NANPA Planning Letter (PL) Number 431 – Saskatchewan, Canada – NPA 639 to Overlay NPA 306

NANPA has assigned NPA 639 to provide relief for the 306 NPA serving Saskatchewan, Canada effective May 2013.

The distributed overlay will require residents to dial 10-digits once the permissive dialing period ends.

Key implementation dates are:

11/25/2012 – Central office codes in new NPA become available
02/25/2013 – Permissive dialing period begins
05/25/2013 – Mandatory 10-digit dialing begins

For test numbers and a map of the affected area, go to www.nanpa.com.

NANPA Planning Letter (PL) Number 430 – California – NPA 669 to Overlay NPA 408

NANPA has assigned NPA 669 to provide relief for the 408 NPA serving most of Santa Clara County, California and several surrounding communities. 

This all-services overlay will require residents to dial 1+10-digits once the permissive dialing period ends.

Key implementation dates are:

04/21/2012 – Permissive dialing period begins
05/20/2012 – Central office codes in new NPA become available
10/20/2012 – Mandatory 1+10-digit dialing begins
11/20/2012 – Central office codes in new NPA activate
 
For test numbers and a map of the affected area, go to www.nanpa.com.

Commissioners Adopt USF/ICC Reform Order

FCC Commissioners at Thursday’s open meeting unanimously approved an order to reform the Universal Service Fund and Intercarrier Compensation System.

The full order has yet to be made public. In the meantime, the Commission released a 26-point executive summary.  

I will be reviewing the full order to determine how it will impact clients, along with Tele-Tech itself. Look for a summary of key points to be posted here once the order is released.

I’d like to hear how the new rules will affect you. Leave comments below or email me at krusso@telecomdb.com.

Frontier Discontinues Calling Card Services in Western U.S. 

Starting in November, Frontier Communications will no longer offer calling card services in the following states:

• Arizona
• Idaho
• Montana
• New Mexico
• Nevada
• Oregon
• Utah
• Washington

As a result, Tele-Tech will be deleting calling card and operator calling card services from the local pricing files and long distance toll files as determined by carriers and filings.

If you have any questions, contact Customer Service at kthomas@kfrservices.com or 800-433-6181.

NANPA Planning Letter (PL) Number 428 – British Columbia – NPA 236 to Overlay NPA 250/604/778

NANPA has assigned NPA 236 to provide relief for the 250/604/778 NPA service area in British Columbia, Canada. Ten-digit dialing is already mandatory, so a permissive dialing period is not necessary to prepare for this distributed overlay.
 
Key implementation dates are:
 
12/01/12 – NXX codes become available
03/03/13 – Network testing begins
06/01/13 – NPA 236 goes into effect

For test numbers and a map of the affected area, go to www.nanpa.com.

New CA Law Makes VoIP Providers Fund State Universal Service 

Interconnected VoIP carriers with terminating traffic in California will now have to pay into the state’s universal service fund. On October 9, Governor Edmund Brown signed into law a provision requiring this group of VoIP service providers to collect and remit surcharges on CA intrastate revenues.

The new law takes effect immediately.

Interconnected VoIP service providers can determine intrasate revenue by any of the following methods:

• The inverse of the interstate safe harbor percentage established by the FCC for interconnected VoIP service (currently 64.9%, which means the intrastate portion would be 35.1%). 
• A traffic study specific to the VoIP service provider allocating revenues between federal and state jurisdictions.
• Another means of accurately apportioning interconnected VoIP service between federal and state jurisdictions.

Any method used must be consistent with federal universal service contribution obligations.

The bill, authored by Assemblymember Joan Buchanan and supported by AT&T, is an attempt to recoup declining revenue from traditional wireline carriers. According to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), there are two-and-a-half million VoIP users in the state. About 80%, or two million, are residential subscribers.

BellSouth, Windstream Increasing Rates

Tele-Tech is now updating changes to local calling areas, pricing files, rate group line charges (RGLC) and EUCL charges.

We’ve seen a lot of activity with RGLC changes. Bellsouth and Windstream increased rates in several states. 

BellSouth increases affect:

• Alabama
• Florida
• Georgia
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Tennessee

Windstream increases affect:

• Arkansas
• Florida
• Georgia
• Iowa
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• Texas

RGLC updates will be shipped around October 25.

NANPA Planning Letter (PL) Number 427 – Maryland – NPA 667 to Overlay NPA 410/443

NANPA has assigned NPA 667 to provide relief for the 410/443 NPA service area in eastern Maryland. Ten-digit dialing is already mandatory, so a permissive dialing period is not necessary to prepare for this distributed overlay.

Key implementation dates are:

10/12/11 – Start of network preparation

01/23/12 – Earliest date to order central office codes in the new NPA

03/10/12 – Completion of network preparation

03/24/12 – NPA 667 goes into effect

For test numbers and a map of the affected area, go to www.nanpa.com.

FCC to Vote on USF Reform October 27

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski unveiled in a speech Thursday a broad outline to reform the Universal Service Fund (USF) and Intercarrier Compensation (ICC) system.

Genachowski included elements from different proposals by industry members (the ABC Plan, the RLEC Plan and the plan submitted by the State Members of the Federal State Joint Board on Universal Service) but stated, “It will not rubber stamp or adopt wholesale the proposals of any stakeholder or group of stakeholders.”

For example, he said the plan would not eliminate states’ carrier of last resort obligations nor eliminate states’ responsibility for designating eligible telecommunications carriers. Plus, Connect America Fund support would not be provided as part of ICC recovery without accompanying broadband obligations.

Based on his speech, here is an outline of the Chairman’s plan: 

• Begin broadband build-out in 2012
• Create a separate Mobility Fund alongside the Connect America Fund
• Target funding exclusively in areas without an unsubsidized competitor
• Transition to a competitive bidding process
• Include a waiver process for special cases
• Close loopholes on phantom traffic and traffic pumping
• Phase down access rates over a measured but multi-year transition path, beginning with lowering intrastate access rates to interstate rate levels
• Address terminating charges and assess the appropriate transition path for other rate elements

The reform order has been given to the Commissioners. They’re scheduled to vote on the plan October 27.

Read the Chairman’s speech at www.fcc.gov.

FCC to Unveil Reform Plans Thursday

On Thursday, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski will deliver a speech on proposed reforms to the Universal Service Fund (USF) and Intercarrier Compensation (ICC) system. The USF/ICC reform order will be available later that day. 

Genachowski will deliver the address in Washington, DC at 10:30 AM Eastern. The speech will also be broadcast live at www.fcc.gov/live.

Commissioners are expected to vote on the order at their October 27^th meeting.

The Chairman’s speech comes two months after issuing a Public Notice for comments on three different proposals: the ABC Plan, the RLEC Plan and the plan submitted by the State Members of the Federal State Joint Board on Universal Service.

See the latest edition of Tele-Tech Updates for a summary of each proposal. Tele-Tech will blog on Thursday comparing the Chairman’s plan with proposals submitted by the telecom industry. 

Maryland 410/443 NPA Jeopardy Procedures Finalized 

NANPA has finalized Jeopardy procedures for the 410/443 NPA in Maryland. NXX code rationing is set at one code per month, and 10 codes have been set aside for the Pooling Administrator. The final procedure went into effect September 21, 2011.

For details on the allocation process, go to www.nanpa.com.

NANPA Planning Letter (PL) Number 426 – Toronto, Canada – NPA 437 to Overlay NPA 416/647

All local calls will continue to be dialed with 10 digits when new area code 437 is implemented on March 25, 2013 in Toronto, Canada. NPA 437 will be used as a distributed overlay for NPA 416/647.

Network testing begins January 7, 2013. For test numbers and a map of the affected area, go to www.nanpa.com.

Updated Jeopardy Procedure – CA 408 NPA

An Updated Jeopardy Procedure for the California 408 NPA is now on the NANPA website. The extension of 408 area code rationing was announced earlier this week.

The updated document can be found at www.nanpa.com.

Universal Service Contributions Likely to Increase in Q4

The FCC has proposed increasing the fourth quarter 2011 universal service contribution factor to 15.3 percent. A Public Notice released September 13^th projects demand for service will exceed collected revenues. 

The proposed rate is nearly one percent higher than last quarter’s contribution factor of 14.4 percent, but not as high as first quarter’s rate of 15.5 percent.

If the Commission does not take any action within 14 days of release of the Public Notice, the new rate will become effective. 

Click here to read the notice.

Maryland 410/443 NPA in Jeopardy

NANPA has declared Jeopardy status for the 410/443 NPA complex in Maryland.

Interim Jeopardy procedures are in effect and NXX code assignments will be rationed starting October 1, 2011. According to NANPA, final Jeopardy procedures will be announced in September 2011.

For more details on the interim procedures, go to www.nanpa.com.

Rationing of California 408 NPA Extended

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will ration the 408 NPA to two NXX codes per month starting September 9, 2011. A lottery will determine the assignments.  

NANPA revised its forecasted exhaust for the 408 area code from the first quarter of 2013 to the fourth quarter of 2012.

Currently, the 408 NPA has 24 codes available for assignment. A decision on introducing a new area code will not be made before October 6, 2011.

DOJ Files Antitrust Lawsuit Against AT&T

The Department of Justice today filed an antitrust lawsuit to stop AT&T’s acquisition of T-Mobile. 

The proposed $39 billion purchase would have merged two of the four largest wireless service providers in the country. Both companies compete in 97 of the largest 100 cellular markets.

In a press release, Deputy Attorney General James Cole said, “The combination of AT&T and T-Mobile would result in tens of millions of consumers all across the United States facing higher prices, fewer choices and lower quality products for mobile wireless services.” 

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski’s statement indicates his agency also had concerns about the merger. Read his statement here.

Click here to read the DOJ press release.

NANPA Planning Letter (PL) Number 425 – Western Quebec – NPA Code 873 to Overlay NPA 819

Implementation of NPA 873 in Western Quebec, Canada, has been changed to 9/15/2012. The new date advances introduction of the new area code by nearly nine months. 

The relief method stays the same, with a distributed overlay of NPA 873 over area code 819. All local calls will continue to be dialed with 10 digits.

Network testing begins 6/17/2012. For testing numbers and a map of the affected area, go to www.nanpa.com.

FCC Announces Plan to Advance Deployment of NG9-1-1 

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski released a five-step plan of action that aims to improve deployment of Next Generation 9-1-1, an IP-based emergency communications system. The current model, E9-1-1, has been around since the 1970’s and operates on a circuit-switched system.  

The steps include:

      1. Develop location accuracy mechanisms for NG911

      2. Enable consumers to send text, photos, and videos to Public Safety    

          Answering Points (PSAPs)

      3. Facilitate the completion and implementation of NG911 technical   
          standards

      4. Develop a NG911 governance framework

      5. Develop an NG911 Funding Model

As part of the process, the FCC will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) next month.

Here’s a link to the FCC’s fact sheet.

NANPA Planning Letter (PL) Number 424 – NPA 566 for Personal Communications Services  

Assignment of NPA 566 for Personal Communications Services (PCS) has now been added to the NANPA website.

NANPA assigned the 566 NPA for PCS, because the supply of 5YY NXXs is expected to run out in late 2011 or early 2012.

NANPA assigned 423 5YY codes from January 1 through August 1, 2011. As of August 5, there are 395 available. 

A date has not been set for activation of NPA 566. 

For more information, visit www.nanpa.com.

NANPA Planning Letter (PL) Number 423 – Sint Maarten – Introduction of NPA 721

Implementation of a new NPA 721 in Sint Maarten begins with a permissive dialing period. During that time, either the current country code of 599 or NPA 721 will be accepted.

Key dates are:

• 9/30/2011: Permissive dialing begins; latest date for carriers to activate NPA 721.
• 9/30/2012: Mandatory NPA 721 dialing begins.
• 9/30/2013: Earliest date for end of recorded announcement.

Once the permissive dialing period ends, a recorded message will instruct callers to dial the correct country code (1) and area code (721). Country code 599 will continue to be used in Curacao, Sint Eustatius, Saba and Bonaire.

For network testing numbers and a map of the affected area, go to www.nanpa.com.

FCC Defends Release of Confidential Data

In June, I blogged about John Staurulakis, Inc. objecting to the release of its clients’ confidential information during the Universal Service Reform proceeding. The FCC has now ruled against the company’s objection and ordered data be released to the law firm Levine, Blaszak, Block and Boothby.

Click here to read the FCC’s order.

Facebook Adds Video Calling Feature

Millions of Facebook users can now use a video calling feature, powered by Skype, to chat with their friends. Facebook announced the new service Wednesday, a week after Google announced its new social networking project called Google+.

Skype’s new partnership will give the software provider access to Facebook’s 750 million users. Skype is a Luxembourg based company with 170 million users. 

Microsoft, which owns a partial stake in Facebook, is in the process of acquiring Skype for $8.5 billion.

Pennsylvania Approves Access Charge Reform

Intrastate carrier access rates in Pennsylvania will be coming down as a result of a June 30 decision by the Public Utility Commission (PUC). It’s estimated to reduce access charges by $50 million for Interexchange Carriers.

• The intrastate access rate will gradually be reduced to $2.50 per access line.
• Local exchange carriers can recoup losses by increasing residential and business rates over a four-year period.
• The PUC will begin a rulemaking proceeding to consider changes to the state’s Universal Service Fund.

The PUC’s latest move falls in line with the FCC’s National Broadband plan, part of which attempts to rebalance local service rates with actual costs, rather than being subsidized by customers’ long distance rates. The FCC’s plan also calls for the elimination of per-minute intercarrier compensation (ICC) charges over a ten-year period.

You can read more on my April 2010 blog about the effects of the National Broadband Plan on ICC.

Read the PUC press release here. 

Law Firm Seeks Confidential ICC Data

On June 27, John Staurulakis, Inc. (JSI) filed a letter to block Levine, Blaszak, Block, and Boothby, LLC from gaining access to the confidential data of 63 companies. That information was submitted May 25 in response to an FCC request relating to Intercarrier Compensation Reform.

JSI contends the ICC data is confidential information that should only be viewed by the government. Release of the information would give competitors an unfair advantage over rural providers, because the data contains interstate and intrastate intercarrier compensation revenues, expenses, line counts and usage patterns.

FCC Releases Annual Wireless Competition Report

The FCC on June 27 released its Fifteenth Report to Congress. The Communications Act mandates the FCC conduct an analysis of competition in the mobile wireless industry. This report analyzes data from 2009 and 2010 but reaches no conclusion about the state of competition.

2009 findings include:

• The mobile wireless industry generated $154.7 billion in total service revenues.
• Annual voice revenues declined for the first time by 4%.
• Data revenues increased 28%.
• Consumer prices did not decline for the first time since 1997.
• The mobile wireless industry continues to consolidate.

The report also ranks the largest service providers in the country with details on revenue and number of subscribers. Read the full report at www.fcc.com.

NANPA Planning Letter (PL) Number 422 – North Carolina – NPA 984 to Overlay NPA 919

The North Carolina Utilities Commission will again begin implementing new area code 984 and mandatory 10-digit dialing, a process the NCUC deferred in 2001.

The implementation timeline is as follows:

• 10/01/2011 – Permissive 10-digit dialing begins.
• 10/30/2011 – Earliest date central office codes in new NPA can be ordered.
• 03/31/2012 – Permissive dialing ends and mandatory 10-digit dialing begins.
• 04/30/2012 – New 984 NPA becomes effective.

Network testing will run January 2012 through November 2012. The test number and rate center map can be found at www.nanpa.com.

Happy birthday KFR Services!

This weekend marks 10 years since Tele-Tech Services was incorporated in South Carolina as KFR Services. 

KFR’s diverse portfolio includes America’s Great Loop Cruisers Association, a member organization for boaters interested in the 6,000 mile Great Loop boat trip; to Atlantic Business Continuity Services, a consulting service providing continuity and disaster planning to businesses and cities.

Tele-Tech Services started it all in 1975 and today continues to provide innovative, money-saving database solutions for the telecommunications industry. 

NANPA notification of jeopardy condition removal – California

The California Public Utilities Commission has asked NANPA to remove area code jeopardy status and prefix rationing for the following numbers:  209, 323, 415, 530, 562, 619, 650, 707, 805, 916, 925 and 949.

The CPUC determined that most of the area codes would not be exhausted for another six to 23 years; and continued set aside would create unnecessary complications for numbering management.

The notice is effective immediately.

For more information, go to www.nanpa.com.

FCC opens e-filing for all carriers

The FCC on Thursday, June 9, approved online tariff filing for competitive local providers and other nondominant carriers. In the past, only dominant local carriers were allowed to use the Electronic Tariff Filing System (ETFS). Therefore, CLEC’s submitted hundreds of filings each year by paper.

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski says the decision will not only streamline efficiencies, “it will also save a lot of trees.”

Once the new rule goes into effect, carriers have 60 days to make their first electronic filing. The new rule will likely become effective later this year.

For more information, go to www.fcc.gov.

NANPA Planning Letter (PL) Number 419 – Manitoba, Canada – NPA 431 to Overlay NPA 204

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRT ) directed that relief for Manitoba area code 204 be provided with an overlay of new area code 431. Communities in the province are Brandon, Dauphin, Portage La Prairie, Selkirk, Steinbach Thompson, Winkler and Winnipeg.

The implementation timeline is as follows:

• 7/29/2012 – 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 be connected.
• 11/03/2012 – 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” beginning in February.

Network testing for all international and domestic carriers begins 4/30/2012. A complete list of test numbers, along with a detailed map showing affected areas can be found at www.nanpa.com.

NANPA Planning Letter (PL) Number 420 – Southern Ontario, Canada – NPA 365 to Overlay NPA 289/905

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunication Commission (CRTC) directed that relief for Ontario area codes 289/905 be provided through distributed overlay of new area code 365. Affected communities are Ajax-Pickering, Brampton Burlington, Hamilton, Markham, Milton, Mississauga, Oakville, Oshawa, Richmond Hill, St. Catharines and Whitby.

The implementation timeline is as follows:

• 1/07/2013 – Network testing begins.
• 3/25/2013 – The new 365 NPA is introduced. It will not change dialing plans as all local calls will continue to be dialed with 10 digits..

A complete list of test numbers, along with a detailed map showing affected areas can be found at www.nanpa.com.

NECA Expo – September 11-15 – Chicago

The 2011 National Exchange Carrier Association Expo will be held at the Hyatt Regency Chicago on the Riverwalk. Featured speaker is marketing and management expert Terry Brock. Session topics include access arbitrage, telecom regulation, Universal Service Fund payments and other industry related issues.

Early bird registration ends 08/01/2011. More information at www.neca.org.

NANPA Planning Letter (PL) Number 418 - Sint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles - NPA 721

The Government of St. Maarten, NA, had previously been assigned the 721 NPA to serve St. Maarten (formerly under country code 599). The 721 NPA introduction will begin with permissive dialing (where either the 599 country code or 721 NPAs will be acceptable dialing). At the conclusion of the permissive dialing period, country code 599 will continue to be used in the rest of the Netherlands Antilles; and, incorrect country code dialed calls will be routed to a recorded message for correct dialing procedures.

PL 418 outlines an updated implementation timeline as follows:

• 09/30/11 -- Permissive Dialing Starts - and - Latest Date to Activate New NPA 721
• 03/31/12 -- End of Permissive Dialing - and - Start of New NPA Mandatory Dialing
• 03/31/13 -- Earliest Date for End of Recorded Announcement

The dialing plan for the 721 NPA will be:

• Local Call Terminating to Home NPA (HNPA) (Sint Maarten) … 7-Digits
• NANP Toll Call Terminating to Foreign NPA (FNPA) … 1 + 10-Digits
• Operator Services (Including Credit Card, Collect and Third Party) Call Terminating to HNPA & FNPA … 0+ 10-Digits
• International Local Call Terminating to Saint Martin (French) … 7-Digits

International and domestic carriers should ensure network-wide activation of the new 721 NPA prior to 9/30/11. Test numbers for routing verification will be announced at a later date.

For additional information, visit www.nanpa.com.