NUMBER PORTABILITY. Ramneek Dhingra 08EL280

Transcription

1 NUMBER PORTABILITY Ramneek Dhingra 08EL280

2 Abstract Number Portability is a telecommunications network feature that enables end users to retain their telephone numbers when changing service providers, service types, and/or locations. In this paper we have analyzed Number Portability, its types and, the wireline LNP architecture and its process. We have analyzed the benefits of using Number Portability. We conclude that it brings challenges and opportunities for old and new telecommunications providers and choice to the end-users without the inconvenience of changing their numbers.

3 Introduction Number Portability is a telecommunications network feature that enables end users to retain their telephone numbers when changing service providers, service types, and/or locations. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 (TA 96) tore down most of the significant barriers to unfettered competition in telecommunications. However, the inability of end users to retain their telephone numbers when changing service providers caused great inconvience to them. With the help of congress and FCC it enabled consumers and businesses to choose new providers, services, and locales while retaining their phone numbers, thereby fostering competition in the telecommunications industry.

4 Number Portability TYPES There are basically three types of number portability: Service operator Portability Location Portability Service Portability

5 Service Operator Portability Historically, all directory numbers in one Numbering Plan Area-Central Office Code (NPA-NXX) were assigned to a single telephone switch. A customer who wanted to change local service providers faced the potential costs and inconveniences of changing to a new phone number. With the Telecommunications Act of 1996, FCC mandated that all numbers be portable to all local exchange competitors The Act defined service number portability as the ability of end users to retain existing directory numbers (DN) at the same location as they change from one service provider to another.

6 With the introduction of local number portability, individual directory numbers in one NPA-NXX were moved to a different telephone switch the concept of a location routing number (LRN) was introduced Each switch that hosts portable numbers was assigned a 10-digit LRN that was used in routing a call to that switch. All LNP-capable network elements, including service switching points (SSPs), signal transfer points (STPs), and signal control points (SCPs), must maintain a list of NPA-NXXs that are considered portable.

7 Location Portability It is the ability of users to retain existing directory numbers without impairment of quality, reliability, or convenience when moving from one physical location to another In this case, a given telephone number could be associated with any network termination device, independent of location. Acc to FCC nothing in the Act would preclude it from mandating location portability in the future; however, no requirements have yet been designated or mandated.

8 Service portability It is the ability of users to retain existing directory numbers without impairment of quality, reliability, or convenience when switching from one service to another service provided by the same carrier. The FCC has not addressed service portability at this time, and requirements for service portability are still undefined.

9 Wireline Local Number Portability (LNP) Architecture and Processes Architecturally, seven basic components are required to deploy local number portability (LNP): Service order administration (SOA) Number portability administration center (NPAC) Local service management system (LSMS) Service control point management system (SCP MS) Number portability database (NPDB) Signal transfer point (STP) Service switching point/mobile switch center (SSP/MSC)

10 Serves as an interface element between carriers' order and provisioning systems and the Number Portability Administration Center (NPAC). SOA's primary functions include subscription audit request or management data administration, data transfer to the NPAC report generation bulk file parse and upload subscription tracking legacy order entry interface logging. Service Order Administration (SOA)

11 Number Portability Administration Center (NPAC) This database is designed to receive information from both the incumbent and new service providers, validate the information received, and download the new routing information when an activate message is received indicating that the customer has been physically connected to the new service provider s network. The NPAC also maintains a record of all ported numbers and a history file of all transactions relating to the porting of a number. The NPAC provides management, administration, oversight, and integration of NPAC operations, hardware and software development, and all maintenance-related functions.

12 Local Service Management System The Local Service Management System (LSMS) is a fault-tolerant hardware and software platform that contains database with routing information to ported telephone numbers. The primary functions of the LSMS are subscription management network data management service provider data management error processing and notification transaction event logging and reporting transmission of activation/deactivation events to the network elements, and audits.

13 Service Control Point Management System (SCP MS) The Service Control Point Management System (SCP MS) provides interface services between the LSMS and the SCP The SCP MS may or may not be physically integrated with the SCP.

14 Number Portability Database The Number Portability Database (NPDB) contains all ported numbers within a ported domain as well as routing info. necessary to support number portability. Its function is to provide the association between the called party and the carrier LRN, identifying the switch to which the call should be routed.

15 Signal Transfer Point (STP) It receives the LRN query from the SSP/MSC and routes the query to the appropriate LNP SCP. It returns the SCP response tothe SSP/MSC.

16 Service Switching Point/Mobile Switch Center (SSP/MSC) It is carrier. owned and operated by the exchange These switch points must be able to generate a LNP query to the NPDB when a call is placed to a telephone number in a ported domain.

17 Telecommunications management network (TMN) Architecture for the seven LNP components.

18 CALL FLOW Wire line To Ported Wirelined Number

19 CALL FLOW 1. A wireline customer calls a wireline ported no. 2. No. not found on SP-1, so a query is launched by SSP to SSP 1 s Database to know the LRN of the ported no. 3. A query is not required if The called party DN is served by the switch. The call is routed to an operator system or interexchange carrier. A NP query was already made for the call The serial triggering limit is exceeded. 4. The call is routed to LRN of the ported no., SP 2 s Switch. 5. SP 2 terminates the call to the ported no.

20 Type 1 Benefits Benefits..Accrue to subscribers who retain their telephone number when switching an operator, and include cost savings from having to change number. Such subscribers are able to avoid the costs of reprinting stationary, informing callers, changing signs and lost business. Type 2 Benefits..Are those that arise out of efficiency and service quality improvements and any associated price reductions resulting from increased competition. Type 3 Benefits..Are those that accrue to callers to porting users who are able to avoid the need to change entries in their diaries, directories, databases and abbreviated dialers. They would also dial fewer wrong numbers and make fewer directory inquiries

21 Conclusion Brings challenges and opportunities for old and new telecommunications providers. To be successful in the competitive telecommunications environment, carriers have to carefully analyze their network and administrative infrastructures, select the best NP solution for their needs and exploit the benefits of increased customer choice that NP provides. Brings choice to the end-users without the inconvenience of changing their numbers.

22 References 1. Measuring the Benefits of Number Portability: Sean Lyons Department of Economics Trinity College Dublin, Ireland: 2. Number Portability (NP): VeriSign Communications Services: white_paper/ pdf 3. Number Portability: Sysmaster: 4. Number Portability Administration Center (NPAC): 5. The Impact of Wireless Number portability Regulations: Maggie Lee, Senior Technical Analyst on Local Number Portability,Illuminet: %20Number%20Portability%20Regulations.pdf

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