 B Channels and one D Channel. Both BRI and PRI
B Channels may be used for voice, Circuit Switched
Data ("CSD") or Packet Switched Data ("PSD"). The BRI
D Channel may be used for call related signaling,
non-call related signaling or packet switched data.
The PRI D Channel may be used for call related
signaling.
10.4.2 Technical Requirements ? ISDN
10.4.2.1 U S WEST shall offer Data Switching
providing ISDN that, at a minimum:
10.4.2.2 provides integrated Packet handling
capabilities;
10.4.2.3 allows for full 2B+D Channel functionality
for BRI; and
10.4.2.4 allows for full 23B+D Channel
functionality for PRI.
10.4.2.5 Each B Channel shall allow for voice, 64
Kbps CSD, and PSD of 128 logical channels at minimum
speeds of 19 Kbps throughput of each logical channel
up to the total capacity of the B Channel.
10.4.2.6 Each B Channel shall provide capabilities
for alternate voice and data on a per call basis.
10.4.2.7 The BRI D Channel shall allow for call
associated signaling, non-call associated signaling
and PSD of 16 logical channels at minimum speeds of
9.6 Kbps throughput of each logical channel up to the
total capacity of the D channel.
10.4.2.8 The PRI D Channel shall allow for call
associated signaling.
10.4.3 Interface Requirements ? ISDN
10.4.3.1 U S WEST shall provide the BRI interface
using Digital Subscriber Loops adhering to Bellcore
TR-NWT-303 Specifications to Interconnect Digital
Loop Carriers./12/
10.4.3.2 U S WEST shall offer PSD interfaces
adhering to the X.25, X.75 and X.75' ANSI and
Bellcore requirements.
10.4.3.3 U S WEST shall offer PSD trunk interfaces
operating at 56 Kbps.
11. Network Interface Device
_____________________________
Attachment 3
11.1 Definition:
11.1.1 The Network Interface Device ("NID") is a single-line
termination device or that portion of a multiple-line
termination device required to terminate a single
line or circuit. One of the functions of the NID is
to establish the network demarcation point between a
carrier and its subscriber. The NID features two (2)
independent ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or divisions which separate the
service provider's network from the subscriber's
inside wiring. Each chamber or division contains the
appropriate connection points or posts to which the
service provider and the subscriber each make their
connections.
11.1.2 AT&T may connect its NID to U S WEST's NID.
11.1.3 U S WEST will allow AT&T to locate dropwires, other
than U S WEST's drop wires, inside an existing U S
WEST combination NID used in the provisioning of
telephone service for single tenant end users subject
to the following conditions:
11.1.3.1 Sufficient space exists inside the
combination NID to allow proper
installation of equipment in accordance
with the NID manufacturers specifications
and per the National Electric Code.
11.1.3.2 In order to maintain maintenance integrity
for the NID, AT&T will install its own
overvoltage protection and customer
bridging equipment, terminate the
dropwires to that equipment, and assume
all operational responsibilities and
liabilities for that equipment;
In the event sufficient space is not available in the
existing U S WEST NID, to accommodate additional
drops, AT&T will be allowed to install and additional
NID, at its own expense and the AT&T's NID can be
connected to the existing U S WEST NID;
If the existing NID is not the new generation modular
type, AT&T may install a new NID. U S WEST will be
allowed to move its drop wire to the new NID and
remove the old NID;
Within ninety (90) after a request by AT&T, the
Parties agree to jointly develop a satisfactory
process to address the issues with access to single
and multi-party NIDs.
11.1.4 With respect to multiple-line termination devices,
AT&T shall specify the quantity of NIDs it requires
within such device.
11.2 Technical Requirements/8/
11.2.1 The NID shall provide a clean,
accessible point of connection for the inside wiring
and for the Distribution Media and/or cross connect
to AT&T's NID and shall maintain a connection to
ground meeting the requirements as set forth below.
______________________
/8/ MCIm Order at pp. 12-13-G, Issue 42
Attachment 3
11.2.2 The NID shall be capable of
transferring electrical analog or digital signals
between the subscriber's inside wiring and the
Distribution Media and/or cross connect to AT&T's
NID.
11.2.3 All NID posts or connecting points
shall be in place, secure, usable and free of any
rust or corrosion. The protective ground connection
shall exist and be properly installed. The ground
wire shall be free of rust and corrosion and have
continuity to ground.
11.2.4 The NID shall be capable of
withstanding all normal local environmental
variations.
11.2.5 Where the NID is not located in a
larger, secure cabinet or closet, the NID shall be
protected from vandalism. The NID shall be accessible
to AT&T designated personnel. In cases where entrance
to the subscriber premises is required to give access
to the NID, AT&T shall obtain entrance permission
directly from the subscriber.
11.2.6 U S WEST shall offer the NID together
with, and separately from, the Distribution Media
component of Loop Distribution.
11.3 Interface Requirements
11.3.1 The NID shall be the interface to subscribers'
premises wiring for all loops.
11.3.2 The NID shall be at least equal to all the industry
standards for NIDs set forth in the following
technical references:
11.3.2.1 Bellcore Technical Advisory
TA-TSY-000120 "Subscriber Premises or
Network Ground Wire";
11.3.2.2 Bellcore Generic Requirement GR-49-CORE
"Generic Requirements for Outdoor
Telephone Network Interface Devices";
11.3.2.3 Bellcore Technical Requirement
TR-NWT-00239 "Indoor Telephone Network
Interfaces";
11.3.2.4 Bellcore Technical Requirement
TR-NWT-000937 "Generic Requirements for
Outdoor and Indoor Building Entrance";
and
11.3.2.5 Bellcore Technical Requirement
TR-NWT-0001 33 "Generic Requirements for
Network Inside Wiring."
12. Operator Systems
See Part A.
13. E911
See Part A.
Attachment 3
14. Directory Assistance Data
See Part A.
15. Signaling Link Transport
15.1 Definition:
Signaling Link Transport is a set of two (2) or four (4)
dedicated 56 Kbps transmission paths between AT&T-designated
Signaling Points of Interconnection ("SPOI") that provides
appropriate physical diversity and a cross connect at a U S
WEST STP site.
15.2 Technical Requirements
15.2.1 Signaling Link Transport shall consist of full duplex
mode 56 Kbps transmission paths.
15.2.2 Of the various options available, Signaling Link
Transport shall perform in the following two ways:
15.2.1.1 as an "A-link" which is a connection
between a switch or SCP and a home
Signaling Transfer Point Switch ("STP"s)
pair; and
15.2.1.2 as a "D-link" which is a connection
between two (2) STP pairs in different
company networks (e.g., between two (2)
STP pairs for two (2) (CLECs)).
15.2.3 Signaling Link Transport shall consist of two (2) or
more signaling link layers as follows:
15.2.3.1 An A-link layer shall consist of two (2)
links.
15.2.3.2 A D-link layer shall consist of four (4)
links.
15.2.4 A signaling link layer shall satisfy a performance
objective such that:
15.2.4.1 there shall be no more than two (2)
minutes down time per year for an A-link
layer transport only, and
15.2.4.2 there shall be negligible (less than 2
seconds) down time per year for a D-link
layer transport only.
15.2.5 Where available, a signaling link layer shall satisfy
interoffice and intraoffice diversity of facilities
and equipment, such that:
15.2.5.1 no single failure of facilities or
equipment causes the failure of both
links in an A-link layer (i.e., the
links should be provided on a minimum of
two (2) separate physical paths
end-to-end); and
15.2.5.2 no two concurrent failures of facilities
or equipment shall cause the failure of
all four (4) links in a D-link layer
(i.e., the links should be
Attachment 3
provided on a minimum of three (3)
separate physical paths end-to-end).
15.2.6 For requested link layers, U S WEST will provide AT&T
with the level of diversity available.
15.3 Interface Requirements
15.3.1 There shall be a DS-1 (1.544 Mbps) interface at the
AT&T-designated SPOIs. Each 56 Kbps transmission path
shall appear as a DS-0 channel within the DS-1
interface.
16. Signaling Transfer Points (STPs)
16.1 Definition:
Signaling Transfer Points (STPs) provide functionality that
enable the exchange of SS7 messages among and between
switching elements, database elements and signaling transfer
points.
16.2 Technical Requirements
16.2.1 STPs shall provide signaling access to all other
Network Elements connected to the U S WEST SS7
network. These include:
16.2.1.1 U S WEST Local Switching or Tandem
Switching;
16.2.1.2 U S WEST Service Control Points/DataBases
connected to or resident on service
control points;
16.2.1.3 Third-party local or tandem switching
systems connected to the U S WEST
signaling network; and
16.2.1.4 Third-party-provided STPs connected to
the U S WEST signaling network.
16.2.2 The connectivity provided by STPs shall fully support
the functions of all other Network Elements connected
to U S WEST's SS7 network. This includes the use of U
S WEST's SS7 network to convey messages which neither
originate nor terminate at a signaling end point
directly connected to the U S WEST SS7 network (i.e.,
transit messages). When the U S WEST SS7 network is
used to convey transit messages, there shall be no
alteration of the Integrated Services Digital Network
User Part ("ISDNUP") or Transaction Capabilities
Application Part ("TCAP") user data that constitutes
the content of the message.
16.2.3 If a U S WEST tandem switch routes traffic, based on
dialed or translated digits, on SS7 trunks between an
AT&T local switch and third party local switch, U S
WEST's SS7 network shall convey the TCAP messages
necessary to provide Call Management features
(automatic callback, automatic recall, and screening
list editing) between the AT&T local STPs and the STPs
that provide
Attachment 3
connectivity with the third party local switch, even
if the third party local switch is not directly
connected to U S WEST's STPs.
16.2.4 STPs shall provide all functions of the MTP as
specified in ANSI T1.111 (Reference 12.5.2). This
includes:
16.2.1 Signaling Data Link functions, as
specified in ANSI T1.111.2;
16.2.2 Signaling Link functions, as specified
in ANSI T1.111.3; and
16.2.3 Signaling Network Management functions,
as specified in ANSI T1.111.4.
16.2.5 STPs shall provide all functions of the SCCP
necessary for Class 0 (basic connectionless) service,
as specified in ANSI T1.112. In particular, this
includes Global Title Translation ("GTT") and SCCP
Management procedures, as specified in ANSI T1.112.4.
16.2.6 In cases where the destination signaling point is
either a U S WEST local or tandem switching system or
data base, or is an AT&T or third party local or
tandem switching system directly connected to U S
WEST's SS7 network, U S WEST STPs shall perform final
GTT of messages to the destination and SCCP Subsystem
Management of the destination. In all other cases,
STPs shall perform intermediate GTT of messages to a
gateway pair of STPs in an SS7 network connected with
the U S WEST SS7 network, and shall not perform SCCP
Subsystem Management of the destination.
16.2.7 STPs shall also provide the capability to route SCCP
messages based on ISNI, as specified in ANSI T1.118,
when this capability becomes available on U S WEST
STPs.
16.2.8 STPs shall provide all functions of the OMAP commonly
provided by STPs, as specified in the reference in
Section 16.5.6. This includes:
16.2.8.1 MTP Routing Verification Test ("MRVT");
and,
16.2.8.2 SCCP Routing Verification Test ("SRVT").
16.2.9 In cases where the destination signaling point is
either a U S WEST local or tandem switching system or
database, or is an AT&T or third party local or
tandem switching system directly connected to the U S
WEST SS7 network, STPs shall perform MRVT and SRVT to
the destination signaling point. In all other cases,
STPs shall perform MRVT and SRVT to a gateway pair of
STPs in an SS7 network connected with the U S WEST
SS7 network. This requirement shall be superseded by
the specifications for inter-network MRVT and SRVT if
and when these become approved ANSI standards and
available capabilities of U S WEST STPs.
16.2.10 STPs shall be equal to or better than the following
performance requirements:
16.2.10.1 MTP Performance, as specified in ANSI
T1.111.6; and
Attachment 3
16.2.10.2 SCCP Performance, as specified in ANSI
T1.112.5.
16.3 Interface Requirements
16.3.1 U S WEST shall provide the following STPs options to
connect AT&T or AT&T-designated local switching
systems or STPs to the U S WEST SS7 network:
16.3.1.1 An A-link interface from AT&T local
switching systems.,
16.3.2 Each type of interface shall be provided by one or
more sets (layers) of signaling links, as follows:
16.3.2.1 An A-link layer shall consist of two (2)
links
16.3.3 The Signaling Point of Interconnection (SPOI) for
each link shall be located at a cross-connect
element, such as a DSX-1, in the central office where
the U S WEST STPs are located. There shall be a DS-1
or higher rate transport interface at each of the
SPOIs. Each signaling link shall appear as a DS-0
channel within the DS-1 or higher rate interface.
U S WEST shall offer higher rate DS-1 signaling for
interconnecting AT&T local switching systems or STPs
with U S WEST STPs as soon as these become approved
ANSI standards and available capabilities in U S
WEST's network.
16.3.4 U S WEST shall provide MTP and SCCP protocol
interfaces that shall conform to all relevant
sections in the following specifications:
16.3.4.1 Bellcore GR-905-CORE, Common Channel
Signaling Network Interface Specification
(CCSNIS) Supporting Network Interconnection,
Message Transfer Part (MTP), and Integrated
Services Digital Network User Part (ISDNUP);
and
16.3.4.2 Bellcore GR-1432-CORE, CCS Network Interface
Specification (CCSNIS) Supporting Signaling
Connection Control Part (SCCP) and
Transaction Capabilities Application Part
(TCAP).
16.4 Message Screening
16.4.1 U S WEST shall set message screening parameters in
order to accept messages from AT&T local or tandem
switching systems destined to any signaling point in
the U S WEST SS7 network with which the AT&T
switching system has a signaling relation.
16.4.2 U S WEST shall set message screening parameters in
order to accept messages from AT&T local or tandem
switching systems destined to any signaling point or
network interconnected to the U S WEST SS7 network
with which the AT&T switching system has a signaling
relation.
Attachment 3
16.4.3 U S WEST shall set message screening parameters in
order to accept messages destined to an AT&T local or
tandem switching system from any signaling point or
network interconnected to the U S WEST SS7 network
with which the AT&T switching system has a signaling
relation.
16.4.4 U S WEST shall set message screening parameters in
order to accept and send messages destined to an AT&T
SCP from any signaling point or network
interconnected to the U S WEST SS7 network with which
the AT&T SCP has a signaling relation.
16.5 STP Requirements
16.5.1 Subject to the provisions of Section 1.3.1 and 1.3.2
of Part A of this Agreement, STPs shall be equal to
or better than all of the requirements for STPs set
forth in the following technical references:
16.5.2 ANSI T1.111-1992 American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Signaling System Number 7 (SS7)
- Message Transfer Part (MTP);
16.5.3 ANSI T1.111A-1994 American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Signaling System Number 7 (SS7)
- Message Transfer Part (MTP) Supplement;
16.5.4 ANSI T1.112-1992 American National, Standard for
Telecommunications - Signaling System Number 7 (SS7)
- Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP);
16.5.5 ANSI T1.115-1990 American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Signaling System Number 7 (SS7)
- Monitoring and Measurements for Networks;
16.5.6 ANSI T1.116-1990 American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Signaling System Number 7 (SS7)
- Operations, Maintenance and Administration Part
(OMAP);
16.5.7 ANSI T1.118-1992 American National Standard for
Telecommunications - Signaling System Number 7 (SS7)
- Intermediate Signaling Network Identification
(ISNI);
16.5.8 Bellcore GR-905-CORE, Common Channel Signaling
Network Interface Specification (CCSNIS) Supporting
Network Interconnection, Message Transfer Part (MTP),
and Integrated Services Digital Network User Part
(ISDNUP); and
16.5.9 Bellcore GR-1432-CORE, CCS Network Interface
Specification (CCSNIS) Supporting Signaling
Connection Control Part (SCCP) and Transaction
Capabilities Application Part (TCAP).
17. Service Control Points/Databases
17.1 Definition:
17.1.1 Databases are the Network Elements that provide the
functionality for storage of, access to, and
manipulation of information required to offer a
particular service and/or capability. Databases
include, but are not limited to: Number Portability,
Attachment 3
LIDB, Toll Free Number Database, Automatic Location
Identification/Data Management System and AIN.
A Service Control Point ("SCP") is a specific type of
Database Network Element functionality deployed in a
Signaling System 7 ("SS7") network that executes service
application logic in response to SS7 queries sent to it by
a switching system also connected to the SS7 network. SCPs
also provide operational interfaces to allow for
provisioning, administration and maintenance of subscriber
data and service application data (e.g., a toll free
database stores subscriber record data that provides
information necessary to route toll free calls).
17.2 Technical Requirements for SCPs/Databases
Requirements for SCPs/Databases within this section address
storage of information, access to information (e.g., signaling
protocols and response times), and administration of
information (e.g., provisioning, administration, and
maintenance). All SCPs/Databases shall be provided to AT&T in
accordance with the following requirements, except where such
a requirement is superseded by specific requirements set forth
in Subparagraphs 17.3 through 17.7 of this Attachment:
17.2.1 U S WEST shall provide interconnection to SCPs
through the U S WEST designated STPs using SS7
network and protocols, as specified in Section 16 of
this Attachment, with TCAP as the application layer
protocol.
17.2.2 Regional SCP pairs shall be available pursuant to
applicable technical reference documents.
17.2.3 U S WEST shall provide to AT&T database provisioning
consistent with the provisioning requirements of this
Agreement (e.g., data required, edits,
acknowledgments, data format and transmission medium
and notification of order completion).
17.2.4 The operational interface provided by U S WEST shall
complete Database transactions (i.e., add, modify,
delete) for AT&T subscriber records stored in U S
WEST databases at parity with which U S WEST
provisions its own subscriber records.
17.2.5 U S WEST shall provide Database maintenance
consistent with the maintenance requirements as
specified in this Agreement (e.g., notification of U
S WEST network affecting events, testing, dispatch
schedule and measurement and exception reports).
17.2.6 When and where available, U S WEST shall provide
billing and recording information to track Database
usage consistent with Connectivity Billing and
recording requirements as specified in this Agreement
(e.g., recorded message format and content,
timeliness of feed, data format and transmission
medium).
17.2.7 U S WEST shall provide SCPs/Databases in accordance
with the physical security requirements specified in
this Agreement.
Attachment 3
17.2.8 U S WEST shall provide SCPs/Databases in
accordance with the logical security requirements
specified in this Agreement.
17.3 Number Portability Database
17.3.1 Definition:
The Number Portability ("NP") Database supplies
routing numbers for calls involving numbers that have
been ported from one local service provider to
another. NP database functionality shall also include
Global Title Translations ("GTT") for calls involving
ported numbers even if U S WEST provides GTT
functionality in another Network Element. U S WEST
shall provide the NP database in accordance with
industry standards which shall supersede the
following as needed:
17.3.2 Requirements
17.3.2.1 U S WEST shall make U S WEST NP Database
available for AT&T switches to query to
obtain the appropriate routing number on
calls to ported numbers or the industry
specified indication that the number is not
ported for non-ported numbers in NPA-NXXs
that are opened to portability. The
specified indication will also be provided
when the NPA-NXX is not open to portability.
17.3.2.2 Query responses shall provide such
additional information (e.g., Service
Provider identification) as may be specified
in the NP implementation in the relevant
regulatory jurisdiction.
17.3.2.3 U S WEST shall complete CLASS or LIDB
queries routed to the U S WEST network by
AT&T switches and return the appropriate
response to the querying source.
17.3.2.4 The NP database shall provide such other
functionality as has been specified in the
regulatory jurisdiction in which portability
has been implemented.
17.3.2.5 Unavailability of the NP database query and
GTT applications shall not exceed four (4)
minutes per year.
17.3.2.6 The U S WEST NP database shall respond to a
round trip query within 500 milliseconds or
as amended by industry standards.
17.3.3 Interface Requirements
U S WEST shall interconnect the signaling interface
between the AT&T or other local switch and the NP
database using the TCAP protocol as specified in the
technical references in this Agreement, together with
the signaling network interface as specified in the
technical references in this Agreement, and such
further requirements (e.g., AIN or IN protocols) as
may be specified by regulatory or other bodies
responsible for implementation of number portability.
Attachment 3
17.4 Line Information Database (LIDB)
This Section 17.4 defines and sets forth additional
requirements for the Line Information Database.
17.4.1 Definition:
The Line Information Database ("LIDB") is a
transaction-oriented database accessible through
Common Channel Signaling ("CCS") networks. It
contains records associated with subscriber Line
Numbers and Special Billing Numbers (in accordance
with the requirements in the technical reference in
Section 17.6.5). LIDB accepts queries from other
Network Elements, or AT&T's network, and provides
appropriate responses. The query originator need not
be the owner of LIDB data. LIDB queries include
functions, such as screening billed numbers, that
provide the ability to accept Collect or Third Number
Billing calls and validation of Telephone Line Number
based non-proprietary calling cards. The interface
for the LIDB functionality is the interface between
the U S WEST CCS network and other CCS networks. LIDB
also interfaces to administrative systems. The
administrative system interface provides work centers
with an interface to LIDB for functions such as
provisioning, auditing of data, access to LIDB
measurements and reports.
17.4.2 Technical Requirements
17.4.2.1 U S WEST shall enable AT&T to store in U
S WEST's LIDB any line number or special
billing number. AT&T will provide U S WEST a
non-binding LIDB forecast. Prior to the
availability of permanent NP, U S WEST shall
enable AT&T to store in U S WEST's LIDB any
subscriber Line Number or Special Billing
Number record for AT&T resale, unbundled
Network Elements and facility based
customers, in accordance with the technical
reference in Section 17.6.5, whether ported
or not, for which the NPA-NXX or NXX-0/lXX
Group is supported by that LIDB.
17.4.2.2 Prior to the availability of permanent
NP, U S WEST shall enable AT&T to store in U
S WEST's LIDB any subscriber Line Number or
Special Billing Number record for AT&T
resale, unbundled Network Elements and
facility based customers, in accordance with
the technical reference in Section 17.6.5,
whether ported or not, and NPA-NXX and NXX-
0/lXX Group Records, belonging to an NPA-NXX
or NXX-0/1 XX owned by AT&T.
17.4.2.3 Subsequent to the availability of
permanent NP, U S WEST shall enable AT&T to
store in U S WEST's LIDB any subscriber Line
Number or Special Billing Number record for
AT&T resale, unbundled Network Elements and
facility based customers, in accordance with
the technical reference in Section 17.6.5,
whether ported or not, regardless of the
number's NPA-NXX or NXX-0/lXX.
Attachment 3
17.4.2.4 U S WEST shall perform the
following LIDB functions (i.e., processing
of the following query types as defined in
the technical reference in Section 17.6.5)
for AT&T's subscriber records in LIDB:
17.4.2.4.1 Billed Number Screening
(provides information such as whether the
Billed Number may accept Collect or Third
Number Billing calls);
17.4.2.4.2 Calling Card Validation; and
17.4.2.4.3 Originating Line Number
Screening (OLNS), when available.
17.4.2.5 U S WEST shall process AT&T's
subscriber records in LIDB at least at
parity with U S WEST subscriber records,
with respect to other LIDB functions (as
defined in the technical reference in
Section 17.6). U S WEST shall indicate to
AT&T what additional functions, if any, are
performed by LIDB in its network. Within
ninety (90) days after a request by AT&T,
the Parties shall develop an interim
procedure to process AT&T subscriber
records.
17.4.2.6 Within two (2) weeks after a request
by AT&T, U S WEST shall provide AT&T with a
list of the subscriber data items which AT&T
would have to provide in order to support
each required LIDB function. The list shall
indicate which data items are essential to
LIDB function, and which are required only
to support certain services. For each data
item, the list shall show the data formats,
the acceptable values of the data item and
the meaning of those values.
17.4.2.7 U S WEST shall provide LIDB
performance in accordance with section
17.6.5.
17.4.2.8 U S WEST shall provide AT&T with the
capability to provision (e.g., to add,
update, and delete) NPA-NXX and NXX-0/lXX
Group Records, and Line Number and Special
Billing Number Records, associated with AT&T
subscribers, directly into U S WEST's LIDB
provisioning process. Within ninety (90)
days days after a request by AT&T, the
Parties shall establish an interim process
to meet the requirements of this Section.
17.4.2.9 Unless directed otherwise by AT&T, in
the event end user subscribers change their
local service provider to AT&T, U S WEST
shall maintain subscriber data (for line
numbers, card numbers, and for any other
types of data maintained in LIDB) so that
such subscribers shall not experience any
interruption of service due to the lack of
such maintenance of subscriber data.
17.4.2.10 All additions, updates and deletions of AT&T
data to the LIDB shall be made solely at the
direction of AT&T.
17.4.2.11 U S WEST shall provide priority updates to
LIDB for AT&T data upon AT&T's request
(e.g., to support fraud protection).
Attachment 3
17.4.2.12 When available, U S WEST shall provide AT&T
the capability to directly obtain, through
an electronic interface, reports of all AT&T
data in LIDB. Within ninety (90) days days
after a request by AT&T, the Parties shall
establish an interim process to meet the
requirements of this Section.
17.4.2.13 [Intentionally left blank to retain
numbering consistency.]
17.4.2.14 U S WEST shall perform backup and recovery
of all of AT&T's data in LIDB as frequently
as U S WEST performs backup and recovery for
itself and any other Person, including
sending to LIDB all changes made since the
date of the most recent backup copy. Backup
will be performed weekly. When needed,
recovery will take place within twenty-four
(24) hours./6/
17.4.2.15 U S WEST shall provide to AT&T access to
LIDB measurements and reports at least at
parity with the capability U S WEST has for
its own subscriber records and that U S WEST
provides to any other party. Such access
shall be electronic. Within ninety (90) days
after a request by AT&T, the Parties shall
establish an interim process to meet the
requirements of this Section.
17.4.2.16 U S WEST shall provide AT&T with LIDB
reports of data which are missing or contain
errors, as well as any misroute errors,
within the same time period as U S WEST
provides such reports to itself. Within
ninety (90) days days after a request by
AT&T, the Parties shall establish a process
to meet the requirements of this Section.
17.4.2.17 U S WEST shall prevent any access to or use
of AT&T data in LIDB by U S WEST personnel
or by any other party not authorized in
writing by AT&T.
17.4.2.18 If and when technically feasible, U S WEST
shall provide AT&T performance of the LIDB
Data Screening function, which allows a LIDB
to completely or partially deny specific
query originators access to LIDB data owned
by specific data owners (in accordance with
the technical reference in Section 17.6.5)
for subscriber data that is part of an
NPA-NXX or NXX-0/lXX wholly or partially
owned by AT&T at least at parity with U S
WEST subscriber data. U S WEST shall obtain
from AT&T the screening information
associated with LIDB Data Screening of AT&T
data in accordance with this requirement.
17.4.2.18.1 The Parties agree to investigate
technical feasibility of variable LIDB
database screening to accomplish 17.4.2.18
above.
17.4.2.19 U S WEST shall accept queries to LIDB
associated with AT&T subscriber records, and
shall return responses in accordance with
the requirements of this Section 17.
____________________________________
Attachment 3
17.4.3 Interface Requirements
U S WEST shall offer LIDB in accordance with the
requirements of this Section 17.4.3.
17.4.3.1 The interface to LIDB shall be in
accordance with the technical reference
in Section 17.6.3.
17.4.3.2 The CCS interface to LIDB shall be the
standard interface described in Section
17.6.3.
17.4.3.3 The LIDB Database interpretation of the
ANSI-TCAP messages shall comply with the
technical reference in Section 17.6.4.
Global Title Translation shall be
maintained in the signaling network in
order to support signaling network
routing to the LIDB.
17.5 Toll Free Number Database
The Toll Free Number Database is an SCP that provides
functionality necessary for toll free (e.g., 800 and 888)
number services by providing routing information and
additional vertical features during call set-up in response to
queries from SSPs. This Section 17.5 supplements the
requirements of Section 17.2 and 17.7. U S WEST shall provide
the Toll Free Number Database in accordance with the following
subsections:
17.5.1 Technical Requirements
17.5.1.1 U S WEST shall make the U S WEST Toll
Free Number Database available, through
its STPs, for AT&T to query from AT&T's
designated switch including U S WEST
unbundled Local Switching.
17.5.1.2 The Toll Free Number Database shall
return carrier identification and, where
applicable, the queried toll free
number, translated numbers and
instructions as it would in response to
a query from a U S WEST switch.
17.5.2 Interface Requirements
The signaling interface between the AT&T or other
local switch and the Toll-Free Number Database shall
use the TCAP protocol as specified in the technical
reference in Section 17.6.1, together with the
signaling network interface as specified in the
technical references in Sections 17.6.2 and 17.6.6.
17.6 SCPs/Databases shall be at least equal to all of the
requirements for SCPs/Databases set forth in the following
technical references:
17.6.1 GR-246-CORE, ▇▇▇▇ Communications Research
Specification of Signaling System Number 7, Issue 1
(Bellcore, December 199X);
17.6.2 GR-1432-CORE, CCS Network Interface Specification
(CCSNIS) Supporting Signaling Connection Control Part
(SCCP) and Transaction Capabilities Application Part
(TCAP) (Bellcore, March 1994);
Attachment 3
17.6.3 GR-954-CORE, CCS Network Interface Specification
(CCSNIS) Supporting Line Information Database (LIDB)
Service 6, Issue 1, Rev. 1 (Bellcore, October 1995);
17.6.4 ▇▇-▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ Section 10: System Interfaces,
Issue 1 (Bellcore, October 1995) (Replaces
TR-NWT-001149);
17.6.5 ▇▇-▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ Section 22.3: Line Information
Database 6, Issue (Bellcore, October 1995); and
17.6.6 GR-1428-CORE, CCS Network Interface Specification
(CCSNIS) Supporting Toll Free Service (Bellcore, May
1995).
17.7 Advanced Intelligent Network ("AIN") Access, Service Creation
Environment and Service Management System ("SCE/SMS") Advanced
Intelligent Network Access
17.7.1 U S WEST shall provide mediated access to all U S
WEST service applications, current or future (if
technically feasible), resident in U S WEST's SCP
through U S WEST's STPs. Such access may be from
AT&T's switch or U S WEST's unbundled local switch.
17.7.2 SCE/SMS AIN Access shall provide AT&T the ability to
create service applications in the U S WEST SCE and
deploy those applications via the U S WEST SMS to the
U S WEST SCP. This interconnection arrangement shall
provide AT&T access to the U S WEST development
environment and administrative system in a manner at
least at parity with U S WEST's ability to deliver
its own AIN-based services. SCE AIN Access is the
development of service applications within the U S
WEST Service Creation Environment capability. SMS AIN
Access is the provisioning of service applications
via the U S WEST Service Management System
capability. AIN trigger provisioning will be
accomplished through the U S WEST local unbundled
switching.
17.7.3 Services Available. U S WEST shall make SCE hardware,
software, testing and technical support (e.g.,
technical contacts, system administrator) resources
available to AT&T. Scheduling of SCE resources shall
allow AT&T at least equal priority to U S WEST.
17.7.4 Multi-user Access. The U S WEST SCE/SMS shall allow
for multi-user access with proper source code
management and other logical security functions.
17.7.5 Partitioning. When available, the U S WEST SCP shall
partition and protect AT&T service logic and data
from unauthorized SMS capability and SCE capability
access, execution or other types of compromise.
17.7.6 Training and Documentation. U S WEST shall provide
training and documentation for AT&T development staff
only in cases in which such training or documentation
is not reasonably available from another source. If
training or documentation is required in accordance
with this Section, it will be provided in a manner at
least at parity with that provided by U S WEST to its
development staff. Training will be conducted at a
mutually agreed upon location.
Attachment 3
17.7.7 Access Environment. When AT&T selects SCE/SMS AIN
Access, U S WEST shall provide for a secure,
controlled access environment on-site. When
available, AT&T may request mutually agreed upon
remote data connections (e.g., dial up, LAN, WAN).
17.7.8 Data Exchange. When AT&T selects SMS AIN Access, U S
WEST shall allow AT&T to download data forms and/or
tables to the U S WEST SCP, via the U S WEST SMS
capability, in the same fashion as U S WEST downloads
such forms and/or tables for itself.
17.7.9 Certification Testing. Certification testing is
typically a two step process that includes an
off-line unit test followed by an on-line controlled
introduction testing into one of each of the U S WEST
switch types capable of supporting the service.
Services created by AT&T will require certification
testing by U S WEST before the services can be
provisioned in the network. The scheduling of U S
WEST certification testing resources for new AT&T
services will be jointly coordinated and prioritized
between U S WEST and AT&T. AT&T testing requirements
will be given equal priority with both U S WEST and
other provider's requirements. In most circumstances,
such testing will be completed within sixty (60) days
from the date the application is submitted by AT&T to
U S WEST for certification. In circumstances
involving complex applications requiring additional
time for testing, U S WEST may request additional
time and AT&T will not unreasonably withhold approval
of such request. The certification testing procedures
described in this Section may be augmented as
mutually agreed to by the Parties.
17.7.10 Access Standard. SCPs/Databases shall offer SCE/SMS
AIN Access in accordance with the requirements of ▇▇-
▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ Service Control Point (SCP) Generic
Requirements.
17.8 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency]
17.9 AT&T will provide to U S WEST timely non-binding forecasts of
SS7 call transactions, link requirements, database query
volumes, etc., as needed for sizing the individual network
capabilities that AT&T will utilize under the terms of this
Agreement.
17.10 CCS Service includes:
17.10.1 Entrance Facility - The entrance facility connects
AT&T's signaling point of interface with the U S WEST
Serving Wire Center ("SWC").
17.10.2 Direct Link Transport ("DLT") - The DLT connects the
AT&T SWC to the U S WEST STP
17.10.3 STP Port - The STP port provides the switching
function at the STP. One (1) STP port is required for
each DLT Link. The Port provides access to the SCP.
17.11 Advanced Intelligent Network ("AIN") triggers will be provided
only to access U S WEST databases. Access to AIN functions is
available only through the STP. If AT&T requires other access,
it will submit a Bona Fide Request.
18. Additional Requirements
Attachment 3
This Section 18 of Attachment 3 sets forth the additional requirements
for unbundled Network Elements which U S WEST agrees to offer to AT&T
under this Agreement.
18.1 Cooperative Testing
18.1.1 Definition:
Cooperative Testing means that U S WEST shall
cooperate with AT&T upon request or as needed to (a)
ensure that the Network Elements and Ancillary
Functions and additional requirements being provided
to AT&T by U S WEST are in compliance with the
requirements of this Agreement, (b) test the overall
functionality of various Network Elements and
Ancillary Functions provided by U S WEST to AT&T in
combination with each other or in combination with
other equipment and facilities provided by AT&T or
third parties, and (c) ensure that all operational
interfaces and processes are in place and functioning
properly and efficiently for the provisioning and
maintenance of Network Elements and Ancillary
Functions and so that all appropriate billing data
can be provided to AT&T.
18.1.2 Requirements
Within forty-five (45) days after a request by AT&T,
AT&T and U S WEST will agree upon a process to
resolve technical issues relating to interconnection
of AT&T's network to U S WEST's network and Network
Elements and Ancillary Functions. The agreed upon
process shall include procedures for escalating
disputes and unresolved issues up through higher
levels of each Party's management. If AT&T and U S
WEST do not reach agreement on such a process within
the 45-day time period, any issues that have not been
resolved by the Parties with respect to such process
shall be submitted to the dispute resolution
procedures set forth in Part A of this Agreement
unless both Parties agree to extend the time to reach
agreement on such issues.
18.1.2.1 U S WEST shall provide AT&T access
for testing at any interface between a U S
WEST Network Element or Combinations and
AT&T equipment or facilities. Such test
access shall be sufficient to ensure that
the applicable requirements can be tested
by AT&T. This access shall be available
seven (7) days per week, twenty-four (24)
hours per day.
18.1.2.2 AT&T may test any interfaces,
Network Elements or Ancillary Functions
and additional requirements provided by U
S WEST to AT&T pursuant to this Agreement.
18.1.2.3 U S WEST shall provide engineering
data as requested by AT&T for the loop
components as set forth in of this
Attachment which AT&T may desire to test.
Such data shall include equipment
engineering and cable specifications,
signaling and transmission path data.
18.1.2.4 The Parties shall establish a
process to provide engineering/office
support information on unbundled Network
Elements (e.g., central office layout and
design records and drawings, system
Attachment 3
engineering and other applicable
documentation) pertaining to a Network
Element or Ancillary Function or the
underlying equipment that is then providing
a Network Element or Ancillary Function to
AT&T.
18.1.2.5 Upon request from AT&T, U S WEST
shall provide to AT&T all applicable test
results from U S WEST testing activities on
a Network Element or Ancillary Function or
additional requirement or the underlying
equipment providing a Network Element or
Ancillary Function or additional
requirements. AT&T may review such test
results and may notify U S WEST of any
detected deficiencies.
18.1.2.6 U S WEST shall temporarily provision
AT&T designated Local Switching features for
testing. Within sixty (60) days after a
request by AT&T, AT&T and U S WEST shall
mutually agree on the procedures to be
established between U S WEST and AT&T to
expedite such provisioning processes for
feature testing.
18.1.2.7 Upon AT&T's request, U S WEST shall
make available technical support to meet
with AT&T representatives to provide
required support for Cooperative Testing. U
S WEST shall define the process to gain
access to such technical support.
18.1.2.8 Dedicated Transport and Loop Feeder
may experience alarm conditions due to in-
progress tests. U S WEST shall notify AT&T
upon removal of such facilities from
service.
18.1.2.9 U S WEST shall exercise its best
efforts to notify AT&T prior to conducting
tests or maintenance procedures on Network
Elements or Ancillary Functions or on the
underlying equipment that is then providing
a Network Element or Ancillary Function,
that will likely cause a service
interruption or degradation of service.
18.1.2.10 U S WEST shall provide a single point of
contact to AT&T that is available seven (7)
days per week, twenty-four (24) hours per
day for trouble status, sectionalization,
resolution, escalation, and closure. Such
staff shall be adequately skilled to allow
expeditious problem resolution.
18.1.2.11 U S WEST shall make available to AT&T access
to 105 responders, 100-type test lines, or
102-type test lines associated with any
circuits under test.
18.1.2.12 AT&T and U S WEST shall complete Cooperative
Testing in accordance with the procedures
set forth in Attachment 5.
18.1.2.13 U S WEST shall participate in Cooperative
Testing requested by AT&T whenever it is
deemed necessary by AT&T to insure service
performance, reliability and subscriber
serviceability.
18.1.2.14 AT&T may accept or reject the Network
Element ordered by AT&T if, upon completion
of cooperative acceptance testing, the
tested Network Element does not meet the
requirements stated herein.
Attachment 3
18.2 Performance
18.2.1 Scope
This section addresses performance requirements for
Network Elements and Ancillary Functions to provide
local service.
18.2.1.1 U S WEST shall work cooperatively with AT&T
to determine appropriate performance
allocations across Network Elements.
18.2.2 AT&T may request real-time, remote data access to
performance monitoring and alarm data on events
affecting (or potentially affecting) AT&T's traffic.
AT&T shall specify the performance to be monitored
and alarm data to be collected. To the extent the
above is not available, AT&T will use the Bona Fide
Request process to gain such capability.
18.2.3 Subject to the provisions of Sections 1.3.1 and 1.3.2
of Part A of this Agreement, U S WEST shall provide
performance at least equal to the requirements set
forth in the following technical references:
18.2.3.1 ▇▇▇▇ Communications Research, Inc.
Documents
18.2.3.1.1 FR-64, LATA Switching Systems
Generic Requirements (LSSGR). This document
contains 117 Technical References and
Generic Requirements. Sections provide the
requirements for local switching systems
(also referred to as end offices) that
serve subscribers' lines. Some modules of
the LSSGR are also referenced separately in
this document.
18.2.3.1.2 TR-NWT-000499, Issue 5, Rev 1,
April 1992, Transport Systems Generic
Requirements (TSGR): Common Requirements.
18.2.3.1.3 TR-NWT-000418, Issue 2, December
1992, Generic Reliability Assurance
Requirements For Fiber Optic Transport
Systems.
18.2.3.1.4 TR-NWT-000057, Issue 2, January
1993, Functional Criteria for Digital Loop
Carriers Systems.
18.2.3.1.5 TR-NWT-000507, Issue 5, December
1993, LSSGR - Transmission, Section 7.
18.2.3.1.6 GR-303-CORE, Issue 1, September
1995, Integrated Digital Loop Carrier
System Generic Requirements, Objectives,
and Interface.
18.2.3.1.7 GR-334-CORE, Issue 1, June 1994,
Switched Access Service: Transmission
Parameter Limits and Interface
Combinations.
18.2.3.1.8 TR-NWT-000335, Issue 3, May
1993, Voice Grade Special Access Services -
Transmission Parameter Limits and Interface
Combinations.
Attachment 3
18.2.3.1.9 TR-TSY-000529, Issue 2, July
1987, Public Safety - LSSGR.
18.2.3.1.10 ▇▇-▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ Section 22.3: Line Information
Database.
18.2.3.1.11 TR-TSY-000511, Issue 2, July
1987, Service Standards, a Module (Section
11) of LATA Switching Systems Generic
Requirements (LSSGR, FR-NWT-000064).
18.2.3.1.12 TR-NWT-000393, January 1991,
Generic Requirements for ISDN Basic Access
Digital Subscriber Lines.
18.2.3.1.13 TR-NWT-000909, December 1991,
Generic Requirements and Objectives for
Fiber In The Loop Systems.
18.2.3.1.14 TR-NWT-000505, Issue 3, May
1991, LSSGR Section 5, Call Processing.
18.2.3.1.15 FR-NWT-▇▇▇▇▇▇, 1993, Operator
Services Systems Generic Requirements
(OSSGR).
18.2.3.1.16 TR-NWT-001156, Issue 2, July
1993, OSSGR Operator Services Systems
Generic Requirements, Section 21, Operator
Subsystem.
18.2.3.1.17 SR-TSY-001 171, Issue 1,
January 1989, Methods and Procedures for
System Reliability Analysis.
18.2.3.1.18 Bellcore Telecommunications
Transmission Engineering, 3rd Ed, 1990.
18.2.3.2 ANSI Standards
18.2.3.2.1 ANSI T1.512-1994, Network
Performance - Point-to-Point Voice-Grade
Special Access Network Voiceband Data
Transmission Objectives.
18.2.3.2.2 ANSI T1.506-1990, Network
Performance - Transmission Specifications
for Switched Exchange Access Network.
18.2.3.2.4 ANSI T1.508-1992,
Telecommunications - Network Performance -
Loss Plan for Evolving Digital Networks.
Also supplement T1.508a-1993.
18.2.3.2.5 ANSI T1.101-1994, Digital
Synchronization Network Plan.
18.2.3.3 TIA/EIA Standards
18.2.3.3.1 Requirements not specifically
addressed here shall be found in the
documents listed in Electronic Industries
Attachment 3
Association/Telecommunications Industries
Association Standards and Engineering
Publications.
18.2.3.3.2 TIA/EIA TSB-37A, Telephone
Network Transmission Model for Evaluating
Modem Performance.
18.2.3.3.3 TIA/EIA TSB-38, Test Procedure
for Evaluation of 2-wire 4 kHz Voiceband
Duplex Modems.
18.2.3.4 IEEE Standards
18.2.3.4.1 IEEE Standard 743-1984, IEEE
Standard Methods and Equipment for
Measuring Transmission Characteristics of
Analog Voice Frequency Circuits.
18.2.3.4.2 ANSI/IEEE Standard 820-1984,
Telephone Loop Performance
Characteristics.
18.2.4 Services and Capabilities
18.2.4.1 All Network Elements shall provide
performance sufficient, in combination with
other Network Elements, to provide the
following applications in accordance with
the requirements of this Agreement:
18.2.4.1.1 all types of voice services;
18.2.4.1.2 all types of voice-band data
modem connections up to and including 28.8
Kbps V-34;
18.2.4.1.3 all types of facsimile
transmissions up to and including 14.4 Kbps
group 3;
18.2.4.1.4 all CLASS/LASS features; and
18.2.4.1.5 all Operator Systems.
18.2.4.2 The following capabilities shall be
provided as applicable:
18.2.4.2.1 ISDN BRI
18.2.4.2.2 ISDN PRI
18.2.4.2.3 Switched Digital Data
18.2.4.2.4 Non-Switched Digital Data
18.2.4.2.5 Any types of video
applications a subscriber may
order
18.2.4.2.6 Any Coin Services a subscriber
may order
18.2.4.2.7 Frame Relay and ATM
Attachment 3
18.2.4.2.8 Private Line Services
18.2.5 Specific Performance Requirements for Network Elements and
Ancillary Functions
18.2.5.1 The following Sections set forth
performance parameters for Network
Elements and Ancillary Functions. U S WEST
shall provide performance equal to or
better than all of the applicable
requirements set forth in this Section.
Unless otherwise noted requirements and
objectives are given in terms of specific
limits.
18.2.5.2 Within ninety (90) days days after a
request by AT&T, U S WEST will analyze the
following performance criteria with
respect to the standards identified herein
and document the U S WEST deviations
consistent with the processes outlined in
Sections 1.3.1 and 1.3.2 in Part A of this
Agreement.
18.2.5.3 Transmission path impairments may be
classified as either analog or digital and
will depend on the nature of the signal
transmitted across the Network Element.
Analog impairments are introduced on any
analog portion of the Loop, typically
between the NID portion of Loop
Distribution and the analog to digital
("A/D") conversion, and are usually
correlated with the length of the physical
plant. Digital impairments are introduced
by A/D conversion and by interfaces
between digital Network Elements. In
addition, noise can be introduced by
either analog transmission or the A/D
conversion.
18.2.5.4 Loop Combination Architecture
Constraints
18.2.5.4.1 The following constraints will
limit not only the variety of Loop
Combination architectures that may be
considered, but also the architectures U S
WEST may consider to deliver any Ancillary
Function or Network Element provided by
USWC to AT&T unless otherwise specified by
AT&T. These constraints apply to the
entire path between the NID portion of
Loop Distribution and the U S WEST switch.
Any exceptions to these restrictions shall
be specifically requested or approved by
AT&T in writing.
18.2.5.4.1.1 No more than one (1) pair of
A-D conversion.
18.2.5.4.1.2 No more than one (1), 2-to-4-
wire hybrid.
18.2.5.4.1.3 No voice compression.
18.2.5.4.1.4 No echo canceled or
suppressers.
18.2.5.4.1.5 One (1) digital loss pad per
PBX.
18.2.5.4.1.6 No digital gain.
Attachment 3
18.2.5.4.1.6 No additional equipment
that might significantly increase
intermodulation distortion.
18.2.5.5 Transmission Impairments
18.2.5.5.1 Analog Impairments
18.2.5.5.1.1 Analog impairments are
those introduced on portions of the end-to-
end circuit on which communications signals
are transmitted in analog format. These
portions of the transmission path would
typically be between NID and an A/D
conversion, most commonly on the metallic
loop. The performance on the analog portion
of a circuit is typically inversely
proportional to the length of that circuit.
18.2.5.5.1.2 Loss
18.2.5.5.1.2.1 Electrical loss is
measured using a 1004 Hz test tone at
zero (0.0) db at one milliwatt into a 900
ohm termination.
18.2.5.5.1.3 Idle Channel Circuit Noise
18.2.5.5.1.3.1 Idle channel circuit noise
(C-message) is added by analog
facilities, by the A/D conversion of
signals, by digital processing equipment
(e.g., echo cancelers, digital loss
pads), robbed bit signaling, and errors
on digital facilities.
18.2.5.5.1.4 Talker Echo
18.2.5.5.1.4.1 The primary source of echo
is improper impedance-matching at the 2-
to-4 wire hybrid in the U S WEST network.
The impact on subscriber perception is a
function of both echo return loss and
delay.
18.2.5.5.1.5 Listener Echo
18.2.5.5.1.5.1 Listener echo is a double
reflection of a transmitted signal at two
(2) different impedance mismatches in the
end-to-end connection. While in extreme
cases it can degrade voice transmission
performance, listener echo is primarily
an issue for voiceband data.
18.2.5.5.1.6 Propagation and Processing
Delay
18.2.5.5.1.6.1 Propagation delay is the
delay involved in transmitting
information from one location to another.
It is caused by processing delays of
equipment in the network and delays
associated with traveling across
transmission facilities.
Attachment 3
18.2.5.5.1.6.2 U S WEST shall cooperate
with AT&T to limit total service
propagation and processing delay to
levels at parity with those within the U
S WEST local network.
18.2.5.5.1.7 Signal-to-Noise Ratio
18.2.5.5.1.7.1 The Signal-to-Noise ratio
(S/N) is a critical parameter in
determining voiceband data performance.
It is typically measured with a 1004 Hz
tone.
18.2.5.5.1.9 Attenuation Distortion
18.2.5.5.1.9.1 Attenuation distortion,
also known as frequency distortion or
gain slope, measures the variations in
loss at different frequencies across the
voice frequency spectrum (200 Hz - 3400
Hz). It is measured by subtracting the
loss at 1004 Hz from the loss at the
frequency of interest.
18.2.5.5.1.10 Envelope Delay Distortion
18.2.5.5.1.10.1 Envelope Delay Distortion
(EDD) measures the difference in transit
time of signals at different frequencies.
EDD is measured relative to the transit
time of a 1704 Hz tone, and is given in
microseconds. EDD is used as an
approximation of the group delay of the
channel.
18.2.5.5.1.11 Phase Jitter
18.2.5.5.1.11.1 Phase jitter measures the
unwanted angular modulation of a signal.
It is caused by noise or the actual
modulation of the signal by another
unwanted signal. It displaces the zero
crossings of a signal. It is measured in
terms of peak-to-peak deviations of a
1004 Hz tone from its nominal zero
crossings, and in a particular frequency
band (200-300 HZ and either 4-300 Hz or
2-300 Hz). Phase jitter impacts voiceband
data performance and can make modems more
susceptible to other impairments,
including noise.
18.2.5.5.1.12 Amplitude Jitter
18.2.5.5.1.12.1 Amplitude jitter is any
deviation of the peak value of a 1004 Hz
signal from its nominal value. Excessive
amounts can impair voiceband data
performance. It is primarily caused by
noise but can also be caused by phase
jitter, gain hits, or single frequency
interference.
18.2.5.5.1.13 Intermodulation Distortion
18.2.5.5.1.13.1 Intermodulation
distortion ("IMD") measures non-linear
distortions of a signal. It compares the
power of harmonic tones to the power of
the transmitted tones. It is measured for
both the second and
Attachment 3
third harmonics of the transmitted tones.
IMD is caused by compression or clipping and
can impair voiceband data performance.
18.2.5.5.1.14 Impulse Noise
18.2.5.5.1.14.1 Impulse noise is a sudden
and large increase in noise on a channel for
a short duration of time. Impulse noise is
measured as a count of the number of times a
noise threshold is exceeded during a given
time period (typically 5 or 15 minutes). It
is caused by protection switching,
maintenance activities, electromechanical
switching systems, digital transmission
errors, and line coding mismatches. Impulse
noise sounds like clicking noises or static
on voice connections. Impulse noise impairs
voiceband data performance.
18.2.5.5.1.15 Phase Hits
18.2.5.5.1.15.1 Phase hits are a sudden
change in the phase of a signal lasting at
least four (4) milliseconds. Phase hits are
measured using a threshold that indicates
how much the phase of the signal has changed
with respect to its nominal phase. Phase
hits are caused by protection switching and
slips or other synchronization errors. Phase
hits can impair voiceband data performance.
18.2.5.5.1.16 Gain Hits
18.2.5.5.1.16.1 Gain hits are sudden changes
in the level of a signal that last at least
four (4) milliseconds. Gain hits are
measured against a threshold of typically 2-
5 dB relative to the signal's nominal level.
Gain hits are usually caused by protection
switches and can impair voiceband data
performance.
18.2.5.5.1.17 Dropouts
18.2.5.5.1.17.1 Dropouts are drops in the
level of a signal of 12 dB or more for at
least four (4) milliseconds. They are caused
by protection switching events, radio
fading, and conditions causing digital
carrier systems to lose frame. Dropouts are
critical for voiceband data performance but,
if severe enough, will also affect voice
quality.
18.2.5.5.1.18 Frequency Shift
18.2.5.5.1.18.1 Frequency shift measures any
frequency changes that occur when a signal
is transmitted across a channel. It is
typically measured using a 1004 Hz tone.
Frequency shift has very little impact on
voice or voiceband data performance;
however, round-trip frequency shifts can
affect the ability of echo cancelers to
remain converged.
18.2.5.5.1.19 Crosstalk
18.2.5.5.1.19.1 Crosstalk is the presence of
signals from other telephone connections on
a circuit. Crosstalk can be either
intelligible,
Attachment 3
when speech from other connections can be
heard and understood, or unintelligible.
Crosstalk is caused by inter-channel
interference on the transmission system.
Crosstalk is difficult to measure: it
requires correlating signals on different
circuits or using human listeners to
identify its presence. Trouble reports may
be used to estimate the probability of
crosstalk.
18.2.5.5.1.20 Clipping
18.2.5.5.1.20.1 Clipping occurs when part of
a transmitted signal is dropped and does not
reach the receiving portion on a connection.
It can be caused by Digital Speech
Interpolation ("DSI") equipment used in
Digital Circuit Multiplication Systems
("DCMS") which increase the amount of
traffic that transmission facilities carry,
and by echo cancelers or echo suppressers.
18.2.5.5.1.21 Digital Impairments
Digital impairments occur in the signal wherever
it is transmitted in digital format. These errors
are usually introduced upon conversion of the
signal from analog to digital, as well as at
interfaces between digital components. While many
digital impairments have little impact on
subjective voice quality, they can impact data
performance.
18.2.5.5.1.22 Signal Correlated Distortion
18.2.5.5.1.22.1 Signal correlated distortion
("SCD") is unwanted noise or distortion
introduced into a signal through the
conversion of a signal from analog to
digital format or through digital processing
that changes the transmitted signal. SCD
affects performance when a signal is being
transmitted. The primary sources of SCD are
signal encoders, echo cancelers, digital
loss pads, and robbed bit signaling. SCD
affects both voice and data performance.
18.2.5.5.1.22.2 The NID-to-end-office
connection shall allow:
18.2.5.5.1.23 Slips
18.2.5.5.1.23.1 Slips occur when a frame of
digital data is either deleted or repeated
because of differences in the clocks used to
synchronize digital facilities. Slips sound
like clicks or pops on voice calls and have
major impact on data performance.
18.2.5.5.1.24 Digital Timing Jitter and Wander
18.2.5.5.1.24.1 Digital timing jitter is the
unwanted phase modulation of digital signals
at rates above 10 Hz. Wander is the unwanted
phase modulation of digital signals at rates
below 10 Hz. Digital timing jitter is caused
by imperfections in the timing recovery
process of regenerators and the stuffing
synchronization process used by
multiplexer/demultiplexers. Wander is caused
by slowly varying changes
Attachment 3
in digital signal phase due to clock
frequency offset and drift, changes in
propagation delay of terrestrial facilities
due to temperature changes and changes in
the distance of satellites from the earth.
These events have a major impact on data.
performance.
18.2.5.5.1.25 DS-1 Errored Seconds
18.2.5.5.1.25.1 An Errored Second (ES) on a
DS-1 facility is any second during which at
least 1 bit is in error. The impact of an ES
on performance depends on the number of
errors that occur during a second.
Typically, voice performance is not
significantly impacted by ES but it can
cause errors in data transmissions.
18.2.5.5.1.26 DS-1 Severely Errored Seconds
18.2.5.5.1.26.1 A Severely Errored Second
("SES") is any second during which a DS-1
has an error rate exceeding 0.001. An SES
can be caused by a loss of framing, a slip,
or a protection switch. SESs have impacts on
both voice and data performance. For voice,
a SES will sound like a burst of noise or
static. SESs that occur during a data
transmission cause a significant burst of
errors and can cause modems to retrain.
18.2.5.5.1.27 Short Failure Events
18.2.5.5.1.27.1 A Short Failure Event
("SFE") is a Loss of Frame ("LOF") event of
less than two (2) minutes' duration. An LOF
event is declared when, on detection of a
Loss of Signal ("LOS") or Out-of-Frame
("OOF"), a rise-slope-type integration
process starts that declares a LOF after
2.5+/-0.5 sec. of continuous LOS or OOF. If
the LOS or OOF is intermittent the
integration process shall decay at a slope
of 1/5 the rise slope during the period when
the signal is normal. Thus, if the ratio of
a LOS or OOF to a normal signal is greater
than 1/2, a LOF will be declared. A LOS
condition shall be declared when the Network
Channel Terminating Equipment has determined
that 175+/-75 successive pulse positions
with no pulses of either positive or
negative polarity have occurred. An OOF
condition shall be declared when either
network equipment or digital terminal
equipment detects errors in the framing
pattern.
18.2.5.6 Service Availability and Reliability
Availability refers to the time period during
which the service is up and usable for its
intended purpose. Reliability refers to the
probability that a task, once begun, will be
successfully completed.
18.2.5.6.1 Blocked Calls
18.2.5.6.1.1 Blocking is the fraction of call
origination attempts denied service during a
stated measurement period. Blocking occurs
because of competition for limited resources
within the network
Attachment 3
18.2.5.6.2 Downtime
Downtime is the period of time a system is in a
failed state.
18.2.5.6.3 Dial Tone Delay
18.2.5.6.3.1 Dial-Tone Delay is the time period
between a subscriber off-hook and the receipt of
dial tone from an originating end office.
Dial-Tone Delay has a significant effect on
subscriber opinion of service quality
18.2.5.6.4 Dial Tone Removal
18.2.5.6.4.1 Dial tone removal is the time
between recognition of the first address digit to
the removal of dial tone on the line.
18.2.5.6.5 Post Dial Delay
18.2.5.6.5.1 Post Dial Delay ("PDD") is the
amount of time a caller must wait after entering
or dialing the last digit of a Destination
Telephone Number ("DTN") before hearing a valid
audible network response. The PDD for an end user
is measured from the time the caller has pressed
or dialed the last digit of a DTN until receipt
of an audible network response.
18.2.5.6.5.2 The requirements given reflect an
end-to-end CCS7 protocol for AT&T end users.
Where a mixture of CCS7 and inband (MF) signaling
protocols are employed, an increase in the PDD
can be expected.
18.2.5.6.5.2.1 PDD 1 - A - Intra LSO
18.2.5.6.5.2.1.1 Intra-LSO calls do not
employ external signaling protocols. The
PDD for intra-LSO calls flows are
dependent upon the processor cycle time
and traffic load conditions. This PDD is
assumed to be between subscribers on the
same LSO, between the Remote Switch
Modules ("RSM") on the same host, or
between an RSM and host subscribers.
18.2.5.6.5.2.3 PDD1 - C - AT&T LSO to Other
LSO
18.2.5.6.5.2.3.1 Calls from an AT&T LSO
to other LSOs are dependent upon the
interface AGREEMENTS between AT&T and
the LSO service provider and may employ
CCS7, inband (MF) or a combination of
both protocols. There are three basic
egress signaling configuration. They
are:
18.2.5.6.5.2.3.2.1 Network Inter-
Connect, CCS7 between AT&T and the
LEC.
18.2.5.6.5.2.3.2.2 Inband
Multifrequency (MF) signaling
protocols without a U S WEST egress
tandem in the connection.
Attachment 3
18.2.5.6.5.2.3.2.3 Inband MF
signaling protocols with a U S WEST
egress tandem in the connection.
18.2.5.6.5.2.3.2.3.1 Calls
from an AT&T LSO to other
LSOs outside the local
service area are assumed to
have multiple STPs for 1+
traffic in the access and
PSTN portion of the
connection. The egress from
the PSTN for 1+ traffic is
again dependent upon the
interface Agreements in
that service area and may
consist of CCS7 or inband
MF protocols.
18.2.5.6.5.2.4 Impact of Number Portability (NP)
18.2.5.6.5.2.5 Custom Local Area Subscriber
Services (CLASS)
18.2.5.6.5.2.6 Partial Dial Timing
18.2.5.6.5.2.6.1 The interval between each
information digit from a subscriber's line,
until the LSO or switching system has
determined that the digit string is
incomplete
18.2.5.7 Local Switching
18.2.5.8 Operator Systems
Operator System connections shall comply with the
requirements for the Loop Combination, Local
Switching, Operator Service, and Directory Assistance
Service requirements.
18.2.5.9 Common Transport
Specific requirements for this Network Element or
Ancillary Function are in the Common Transport
Section of this Attachment. In all cases the
performance of this Network Element shall meet the
general requirements stated in "General Performance
Requirements." Allocation of impairments shall be
negotiated between AT&T and U S WEST consistent with
sound engineering principles.
18.2.5.10 Dedicated Transport
Specific requirements for this Network Element are in
the Dedicated Transport Section of this Attachment.
In all cases the performance of this Network Element
shall meet the general requirements stated in
"General Performance Requirements." Allocation of
impairments shall be negotiated between AT&T and U S
WEST consistent with sound engineering principles.
18.2.5.11 Signaling Transfer Points
Attachment 3
Specific requirements for this Network Element
are in the Signaling Transfer Points Section of
this Attachment. In all cases the performance of
this Network Element shall meet the general
requirements stated in "General Performance
Requirements." Allocation of impairments shall be
negotiated between AT&T and U S WEST.
18.2.5.12 Signaling Link Transport
Specific requirements for this Network Element
are in the Signaling Link Transport Section of
this Attachment. In all cases the performance of
this Network Element shall meet the general
requirements stated in "General Performance
Requirements." Allocation of impairments shall be
negotiated between AT&T and U S WEST consistent
with sound engineering principles.
18.2.5.13 SCPs/Databases
The performance requirements for Databases (NP,
LIDB, E911, etc.) vary depending on the Database
and the applications it supports.
Database-specific performance requirements are
included in the Sections of this Agreement
addressing individual Network Elements and in
applicable Bellcore documents. In all cases, the
query response time, availability, accuracy,
updating capabilities, and other performance
parameters shall at least be at parity with those
services as provided by U S WEST to itself.
18.2.5.14 Tandem Switching
Specific requirements for this Network Element
are in the Tandem Switching Section of this
Attachment. In all cases the performance of this
Network Element shall meet the general
requirements stated in "General Performance
Requirements." Allocation of impairments shall be
negotiated between AT&T and U S WEST consistent
with sound engineering principles.
18.2.6 Test and Verification
18.2.6.1 U S WEST shall provide unbundled Network
Elements to AT&T in such a way as to not
unreasonably interfere with AT&T's
ability to confirm acceptable
performance of the Network Elements
provided by U S WEST to AT&T through the
use of AT&T test equipment located in
its collocated space.
18.2.6.2 At AT&T's request through the Bona Fide
Request process, if not generally
available, U S WEST will provide access
to the Network Element sufficient for
AT&T to test the performance of that
Network Element to AT&T's satisfaction.
18.2.6.3 At AT&T's request, U S WEST will perform
tests to confirm acceptable performance
and provide AT&T with documentation of
test procedures and results in
conformance with U S WEST's internal
practices. Additional test procedures
may be requested by AT&T through the
Bona Fide Request process if not
generally available.
Attachment 3
18.3 [Intentionally deleted for for numbering consistency.]
:
18.4 Synchronization
18.4.1 Definition:
Synchronization is the function which keeps all
digital equipment in a communications network
operating at the same average frequency. With respect
to digital transmission, information is coded into
discrete pulses. When these pulses are transmitted
through a digital communications network, all
synchronous Network Elements are traceable to a
stable and accurate timing source. Network
synchronization is accomplished by timing all
synchronous Network Elements in the network to a
stratum 1 traceable source so that transmission from
these network points have the same average line rate.
18.4.2 Technical Requirements
The following requirements are applicable to the case
where U S WEST provides synchronization to equipment
that AT&T owns and operates within a U S WEST
location. In addition, these requirements apply to
synchronous equipment that is owned by U S WEST and
is used to provide a Network Element to AT&T.
18.4.2.1 The synchronization of clocks within
digital networks is divided into two parts:
intra-building and inter-building. Within a
building, a single clock is designated as
the Building Integrated Timing Supply
("BITS"), which provides all of the DS-1 and
DS-0 synchronization references required by
other clocks in such building. This is
referred to as intra-building
synchronization. The BITS receives
synchronization references from remotely
located BITS such as a primary reference
source. Synchronization of BITS between
buildings is referred to as inter-building
synchronization.
18.4.2.2 To implement a network synchronization
plan, clocks within digital networks are
divided into four stratum levels. All clocks
in strata 2, 3, and 4 are synchronized to a
stratum 1 clock, that is, they are traceable
to a stratum 1 clock. A traceable reference
is a reference that can be traced back
through some number of clocks to a stratum 1
source. Clocks in different strata are
distinguished by their free running accuracy
or by their stability during trouble
conditions such as the loss of all
synchronization references.
18.4.2.2.1 Intra-Building
Within a building, there may be different
kinds of equipment that require
synchronization at the DS-1 and DS-0 rates.
Synchronization at the DS-1 rate is
accomplished by the frequency synchronizing
presence of buffer stores at various DS-1
transmission interfaces. Synchronization at
the
Attachment 3
DS-0 rate is accomplished by using a
composite clock signal that phase
synchronizes the clocks. Equipment requiring
DS-0 synchronization frequently does not
have adequate buffer storage to accommodate
the phase variations among different
equipment. Control of phase variations to an
acceptable level is accomplished by
externally timing all interconnecting DS-0
circuits to a single clock source and by
limiting the interconnection of DS-0
equipment to less than 1,500 cable feet.
Therefore, a BITS shall provide DS-1 and
composite clock signals when the appropriate
composite signal is a 64-kHz 5/8/th/ duty
cycle, return to zero with a bipolar
violation every eighth pulse (B8RZ).
18.4.2.2.2 Inter-Building
U S WEST shall provide inter-building
synchronization at the DS-1 rate, and the
BITS shall accept the primary and/or
secondary synchronization links from BITS in
other buildings where necessary. From
hierarchical considerations, the BITS shall
be the highest stratum clock within the
building and U S WEST shall provide
operations capabilities. When available such
capability includes, but is not limited to,
synchronization reference provisioning;
synchronization reference status inquiries;
timing mode status inquiries; and alarm
conditions.
18.4.3 Synchronization Distribution Requirements
18.4.3.1 Central office BITS shall contain
redundant clocks meeting or exceeding the
requirements for a stratum 3 clock as
specified in ANSI T1.101-1994 and ANSI
TI.105.09 and Bellcore GR-NWT-001244 Clocks
for the Synchronized Network: Common Genetic
Criteria.
18.4.3.2 Central office BITS shall be powered by
primary and backup power sources.
18.4.3.3 If both reference inputs to the BITS are
interrupted or in a degraded mode (meaning
off frequency greater than twice the minimum
accuracy of the BITS, loss of frame,
excessive bit errors, or in Alarm Indication
Signal), then the stratum clock in the BITS
shall provide the necessary bridge in timing
to allow the network to operate without a
frame repetition or deletion (slip free)
with better performance than specified in
these technical references specified in
18.4.3.1.
18.4.3.4 DS-1s multiplexed into a SONET
synchronous payload envelope within an STS-n
(where "n" is defined in ANSI T1.105-1995)
signal shall not be used as reference
facilities for network synchronization.
18.4.3.5 The total number of Network Elements
cascaded from the stratum 1 source shall be
minimized.
18.4.3.6 A Network Element shall receive the
synchronization reference signal only from
another Network Element that contains a
clock of equivalent or superior quality
(stratum level).
Attachment 3
18.4.3.7 U S WEST shall select for
synchronization those facilities shown to
have the greatest degree of availability
(absence of outages).
18.4.3.8 Where possible, all primary and
secondary synchronization facilities shall
be physically diverse (this means the
maximum feasible physical separation of
synchronization equipment and cabling).
18.4.3.9 No timing loops shall be formed in any
combination of primary and secondary
facilities.
18.4.3.10 U S WEST shall continuously monitor the BITS
for synchronization related failures.
18.4.3.11 U S WEST shall continuously monitor all
equipment transporting synchronization
facilities for synchronization related
failures.
18.4.3.12 For non-SONET equipment, U S WEST shall
provide synchronization facilities which, at
a minimum, comply with the standards set
forth in ANSI T1.101-1994.
18.4.3.13 For SONET equipment, U S WEST shall provide
synchronization facilities that have time
deviation (TDEV) for integration times
greater than 0.05 seconds and less than or
equal to ten (10) seconds, that is less than
or equal to 100 nanoseconds. TDEV, in
nanoseconds, for integration times greater
than ten (10) seconds and less than 1000
seconds, shall be less than 31.623 times the
square-root of the integration time.
18.5 SS7 Network Interconnection
18.5.1 Definition:
SS7 Network Interconnection is the interconnection of
AT&T local Signaling Transfer Point (STPs) with U S
WEST STPs. This interconnection provides connectivity
that enables the exchange of SS7 messages among U S
WEST switching systems and databases, AT&T local or
tandem switching systems, and other third-party
switching systems directly connected to the U S WEST
SS7 network.
18.5.2 Technical Requirements
18.5.2.1 SS7 Network Interconnection shall provide
signaling connectivity to all components of
the U S WEST SS7 network through U S WEST
STPs. These include:
18.5.2.1.1 U S WEST local or tandem
switching systems;
18.5.2.1.2 U S WEST databases; and
18.5.2.1.3 other third-party local or
tandem switching systems.
Attachment 3
18.5.2.2 The connectivity provided by SS7 Network
Interconnection shall support the functions
of U S WEST switching systems and databases
and AT&T or other third-party switching
systems with A-link access to the U S WEST
SS7 network.
18.5.2.3 SS7 Network Interconnection shall provide
transport for certain types of Transaction
Capabilities Application Part ("TCAP")
messages. If traffic is routed based on
dialed or translated digits between an AT&T
local switching system and a U S WEST or
other third-party local switching system,
either directly or via a U S WEST tandem
switching system, then it is a requirement
that the U S WEST SS7 network convey via SS7
Network Interconnection the TCAP messages
necessary to provide Call Management
services (Automatic Callback, Automatic
Recall, and Screening List Editing) between
the AT&T local STPs and the U S WEST or
other third-party STPs.
18.5.2.4 When the capability to route messages based
on Intermediate Signaling Network Identifier
(ISNI) is generally available on U S WEST
STPs, the U S WEST SS7 Network shall also
convey TCAP messages using SS7 Network
Interconnection in similar circumstances
where the U S WEST switch routes traffic
based on a Carrier Identification Code
("CIC").
18.5.2.5 SS7 Network Interconnection shall provide
all functions of the MTP as specified in
ANSI T1. 111. This includes:
18.5.2.5.1 Signaling Data Link functions,
as specified in ANSI T1.111.2;
18.5.2.5.2 Signaling Link functions, as
specified in ANSI T1.111.3; and
18.5.2.5.3 Signaling Network Management
functions, as specified in ANSI T1.111.4.
18.5.2.6 SS7 Network Interconnection shall provide
all functions of the SCCP necessary for
Class 0 (basic connectionless) service, as
specified in ANSI T1.112.
18.5.2.7 Where the destination signaling point is a U
S WEST switching system or database, or is
another third-party local or tandem
switching system directly connected to the U
S WEST STPs (SS7 network), SS7 Network
Interconnection shall include final GTT of
messages to the destination and SCCP
Subsystem Management of the destination.
18.5.2.8 Where the destination signaling point is an
AT&T local or tandem switching system, SS7
Network Interconnection shall include
intermediate GTT of messages to a gateway
pair of AT&T local STPs, and shall not
include SCCP Subsystem Management of the
destination.
18.5.2.9 SS7 Network Interconnection shall provide
all functions of the Integrated Services
Digital Network User Part (ISDNUP), as
specified in ANSI T1.113.
Attachment 3
18.5.2.10 SS7 Network Interconnection shall provide
all functions of the TCAP, as specified in
ANSI T1.114.
18.5.2.11 If and when inter-network MTP Routing
Verification Test (MRVT) and SCCP Routing
Verification Test (SRVT) become approved
ANSI standards and available capabilities of
both U S WEST and AT&T STPs, SS7 Network
Interconnection shall provide these
functions of the OMAP.
18.5.2.11.1 The Parties shall develop a
mutually agreed upon interim process for
MRVT and SRVT within ninety (90) days after
a request by AT&T. Either Party shall be
allowed to shut off MRVT/SRVT for
preservation of network integrity.
18.5.2.12 SS7 Network Interconnection shall be equal
to or better than the following performance
requirements:
18.5.2.12.1 MTP Performance, as
specified in ANSI T1.111.6;
18.5.2.12.2 SCCP Performance, as
specified in ANSI T1.112.5; and
18.5.2.12.3 ISDNUP Performance, as
specified in ANSI T1.113.5.
18.5.3 Interface Requirements
18.5.3.1 U S WEST shall offer the following SS7
Network Interconnection options to connect
AT&T or AT&T-designated STPs to the U S WEST
STPs (SS7 network):
18.5.3.1.1 D-link interface from AT&T
STPs.
18.5.3.2 Each interface shall be provided by one or
more sets (layers) of signaling links, as
follows:
18.5.3.2.1 A D-link layer shall consist of
four links.
18.5.3.3 The Signaling Point of Interconnection
(SPOI) for each link shall be located at a
cross-connect element, (e.g., DSX-1) in the
central office where the U S WEST STPs is
located. There shall be a DS-1 or higher
rate transport interface at each of the
SPOIs. Each signaling link shall appear as a
DS-0 channel within the DS-1 or higher rate
interface. U S WEST shall offer higher rate
DS-1 signaling links for interconnecting
AT&T local switching systems or STPs with U
S WEST STPs as soon as these become approved
ANSI standards and available capabilities of
U S WEST STPs.
18.5.3.3.1 In each LATA, there will be two
(2SPOIs. The requirement for two SPOIs is
driven by the critical importance attached
by the Parties to signaling link diversity.
Attachment 3
18.5.3.3.2 Each Party will designate one
(1) of the two (2) SPOIs in a reasonable and
efficient location in the LATA. A SPOI can
be any existing cross connect point in the
LATA.
18.5.3.3.3 Each signaling link requires a
port on each Party's STP.
18.5.3.4 Where available, the U S WEST central office
shall provide intraoffice diversity between
the SPOIs and the U S WEST STPs, so that no
single failure of intraoffice facilities or
equipment shall cause the failure of both
D-links in a layer connecting to U S WEST's
STPs.
18.5.3.5 The protocol interface requirements for SS7
Network Interconnection include the MTP,
ISDNUP, SCCP and TCAP. These protocol
interfaces shall conform to the following
specifications:
18.5.3.5.1 Bellcore GR-905-CORE, Common
Channel Signaling Network Interface
Specification (CCSNIS) Supporting Network
Interconnection, Message Transfer Part
(MTP), and Integrated Services Digital
Network User Part (ISDNUP);
18.5.3.5.2 Bellcore GR-1428-CORE, CCS
Network Interface Specification (CCSNIS)
Supporting Toll Free Service;
18.5.3.5.3 Bellcore GR-1429-CORE, CCS
Network Interface Specification (CCSNIS)
Supporting Call Management Services; and
18.5.3.5.4 Bellcore GR-1432-CORE, CCS
Network Interface Specification (CCSNIS)
Supporting Signaling Connection Control Part
(SCCP) and Transaction Capabilities
Application Part (TCAP).
18.5.3.6 To the extent technically feasible, U S WEST
shall set message screening parameters to
block accept messages from AT&T local or
tandem switching systems destined to any
signaling point in the U S WEST SS7 network
with which the AT&T switching system has a
legitimate signaling relation.
18.5.4 SS7 Network Interconnection shall be equal to or
better than all of the requirements for SS7 Network
Interconnection set forth in the following technical
references:
18.5.4.1 ANSI T1.110-1992 American National Standard
Telecommunications Signaling System Number 7
(SS7) -General Information;
18.5.4.2 ANSI T1.111-1992 American National Standard
for Telecommunications - Signaling System
Number 7 (SS7) - Message Transfer Part
(MTP);
18.5.4.3 ANSI T1.111A-1994 American National Standard
for Telecommunications - Signaling System
Number 7 (SS7) - Message Transfer Part (MTP)
Supplement;
Attachment 3
18.5.4.4 ANSI T1.112-1992 American National Standard
for Telecommunications - Signaling System
Number 7 (SS7) - Signaling Connection
Control Part (SCCP);
18.5.4.5 ANSI T1.113-1995 American National Standard
for Telecommunications - Signaling System
Number 7 (SS7) - Integrated Services Digital
Network (ISDN) User Part;
18.5.4.6 ANSI T1.114-1992 American National Standard
for Telecommunications - Signaling System
Number 7 (SS7) - Transaction Capabilities
Application Part (TCAP);
18.5.4.7 ANSI T1.115-1990 American National Standard
for Telecommunications - Signaling System
Number 7 (SS7) - Monitoring and Measurements
for Networks;
18.5.4.8 ANSI T1.116-1990 American National Standard
for Telecommunications - Signaling System
Number 7 (SS7) - Operations, Maintenance and
Administration Part (OMAP);
18.5.4.9 ANSI T1.118-1992 American National Standard
for Telecommunications - Signaling System
Number 7 (SS7) - Intermediate Signaling
Network Identification (ISNI);
18.5.4.10 Bellcore GR-905-CORE, Common Channel
Signaling Network Interface Specification
(CCSNIS) Supporting Network Interconnection,
Message Transfer Part (MTP), and Integrated
Services Digital Network User Part (ISDNUP);
18.5.4.11 Bellcore GR-954-CORE, CCS Network Interface
Specification (CCSNIS) Supporting Line
Information Database (LIDB) Service;
18.5.4.12 Bellcore GR-1428-CORE, CCS Network Interface
Specification (CCSNIS) Supporting Toll Free
Service;
18.5.4.13 Bellcore GR-1429-CORE, CCS Network Interface
Specification (CCSNIS) Supporting Call
Management Services; and
18.5.4.14 Bellcore GR-1432-CORE, CCS Network Interface
Specification (CCSNIS) Supporting Signaling
Connection Control Part (SCCP) and
Transaction Capabilities Application Part
(TCAP).
Attachment 4
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Definitions........................................................................................ 1
2. General Description................................................................................ 1
3. Location of Interconnection........................................................................ 2
4. Collocation........................................................................................ 2
5. Entrance Facility.................................................................................. Error!
6. Quality of Interconnection......................................................................... 2
7. Points of Interconnection.......................................................................... 2
8. Trunking Requirements.............................................................................. 2
9. Service Interruptions.............................................................................. 4
10. Forecasting....................................................................................... 5
11. Signaling........................................................................................ 7
12. Ordering.......................................................................................... 7
13. Network Management................................................................................ 7
14. Usage Measurement................................................................................. 8
15. Audiotext and Mass Announcement Services.......................................................... 8
16. Interconnection to Network Elements............................................................... 8
17. Reciprocal Traffic Exchange....................................................................... 10
Attachment 4
INTERCONNECTION
1. Definitions
1.1 1.1 For purposes of this Attachment 4, "Interconnection" is
the linking of the U S WEST and AT&T networks for the mutual
exchange of traffic. Interconnection does not include the
transport and termination of traffic. Interconnection is
provided by virtual or physical collocation, entrance
facilities or meet point arrangements.
2. General Description
2.1 U S WEST will provide Interconnection at any technically
feasible point, subject to negotiations between the Parties;
such points may include, but not be limited to, a Meet Point,
the line side distribution frame of the local switch, the
trunk side distribution frame of the local switch, trunk
interconnection points of the tandem switch, central office
cross-connect points, and Signaling Transfer Points necessary
to exchange traffic and access call related databases./1/
2.2 AT&T shall designate at least one POI in the LATA in which
AT&T originates local traffic and interconnects with U S
WEST./2/ AT&T will be responsible for engineering and
maintaining its network on its side of the POI. If and when
the Parties choose to interconnect at a mid-span meet, AT&T
and U S WEST will jointly provision the fiber optic facilities
that connect the two (2) networks and shall share the
financial and other responsibilities for that facility.
2.3 Within ten (10) business days of AT&T's request for any POI, U
S WEST shall provide any information in its possession or
available to it regarding the environmental conditions of the
interconnection route or location including, but not limited
to, the existence and condition of asbestos, lead paint,
hazardous substance contamination, or radon. Information is
considered "available" under this Agreement if it is in U S
WEST's possession, or in the possession of a current or former
agent, contractor, employee, lessor, or tenant of U S WEST's.
2.4 U S WEST shall allow AT&T to perform any environmental site
investigations, including, but not limited to, asbestos
surveys, AT&T deems to be necessary in support of its
collocation needs. AT&T shall advise U S WEST in writing of
its intent to conduct any such investigations, and shall
receive written approval from U S WEST to proceed with the
investigation which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld. AT&T shall indemnify U S WEST in accordance with the
provisions of Section 18 of Part A of this Agreement for any
loss or claim for damage suffered by U S WEST as a result of
AT&T's actions during any site inspection.
3. Location of Interconnection
3.1 AT&T will be responsible for implementing and maintaining its
network on its side of the POI. U S WEST will be responsible
for implementing and maintaining its network on its side of
the POI. If and when the Parties choose to interconnect at a
Meet Point, AT&T and U S WEST will jointly provision the fiber
optic facilities that connect the two networks and shall
proportionately share the financial and other responsibilities
for that facility based on the reasonably negotiated Meet
Point percentage.
_______________________________
/1/ Complies with MCIm Order at p. 6 at Issue 2 and AT&T Order at Issue
3(a)
/2/ MCIm Order, p. 6 at Issue 2, AT&T Order at Issue 3(a), Final
Arbitration Order at pg. 61
Page 1
Attachment 4
3.2 If interconnection is complicated by the presence of
environmental contamination or hazardous materials, and an
alternative route is available, U S WEST shall make such
alternative route available for AT&T's consideration.
4. Collocation
4.1 Interconnection may be accomplished through either virtual or
physical Collocation. The terms and conditions under which
Collocation will be available are described in Part A of this
Agreement.
5. Entrance Facility
5.1 Interconnection may be accomplished using an entrance facility
without the need for collocation. An entrance facility extends
from the Point of Interface to a point within a U S WEST
central office.
6. Quality of Interconnection
6.1 U S WEST will not, for the purpose of Interconnection, provide
to AT&T less favorable terms and conditions than it provides
itself or any other Person or in a manner less efficient than
it would impose on itself or any other Person. The quality of
Interconnection will be at least equal to that U S WEST
provides to itself or any other Person. To the extent that
AT&T requests higher or lower quality Interconnection, AT&T
agrees to use the Bona Fide Request process described in Part
A of this Agreement.
7. Points of Interconnection
7.1 Upon the request for specific point to point routing, U S WEST
will make available to AT&T information indicating the
location and technical characteristics of U S WEST's network
facilities. The following alternatives are negotiable and
include, but are not limited to: (a) a DS-1 or DS-3 entrance
facility, where facilities are available (where facilities are
not available and U S WEST is required to build special or
additional facilities, special construction charges may
apply); (b) virtual collocation; (c) physical collocation; and
(d) negotiated Meet Point facilities. Each Party is
responsible for providing its own facilities up to the Meet
Point. The Parties will negotiate the facilities arrangement
between their networks.
8. Trunking Requirements
8.1 U S WEST agrees to provide designed interconnection facilities
that meet the same industry standards for technical criteria
and service standards, such as probability of blocking in peak
hours and transmission standards.
8.2 The Parties shall initially reciprocally terminate local
exchange traffic and intraLATA/interLATA toll calls
originating on each other's networks as follows:
There shall be no restrictions on traffic types carried.
Until the access structure is revised, to accommodate
non-segregated traffic, pursuant to rules promulgated by
the FCC or the Commission, two-way trunk groups will be
established wherever practical, based upon AT&T's
requestExceptions to this provision will not be based on
technical infeasibility, but will be based on billing,
signaling, and network requirements. For example,
exceptions include: (a) billing requirements
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Attachment 4
- switched access vs. local traffic, (b) signaling
requirements - MF vs. SS7, (c) network requirements -
Directory Assistance traffic to TOPS Tandems, and (d)
one-way trunks for 911/E911. . If Local Traffic and Toll
Traffic are combined in one (1) trunk group, AT&T shall
provide a measure of the amount of Local Traffic and
Toll Traffic relevant for billing purposes to U S WEST.
U S WEST may audit the traffic reported to it by AT&T if
it has reason to believe the reported measurement is not
accurate. Such audit shall be conducted in accordance
with the Audit provisions contained in Section 49 of
Part A in this Agreement./3/ The following is the
current list of traffic types requiring separate trunk
groups, unless otherwise specifically stated in this
Agreement:
(a) intraLATA toll and interLATA switched access
trunks
(b) EAS/local trunks
(c) Directory Assistance trunks
(d) 911/E911 trunks
(e) Operator Services trunks
(f) Non-U S WEST) toll (transit toll to other
providers) Non-U S WEST) local (transit local to
other providers) Commercial Mobile Radio
Service/Wireless Traffic
8.3 Separate trunk groups will be established connecting AT&T's
switch or AT&T/s Operator Service center to U S WEST's
Operator Service center for operator-assisted busy line
interrupt/verify. For traffic from the U S WEST network to
AT&T for Operator Services, U S WEST will provide one (1)
trunk group per LATA served by the local U S WEST switch.
8.4 Trunk Servicing
8.4.1 Orders between the Parties to establish, add, change
or disconnect trunks shall be processed by use of an
Access Service Request ("ASR") or another industry
standard for local service ordering.
8.4.2 As further described in this Agreement, both Parties
will jointly manage the capacity of Local
Interconnection trunk groups. U S WEST's trunk
servicing group will send a Trunk Group Service
Request ("TGSR"), or another industry standard
eventually adopted to replace the TGSR, to AT&T to
trigger changes U S WEST desires to the Local
Interconnection trunk groups based on U S WEST's
capacity assessment. AT&T will issue an ASR or other
industry ordering standard to U S WEST:
(a) within ten (10) business days after receipt
of the TGSR, upon review of and in response
to U S WEST's TGSR, or
(b) at any time, as a result of AT&T's own
capacity management assessment, to begin the
provisioning process. The interval used for
the provisioning of Local Interconnection
trunk groups shall be no longer than the
standard interval for the provisioning of U
S WEST's Switched Access service and shall
be consistent with U S WEST's actual
provisioning intervals for its own Switched
Access customers.
8.4.3 U S WEST will attempt to meet AT&T's requested due
date for the provision of Local Interconnect trunk
groups. Where the installation of Local
Interconnection
___________________________________
/3/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 63
Page 3
Attachment 4
Trunk Groups is required within a time that is
shorter than the standard interval, the Parties will
make all reasonable efforts and cooperate in good
faith to ensure that the mutually agreed upon due
date is met.
8.4.4 Orders that comprise a major project may be submitted
at the same time, in which case their implementation
shall be jointly planned and coordinated. Major
projects are those that require the coordination and
execution of multiple orders or related activities
between and among U S WEST and AT&T work groups,
including, but not limited to, the initial
establishment of Local Interconnection or Meet Point
trunk groups and service in an area, NXX code moves,
re-homes, facility grooming, or network
rearrangements.
8.5 Trunking Requirements
8.5.1 Trunk group connections will be made at a DS-1 or
multiple DS-1 level for exchange of EAS/local,
intraLATA toll, wireless/Commercial Mobile Radio
Service, and Switched Access Traffic. Ancillary
Service trunk groups will be made below a DS-1 level,
as agreed to by the Parties.
8.5.2 Where CCS is not available, in-band multi-frequency
(MF) wink start signaling will be provided. This MF
arrangement will require a separate local trunk
circuit between AT&T's switch and U S WEST's tandems.
Reference Technical Pub. TR-314 and TR394.
9. Service Interruptions
9.1 Standards and procedures for notification of trunk disconnects
will be jointly developed by the Parties within ninety (90)
days after a request by AT&T. Neither Party shall be expected
to maintain active status for a trunk disconnected by the
other Party for an extended or indefinite period of time.
9.2 The characteristics and methods of operation of any circuits,
facilities or equipment of either Party connected with the
services, facilities or equipment of the other Party pursuant
to this Agreement shall not: (a) interfere with or impair
service over any facilities of the other Party; its
Affiliates, or its connecting and concurring carriers involved
in its services; (b) cause damage to their plant; (c) violate
any applicable law or regulation regarding the invasion of
privacy of any communications carried over the Party's
facilities; or (d) create hazards to the employees of either
Party or to the public.
9.3 Each Party shall be solely responsible, and bear the expense,
for the overall design of its services. Each Party shall also
be responsible for any redesign or rearrangement of its
services that may be required because of changes in
facilities, operations or procedures, minimum network
protection criteria, and operating or maintenance
characteristics of the facilities. If one Party creates a
circumstance causing additional costs to the other Party, the
other Party may collect construction charges from the first
Party.
9.4 To facilitate trouble reporting and to coordinate the repair
of the service provided by each Party to the other under this
Agreement, each Party shall designate and define a Trouble
Reporting control office ("TRCO") for such service. Each Party
shall furnish a trouble reporting telephone number for the
designated TRCO. This number shall have access to the location
where facility records are normally located and where current
status reports on any trouble reports are readily available.
Current and historical trouble reports will be made available,
if necessary. Alternative out-of-hours procedures shall be
established to
Page 4
Attachment 4
ensure access to a location that is staffed and has the
authority to initiate corrective action.
9.5 Where new facilities, services and arrangements are installed
to rectify the service interruption, the TRCO shall ensure
that continuity exists and take appropriate transmission
measurements before advising the other Party that the new
circuit is ready for service.
9.6 The Parties shall cooperate in isolating trouble conditions.
Before either Party reports a trouble condition, it shall use
reasonable efforts to isolate the trouble.
9.7 In cases where a trouble condition affects a significant
portion of the other Party's service, the Parties shall assign
the same priority provided to other interconnecting carriers.
10. Forecasting
10.1 The Parties agree that during the first year of
Interconnection, joint forecasting and planning meetings will
take place no less frequently than once per quarter.
10.2 The Parties shall establish joint forecasting responsibilities
for traffic utilization over trunk groups. Intercompany
forecast information must be provided by the Parties to each
other four (4) times a year. The quarterly forecasts shall
include forecasted requirements for each trunk group
identified in Paragraph 8.2.1 of this Attachment. In addition,
for tandem-switched traffic, the forecast shall include the
quantity of tandem-switched traffic forecasted for each
subtending end office. The Parties recognize that, to the
extent historical traffic data can be shared between the
Parties, the accuracy of the forecasts will improve. Forecasts
shall be for a minimum of three (3) (current and plus-1 and
plus-2) years and shall include:
10.2.1 the use of Common Language Location Identifier
(CLLI-MSG), which is described in Bellcore documents
BR ▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇ and BR ▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇; and
10.2.2 a description of major network projects anticipated
for the following six (6) months that could affect
the other Party. Major network projects include
trunking or network rearrangements, shifts in
anticipated traffic patterns, or other activities
that are reflected by a significant increase or
decrease in trunking demand for the following
forecasting period. This planning will include the
issues of network capacity, forecasting and
compensation calculation, where appropriate.
10.2.3 If forecasts vary significantly, the Parties shall meet
to review and reconcile such forecasts.
10.2.3.1 If the Parties are unable to reach such a
reconciliation, the Local Interconnection
trunk groups shall be provisioned to the
higher forecast. At the end of three (3)
months, the utilization of the Local
Interconnection trunk groups will be
reviewed and if the average CCS utilization
for the third month is under seventy five
percent (75%) of capacity, either Party may
issue an order to resize the trunk group,
which shall be left with not less than
twenty five percent (25%) excess capacity.
10.2.3.2 If the Parties agree on the original
forecast and then it is determined that a
trunk group is under seventy five percent
(75%) of CCS capacity on a monthly-average
basis for each month of any three-month
period,
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Attachment 4
either Party may issue an order to resize
the trunk group, which shall be left with
not less than twenty five percent (25%)
excess capacity. In all cases, grade of
service objectives identified in this
Agreement shall be maintained.
10.3 Each Party shall provide a specified point of contact for
planning, forecasting and trunk servicing purposes.
10.4 Trunking can be established to tandems or end offices or a
combination of both via either one-way or two-way trunks.
Trunking will be at the ▇▇-▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇-▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇-▇ level, or
any other technically feasible level, subject to network
disclosure requirements of the FCC. Initial trunking will be
established between AT&T's switching centers and U S WEST's
access tandem(s). The Parties will utilize direct end office
trunking under the following conditions:
10.4.1 Tandem exhaust - If a tandem through which the
Parties are interconnected is unable to, or is
forecasted to be unable to, support additional
traffic loads for any period of time, the Parties
will mutually agree on an end office trunking plan
that will alleviate the tandem capacity shortage and
ensure completion of traffic between AT&T and U S
WEST subscribers.
10.4.2 Traffic volume - The Parties shall install and retain
direct end office trunking sufficient to handle
actual or reasonably forecasted traffic volumes,
whichever is greater, between an AT&T switching
center and a U S WEST end office where the local
traffic exceeds or is forecasted to exceed 512 CCS at
the busy hour.
10.4.3 Mutual agreement - The Parties may install direct end
office trunking upon mutual agreement in the absence
of conditions (1) or (2) above, which agreement shall
not unreasonably be withheld.
10.5 Grade of Service:
A blocking standard of one percent (1%) during the average
busy hour, as defined by each Party's standards, for final
trunk groups between an AT&T end office and a U S WEST access
tandem carrying Meet Point traffic shall be maintained. All
other final trunk groups are to be engineered with a blocking
standard of one percent (1%). Direct end office trunk groups
are to be engineered with a blocking standard of one percent
(1%).
11. Signaling
11.1 Signaling protocol. The Parties will interconnect their
networks using SS7 signaling as defined in GR-317 and GR-394,
including ISDN User Part ("ISUP") for trunk signaling and
Transaction Capabilities Application Part ("TCAP") for
CCS-based features in the interconnection of their networks.
All appropriate industry standards for signaling
interoperability will be followed.
11.2 The Parties will provide CCS to each other in conjunction with
all trunk groups supporting local, transit, and toll traffic.
The Parties will cooperate on the exchange of TCAP messages to
facilitate full interoperability of CCS-based features between
their respective networks, including all CLASS features and
functions. All CCS signaling parameters will be provided,
including automatic number identification (ANI), originating
line information (OLI), calling party category, charge number,
etc. For terminating Feature Group D, the
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Attachment 4
Parties will pass CPN if it receives CPN from Feature Group D
carriers. All privacy indicators will be honored. Where
available, network signaling information such as Transit
Network Selection ("TNS") parameter (CCS platform) and CIC/OZZ
information (non-CCS environment) will be provided by the
Parties wherever such information is needed for call routing
or billing. The Parties will follow all appropriate industry
standards pertaining to TNS and CIC/OZZ codes.
11.3 Standard Interconnection facilities shall be Extended
Superframe (ESF) with B8ZS line code. Where ESF/B8ZS is not
available, AT&T will agree to using other Interconnection
protocols on an interim basis until the standard ESF/B8ZS is
available. U S WEST will provide anticipated dates of
availability for those areas not currently ESF/B8ZS
compatible.
11.4 Where AT&T is unwilling to utilize an alternate
Interconnection protocol, AT&T will provide U S WEST an
initial forecast of 64 Kbps Clear Channel Capability ("64K
CCC") trunk consistent with the forecasting agreements between
the Parties. Upon receipt of this forecast, the Parties will
begin joint planning for the engineering, procurement, and
installation of the designated 64K CCC Local Interconnection
trunk groups and the associated B8ZS Extended Super Frame
facilities, for the purpose of transmitting 64K CCC data calls
between AT&T and U S WEST. Where additional equipment is
required, such equipment will be obtained, engineered, and
installed on the same basis and with the same intervals as any
similar growth job for an IXC, AT&T or U S WEST internal
customer demand for 64K CCC trunks. Where technically
feasible, these trunks will be established as two-way.
12. Ordering12.
12.1 AT&T shall, on each order for Local Interconnection trunks,
specify the AT&T NXXs that are assigned to the trunks.
13. Network Management
13.1 Protective Protocols
Either Party may use protective network traffic management
controls such as 7-digit and 10-digit code gaps on traffic
toward each others network, when required to protect the
public switched network from congestion due to facility
failures, switch congestion or failure or focused overload.
13.2 Rerouting Protocols
Where the capability exists, originating or terminating
traffic reroutes may be implemented by either Party to
temporarily relieve network congestion due to facility
failures or abnormal calling patterns. Reroutes will not be
used to circumvent normal trunk servicing. Rerouting controls
will only be used when mutually agreed to by the Parties.
13.3 Mass Calling
AT&T and U S WEST shall cooperate and share pre-planning
information, where available and in compliance with federal
and state regulations, regarding cross-network call-ins
expected to generate large or focused temporary increases in
call volumes, to prevent or mitigate the impact of these
events on the public switched network.
Page 7
Attachment 4
Furthermore, INP numbers may only be used consistent with
network efficiency and integrity, i.e., inhibitions on mass
calling events.
14. Usage Measurement
14.1 When applicable, each Party shall provide to the other:
14.1.1 Bellcore AMA formatted records to generate bills to
the other Party;
14.1.2 measurement of minutes of use over Local
Interconnection Trunk groups in actual conversation
seconds. The total conversation seconds over each
individual Local Interconnection trunk group will be
totaled for the entire monthly ▇▇▇▇-round and then
rounded to the next whole minute; and
14.1.3 within twenty (20) calendar days after the end of
each quarter (commencing with the first full quarter
after the Effective Date of this Agreement), a usage
report with the total traffic volume described in
terms of minutes and messages and by call type (i.e.,
local, toll, and other) terminated to each other over
SS7 local interconnection trunk groups.
15. AUDIOTEXT AND MASS ANNOUNCEMENT SERVICES
The Parties agree that access to the audiotext, mass announcement and
information services of each Party may be made available to the other
Party upon execution of a separate agreement or an amendment to this
Agreement.
16. Interconnection to Network Elements
16.1 Technical Requirements
16.1.1 When requested by AT&T, U S WEST shall provide
Interconnections between the U S WEST Network
Elements provided to AT&T and AT&T's network at
transmission rates designated by AT&T. If additional
equipment beyond that which U S WEST currently has in
place is planning to put in place or is otherwise
required to have in place is required to meet such
transmission rates, the installation and/or
acquisition of such equipment shall be accomplished
pursuant to the ordering process set forth in this
Agreement.
16.1.2 Traffic shall be combined and routed as follows:
16.1.2.1 At AT&T's request, U S WEST shall receive
AT&T traffic destined to the U S WEST
Operator Systems Network Element, on
trunks from an AT&T end-office or an AT&T
tandem.
16.1.2.2 At AT&T's request, U S WEST shall receive
AT&T CAMA-ANI (Centralized Automatic
Message Accounting - Automatic Number
identification) traffic destined to the U
S WEST 911 PSAPs, or E911 tandems, on
trunks from an AT&T end-office.
16.1.2.3 At AT&T's request, U S WEST shall receive
AT&T SS7 traffic destined to any U S WEST
E911 tandem on trunks from an AT&T
end-office, when SS7 E911 signaling is
available in U S WEST's network.
Page 8
Attachment 4
16.1.3 When requested by AT&T and a third party carrier, U S
WEST shall provide interconnections between AT&T's
network, and the other carrier's network through the
U S WEST network at transmission rates designated by
AT&T, including, but not limited to, ▇▇-▇, ▇▇-▇, and
STS-1, where available. U S WEST shall combine and
route traffic to and from other local carriers and
interLATA carriers through the U S WEST network, and,
at AT&T's request, U S WEST shall record and keep
records of such traffic for AT&T billing purposes to
the extent possible.
16.1.4 U S WEST shall provide two-way trunk groups for
Interconnections. At AT&T's request, and consistent
with an efficient network architecture, U S WEST
shall provide unidirectional traffic on such trunks,
in either direction, effectively operating them as if
they were one-way trunk groups.
16.1.5 All trunking provided by U S WEST shall adhere to the
applicable performance requirements set forth in the
"General Performance Requirements" section of this
Agreement, pursuant to Sections 1.3.1 and 1.3.2 of
Part A of this Agreement.
16.1.6 At AT&T's request, U S WEST shall work cooperatively
with AT&T to provide for overflow routing from a
given trunk group or groups onto another trunk group
or groups as AT&T designates.
16.1.7 U S WEST and AT&T shall agree on the establishment of
two-way trunk groups for the exchange of traffic for
other IXCs. These trunk groups can be provided in a
"meet point" arrangement.
16.1.8 Interconnection shall be made available upon AT&T 's
request at any technically feasible Point of
Interface. All trunk interconnections shall be
provided, including SS7, MF, DTMF, Dial Pulse,
PRI-ISDN (where available), DID (Direct Inward
Dialing), CAMA-ANI, and trunking necessary so that
INP can be provided.
16.2 Trunk Interface Requirements
16.2.1 E911 Trunks
16.2.1.1 U S WEST shall allow AT&T to provide
direct trunking to each U S WEST E911 end
office or tandem, as is appropriate for
the applicable serving area. These trunks
are to be provided as one-way trunks from
a given AT&T end office to the U S WEST
E911 end-office or tandem.
16.2.1.2 U S WEST shall provide for overflow E911
traffic in the same manner that U S WEST
provides E911 overflow for itself.
16.2.2 S911 Trunks
If and when S911 tandems become available in the U S
WEST network, U S WEST shall allow AT&T to provide
direct trunking to each U S WEST S911 tandem. Such
SS7 trunks are to be provided as one-way trunks from
a given AT&T end-office to the U S WEST S911 tandem.
16.2.3 Local Switch and Access Tandem Trunks
Page 9
Attachment 4
16.2.3.1 U S WEST shall provide trunks groups
provisioned exclusively to carry intraLATA
toll traffic, as designated by AT&T.
16.2.3.2 U S WEST shall provide trunk groups
provisioned exclusively to carry interLATA
traffic, as designated by AT&T.
16.2.3.3 U S WEST shall provide SS7 trunks which
provide SS7 Interconnection. At AT&T's
request, MF trunks may be substituted for
SS7 trunks where applicable.
16.2.3.4 U S WEST shall simultaneously route calls
based on dialed digits (in accordance with
the standard GR-317-CORE), and Carrier
Identification Code (in accordance with
the standard GR-394-CORE) over a single
SS7 trunk group.
16.2.4 U S WEST Operator Services Trunk
U S WEST shall provide Operator Services trunks as
one-way trunks from the U S WEST network to the AT&T
network.
16.3 Network Interconnection between U S WEST and AT&T shall meet
or exceed all of the requirements for network Interconnection
set forth in the following technical references:
16.3.1 GR-317-CORE, Switching System generic requirements
for Call Control Using the Integrated Services
Digital Network User Part (ISDNUP), Bellcore,
February 1994;
16.3.2 GR-394-CORE, Switching System generic requirements
for Interexchange Carrier Interconnection Using the
Integrated Services Digital Network User Part
(ISDNUP), Bellcore, February 1994;
16.3.3 ▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ Operator Services Systems
generic requirements, Bellcore, 1994 Edition; and
16.3.4 FR-NWT-000064, LATA Switching Systems Generic
Requirements (LSSGR), Bellcore, 1994 Edition.
17. Reciprocal Traffic Exchange
17.1 Scope
Reciprocal traffic exchange addresses the exchange of traffic
between AT&T end users and U S WEST end users. If such traffic
is local, the provisions of this Agreement shall apply. Where
either Party acts as an intraLATA toll provider or interLATA
IXC or where either Party interconnects and delivers traffic
to the other from third parties, each Party shall ▇▇▇▇ such
third parties the appropriate charges pursuant to its
respective tariffs or contractual offerings for such third
party terminations. Absent a separately negotiated agreement
to the contrary, compensation for reciprocal traffic exchange
solely applies to traffic exchanged directly between the
Parties without the use of third party transit providers.
17.2 Responsibilities of The Parties
Page 10
Attachment 4
17.2.1 U S WEST and AT&T agree to treat each other fairly,
nondiscriminatorily, and equally for all items
included in this Agreement, or related to the support
of items included in this Agreement.
17.2.2 AT&T and U S WEST agree to exchange such reports
and/or data as provided in this Agreement to
facilitate the proper billing of traffic.
17.2.3 [Intentionally left blank for numbering
consistency]
17.2.4 AT&T and U S WEST shall share responsibility for all
control office functions for Local Interconnection
trunks and trunk groups, and both Parties shall share
the overall coordination, installation, and
maintenance responsibilities for these trunks and
trunk groups.
17.2.5 The Party that performs the End Office function is
responsible for all control office functions for the
meet point trunking arrangement trunks and trunk
groups, and shall be responsible for the overall
coordination, installation, and maintenance
responsibilities for these trunks and trunk groups.
17.2.6 AT&T and U S WEST shall:
17.2.6.1 Provide trained personnel with adequate
and compatible test equipment to work with
each other's technicians.
17.2.6.2 Notify each other when there is any change
affecting the service requested, including
the due date.
17.2.6.3 Coordinate and schedule testing activities
of their own personnel, and others as
applicable, to ensure its Interconnection
trunks/trunk groups are installed per the
Interconnection order, meet agreed-upon
acceptance test requirements, and are
placed in service by the due date.
17.2.6.4 Perform sectionalization to determine if a
trouble is located in its facility or its
portion of the Interconnection trunks
prior to referring the trouble to each
other.
17.2.6.5 Advise each other's control office if
there is an equipment failure which may
affect the interconnection trunks.
17.2.6.6 Provide each other with a trouble
reporting/repair contact number that is
readily accessible and available
twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7)
days per week. Any changes to this contact
arrangement must be immediately provided
to the other Party.
17.2.6.7 Provide to each other test-line numbers
and access to test lines.
17.2.6.8 Cooperatively plan and implement
coordinated repair procedures for the meet
point and Local Interconnection trunks and
facilities to ensure trouble reports are
resolved in a timely and appropriate
manner.
17.3 Types of Traffic
Page 11
Attachment 4
17.3.1 The types of traffic to be exchanged or provided
under this Agreement include, but are not limited, to
the following:
17.3.1.1 EAS/Local Traffic,
17.3.1.2 Transit Traffic,
17.3.1.3 Switched Access Traffic,
17.3.1.4 Ancillary traffic includes all traffic
destined for Ancillary Services, or that
may have special billing requirements,
including, but not limited to, the
following:
(a) Directory Assistance
(b) 911/E911
(c) Operator call termination (busy line
interrupt and verify)
(d) 800/888 database dip
(e) LIDB
(f) Information services requiring
special billing.
17.3.1.5 Unless otherwise stated in this Agreement,
ancillary traffic will be exchanged in
accordance with whether the traffic is
Local/EAS, intraLATA toll, or Switched
Access.
17.4 Transport and Termination of Exchanged Traffic
17.4.1 Termination of Local Traffic
Local Traffic will be terminated pursuant to the
Reciprocal Compensation described in Attachment 1.
17.4.2 EAS/Local Traffic
As negotiated between the Parties, the exchange of
local traffic between the Parties may occur in
several ways:
17.4.2.1 While the Parties anticipate the use of
two-way trunks for the delivery of local
traffic, either Party may elect to
provision its own one-way trunks for
delivery of local traffic to be
terminated on the other Party's network
at the "initial" point of
Interconnection.
17.4.2.2 The Parties may elect to purchase
transport services from each other or
from a third party. Such transport
delivers the originating Party's local
traffic to the terminating Party's end
office or tandem for call termination.
Transport may be purchased as either
tandem switched transport (which is
included in the tandem call termination
rate) or direct trunk transport.
17.4.2.3 To the extent that AT&T has established
a Collocation arrangement at a USWC end
office location, and has available
capacity, the Parties agree that AT&T
shall provide two-way direct trunk
facilities,
Page 12
Attachment 4
when required, from that end office to
the AT&T switch. In all other cases, the
direct facility may be provisioned by
USWC or AT&T or a third party. If both
AT&T and USWC desire to provision the
facility and cannot otherwise agree, the
parties may agree to resolve the dispute
through the submission of competitive
bids.
17.4.3 Transit Traffic
17.4.3.1 U S WEST will accept traffic originated by
AT&T and will terminate it at a point of
interconnection with another CLEC,
Exchange Carrier, IXC or Wireless Carrier.
U S WEST will provide this transit service
through Tandem Office Switches. AT&T may
also provide U S WEST with transit
service.
17.4.3.2 The Parties expect that all networks
involved in transporting Transit Traffic
will deliver calls to each involved
network with CCS/SS7 protocol and the
appropriate ISUP/TCAP message to
facilitate full interoperability and
billing functions. In all cases, the
originating company is responsible to
follow the EMR standard and to exchange
records with both the transiting company
and the terminating company, to facilitate
the billing process to the originating
network.
17.4.3.3 The Parties will use industry standards
developed to handle the provision and
billing of Switched Access by multiple
providers (MECAB, MECOD and the Parties'
FCC tariffs).
17.4.4 Toll Traffic
Toll traffic routed to an access tandem, or directly
routed to an end office, will be terminated as
Switched Access Service.
17.5 Interface Code Availability And Optional Features
17.5.1 Interface Code Availability
Supervisory Signaling specifications, and the
applicable network channel interface codes for
Local Interconnection trunks, are the same as those
used for Feature Group D Switched Access Service,
as described in the Parties' applicable Switched
Access tariffs.
17.5.2 Optional Features
17.5.2.1 Inband MF or SS7 Out of Band Signaling
Inband MF signaling and SS7 Out of Band Signaling
are available for local trunks. MF signaling or ▇▇▇
▇▇▇-▇▇-▇▇▇▇ Signaling must be requested on the
order for the new local trunks. Provisioning of the
local trunks equipped with MF signaling or SS7 Out
of Band is the same as that used for Feature Group
D Switched Access. Common Channel Signaling
Service, as described in this Agreement, must be
ordered by AT&T when SS7 out-of-band signaling is
requested on local trunks.
17.5.2.2 Clear Channel Capability
Page 13
Attachment 4
Clear channel capability permits ▇▇ ▇▇-▇-▇▇ kbit/s
services or 1.536 Mbit/s of information on the
1.544 Mbit/s line rate. Clear channel capability is
available for local trunks equipped with SS7
Out-of-Band Signaling. Clear channel capability is
only available on trunks to U S WEST's access
tandem switch or U S WEST's end office switches
(where available). Clear channel capability must be
requested on the order for the new local trunks.
The provisioning of the local trunks equipped with
clear channel capability is the same as that used
for Feature Group D Switched Access Service. U S
WEST will provide AT&T with a listing of U S WEST
end offices, local tandems and access tandems
equipped with clear channel capability. (Clear
channel capability is not available on trunks to U
S WEST's local tandem switches or end offices where
it is currently not deployed. AT&T agrees to use
the Bona Fide Request process to request clear
channel capability for such additional switches.
Prices for such additional clear channel
capability, if any, will be established through the
BFR process).
17.6 Measuring Local Interconnection Minutes
17.6.1 Measurement of terminating Local Interconnection
minutes, as calculated per Attachment 5, begins
when the terminating local entry switch receives
answer supervision from the called end user's end
office indicating the called end user has answered.
The measurement of terminating call usage over
local trunks ends when the terminating local entry
switch receives disconnect supervision from either
the called end user's end office, indicating the
called end user has disconnected, or AT&T's Point
of Interconnection, whichever is recognized first
by the entry switch.
17.6.2 U S WEST and AT&T are required to provide each
other the proper call information (e.g., originated
call party number and destination call party
number, etc.) to enable each Party to issue bills
in a complete and timely fashion.
17.7 Testing
17.7.1 Acceptance Testing
At the time of installation of a local trunk group, and at no additional charge,
the Parties will cooperatively test the same parameters tested for terminating
Feature Group D Switched Access Service.
17.7.2 Testing Capabilities
17.7.2.1 Terminating Local Interconnection
testing is provided where equipment is
available, with the following test
lines: seven-digit access to balance
(100 type), milliwatt (102 type),
nonsynchronous or synchronous,
automatic transmission measuring (105
type), data transmission (107 type),
loop-around, short circuit, open
circuit, and non-inverting digital
loopback (108 type).
17.7.2.2 In addition to Local Interconnection
acceptance testing, other tests are
available (e.g., additional
cooperative acceptance testing,
automatic scheduled testing,
cooperative scheduled testing,
Page 14
Attachment 4
manual scheduled testing, and non-scheduled
testing) at the applicable tariff rates.
17.8 Mileage Measurement
Where required, the mileage measurement for Local
Interconnection facilities and trunks is determined in the
same manner as the mileage measurement for Feature Group D
Switched Access Service.
Page 15
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ATTACHMENT 5
BUSINESS PROCESS REQUIREMENTS
1. General Business Requirements........................................... 1
1.1 Procedures.............................................................. 1
1.2 Service Offerings....................................................... 2
2. Pre-Ordering............................................................ 3
2.1 General Business Requirements........................................... 3
2.2 Service Order Process Requirements...................................... 6
2.3 Systems Interfaces and Information Exchanges............................ 7
2.4 Pre-ordering Functions.................................................. 8
3. Ordering and Provisioning............................................... 8
3.1 General Business Requirements........................................... 8
3.2 Service Order Process Requirements...................................... 10
3.3 Systems Interfaces and Information Exchanges............................ 18
3.4 Standards............................................................... 19
4. Connectivity Billing and Recording...................................... 20
4.1 Procedures.............................................................. 20
4.2 Information Exchange and Interfaces..................................... 26
4.3 Standards............................................................... 29
5. Provision Of Customer Usage Data........................................ 30
5.1 Procedures.............................................................. 30
5.2 Information Exchange and Interfaces..................................... 36
5.3 Standards............................................................... 40
Attachment 5
5.4 Standards for Transmitting and Recording Usage Data.................... 41
5.5 Reporting.............................................................. 41
6. Maintenance............................................................ 41
6.1 Interim Maintenance and Repair Processes............................... 50
6.2 General Requirements................................................... 41
6.3 Systems Interfaces and Information Exchanges........................... 46
6.4 Standards.............................................................. 48
6.5 Performance Measurements and Reporting................................. 48
7. Miscellaneous Services and Functions................................... 48
7.1 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency]................... 48
7.2 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency]................... 48
7.3 Performance Measurements and Reporting................................. 48
Attachment 5
1. General Business Requirements
1.1 Procedures
1.1.1 U S WEST Contact with Subscribers
1.1.1.1 AT&T at all times shall be the primary contact and
account control for all interactions with its subscribers,
except as specified by AT&T. AT&T subscribers include
active Customers as well as those for whom service orders
are pending.
1.1.1.2 U S WEST shall ensure that any U S WEST personnel
who may receive customer inquiries, or otherwise have
opportunity for subscriber contact: (a) provide
appropriate referrals and telephone numbers to subscribers
who inquire about AT&T services or products; (b) do not in
any way disparage AT&T or its products or services during
such inquiry or subscriber contact; and (c) do not provide
information about U S WEST products or services during
that same inquiry or subscriber contact.
1.1.1.3 AT&T shall ensure that any AT&T personnel who may
receive customer inquiries, or otherwise have opportunity
for subscriber contact: (a) provide appropriate referrals
and telephone numbers to subscribers who inquire about U S
WEST services or products; (b) do not in any way disparage
U S WEST or its products or services during such inquiry
or subscriber contact; and (c) do not provide information
about AT&T products or services during that same inquiry
or subscriber contact.
1.1.1.4 U S WEST shall not use AT&T's request for
subscriber information, order submission or any other
aspect of AT&T's processes or services to aid U S WEST's
marketing or sales efforts./1/
1.1.2 Expedite, Escalation and Disaster Procedures
1.1.2.1 No later than sixty (60) days after a request by
AT&T, U S WEST and AT&T shall develop mutually acceptable
escalation and expedite procedures which may be invoked at
any point in the Service Ordering, Provisioning,
Maintenance and Subscriber Usage Data transfer processes
to facilitate rapid and timely resolution of disputes.
Within the said sixty (60) day period, U S WEST and AT&T
will establish intercompany contact lists for purposes of
handling subscriber and other matters which require
attention/resolution outside of normal business
procedures. To the extent possible, U S WEST shall notify
AT&T of any changes to its escalation contact list at
least one (1) week before such changes are effective.
1.1.2.2 No later than sixty (60) days after a request by
AT&T, U S WEST and AT&T shall jointly establish
contingency and disaster recovery plans for those
cases in which normal service ordering,
provisioning, maintenance, billing and other
procedures for U S WEST's unbundled Network
Elements, features, functions and Resale Services
are inoperable.
1.1.3 Operational and Technological Changes
_____________________
/1/ MCIm Order at p. 11, Issue 6, second paragraph and third paragraph
Attachment 5
1.1.3.1 U S WEST shall notify AT&T of any material
operational or technological (e.g., network,
systems interfaces) changes related to any
services, Interconnection methods, or Network
Elements purchased by AT&T. At the time U S WEST
decides to make such a change, U S WEST will
notify AT&T in sufficient time to allow AT&T to
make necessary adjustments to accommodate the
change, but in no case with less than thirty (30)
days' notice, unless otherwise agreed to by the
Parties. Objections to the proposed change must
be given in writing to U S WEST in a reasonable
time. For the purposes of this Section, material
changes shall be defined as those changes which
will likely impact current interactions between
AT&T (or its customers) and U S WEST.
1.1.3.2 U S WEST agrees to notify AT&T whenever an AT&T
subscriber who is provided local service through
Services for Resale, INP/NP, or unbundled Network
Elements changes AT&T PIC status.
1.1.4 Customer of Record
1.1.4.1 Providing AT&T has obtained proper customer
authorization, U S WEST shall recognize AT&T as
the Customer of Record for all Network Elements
or Services for Resale ordered by AT&T and shall
send all notices, invoices, and information which
pertain to such ordered services directly to
AT&T. AT&T will provide U S WEST with addresses
to which U S WEST shall send all such notices,
invoices, and information.
1.1.5 Work Center Interface Procedures
1.1.5.1 U S WEST and AT&T shall, within ninety (90) after
a request by AT&T, develop and implement work
center interface procedures for each function/
business process necessary for fulfilling the
terms of this Agreement.
1.2 Service Offerings
1.2.1 Changes in Retail Service Offerings
1.2.1.1 Pursuant to Section 23.2 of Part A of this
Agreement, U S WEST shall provide summaries to
AT&T describing the proposed change(s) of
services which are available for resale pursuant
to this Agreement.
1.2.1.2 [Intentionally left blank for numbering
consistency]
1.2.1.3 U S WEST shall provide AT&T with access to new
services, features, and functions concurrent with
U S WEST's notice to AT&T of such changes, so
that AT&T may evaluate these services.
1.2.2 Essential Services
1.2.2.1 U S WEST shall designate trunks or lines as an
Essential Service Line ("ESL") or Telecommunications
Service Priority ("TSP"), whichever is applicable, upon
AT&T's request, based on industry standards.
1.2.3 Blocking Services
Attachment 5
1.2.3.1 Upon request from AT&T, U S WEST shall provide
blocking in accordance with U S WEST standard intervals
for 700, 900, and 976 services, or other services of
similar type as may now exist or may be developed in the
future according to industry standards, and shall provide
Billed Number Screening ("BNS"), including required LIDB
updates, or equivalent service for blocking completion of
▇▇▇▇-to-third party and collect calls, on a line, trunk,
or individual service basis.
1.2.4 Training Support
1.2.4.1 U S WEST will train its employees who may
communicate with AT&T subscribers to treat AT&T in a
nondiscriminatory manner. U S WEST will solicit and may
take into account input from AT&T in the development of
such training and will permit AT&T to review, but not
approve, such training. Such training will comply with the
branding requirements of this Agreement.
1.2.4.2 U S WEST or its agent shall train AT&T employees
on U S WEST's systems and processes necessary to assure
the accuracy of required information exchange between
AT&T. Information/materials provided to AT&T should
include, at a minimum, operational and procedural
information, and U S WEST-specific system access/interface
instruction for performing similar functions.
1.2.5 Carrier Identification Codes
U S WEST shall provide to AT&T the active Carrier Identification
Codes (CIC) for both Dial 1 and toll free (e.g., 800, 888)
services for each of its access tandems pursuant to industry
guidelines.
2. Pre-Ordering
2.1 General Business Requirements
2.1.1 Street Address Guide (SAG)
Within sixty (60) days after a request by AT&T, U S WEST
shall provide to AT&T the SAG data, or its equivalent, in
a mutually agreed to format. All changes to the SAG shall
be provided to AT&T on a weekly basis./2/
2.1.2 CLASS and Custom Features
2.1.2.1 AT&T may order the entire set of CLASS and Custom
features and functions, or a subset of any one or any
combination of such features. In addition, U S WEST shall
provide AT&T with a list of features and functions
available on an end office by end office basis.
2.1.3 Customer Payment History
2.1.3.1 AT&T and U S WEST agree to make available to a
mutually agreed upon third-party credit reporting agency,
on a timely basis, such of the following Customer
__________________________
/2/ MCI Order at p. 6, Issue 24
Attachment 5
payment history information available for each person or
entity that applies for local service or intraLATA toll
Telecommunications Service(s) from either Party.
2.1.3.1.1 Applicant's name;
2.1.3.1.2 Applicant's address;
2.1.3.1.3 Applicant's previous phone number, if
any;
2.1.3.1.4 Amount, if any, of unpaid balance in
applicant's name;
2.1.3.1.5 Whether applicant is delinquent on
payments;
2.1.3.1.6 Length of service with prior local
or intraLATA toll provider;
2.1.3.1.7 Whether applicant had local or
intraLATA toll service terminated or
suspended within the last six (6)
months with an explanation of the
reason therefor; and,
2.1.3.1.8 Whether applicant was required by prior
local or intraLATA toll provider to pay
a deposit or provide another form of
security including the amount of each.
2.1.3.2 Such information shall be provided on the
condition that the credit reporting agency only make such
information available to the carrier to which the person
or entity in question has applied for Telecommunication
Service(s).
2.1.4 Number Administration/Number Reservations
2.1.4.1 Until Number Administration functions are assumed
by a neutral third party in accordance with FCC rules and
regulations, U S WEST shall assign NXXs to AT&T on a non-
discriminatory and equivalent basis following NANP
guidelines. In addition, U S WEST shall provide testing
and loading of AT&T's NXX on the same basis as U S WEST
provides itself or its Affiliates. Further, in U S WEST's
role as number administrator, it shall provide AT&T with
access to abbreviated dialing codes, access arrangements
for 555 line numbers, and the ability to obtain telephone
numbers, including vanity numbers, while a customer is on
the phone with AT&T. U S WEST shall provide the same range
of number choices to AT&T, including choice of exchange
number, as U S WEST provides its own customers.
Reservation and aging of numbers shall remain U S WEST's
responsibility.
2.1.4.2 AT&T may reserve blocks of U S WEST telephone
numbers in accordance with U S WEST's tariffs, or in the
same manner U S WEST reserves telephone numbers for its
own use.
2.1.4.3 Where AT&T has obtained its own NXX, but has
purchased U S WEST Services for Resale or Network
Elements, U S WEST agrees to recognize the AT&T NXX in U S
WEST's switch according to the local calling area defined
by AT&T and approved by the Commission.
2.1.4.4 For resale and the unbundled switching element, U
S WEST shall accept AT&T orders for vanity numbers and
blocks of numbers for use with complex services including,
but not limited to, DID, CENTREX, and hunting
arrangements, as requested by AT&T on a non-
discriminatory, equivalent basis following NANP
guidelines.
2.1.4.5 For simple services, U S WEST shall provide real-
time electronic interfaces to AT&T to obtain telephone
number confirmation while the customer is on the line.
When real time electronic interfaces are not available for
simple services number reservations, U S WEST shall
provide alternative means for confirmation of
Attachment 5
the number reservation while the customer is on the line.
For number reservations associated with complex services,
U S WEST shall provide confirmation of the number
reservation within forty-eight (48) hours of AT&T's
request or within such time as U S WEST may provide to
itself or Affiliates, whichever is less.
2.1.4.6 Number Resources Arrangements
2.1.4.6.1 Nothing in this Agreement shall be
construed in any manner to limit or otherwise
adversely impact either Party's right to the
request and assignment of any NANP number
resources including, but not limited to, central
office (NXX) codes pursuant to the Central Office
Code Assignment Guidelines (last published by the
Industry Numbering Committee ("INC") as INC
▇▇-▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇, Revision 4/19/96, formerly ICCF
93-0729-010).
2.1.4.6.2 To the extent U S WEST serves as
Central Office Code Administrator for a given
region, U S WEST will support all AT&T requests
related to central office code (NXX)
administration and assignments in the manner
required and consistent with the Central Office
Code Assignment Guidelines.
2.1.4.6.3 [Intentionally left blank for numbering
consistency]
2.1.4.6.4 The Parties will comply with (NXX)
administration requirements as prescribed by the
FCC, the Commission, and accepted industry
guidelines.
2.1.4.6.5 It shall be the responsibility of each
Party to program and update its own switches and
network systems pursuant to the Local Exchange
Routing Guide ("LERG") guidelines to recognize
and route traffic to the other Party's assigned
NXX codes at all times. Neither Party shall
impose any fees or charges whatsoever on the
other Party for such activities. The Parties will
cooperate to establish procedures to ensure the
timely activation of NXX assignments in their
respective networks. U S WEST will supplement
information in the LERG with such additional
information as AT&T may reasonably require./3/
2.1.4.6.6 Each Party shall be responsible for
notifying its customers of any changes in
numbering or dialing arrangements to include
changes such as the introduction of new NPAs or
new NXX codes.
2.1.4.6.7 Until an impartial entity is appointed
to administer telecommunications numbering, U S
WEST will assign NXX codes to AT&T in accordance
with national guidelines at no charge and on a
nondiscriminatory basis.
2.1.4.6.8 Each Party is responsible for
administering NXX codes assigned to it. Each
Party is responsible for obtaining LERG listings
of CLLI codes assigned to its switches. Each
Party shall use the LERG published by Bellcore or
its successor for obtaining routing information
and shall provide all required information to
Bellcore for maintaining the LERG in a timely
manner.
_____________________
/3/ MCIm Order at p. 12, Issue 42(c)
Attachment 5
2.1.4.7 U S WEST shall provide provisioning support
outside of scheduled work hours on a nondiscriminatory
exception basis as requested by AT&T. Such support may be
subject to a minimum labor charge.
2.1.4.8 Service Assurance Warranties and Incentives: U S
WEST shall provide to AT&T service assurance warranties
and incentives as U S WEST provides such service
warranties and incentives to its own end users or any
other Person, except as otherwise provided by the
Commission.
2.1.4.9 Availability of Network Capacity: Consistent with
AT&T's forecasts, U S WEST shall deploy and keep deployed
network facilities for AT&T services in a non-
discriminatory manner and in the same manner as U S WEST
makes such facilities available to itself for its
services.
2.1.4.10 Workcenter Interface Methods and Procedures: U S
WEST and AT&T shall finalize interface methods and
procedures between their respective work centers detailing
systems and processes for ordering and provisioning. Such
methods and procedures shall be completed within one
hundred twenty (120) days after a written request by
either Party. The lack of workcenter interface methods and
procedures shall not inhibit the provision of services
under this Agreement.
2.2 Service Order Process Requirements
2.2.1 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency]
2.2.2 Specific Unbundling Requirements
2.2.2.1 When ordering a Combination, AT&T shall have the
option of ordering all features, functions and
capabilities of each Network Element.
2.2.2.2 When AT&T orders Network Elements, U S WEST shall
provision all features, functions, and capabilities
appropriate to the Network Elements which may include, but
are not limited to:
2.2.2.2.1 the basic switching function of
connecting lines to lines, lines to trunks,
trunks to lines, and trunks to trunks, as well as
the same basic capabilities made available to U S
WEST's Customers, such as telephone number, white
page listing, and dial tone; and
2.2.2.2.2 all other features the switch has
activated, including, but not limited to, custom
calling, custom local area signaling service
features and Centrex, as well as any technically
feasible customized routing functions provided by
the switch.
2.3 Systems Interfaces and Information Exchanges
2.3.1 General Requirements
2.3.1.1 U S WEST need not provide AT&T information regarding
available Points of Interconnection, tandem, end office
and remote switch locations together with
Attachment 5
available features which are accessible in the National
Exchange Carrier Association Tariff FCC No. 4 or from
commercially available compilations of such
information./4/
2.3.2 Pre-Ordering and Provisioning for Resale Services and
Unbundled Network Elements
2.3.2.1 U S WEST shall provide to AT&T a list of all
intraLATA and interLATA carriers available for Customer
selection on a central office level.
2.3.2.2 [Intentionally left blank for numbering
consistency]
2.3.2.3 U S WEST shall provide AT&T with access to
Customer Profile Information ("CPI") without requiring
AT&T to produce a signed Letter of Authorization ("LOA")
subject to proof of authorization requirements described
elsewhere in this Agreement, based on AT&T's blanket
representation that the Customer has authorized AT&T to
obtain such CPI.
2.3.2.3.1 CPI shall be in a mutually agreed to
format at the line and/or trunk level. U S WEST
shall provide to AT&T a real-time, electronic
interface to U S WEST Customer information
systems which will allow AT&T to obtain the
Customer profile, which may include, but not be
limited to, Customer name, service addresses,
billed telephone number(s), and identification of
features and services provided by U S WEST on the
Customer accounts, and to obtain information on
all features and services available in the end
office where Customer's services are currently
provisioned. The preceding information may not
include services deemed not to be
Telecommunications Services by the Commission.
2.3.2.3.1.1 Until access is available via a
real-time, electronic interface for CPI, U S WEST
agrees that AT&T can obtain CPI in an interim
mutually agreed to manner and in accordance with
Section 3.2 of this Attachment to facilitate the
service order process.
2.3.2.5 U S WEST shall provide to AT&T, upon request, a
list of all current features, and functions technically
available from each switch, by switch CLLI. Planned
services shall be provided to AT&T at least thirty (30)
days prior to their availability.
2.3.2.6 [Intentionally left blank for numbering
consistency]
2.3.2.7 Pending or Held Orders: U S WEST shall provide,
when available, the AT&T information regarding a
subscriber's previous pending or held orders. If the
subscriber has a pending or held order, the status of the
order shall not be negatively impacted as a result of the
subscriber changing local service providers (i.e., due
date for pending service changed to later date).
2.3.2.8 Special Construction: When U S WEST determines
that special construction is required, U S WEST shall
notify AT&T on a timely basis of special construction
requirements and charges, and obtain AT&T authorization
before beginning such construction.
______________________
/4/ MCIm Order at p. 12, Issue 42(b) and (d)
Attachment 5
2.3.3 Pre-Ordering and Provisioning for Unbundling
2.3.3.1 U S WEST shall provide to AT&T, upon reasonable
request, sufficient engineering design and layout
information for Network Elements for specific
applications.
2.3.3.2 U S WEST shall provide to AT&T, upon request,
advance information of the details and requirements for
planning and implementing NPA splits in accordance with
NANP Guidelines.
2.3.3.3 U S WEST shall make engineering support available
to AT&T as is normal and customary in the provision of
Telecommunications Services, Network Elements,
Combinations or Ancillary Functions as described in this
Agreement. AT&T may request additional engineering
support.
3. Ordering and Provisioning/5/
3.1 General Business Requirements
3.1.1 Ordering and Provisioning Parity
U S WEST shall provide AT&T with the same level of
ordering and provisioning support as U S WEST provides
itself in accordance with standards and performance
measurements that U S WEST uses and/or which are required
by law, regulatory agency, or by U S WEST's own internal
procedures, whichever are the most rigorous. These
standards shall apply to the quality of the technology,
equipment, facilities, processes, and techniques
(including, but not limited to, such new architecture,
equipment, facilities, and interfaces as U S WEST may
deploy) that U S WEST provides to AT&T under this
Agreement.
3.1.2 Interconnection Service Center (ISC)/Single Point of
Contact (SPOC)
3.1.2.1 U S WEST shall provide a Systems Interface Help
Desk or equivalent which shall serve for all activities
involved in the electronic interface for ordering and
provisioning of U S WEST's unbundled Network Elements,
features, functions, and Resale Services. The Systems
Interface Help Desk or equivalent shall be available
twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week.
3.1.2.2 U S WEST shall provide a Single Point of Contact
("SPOC") and shall provide to AT&T toll-free nationwide
telephone numbers (available during U S WEST's scheduled
work hours) answered by competent, knowledgeable
personnel, trained to answer questions and resolve
problems in connection with the ordering and provisioning
of unbundled Network Elements, features, functions,
capabilities, and Resale Services. U S WEST will provide
sufficient resources to provide equivalent, or as
otherwise agreed to by the Parties, service to AT&T.
________________________
/5/ MCIm Order at p. 5, Issue 24, at p.7, Issue 25 and AT&T Order at pp. 3-4,
"Electronic Interfaces" and pg. 5 second paragraph
Attachment 5
3.1.2.3 In addition to the electronic interfaces provided
for elsewhere in this Agreement, U S WEST shall provide,
as requested by AT&T through the SPOC, provisioning and
dispatch in the form of coordinated scheduling, status,
and dispatch capabilities equivalent to that which U S
WEST provides itself or as otherwise agreed to by the
Parties.
3.1.3 Carrier Selection
3.1.3.1 For Services for Resale or unbundled Network
Elements, U S WEST shall provide to AT&T, no later than
January 1, 1997, the capability to order local service,
and intraLATA and interLATA toll services by entering AT&T
subscriber's choice of carrier on a single order. U S WEST
will offer other carrier selection choices as they become
available. U S WEST shall provide AT&T with the capability
to order separate interLATA and intraLATA carriers on a
line or trunk basis where 1+ presubscription is available.
3.1.3.2 Where intraLATA 1+ presubscription is not
available, or if the subscriber does not select an
intraLATA toll carrier, U S WEST agrees to provide
intraLATA toll services for resale to AT&T and to
recognize the end user as the customer of AT&T for
intraLATA toll. AT&T shall designate the default carrier
for all other toll calls if the subscriber does not select
a carrier. In all cases, U S WEST will route toll calls to
the appropriate carrier as designated by AT&T.
3.1.4 Notification to Long Distance Carrier
3.1.4.1 U S WEST will not accept PIC change requests
through the CARE process for AT&T local service customers.
AT&T's long distance operations may obtain such CARE
transactions for AT&T long distance customers from the
customer's local service provider. U S WEST agrees to
notify IXCs using OBF approved CARE transactions, whenever
an IXC Customer who is provided local service through
Services for Resale, INP/NP, or unbundled Network Elements
changes PIC status.
3.1.4.2 U S WEST shall implement new Transaction Code
Status Indicators ("TCSIs") 2033, 2233, 3147, and 3148.
The new local service provider identification ("LSPID")
will be included on these transactions if the new local
service provider agrees U S WEST should provide the
information to a long distance provider as defined by the
OBF in support of Local Resale. U S WEST shall implement
TCSIs used in conjunction with the new local service
provider ("LSP") identification code for handling account
maintenance, customer service, and trouble administration
issues. These TCSIs include 4001/02/05, 4201-4205, 4301,
2033, 2233, 3147, 3148, 3149, and others as the OBF may
define.
3.1.4.2.1 In addition, U S WEST shall implement
TCSIs, when available, used in conjunction with
the new Ported Telephone Number field to link
"shadow" and ported telephone numbers in support
of Interim Number Portability. These TCSIs
include 2231, 3150, 3151, and others as the OBF
may define.
3.1.5 Ordering Interconnection
Attachment 5
The Parties agree to utilize the OBF-ASR process for ordering
interconnection trunks, which is the same process used to order
Access Services. When the ordering Party requests facilities,
routing, or optional features different than those determined to
be available, the Parties will work cooperatively in determining
an acceptable configuration based on available facilities,
equipment and routing plans.
3.2 Service Order Process Requirements
3.2.1 OBF Compliance
3.2.1.1 U S WEST and AT&T shall generally follow the OBF-
developed ordering and provisioning process guidelines. These
processes include, but are not limited to, pre-order service
inquiry, pre-order service inquiry response, firm order,
acknowledgment/rejection, firm order confirmation, delay
notification, and completion notification. U S WEST agrees to
work cooperatively to generally comply with future OBF developed
guidelines.
3.2.2 Service Migrations and New Customer Additions
3.2.2.1 For Resale Services, U S WEST shall not require a
disconnect order from a Customer, another local service provider,
or any other entity, to process an AT&T order to establish AT&T
local service and/or migrate a Customer to AT&T Local Service.
3.2.2.2 For Resale Services, U S WEST shall not disconnect any
Customer service or existing features available under this
Agreement at any time during the migration of that Customer to
AT&T service without AT&T's prior agreement.
3.2.2.3 For services provided through unbundled Network
Elements, U S WEST shall recognize AT&T as an agent for the
Customer in coordinating the disconnection of services provided
by another CLEC or U S WEST.
3.2.2.4 Unless otherwise directed by AT&T, when AT&T orders
Resale Services or Network Elements, all trunk or telephone
numbers currently associated with existing services shall be
retained without loss of feature capability and without loss of
associated ancillary services including, but not limited to,
Directory Assistance and 911/E911 capability for those services
or features which U S WEST controls and which are available under
this Agreement.
3.2.2.5 For Customer conversions requiring coordinated cut-over
activities, U S WEST and AT&T will agree on a scheduled
conversion time(s), which will be a designated two-hour time
period within a designated date. Unless expedited, U S WEST and
AT&T shall schedule the cut-over window at least forty-eight (48)
hours in advance, and as part of the scheduling, U S WEST shall
estimate for AT&T the duration of any service interruption that
the cut-over might cause. The cut-over time will be defined as a
thirty (30) minute window within which both the AT&T and U S WEST
personnel will make telephone contact to complete the cut-over.
3.2.2.5.1 U S WEST will coordinate activities of all U
S WEST work groups involved with the conversion. This
coordination will include, but not be limited to, work
centers charged with manual cross-connects, electronic
cross-
Attachment 5
connect mapping, and switch translations
(including, but not limited to, implementation of
Interim Number Portability translations).
3.2.2.5.2 As soon as possible, but in no event
later than one (1) hour after completion, U S WEST
will notify AT&T when coordinated cut-over is
complete.
3.2.2.5.3 End user service interruption shall not
exceed twenty (20) minutes during any cut-over.
The average interruption caused by the cut-over of
AT&T Customers shall not exceed ten (10) minutes.
If any service interruption is to exceed twenty
(20) minutes, however, U S WEST will immediately
notify AT&T of such delay./6/
3.2.2.5.4 Within the appointed thirty (30)
minute cut-over time, the U S WEST personnel will
call the AT&T personnel designated to perform
cross-connection work and when the U S WEST
personnel is reached in that interval such work
will be promptly performed. If the AT&T personnel
is not ready within the appointed interval, and if
AT&T had not called to reschedule the work at
least two (2) hours prior to the start of the
interval, U S WEST and AT&T will reschedule the
work order and AT&T will pay the non-recurring
installation charge for the unbundled loops
scheduled for the missed appointment. In addition,
non-recurring installation charges for the
rescheduled appointment will apply. If the U S
WEST personnel is not available or not ready at
any time during the thirty (30) minute interval,
AT&T and U S WEST will reschedule and U S WEST
will waive the non-recurring charge for the
unbundled loops scheduled for that interval. If
unusual or unexpected circumstances prolong or
extend the time required to accomplish the
coordinated cut-over, the Party responsible for
such circumstances is responsible for the
reasonable labor charges of the other Party.
Delays caused by the customer are the
responsibility of AT&T. In addition, if AT&T has
ordered INP as a part of the unbundled loop
installation, U S WEST will coordinate
implementation of INP with the unbundled loop
installation.
3.2.2.6 Service Order: U S WEST shall provide AT&T the
capability to issue a service order for unbundled Network
Elements, Combinations, and Resale Services.
3.2.2.7 PLOC Changes: U S WEST shall provide AT&T the
capability to transfer a customer with no feature changes to
AT&T through a streamlined PLOC (Primary Local Carrier)
transfer process.
3.2.2.8 Status: U S WEST shall provide the AT&T status on
a service order when the status of the order changes.
3.2.2.9 Modifies: U S WEST shall provide AT&T the
capability to modify the service order any time after it has
been issued; however, U S WEST may require the issuance of a
supplemental or change order.
3.2.2.10 Cancel: U S WEST shall provide AT&T the capability
to cancel the service order any time after it has been
issued.
---------------------------
/6/ MCIm Order at p. 3, "Issue 13" and as subsequently agreed to by the Parties
Attachment 5
3.2.2.11 Coordinated Service Orders: U S WEST shall provide AT&T
the capability to relate coordinated services orders, and
identify those service orders that require coordination with
AT&T, or the subscriber, or the subscriber's vendor. When so
identified, U S WEST will follow any specific instructions
indicated on the service order so that the subscriber's service
is not negatively affected by the service turn-up activity.
3.2.2.12 Expedite Process: U S WEST and AT&T shall mutually
develop expedite procedures to be followed when AT&T determines
an expedite is required to meet subscriber service needs.
3.2.2.13 Expedites: U S WEST shall provide AT&T the capability
to expedite a service order. Within two (2) business hours after
a request from AT&T for an expedited order, U S WEST shall notify
AT&T of U S WEST's confirmation to complete, or not complete, the
order within the expedited interval.
3.2.3 Intercept Treatment and Transfer of Service Announcements
3.2.3.1 U S WEST shall provide unbranded intercept treatment
and transfer of service announcements to AT&T Customers. U S WEST
shall provide such treatment and transfer of service announcement
for all service disconnects, suspensions, or transfers, in the
same manner as that which U S WEST provides to its own end users.
U S WEST's current standard time periods for providing such
announcements is three (3) months for residential service and
twelve (12) months for business service. AT&T may request
extensions at parity with that which U S WEST provides to its
end-users.
3.2.3.2 Pursuant to this Agreement, AT&T shall provide
unbranded intercept treatment and transfer of service
announcements to U S WEST Customers. AT&T shall provide such
treatment and transfer of service announcement for all service
disconnects, suspensions, or transfers, at parity with that which
AT&T provides to its own end users. AT&T standard time periods
for providing such announcements is three (3) months for
residential service and twelve (12) months for business service.
U S WEST may request extensions at parity with that which AT&T
provides to its end-users.
3.2.4 Due Date
3.2.4.1 U S WEST and AT&T shall mutually agree on what services
and circumstances are subject to the standard interval process to
determine the due date or the requested/committed due date
process.
3.2.4.2 For those services and circumstances that U S WEST and
AT&T agree shall be handled by the standard interval process, U S
WEST shall supply AT&T with standard due date intervals on a
nondiscriminatory basis to be used by AT&T personnel to determine
service installation dates. Under those circumstances U S WEST
shall complete the provisioning within the standard interval.
3.2.4.2.1 If AT&T requests a due date earlier than the
standard due date interval, then expedite charges may
apply.
3.2.4.3 For those services and circumstances that U S WEST and
AT&T agree shall be handled by the requested/committed due date
process, AT&T may request a due
Attachment 5
date on each order. U S WEST will provide an offered due
date on a nondiscriminatory basis. If AT&T accepts the
offered due date then such date shall become the committed
due date. U S WEST will complete the order on the committed
due date unless otherwise authorized by AT&T.
3.2.4.3.1 If AT&T requires a due date earlier
than the U S WEST offered due date and U S WEST
agrees to meet the AT&T required due date, then
that required due date becomes the committed due
date and expedite charges may apply.
3.2.4.4 Subsequent to an initial order submission, AT&T
may request a new/revised due date that is earlier than the
committed due date. If U S WEST agrees to meet that
new/revised due date, then that new/revised due date becomes
the committed due date and expedite charges may apply.
3.2.4.5 Any special or preferred scheduling options
available, internally or externally, to U S WEST for
ordering and provisioning services shall also be available
to AT&T.
3.2.5 Customer Premises Inspections and Installations
3.2.5.1 AT&T shall perform or contract for all needs
assessments, including equipment and installation
requirements, at the Customer premises.
3.2.5.2 U S WEST shall provide AT&T with the ability to
schedule dispatches for work under this Agreement.
3.2.5.3 U S WEST shall provide, at AT&T's request,
extended demarcation beyond the NID using intrabuilding
riser and lateral beyond the NID. This provision shall not
require U S WEST to provide inside wire.
3.2.6 Firm Order Confirmation (FOC)
3.2.6.1 U S WEST shall provide to AT&T, via an electronic
interface, a Firm Order Confirmation ("FOC") for each AT&T
order. The FOC shall contain, on a per line and/or trunk
basis, an enumeration of AT&T ordered unbundled Network
Elements (and the specific U S WEST naming convention
applied to that Network Element or Combination), features,
functions, Resale Services, options, physical
interconnection, quantity, and U S WEST committed due date
for order completion.
3.2.6.2 For a revised FOC, U S WEST shall provide order
detail on a per line or per trunk level basis, as well as
the order detail from the prior FOC.
3.2.7 Order Rejections
3.2.7.1 U S WEST shall reject and return to AT&T any order
that U S WEST cannot provision, due to technical reasons,
missing information, or jeopardy conditions in accordance
with performance measurements as defined herein. When an
order is rejected, U S WEST shall, in its rejection
notification, specifically describe all of the reasons for
which the order was rejected. U S WEST shall not reject any
orders on account of the requested due date.
3.2.7.2 On an exception basis, to the extent that errors
cannot be corrected pursuant to electronic interface
processes, U S WEST agrees to accept verbal order
Attachment 5
corrections from AT&T. U S WEST shall timely inform AT&T by
telephone of any minor issues which can be handled over the
phone. As required, AT&T will provide a supplemental order
reflecting changes to the original service order.
3.2.8 Service Order Changes
3.2.8.1 If an installation or other AT&T-ordered work
request requires a change from the original AT&T service
order in any manner, U S WEST shall call AT&T in advance of
performing the installation or other work to obtain
authorization. U S WEST shall then provide AT&T an estimate
of additional labor hours and/or materials. After all
installation or other work is completed, U S WEST shall
notify AT&T of actual labor hours and/or materials used in
accordance with regular service order completion schedules.
3.2.8.1.1 If additional work is completed on a
service order, as approved by AT&T, the cost of
the additional work must be reported to AT&T in
accordance with regular service order completion
schedules.
3.2.8.1.2 If a service order is partially
completed, notification must identify the work
that was done and the work remaining to be
completed.
3.2.8.2 If an AT&T Customer requests a service change at
the time of installation or other work being performed by U
S WEST on behalf of AT&T, U S WEST, while at the Customer
premises, shall direct the AT&T Customer to contact AT&T so
as to avoid unnecessary delays in service activation should
the U S WEST representative leave Customer premises prior to
completing the installation.
3.2.9 Jeopardy Situations
To the extent jeopardy information is available, U S WEST
shall provide to AT&T notification of any jeopardy
situations prior to the committed due date, missed
appointments and any other delay or problem in completing
work specified on AT&T service order as detailed on the FOC,
in accordance with the Performance Measurements as defined
herein.
3.2.10 Cooperative Testing
3.2.10.1 Network Testing
3.2.10.1.1 To the extent that U S WEST provides
testing for services offered to its end users and
to the extent U S WEST provides testing for
itself, U S WEST shall perform all pre-service
testing prior to the completion of the AT&T order,
including testing on local service facilities and
switch translations, including, but not limited
to, verification of features, functions, and
services ordered by AT&T.
3.2.10.1.2 The Parties agree to cooperate in
testing that is required to complete service
orders.
3.2.10.2 Systems and Process Testing
3.2.10.2.1 Upon AT&T's request, U S WEST shall
cooperate with AT&T to ensure that all operational
interfaces and processes are in place and
Attachment 5
functioning properly and efficiently. Testing shall
simulate actual operational procedures and systems
interfaces to the greatest extent possible. AT&T may
request cooperative testing to ensure service
performance, reliability, and Customer service ability.
3.2.11 Service Suspensions/Restorations
3.2.11.1 For services other than non-switched, upon AT&T's
request through a Suspend/Restore Order, U S WEST shall suspend
or restore the functionality of any Network Element, feature,
function, or Resale Service. U S WEST shall provide restoration
priority on a per Network Element or Combination basis in a
manner that conforms with AT&T requested priorities and any
applicable regulatory rules and regulations or government
requirements.
3.2.12 Disconnects
3.2.12.1 U S WEST shall provide to AT&T daily information, in a
mutually agreed upon format, notifying AT&T of any services
disconnected from AT&T. This report will itemize a change in
local service provider or outward line movement on service order
activity.
3.2.13 Order Completion Notification
3.2.13.1 Upon completion of a service order by U S WEST in its
system(s), U S WEST shall submit to AT&T an order completion
which details the work performed (including a list of features
and functions installed), the date completed, charges associated
with the order, and verification of accurate service completion.
Notification shall be provided in accordance with mutually agreed
upon intervals.
3.2.14 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency.]
3.2.15 Specific Unbundling Requirements
3.2.15.1 AT&T may order and U S WEST shall provision unbundled
Network Elements either individually or in any combination on a
single order. Network Elements ordered as combined shall be
provisioned as combined./7/
3.2.15.2 Prior to providing service in a specific geographic
area or when AT&T requires a change of network configuration,
AT&T may elect to place an order with U S WEST requiring U S WEST
to prepare Network Elements and switch translations in advance of
orders for additional Network Elements from AT&T.
3.2.15.3 When AT&T orders combinations of currently connected
Network Elements, U S WEST shall ensure that such Network
Elements remain connected and functional without any
disconnection or disruption.
3.2.15.4 Order combinations of contiguous Network Elements shall
be available to be ordered (a) on a case-by-case basis for those
Network Elements that are Customer-specific; or (b) on a common-
use (non-end user specific) basis for those Network Elements that
are shared by multiple Customers.
___________________________
/7/ AT&T Order at p. 2, "Combination of Network Elements," and MCIm Order at p.
3, Issue 14
Attachment 5
3.2.15.5 Individual Network Elements shall be identified and
ordered by AT&T so that they can be provisioned together.
3.2.15.6 U S WEST shall provide technical assistance to AT&T
with respect to unbundled Network Elements pursuant to Section
2.3.3.3 of this Attachment.
3.2.15.7 Each order for Network Elements will contain
administration, ▇▇▇▇, contact, and Customer information, as
defined by the OBF.
3.2.15.8 When ordering unbundled switch ports, AT&T is requested
to specify the desired signaling (e.g., loop start, ground start
or loop reverse battery options).
3.2.15.8.1 To the extent AT&T requires an unbundled
loop to provide ISDN, HDSL, ADSL, DS1 service or other
channel performance options, such requirements will be
identified on the order for unbundled loop service.
3.2.15.8.2 The actual loop facilities provided may
utilize various technologies or combinations of
technologies. Basic unbundled loops provide an analog
facility to AT&T.
3.2.16 Interim Interfaces
3.2.16.1 U S WEST will offer interim interfaces via Interconnect
Mediated Access as documented in Document Number T-12-99-116472-
00-02, current as of the Effective Date of this Agreement, or as
mutually agreed to by the Parties.
3.2.16.2 Until the electronic interface described in Section
3.2.16.1 is available for the required services, U S WEST agrees
that the Interconnect Service Center (ISC) or similar function
will accept AT&T orders. Orders will be transmitted to the ISC
via mutually agreed procedures.
3.2.16.3 Until industry standards are completed and implemented
pursuant to Section 3.3.2 of this Attachment, U S WEST and AT&T
agree to use interim interfaces as described in Section 3.2.16.1
above.
3.2.17 Ordering and Maintenance
3.2.17.1 For the purpose of ordering unbundled Network Elements
or Combinations, AT&T shall provide a blanket letter of
authorization to U S WEST indicating that it shall be duly
authorized by its customer to process such service orders.
3.2.17.2 If there is a conflict between an end user (and/or its
respective agent) and AT&T regarding the disconnection or
provision of unbundled Network Elements or Combinations, U S WEST
will honor the latest dated proof of authorization designating an
agent by the end user or its respective agent. Compensation for
unauthorized disconnections or transfers shall be in accordance
with (S) 258 of the Act or by Commission rule.
3.2.17.3 AT&T has primary responsibility for its own end user
base and will have the responsibility for resolution of any
service trouble report(s) from its customers. U S WEST will work
cooperatively with AT&T to resolve trouble reports when the
Attachment 5
trouble condition has been isolated and found to be within a
portion of U S WEST's network. Where available, AT&T must provide
to U S WEST switch-based test results when testing its customer's
trouble prior to U S WEST performing any repair functions. The
Parties will cooperate in developing mutually acceptable test
reports.
3.2.17.4 In the event of a transfer of the end user's service
for unbundled Network Elements from one provider to AT&T, AT&T
shall issue a request for transfer of service to U S WEST and the
provider from whom the service is being transferred. In the event
of a transfer of the end user's service for unbundled Network
Elements from AT&T to another provider, AT&T shall submit to U S
WEST a disconnect order for such unbundled Network Elements or
Combinations to facilitate the cessation of billing by U S WEST.
The Parties agree to develop procedures to handle the transfer of
an end user service from one provider to another.
3.2.17.5 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency.]
3.2.17.6 When ordering Unbundled Loops, AT&T is responsible for
obtaining or providing facilities and equipment that are
compatible with the loop.
3.2.17.7 To the extent a U S WEST provided unbundled loop is
provisioned without U S WEST provided unbundled switching, AT&T
will have responsibility for testing the unbundled loop. If, at
AT&T's request, U S WEST must dispatch to perform tests on an
unbundled loop, and the fault is not in U S WEST facilities, a
charge may apply.
3.2.17.8 To the extent a U S WEST provided unbundled loop is
provisioned without unbundled U S WEST provided unbundled
switching, AT&T will be responsible for providing the AT&T switch
interface, if applicable, on the U S WEST MDF interface to
facilitate plant test.
3.3 Systems Interfaces and Information Exchanges
3.3.1.1 Operational Systems Interfaces - Interface
Implementation Timetable
3.3.1.1.1 U S WEST's initial operational systems
interfaces deployment on January 1, 1997, will support
Pre-ordering, Ordering, Provisioning and Repair
capabilities for POTS (non-design) services and billing
capabilities for most U S WEST product offerings.
Subsequent phases of the plan incorporate the
capabilities to support designed services for Pre-
ordering, Ordering, Provisioning, and Maintenance and
Repair. Time frames for delivery of the operational
support systems for designed services are estimated to
be in the 2nd and 3rd quarters of 1997.
3.3.1.1.2 U S WEST will develop long term mediated
access.
3.3.2 Permanent Access to Systems Interfaces
3.3.2.1 U S WEST shall provide to AT&T a real-time, electronic
interface(s) for transferring and receiving information and
executing Service Pre-Ordering, Ordering, Provisioning,
Maintenance and Repair transactions for unbundled Network
Elements and Resale Services, and any other database access
required by FCC rules and regulations. In addition U S WEST shall
also provide the electronic interfaces specified in this
Agreement which support business processes or database access.
The interface(s) shall be capable of supporting all of the steps
in the OBF developed
Attachment 5
ordering and provisioning process. These steps include pre-order
service inquiry, pre-order service inquiry response, firm order
acknowledgment/rejection, firm order confirmation, and completion
notification.
3.3.2.1.1 The Parties will jointly review each OBF
standard upon completion. The review shall be completed
within thirty (30) days, unless otherwise agreed to by
the Parties. The review shall result in a mutual
agreement on whether the new standard will be deployed.
Within thirty (30) days of agreement to deploy the new
standard, the Parties shall agree on a schedule for
such deployment.
3.3.2.2 U S WEST shall provide AT&T a common electronic
interface that will permit the transmittal of business and
residential transactions.
3.3.3 Ordering and Provisioning for Resale Services
U S WEST shall provide a real time electronic interface with at
least the following specifications:
3.3.3.1 U S WEST shall provide to AT&T a real-time, electronic
interface to U S WEST information systems to allow AT&T to assign
telephone number(s) (if the Customer does not already have a
telephone number or requests a change of telephone number).
3.3.3.2 For Resale Services not subject to standard intervals,
U S WEST shall provide to AT&T a real-time, electronic interface
to schedule dispatch and installation appointments.
3.3.3.3 U S WEST shall provide to AT&T a real-time, electronic
interface to U S WEST Customer information systems which will
allow AT&T to determine if a service call is needed to install
the line or service.
3.3.3.5 U S WEST shall provide to AT&T a real-time, electronic
interface which transmits status information on service orders.
3.3.4 Ordering and Provisioning for Unbundling
3.3.4.1 For unbundled Network Elements not subject to standard
intervals, U S WEST shall provide to AT&T, when available, a
real-time, electronic interface which will allow AT&T to schedule
appointments, and adjust pending order due dates in real-time.
3.3.4.2 U S WEST shall provide AT&T with results from
mechanized loop tests.
3.3.4.3 U S WEST shall provide AT&T with confirmation of
circuit assignments.
3.4 Standards
3.4.1 General Requirements
3.4.1.1 AT&T and U S WEST shall agree upon the appropriate
ordering and provisioning codes to be used for each Network
Element or Combinations thereof.
Attachment 5
These codes shall apply to all aspects of the unbundling of
that Network Element or Combination of Network Elements and
shall be known as data elements as defined by the
Telecommunications Industry Forum Electronic Data
Interchange Service Order Subcommittee (TCIF-EDI-SOSC), or
as mutually agreed.
4. Connectivity Billing and Recording
This Section 4 describes the requirements for U S WEST to ▇▇▇▇ and record all
charges AT&T incurs for purchasing services under this Agreement.
4.1 Procedures
4.1.1 The Parties recognize that deviations and discrepancies may
occur from the various industry standards and other
standards referenced in this Agreement. Subject to such
discrepancies and deviations, U S WEST shall comply with
these various standards. Discrepancies and deviations will
be documented and reviewed.
4.1.1.1 Within forty-five (45) days after a request by
AT&T, the Parties will develop processes by which U S WEST
will inform AT&T of deviations from standards for billing.
The Parties agree that they will negotiate discrepancies and
deviations in good faith. Further, the Parties agree that
those documented deviations from such standards documented
by U S WEST to AT&T shall supersede sections of technical
standards applicable to such deviations referenced in this
Agreement.
4.1.2 U S WEST shall record and ▇▇▇▇ in accordance with this
Agreement those charges AT&T incurs as a result of AT&T
purchasing from U S WEST services, as set forth in this
Agreement (hereinafter "Connectivity Charges").
[The following Section 4.1.3 is for AT&T/USWC Agreement Only]
4.1.3 U S WEST shall format each ▇▇▇▇ for Connectivity Charges
(hereinafter "Connectivity ▇▇▇▇") in accordance with the
▇▇▇▇, CABS or SECAB standard as appropriate to the services
billed.
4.1.3 Left blank for numbering purposes.
4.1.4 Each service purchased by AT&T shall be assigned a separate
and unique billing code or identifier in the form agreed to
by the Parties and such code or identifier shall be provided
to AT&T on each Connectivity ▇▇▇▇ in which charges for such
services appear. Each such billing code or identifier shall
enable AT&T to identify the service as purchased by AT&T.
4.1.5 Each Connectivity ▇▇▇▇ shall set forth the quantity and
description of each such service provided and billed to
AT&T. All Connectivity Charges billed to AT&T shall indicate
the state from which such charges were incurred.
4.1.6 U S WEST shall ▇▇▇▇ AT&T for each service supplied by U S
WEST to AT&T pursuant to this Agreement at the rates set
forth in Attachment 1 to this Agreement.
4.1.7 U S WEST shall ▇▇▇▇ AT&T for the Connectivity Charges
incurred; provided however, that, for those usage based
Connectivity Charges where actual charge information is
Attachment 5
not determinable by U S WEST because the jurisdiction
(i.e., interstate, interstate/interLATA, intrastate,
intrastate/ intraLATA, local) of the traffic is
unidentifiable, or for any other reason, the Parties shall
jointly develop a process to determine the appropriate
charges.
4.1.8 Measurement of usage-based Connectivity Charges shall be
in actual conversation seconds. For local interconnection
traffic provided under Attachments 3 and 4 of this
Agreement, the total conversation time per chargeable
traffic types shall be totaled for the entire monthly ▇▇▇▇
cycle, rounded to the next whole minute and then billed at
the contract rate. For Resale services provided under
Attachment 2 of this Agreement the total conversation time
shall be measured in accordance with U S WEST's retail
tariff and billed at the contract rate.
4.1.9 U S WEST shall provide to AT&T, at no additional charge, a
Single Point of Contact for handling any Connectivity
Billing questions or problems that may arise during the
implementation and performance of the terms and conditions
of this Agreement.
4.1.10 U S WEST shall provide a Single Point of Contact for the
handling of any data exchange questions or problems that
may arise during the implementation and performance of the
terms and conditions of this Agreement.
4.1.11 As soon as possible after a request by AT&T, each Party
shall provide the other Party written notice of which form
of the monthly Connectivity ▇▇▇▇ is to be deemed the
official ▇▇▇▇ to assist the Parties in resolving any
conflicts that may arise between the official ▇▇▇▇ and
another form of ▇▇▇▇ received via a different media which
purportedly contains the same charges as are on the
official ▇▇▇▇.
4.1.12 If either Party requests an additional copy(ies) of a
▇▇▇▇, such Party shall pay the other Party a reasonable
fee per additional ▇▇▇▇ copy, unless such copy was
requested due to errors, omissions, or corrections or the
failure of the transmission to comply with the
specifications set forth in this Agreement.
4.1.13 When sending Connectivity Bills via electronic
transmission, to avoid transmission failures or the
receipt of Connectivity Billing information that cannot be
processed, AT&T shall provide U S WEST process
specifications. U S WEST shall comply with mutually agreed
upon processing specifications when U S WEST transmits
Connectivity Billing data to AT&T. AT&T shall provide to U
S WEST notice if a Connectivity Billing transmission is
received that does not meet mutually agreed upon AT&T
specifications. Faulty or failed transmissions shall be
corrected and resubmitted to AT&T, at U S WEST's sole
expense.
4.1.14 U S WEST shall deliver to a location specified by AT&T,
billing information via Connect Direct, magnetic tape or
paper, as agreed to by AT&T and U S WEST. In the event of
an emergency, system failure or other such condition which
prevents U S WEST from transmitting via Connect Direct, U
S WEST shall notify AT&T of such difficulties within two
(2) hours of detection. U S WEST shall deliver, to a
location specified by AT&T, billing information via
magnetic tape or paper, as agreed to by AT&T and U S WEST.
The Parties acknowledge that all tapes transmitted to the
other Party via U.S. Mail or overnight delivery service
and which contain Connectivity Billing data shall not be
returned to the sending party.
4.1.15 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency]
Attachment 5
4.1.16 Billed amounts, which are being reasonably disputed or
reasonably queried or for which reasonable claims have
been filed, are not due for payment until such disputes,
claims or queries have been fully resolved by both AT&T
and U S WEST.
4.1.18 ▇▇▇▇ Reconciliation
4.1.18.1 Each Party agrees to notify the other Party
upon the discovery of a billing discrepancy
("Notice of Discrepancy").
4.1.18.2 In the event of such Notice of Discrepancy,
the Parties shall endeavor to resolve the
discrepancy within sixty (60) calendar days
after the Notice of Discrepancy is issued
using normal business procedures. If the
discrepancy is disputed, resolution of such
dispute is expected to occur at the first
level of management resulting in a
recommendation for settlement of the dispute
and closure of a specific billing period.
4.1.18.3 Closure of a specific billing period shall
occur by joint agreement of the Parties
whereby the Parties agree that such billing
period is closed to any further analysis and
financial transactions, except those
resulting from an Audit. Closure shall take
place within nine (9) months of the ▇▇▇▇
Date. The month being closed represents
those Connectivity Charges that were billed
or should have been billed by the applicable
▇▇▇▇ date.
4.1.18.4 If the dispute is not resolved within the
allotted time frame, the following
resolution procedure shall begin:
4.1.18.4.1 If the dispute is not resolved
within sixty (60) days of the
Notice of Discrepancy, the
dispute shall be escalated to
the second level of management
for resolution.
4.1.18.4.2 If the dispute is not resolved
within ninety (90) days of
Notice of Discrepancy, the
dispute shall be escalated to
the third level of management
for resolution.
4.1.18.4.3 If the dispute is not resolved
within one hundred and twenty
(120) days of the Notice of
Discrepancy, upon the written
request of either Party within
such one hundred and twenty
(120) day period, the dispute
may be resolved pursuant to the
dispute resolution provision
set forth in Part A of this
Agreement.
4.1.19 U S WEST shall reimburse AT&T for incorrect Connectivity
Billing charges, including, without limitation,
overcharges, services ordered or requested but not
delivered, interrupted services, and services of poor
quality and installation problems, if such problems are
caused by U S WEST. Such reimbursements shall be set forth
in the appropriate section of the Connectivity ▇▇▇▇
pursuant to appropriate standards.
4.1.20 The Parties agree to record call information in accordance
with this Section 4.1. To the extent technically feasible,
each Party shall record all call detail information
associated with every call that one Party bills to the
other Party. AT&T may request, through the Bona Fide
Request Process the recording of call records and/or call
detail information that is not currently recorded by U S
WEST. These records shall be provided and retained
pursuant to Section 5 of this Attachment.
Attachment 5
4.1.21 When AT&T collocates with U S WEST in U S WEST's facility
as described in this Agreement, capital expenditures
(e.g., costs associated with building the "cage"), shall
not be included in the Connectivity ▇▇▇▇ provided to AT&T
pursuant to this Attachment 5. All such capital expenses
shall be given a unique BAN and invoice number. All
invoices for capital expenses shall be sent to the
location specified by AT&T for payment. All other
non-capital recurring collocation expenses shall be billed
to AT&T in accordance with this Agreement. The CABS/SECABS
Billing Output Specifications (BOS) documents provide the
guidelines on how to ▇▇▇▇ the Connectivity Charges
associated with collocation.
4.1.22 Local Number Portability
4.1.22.1 In accordance with the terms and conditions set
forth in this Agreement, U S WEST shall record
and provide to AT&T all detail information
associated with an alternately billed call to
an AT&T local exchange customer whose telephone
number has been ported from U S WEST under INP
as further described in this Agreement.
4.1.23 Meet Point Billing
4.1.23.1 AT&T and U S WEST will establish meet-point
billing ("MPB") arrangements in accordance with
the Meet Point Billing guidelines adopted by
and contained in the OBF's MECAB and MECOD
documents, except as otherwise mutually agreed
to by the Parties. Both Parties will use their
best reasonable efforts, individually and
collectively, to maintain provisions in their
respective federal and state access tariffs,
and/or provisions within the National Exchange
Carrier Association (NECA) Tariff No. 4, or any
successor tariff to reflect the MPB
arrangements identified in this Agreement, in
MECAB and in MECOD.
4.1.23.2 The Parties will agree on a meet point
percentage to enable the joint provisioning and
billing of Switched Access Services to third
parties in conformance with the Meet Point
Billing guidelines adopted by and contained in
the OBF's MECAB and MECOD documents and
referenced in U S WEST's Switched Access
Tariffs. The Parties understand and agree that
MPB arrangements are available and functional
only to/from IXCs who directly connect with the
tandem(s) that AT&T sub-tends in each LATA.
4.1.23.3 The Parties will use reasonable efforts,
individually and collectively, to maintain
provisions in their respective federal and
state access tariffs, and/or provisions within
the National Exchange Carrier Association
(NECA) Tariff No. 4, or any successor tariff,
sufficient to reflect this MPB arrangement,
including MPB percentages.
4.1.23.4 AT&T and U S WEST will implement the "Multiple
▇▇▇▇/Single Tariff" option in order to ▇▇▇▇ any
IXC for that portion of the network elements
provided by AT&T and U S WEST. For all traffic
carried over the MPB arrangement, AT&T and U S
WEST shall ▇▇▇▇ IXCs for all applicable
elements at the rates specified in their
respective tariffs.
4.1.23.5 U S WEST shall provide to AT&T the billing
name, billing address, and carrier
identification code (CIC) of the IXCs that may
utilize any portion of
Attachment 5
AT&T network in an AT&T/U S WEST MPB
arrangement in order to comply with the MPB
notification process as outlined in the MECAB
document. Such information shall be provided to
AT&T in the format and via the medium that the
Parties agree. If U S WEST does not have a CIC
for any IXC that will utilize a portion of AT&T
network in an AT&T/U S WEST MPB arrangement,
and for whom U S WEST must supply to AT&T MPB
billing information, then until such carrier
has obtained a CIC, U S WEST will submit the
LEC's CIC on those MPB records provided to AT&T
for MPB. U S WEST understands and agrees that
it will be solely responsible for obtaining any
reimbursements from such carriers who have
utilized the jointly provided networks of U S
WEST and AT&T.
4.1.23.6 U S WEST and AT&T agree that in an MPB
arrangement where one Party provides local
transport and the other Party provides the end
office switching, the Party who provides the
end office switching is entitled to ▇▇▇▇ any
residual interconnection charges (RIC) and
common carrier line (CCL) charges associated
with the traffic. The Parties further agree
that in those MPB situations where one Party
sub-tends the other Party's access tandem, the
party providing the access tandem in only
entitled to ▇▇▇▇ the access tandem fee and any
associated local transport charges. The Parties
also agree that the Party who provides the end
office switching is entitled to ▇▇▇▇ end office
switching fees, local transport charges, RIC
and CCL charges, as appropriate, and such other
applicable charges.
4.1.23.7 U S WEST and AT&T will record and transmit MPB
information in accordance with the standards
and in the format set forth in this Attachment.
U S WEST and AT&T will coordinate and exchange
the billing account reference ("BAR") and
billing account cross reference (BACR) numbers
for the MPB arrangements described in this
Agreement. Each Party will notify the other if
the level of billing or other BAR/BACR elements
change, resulting in a new BAR/BACR number.
4.1.23.8 If MPB data is not processed and delivered by
either U S WEST or AT&T and sent to the other
Party within ten (10) calendar days of the
relevant recording period and in turn such
Party is unable to ▇▇▇▇ the IXC for the
appropriate charges, the Party who failed to
deliver the data will be held liable for the
amount of the unbillable charges.
4.1.23.9 If MPB data is not submitted within ten (10)
calendar days of the relevant recording period
or is not in the proper format as set forth in
this Agreement, and if, as a result, the other
Party is delayed in billing the IXC for the
appropriate charges it incurs, the delaying
Party shall pay the other Party a late MPB data
delivery charge which will be the total amount
of the delayed charges times a monthly rate
that shall not exceed 1.5% which may be levied
by law for commercial transactions, compounded
daily for the number of days from the date the
MPB charges should have been
Attachment 5
received to and including the date the MPB
charge information is actually received.
4.1.23.10 Errors in MPB data exchange by the Parties may
be discovered by AT&T, U S WEST or the
billable IXC. Both AT&T and U S WEST agree to
provide the other Party with notification of
any discovered errors within two (2) Business
Days of the discovery. The other Party shall
correct the error within eight (8) Business
Days of notification and resubmit the data. In
the event the errors cannot be corrected
within the time period specified above, the
erroneous data shall be considered lost. If
MPB data is lost due to uncorrectable errors
or otherwise, the Parties shall follow the
procedures set forth in Section 5 of this
Attachment and compensate the other for the
lost MPB billing data.
4.1.23.11 In the event AT&T purchases from U S WEST
Network Elements, or Combination thereof, in a
LATA other than the LATA to or from which the
MPB services are homed and in which U S WEST
operates an access tandem, U S WEST shall,
except in instances of capacity limitations,
permit and enable AT&T to sub-tend to the U S
WEST access tandem switch(es) nearest to the
AT&T rating point(s) associated with the NPA-
NXX(s) to/from which the MPB services are
homed In such event, AT&T shall be responsible
for the transport facilities crossing LATA
boundaries. In instances of capacity
limitation at a given access tandem switch,
AT&T shall be allowed to subtend to the next
nearest U S WEST access tandem switch in which
sufficient capacity is available. The MPB
percentages for each new rating point/access
tandem pair shall be calculated in accordance
with MECAB and MECOD.
4.2 Information Exchange and Interfaces
4.2.1 U S WEST shall provide AT&T a monthly Connectivity ▇▇▇▇
that includes all Connectivity Charges incurred by and
credits and/or adjustments due to AT&T for those services
ordered, established, utilized, discontinued or performed
pursuant to this Agreement. For each account, U S WEST
shall issue one (1) ▇▇▇▇ per month and the billing cycle
shall be on a calendar basis. Each Connectivity ▇▇▇▇
provided by U S WEST to AT&T shall include:
4.2.1.1 all non-usage sensitive charges incurred for the
current ▇▇▇▇ period;
4.2.1.2 any known unbilled non-usage sensitive charges for
prior periods;
4.2.1.3 usage sensitive charges for the current relevant
▇▇▇▇ period (from the last ▇▇▇▇ date and extending up to,
and including, the current ▇▇▇▇ date);
4.2.1.4 any known unbilled usage sensitive charges for
prior periods; and
4.2.1.5 any known unbilled adjustments.
Attachment 5
4.2.3 The ▇▇▇▇ date must be present on each ▇▇▇▇ transmitted by
U S WEST to AT&T, must be a valid calendar date, and not
more than ninety (90) days old. Connectivity Bills shall
not be rendered for any Connectivity Charges which are
incurred under this Agreement on or before two hundred and
seventy (270) days preceding the ▇▇▇▇ date, except as
otherwise permitted by law.
4.2.4 On each ▇▇▇▇ where "Jurisdiction" is identified, local and
local toll charges shall be identified as "Local" and not
as interstate, interstate/interLATA, intrastate, or
intrastate/intraLATA. U S WEST shall provide from and
through dates for charges rendered on all Connectivity
Bills.
4.2.5 U S WEST shall separately identify business charges from
residence charges, as appropriate, and shall assign a
specific adjustment or reference number provided by AT&T
to each adjustment and credit included on the Connectivity
▇▇▇▇.
4.2.6 U S WEST and AT&T shall issue all Connectivity Bills in
accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this
Section 4. On Connectivity Bills U S WEST renders to AT&T,
Billing Account Numbers (BANs) shall be thirteen (13)
character alpha/numeric and there shall only be one (1)
BAN per State unless otherwise agreed to by the Parties.
The ▇▇▇▇ Date shall be the same day month to month. Each
Party shall provide the other Party at least thirty (30)
calendar days written notice prior to changing, adding or
deleting a BAN. The Parties shall provide one (1)
Connectivity Billing invoice associated with each BAN.
Each invoice must contain an invoice number, which will
vary from month to month. On each ▇▇▇▇ associated with a
BAN, the appropriate invoice number and the charges
contained on such invoice must be reflected. All
Connectivity Bills must be received by the other Party no
later than ten (10) calendar days from the ▇▇▇▇ date and
at least twenty (20) calendar days prior to the payment
due date (as described in Part A of this Agreement),
whichever is earlier. Any Connectivity ▇▇▇▇ received on a
Saturday, Sunday or a day designated as a bank holiday
will be deemed received the next Business Day. If either
Party fails to receive Connectivity Billing data and
information within the time period specified above, then
the payment due date will be extended by the number of
days receipt has been delayed.
[The following Section 4.2.7 is for the AT&T/U S WEST Agreement only]
4.2.7 U S WEST shall issue all Connectivity Bills containing
such billing data and information in accordance with the
most current version of ▇▇▇▇ or CABS /SECABS published by
Bellcore, or its successor, or such later versions as are
adopted by Bellcore, or its successor, as appropriate to
the services being billed. To the extent there are no
▇▇▇▇, CABS, or SECAB standards governing the formatting of
certain data, such data shall be issued in the format
mutually agreed to by U S WEST and AT&T, and in accordance
with Attachment 6 to this Agreement.
4.2.8 As detailed in the MECAB document, AT&T and U S WEST will
exchange all information necessary to ▇▇▇▇ third parties
for switched access services traffic jointly handled by
AT&T and U S WEST via the meet point arrangement in a
timely fashion. Information shall be exchanged in Exchange
Message Record ("EMR") format (Bellcore Standard BR
▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇, as amended) on magnetic tape or via a
mutually acceptable electronic file transfer protocol. The
Parties will exchange records pursuant to this paragraph
without additional compensation.
Attachment 5
4.2.9 U S WEST and AT&T agree that each Party shall transmit
Connectivity Billing information and data in the
appropriate format as provided herein, electronically via
Connect Direct to the other Party at the location
specified by such Party. AT&T data centers will be
responsible for originating the calls for data
transmission. U S WEST shall transmit in accordance with
the technical specifications mutually agreed upon by the
Parties. AT&T will supply to U S WEST its RACF ID and
password before the first transmission of data via Connect
Direct. Any changes to either Party's Connect Direct Node
ID must be sent to the other Party no later than thirty
(30) calendar days before the changes take effect.
4.2.10 In emergency situations when tape transmittal has been
used, U S WEST shall adhere to the tape packaging
requirements set forth in this Agreement. Where magnetic
tape shipping containers are transported in freight
compartments, adequate magnetic field protection shall be
provided by keeping a 6-inch distance from any magnetic
field generating device (except a magnetron-tape device).
U S WEST shall only use those shipping containers that
contain internal insulation to prevent damage. U S WEST
shall clearly ▇▇▇▇ on the outside of each shipping
container its name, contact and return address. U S WEST
shall not ship any Connectivity Billing tapes in
unprotected tape canisters.
4.2.11 All emergency billing data transmitted via tape must be
provided on a cartridge (cassette) tape and must be of
high quality, conform to the Parties' record and label
standards, 9-track, odd parity, 6250 BPI group coded
recording mode and extended binary-coded decimal
interchange code (EBCDIC). Each reel of tape must be 100%
tested at 20% or better "clipping" level with full width
certification and permanent error free at final
inspection. AT&T reserves the right to destroy a tape that
has been determined to have unrecoverable errors. AT&T
also reserves the right to replace a tape with one of
equal or better quality.
4.2.12 The header record will be formatted in accordance with the
appropriate IBM, CABS or EDI standards as mutually agreed
upon by the Parties.
4.2.13 A single 6-digit serial number must appear on the external
(flat) surface of the tape for visual identification. This
number shall also appear in the "dataset serial number
field" of the first header record of the IBM standard tape
label. This serial number shall consist of the character
"V" followed by the reporting location's four digit
Originating Company Code and a numeric character chosen by
the sending Party. The external and internal label shall
be the same. The dataset name shall appear on the flat
side of the reel and also in the "data set name field" on
the first header record of the IBM standard tape label. U
S WEST's name, address, and contact shall appear on the
flat side of the cartridge or reel.
4.2.14 Tape labels shall conform to IBM OSVS Operating System
Standards contained in the IBM Standard Labels Manual. IBM
standard labels are 80-character records recorded in
EBCDIC, odd parity.
4.2.15 U S WEST shall conform to the Standard Volume Label Format
which will be mutually agreed upon by the Parties.
4.2.16 U S WEST shall use the IBM Standard Dataset Label Format
which will be mutually agreed upon by the Parties.
Attachment 5
4.2.17 U S WEST shall use test and production dataset format
which will be mutually agreed upon for all Connectivity
Bills.
4.3 Standards
4.3.1 At least thirty (30) calendar days prior to U S WEST
sending AT&T a mechanized ▇▇▇▇ for the first time via
electronic transmission, U S WEST shall send to AT&T
Connectivity ▇▇▇▇ data in the appropriate mechanized
format (e.g., CABS or SECAB) for testing to ensure that
bills can be processed and that bills comply with the
requirements of this Attachment. After receipt of the test
data from U S WEST, AT&T will notify U S WEST if the
connectivity billing transmission meets AT&T testing
specifications. If the transmission fails to meet the
mutually agreed upon test and production dataset format,
then, U S WEST shall make the necessary corrections within
a mutually agreeable time frame. At least three (3) sets
of testing data must meet AT&T testing specifications
prior to U S WEST sending AT&T a mechanized production
connectivity ▇▇▇▇ for the first time via electronic
transmission or tape. Thereafter, U S WEST may begin
sending AT&T production connectivity bills via electronic
transfer on the next ▇▇▇▇ date, or within ten (10)
calendar days, whichever is later.
4.3.2 U S WEST shall also provide to AT&T a designated point of
contact, U S WEST's applicable operating company number
("OCN") at least thirty (30) days prior to testing and at
least thirty (30) days prior to a change of OCN.
4.3.3 At least ninety (90) days prior to any change in existing
formats or change to a different format, U S WEST shall
send to AT&T Connectivity ▇▇▇▇ data in the appropriate
mechanized format for testing to ensure that the bills can
be processed and that the bills comply with the
requirements of this Attachment. U S WEST agrees that it
shall not send to AT&T ▇▇▇▇ data in the new mechanized
format until such ▇▇▇▇ data has met the testing
specifications as set forth in this Section.
4.3.4 During the testing period, in addition to CONNECT DIRECT,
U S WEST shall also transmit to AT&T Connectivity Billing
data and information via paper or tape as specified by
AT&T. Test tapes shall be sent to an AT&T specified
location.
4.3.5 For Connectivity Bills issued in CABS or SECAB format, U S
WEST agrees that if it transmits data to AT&T in a
mechanized format, U S WEST shall also comply with the
following specifications which are not contained in CABS
or SECAB guidelines but which are necessary for AT&T to
process Connectivity Billing information and data:
4.3.5.1 The ▇▇▇▇ date shall not contain spaces or non-
numeric values.
4.3.5.2 Each Connectivity ▇▇▇▇ must contain at least one
(1) detail record.
4.3.5.3 Any "from" date should be less than or equal to
the associated "through" date and neither date
can contain spaces.
4.3.5.4 The invoice number must not have embedded spaces
or low values.
4.3.6 U S WEST agrees that in order to ensure the proper
performance and integrity of the entire Connectivity
Billing process, U S WEST shall be responsible and
accountable for transmitting to AT&T an accurate and
current ▇▇▇▇. U S WEST agrees to implement
Attachment 5
control mechanisms and procedures to render a ▇▇▇▇ that
accurately reflects the services ordered and used by AT&T.
5. Provision Of Customer Usage Data
This Section 5 sets forth the terms and conditions for U S WEST's provision of
Recorded Usage Data (as defined in this Attachment 5) to AT&T and for
information exchange regarding long distance billing.
5.1 Procedures
5.1.1 General
5.1.1.1 U S WEST shall comply with various industry, OBF,
and other standards referred to throughout this Agreement.
To satisfy these requirements, the Parties agree to a
mutual interpretation of all standards referred to in this
Section.
5.1.1.2 The Parties shall mutually agree to OBF standards
and the additional standards outlined in this Agreement
when recording and transmitting Usage Data.
5.1.1.3 As new standards are developed and adopted by
industry, U S WEST and AT&T will negotiate mutually
agreeable implementation of those standards.
5.1.1.4 U S WEST shall record all usage to be billed to
AT&T originating from, terminating to or billed to AT&T
Customers using U S WEST services ordered by AT&T.
Recorded Usage Data includes, but is not limited to, the
following categories of information:
Call attempts
Completed calls
Use of CLASS/LASS/custom features
Calls to information providers reached via U S WEST
facilities and contracted by U S WEST Calls to Directory
Assistance where U S WEST provides such service to an AT&T
customer Calls completed via U S WEST-provided Operator
Services where U S WEST provides such service to AT&T
local service customer For U S WEST-provided Centrex
Service, station level detail records shall include
complete call detail and complete timing information.
5.1.1.5 Retention of Records: U S WEST shall maintain a
machine readable back-up copy of the message detail
provided to AT&T for a minimum of forty-five (45) calendar
days. U S WEST shall provide any data back-up to AT&T upon
the request of AT&T.
5.1.1.6 U S WEST shall provide to AT&T Recorded Usage Data
for AT&T Customers only. U S WEST shall not submit other
carrier local usage data as part of the AT&T recorded
usage data.
5.1.1.7 U S WEST shall not ▇▇▇▇ to AT&T Customers any
recurring or non-recurring charges for service provided by
U S WEST to AT&T except where explicitly permitted to do
so within a written agreement between U S WEST and AT&T.
Attachment 5
5.1.1.8 The Parties shall record and rate all calls to
information service providers (e.g., 976 service calls)
and shall ▇▇▇▇ such calls directly the calling party's
local service provider. In the event a Party's end-user
disputes such a call, that Party may recourse consistent
with the recourse arrangement the billing Party has with
its information service provider.
5.1.1.9 U S WEST shall provide Recorded Usage Data to AT&T
billing locations as designated by AT&T.
5.1.1.9.1 Casual Usage (Dial Around) Data. For
purposes of resold services provided AT&T, USWC
shall provide casual usage (dial around)
information associated with 1-O-XXX calling or
other casual use services such that AT&T is able
to timely render itemized bills.8
5.1.1.10 U S WEST shall establish an Interconnect Service
Center (ISC) or similar function to serve as AT&T's single
point of contact to respond to AT&T call usage, data
error, and record transmission inquiries.
5.1.1.10.1 U S WEST shall provide AT&T with a single point
of contact and remote identifiers for each sending
location.
5.1.1.11 AT&T shall provide a single point of contact
responsible for receiving usage transmitted by U S WEST
and receiving usage tapes from a courier service in the
event of a facility outage.
5.1.1.12 U S WEST shall ▇▇▇▇ and AT&T shall pay the
charges for Recorded Usage Data. Billing and payment shall
be in accordance with the applicable terms and conditions
set forth in the Connectivity Billing and Recording
Section of this Attachment 5.
5.1.1.13 Without waiver of, and in addition to the Audit
and Examination rights set forth in Part A of this
Agreement, upon reasonable notice and at reasonable times,
a Party or its authorized representatives may examine the
recording Party's AMA records which relate to perceived
problems with the recordings of the usage data relating to
the billed Party under this Attachment.
5.1.2 Charges
5.1.2.1 The Parties may charge fees for recording, rating
or transmitting usage data. For the six (6) months
following the initial recording, rating or transmitting of
non-test usage data, the Parties shall not charge each
other.
5.1.2.2 No charges shall be assessed for incomplete call
attempts.
5.1.3 Central Clearinghouse & Settlement
5.1.3.1 U S WEST shall support and participate with AT&T
to develop an in and out-collect process developed for
intra-region alternately billed messages.
Attachment 5
5.1.3.2 U S WEST shall settle with AT&T for both intra-
region and inter-region billing exchanges of calling card,
▇▇▇▇-to-third party, and collect calls, including
settlement through the CMDS CATS system for inter-region
billing.
5.1.4 Lost Data
5.1.4.1 Loss of Recorded Usage Data - AT&T recorded usage
data determined to have been lost, damaged or destroyed as
a result of an error or omission by U S WEST in its
performance of the recording function shall, upon AT&T
request, be recovered by U S WEST at no charge to AT&T. In
the event the data cannot be recovered by U S WEST, U S
WEST shall estimate the messages and associated revenue,
with assistance from AT&T, based upon the method described
below. This method shall be applied on a consistent basis,
subject to modifications agreed to by U S WEST and AT&T.
This estimate shall be used to adjust amounts AT&T owes U
S WEST for services U S WEST provides in conjunction with
the provision of recorded usage data.
5.1.4.2 Partial Loss - U S WEST shall review its daily
controls to determine if data has been lost. When there
has been a partial loss, actual message and minute volumes
shall be reported, if possible. Where actual data are not
available, a full day shall be estimated for the recording
entity, as outlined in the following paragraphs. The
amount of the partial loss is then determined by
subtracting the data actually recorded for such day from
the estimated total for such day.
5.1.4.3 Complete Loss - Estimated message and minute
volumes for each loss consisting of an entire AMA tape or
entire data volume due to its loss prior to or during
processing, loss after receipt, degaussed before
processing, receipt of a blank or unreadable tape, or lost
for other causes, shall be reported.
5.1.4.4 Estimated Volumes - From message and minute volume
reports for the entity experiencing the loss, U S WEST
shall secure message/minute counts for the four (4)
corresponding days of the weeks preceding that in which
the loss occurred and compute an average of these volumes.
U S WEST shall apply the appropriate average revenue per
message ("ARPM") mutually agreed upon to the estimated
message volume to arrive at the estimated lost revenue.
5.1.4.5 If the day of loss is not a holiday but one (1)
(or more) of the preceding corresponding days is a
holiday, U S WEST shall use additional preceding weeks in
order to procure volumes for two (2) non-holidays in the
previous two (2) weeks that correspond to the day of the
week that is the day of the loss.
5.1.4.6 If the loss occurs on a weekday that is a holiday
(except Christmas and Mother's Day), U S WEST shall use
volumes from the two (2) preceding Sundays.
5.1.4.7 If the loss occurs on Mother's Day or Christmas, U
S WEST shall use volumes from that day in the preceding
year multiplied by a growth rate mutually agreed upon by
the Parties.
5.1.4.8 AT&T may also request data be provided that has
previously been successfully provided by U S WEST to AT&T.
U S WEST shall re-provide such data, if available, at a
charge mutually agreed to by the Parties.
Attachment 5
5.1.5 Testing, Changes and Controls
5.1.5.1 The Recorded Usage Data, EMR format, content, and
transmission process shall be tested as mutually
agreed to by the Parties./9/
5.1.5.2 Interface Testing: The purpose of this test is to
ensure that the usage records can be sent by U S
WEST to AT&T and can be accepted and processed by
AT&T. U S WEST shall provide a test file to AT&T
designated Regional Processing Center (RPC) in
the format that shall be used for live day-to-day
processing. The file's test content and volume
shall be mutually agreed to by the Parties. AT&T
shall review the file and verify that it conforms
to its data center requirements. AT&T shall
notify U S WEST in writing whether the format is
acceptable. AT&T shall also provide U S WEST with
the agreed-upon control reports as part of this
test.
5.1.5.3 Operational Test: The purpose of this test is to
ensure that volumes of usage in consecutive
sequence can be extracted, distributed, and
processed by U S WEST and AT&T.
5.1.5.4 For testing purposes, U S WEST shall provide AT&T
with U S WEST recorded usage for a minimum of
five (5) consecutive days. AT&T shall provide U S
WEST with the message validation reports
associated with test usage.
5.1.5.5 Test File: Test data should be transported via
CONNECT DIRECT whenever possible. In the event
that courier service must be used to transport
test media, the physical tape characteristics to
be used are described in this Attachment.
5.1.5.6 Periodic Review: Control procedures for all usage
transferred between U S WEST and AT&T shall
require periodic review. This review may be
included as part of an annual audit of U S WEST
by AT&T or as part of the normal production
interface management function. Breakdowns which
impact the flow of usage between U S WEST and
AT&T must be identified and jointly resolved as
they occur. The resolution may include changes to
control procedures, as similar problems would be
avoided in the future. Any changes to control
procedures shall be mutually agreed upon by AT&T
and U S WEST.
5.1.5.7 U S WEST Software Changes
5.1.5.7.1 When U S WEST plans to introduce any
software changes which impact the format or
content structure of the usage data feed to AT&T,
designated U S WEST personnel shall notify AT&T
no less than one hundred twenty (120) calendar
days before such changes are implemented.
5.1.5.7.2 U S WEST shall communicate the
projected changes to the appropriate groups in
AT&T so that potential impacts on AT&T processing
can be determined.
____________________________
Attachment 5
5.1.5.7.3 AT&T personnel shall review the impact
of the change on the entire control structure and
the post conversion test plan, herein. AT&T shall
negotiate any perceived problems with U S WEST
and shall arrange to have the data tested
utilizing the modified software.
5.1.5.7.4 If it is necessary for U S WEST to
request changes in the schedule, content or
format of usage data transmitted to AT&T, U S
WEST shall notify AT&T.
5.1.5.8 AT&T Requested Changes
5.1.5.8.1 AT&T may request changes in the
schedule, content, format of the usage data
transmitted from U S WEST, as deemed necessary by
AT&T.
5.1.5.8.2 When the negotiated changes are to be
implemented, AT&T and/or U S WEST shall arrange
for testing of the modified data in a Post
Conversion Test Plan designed to encompass all
types of changes to the usage data transferred by
U S WEST to AT&T and the methods of transmission
for that data.
5.1.5.9 U S WEST System Change Description
5.1.5.9.1 For a U S WEST system change, U S WEST
shall provide AT&T with an overall description of
the change, stating the objective and a brief
explanation of the reasons for the change.
5.1.5.9.2 During the initial negotiations
regarding the change, U S WEST shall provide a
list of the specific records and/or systems
impacted by the change to designated AT&T
personnel.
5.1.5.9.3 U S WEST shall also provide AT&T a
detailed description of the changes to be
implemented. It shall include sufficient detail
for designated AT&T personnel to analyze and
estimate the effects of the changes and to design
tests to verify the accuracy of the
implementation.
5.1.5.10 Change Negotiations
5.1.5.10.1 AT&T shall be notified in writing of
all proposed change negotiations initiated by U S
WEST in writing. In turn, AT&T shall notify U S
WEST in writing of proposed change negotiations
initiated by AT&T.
5.1.5.10.2 After formal notification of planned
changes, whether originated by U S WEST or AT&T,
designated AT&T personnel shall schedule
negotiation meetings as required with designated
U S WEST personnel. The first meeting should
produce the overall change description (if not
previously furnished) and the list of records
and/or systems affected.
5.1.5.10.3 In subsequent meetings, U S WEST shall
provide the detailed description of changes to be
implemented. After reviewing the described
changes, designated AT&T personnel shall
negotiate a detailed test procedure with U S
WEST.
Attachment 5
5.1.5.11 Changes to controls: AT&T may request changes to
the control structure. The Parties shall mutually
agree on the requested changes.
5.1.5.12 Verification Of Changes
5.1.5.12.1 Based on the detailed description of
changes furnished by U S WEST, AT&T and U S WEST
personnel shall:
Determine the type of change(s) to be
implemented;
Develop a comprehensive test plan;
Negotiate scheduling and transfer of modified
data with U S WEST;
Negotiate testing of modified data with the
appropriate AT&T RPC;
Negotiate processing of verified data through the
AT&T billing system with the RPC;
Arrange for review and verification of testing
with appropriate AT&T groups; and
Arrange for review of modified controls, if
applicable.
5.1.5.13 Introduction of Changes:
5.1.5.13.1 When all the testing requirements have
been met and the results reviewed and accepted,
designated AT&T and U S WEST personnel shall:
Negotiate an implementation schedule;
Verify the existence of a contingency plan with
the appropriate AT&T personnel;
Arrange for the follow-up review of changes with
appropriate AT&T personnel;
Arrange for appropriate changes in control
program, if applicable; and
Arrange for long-term functional review of impact
of changes on the AT&T billing system, i.e.,
accuracy, timeliness, and completeness.
5.2 Information Exchange and Interfaces
5.2.1 Core Billing Information
5.2.1.1 Recorded Usage Data includes all intraLATA toll
and local usage. U S WEST shall provide AT&T with unrated
EMR records associated with all intraLATA toll and local
usage which it records on AT&T behalf. Any category, group
and/or record types approved in the future for U S WEST
shall be included if they fall within the definition of
Local Resale. AT&T shall be given notification thirty (30)
days prior to implementation of a new type, category
and/or record.
5.2.1.2 U S WEST shall provide rated EMR records only when
explicit consent for sending such records has been
obtained from AT&T.
5.2.1.3 All messages recorded by a Party and billed to the
other Party are to be transmitted to the billed Party.
Recorded usage includes all usage billable to the other
Party.
Attachment 5
5.2.1.4 Data Delivery Schedules: Data shall be delivered
to AT&T by U S WEST daily (Monday through Friday, except
holidays) unless otherwise negotiated. AT&T and/or U S
WEST Data Center holidays are excluded. U S WEST and AT&T
shall exchange schedules of designated Data Center
holidays.
5.2.2 Local Account Maintenance
5.2.2.1 When AT&T purchases local service from U S WEST,
and, as appropriate, when AT&T purchases certain unbundled
Network Elements, U S WEST shall provide AT&T with local
account maintenance as described herein.
5.2.2.2 When notified by a CLEC that an AT&T customer has
switched to CLEC's service, U S WEST shall provision the
change and notify AT&T via Connect:Direct within twenty-
four (24) hours of the provisioning that the customer has
changed to another service provider ( "OutPLOC").
5.2.2.3 When notified by AT&T that a customer has changed
its PIC only from one interexchange carrier to another, U
S WEST shall provision the PIC only change.
5.2.2.4 If notified by an IXC using a '01' PIC order
record that a AT&T customer has changed its PIC only, U S
WEST shall reject the order and notify that IXC using an
industry standard '3148' record with the operating company
number of AT&T indicated, that a '01' care PIC record
should be sent to AT&T for processing.
/10/
5.2.3 Product/Service Specific
5.2.3.1 Subject to the conditions specified in Section
5.1.1(c) of this Attachment 5, U S WEST shall provide a
Specialized Service/Service Provider Charge record to
support the Special Features Star Services if these
features are part of U S WEST's offering. Such record
shall be an EMR 10-01-18 record or industry standard
record as may subsequently be mutually agreed to by the
Parties. Such record shall be a 10-01-18 record or
Bellcore assigned record as may be subsequently agreed to
by the Parties.
5.2.4 Emergency Information
5.2.4.1 U S WEST shall provide the transport facility for
transmitting usage and billing data between the U S WEST
location and the AT&T location. U S WEST shall transmit
via CONNECT DIRECT whenever possible. In the event usage
transfer cannot be accommodated by CONNECT DIRECT because
of extended (one (1) Business Day or longer) facility
outages, U S WEST shall contract for a courier service to
transport the data via tape.
5.2.4.2 The Parties shall mutually agree to the following
standards when emergency data is transported to AT&T on
tape or cartridge via a courier. The data shall be in
fixed or variable block format as mutually agreed to by
the Parties:
Tape: 9-track, 6250 (or 1600) BPI (Bytes
per inch)
Cartridge: 38,000 BPI (Bytes per inch)
LRECL: 2,472 Bytes
Parity: Odd
___________________________
Attachment 5
Character Set: Extended Binary Coded Decimal
Interchange Code (EBCDIC)
External labels: Exchange Carrier Name, Dataset Name
(DSN) and volume serial number
Internal labels: IBM Industry OS labels shall be
used. They consist of a single
volume label and two (2) sets of
header and trailer labels.
5.2.4.1 To the extent the above standards are changed
or revised, the Parties may agree to negotiate the
incorporation of such new standards.
5.2.5 Rejected Recorded Usage Data
5.2.5.1 At the discretion of AT&T, any messages that
cannot be rated and/or billed by AT&T may be returned
to U S WEST via CONNECT DIRECT. Returned messages
shall be sent directly to U S WEST in EMR format.
Standard EMR return codes shall be utilized.
5.2.6 Interfaces
5.2.6.1 The Parties shall transmit formatted Recorded
Usage Data via Connect Direct.
5.2.6.2 AT&T shall notify U S WEST of resend
requirements if a pack or entire dataset must be
replaced due to pack rejection, damage in transit,
dataset name failure, etc.
5.2.6.3 Critical edit failure on the pack header or
pack trailer records shall result in pack rejection
(e.g., detail record count not equal to grand total
included in the pack trailer). Notification of pack
rejection shall be made by AT&T within one (1)
Business Day of processing. Rejected packs shall be
corrected by U S WEST and retransmitted to AT&T
within twenty-four (24) hours or within an alternate
time frame negotiated on a case by case basis.
5.2.6.4 A pack shall contain a minimum of one (1)
message record or a maximum of 9,999 message records
plus a pack header record and a pack trailer record.
A file transmission contains a maximum of ninety-nine
(99) packs. A dataset shall contain a minimum of one
(1) pack. U S WEST shall provide AT&T one (1) dataset
per sending location, with the agreed upon ▇▇▇/OCN
populated in the header and trailer records.
5.2.7 Formats & Characteristics
5.2.7.1 Rated in collect messages should be
transmitted via the CONNECT DIRECT and can be
intermingled with the unrated messages. No special
packing is needed.
5.2.7.2 EMR: U S WEST shall provide Recorded Usage
Data in the EMR format and by category, group and
record type, and shall be transmitted, via a direct
feed, to AT&T. The types of EMR records that AT&T can
expect to receive from U S WEST, includes, but is not
limited to, the following:
Header Record 20-21-01, 20-20-01 or 20-24-01
Attachment 5
Trailer Record 20-21-02, 20-20-02 ▇▇ ▇▇-▇▇-▇▇
Detail Records * 01-01-01, 06, 08, 14, 17, 18,
31, 32, 35, 37, 80, 81, 82, 10-
01-01, 06, 08, 14, 17, 18, 31,
32, 35, 37
Credit Records 03-01-01, 06, 08, 14, 17, 18,
31, 32, 35, 37, 80, 81, 82,
Rated Credits 41-01-01, 06, 08, 14, 17, 18,
31, 32, 35, 37, 80, 81, 82,
Cancel Records 51-01-01, 06, 08, 09, 14, 17,
18, 31, 32, 35, 37, 80, 81, 82,
Correction Records 71-01-01, 06, 08, 14, 17, 18,
31, 32, 35, 37, 80, 81, 82,
* Category 01 is utilized for rated messages;
Category 10 is utilized for unrated messages.
Category 10 records are to have indicator 13
populated with a value of 5.
5.2.7.2.1 To the extent the above standards are
changed or revised, the Parties may agree to
incorporate such new standards.
5.2.7.3 U S WEST shall comply with the most current
version of Bellcore standard practice guidelines for
formatting EMR records.
5.2.7.4 The Interfacing ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇, OCN, and remote
identifiers shall be used by AT&T to control invoice
sequencing and each shall have its own invoice
controls. The OCN shall also be used to determine
where the message returns file, containing any
misdirected and unguidable usage, shall be sent.
5.2.7.5 The file's Record Format (RECFM) shall be
Variable Block or fixed as negotiated, Size and the
Logical Record Length (LRECL) shall be as mutually
agreed to by the Parties.
5.2.7.6 [Intentionally left blank for numbering
consistency]
5.2.7.7 U S WEST shall transmit the usage to AT&T
using dataset naming conventions mutually agreed upon
by the Parties.
5.2.8 Controls
5.2.8.1 AT&T shall test and certify the CONNECT
DIRECT interface to ensure the accurate receipt of
Recorded Usage Data.
5.2.8.2 Header and trailer records shall be populated
in positions 13-27 with the following information:
Position
13-14 Invoice numbers (1-99)
15-16 ▇▇▇▇ Co. ID number
17-19 Interfacing ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ Code
20-23 AT&T OCN - value 7229
24-27 Reseller OCN
The trailer grand total record count shall be
populated with total records in pack (excluding
header & trailer)
5.2.8.3 Control Reports: AT&T accepts input data
provided by U S WEST in EMR format in accordance with
the requirements and specifications detailed in
Attachment 5
this Attachment 5. In order to ensure the overall
integrity of the usage being transmitted from U S
WEST to AT&T, data transfer control reports shall be
required. These reports shall be provided by AT&T to
U S WEST on a daily or otherwise negotiated basis and
shall reflect the results of the processing for each
pack transmitted by U S WEST.
5.2.8.4 Control Reports - Distribution: Since U S
WEST is not receiving control reports, dataset names
shall be established during detailed negotiations.
5.2.8.5 Message Validation Reports: AT&T shall
provide Message Validation reports to the designated
U S WEST System Control Coordinator once a day (or as
otherwise agreed to by the Parties). These reports
shall be provided for all data received within U S
WEST Local Resale feed and shall be transmitted
Monday through Friday.
5.2.8.6 Incollect Pack Processing: This report
provides vital statistics and control totals for
packs rejected and accepted and dropped messages. The
information is provided in the following report
formats and control levels:
U S WEST name; and
Reseller total messages processed in a pack;
Packs processed shall reflect the number of messages
initially erred and accepted within a pack; and
Reseller total packs processed.
5.3 Standards
5.3.1 When requested for security purposes and on an
exception basis when a reasonable need is
demonstrated, a Party shall provide the other Party
with Recorded Usage Data within two (2) hours of the
call completion or within the same period that the
recording Party would have that data for itself under
similar circumstances. If not available in EMR
format, the Recorded Usage Data may be provided in
AMA format.
5.3.2 U S WEST shall include the Working Telephone Number
(WTN) of the call originator on each EMR call record.
5.3.3 End user Customer usage records and station level
detail records shall be in packs in accordance with
EMR standards or applicable industry standards as
defined in Section 5.3.1 of this Attachment.
5.3.4 U S WEST shall provide Recorded Usage Data once a day
to AT&T on a schedule to be determined by the
Parties, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
The Parties shall work together to reach agreement on
an acceptable holiday schedule. U S WEST shall
provide to AT&T the Recorded Usage Data not more than
one (1) Business Day after termination of the call
for which usage data is to be provided.
5.3.5 U S WEST shall segregate and organize the Recorded
Usage Data in accordance with Section 5.2.7 of this
Attachment.
5.4 Standards for Transmitting and Recording Usage Data
Attachment 5
5.4.1 Within thirty (30) days after a request by AT&T, the Parties shall
jointly develop standards for transmitting and recording usage data.
5.5 Reporting
5.5.1 Within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date of this
Agreement, the Parties shall jointly develop reporting
procedures for the standards for transmitting and
recording usage data described in Section 5.4 above.
6. Maintenance/11/
6.1 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency]
6.2 General Requirements
6.2.1 U S WEST shall provide repair, maintenance, testing,
and surveillance for all Telecommunications Services
and unbundled Network Elements and Combinations in
accordance with the terms and conditions of this
Agreement.
6.2.1.1 U S WEST shall provide AT&T with the same
level of maintenance support as U S WEST
provides itself in accordance with standards
and performance measurements that U S WEST
uses and/or which are required by law,
regulatory agency, or by U S WEST's own
internal procedures, whichever are the most
rigorous. These standards shall apply to the
quality of the technology, equipment,
facilities, processes, and techniques
(including, but not limited to, such new
architecture, equipment, facilities, and
interfaces as U S WEST may deploy) that U S
WEST provides to AT&T under this Agreement.
6.2.1.2 U S WEST shall provide a SPOC (Single Point
of Contact) for Residence, and a SPOC for
Business for AT&T to report via a toll free
telephone number maintenance issues and
trouble reports twenty four (24) hours a day
and seven (7) days a week. The SPOC
Residence toll free number, and SPOC
Business toll free number, will be the
numbers for all of U S WEST's fourteen (14)
states.
6.2.1.3 U S WEST shall provide AT&T maintenance
dispatch personnel on the same schedule that
it provides its own Customers.
6.2.2 AT&T shall handle all interaction with AT&T Customers
including all calls regarding service problems,
scheduling of technician visits, and notifying the
Customer of trouble status and resolution. When a U S
WEST technician is on site, the customer will be
statused in accordance with standard U S WEST
procedures.
6.2.3 AT&T and U S WEST will provide their respective
customers with the correct telephone numbers to call
for access to their respective repair bureaus.
______________________
Attachment 5
6.2.4 Customers of AT&T shall be instructed to report all
cases of trouble to AT&T. Customers of U S WEST shall
be instructed to report all cases of trouble to U S
WEST. AT&T and U S WEST will provide their respective
repair contact numbers to one another on a reciprocal
basis.
6.2.5 U S WEST shall cooperate with AT&T to meet
maintenance standards for all Telecommunications
Services, unbundled Network Elements and Combinations
ordered under this Agreement. Such maintenance
standards shall include, without limitation,
standards for testing, network management, call
gapping, and notification of upgrades as they become
available.
6.2.6 All U S WEST employees or contractors who perform
repair service for AT&T Customers shall follow
mutually agreed to procedures in all their
communications with AT&T Customers. At a minimum,
these procedures, and protocols shall ensure that: U
S WEST employees or contractors shall perform repair
service that is at least equal in quality to that
provided to U S WEST Customers; and trouble calls
from AT&T Customers shall receive response time
priority that is at least equal to that of U S WEST
Customers, regardless of whether the Customer is an
AT&T Customer or a U S WEST Customer.
6.2.7 In responding to repair calls, neither Party shall
make disparaging remarks about each other, nor shall
they use repair calls as the basis for internal
referrals or to solicit customers to market services.
Either Party may respond with accurate information in
answering customer questions.
6.2.8 U S WEST shall perform scheduled maintenance,
including, without limitation, required and
recommended maintenance intervals and procedures, for
all Telecommunications Services, Network Elements and
Combinations provided to AT&T under this Agreement
equal in quality to that currently provided by U S
WEST in the maintenance of its own network./12/
6.2.8.1 U S WEST shall exercise its best efforts to
provide the designated AT&T SPOC at least
sixty (60) days' advance notice of any
scheduled activity which will likely impact
AT&T customers.
6.2.8.2 Plans for significant service affecting
activities shall include, at a minimum, the
following information: location and type of
facilities, specific work to be performed,
date and time work is scheduled to commence,
work schedule to be followed, date and time
work is scheduled to be completed, and
estimated number of work hours for
completion. Examples of such activities
include, but are not limited to, office
conversions, cable facility rolls, and
tandem re-homes.
6.2.9 U S WEST shall exercise its best efforts to notify
AT&T of all non-scheduled activities to be performed
by U S WEST on any Network Element, including,
without limitation, any hardware, equipment,
software, or system, providing service functionality
which will likely impact AT&T Customers.
6.2.9.1 U S WEST shall provide to the designated
SPOC maximum advance notice of such
non-scheduled activities in the same time
and manner that it provides to its operation
service centers.
__________________________
Attachment 5
6.2.9.2 U S WEST shall perform emergency maintenance
as promptly as possible to maintain or
restore service and shall promptly advise
the AT&T designated SPOC of any such actions
it takes.
6.2.10 U S WEST shall provide AT&T a detailed description of
any and all emergency restoration plans and disaster
recovery plans which are in place during the term of
this Agreement. Such plans shall include, at a
minimum, the following: (a) provisions for immediate
notification to AT&T of the existence, location, and
source of any emergency network outage potentially
affecting an AT&T Customer; (b) establishment of a
SPOC responsible for initiating and coordinating the
restoration of all local services and Network
Elements or Combinations; (c) methods and procedures
to provide AT&T with real-time access to information
relating to the status of restoration efforts and
problem resolution during the restoration process;
(d) an inventory and description of mobile
restoration equipment, by location; (e) methods and
procedures for reprovisioning of all
Telecommunications Services and Network Elements or
Combinations after initial restoration, (f) equal
priority, as between AT&T Customers and U S WEST
Customers, for restoration efforts, consistent with
FCC Service Restoration guidelines, including,
without limitation, deployment of repair personnel,
and access to spare parts and components, and (g) a
mutually agreeable process for escalation of
maintenance problems, including a complete,
up-to-date list of responsible contacts, each
available twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7)
days per week.
6.2.10.1 For purposes of this Section 6, an emergency
network outage is defined as 5,000 or more
blocked call attempts in a ten (10) minute
period for all Customers in a single
exchange.
6.2.10.2 AT&T and U S WEST will work cooperatively to
assess up chain (end office to tandem
calls), down chain (tandem to end office
calls), and overall customer impact. U S
WEST categorizes, reports and reacts to
network outages using FCC reporting criteria
and U S WEST Abnormal Condition Report
Criteria.
6.2.11 U S WEST and AT&T shall establish mutually acceptable
methods and procedures for the immediate handling of
misdirected calls from AT&T customers to U S WEST
requesting repair. The Customer shall be informed
that AT&T is its local service provider (LSP), and
the U S WEST representative will provide the AT&T
customer with the appropriate telephone number of the
AT&T repair center. If the LSP screen indicator is
not available, the U S WEST representative will ask
the AT&T customer if it knows the name of its LSP.
The U S WEST representative will provide the AT&T
Customer with the appropriate number of the AT&T
repair center. These calls are limited to repair
information only, and are not to be used for
marketing purposes.
6.2.12 When electronic interface is available, U S WEST
shall inform AT&T of repair completion and trouble
reason within ten (10) minutes upon completion. If no
electronic interface is available, AT&T will provide
a SPOC for U S WEST to call as soon as possible after
repair completion. U S WEST shall notify AT&T that
the trouble has been cleared. This is done on a
real-time basis. Therefore the technician will notify
AT&T in a similar manner, for both dispatched-in and
dispatched-out troubles. The report shall not be
considered closed until such
Attachment 5
notification is made. AT&T will contact its Customer
to determine if repairs were completed and confirm
the trouble no longer exists.
6.2.13 U S WEST and AT&T shall mutually develop escalation
procedures to be followed if, in AT&T judgment, any
performance standard defined in this Agreement is not
met for any individual trouble report. The escalation
procedures to be provided shall include names and
telephone numbers of U S WEST management personnel
who are responsible for maintenance issues and who
will be contacted when a trouble condition is
escalated.
6.2.14 In the event U S WEST shall fail to conform to any
specified performance and service quality standards,
identified elsewhere in this Agreement, U S WEST
shall perform and deliver to AT&T, a standard root
cause analysis of the reasons for U S WEST's failure
to conform, and U S WEST shall correct said cause as
soon as possible, at its own expense.
6.2.15 Dispatching of U S WEST technicians to AT&T Customer
premises shall be accomplished by U S WEST pursuant
to a request received from AT&T. AT&T shall be able
to schedule maintenance appointments in intervals at
parity with U S WEST upon opening of trouble report.
6.2.16 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency]
6.2.17 U S WEST shall supply AT&T with a unique number to
identify each AT&T initial trouble report opened.
6.2.17.1 U S WEST and AT&T agree to a trouble
priority and severity coding format for all trouble
reports handled between the two companies. Troubles
are prioritized according to appointment schedules:
6.2.17.1.1 Priority 1 = Out of Service
6.2.17.1.2 Priority 2 = Affecting Service
6.2.17.1.3 Priority 3 = Feature Trouble
6.2.17.2 Customer has the ability to escalate.
6.2.18 U S WEST shall provide for resale any
maintenance/protection plans for services offered
under this Agreement to AT&T that it offers U S
WEST's own Customers.
6.2.19 U S WEST's current trouble reporting system does not
provide the capability to reopen a closed trouble
report. Therefore, U S WEST shall allow AT&T to
designate that a trouble report is associated with
the initial trouble report which was closed in the
past twenty-four (24) hours without repairs being
performed to the Customer's satisfaction. U S WEST
shall measure the frequency of these types of
repeated reports and will demonstrate
non-discriminatory treatment to AT&T.
6.2.20 Additional Unbundling Requirements
6.2.20.1 When trouble is reported by a Customer
served through unbundled Network Elements, AT&T will
test its network to identify any problems. If no
problems are identified with the AT&T network, AT&T
will open a trouble report with U S WEST and provide
switch-based test results to the U S WEST
Attachment 5
technician. U S WEST shall then test its portion of
the network and perform repairs as required in the
time frames set forth below in this Attachment.
6.2.20.1.1 If U S WEST tests the unbundled
loop and no trouble found
("NTF"), the same shall be
reported back to AT&T. If, upon
testing the unbundled loop, the
trouble is isolated to the
Customer side of the NID
(inside wire, CPE, etc.), AT&T
shall be billed a trouble
isolation charge ("TIC"). If,
after AT&T has opened a trouble
ticket, it cancels the trouble
ticket before a U S WEST
technician has been dispatched
on the trouble, no charges will
apply. If the U S WEST
technician has been dispatched
on the reported trouble before
the trouble ticket is canceled
by AT&T, a TIC will be applied.
6.2.20.1.2 AT&T will coordinate combined
testing or repair activities
until trouble is resolved. U S
WEST shall provide repair
updates to AT&T. For trouble
isolation both Parties will
cooperatively test to isolate
the trouble as required.
6.3 Systems Interfaces and Information Exchanges
6.3.1 U S WEST shall cooperate with AT&T to establish
real-time, electronic interface by AT&T to U S WEST's
maintenance systems and databases. This system shall
be based on existing and future uniform industry
standards being worked in T1M1 standards committee
and Electronics Communications Implementation
Committee ("ECIC") industry forum./13/
6.3.1.1 An electronic bond will be a system
to system connection with immediate update
capability. In no way shall this interface
cause AT&T personnel to use U S WEST systems
via remote hook up or any other means of
access.
6.3.1.2 This interface shall allow AT&T
personnel to perform the following functions
for AT&T Customers: (a) enter trouble
reports in the U S WEST maintenance systems
for an AT&T Customer, (b) retrieve and track
current status on all AT&T Customer trouble
report; (c) receive "estimated time to
repair" (ETTR) on a real-time basis; (d)
receive immediate notification in the event
a repair person is unable to be present for,
or anticipates missing, a scheduled repair
appointment; (e) retrieve all time and
material charges that apply to AT&T at the
time of ticket closure (itemized by time
spent, price of materials used, procedures
employed, amounts incurred in each such
category, and total by Customer, per event
and (f) receive automated notification of
case closure.
6.3.1.3 Automated interfaces must be provided into a
centralized operations support systems
database for real time network monitoring to
proactively identify potential service
degradation. Such systems must monitor and
report on the integrity of the U S WEST
network, isolate trouble, and
_____________________________________
Attachment 5
where applicable (e.g., when an unbundled
loop is connected to an unbundled port or
when an unbundled loop includes such
equipment as DCS, D4, etc.) initiate repair
operations, test individual unbundled loops
and generate maintenance and repair notices
that impact any end user's ability to
complete calls. Ongoing maintenance
practices on such unbundled loops must be
equal to or exceed the practices employed by
U S WEST for facilities used to provide
Services for Resale.
6.3.1.4 U S WEST agrees to develop and implement, as
soon as possible, with a target date of
November 1, 1997, the electronic interfaces
described above.
6.3.2 U S WEST agrees that AT&T may report
troubles directly to a single U S WEST
Repair/Maintenance Center for both residential and
business Customers. The Repair Center will have two
separate numbers, one for residence and one for
business. AT&T's Customers will be treated in the
same manner as U S WEST Customers.
6.3.3 U S WEST shall perform all testing for
Resale Services. U S WEST shall provide the
capability for AT&T to receive MLT test results while
AT&T customer is on line during the initial trouble
report, when technically feasible in the U S WEST
network.
6.3.3.1 U S WEST shall provide test results to AT&T,
if appropriate, for trouble clearance. In all
instances, U S WEST will provide AT&T with the
disposition of the trouble.
6.3.4 U S WEST shall provide to AT&T the ability to obtain
the status on open maintenance trouble reports via
telephone or by another interface as agreed to by the
Parties. U S WEST agrees to provide the status of
residence and small business trouble reports upon
AT&T request.
6.3.5 U S WEST agrees to provide to AT&T the status for
open maintenance trouble reports for large business
Customers anytime the status of the trouble report
changes or upon AT&T request.
6.3.6 U S WEST agrees that AT&T may call U S WEST to verify
central office features and functions as they relate
to an open trouble report. U S WEST agrees to work
with AT&T on the initial trouble report to isolate
the cause of the trouble and, where possible, resolve
the feature/function related trouble at that time.
6.3.7 U S WEST agrees to proactively advise AT&T of any
central office failure that is known at the time of
any inquiry or trouble report. U S WEST agrees to
continue to work with AT&T toward implementing a
process to meet AT&T requirements for notification of
switch failures as soon as possible.
6.3.8 U S WEST agrees to provide an Estimated Time To
Repair (ETTR) on all residence and small business
trouble reports.
6.3.9 U S WEST agrees to develop, with AT&T's cooperation,
mutually acceptable workcenter interface agreements
to document methods and procedures for interim and
final interfaces for each service within (30) thirty
days after the
Attachment 5
Effective Date of its Agreement of AT&T notice to U S
WEST of its initiation of that service.
6.3.9.1 After the initial deployment of the
workcenter processes, U S WEST agrees to
continue working with AT&T to further
develop, improve and refine the operational
process described in this Agreement.
6.3.10 U S WEST agrees to provide AT&T with repair history
of previous trouble reports on customer service of
open trouble report.
6.3.11 U S WEST shall provide AT&T with the capability to
cancel a trouble report.
6.3.12 U S WEST shall provide AT&T with the capability to
modify a trouble report.
6.4 Standards
6.4.1 Maintenance charges for premises visits by U S WEST
employees or contractors shall be billed by AT&T to
its Customer.
6.4.1.1 U S WEST employees or contractors shall
present the Customer with an AT&T provided,
AT&T-branded form detailing the time spent,
the materials used and an indication that
the trouble has either been resolved, or
that additional work will be necessary in
accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement.
6.4.1.2 If additional work is required, U S WEST
employees or contractors shall call AT&T
from the Customer premises so that AT&T can
schedule a new appointment with U S WEST and
Customer at the same time.
6.4.2 U S WEST agrees to work with AT&T to support
expeditious development of an industry standard
trouble report entry format and agrees to implement
such standard within sixty (60) days after final
resolution by the Network Operation Forum (NOF).
6.5 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency]
7. Miscellaneous Services and Functions
7.1 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency]
7.2 [Intentionally left blank for numbering consistency]
7.3 Performance Measurements and Reporting
7.3.1 AT&T shall provide information on new
Customers to U S WEST within one (1)
Business Day of the order completion. U S
WEST shall update the database within one
(1) Business Day of receiving the data from
AT&T. If U S WEST detects an error in the
AT&T provided data, the data shall be
returned to AT&T within two (2) Business
Days from when it was provided to U S WEST.
AT&T shall respond to requests from U S WEST
to make corrections to database record
errors by uploading corrected records within
two
Attachment 5
(2) Business Days. Manual entry shall be
allowed only in the event that the system is
not functioning properly./14/
7.3.2 U S WEST shall provide to AT&T, at a
minimum, performance metrics and service
results regarding speed of answer, average
work time, abandoned from queue
measurements, and disaster recovery
plans/procedures./15/
7.3.3 AT&T may at its discretion, further request additional and or modified
reporting as business needs demand.
_______________________
/14/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 67
/15/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 67
Attachment 6
[FOR AT&T / USWC AGREEMENT ONLY]
INTERFACE REQUIREMENTS FOR PRE-ORDERING, ORDERING,
PROVISIONING, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR, AND BILLING/1/
I.
PURPOSE
-------
1. Purpose
1.1 This Attachment 6 sets forth the interface requirements for pre-ordering,
ordering and provisioning, maintenance and repair, and billing, where AT&T
provides service to its customers through resale of U S WEST Local Services or
through the use of Unbundled Network Elements and Combinations.
2. Use of Standards
2.1 As described below, AT&T and U S WEST agree to implement each interface
described below based upon existing and evolving industry standards or as
mutually agreed upon. The Parties shall transition the electronic interfaces to
industry standards within a timeframe mutually agreed to.
3. Reimbursement
3.1 Reimbursement for operational interfaces shall be as determined by the
appropriate regulatory agency as set forth in this Agreement.
4. Scope
4.1 This Attachment addresses the real-time transaction based protocols and
transport networks that will be used to exchange information for:
. Preorder/Ordering/Provisioning for Service Resale (SR) and Customer
Specific Unbundled Network Elements (UNEs)
. Maintenance/Repair for SR and UNEs
_________________
/1/ [Note: AT&T UT Order at pp. 3-7 is addressed in this Attachment]
1
Attachment 6
It also addresses the batch protocols and transport networks that will be used
to exchange information for:
. Recorded Customer Usage for SR and UNE
. Wholesale Billing for SR and UNE
. Recorded Usage Receivables for UNE
. Local Account Maintenance for SR and UNE
. Directory Assistance Database
The preceding list of information to be exchanged is intended to be exemplary
and does not represent a comprehensive list of such information to be exchanged
between the parties.
4.2 AT&T and U S WEST will use at least one method of exchanging preorder
information which will be real-time transaction based. AT&T and U S WEST may
also assess and determine the arrangements and conditions to support Batch file
transmittal for certain types of preorder information related to the Street
Address Guide and Switch/Feature/Facility availability.
5. System Interfaces
5.1 For Pre-order, Order and Provisioning, an exchange protocol, such as that
based upon a subset of Common Management Interface Protocol (CMIP) transactions
referred to as Electronic Communications-Lite (EC-Lite), will be used to
transport Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) formatted content. AT&T and U S WEST
will use a TCP/IP based transport network for the exchange of EDI transactions.
AT&T and U S WEST will translate ordering and provisioning requests from the
Ordering and Billing Forum (OBF) forms into EDI transactions using mutually
agreed to mappings. The Service Order SubCommittee (SOSC) of the
Telecommunications Industry Forum/Electronic Data Interchange (TCIF/EDI)
committee interpretations of the 850, 855, 860, 864, 865, 870, and 977
transactions, in accordance with the OBF forms, will be used to convey all the
necessary data to connect, modify or disconnect local exchange services.
5.2 For Maintenance and Repair, the CMIP transactions referred to as Electronic
Bonding - Trouble Administration (▇▇-▇▇) will be used. AT&T and U S WEST will
use an X.25 transport network which is the currently defined standard.
5.3 For Billing, AT&T and U S WEST will use EDI 811 and OBF Billing Output
Specification (BOS) formats via CONNECT:Direct. Section 13 further defines the
conditions when one or the other format will be used.
5.4 For Local Account Maintenance (▇▇▇), AT&T and U S WEST agree to use
CONNECT:Direct.
5.5 For Directory Assistance Database Information, AT&T and U S WEST agree to
use a batch protocol and transport network that is yet to be determined and will
be addressed in the Joint Implementation Agreement (JIA) described in Section 18
of this Attachment.
5.6 Modifications to OBF forms that are required due to the absence of, or
existence of unnecessary data fields, contents, or formats will be addressed in
the Joint Implementation Agreement described in Section 18 this Attachment
("JIA") .
6. Real Time Performance
6.1 The pre-order real time interface will support the AT&T customer contact as
executed within AT&T's Sales and Service Centers. Gateway-to-gateway query-
response cycle time
2
Attachment 6
performance requirements will be specified as part of the Joint Implementation
Agreement described in Section 18 of this Attachment.
6.2 The transaction response time U S WEST provides to AT&T Sales and Service
Center will be equal in quality with that which U S WEST provides to itself or
other telecommunications carriers. For purposes of this Attachment, U S WEST
agrees to provide AT&T benchmarking information for end-user performance based
on transaction volumes (nominal - light volume, standard - typical volume, and
worst case - heavy volume) AT&T. AT&T may request an improvement in the
transaction response time U S WEST provides to AT&T's Sales and Service Center
above that which U S WEST provides to itself or other telecommunications
carriers. through the Bona Fide Request process, (as that process is defined in
the Part A of this Agreement should cycle times not meet AT&T's business
requirements.
7. Compliance with Industry Standards
7.1 AT&T and U S WEST agree to discuss the modification of these interfaces
based upon evolving standards (e.g., data elements, protocols, transport
networks, etc.) and guidelines issued by or referenced by relevant Alliance for
Telecommunication Industry Solution (ATIS) committees. Establishment of new, or
changes to industry standards and guidelines will be reviewed on no less than an
annual basis commencing on the Effective Date of this Agreement. This review
will consider standards and guidelines that have reached final closure as well
as those published in final form. Both parties agree to evaluate evolving
standards and mutually determine the relevant modification to be implemented
based upon the latest approved version adopted or the latest version reflecting
final closure by the relevant (ATIS) committee or subcommittee. The parties will
use reasonable effort to reach closure upon the necessary changes within no more
than three (3) months of initiating each review and to implement the changes
within nine (9) months or earlier, if reasonably possible, unless there is
mutual agreement to a different implementation schedule.
7.2 In the course of establishing operational ready system interfaces between U
S WEST and AT&T to support Local Service delivery, AT&T and U S WEST may need to
define and implement system interface specifications that are supplemental to
existing standards. Where mutually agreed to, AT&T and U S WEST will submit such
specifications to the appropriate standards committee and will work towards its
acceptance as a standard.
8. Scheduled Availability
8.1 AT&T and U S WEST agree to an operational/production readiness as soon as
possible with a target date of November 1, 1997 for the delivery of all systems
interfaces described within this document, with the mutual understanding that
(1) product delivery content is dependent on requirements definition and the
time required to develop to these requirements and (2) operational readiness is
dependent upon satisfactory test results for the transaction volumes projected
by AT&T. AT&T and U S WEST agree to work to mutually identify, prioritize and
track those functions which may need to be positioned in a subsequent systems
interface delivery. These functions will be jointly reviewed to define the time
frame for development of subsequent releases of the system interfaces and
establish mutually agreeable delivery dates.
8.2 AT&T and U S WEST agree that project schedules, timelines, milestone
deliverables, reporting processes, among others, will be specified in the Joint
Implementation Agreement (Section 18). These schedules and deliverables will be
reviewed and revised as needed as part of regularly scheduled meetings conducted
throughout the development/implementation cycle.
9. Pre-Order
3
Attachment 6
9.1 The Parties agree that the exchange of preordering information for resale
services and for services provided using UNEs will be transmitted over the same
interface.
9.2 AT&T and U S WEST will establish a transaction-based electronic
communications interface based upon the most current (as of the Effective Date
of this Interconnection Agreement) version of the Service Order Subcommittee
(SOSC) implementation guideline for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). An
exchange protocol, such as Electronic Communications-Lite (EC-Lite) will be used
to transport EDI formatted content necessary to perform inquiries including but
not limited to: switch/feature/facility availability, address verification,
telephone number assignment, appointment scheduling, and customer service record
requests. Without limiting other restrictions which may apply, customer service
records are provided for the limited purpose of supporting the resale of U S
WEST local exchange services by AT&T or the sale of unbundled elements on behalf
of that Customer. The use of records in a manner not associated with the
ordering process, is expressly forbidden, and is a violation of the terms of
this Agreement.
10. Order and Provisioning
10.1 When AT&T is the customer of record for the resold local exchange
service(s), the exchange of information relating to the ordering and
provisioning of local exchange service will be based upon the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) X12 Standards as
documented by the SOSC of the Telecommunications Industry Forum/Electronic Data
Interchange (TCIF/EDI) committee. The Implementation Guidelines for Electronic
Data Interchange EDI Guidelines Customer Services Issue 7 will be used as a
baseline for implementation despite the fact that this document may not have
reached final approval stage by the Effective Date of this Agreement. An
exchange protocol, such as EC-Lite will be used to transport EDI formatted
content. The information exchange will be forms-based, using Local Service
Request (LSR) Form, End User Information Form, and the Resale Service Form
developed by the OBF as specified in the August 1996 version of the OBF forms in
Bellcore SR STS-4710XX, and for Directory Listings, included with a local
service request, as specified in SR STS-471102.
10.2 The end-user specific UNE order will be based upon OBF LSR forms. The
applicable SOSC implementation guidelines described previously also apply to the
End-user Specific Provisioning UNE orders. U S WEST and AT&T agree that the
information exchange will be forms-based using the Local Service Request Form,
End User Information Form, Loop Service Form (which may ultimately be renamed
the Loop Element form) and Port Form (which may ultimately be renamed the Switch
Element Form) developed by the OBF. End-user-specific Network Elements, or
Combinations thereof, to be supported in UNE orders shall be as permitted in
this Agreement for unbundled Network Elements and subject to FCC and state
regulatory requirements.
10.3 Subject to regulatory direction or mutual agreement relative to the
requirement of providing combinations of UNE components, AT&T and U S WEST will
establish a method to relate, track and process as a single entity the
individual U S WEST provided End-user specific UNE components specified at the
time of the initial order.
10.4 AT&T and U S WEST will use the same transaction based protocol, such as
EC-Lite, and transport network specified for service resale for End-user
specific UNE orders.
10.5 The ordering of common use (non-end user specific) UNEs, as may be
permitted under this Agreement for unbundled elements and subject to FCC and
state regulatory requirements, will be supported by a process separate from that
described in the preceding paragraphs for end-user-specific UNEs, such system to
be the same or similar to the mechanized process used for trunk service requests
or another process or system as appropriate and determined by mutual
4
Attachment 6
agreement. Unless U S WEST is otherwise required by AT&T, this process will not
employ the electronic interfaces specified in this Agreement, unless modified by
separate agreement. U S WEST will support, if and to the extent required by law,
this Agreement or mutually agreed to, interconnection and operation of End-user
specific UNEs used in combination with common use UNEs. The systems and ordering
process as outlined herein is separate and apart from the Bona Fide Request
process agreed to by the parties. The Joint Implementation Agreement (Section 18
of this Attachment 6) will address the details related to defining a mechanism
to correlate End-user-specific UNE orders placed via system interfaces with
Common Use UNEs that may have been previously ordered.
10.6 U S WEST will accept an 860 transaction that contains the complete refresh
of the previously provided order information (under the original 850
transaction) simultaneously with the delivery of supplemental (new/revised)
information from AT&T, subject to mutually agreed upon business rules. This
treatment with respect to the 860 transaction will be accepted by both parties
until the SOSC explicitly clarifies the information exchanges associated with
supplementing orders, or AT&T and U S WEST mutually agree to change the
treatment.
11. Maintenance and Repair
11.1 The exchange of maintenance and repair information, for both U S WEST
retail local exchange services to be resold by AT&T and for services AT&T
provides using a U S WEST UNE or combinations of U S WEST UNEs, will be
transmitted over the same interface.
11.2 For the purpose of exchanging fault management information, AT&T and U S
WEST will establish an electronic bonding interface, based upon ANSI standards
T1.227-1995 and T1.228-1995, and Electronic Communication Implementation
Committee (ECIC) Trouble Report Format Definition (TRFD) Number 1 as defined in
ECIC document ECIC/TRA/95-003, and all standards referenced within those
documents. The parties will use the functions currently implemented for
reporting access circuit troubles. These functions include, but are not limited
to: Enter Trouble, Request Trouble Report Status, Add Trouble Information,
Modify Trouble Report Attributes, Trouble Report Attribute Value Change (AVC)
Notification and Cancel Trouble Report, all of which are fully explained in ANSI
T1.227/T1.228-1995. Additional functions not currently implemented by the
parties or defined by the standards may be supported by mutual agreement (e.g.
Test Access and Trouble History).
11.3 Modifications that are required due to the absence of, or existence of
unnecessary data fields, contents, or formats will be addressed in the Joint
Implementation Agreement (JIA) described in Section 18 of this Agreement.
12. Recorded Customer Usage
12.1 U S WEST will record the mutually agreed upon Customer usage data that
AT&T requires for its retail local service Customers. The content of such data
will be based upon a mutually agreeable interpretation of the BellCore Exchange
Message Record (EMR) format to be documented within the JIA. U S WEST will
provide electronic transmission of the recorded data using CONNECT:Direct daily
on Monday through Friday on a schedule to be determined in the Joint
Implementation Agreement (excluding holidays). This interface and format will be
used to deliver recorded usage when AT&T is reselling retail local exchange
services of U S WEST and when usage is associated with Customers served by AT&T
through one or more UNEs provided by U S WEST. AT&T and U S WEST will mutually
agree upon the conditions when customer usage data recording will be provided on
behalf of AT&T.
13. Billing Format for Service Resale (SR) and Unbundled Network Elements
(UNE) Payables
5
Attachment 6
13.1 Billing information for unbundled loop and port elements that are flat
rated will be provided in a single EDI 811 format across all U S WEST regions
via Connect:Direct. Billing information for unbundled trunks/interoffice
transport elements that are flat rated will be provided in a BOS format via
Connect:Direct and will appear in the Customer Service Record of the facility
▇▇▇▇. Billing information for SR products and services that are flat rated will
be provided in a single EDI 811 format across all U S WEST regions via
Connect:Direct. Exceptions include, but are not limited to, frame relay which
will be provided in a BOS format via Connect:Direct. The display of rating codes
and the associated charge will be mutually agreed upon in both formats. Charges
associated with a specific loop will reflect the circuit ID format.
13.2 For usage-rated billing, U S WEST will issue bills to AT&T for SR/UNE in
the formats described under the flat-rated SR/UNE billing section. Usage rated
billing for SR/UNE will be uniquely identified and displayed in the Usage
Sections of the ▇▇▇▇. For products using BOS format, jurisdiction will be
specified per BOS guidelines. Conversation time, by chargeable traffic type,
will be displayed and billed per applicable tariffs. Delivery of usage rated
SR/UNE bills will be provided as described under the flat-rated SR/UNE billing
section.
13.3 UNEs which U S WEST agrees to provide, under the terms and conditions of
the Agreement, or to the extent required by law, that are recombined as a single
service, will be grouped together by U S WEST and displayed together on the
▇▇▇▇.
14. Recorded UNE Local or Access Usage Receivables
14.1 U S WEST will record all agreed upon originating and terminating usage
billed to and associated with a UNE provided by U S WEST to AT&T. The usage
recorded will be in the same BellCore Exchange Message Record format discussed
within Section 12 and will be subject to the same terms and conditions for
modification and/or replacement of the format as discussed in Section IX.
14.2 AT&T and U S WEST will mutually agree upon the Local and Long Distance
access customer usage data recording that U S WEST will provide to AT&T
consistent with FCC and State regulatory guidelines and requirements, so that
AT&T may ▇▇▇▇ other carriers for the local and exchange access usage charges to
which AT&T is entitled, if any. AT&T and U S WEST will perform mutually
agreeable systems testing, as documented in the Joint Implementation Agreement
(Section 18), as soon as possible with a target date of November 1, 1997.
14.3 U S WEST will provide electronic transmission of the recorded usage using
CONNECT:Direct daily on Monday through Friday on a schedule to be determined in
the Joint Implementation Agreement (excluding holidays). The same or similar
interface used for delivery of recorded customer usage, discussed in Section 12,
will be used for delivery of the recorded usage discussed in this section.
15. Local Account Maintenance
15.1 When acting as the switch provider for AT&T, where AT&T either is
reselling retail services of U S WEST or employing UNEs to provide local
service, U S WEST will notify AT&T whenever the local service Customer transfers
service from AT&T to another local service provider. U S WEST will provide this
notification via CONNECT:Direct using a mutually agreeable 4 digit Local Use
Transaction Code Status Indicator (TCSI) that will be used to indicate that the
retail customer is terminating local service with AT&T. This notice will be
provided on the next processing day after implementing the transfer, where
processing days are Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). The TCSI, sent
by U S ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ be in the 960 byte industry standard CARE record format.
6
Attachment 6
15.2 AT&T and U S WEST will process account changes that affect only the pre-
subscribed intraLATA and/or interLATA toll provider (PIC) via a Change service
order form using the same EC-Lite transaction based protocol and transport
network employed for ordering resale service as specified in Section 10.
15.3 When appropriate regulatory guidelines exist, U S WEST will use the
industry standard CARE message TCSI 3148 to reject an IXC initiated change of
the Primary Interexchange Carrier (PIC), where U S WEST is the switch provider
either for the retail local services of U S WEST that AT&T resells or UNEs of U
S WEST that AT&T employs in providing service.
15.4 Agreement by U S WEST and AT&T to the Local Account Maintenance described
above does not, in any way, set a precedence or remove any obligation for U S
WEST and AT&T to work towards an industry solution for supporting customer
movement between and among other ILECs and CLECs.
16. Directory Assistance Database
16.1 AT&T and U S WEST will use a batch protocol and transport network to
exchange Directory Assistance Database information similar to existing U S WEST
listings products (i.e., DA EUSL, DA EUSL Updates). The specific protocol and
transport network to be used has not been determined or mutually agreed to and
will be specified in the JIA.
16.2 Without limiting other restrictions which may apply, directory service
listing products are provided for the limited purpose of supporting provision of
services as outlined in this Agreement. The use of listings in a manner not
associated with this use, is expressly forbidden, and is a violation of the
terms of this Agreement.
17. Testing and Acceptance
17.1 The Parties will test the interfaces developed under this Attachment. The
intent of the end-to-end integrity testing is to establish, through the
submission and processing of test cases, that transactions agreed to by AT&T and
U S WEST will successfully process, in a timely and accurate manner, through
both parties' supporting OSS as well as the interfaces. Irreconcilable
differences regarding the interpretation of operational status of the interfaces
will be handled through the Dispute Resolution Process as defined in Section 27
of Part A of this Agreement.
17.2 An interoperability testing suite shall ensure the implementation of
functions, capabilities, and acceptance criteria enumerated in the JIA, with
both parties agreeing to resolve any material defects in the software.
17.3 The test process shall include a series of tests in which the
transactions, representative of the predominant business transactions associated
with local customer servicing, are performed side-by-side using the mediated
access gateway interface to U S WEST Legacy systems and the Legacy system
interface utilized by U S WEST service representatives and repair attendants.
The purpose of this series of tests will be to verify that the performance and
response times visible to a user of the mediated access gateway for nominal and
worst case scenarios with the same level of quality in accordance with the Act.
17.4 U S WEST does not warrant that its systems and access to those systems
will be error-free.
7
Attachment 6
17.5 Products and services already billed via the Integrated Access Billing
System (IABS) will be included in the existing pre-▇▇▇▇ certification process
for general availability and a re-certification process conducted in accordance
with current practices. For products and services billed outside of IABS, the
parties will work towards establishing a mutually agreed upon pre-▇▇▇▇
certification process.
17.6 AT&T and U S WEST agree that metrics are required in order to monitor the
performance and assure the on-going delivery of non-discriminatory access to U S
WEST systems for pre-order/ordering/provisioning, maintenance/repair, billing,
and directory assistance databases. A performance measurement plan that
addresses the definition, measurement, and review of quality, timeliness,
accuracy and availability of each interface and associated transactions or files
will be jointly developed and documented within the JIA for each interface.
17.7 AT&T and U S WEST agree to periodic status meetings to review the overall
progress toward introducing fully operational interfaces capabilities as soon as
possible with a target date of November 1, 1997.
17.8 Results of testing shall be considered Confidential Information, except
that such results may be provided pursuant to this Agreement and law.
18. Joint Implementation Agreement Development
18.1 AT&T and U S WEST recognize that the preceding provisions are not
sufficient to resolve all, technical and operational details related to the
interfaces described. Therefore, AT&T and U S WEST agree to document the
additional, technical and operational details in the form of a Joint
Implementation Agreement (JIA). The purpose of the JIA is to establish the
working details of the systems interfaces between the two parties, and as such,
they will not be submitted to the Commission for approval as amendments to the
Agreement. These JIA may be modified, by mutual agreement, over the life of this
Agreement without subjecting the balance of the Agreement to renegotiation or
modification.
18.2 Both parties further agree that any technical, operational or
implementation issues directly associated with the systems interfaces, once
identified at the working team level, may be escalated by the initiative of
either party thirty (30) days after an issue is identified. The escalation will
proceed first to the senior management of both companies who will seek to
resolve the issue. Within fourteen (14) days after a request by AT&T, AT&T and U
S WEST will document the agreed upon escalation process including the names and
contact information of responsible senior management. If an issue is not
resolved within thirty (30) days following receipt of the issue by senior
management, either party may submit the issue to the Alternative Dispute
resolution process contained in Section 27 of Part A of this Agreement.
18.3 AT&T and U S WEST will document an overall project implementation schedule
within sixty (60) days after a request by AT&T. This schedule will be mutually
binding and can be modified by mutual consent.
18.4 In addition, AT&T and U S WEST agree to document both a topical outline
for the JIA, and establish a schedule for identifying, discussing, resolving and
documenting resolution of issues related to each aspect of the JIA topical
outline for each interface discussed in this document. In no case will either
end to end integrity testing or load testing begin without both parties mutually
agreeing that each interface JIA documents the intended operation of the
interface scheduled for testing. In the event the parties can not agree prior to
one hundred and twenty (120) days of the operational/production readiness date
for delivery of all system interfaces described within this Attachment, disputes
over the sufficiency of documentation will be submitted
8
Attachment 6
to arbitration pursuant to the Alternative Dispute Resolution process contained
in Section 27 of Part A of this Agreement.
18.5 By mutual agreement, specific paragraphs or entire sections of this
Agreement may be identified and documented to serve the purpose described for
the Joint Implementation Agreement for specific interfaces. Any issues
identified and subsequently resolved through either the end-to-end integrity or
load testing processes will be incorporated into the impacted interface section
of the JIA within thirty (30) days of issue resolution.
18.6 An illustrative outline for a JIA follows:
. Introduction
. Purpose of Joint Implementation Agreement
. Terms of Agreement
. "System" Interface
. Business Process and Data Requirements
. Overall Responsibilities
. Identification & Definitions of Activities
. Information To Be Provided Per Transaction
. Process Information for Each Activity & Transaction
. Delivery Criteria
. Data Standard
. Message Protocol
. Transmission Protocol
. Destination
. Frequency Of Data
. Deviations to Generic Specification
. Error Processing
. Process for Notification of Late Transmittals
. Escalation & Expedite Procedures
. Transaction Response Times
. File Format Specifications
. Rules for the Physical Interface
. File Structure
. Data Format
. Error Controls
. Physical Tape Specifications
. Site Information
. Contact Person
. Transmission Hours
. Testing
. Cooperative Testing
. Pairwise Testing
. ETE Testing
. Test Order ETE (Employees)
. Future Testing Requirements
. Interface Metrics
. Data Timeliness
. Data Completeness
. Data Accuracy
. Contact Information
. Contacts/Escalation Contacts
9
Attachment 6
. Schedules for Center Operations (days/hours of Operation)
. Data Requirements
. Retention of Data
. Back-up and Recovery Procedures
. Disaster Recovery
. System Change Notification
. Guarding of Proprietary Data
. Reporting Information
. Reports to be Generated
. Frequency
. Data Requirements
. Transmission
. Change Control Process
. Issue Resolution Process
. Termination of Interface Notification
10
Attachment 7
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE
1. Local Service Resale
1.1 Within ninety (90) days after a request by AT&T, U S WEST shall
provide for resale all services designated in this Agreement. Once
service is initiated in an area, the ordering and provisioning
intervals will be as specified in this Agreement and/or adopted by the
Commission.
Additionally, the Parties shall meet to negotiate the following
categories of intervals in the event the Commission has not designated
such intervals:
1.1.1 Local service with no dispatch;
1.1.2 Local service with dispatch;
1.1.3 Feature changes with no dispatch;
1.1.4 Disconnect with no dispatch; and
1.1.5 Disconnect with dispatch./1/
2. Unbundled Network Platform (All Network Elements in Combination)
2.1 Within one hundred and twenty (120) after a request by AT&T, U S WEST
shall offer all services, Network Elements and any Combinations
thereof designated in this Agreement. Once service is initiated in an
area, the ordering and provisioning intervals will be as specified in
this Agreement and/or adopted by the Commission.
Additionally, the Parties shall meet to negotiate the following
categories of intervals in the event the Commission has not designated
such intervals:
2.1.1 Local service with no dispatch;
2.1.2 Local service with dispatch;
2.1.3 Feature changes with no dispatch;
2.1.4 Disconnect with no dispatch; and
2.1.5 Disconnect with dispatch./2/
3. Interconnection Trunking for Local Service
3.1 Within thirty (30) days after a request by AT&T or such other time
period as the Parties may mutually agree, U S WEST shall provide
interconnection trunk groups necessary for the mutual exchange of
traffic or combined trunk groups as necessary or required for
efficiency and interconnection billing to locations specified by AT&T.
Subsequent to this thirty (30) days, interconnection trunk orders
shall be processed as specified in this Agreement and/or adopted by
the Commission./3/
-------------------------------------
/1/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 68
/2/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 69
/3/ Final Arbitration Order at pg. 70
1
Attachment 7
4. Ancillary Trunking
4.1 Within ninety (90) days after a request by AT&T, U S WEST shall
provide:
4.1.1 E-911 Trunking in cooperation with AT&T;
4.1.2 SS7 Interconnection and Certification in cooperation with AT&T;
and
4.1.3 Directory Listings Arrangements and Directory Assistance
Interconnection.
5. Unbundled Loops
5.1 Within sixty (60) days after Collocation has been provided pursuant to
the terms of this Agreement, U S WEST shall provide unbundled loops at
designated end offices. Subsequent unbundled loops should be made
available pursuant to ordering intervals as specified in this
Agreement and/or adopted by the Commission.
6. Collocation
6.1 Collocation will be provided upon request pursuant to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement.
7. Access To Poles, Ducts and Rights of Way
7.1 Access to Poles, Ducts and Rights of Way shall be provided upon
request, pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
8. Interim Number Portability
8.1 Interim Number Portability capabilities, as specified in this
Agreement, shall be made available in specified locations ninety (90)
days after a request by AT&T and within appropriate service order
windows thereafter. Interim Number Portability shall be capable of
being ordered electronically with a target date of December 1, 1997.
2
Attachment 7
9. Operational Support System
9.1 Operational Support Systems shall be available for preordering,
ordering, provisioning, maintenance, repair and billing under the
following target schedule:/4/
9.1.1 Service Resale for POTS and Multiline ▇▇▇▇ Group up to 12 lines
9.1.2 Complex Business Services
9.1.3 Interim Number Portability
9.1.4 Unbundled Network Platform/5/
9.1.5 Other elements within the Agreement or as agreed to by the
Parties.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IMA EDI EBTA Billing
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9.1.1 01-01-97 01-01-98 04-14-98 12-31-96
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9.1.2 11-15-97 02-28-99 TBD 12-31-96
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9.1.3 09-30-98 09-30-98 TBD 07-31-97
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9.1.4 ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9.1.5 TBD 02-28-99 - -
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note:
1. The above matrix deliverable dates after 05-01-98 are commitments
with the opportunity to further refine and accelerate as the
requirements and design processes are completed and obtain
business approval.
2. 9.1.2 U S WEST relates the term "Complex Business Services" to
Private Line, Centrex, and ISDN
3. 9.1.4 U S WEST does Unbundled Loop, not Rebundling.
4. 9.1.5 refers to Port. All other elements within the Agreement as
agreed to by the Parties.
-------------------------------------
/4/ Final Arbitration Order at pg.72. This section was revised by U S West
pursuant to the Final Arbitration Order at pg. 72. AT&T does not agree that
U S WEST's revision complies with the Final Arbitration Order, which
required U S WEST to "provide replacement dates for the stricken dates."
/5/ U S WEST will review any requirement to provide unbundled network elements
in combination after a decision on the final appeal of this issue.
3
NOTE: RATES UPDATED TO REFLECT CHANGES TO RESALE DISCOUNT RATES PER COMMISSION
ORDER, EFFECTIVE 5/1/00. SEE DOCUMENT FOLLOWING.
1
Qwest Communications International Inc.
Law Department
Contract Development & Services
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇., #▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Telephone (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Facsimile (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
E-mail ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
Contract Specialist
August 21, 2000
Via Airborne Express
▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
AT&T Corp. AT&T Corp.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇., 10/th/ Floor ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇., ▇▇/▇▇/ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Re: Wireline Interconnection and Resale Restructured Rates for the State of
Utah Based Upon the Public Service Commission of Utah Decision in Docket
No. ▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇
Dear ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇:
In accordance with the Wireline Interconnection Agreement between Qwest
Corporation (formerly doing business as U S WEST Communications, Inc.) and AT&T
Communications of the Mountain States, Inc. ("Agreement"), enclosed is a
replacement Appendix B for the Agreement. The Appendix reflects the
restructured resale discount rates based upon the Order Approving Stipulation
issued February 28, 2000, by the Public Service Commission of Utah in Docket No.
▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇. The rate change became effective May 1, 2000.
If you have any questions, please call your Account Manager.
Sincerely,
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
Enclosure
2
These are permanent rates as established by the Public Service Commission of
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Utah in Docket No. ▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇, Order Approving Stipulation
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APPENDIX B
UTAH PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION APPROVED RESALE DISCOUNTS
FOR US WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC. SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED TO
COMMISSION CERTIFIED COMPETITIVE LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIERS
(REFERENCE DOCKET NO. ▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇, Phase 1)
NOTE: All prices set forth in this Appendix B are subject to change if the
Commission so orders in its pricing dockets.
AVERAGE DISCOUNT APPLIED TO
SERVICE CATEGORIES TO RETAIL TARIFFED RATES
------------------ ----------------------------
Group 1: 12.2%
Basic Residence and Business
Central Office Features
Listing Services
ISDN
Group 2: 22.4%
PBX
Centron/Centron Services
Group 3: 10.7%
Private Line
Advanced Communications Services
Group 4: 15.0%
Operator and Directory Assistance Services
Group 5: 14.2%
Message Toll Services
Optional Calling Plans
800 Services
Composite Average of All Groups 13.3%
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On a non-discriminatory basis, U S WEST will determine the pricing, terms and
conditions of any resold deregulated telecommunications service. Disputes
regarding pricing of resold deregulated telecommunications services shall be
handled according to the Dispute Resolution Section of this Agreement.