As 2009 draws to a close, NANPA has published a report reflecting the 12/01/09 status of pending NPA relief projects. The summary, in PDF format, provides easy review of NPA projects by state, along with a description of action, trigger points and current status.
To review this document please use the following link: http://www.nanpa.com/relief_planning/triggers/NPA_Triggers_120109.pdf
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Tele-Tech Reaches Accuracy Milestone!
For those of you who’ve read our "Quality Story" – you know we’re a little obsessed with high quality data around here. And, if you’ve not read Tele-Tech’s page-turning "Quality Story" – click here to check it out (really, why does no one believe me?... it IS a page-turner!)!! Anyway… as admitted addicts to data quality, we’ve just achieved a huge milestone: two years of 100% data accuracy!!!
That’s right, with the close of October, we’ve had 24 consecutive error-free months of data! What this means is… over the past two-solid years, we did not introduce one-single byte of erred information into the local calling area data we provided! "What an accomplishment! When we started our data quality journey, striving to create a system and culture where errors could not be introduced into our data, it seemed an admirable but perhaps unattainable goal. Now many years into the process it seems that our diligent work is getting us ever closer to achieving this goal", stated Co-President Stephanie Fetchen.
Now, for perspective – I'll elaborate a bit about our data quality measurements: to ensure the most accurate reflection – and to keep us on our toes – we literally have a moving target when it comes to measuring our data quality. To obtain the truest picture, our quality system tracks errors back to the month in which they occurred (versus month found).
In fact, let me see if I can give an example without making things clear as mud… we have had a couple of customer reported errors during the past two years. BUT, the reported errors were tracked to the months in which they were made; and, the months in which those errors were made were prior to the past 24 months. Thus, mussing up data quality stats for a period prior to the past 24 months… and, with no reported errors made during this current 24-month period – we have two years of 100% data accuracy!!!
Linda Chugon, Director of Operations and Customer Service, summed it up by saying, "We're so excited about, and proud of, our 100% quality for two years straight! This wasn't, and will never be, an ‘easy’ task but it's one we are up for and will work diligently to achieve again!" Now, Linda didn’t mention the couple of days of happy-hall dancing that took place around here… but that’s because she’s too dignified. Personally, I’m still dancing!
That’s right, with the close of October, we’ve had 24 consecutive error-free months of data! What this means is… over the past two-solid years, we did not introduce one-single byte of erred information into the local calling area data we provided! "What an accomplishment! When we started our data quality journey, striving to create a system and culture where errors could not be introduced into our data, it seemed an admirable but perhaps unattainable goal. Now many years into the process it seems that our diligent work is getting us ever closer to achieving this goal", stated Co-President Stephanie Fetchen.
Now, for perspective – I'll elaborate a bit about our data quality measurements: to ensure the most accurate reflection – and to keep us on our toes – we literally have a moving target when it comes to measuring our data quality. To obtain the truest picture, our quality system tracks errors back to the month in which they occurred (versus month found).
In fact, let me see if I can give an example without making things clear as mud… we have had a couple of customer reported errors during the past two years. BUT, the reported errors were tracked to the months in which they were made; and, the months in which those errors were made were prior to the past 24 months. Thus, mussing up data quality stats for a period prior to the past 24 months… and, with no reported errors made during this current 24-month period – we have two years of 100% data accuracy!!!
Linda Chugon, Director of Operations and Customer Service, summed it up by saying, "We're so excited about, and proud of, our 100% quality for two years straight! This wasn't, and will never be, an ‘easy’ task but it's one we are up for and will work diligently to achieve again!" Now, Linda didn’t mention the couple of days of happy-hall dancing that took place around here… but that’s because she’s too dignified. Personally, I’m still dancing!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Exhaust Projections
NANPA recently posted their October 2009 NANP Exhaust Projections. Carrier forecast and utilization data (submitted "via the NRUF process") is considered during the exhaust analyses, as well as a series of NANP assumptions, which have been consisted in past studies.
A detailed outline of the analysis process and complete listing of assumptions utilized may be found on www.nanpa.com; but, the end result is a projected exhaust date beyond the year 2039.
A detailed outline of the analysis process and complete listing of assumptions utilized may be found on www.nanpa.com; but, the end result is a projected exhaust date beyond the year 2039.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
AT&T Takes Aim at Google
Are Intercarrier Compensation Inequities the Cause?
When AT&T complained to the Federal Communications Commission last month that Google Voice was blocking calls to certain rural numbers which Common Carriers are required to complete, a number of different issues were at play: whether Google Voice is an "information service", exempt from regulation, or a regulated "telecommunications service"; whether telecommunications services should be less regulated; whether information services should be more regulated; and even net neutrality. But at the heart of the issue is really intercarrier compensation and its need for reform.
The issue started with "traffic pumping", a practice whereby rural local exchange carriers (LECs) recruit customers with extremely high inbound traffic (think call centers and chat lines). Each time a caller connects to those call centers or chat lines, the caller’s phone company must pay terminating access charges of as much as $0.05 per minute to the rural carrier. The rural LECs, in turn, were found to be sharing their windfall with the call center or chat line they had recruited, making a lucrative situation for both parties.
While traffic pumping is certainly an ethical violation, it is not illegal. But it does generate millions of dollars in access revenue. Service providers like AT&T and Verizon fought to be able to block calls to suspected traffic pumpers, but were denied that ability by the FCC. Instead, the FCC’s current recommendation to prevent or reduce traffic pumping is to ban service providers from sharing access charges with their customers, removing the incentive for companies with large amounts of lengthy inbound calls to sign-up with the rural LEC in the first place.
So when Google Voice admitted to blocking calls to certain rural numbers, AT&T cried foul, arguing that it is at a disadvantage if it continues to be required to abide by regulations that other service providers are not bound to obey. Google, on the other hand, argues that it is an application provider rather than a service provider, and therefore is exempt from the regulations written for telecommunications services. In fact, Google Voice requires another phone service (like landline, wireless, or VoIP) in order for it to work.
But if regulators reform the out-dated intercarrier compensation rules, this dispute, and many others, is solved. Without the inflated terminating access charges paid to the rural carriers, traffic pumping stops, and AT&T and Google Voice would no longer want to block those calls.
But overhauling intercarrier compensation is a daunting task, and with no solution having a clear ability to appease everyone, the FCC has been slow to act. There are, after all, hundreds of rural LECs that rely on high access rates to stay in business, and are not taking advantage of the regulations by engaging in activities like traffic pumping. But as technology continues to forge ahead, a regulatory framework devised 25 years ago falls further and further behind. Reforming the intercarrier compensation rules has the potential to resolve some of the industry’s most pressing issues if a comprehensive solution can be developed.
When AT&T complained to the Federal Communications Commission last month that Google Voice was blocking calls to certain rural numbers which Common Carriers are required to complete, a number of different issues were at play: whether Google Voice is an "information service", exempt from regulation, or a regulated "telecommunications service"; whether telecommunications services should be less regulated; whether information services should be more regulated; and even net neutrality. But at the heart of the issue is really intercarrier compensation and its need for reform.
The issue started with "traffic pumping", a practice whereby rural local exchange carriers (LECs) recruit customers with extremely high inbound traffic (think call centers and chat lines). Each time a caller connects to those call centers or chat lines, the caller’s phone company must pay terminating access charges of as much as $0.05 per minute to the rural carrier. The rural LECs, in turn, were found to be sharing their windfall with the call center or chat line they had recruited, making a lucrative situation for both parties.
While traffic pumping is certainly an ethical violation, it is not illegal. But it does generate millions of dollars in access revenue. Service providers like AT&T and Verizon fought to be able to block calls to suspected traffic pumpers, but were denied that ability by the FCC. Instead, the FCC’s current recommendation to prevent or reduce traffic pumping is to ban service providers from sharing access charges with their customers, removing the incentive for companies with large amounts of lengthy inbound calls to sign-up with the rural LEC in the first place.
So when Google Voice admitted to blocking calls to certain rural numbers, AT&T cried foul, arguing that it is at a disadvantage if it continues to be required to abide by regulations that other service providers are not bound to obey. Google, on the other hand, argues that it is an application provider rather than a service provider, and therefore is exempt from the regulations written for telecommunications services. In fact, Google Voice requires another phone service (like landline, wireless, or VoIP) in order for it to work.
But if regulators reform the out-dated intercarrier compensation rules, this dispute, and many others, is solved. Without the inflated terminating access charges paid to the rural carriers, traffic pumping stops, and AT&T and Google Voice would no longer want to block those calls.
But overhauling intercarrier compensation is a daunting task, and with no solution having a clear ability to appease everyone, the FCC has been slow to act. There are, after all, hundreds of rural LECs that rely on high access rates to stay in business, and are not taking advantage of the regulations by engaging in activities like traffic pumping. But as technology continues to forge ahead, a regulatory framework devised 25 years ago falls further and further behind. Reforming the intercarrier compensation rules has the potential to resolve some of the industry’s most pressing issues if a comprehensive solution can be developed.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Planning Letter 398
As directed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), relief for Ontario area code 705 will be provided through a distributed overlay of new area code 249, which is scheduled to begin 3/19/11.
Overlay Timeline:
- 9/19/10 – Central office codes within NPA 249 may be assigned to Telecommunications Service Providers (TSPs) – but may not be activated prior to the 3/19/11 relief date.
- 11/15/10 –
~ Start date for network testing (test numbers available through April/May ‘11).
~ Recommended date by which all international and domestic Telecommunications Service Providers should ensure the new 249 NPA is activated system wide. - 1/15/11 – Calls dialed with 7-digits will receive an announcement advising the number dialed must be preceded by its area code and that their call will now proceed (will be connected).
- 3/5/11 - Mandatory 10-digit dialing begins. Calls dialed with 7-digits will connect to a similar announcement as above, however, the call will not be connected; instead, the caller will be instructed to redial using the area code. This announcement will remain until replaced by "a standard network announcement" phased in mid-June ’11.
Dialing Plan for Calls Originating in NPA 705 and 249:
- Local and Extended Area Service = 10-digits (NPA-NXX-XXXX)
- Toll and Alternatively Billed = 10-digits after the appropriate prefix digit(s).
A map showing geographic areas served, test numbers, as well as additional details are available at www.nanpa.com.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Planning Letter 397
An all services overlay has been approved by the Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC), implementing the new 531 NPA as the relief method for the existing 402 NPA. The PSC has also outlined an implementation scheduled for open-ended permissive 10-digit local dialing for the 308 NPA “to be placed in service coincident with the start of permissive dialing in the 402 NPA.” The schedule, outlined below, may be extended by the PSC should it deem the extension “warranted and in the public interest.”
Relief Plan Implementation:
- 6/26/10 – Start of permissive 10-digit dialing.
- 9/26/10 – Earliest date central office codes in the new 531 NPA may be ordered through NANPA.
- 2/26/11 – End of permissive dialing and start of mandatory 10-digit dialing.
- 3/26/11 – Earliest new NPA central office code activation date; and effective date of the new 531 NPA.
While callers may use 7-digit or 10-digit dialing during the permissive period, the latter is encouraged in preparation for implementation of mandatory 10-digit dialing. Also to prepare for the end of the permissive dialing, carriers should ensure their switches are ready to begin sending 10 digits prior to the mandatory dialing conversion date.
402 and 531 NPA Dialing Plan (coincident with mandatory 10-digit dialing) -- Calls Terminating in Home NPA (HNPA) or Foreign NPA (FNPA) Dialing Plans by Call Type:
~ Local and EAS = 10-digits (NPA-NXX-XXX)
~ Toll = 1+10-digits (1+NPA-NXX-XXXX)
~ Operator services (credit card, collect or third party) =0+10-digits (0+NPA-NXX-XXXX)
308 NPA Open-Ended Dialing Plan (coincident with permissive 10-digit dialing) -- Calls Terminating in Home NPA (HNPA) or Foreign NPA (FNPA) Dialing Plans by Call Type:
~ Local and EAS = 7-digits (NXX-XXX) or 10-digits (NPA-NXX-XXX)
~ Toll = 1+10-digits (1+NPA-NXX-XXXX)
~ Operator services (credit card, collect or third party) =0+10-digits (0+NPA-NXX-XXXX)
Beginning 12/13/10, test numbers will be available and it is recommended that all international and domestic carriers use these to ensure the new 531 NPA has been activated throughout their systems prior to 3/26/11. For additional information, please visit www.nanpa.com.
Planning Letter 396
The Government of St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles, had requested, and was granted, entry into the NANP. The new 721 NPA has been assigned to serve St. Maarten (previously under country code 599), with the introduction timeline as follows:
5/31/10 –
~ Start of permissive dialing (the new NPA or current 599 country code may be used for a dialed number terminating in St. Maarten).
~ The latest date for all international and domestic carriers to activate 721 NPA. A test number for verification of 721 activation will be provided at a later date.
11/30/10 –
~ End of permissive dialing and start of mandatory dialing of the new NPA.
Once the permissive dialing period ends, calls dialed with the 599 country code will receive a recorded message instructing callers to dial the correct country (1) and area code (721). The new 721 NPA will only be in effect for St. Maarten, the remainder of the Netherlands Antilles will continue to use country code 599. For more information, please visit www.nanpa.com.
5/31/10 –
~ Start of permissive dialing (the new NPA or current 599 country code may be used for a dialed number terminating in St. Maarten).
~ The latest date for all international and domestic carriers to activate 721 NPA. A test number for verification of 721 activation will be provided at a later date.
11/30/10 –
~ End of permissive dialing and start of mandatory dialing of the new NPA.
Once the permissive dialing period ends, calls dialed with the 599 country code will receive a recorded message instructing callers to dial the correct country (1) and area code (721). The new 721 NPA will only be in effect for St. Maarten, the remainder of the Netherlands Antilles will continue to use country code 599. For more information, please visit www.nanpa.com.
Monday, September 21, 2009
KFR Sponsors Razorsight Conference
KFR, Tele-Tech’s parent company, was pleased to be the Platinum Sponsor of the annual Razorsight Users' Conference September 16–18, 2009, in Washington D.C. While Razorsight has traditionally focused on network cost analysis, its recent acquisition of Single Tusk and move toward usage-based analytics makes Tele-Tech's data particularly advantageous for Razorsight's customer base.
KFR Co-Presidents Stephanie Fetchen and Kim Russo attended the conference. While there, they met with clients and colleagues in the Washington D.C. area to discuss how our data is performing in their environment; as well as reviewing the potential benefits of utilizing our data with new contacts.
KFR Co-Presidents Stephanie Fetchen and Kim Russo attended the conference. While there, they met with clients and colleagues in the Washington D.C. area to discuss how our data is performing in their environment; as well as reviewing the potential benefits of utilizing our data with new contacts.
Universal Service/Low Income Support Database
We're pleased to announce our newest database, developed to serve our CLEC and wireless customers that are offering Lifeline service to low-income subscribers. Our End User Access Line (EUCL) Database gives the tariffed EUCL rate for each incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) in each state. The database shows the rate at which the Universal Service Fund (USF) Administrator will reimburse a service provider in exchange for that service provider reducing rates to low-income subscribers. Our customers use this data to submit accurate requests for reimbursement to the USF Administrator, since they must be reimbursed at the rate tariffed by the ULEC. Submitting inaccurate calculations of the amount due to the USF Administrator can lead to audits, which may potentially result in penalties.
Local exchange carriers have typically reduced their standard line charges by the amount available for reimbursement by the USF when serving eligible low-income subscribers. But a new trend among prepaid wireless service providers is to offer low-income subscribers free service, and to be compensated only at the amount available from the Universal Service Fund. The EUCL rate is currently capped at $6.50 per month.
The USF is funded through mandatory contributions from service providers and is currently set at 12.9% of revenue collected for interstate traffic. Generally, providers pass through these charges to customers as a fee on their phone bills. The total amount currently contributed to the USF each quarter is in excess of $18 billion. In addition to subsidizing low-income subscribers, the USF offers reimbursement to companies serving rural areas where the costs of providing service to small numbers of subscribers is very high. It also provides funds to subsidize Internet service in schools and libraries.
KFR's EUCL database includes supporting tariff pages and documentation to be used in the event of an audit by the USF Administrator.
Please call Kim Russo at 800-433-6181 x7103 or email krusso@telecomdb.com for more information.
Local exchange carriers have typically reduced their standard line charges by the amount available for reimbursement by the USF when serving eligible low-income subscribers. But a new trend among prepaid wireless service providers is to offer low-income subscribers free service, and to be compensated only at the amount available from the Universal Service Fund. The EUCL rate is currently capped at $6.50 per month.
The USF is funded through mandatory contributions from service providers and is currently set at 12.9% of revenue collected for interstate traffic. Generally, providers pass through these charges to customers as a fee on their phone bills. The total amount currently contributed to the USF each quarter is in excess of $18 billion. In addition to subsidizing low-income subscribers, the USF offers reimbursement to companies serving rural areas where the costs of providing service to small numbers of subscribers is very high. It also provides funds to subsidize Internet service in schools and libraries.
KFR's EUCL database includes supporting tariff pages and documentation to be used in the event of an audit by the USF Administrator.
Please call Kim Russo at 800-433-6181 x7103 or email krusso@telecomdb.com for more information.
Tele-Tech Stats Update
As you may be aware, we use this blog to provide information on errors found in our local calling area data that do not meet the criteria to be included in our publicly reported accuracy stats, generally because the error was made prior to the time period on which we report. Recently, we discovered an error in the area of Quincy, IL. A special circumstance where telephone subscribers in Quincy, IL, can call subscribers in one specific NXX in the St. Louis, MO, rate center (but not the remainder of the St. Louis rate center) was not properly reflected in our database. This problem has been corrected. The error dates to more than 2 years ago, so it is not included in our home page stat that shows errors introduced into the database in the past 24 months.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Quality Update
We've decided to use this space to report on occasional discrepancies in our local data that do not show up in our local calling accuracy stat because the problem was not in the actual local calling area data.
This report involves a specific area in Missouri where a customer can subscribe to a very large local calling area at a higher monthly fee. We had identified this local calling area as optional in our data. However, customers that select this local calling plan are assigned a special NXX. Therefore, for customers in that NXX, this is not an optional plan. We have changed our database to more accurately reflect this.
As always, we want to hear from you. Let us know if you have any questions.
This report involves a specific area in Missouri where a customer can subscribe to a very large local calling area at a higher monthly fee. We had identified this local calling area as optional in our data. However, customers that select this local calling plan are assigned a special NXX. Therefore, for customers in that NXX, this is not an optional plan. We have changed our database to more accurately reflect this.
As always, we want to hear from you. Let us know if you have any questions.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Planning Letter 395
NANPA recently added Planning Letter 395 to its site, outlining the 579 NPA overlay for Quebec area code 450. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) designated a relief date of 8/21/10 for implementation of this distributed overlay. The service area for NPA 450 (and new 579) includes Quebec communities of Joliette, Granby, St-Hyacinthe, St-Jérôme, St-Lambert, Longueuil, Valleyfield, Ste-Thérèse, Sorel, Boucherville, Chomedey, St-Jean, Pont-Viau, and Laval-Ouest.
No dialing plan changes will occur when the new 579 NPA is implemented. The dialing plan was outlined in the 395 Planning Letter as: "all local calls including Extended Area Service calls will be dialed with 10 digits; toll and alternatively billed calls will be dialed with 10 digits after the appropriate prefix digit(s)".
In preparation for the 8/21/10 579 NPA activation:
~ 2/21/10 is set as the date service providers may begin assigning NXX Codes within the 579 NPA
~ 6/19/10 will be the start of network testing, by which time all international and domestic service providers should have ensured the new 579 NPA is activated system wide
For a list of test numbers or more information regarding the new 579 NPA overlay, visit http://www.nanpa.com.
No dialing plan changes will occur when the new 579 NPA is implemented. The dialing plan was outlined in the 395 Planning Letter as: "all local calls including Extended Area Service calls will be dialed with 10 digits; toll and alternatively billed calls will be dialed with 10 digits after the appropriate prefix digit(s)".
In preparation for the 8/21/10 579 NPA activation:
~ 2/21/10 is set as the date service providers may begin assigning NXX Codes within the 579 NPA
~ 6/19/10 will be the start of network testing, by which time all international and domestic service providers should have ensured the new 579 NPA is activated system wide
For a list of test numbers or more information regarding the new 579 NPA overlay, visit http://www.nanpa.com.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Relief Planned for NPA 500
The Industry Numbering Committee (INC) has agreed that the 533 NPA will be used to relieve the 500 NPA, which is forecasted to exhaust in second quarter 2009.
The 500 NPA is a "non-geographic Service Access Code (SAC) used for personal communications services." According to the Personal Communications Services (PCS) (5YY) NXX Code Guidelines, "personal communication service is a set of capabilities that allows some combination of personal mobility, terminal mobility, and service profile management. It enables each personal communication service user to participate in a user-defined set of subscribed services, and to initiate and/or receive calls on the basis of some combination of a personal number, terminal number, and a service profile across multiple networks at any terminal, fixed or mobile, irrespective of geographic location."
While the activation date for NPA 533 has yet to be determined, further details regarding this relief plan may be found in Planning Letter 394 (which supersedes Planning Letter 382), at http://www.nanpa.com/.
The 500 NPA is a "non-geographic Service Access Code (SAC) used for personal communications services." According to the Personal Communications Services (PCS) (5YY) NXX Code Guidelines, "personal communication service is a set of capabilities that allows some combination of personal mobility, terminal mobility, and service profile management. It enables each personal communication service user to participate in a user-defined set of subscribed services, and to initiate and/or receive calls on the basis of some combination of a personal number, terminal number, and a service profile across multiple networks at any terminal, fixed or mobile, irrespective of geographic location."
While the activation date for NPA 533 has yet to be determined, further details regarding this relief plan may be found in Planning Letter 394 (which supersedes Planning Letter 382), at http://www.nanpa.com/.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Illinois Overlay
In 1999, an all-services overlay was approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) as the relief method for the 312 and 773 NPAs. Ten years later, implementation of NPA 872 is finally getting underway.
Relief Plan Timeline:
~ 08/7/09 -- Start of permissive 1+10-digit dialing
~ 11/7/09 -- End of permissive dialing and start of mandatory 1+10-digit dialing and earliest 872 NPA central office code activation date
The relief plan calls for mandatory 1+10 digit dialing for all direct dialed calls from NPAs in the overlay area. Permissive dialing allows subscribers to dial local calls within the overlay area on either a 7-digit or 1 plus 10-digit basis, with the 1 plus 10-digits being encouraged to prepare customers for the mandatory dialing requirement. Additionally, carriers are strongly encouraged to prepare their switches to begin sending 10 digits prior to the mandatory 1 plus 10-digit dialing customer conversion date.
For more details, please visit www.nanpa.com.
Relief Plan Timeline:
~ 08/7/09 -- Start of permissive 1+10-digit dialing
~ 11/7/09 -- End of permissive dialing and start of mandatory 1+10-digit dialing and earliest 872 NPA central office code activation date
The relief plan calls for mandatory 1+10 digit dialing for all direct dialed calls from NPAs in the overlay area. Permissive dialing allows subscribers to dial local calls within the overlay area on either a 7-digit or 1 plus 10-digit basis, with the 1 plus 10-digits being encouraged to prepare customers for the mandatory dialing requirement. Additionally, carriers are strongly encouraged to prepare their switches to begin sending 10 digits prior to the mandatory 1 plus 10-digit dialing customer conversion date.
For more details, please visit www.nanpa.com.
Nebraska Overlay
The Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) recently approved an all services overlay for the 402 NPA, with the new 531 NPA serving the same geographic areas (service cities include Bellevue, Columbus, Fremont, Hastings, Lincoln, Norfolk, Omaha, and Valentine). While there will be a permissive dialing period (where subscribers may dial local calls within the overlay area using either 7- or 10-digits) prior to the mandatory 10-digit dialing, there are no implementation dates established at this time.
NANPA has added the Planning Letter 393 Nebraska to their website, if you would like additional information, please visit www.nanpa.com.
NANPA has added the Planning Letter 393 Nebraska to their website, if you would like additional information, please visit www.nanpa.com.
Telephone Subscriber Report
Three times annually, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) updates reported information regarding United States telephone subscribership levels. Using 2009 Census Bureau Current Population Survey (CPS) statistics, the most recent update was just released, and identifies subscriber levels by state, income level, race, age, household size, and employment status.
The statistical summary below was offered in the 8/13/09 FCC Press Release as a sampling of the detail available in the complete report.
"In March 2009:
~~ The telephone subscribership penetration rate in the U.S. was 95.6%, an increase of 0.4% over the rate from March 2008. This is the highest reported rate since the CPS began collecting this data in November 1983.
~~ The telephone penetration rate for households in income categories below $15,000 was at or below 92.7%, while the rate for households in income categories over $40,000 was at least 97.9%.
~~ Among the states, the penetration rates ranged from a low of 92.3% to a high of 98.7%.
~~ Penetration rates ranged from 91.5% for households headed by a person under 25 to at least 96.5% for households headed by a person over 55.
~~ Households with one person had a penetration rate of 93.4%, compared to a rate of 97.0% for households with four or five persons.
~~ The penetration rate for unemployed adults was 94.9%, while the rate for employed adults was 96.6%."
To view or download this report, visit http://www.fcc.gov/wcb/stats.
The statistical summary below was offered in the 8/13/09 FCC Press Release as a sampling of the detail available in the complete report.
"In March 2009:
~~ The telephone subscribership penetration rate in the U.S. was 95.6%, an increase of 0.4% over the rate from March 2008. This is the highest reported rate since the CPS began collecting this data in November 1983.
~~ The telephone penetration rate for households in income categories below $15,000 was at or below 92.7%, while the rate for households in income categories over $40,000 was at least 97.9%.
~~ Among the states, the penetration rates ranged from a low of 92.3% to a high of 98.7%.
~~ Penetration rates ranged from 91.5% for households headed by a person under 25 to at least 96.5% for households headed by a person over 55.
~~ Households with one person had a penetration rate of 93.4%, compared to a rate of 97.0% for households with four or five persons.
~~ The penetration rate for unemployed adults was 94.9%, while the rate for employed adults was 96.6%."
To view or download this report, visit http://www.fcc.gov/wcb/stats.
Friday, August 7, 2009
July Accuracy Stats
The stats are in! And once again in July, Tele-Tech expert researchers and analysts did not make a local calling area error that was found by a customer after delivery. Our 24-month accuracy rate for our local calling data is 99.998%!
While customers sometimes do find errors, we traced the last one back to when it was made, and it was over 2 years ago.
While customers sometimes do find errors, we traced the last one back to when it was made, and it was over 2 years ago.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Helping new business grow…
For a new business, funding startup costs can be quite overwhelming; and, often just having office accommodations and operational support can be the success factor for budding entrepreneurs. Well, as a family business that just transitioned to its second generation, Tele-Tech’s parent company, KFR Services, Inc., decided to take steps to offer assistance to entrepreneurs in our community.
In a less-than-stellar economy, KFR is striving to foster new business growth by offering accommodations and operational support to local start-up companies through an application process. Recognizing that a difficult economy and high unemployment may actually inspire those with an entrepreneurial spirit to venture out and start their own business, KFR is hoping to be able to provide assistance that just may be the success factor to selected entrepreneurs.
To learn more about this program visit http://www.kfrservices.com/
In a less-than-stellar economy, KFR is striving to foster new business growth by offering accommodations and operational support to local start-up companies through an application process. Recognizing that a difficult economy and high unemployment may actually inspire those with an entrepreneurial spirit to venture out and start their own business, KFR is hoping to be able to provide assistance that just may be the success factor to selected entrepreneurs.
To learn more about this program visit http://www.kfrservices.com/
Friday, July 31, 2009
Local Telephone Competition
Twice a year, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs), competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs) and facilities-based mobile telephony providers to submit information to the FCC so that the state of competition in the industry may be analyzed. On 7/23/09, the FCC released statistics reflecting the submitted data as of 6/30/08. A summary includes:
~~ As of the end of June ’08, approximately 124.6 million ILEC switched access lines, 30.0 million CLEC switched access line, and 255.3 million mobile telephony service subscriptions were utilized by end-user customers to obtain local telephone service.
~~ 9.4 million lines (of the 30.0 million CLEC end-user switched access lines) were provided over coaxial cable connections. This figure represents about 71% of the 13.1 million end-user switched access lines that CLECs reported providing over their own local loop facilities.
~~ The number of mobile telephony subscribers rose by 17.0 million over last year.
About 8% of the 255.3 million mobile subscriptions are billed by mobile telephony service resellers.
~~ At the end of June ‘08, there was at least one CLEC serving customers in 82% of the nation’s Zip Codes, with about 97% of U.S. households residing in those Zip Codes. Additionally, there were multiple carriers reporting they provided local telephone service in the country’s major population centers.
~~ The 30.0 million lines reported by CLECs is about 19% of the 154.7 million total end-user switched access lines.
~~ CLECs reported:
-- 12.4 million (or 14%) of the 89.6 million lines that served residential end users and 17.7 million (or 27%) of the 64.7 million lines that served business, institutional, and government customers.
-- Providing 44% of their end-user switched access lines over their own local loop facilities, 36% by using unbundled network elements (UNEs) that they leased from other carriers, and 20% through resale arrangements with unaffiliated carriers.
~~ Incumbent LECs:
-- Provided about 11% fewer UNE loops with switching (referred to as the UNE-Platform) to unaffiliated carriers at the end of June 2008 than they reported six months earlier (4.9 million compared to 5.5 million) and about 7% fewer UNE loops without switching (3.8 million compared to 4.1 million).
-- Were the presubscribed interstate long distance carrier for 59% of the switched access lines they provided to end users, while CLECs were the interstate long distance carrier for 79% of their switched access lines."
The FCC will continue to post updated information as available. Future reports will also reflect interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (interconnected VoIP) statistics, as per the FCC’s Report and Order (FCC 08-89) which revised requirements to encompass VoIP subscriber information as well.
To review or download a complete copy of the report, visit: www.fcc.gov/wcb/stats.
~~ As of the end of June ’08, approximately 124.6 million ILEC switched access lines, 30.0 million CLEC switched access line, and 255.3 million mobile telephony service subscriptions were utilized by end-user customers to obtain local telephone service.
~~ 9.4 million lines (of the 30.0 million CLEC end-user switched access lines) were provided over coaxial cable connections. This figure represents about 71% of the 13.1 million end-user switched access lines that CLECs reported providing over their own local loop facilities.
~~ The number of mobile telephony subscribers rose by 17.0 million over last year.
About 8% of the 255.3 million mobile subscriptions are billed by mobile telephony service resellers.
~~ At the end of June ‘08, there was at least one CLEC serving customers in 82% of the nation’s Zip Codes, with about 97% of U.S. households residing in those Zip Codes. Additionally, there were multiple carriers reporting they provided local telephone service in the country’s major population centers.
~~ The 30.0 million lines reported by CLECs is about 19% of the 154.7 million total end-user switched access lines.
~~ CLECs reported:
-- 12.4 million (or 14%) of the 89.6 million lines that served residential end users and 17.7 million (or 27%) of the 64.7 million lines that served business, institutional, and government customers.
-- Providing 44% of their end-user switched access lines over their own local loop facilities, 36% by using unbundled network elements (UNEs) that they leased from other carriers, and 20% through resale arrangements with unaffiliated carriers.
~~ Incumbent LECs:
-- Provided about 11% fewer UNE loops with switching (referred to as the UNE-Platform) to unaffiliated carriers at the end of June 2008 than they reported six months earlier (4.9 million compared to 5.5 million) and about 7% fewer UNE loops without switching (3.8 million compared to 4.1 million).
-- Were the presubscribed interstate long distance carrier for 59% of the switched access lines they provided to end users, while CLECs were the interstate long distance carrier for 79% of their switched access lines."
The FCC will continue to post updated information as available. Future reports will also reflect interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (interconnected VoIP) statistics, as per the FCC’s Report and Order (FCC 08-89) which revised requirements to encompass VoIP subscriber information as well.
To review or download a complete copy of the report, visit: www.fcc.gov/wcb/stats.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
NANPA Newsletter provides relief…
NANPA’s newsletter, always a great resource, provides a synopsis of significant area code relief activity in its second quarter 2009 issue. A brief rundown includes:
Alabama -- Planning Letter 398, for implementation of the new 938 NPA overlaying the existing 256 NPA, was published with permissive 10-digit dialing slated to begin 11/7/09 ~ mandatory 10-digit dialing will begin 6/5/10.
NANPA’s newsletter, always a great resource, provides a synopsis of significant area code relief activity in its second quarter 2009 issue. A brief rundown includes:
Alabama -- Planning Letter 398, for implementation of the new 938 NPA overlaying the existing 256 NPA, was published with permissive 10-digit dialing slated to begin 11/7/09 ~ mandatory 10-digit dialing will begin 6/5/10.
- Connecticut – Code conservation measures delayed the exhaust of the 203 NPA for over a decade – but implementation plans are now underway for the 475 NPA overlay. Statewide permissive 10-digit dialing started on 5/16/09 ~ with mandatory dialing beginning on 11/14/09.
- Arkansas and Pennsylvania – Relief petitions have been filed for both Arkansas and Pennsylvania, with overlay recommendations for Arkansas’ 870 NPA and Pennsylvania’s 814 and 570 NPAs.
- Kentucky – With the projected exhaust date of the 270 NPA moved to second quarter 2012 (from second quarter 2011), an order was issued delaying the start of permissive dialing for the 270/364 split to no later than 1/1/12 (from 4/1/10). The establishing of dates for mandatory dialing has been deferred.
- California – An all-service overlay has been approved as the relief method for the 760 NPA, with 442 assigned as the new NPA. Permissive seven-digit or one plus 10-digit dialing began 5/2/09 ~ and mandatory one plus 10-digit dialing will start 10/24/09.
- Illinois -- Implementation of the 312 and 773 NPAs overlay with new 872 NPA has been delayed for years by the induction of various numbering optimization measures. The NANPA newsletter provides a detailed update and indicates, "The industry should already have permissive dialing in their switches. Therefore, the industry must be prepared for a short notice to start the overlay implementation."
- Oregon – An all-services overlay for the 541 NPA was approved, with the new NPA designated as 458. Permissive seven-digit or 10-digit dialing began 7/12/09 ~ mandatory 10-digit dialing starts 1/10/10.
- Wisconsin – The approved relief method for the 715 NPA is an all-services overlay, with the 534 NPA assigned as the new code. Permissive seven-digit or 10-digit dialing begins 10/17/09 ~ with mandatory 10-digit dialing slated to begin 7/17/10.
To review this relief activity in more detail – or for additional information on various administrative news, the 2Q2009 NANPA Newsletter may be accessed via www.nanpa.com.
Are we running out of phone numbers?
The North American Numbering Plan (NANP) Administration has just completed its review of assigned area codes and area codes still available for assignment. Results show that we’ll be able to keep giving out phone numbers in the current format for at least 30 more years.
Utilizing historical central office code assignments and service provider submitted data, the report reviews all geographic area codes in the US, and provides "an NPA-by-NPA exhaust projection". Using an assumption of an "average CO code demand rate of 5,800 codes assigned per year and 685 available NPA codes", the present analysis indicates NANP exhaust beyond 2039. More details are available at www.nanpa.com.
Utilizing historical central office code assignments and service provider submitted data, the report reviews all geographic area codes in the US, and provides "an NPA-by-NPA exhaust projection". Using an assumption of an "average CO code demand rate of 5,800 codes assigned per year and 685 available NPA codes", the present analysis indicates NANP exhaust beyond 2039. More details are available at www.nanpa.com.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Permissive Dialing Delayed in Kentucky
A two-way geographic split to relieve western Kentucky’s 270 NPA was ordered 5/31/07 by the Kentucky Public Service Commission (KY PSC). On 6/2/09, the KY PSC ordered a delay to the start of permissive dialing in this area, resulting in a change from 4/1/10 to no later than 1/1/12. No date was set for mandatory dialing.
So, as it stands now the relief plan for 270 NPA is:
7/29/11
-- Test number 364-364-4444 in service to verify routing to new NPA (364) (end date to be determined)
10/29/11
-- Latest date for all domestic and international carriers to activate the 364 NPA
-- Permissive dialing starts (either 270 or 364 NPA will be acceptable in a dialed number that terminates in the new 364 NPA)
TBD
-- End of permissive dialing/start of mandatory new NPA dialing
-- Earliest date for the end of recorded announcement
-- First date codes from the 364 NPA may be ordered through NANPA
A copy of the KY PSC orders and other related Commission information can be obtained at: http://www.psc.ky.gov.
So, as it stands now the relief plan for 270 NPA is:
7/29/11
-- Test number 364-364-4444 in service to verify routing to new NPA (364) (end date to be determined)
10/29/11
-- Latest date for all domestic and international carriers to activate the 364 NPA
-- Permissive dialing starts (either 270 or 364 NPA will be acceptable in a dialed number that terminates in the new 364 NPA)
TBD
-- End of permissive dialing/start of mandatory new NPA dialing
-- Earliest date for the end of recorded announcement
-- First date codes from the 364 NPA may be ordered through NANPA
A copy of the KY PSC orders and other related Commission information can be obtained at: http://www.psc.ky.gov.
Friday, June 19, 2009
It's official!
Tele-Tech’s holding company, KFR Services Inc., is now certified as women-owned by the National Women Business Owners Corporation.We realize some customers have established goals to ensure a certain percentage of business is conducted with vendors that are minority-owned. And, being certified as women-owned means we are now able to help our customers meet those goals.
Employees have the last say…
... and the whole gang’s pretty excited about it at Tele-Tech! For the second consecutive year, our parent company, KFR Services, Inc., has been awarded the Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility*. This is a nationally awarded recognition given to employers across the country that are “successfully using flexibility to meet both business and employee goals”.
Now, here’s the best part about this award – the winners are not selected by virtue of some well written document submitted by company executives. Nope! Award recipients are judged on their ability to demonstrate that workplace flexibility is actually alive and well in their corporate environment – both in terms of business AND employee objectives. And, to assess that, employees are the scale of judgment. Staff members take a detailed survey, rating workplace flexibility as they see/experience it at their company – and the survey results are the final selection criteria.
“What a great honor that the staff here at KFR continues to value the workplace flexibility that we strive to provide our employees,” stated Co-President, Stephanie Fetchen. KFR has purposely and continuously worked to create a culture that is flexible and focused – a unique combination that provides an excellent environment for business and employees to achieve great things. Current flexibility programs at KFR include a flexible work schedule, pay increases for cross-training into other positions, the ability for employees to work from home – and pretty much a ‘dress-as-you-wish-code’ (uh, well there might be a couple of exceptions to that – but no one has pushed it). Also, team members who are new parents can bring their babies to work for the first six months.
So, as you can see, here at Tele-Tech, it’s worked out well when our employees have the last say. We’re quite proud and humbled that KFR received this award for the second year in a row! And, we’re on a roll now, we’re going for three!
*The Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility is part of When Work Works, a “national project on workplace effectiveness and workplace flexibility from Families and Work Institute in partnership with The Institute for a Competitive Workforce, an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Twiga Foundation”.
Now, here’s the best part about this award – the winners are not selected by virtue of some well written document submitted by company executives. Nope! Award recipients are judged on their ability to demonstrate that workplace flexibility is actually alive and well in their corporate environment – both in terms of business AND employee objectives. And, to assess that, employees are the scale of judgment. Staff members take a detailed survey, rating workplace flexibility as they see/experience it at their company – and the survey results are the final selection criteria.
“What a great honor that the staff here at KFR continues to value the workplace flexibility that we strive to provide our employees,” stated Co-President, Stephanie Fetchen. KFR has purposely and continuously worked to create a culture that is flexible and focused – a unique combination that provides an excellent environment for business and employees to achieve great things. Current flexibility programs at KFR include a flexible work schedule, pay increases for cross-training into other positions, the ability for employees to work from home – and pretty much a ‘dress-as-you-wish-code’ (uh, well there might be a couple of exceptions to that – but no one has pushed it). Also, team members who are new parents can bring their babies to work for the first six months.
So, as you can see, here at Tele-Tech, it’s worked out well when our employees have the last say. We’re quite proud and humbled that KFR received this award for the second year in a row! And, we’re on a roll now, we’re going for three!
*The Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility is part of When Work Works, a “national project on workplace effectiveness and workplace flexibility from Families and Work Institute in partnership with The Institute for a Competitive Workforce, an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Twiga Foundation”.
New Zones for New York
You may have read May 27th blog post regarding a rate center consolidation plan in New York City. On August 15, 2009, more than 250 NPA-NXXs are moving from New York City Zone 2 to Zone 1, and Zone 2 will cease to exist. Three NPA-NXXs will move from Zone 3 to Zone 1 as well. The move will benefit customers in Manhattan who wish to port their phone numbers to a new carrier. Regulations allow landline phone numbers to be ported only within the same rate center. Manhattan’s three zones are currently three separate rate centers, meaning that customers may not be able to take their phone numbers with them if they move within Manhattan. Consolidating all Manhattan NPA-NXXs into a single rate center alleviates this problem.
The NPA-NXXs that move to a new rate center will be associated with new V&H Coordinates used to calculate distance. While many telecom services have moved away from mileage-sensitive rating over the years, if you’re on a mileage-based plan, you may see changes in your bill.
For example, if you have an NPA-NXX remaining in Zone 3, some calls to what formerly were other Zone 3 numbers will now be eight miles away (based on a mileage calculation to Zone 1) instead of zero miles. Conversely, if a call travels between Jersey City and NPA-NXXs formerly in New York City Zone 2, the distance changes from seven miles to four miles.
Will the New York City rate center consolidation cause you to make changes to what you bill and/or what you pay for services? We want to hear about it. Join the discussion here!
The NPA-NXXs that move to a new rate center will be associated with new V&H Coordinates used to calculate distance. While many telecom services have moved away from mileage-sensitive rating over the years, if you’re on a mileage-based plan, you may see changes in your bill.
For example, if you have an NPA-NXX remaining in Zone 3, some calls to what formerly were other Zone 3 numbers will now be eight miles away (based on a mileage calculation to Zone 1) instead of zero miles. Conversely, if a call travels between Jersey City and NPA-NXXs formerly in New York City Zone 2, the distance changes from seven miles to four miles.
Will the New York City rate center consolidation cause you to make changes to what you bill and/or what you pay for services? We want to hear about it. Join the discussion here!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Who’s on first…
New York City will have a new line-up of central office codes in effect by mid-August. As outlined in the Order of the State of New York Public Service Commission (Case 09-C-0244), the following changes will be effective August 15, 2009:
New York City will have a new line-up of central office codes in effect by mid-August. As outlined in the Order of the State of New York Public Service Commission (Case 09-C-0244), the following changes will be effective August 15, 2009:
- All central office codes in New York City Zone 2 (NWYRCYZN02) will be consolidated under New York City Zone 1 (NWYRCYZN01). (After 8/15/09, NWYRCYZN02 will no longer exist.)
- Central office codes in the 212 and 646 area codes associated with the New York City Zone 3 (NWYRCYZN03) will be moved to New York City Zone 1 (NWYRCYZN01). (After 8/15/09, NWYRCYZN03 will no longer be associated with 212 or 646 area codes.)
- And, 917-507, 917-521, and 917-529 will move from NWYRCYZN03 to NWYRCYZN01. The remainder of 917 central office codes currently assigned to NWYRCYZN03 will remain unchanged. (NWYRCYZN03 will continue to be associated with the 917, 347, and 718 area codes after 8/15/09.)
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISION (FCC) UPDATES
Porting Period Shortened
In a May 13, 2009, Report and Order (R&O) issued by the FCC, the "porting interval for simple wireline and simple intermodal port requests" was modified from four-days to one business day. So, service providers (wireline, wireless and certain Voice over Internet Protocol companies) will now be required to process customer requested transfers of existing phone numbers from one provider to another within one business day.
Now, what is "simple"? The FCC defines "simple ports as those ports that: (1) do not involve unbundled network elements; (2) involve an account only for a single line; (3) do not include complex switch translations (e.g., Centrex, ISDN, AIN services, remote call forwarding, or multiple services on the loop); and (4) do not include a reseller. This may sound a little confusing to consumers – and, in fact, Michael Copps, FCC Acting Chairman, acknowledges certain "non-simple ports look no different to consumers than simple ports, yet the shortened interval adopted in this Order will not apply". So, there will be some fine-tuning still to come with regard to porting processes and simple/non-simple ports.
From four to one. Recognizing this shortened porting period may necessitate some service providers to modify processes and functionality in order to comply, the North American Numbering Council (NANC) has been directed to develop new "local number portability process flows" in 90 days. Once NANC’s new process flows are complete, large providers will have nine months to comply (small carriers will have 15 months).
The full Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking may be viewed at: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-09-41A1.pdf
~~~
Interconnection VoIP Notification Requirements
In a second May 13, 2009, R&O, the FCC also required interconnected VoIP service providers ("those whose customers can place calls to and receive calls from the public telephone network, rather than solely over the Internet") to provide customers written notice prior discontinuation, reduction or impairment of service. This puts VoIP carriers under the same notification requirements as conventional voice service providers.
The full Report and Order may be viewed at: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-09-40A1.pdf
Porting Period Shortened
In a May 13, 2009, Report and Order (R&O) issued by the FCC, the "porting interval for simple wireline and simple intermodal port requests" was modified from four-days to one business day. So, service providers (wireline, wireless and certain Voice over Internet Protocol companies) will now be required to process customer requested transfers of existing phone numbers from one provider to another within one business day.
Now, what is "simple"? The FCC defines "simple ports as those ports that: (1) do not involve unbundled network elements; (2) involve an account only for a single line; (3) do not include complex switch translations (e.g., Centrex, ISDN, AIN services, remote call forwarding, or multiple services on the loop); and (4) do not include a reseller. This may sound a little confusing to consumers – and, in fact, Michael Copps, FCC Acting Chairman, acknowledges certain "non-simple ports look no different to consumers than simple ports, yet the shortened interval adopted in this Order will not apply". So, there will be some fine-tuning still to come with regard to porting processes and simple/non-simple ports.
From four to one. Recognizing this shortened porting period may necessitate some service providers to modify processes and functionality in order to comply, the North American Numbering Council (NANC) has been directed to develop new "local number portability process flows" in 90 days. Once NANC’s new process flows are complete, large providers will have nine months to comply (small carriers will have 15 months).
The full Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking may be viewed at: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-09-41A1.pdf
~~~
Interconnection VoIP Notification Requirements
In a second May 13, 2009, R&O, the FCC also required interconnected VoIP service providers ("those whose customers can place calls to and receive calls from the public telephone network, rather than solely over the Internet") to provide customers written notice prior discontinuation, reduction or impairment of service. This puts VoIP carriers under the same notification requirements as conventional voice service providers.
The full Report and Order may be viewed at: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-09-40A1.pdf
Monday, May 11, 2009
VoIP: The Country?
Country Code 883 was assigned for global use for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) in late 2008, a development that went relatively un-noticed in non-VoIP arenas. The ITU issued the country code at the request of Voxbone, a Brussels, Belgium-based provider of international inbound numbers and VoIP transport.
Unlike country codes that are associated with specific countries, (i.e., +44 for the UK or +52 for Mexico) +883 numbers are global, and they move with you from place to place, so they’re not associated with any specific country. Voxbone markets the numbers as iNum, and each phone number assigned in country code 883 will be 12 digits, which means that about 10 million numbers have been allocated to Voxbone for this service. The company estimates that all 10 million of those numbers will be assigned to its customers by the end of 2009.
Currently, Voxbone acts as a wholesaler, with VoIP-originated calls placed to +883 numbers passed through the company’s routers and delivered to the appropriate VoIP service provider. Callers on the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) must dial a Voxbone access number, and then the +883 number they are calling in order to reach a subscriber in country code 883. Voxbone hopes to eventually negotiate agreements for direct interconnection with the PSTN.
Will country code +883 be widely accepted? Voxbone expects the service to be a low-cost, barrier-free way to connect callers worldwide. But in places like Germany where separate, non-geographic area codes within the country exist, calls to those numbers typically cost more than calls to geographically-based numbers. There may not be much incentive for traditional carriers to deliver calls to the “virtual” country code at a low cost. And the need to dial an access number before the subscriber phone number may be a hindrance to acceptance if direct interconnection to the PSTN is not achieved.
What do you think? We’d like to hear from you! Please share your comments regarding the effect of country code +883 at your company or in the industry as a whole. Leave your comments here!
Country Code 883 was assigned for global use for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) in late 2008, a development that went relatively un-noticed in non-VoIP arenas. The ITU issued the country code at the request of Voxbone, a Brussels, Belgium-based provider of international inbound numbers and VoIP transport.
Unlike country codes that are associated with specific countries, (i.e., +44 for the UK or +52 for Mexico) +883 numbers are global, and they move with you from place to place, so they’re not associated with any specific country. Voxbone markets the numbers as iNum, and each phone number assigned in country code 883 will be 12 digits, which means that about 10 million numbers have been allocated to Voxbone for this service. The company estimates that all 10 million of those numbers will be assigned to its customers by the end of 2009.
Currently, Voxbone acts as a wholesaler, with VoIP-originated calls placed to +883 numbers passed through the company’s routers and delivered to the appropriate VoIP service provider. Callers on the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) must dial a Voxbone access number, and then the +883 number they are calling in order to reach a subscriber in country code 883. Voxbone hopes to eventually negotiate agreements for direct interconnection with the PSTN.
Will country code +883 be widely accepted? Voxbone expects the service to be a low-cost, barrier-free way to connect callers worldwide. But in places like Germany where separate, non-geographic area codes within the country exist, calls to those numbers typically cost more than calls to geographically-based numbers. There may not be much incentive for traditional carriers to deliver calls to the “virtual” country code at a low cost. And the need to dial an access number before the subscriber phone number may be a hindrance to acceptance if direct interconnection to the PSTN is not achieved.
What do you think? We’d like to hear from you! Please share your comments regarding the effect of country code +883 at your company or in the industry as a whole. Leave your comments here!
Alabama Overlay Announced
An all services overlay was recently approved by Alabama’s Public Service Commission in an effort to provide relief for the 256 NPA. The new 938 NPA will cover the same communities now served by the 256 NPA, including Anniston, Florence, Gadsden and Huntsville.
The effective date for the 938 NPA is 7/10/10; however, transitioning residents to 10-digit dialing will begin much sooner. A “permissive dialing period” will be in effect from 11/7/09 through 6/5/10, during which subscribers may use either 7- or 10-digits when making calls within the 256 NPA. At the conclusion of the permissive period, shortly before activation of the 938 NPA, 10-digit dialing will be mandatory for the overlay area.
Just as customers are encouraged to begin 10-digit dialing, it is highly recommended that carriers prepare their switches to begin sending 10-digits prior to the mandatory dialing deadline of 6/5/10 as well. Additionally, international and domestic service providers should verify their networks have the 938 NPA activated prior to its effective date of 7/10/10.
An all services overlay was recently approved by Alabama’s Public Service Commission in an effort to provide relief for the 256 NPA. The new 938 NPA will cover the same communities now served by the 256 NPA, including Anniston, Florence, Gadsden and Huntsville.
The effective date for the 938 NPA is 7/10/10; however, transitioning residents to 10-digit dialing will begin much sooner. A “permissive dialing period” will be in effect from 11/7/09 through 6/5/10, during which subscribers may use either 7- or 10-digits when making calls within the 256 NPA. At the conclusion of the permissive period, shortly before activation of the 938 NPA, 10-digit dialing will be mandatory for the overlay area.
Just as customers are encouraged to begin 10-digit dialing, it is highly recommended that carriers prepare their switches to begin sending 10-digits prior to the mandatory dialing deadline of 6/5/10 as well. Additionally, international and domestic service providers should verify their networks have the 938 NPA activated prior to its effective date of 7/10/10.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Broadening Broadband
In order to meet the Congress imposed deadline of February 2010, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has begun the process of developing a national broadband plan. As part of the evaluation process in determining how to best bring high-speed Internet service nationwide, in early April, acting FCC Chairman Michael J. Copps solicited public and industry input regarding its availability, quality and affordability. Copps indicated methods used to develop this plan will be "open, inclusive, out-reaching and data-hungry".
As the plan moves forward, the FCC is certain to face noteworthy debate regarding inclusion of various policies. In fact, telecom companies and public interest groups have already shared their input and concerns. Issues brought forward thus far include regulating the fees large telecom operators may apply for utilization of parts of their networks; and, requests to redirect a $7 billion federal rural phone subsidy to broadband.
Other areas of FCC focus, Copps indicated would be strategy for identifying highest-need areas - as well as determining speed parameters - for high-speed Internet. Another issue for assessment will be urban and rural high-speed Internet demand differentials.
Senior counsel for Consumers Union, a public advocacy group, Chris Murray summarized the process by saying the FCC plan will review existing policies and determine if and how they may be modified to improve broadband availability and appeal. Murray stated "The proper goal of the program is filling holes in our national broadband strategy, not creating broadband networks from the ground up."
With the FCC plan deadline of February 2010, there is concern that much of the $7.2 million in government stimulus funds for broadband development will be claimed by Internet providers before plan completion; and, therefore without much agency influence, clear guidelines or measure of project needs. The hope is that, with senses heightened to this possibility, extra care and consideration will be taken with any monies designated prior to the FCC’s final plan.
In order to meet the Congress imposed deadline of February 2010, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has begun the process of developing a national broadband plan. As part of the evaluation process in determining how to best bring high-speed Internet service nationwide, in early April, acting FCC Chairman Michael J. Copps solicited public and industry input regarding its availability, quality and affordability. Copps indicated methods used to develop this plan will be "open, inclusive, out-reaching and data-hungry".
As the plan moves forward, the FCC is certain to face noteworthy debate regarding inclusion of various policies. In fact, telecom companies and public interest groups have already shared their input and concerns. Issues brought forward thus far include regulating the fees large telecom operators may apply for utilization of parts of their networks; and, requests to redirect a $7 billion federal rural phone subsidy to broadband.
Other areas of FCC focus, Copps indicated would be strategy for identifying highest-need areas - as well as determining speed parameters - for high-speed Internet. Another issue for assessment will be urban and rural high-speed Internet demand differentials.
Senior counsel for Consumers Union, a public advocacy group, Chris Murray summarized the process by saying the FCC plan will review existing policies and determine if and how they may be modified to improve broadband availability and appeal. Murray stated "The proper goal of the program is filling holes in our national broadband strategy, not creating broadband networks from the ground up."
With the FCC plan deadline of February 2010, there is concern that much of the $7.2 million in government stimulus funds for broadband development will be claimed by Internet providers before plan completion; and, therefore without much agency influence, clear guidelines or measure of project needs. The hope is that, with senses heightened to this possibility, extra care and consideration will be taken with any monies designated prior to the FCC’s final plan.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Alabama Deregulation
The Alabama Senate voted 19-8 to pass legislation to deregulate all home and business phone services giving landline rates the same standing as cell and Internet phone services. Should this legislation become law, the Alabama Public Service will no longer oversee rates and AT&T and other local phone companies will be able to set rates for local service as they wish.
While this bill positions Alabama landline phone service providers to better compete with the already deregulated cell and Internet phone providers, it would also result in less protection for consumers against huge rate hikes. Of course, the next step for this piece of legislation is to make it through the House – and then be signed by Alabama’s governor.
The Alabama Senate voted 19-8 to pass legislation to deregulate all home and business phone services giving landline rates the same standing as cell and Internet phone services. Should this legislation become law, the Alabama Public Service will no longer oversee rates and AT&T and other local phone companies will be able to set rates for local service as they wish.
While this bill positions Alabama landline phone service providers to better compete with the already deregulated cell and Internet phone providers, it would also result in less protection for consumers against huge rate hikes. Of course, the next step for this piece of legislation is to make it through the House – and then be signed by Alabama’s governor.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Tele-Tech Talk
We’ve changed! And, if we do say so ourselves, we’re a bit easier on the eye. That’s right, we’ve released our new website featuring easier navigation and an extremely informative yet straightforward content design. We’ve added a crisp functionality to the site with all the same information we’ve always provided.
With a clean tabbed format, it’s easy to peruse the site features; then, identify and zero in on exactly what you’re looking for. So, from our Home page, you move about the site by selecting tabs to take you to detailed information about Products, Why Tele-Tech, Contact and Free Resources. In addition to the new look and functionality of the site, a couple of options worth highlighting are:
- Live Chat -- this added feature makes it easier to access us and get the information you need! This option is available on each website page, and also as one of the ways to Tell Tele-Tech on the Contact tab.
- Kim’s Telecom Blog – Join in the conversation! Let us know what you think about a particular article, topic or product highlight. Or, you tell us what telecom issues you want to discuss – what’s top of mind for you?!
- Webinars – Select this option to take a look at upcoming events. Also, we’ll list past webinars and provide links to allow access to the slides and/or audio so you may review at your leisure.
So why did we do all of this? It’s really quite simple! We wanted to enhance the customer experience when visiting Tele-Tech’s website. In a nutshell, we wanted to brag without boring! Visit when you can at www.telecomdb.com and let us know what you think!
Telecom News
Two reports providing significant information regarding utilization of telephone number resources were released in March.
On March 31st, the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA), Neustar, released the NANPA 2008 Annual Report. The document includes both historical and forward-looking information on the assignment of NPA codes and central office codes. Key data include:
Two reports providing significant information regarding utilization of telephone number resources were released in March.
On March 31st, the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA), Neustar, released the NANPA 2008 Annual Report. The document includes both historical and forward-looking information on the assignment of NPA codes and central office codes. Key data include:
- A total of three new NPAs were introduced in 2008: NPAs 581 and 587 went into effect as overlays on September 19th in Quebec and Alberta, respectively; and NPA 657 went into effect in California as an overlay on September 23rd.
- Nine NPAs are currently scheduled for activation. Those with 2009 in service dates include: NPAs 385 (UT), 442 (CA), 681 (WV), and 747 (CA); with, NPAs 343 (Ontario), 364 (KY), 458 (OR), and 534 (WI) each having 2010 in service dates.
- 2,946 Central Office Codes (COCs) were assigned in 2008, and 10,590 COC changes were made to code assignment information, such as the Operating Company Number (OCN) or switch.
- 93 new Feature Group D Carrier Identification Codes (FG D CICs) were assigned in 2008, and 97 FG D CICs that were not in service or assigned to companies no longer in business were reclaimed/returned.
- 132 of the 328 currently assigned geographic NPAs are projected to exhaust in the next 10 years.
The NANPA Annual Report may be downloaded from http://nanpa.com/reports/reports_annual.html.
Also released in March was the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) latest Numbering Resource Utilization in the United States report. This 51-page report is an overview of the data and ongoing procedures used to determine if the industry is making efficient use of limited numbering resources. A few of the report findings are:
- Utilization by Carrier Type – Over 1.3 billion telephone numbers are spread among reporting carriers, with 652 million assigned to customers, around 619 million available, and about 84 million used for administrative and other purposes. A breakdown of utilization stats by carrier type (6/30/08) is:
- ..... 48.1% = (Of all) telephone numbers were assigned to end users.
- ..... 50.3% (down from 50.7% 6 months prior) = Overall utilization rate of Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (LECs) for the numbers they’ve been assigned.
- ..... 65.3% (up from 65.0%) = Overall utilization rate of Cellular/PCS Carriers for the numbers they’ve been assigned.
- ..... 30.4% (up from 26.9%) = Overall utilization rate for Competitive LECs for the numbers they’ve been assigned.
- Smaller Block Pooling Successful in Conserving Numbering Resources – Thousands-block pooling is available in areas with the most demand for additional numbering resources. This practice saved about 355 million phone numbers from being assigned unnecessarily.
- Millions of Telephone Numbers Returned for Reassignment– The FCC’s Numbering Resource Optimization (NRO) Order requires that carriers return large quantities of telephone numbers they do not need to the NANPA in order to avail them for more immediate use needs. During 2008, the telephone numbers returned included 0.96 million in second quarter, rising to 1.49 million numbers in third quarter.
- Customers Moving Millions of Telephone Numbers to New Carriers – Since 2007, more than 21 million subscribers have taken their wireline numbers with them when switching to another wireline carrier. During the same time period, a little over 1 million subscribers have ported their wireline telephone number to a wireless carrier for use on their wireless device. Wireless customers moved more than 18 million telephone numbers to other wireless carriers as they switch service providers, and only 62,000 wireless subscribers have moved their number to a wireline carrier.
- Most Utilized Area Codes in the United States –New York’s area code 646 (which overlays New York City’s area code 212) is the most utilized, with 77.0% of numbers assigned to customers. Arizona’s area code 480 is next, with 75.3% of numbers assigned to customers.
The full FCC Report may be downloaded from http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-289173A1.pdf.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Case Study: VoIPnet Technologies
The Problem: A Data Dilemma
Okay, maybe not quite a data dilemma, but certainly a frustration. Prior to becoming a Tele-Tech customer, Todd Wolf, VoIPnet Technologies' President/CEO, found he was using a telecom data provider whose “accuracy was not accurate”, with pricing “out of sight”, and lackadaisical customer service. In a nutshell, he was paying too much for inaccurate data with inadequate support. Not good – and definitely enough motivation to seek a solution! Todd knew other service providers who were using Tele-Tech’s products, and was aware of our high data quality reputation – which was a significant factor when he considered alternative data sources. And, since becoming a Tele-Tech customer – no more data dilemma.
The Solution: Tele-Tech Services
VoIPnet Technologies uses Tele-Tech’s Localizer database of Local Calling Areas to identify and rate local voice over IP traffic. Of course accuracy is of paramount importance when the data is supporting rating and billing, but Todd also says flexible purchase options add tremendous value, both in terms of what and how he buys his data.
The what factor: having the ability to buy data specific “to states we do business in” is extremely beneficial; so, VoIPnet can purchase individual states as service is launched in new areas -- simply put, they only have to buy what they need! Also, being able to purchase data with or without premium expanded local calling areas is hugely helpful.
The how factor: the capability to decide to purchase data one time, or via annual subscription, or on a monthly/quarterly basis is an added freedom that allows Todd to tailor what he buys to what he needs – and when.
Using Localizer enhances VoIPnet’s profitability, since calls are correctly identified – allowing for proper billing; but, less obvious time and cost savings have been realized as well! Knowing his local calling area data is accurate allows Todd to focus on other aspects of his business; and reduces the resources spent on database entry. So, time is not wasted and funds are not diverted by trying to work with inaccurate data.
Todd Wolf has found the perfect combination with Tele-Tech. VoIPnet is able to rely on accurate data, with the flexibility to purchase in the manner their business needs – and, at competitive pricing. Add our stellar customer service , and you’ve got a classic Tele-Tech case study – and more importantly – a very valued customer is satisfied!
Okay, maybe not quite a data dilemma, but certainly a frustration. Prior to becoming a Tele-Tech customer, Todd Wolf, VoIPnet Technologies' President/CEO, found he was using a telecom data provider whose “accuracy was not accurate”, with pricing “out of sight”, and lackadaisical customer service. In a nutshell, he was paying too much for inaccurate data with inadequate support. Not good – and definitely enough motivation to seek a solution! Todd knew other service providers who were using Tele-Tech’s products, and was aware of our high data quality reputation – which was a significant factor when he considered alternative data sources. And, since becoming a Tele-Tech customer – no more data dilemma.
The Solution: Tele-Tech Services
VoIPnet Technologies uses Tele-Tech’s Localizer database of Local Calling Areas to identify and rate local voice over IP traffic. Of course accuracy is of paramount importance when the data is supporting rating and billing, but Todd also says flexible purchase options add tremendous value, both in terms of what and how he buys his data.
The what factor: having the ability to buy data specific “to states we do business in” is extremely beneficial; so, VoIPnet can purchase individual states as service is launched in new areas -- simply put, they only have to buy what they need! Also, being able to purchase data with or without premium expanded local calling areas is hugely helpful.
The how factor: the capability to decide to purchase data one time, or via annual subscription, or on a monthly/quarterly basis is an added freedom that allows Todd to tailor what he buys to what he needs – and when.
Using Localizer enhances VoIPnet’s profitability, since calls are correctly identified – allowing for proper billing; but, less obvious time and cost savings have been realized as well! Knowing his local calling area data is accurate allows Todd to focus on other aspects of his business; and reduces the resources spent on database entry. So, time is not wasted and funds are not diverted by trying to work with inaccurate data.
Todd Wolf has found the perfect combination with Tele-Tech. VoIPnet is able to rely on accurate data, with the flexibility to purchase in the manner their business needs – and, at competitive pricing. Add our stellar customer service , and you’ve got a classic Tele-Tech case study – and more importantly – a very valued customer is satisfied!
Tele-Tech Provides the“Missing Link”
We’ve all been there – trying to correlate arcane rate center boundaries used by the telecom industry to other geographic elements. It’s like doing a puzzle with a missing piece – because rate center boundaries don’t align with cities or counties; and sometimes not even with states! The task was time consuming and produced questionable results at best – not to mention a tad frustrating!
Well, no more! Tele-Tech now offers the missing link between telephone boundaries and other geographic boundaries. Zip-Link maps NPA-NXXs (area code/prefix) to United States Postal Service Zip Codes, enabling our customers to determine all zip codes partially or wholly served by each NPA-NXX. Now you can solve the puzzle!
VoIP service providers and other competitive carriers can use Zip-Link to aid in telephone number assignment. Often, new customers signing up for service don’t have an existing phone number on which the selected service provider can base their number assignment. With Zip-Link, the customer’s billing zip code is enough information to determine which NPA-NXXs are in their geographic area - making telephone number assignments easy and accurate.
Zip-Link also helps service providers to determine service availability for new subscribers without an existing phone number. Based on the customer’s zip code and a list of NPA-NXXs from which you offer service, you can determine whether a new customer is within your service footprint before processing their service order.
Finally, software applications storing address and phone number information need Zip-Link to determine whether provided data may be invalid. If the zip code and area code/prefix provided are not matched in Zip-Link, you may have an invalid entry.
Zip-Link was created by geographically mapping zip code boundaries and rate center boundaries, and then determining where the data points overlay each other. Zip-Link provides the data on those cross sections in an easy to use format, enabling various opportunities to cross-reference other demographic and geographic resources. With Zip-Link, no more missing links! A world of data points is open to you for analysis.
Contact Kimberly Russo (krusso@telecomdb.com or 800-433-6181 x7103) today for more details.
Well, no more! Tele-Tech now offers the missing link between telephone boundaries and other geographic boundaries. Zip-Link maps NPA-NXXs (area code/prefix) to United States Postal Service Zip Codes, enabling our customers to determine all zip codes partially or wholly served by each NPA-NXX. Now you can solve the puzzle!
VoIP service providers and other competitive carriers can use Zip-Link to aid in telephone number assignment. Often, new customers signing up for service don’t have an existing phone number on which the selected service provider can base their number assignment. With Zip-Link, the customer’s billing zip code is enough information to determine which NPA-NXXs are in their geographic area - making telephone number assignments easy and accurate.
Zip-Link also helps service providers to determine service availability for new subscribers without an existing phone number. Based on the customer’s zip code and a list of NPA-NXXs from which you offer service, you can determine whether a new customer is within your service footprint before processing their service order.
Finally, software applications storing address and phone number information need Zip-Link to determine whether provided data may be invalid. If the zip code and area code/prefix provided are not matched in Zip-Link, you may have an invalid entry.
Zip-Link was created by geographically mapping zip code boundaries and rate center boundaries, and then determining where the data points overlay each other. Zip-Link provides the data on those cross sections in an easy to use format, enabling various opportunities to cross-reference other demographic and geographic resources. With Zip-Link, no more missing links! A world of data points is open to you for analysis.
Contact Kimberly Russo (krusso@telecomdb.com or 800-433-6181 x7103) today for more details.
FCC in Transition – What will it Mean for Your Company?
Published in the January 2009 issue of Tele-Tech Updates:
the nation moves forward under the new leadership of President Barack Obama, the shift in power may be particularly evident at the Federal Communications Commission. With the Chairmanship and up to two of the four commissioners’ positions soon to be filled with Obama appointees, the face of national telecom regulatory policy will undergo a significant change in 2009.
The new, Democratic-led Commission is expected to favor Internet companies like Google and eBay, in contrast to the past eight years of Republican leadership which many thought benefited big telecom companies like AT&T and Verizon.
A look at the FCC’s recent history shows the contrast between Commissions lead by Democrats and Republicans. The FCC under President Clinton focused on bringing about competition through regulation, which gave a boost to competitive local exchange carriers. The current Bush FCC acted to end some of the rules put into place during the Clinton era, preferring to allow market forces to encourage competition. Will the Obama FCC take a more controlled approach to ensuring competition in communications? Only time will tell, because the Commission will first need to handle the conversion to digital television, and then focus on issues strongly supported by President Obama, in particular, universal broadband availability.
Making broadband Internet access available to all Americans is a prime element of Obama’s Economic Recovery Plan. Building the infrastructure to spread high speed Internet nationwide may be the 21st century’s version of the massive public works projects that helped end the Great Depression. The Obama team cites the U.S.’s 15th place ranking in broadband penetration as unacceptable, and expects a nationwide broadband build-out to create jobs and help small businesses compete globally.
Due to the President's broadband push, the new FCC will surely be tasked early with instituting regulations that help bring broadband to under-served areas. In order to entice service providers into these unprofitable areas, government intervention such as loans, grants, tax credits, or perhaps a reform to the universal service fund will be required. Obama even cites “reforming a weak and outdated regulatory system” as part of his plan. Look for regulations toward that end as Congress and the President mandate action from the FCC to set and enforce rules supporting the broadband deployment.
Before naming the replacement for Republican-appointed Commissioner Debra Tate, who left the commission at the end of her term in early January, Obama will likely appoint the new Chairman. That appointee is expected to be the President's long-time friend and Harvard Law classmate, Julius Genachowski. Genachowski was the FCC’s Chief Counsel under Chairman Reed Hundt and is currently helping develop Obama’s technology agenda.
There are also reports that Democratic Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein may be given a different position in the new administration. That would leave another vacant seat at the FCC, and give the Obama administration another opportunity to shape the future of communications in the U.S.
the nation moves forward under the new leadership of President Barack Obama, the shift in power may be particularly evident at the Federal Communications Commission. With the Chairmanship and up to two of the four commissioners’ positions soon to be filled with Obama appointees, the face of national telecom regulatory policy will undergo a significant change in 2009.
The new, Democratic-led Commission is expected to favor Internet companies like Google and eBay, in contrast to the past eight years of Republican leadership which many thought benefited big telecom companies like AT&T and Verizon.
A look at the FCC’s recent history shows the contrast between Commissions lead by Democrats and Republicans. The FCC under President Clinton focused on bringing about competition through regulation, which gave a boost to competitive local exchange carriers. The current Bush FCC acted to end some of the rules put into place during the Clinton era, preferring to allow market forces to encourage competition. Will the Obama FCC take a more controlled approach to ensuring competition in communications? Only time will tell, because the Commission will first need to handle the conversion to digital television, and then focus on issues strongly supported by President Obama, in particular, universal broadband availability.
Making broadband Internet access available to all Americans is a prime element of Obama’s Economic Recovery Plan. Building the infrastructure to spread high speed Internet nationwide may be the 21st century’s version of the massive public works projects that helped end the Great Depression. The Obama team cites the U.S.’s 15th place ranking in broadband penetration as unacceptable, and expects a nationwide broadband build-out to create jobs and help small businesses compete globally.
Due to the President's broadband push, the new FCC will surely be tasked early with instituting regulations that help bring broadband to under-served areas. In order to entice service providers into these unprofitable areas, government intervention such as loans, grants, tax credits, or perhaps a reform to the universal service fund will be required. Obama even cites “reforming a weak and outdated regulatory system” as part of his plan. Look for regulations toward that end as Congress and the President mandate action from the FCC to set and enforce rules supporting the broadband deployment.
Before naming the replacement for Republican-appointed Commissioner Debra Tate, who left the commission at the end of her term in early January, Obama will likely appoint the new Chairman. That appointee is expected to be the President's long-time friend and Harvard Law classmate, Julius Genachowski. Genachowski was the FCC’s Chief Counsel under Chairman Reed Hundt and is currently helping develop Obama’s technology agenda.
There are also reports that Democratic Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein may be given a different position in the new administration. That would leave another vacant seat at the FCC, and give the Obama administration another opportunity to shape the future of communications in the U.S.
Introduction to the New Tele-Tech Updates Newsletter
Dear Colleagues, Associates, and Friends,
Welcome to the first issue of the new Tele-Tech Updates newsletter! We’re taking this opportunity to reintroduce Tele-Tech and tell our current and former clients, our associates, and those who have considered our products over the years, what we’ve been up to lately.
While many were happy to bid good riddance to 2008, last year marked many milestones for Tele-Tech that make it memorable. We can think of no better way to re-introduce ourselves than to share those milestones with you.
Some of you have been Tele-Tech customers and friends for the better part of our 34-year history, and immediately associate the company with our founder, my father, Steve Kromer. In July of last year the transition of ownership from Steve & Janice Kromer (my mom), to my sister, Stephanie Fetchen, and me was completed, with the two of us taking the positions of Co-Presidents. Stephanie’s expertise is in hardware and software, and mine is in sales and marketing, so we act as “yin-and-yang” and our partnership works well. The two of us essentially started working at Tele-Tech at the ages of five and six when the company operated in the basement of our childhood home. We’ve each been gainfully employed fulltime at Tele-Tech for about 15 years, and we’re excited to carry our products and services for the telecom market into the future.
Our high level of data quality attracted a lot of attention in 2008, and in September, Stephanie and I were honored to deliver the Keynote address at the annual conference of the International Association for Information and Data Quality. There, we presented our quality story, describing our rise to a level of data accuracy that no one thought could be reached in our industry. Stephanie’s leadership and accuracy initiatives coupled with our analysts’ tenacity and passion for quality brought our data to this level. Because of these initiatives, in October we reached 12 consecutive months with 100% accurate local calling area data based on customer-reported errors (or in our case, the lack thereof). We’re now at 14 months of 100% accuracy and counting!
Also in 2008, Tele-Tech’s parent company, KFR Services, Inc., received the Alfred P. Sloan Award for workplace flexibility from the When Work Works Project. We’ve long been proponents of family-friendly work policies such as flex time, telecommuting, and providing health benefits. And yes, it’s true that we encourage employees who are new parents to bring their infants to work for the first six months. While each of those policies was a factor in our receiving the Sloan Award, we are most proud of this honor because the winners were selected by confidential surveys of each finalist’s employees. So, this award represents our employees’ contentment with the company and their commitment to their positions here, and for that we are grateful.
As an owner of Tele-Tech Services, I have a lot to be proud of. While the economy tanked in the second half of ’08, we’ll continue to look back on successes like those described above to help us weather the storm. We may get a little wind-blown and wet, but we’ll still be in tact when the storm ends.
While we’ve used this inaugural issue to re-introduce ourselves, future issues of Tele-Tech Updates will include commentary, company and product highlights, and industry topics of interest to our readers. We hope to make it a light-hearted, but information-packed monthly read. We hope you enjoy this issue, and that you’ll opt to remain on our mailing list.
Best regards,
Kim Russo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
