270-RICR-20-00-1
270-RICR-20-00-1. Rhode Island E 9-1-1 Uniform Emergency Telephone System Rules and Regulations
1.1 Preamble
A. The RI E 9-1-1 Uniform
Emergency Telephone System Division, Department of Public Safety,
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations ("RI E 9-1-1")
is authorized to adopt rules and regulations pertaining to the
quality of service, performance of service, and technological
compliance of telephone common carriers, wireless telephone carriers
and other telecommunication services providers as they relate to the
providing of RI E 9-1-1 services to the general public (R.I. Gen.
Laws §§ 39-21-11, 39-21.1-5, and 39-21.1-10). Such rules and
regulations are promulgated in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter
35-42.
B. Telephone common carriers
operating under the authority of the Rhode Island Public Utilities
Commission ("PUC") are required to obtain a certificate of
compliance with RI E 9-1-1’s rules and regulations prior to the
grant by the PUC of any license, permit, power, or authority to
operate or the approval of any tariff, rate, or similar compensation
measure by the PUC.
C. RI E 9-1-1’s Rules and
Regulations, to the extent they are pertinent, apply to wireless
telephone carriers, which are included within the definition of
“telecommunication services provider,” as that term is used in
R.I. Gen. Laws Chapters 39-21 and 39-21.1 and in these Rules and
Regulations.
D. The within Rules and
Regulations pertain to surcharge revenue, database management,
network requirements and testing, local number portability, and cost
recovery.
E. Definitions of particular
acronyms or terms, as those acronyms or terms are used in these Rules
and Regulations, are contained in the Appendix to these Rules and
Regulations, which is made a part of this promulgation.
F. These Rules and Regulations
shall take effect February 28, 2011.
G. Adopted this 8th day of
February, 2011, these Rules and Regulations, consisting of
thirty-eight (38) pages, commencing with the Preamble, by the Rhode
Island Uniform Emergency Telephone System Division, Department of
Public Safety, State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
1.2 Surcharge
Revenue
A. All telephone common
carriers and all telecommunication services providers, as those terms
are defined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-21.1-3, shall bill each
subscriber of their respective services the surcharge levied under
R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-1-62 and 39-21.1-14, , and shall remit such
surcharge revenue to the Rhode Island Division of Taxation in
accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 39-1-62 and 39-21.1-14, and the
requirements of the Division of Taxation. In the instances in which a
telecommunications services provider or telephone common carrier
resells its service to other entities, the surcharge shall be
collected and paid by the telecommunications services provider or
telephone common carrier that has the direct relationship with the
end user subscriber, in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 39-1-62,
39-21.1-14, and the requirements of the Rhode Island Division of
Taxation. The transmittal of such surcharge revenue shall be
accompanied by such form as may be prescribed by the Division of
Taxation or the entity that replaces the Division of Taxation. The
form of the payment shall be made in accordance with requirements as
may be prescribed from time to time by the Division of Taxation. Any
surcharge revenue not timely transmitted in accordance with R.I. Gen.
Laws §§ 39-1-62 and 39-21.1-14, shall be assessed interest as
prescribed by Rhode Island law. This section does not apply to E
9-1-1 surcharges related to prepaid wireless services, as those
surcharges are regulated by R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-21.2-1.
B. When a telecommunications
services provider or telephone common carrier resells its services
other entities, that reseller shall report, upon request of the RI E
9-1-1 Uniform Emergency Telephone System the number of lines that are
resold to each individual reseller. This section does not apply to E
9-1-1 surcharges related to prepaid wireless services, as those
surcharges are regulated by R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-21.2-1.
C. RI E 9-1-1 surcharges shall
be applicable to any subscriber which is capable of accessing,
connecting with, or interfacing with RI E 9-1-1 by dialing or
initializing or otherwise activating the RI E 9-1-1 Uniform Emergency
Telephone System through the numerals "9-1-1" by means of a
landline local telephone exchange device, wireless instrument, device
or means including, but not limited to, prepaid, cellular, telephony,
Internet, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), satellite, computer,
radio, communications, data or data-only wireless lines or any other
wireless instrument, device or means which has access to, connects
with, or activates or interfaces or any combination thereof with the
RI E 9-1-1 Uniform Emergency Telephone System. This surcharge shall
be billed by each telecommunication services provider and shall be
payable to the telecommunication services provider by the subscriber
or prepaid services customer. This section does not apply to E 9-1-1
surcharges related to prepaid wireless services, as those surcharges
are regulated by R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-21.2-1.
D. The subscriber surcharge
levied under R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-21.1-14(a), shall apply to
Centrex-system-equivalent trunks in the ratio of 1:8; it shall not
apply to trunks and lines provided to wireless telecommunication
services providers as part of the RI E 9-1-1 network. The subscriber
surcharge levied under R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 39-1-62 and 39-21.1.14(a)
shall not apply to trunks and lines provided by telephone common
carriers or wireless telecommunications services provided as part of
the RI E 9-1-1 network. This section does not apply to E 9-1-1
surcharges related to prepaid wireless services, as those surcharges
are regulated by R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-21.2-1.
1.3 Database
Management
A. Municipality/State Titles
and Responsibilities:
1. Municipal Coordinator/ MSAG
Liaison and GIS Liaison - Each municipality shall designate an
individual to serve as its municipal coordinator, MSAG liaison and
GIS liaison for all issues involving the development and maintenance
of address information for the RI E 9-1-1 ALI, MSAG, GIS, and
selective routing (transfer) databases. The municipal coordinator may
assign an individual to handle all issues involving the development
and maintenance of address information for RI E 9-1-1 ALI, MSAG, GIS,
and selective routing (transfer) databases and the municipal MSAG. If
the municipality has not assigned a person designated as its
municipal coordinator, MSAG liaison and GIS liaison, the chief
elected official (holding the highest elected office) becomes the
municipal coordinator, MSAG liaison and GIS liaison by default. If
there is any change in the municipal coordinator, MSAG liaison and
GIS liaison, it is the responsibility of each municipality to notify
the State of Rhode Island Enhanced 9-1-1 Uniform Emergency System of
the change by the close of the following business day. The municipal
coordinator, MSAG liaison and GIS liaison shall inform Rhode Island E
9-1-1 of any GIS updates, changes or deletions as they become known
to the municipal coordinator.
2. State of Rhode Island
Database Manager - This person is responsible for the coordination of
all ALI, GIS, MSAG, and similar data between the PSAP(s), Service
Provider, telecommunication services providers, and municipalities,
and for updates to the RI E 9-1-1 databases.
B. Master Street Address Guide
(MSAGs)—Use, Maintenance, Updates, and Verification.
1. Each municipality shall
provide RI E 9-1-1 with accurate road names, number ranges, and
emergency service zones (ESZ) for the purpose of creating the ALI
wireless and wireline and GIS MSAGs (Master Street Address Guide).
The ESN (emergency service number) information from the MSAG shall be
used to route 9-1-1 calls to the state PSAP and to transfer the 9-1-1
calls to the correct secondary PSAP for dispatch.
2. Municipal MSAG Maintenance
- After the ALI wireline and wireless and GIS MSAGs are created, each
municipality shall continue to verify the accuracy of the information
contained in the MSAGs and to advise the State of Rhode Island
Database Manager, on an as-occurred basis, of any changes in road
names, the establishment of new roads, changes in address numbers
used on existing roads, closing and abandonment of roads, changes in
police, fire, emergency medical service or other appropriate
agencies, jurisdiction over any address, annexations and other
changes in municipal boundaries, incorporation of new communities or
any other matter that will affect the routing of "9-1-1"
calls to the proper primary and/or secondary PSAP.
3. Timeframe for Updating the
MSAG by the Database Provider - The Database Provider shall update
the enhanced 9-1-1 MSAG by the end of the next business day from the
date and time it receives an authorized request via the MSAG update
form from the State of Rhode Island Database Manager.
4. Timeframe for Updating the
GIS and Wireless MSAGs by the State of Rhode Island Database Manager
- The State of Rhode Island Database Manager shall update the GIS and
Wireless MSAGs within 24 hours (normal business day) from the date
and time he/she receives a request from an authorized source.
C. MSAG Update Notification by
the Database Provider
1. On a daily basis (normal
business day), the Database Provider shall provide to RI E 9-1-1 all
MSAG changes in a format that is mutually agreed upon by the Database
Provider and RI E 9-1-1 Uniform Emergency Telephone System.
2. The Database Provider shall
provide to the telephone common carriers a mechanized process whereby
the telephone common carriers can download an electronic copy of the
MSAG in its entirety and a file that contains only the previous
normal business day’s changes.
D. MSAG Yearly Re-verification
1. The Database Provider shall
provide a year-end (as close in date to December 31 as possible) copy
of each municipality’s MSAG to the State of Rhode Island Database
Manager by January 21 following the just-concluded calendar year. The
State of Rhode Island Database Manager shall then provide each
municipal coordinator, MSAG liaison and GIS liaison its respective
municipal MSAG with instructions for correction.
2. The municipal coordinator,
MSAG liaison and GIS liaison shall:
a. If the MSAG is 100%
accurate, place the official municipal seal on the MSAG, sign and
note that it is correct, or electronically note that it is correct,
and in either format forward it to the State of Rhode Island Database
Manager within 30 days of receipt.
b. If the MSAG needs
corrections make the necessary corrections (additions, changes, and
deletions) to the MSAG within 30 days of receipt and return it to the
State of Rhode Island Database Manager.
3. The State of Rhode Island
Database Manager shall forward certified and corrected MSAGs to the
Database Provider. Once all appropriate corrections have been
received and processed by the Database Provider for each respective
municipality requiring corrections, it shall make available a copy of
the corrected and processed MSAG and send it to the State of Rhode
Island Database Manager for forwarding to the respective
municipality. Rhode Island E 9-1-1 shall have the ability to view and
edit the contents of the MSAG database on a daily basis.
E. Emergency Service Number
(ESN) Database Maintenance
1. Each municipality is
responsible for identifying primary and secondary PSAP locations as
well as the unique combinations of police, fire and emergency medical
agencies or any other appropriate agencies responsible for providing
emergency service in the Enhanced 9-1-1 serving area. The Database
Provider shall assign an Emergency Service Number (ESN) for each
unique combination of responding agencies upon approval of RI E 9-1-1
and shall notify the State of Rhode Island Database Manager of the
assigned ESNs, of any changes of an ESN, or of any new ESNs. The
municipalities will associate these ESNs with street address ranges
or other mutually agreed upon routing of enhanced 9-1-1 calls to the
primary and secondary PSAPs responsible for handling of calls from
each telephone in the Enhanced 9-1-1 serving area.
F. Use of RI E 9-1-1 ALI and
MSAG Databases
1. The data in the RI E 9-1-1
ALI and MSAG databases can only be used on a call-by-call basis for
the purposes of handling 9-1-1 emergency calls, disaster notification
or evacuation, in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-21.1-4, or as
authorized by RI E 9-1-1 to the extent permitted by R.I. Gen. Laws §
39-21.1-4. The data may reside on a database that may be owned and
maintained by a third party, which would be the Database Provider.
The Database Provider shall restrict access to such databases in
conformity with these Rules and Regulations.
a. Database Requirements - The
RI E 9-1-1 databases shall be constructed to be redundant and fault
tolerant and shall include safeguards to insure the security of the
data.
b. Data Exchange - Data
exchange between the Database Provider and all other
telecommunication services providers shall follow the industry
standard as required by RI E 9-1-1. Any deviations from this standard
must be submitted in writing and agreed to by RI E 9-1-1.
G. Known and Potential
Problems That May Cause ANI and ALI Errors and/or System Failures
1. The Service Provider, and
all other telecommunication services providers operating in Rhode
Island, shall notify the State of Rhode Island Enhanced 9-1-1 Uniform
Emergency Telephone System in writing of all known and/or potential
service problems, including interface and service order processing
problems, which cause or may cause incorrect ANI and/or ALI
information to display at the PSAP.
H. Multiple Addresses for
Single Telephone Numbers
1. To the extent such services
are offered, each telephone common carrier shall provide to the State
of Rhode Island Database Manager a list of all multiple locations
served by a single telephone number in digital format. The list shall
include the telephone number and each locatable address for all
locations including the main listing (the address in ALI). Each
telephone common carrier shall notify the State of Rhode Island
Database Manager of any additions to, deletions from, or changes in
the subscriber records of any party having off-premise exchange (OPX)
service within three (3) business days of any change in such service
by such subscribing party.
I. ALI Data Records
1. Every telephone common
carrier operating in the State of Rhode Island shall provide ALI data
and service updates to the RI E 9-1-1 Database Provider, in
conformance with Section F of this Part Two. Alternative methods to
update the ALI database between the telephone common carrier and the
Database Provider are permitted, subject to agreement between the RI
E 9-1-1 Database Provider and the telephone common carrier and with
concurrence by RI E 9-1-1.
2. Periodic reconciliation by
the Database Provider of the RI E 9-1-1 database with the originating
telephone common carrier’s database shall be as required by RI E
9-1-1. All ALI information shall be provided to RI E 9-1-1 by the
telephone common carriers at no cost to RI E 9-1-1.
3. The Database Provider shall
confirm receipt of data transactions from the telephone common
carriers to the Database Provider. The confirmation shall include the
error code(s) if update was not successful, and statistical data of
the total number of records received, processed, accepted and
rejected.
J. Reports to Ensure Error
Correction and Quality of Performance
1. The Database Provider shall
provide to the State of Rhode Island Database Manager audit trail
data that provides the following respective reports in a digital
format compatible with the management information system of RI E
9-1-1:
a. Total TN Report
(1) Description - Tally of
TN’s by municipality, grouped by class of service and telephone
common carrier, with individual reports for each common carrier
and/or a total combined report.
(2) Frequency - Monthly
(3) Distributed - E-mail or
File Transfer Protocol
b. ESN Report
(1) Description - Tally of
TN’s by ESN, sorted by municipality
(2) Frequency - Monthly
(3) Distributed - E-mail or
File Transfer Protocol
c. Service Order Fallout
Report
(1) Description -
Statistical Report (with totals) of service order fallout by error
code, for each class of service, with individual reports for each
telephone common carrier and a combined Rhode Island total. The total
service orders processed shall be on each report.
(2) Frequency - Monthly
(3) Distributed - E-mail or
File Transfer Protocol
d. Service Order Update Report
(1) Description - Statistical
Report (with totals) of service order updates - insert / change /
delete / unlocks / migrates- sorted by municipality and class of
service, with individual reports for each telephone common carrier.
(2) Frequency - Monthly
(3) Distributed - E-mail or
File Transfer Protocol
e. MSAG Update Report
(1) Description - MSAG
changes for Rhode Island
(2) Frequency - Daily
(3) Distributed - E-mail or
File Transfer Protocol
f. Initial TN Extract
(1) Description - Extract of
all TN’s. No sort required. All telephone common carriers.
(2) Frequency - One time and
as often as needed for quality compares
(3) Distributed - E-mail or
File Transfer Protocol
g. Initial MSAG Extract
(1) Description - Extract of
all Rhode Island MSAG records
(2) Frequency - Annually and
as often as needed for quality compares
(3) Distributed - E-mail or
File Transfer Protocol
h. Change File (aka Service
Order File for Rhode Island)
(1) Description - Update of
all TN changes that passed ALI edits, both service order and
maintenance, for all telephone common carriers
(2) Frequency - Daily
(3) Distributed - E-mail or
File Transfer Protocol
i. Error File (aka Service
Order Error File for Rhode Island)
(1) Description - All
service orders for all telephone common carriers that did not pass
the ALI edits and are placed into an error bucket.
(2) Frequency - Daily
(3) Distributed - E-mail or
File Transfer Protocol
j. Reverse ALI Reports
(1) Description - Detail of
all manual dip queries, including date/time, position, customer TN,
customer name and address
(2) Frequency - Monthly
(3) Distributed - E-mail or
File Transfer Protocol
k. NRF Summary Report
(1) Description - Summary by
day of all NRD, sorted by PSAP
(2) Frequency - Monthly
(3) Distributed - E-mail or
File Transfer Protocol
l. NRD Detailed Report
(1) Description - Daily
printout from 9-1-1 system of all NRF, sorted and counted by TN
(2) Frequency - Daily
(3) Distributed - E-mail or
File Transfer Protocol
2. Reports of a Monthly
frequency shall be provided to RI E 9-1-1 by the end of the seventh
business day following the end of the previous calendar month.
Reports of a Daily frequency shall be provided by the end of the next
business day following the close of the previous business day.
K. Service Order Processing
and ALI Database Updating
1. Every telephone common
carrier shall provide their initial load of ALI records and daily
service orders to the database provider at no charge to RI E
9-1-1within 24 hours (normal business day). This 24 hour time period
is the time between the date and time the telephone common carrier
supplies telephone service to a customer (the customer has the
ability to dial 9-1-1) and the date and time the file was sent to the
Database Provider (the Database Provider may also be the Service
Provider).
L. ALI Discrepancy Procedure
1. Generally, RI E 9-1-1 call
takers (telecommunicators), supervisors and managers,
telecommunication services providers, Database Provider, and Service
Provider shall use RI E 9-1-1’s discrepancy system for processing
ALI discrepancies.
2. ALI Discrepancy Reporting
a. Each 9-1-1 call taker
(telecommunicator) shall fill out an ALI discrepancy report when a
call is found to have erroneous database information. The ALI
discrepancy report shall be forwarded to the State of Rhode Island
Database Manager for approval and sent to the appropriate telephone
common carrier for correction, if necessary.
b. The telephone common
carrier shall correct the ALI information within 24 hours of receipt
of error (the corrected service order errors may be included within
the telephone common carrier’s next daily service order update file
as long as it meets the 24-hour requirement).
c. The telephone common
carrier shall close out the ALI discrepancies in the RI E 9-1-1
discrepancy system. It shall identify the status of each error with
the appropriate codes and narrative prior to the time the Database
Provider receives and processes its corrected ALI record.
d. The State of Rhode Island
Database Manager shall note in the RI E 9-1-1 discrepancy system and
forward any discovered MSAG discrepancies to the MSAG Liaison for
correction, if necessary.
3. ALI Discrepancy Tracking
a. Discrepancies Found or
Known by Local Municipalities - If a 9-1-1 call is dispatched based
upon incorrect ALI information, the responding agency (unit) shall
notify the PSAP supervisor of the error within four hours of the
completion of the dispatch, and the PSAP supervisor shall enter an
ALI discrepancy into the RI E 9-1-1 discrepancy system for
resolution.
M. PBX, Centrex & Other
Telephone Systems of Similar Functionality
1. Every telephone common
carrier offering Private Branch Exchange (PBX), Centrex, or other
telephone services of similar functionality shall inform its existing
customers and prospective customers of the limitations of such
systems in providing caller location information to RI E 9-1-1.
N. Payphones
1. Each provider of public or
private coin or coin-less telephone service shall provide access to
RI E 9-1-1. Every payphone shall display instructions on how to use
it to dial “9-1-1” for emergencies, indicating that a 9-1-1 call
is free (no coin needed and no charge for 9-1-1 call). Maintaining
the instructions for emergency “9-1-1” use is the responsibility
of the entity or person that owns and/or operates the payphone.
2. Each provider of public or
private coin or coin-less telephone service shall provide to the
Database Provider the following information for each payphone: name
of entity providing such service, telephone number of the payphone,
customer name, street number and address, municipality in which the
payphone is located, and information of the location of the payphone
if (a) within a building (such as floor, room, suite, etc.) or (b) if
within a public place or large open area (such as another landmark,
directional reference, approximate distance and/or orientation from
another recognizable object or land feature, etc.).
O. COCOT(s)
1. Customer-owned
coin-operated telephone (COCOT) providers in the State of Rhode
Island shall convert each public or private coin or coin-less
telephone to "dial-tone first" capability to allow 9-1-1
calls to be made without first inserting a coin or paying any other
charges. Each owner shall provide telephone service to RI E 9-1-1
with display instructions on how to use the service, indicating that
a 9-1-1 call is free (no coin-needed and no charge for 9-1-1 call).
2. Each provider of
customer-owned coin-operated telephones in the State of Rhode Island
shall provide to the Database Provider the following information: the
entity providing the telephone, the customer name, street address,
municipality in which the telephone is located, the telephone number,
and information of the location of the telephone if (a) within a
building (floor, room number, suite, etc.) or (b) if within a public
place or large open area (such as another landmark, directional
reference, approximate distance and/or orientation from another
recognizable object or land feature, etc.).
P. Data Security
1. Caller information provided
during a 9-1-1 call shall be used only for the purpose of processing
an emergency call and other authorized statutory purposes.
2. RI E 9-1-1 shall establish
personnel security clearance standards for PSAPs to protect the
confidentiality of ANI, ALI, and GIS data. The physical layout of all
PSAPs shall insure that no unauthorized individual is able to view
ANI/ALI or GIS information.
Q. The Company Identifier
1. The telecommunications
services provider shall use the company identifier system (service
provider company abbreviation) of the National Emergency Number
Association (NENA). This abbreviation shall be used to identify the
telecommunication services providers. Data in this field shall be
stored in the ALI database and be available for display at the PSAP.
R. Support to RI E 9-1-1 by
Database Provider
1. The Database Provider
shall, in conjunction with RI E 9-1-1, establish a process for the
identification and resolution of ALI, MSAG, and related database
content, reporting, and management issues. The process shall provide
a mechanism for the escalation of issues to progressively higher
levels of authority, as necessary, with corresponding timeframes for
resolution. In addition, the process shall provide for the
identification of appropriate subject matter experts of the Database
Provider, who shall be available on a 24x7x365 basis, as required
under circumstances enumerated in the process.
1.4 Network Requirements and Testing
A. Telephone Common Carrier E
9-1-1 Network Requirements
1. Network Connectivity -
Every wireless service provider shall provide 9-1-1 network
connectivity to the RI E 9-1-1 selective router(s) free of charge to
RI E 9-1-1.
2. Diversity and Redundancy -
The 9-1-1 network is to be completely and fully diverse and consist
of redundant routes (as further discussed hereunder) from the
selective router(s) into the PSAP(s) and must follow all NENA
recommended standards including, but not limited to, those standards
relating to the trunking from the selective router(s) to the PSAP(s).
The RI E 9-1-1 PSAP(s) must have two completely and fully diverse and
redundant routes from the selective router(s) into the PSAP(s).
3. Trunking - E 9-1-1 wireline
telephone service trunks shall be dedicated to handle only E 9-1-1
traffic. A minimum of two diverse and redundant routes shall be
provisioned from each telephone common carrier’s central office(s),
as follows: at a minimum one route from each central office to each
of the two E 9-1-1 tandems, in Providence and in West Warwick, Rhode
Island, respectively or any other tandems that may replace the
Providence and West Warwick tandems. If the tandem locations are
changed, the telephone common carriers will be afforded reasonable
notice of the change so as to make the appropriate network
modifications. RI E 9-1-1 may authorize the provisioning of an
alternative trunking scheme upon a written request by both the
Service Provider and a competitive local exchange carrier
demonstrating that there are no facilities available within a
reasonably foreseeable time and that the proposed alternative
trunking scheme employs dedicated E 9-1-1 trunks, provides diversity
and redundancy, and does not compromise the already existing network.
4. Grade of Service - Trunk
quantities shall be based on a P.01 grade of service, e.g., so as to
ensure that not more than one 9-1-1 call in 100 9-1-1 calls will
experience a busy signal during the average busy season and
time-consistent busy hour. As a general rule, the ratio of the number
of central office trunks to the tandems should be as follows: up to
10,000 lines = two (2) trunks; 10,000 or more lines = an additional
trunk for each additional 10,000 lines (or fraction thereof) over
10,000 lines.
5. Network Testing - Prior to
commencement of service in Rhode Island, a telephone common carrier
shall, conjunctively with RI E 9-1-1, conduct test calls. A minimum
of two test calls shall be made from each NXX across each 9-1-1 trunk
from the telephone common carrier’s central office to the E 9-1-1
tandems. Test calling shall be arranged with RI E 9-1-1 at least
three business days in advance by notifying it. Testing will be
scheduled after the telephone common carrier has made arrangements
with the RI E 9-1-1 Database Manager. The telephone common carrier
shall test the accuracy of the numbers to be tested and the
municipalities within which they fall. The telephone common carrier
shall input the telephone numbers to be tested into the ALI database
at least 24 hours prior to the commencement of testing. Test calls
shall be documented on a test log form prescribed by RI E 9-1-1,
which shall include the following test measurements: validation of
the display of the correct ANI; validation of the display of the
correct ALI; call setup timing, including the interval between the
time the last digit in 9-1-1 was pressed by the caller and an audible
(ringing) signal was heard by the caller and the interval between the
time the last digit in 9-1-1 was pressed by the caller and an audible
(ringing) signal was heard at the PSAP; any other criteria as agreed
upon by the telephone common carrier and RI E 9-1-1. Call testing
results on the prescribed log form shall be sent to RI E 9-1-1 upon
completion of testing, which shall provide a copy to the Database
Provider for review and error correction.
6. Monitoring - Each telephone
common carrier shall provide traffic studies for the average busy
season and time-consistent average busy hour (as determined by RI E
9-1-1 call volume reports) every six months to ensure P.01 grade of
service. RI E 9-1-1 and the telephone common carrier shall coordinate
the every-six-month dates at which such studies will be conducted. RI
E 9-1-1 shall have the right to perform line load studies
periodically, but not more than every six (6) months and/or shall
have the right to order each telephone common carrier to perform such
line load studies, at its own expense, for purposes of ascertaining
its subscriber base and/or conformance with technological standards,
performance of service, and quality of service.
B. Wireless Carrier Network
Requirements and Testing
1. Trunking - E 9-1-1 trunks
shall be dedicated to handling only enhanced 9-1-1 traffic. A minimum
of two diverse and redundant digital trunks shall be provisioned from
each wireless carrier’s mobile telephone switch (MTS) as follows:
a. Primary Route - A minimum
of one direct digital T1 carrier with a minimum of six channels
(DSOs) utilizing Feature Group D signaling, or another industry
standard authorized by RI E 9-1-1, shall connect the two (2) RI E
9-1-1 selective router(s). RI E 9-1-1, with the assistance of the
Service Provider, shall provision the DSOs equally across the two
digital trunks from the Providence DACS to the PSAP.
b. Default Route - A default
route shall be provisioned over the public switched network of the
Service Provider to the two tandems serving the E 9-1-1 network in
Rhode Island. The wireless carrier shall use RI E 9-1-1-provided
default number(s) as the default route in the event of failure within
the 9-1-1 network.
c. Provisioning of MTS; Data
Maintenance - Each wireless carrier shall send transmission tower
location and cell sector information to RI E 9-1-1 in a format
prescribed by RI E 9-1-1. The wireless carrier(s) shall request ESRK
range in writing from the RI E 9-1-1 database manager. The RI E 9-1-1
database manager shall provide, as soon as reasonably practicable,
the ESRK range to the wireless carrier. When a 9-1-1 call is sent
over the Primary Route, a twenty (20) digit number shall be sent by
the wireless carrier to the PSAP, consisting of the subscriber’s
ANI (MIN) and the ESRK.
d. Grade of Service - Trunk
(DSO) quantities shall be based on a P.01 grade of service or another
grade of services as required by RI E 9-1-1.
e. Network Testing - Prior to
commencement of service in Rhode Island, a wireless carrier shall,
conjunctively with RI E 9-1-1, conduct test calls. Test calls shall
be made using the primary route and the default route. Using the
primary route, a minimum of two test calls shall be made from each
cell sector for every tower. In addition, a minimum of two test calls
shall be made across each DSO from the wireless carrier’s MTS.
Using the default route, the wireless carrier shall “busy out”
all digital circuits and thereby utilize the remote call forwarding
arrangement. Test calls shall be documented on a test log form
prescribed by RI E 9-1-1, which shall include the following test
measurements: validation of the correct ANI (caller/subscriber’s
mobile identification number, or MIN) display; validation of the
correct ESRK display; validation of the correct ALI display
concerning tower location; validation of the correct display of the
cell tower and cell sector coverage on the PSAP map; call setup
timing, including the interval between the time the last digit in
9-1-1 was pressed by the caller and an audible (ringing) signal was
heard by the caller and the interval between the time the last digit
in 9-1-1 was pressed by the caller and an audible (ringing) signal
was heard at the PSAP; any other criteria as agreed upon by the
telephone common carrier and RI E 9-1-1. Call testing results on the
prescribed log form shall be sent to RI E 9-1-1 upon completion of
testing.
f. Monitoring - Each wireless
carrier shall provide traffic studies for the average busy season and
time-consistent busy hour (as determined by RI E 9-1-1 call volume
reports) every six months to ensure P.01 grade of service. RI E 9-1-1
and the wireless carrier shall coordinate the every-six-month dates
at which such studies will be conducted. RI E 9-1-1 shall have the
right to perform cell site channel loading studies periodically, upon
the giving of fifteen days’ calendar notice, but not more than
every six (6) months, and/or shall have the right to order each
wireless carrier to perform such cell site channel loading studies,
for purposes of ascertaining its subscriber base and/or conformance
with technological standards, performance of service, and quality of
service.
C. Service and Network Support
to RI E 9-1-1 by Service Provider
1. The Service Provider and
Network Service Provider shall, in conjunction with RI E 9-1-1,
establish a process for the identification and resolution of all
service and network issues. The process shall provide a mechanism for
the escalation of issues to progressively higher levels of expertise
and/or authority, as necessary, with corresponding timeframes for
resolution. In addition, the process shall provide for the
identification of appropriate subject matter experts of the Service
Provider, who shall be available on a 24x7x365 basis, as required
under the circumstances enumerated in the process.
1.5 Local
Number Portability
A. Purpose of Local Number
Portability
1. Local Number Portability
(LNP) was authorized under the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996
to facilitate competition in local telephone service markets by
permitting a customer of one telecommunication services provider to
switch to another telecommunication services provider while retaining
the same telephone number. This “portability” feature has public
safety implications for RI E 9-1-1, and is the reason for Rules and
Regulations concerning it.
B. Procedures for Migration of
Telephone Numbers
1. The Recipient Company shall
be solely responsible to obtain authorization from the end user for
the migration of the end user’s telephone number from the Donor
Company. In addition, the Recipient Company shall provide
verification to the Database Provider that the end user’s telephone
number has been ported (migrated) to the Recipient Company by the
Donor Company. The procedures for the migration of the number from
the Donor Company to the Recipient Company and to the Database
Provider shall, in all other respects, be those set forth in “NENA
Recommended Standards for Local Exchange Carriers, ALI Service
Providers, and 9-1-1 Jurisdictions” of the National Emergency
Number Association (NENA), as revised from time to time.
C. Prohibited Action by Donor
Company
1. A Donor Company is
prohibited from thwarting, delaying, prohibiting, or otherwise
impeding the migration of a telephone number due to any unpaid
charges, prior service disputes, or billing disputes with the end
user.
1.6 Cost
Recovery
A. Cost Recovery
1. In the case of telephone
common carriers providing service in Rhode Island, the cost of
providing 9-1-1 services is governed by R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-21-12.
In the case of wireless telephone carriers, 9-1-1 service is
regulated by the Federal Communications Commission pursuant to
statutes of the United States of America, with the costs of such
service recoverable in accordance with state and federal laws and
rules and regulations. In accordance with the FCC determination in
re: King County (Washington), CC Docket Number 94-102, and in the
absence of an agreement to the contrary, wireless telephone carriers
operating within Rhode Island are required to provide 9-1-1 services
up to the input of the RI E 9-1-1 selective router(s) at no charge to
RI E 9-1-1.
1.7 Appendix
A. Definitions - For the
purpose of these Rules and Regulations, the following acronyms and
terms shall have the respective meanings contained in their
respective definitions.
1. “Access Line” means the
connection between a customer premises network interface and the
telephone common carrier that provides access to the public switched
telephone network.
2. “ALI Discrepancy" -
See “Discrepancies”
3. “XTrakker” means the
software program utilized by the Rhode Island Uniform Emergency
Telephone System under license from microDATA GIS, Inc., to provide
geographic display of locations of calls to the PSAP and to track the
incidence of and resolution status of ALI discrepancies.
4. “Audit Trail Data”
means the data that supports the information required in the Reports
enumerated in § 1.3(J) of this Part.
5. “Automatic Location
Identification” means the automatic display at the PSAP of the
caller’s telephone number, the address/location of the telephone
and supplementary emergency services information.
6. “Automatic Number
Identification (ANI)” means the telephone number associated with
the access line from which a call originates.
7. “Business Day” means
each successive 24-hour period of time beginning at midnight on
Monday and ending at midnight on the following successive calendar
day, but excluding Saturdays and Sundays and the recognized holidays
of the respective individual telephone common carriers and
telecommunication services providers.
8. “Average Busy Hour”
means the one-hour period during the week statistically shown over
time to be the hour in which the most telephone calls are received.
9. “Average Busy Season”
means the two consecutive months of the calendar year statistically
shown over time to be the two consecutive months in which the most
telephone calls are received.
10. “Company Identifier or
Identification Number (Company ID)” means a 3-5 character identity
chosen by the Service Provider that distinguishes the entity
providing the dial tone to the end user. The Company Identifier is
maintained by NENA in a nationally accessible database.
11. “Central Office” means
a facility in which a switch or switching equipment is located which
routes local and long distance voice and data transmissions between
callers and called parties.
12. “Centrex” means a
business telephone service offered by some telecommunication services
providers that provides PBX-type features over access lines.
13. “Completion Date”
means the date on which a telephone common carrier or
telecommunication services provider has completed a change of service
or initiation of service to an end user or a change in an end user’s
service record (such as a change in name or address). A completion
date is also the date of disconnection of dial tone by the Donor
Company and the connection of dial tone by the Recipient Company to
an end user. The expectation is that the completion date will be the
due date on the service order.
14. “Database” means an
organized collection of information, typically stored in computer
systems, comprised of fields, records (data), and indexes. In 9-1-1,
such databases include MSAG, telephone number (TN)/ESN, ALI/ANI
information of subscribers or end users, and GIS data.
15. “Database Provider”
means the entity providing Automatic Location Identification and/ or
Automatic Number Identification data services and other services
utilizing databases associated with 9-1-1 service. The Database
Provider may also be the Service Provider.
16. “Data Exchange” means
the process of exchanging 9-1-1 data between Telecommunication
Services Providers and the Database Provider.
17. “Dedicated Trunk”
means a telephone circuit used for a single purpose, such as the
transmission of 9-1-1 calls.
18. “Discrepancies” means
a term used to describe subscriber records that do not match the MSAG
or, based upon information from end-users making 9-1-1 calls or from
other reliable sources, do not match ALI/ANI information in the ALI
or other RI E 9-1-1 databases, and are referred to an error file or
discrepancy report for resolution.
19. “Diverse Routing”
means the practice of routing circuits along different physical paths
in order to prevent total loss of 9-1-1 service in the event of a
facility failure.
20. “Donor Company” means
the Telecommunication Services Provider currently responsible for an
end user’s telephone service prior to the migration of the
telephone number to another Telecommunication Services Provider.
21. “Emergency Service
Number (ESN)/Emergency Service Zone (ESZ)” means an ESN is a
three-to-five digit number representing a unique combination of
emergency service agencies (law enforcement, fire, and emergency
medical service) designated to serve a specific range of addresses
within a particular geographical area, or Emergency Service Zone
(ESZ). The ESN facilitates selective routing and selective transfer,
if required, to the appropriate PSAP and the dispatching of the
proper service agency(ies).
22. “End User” means the
RI E 9-1-1 caller.
23. “Enhanced 9-1-1”
means an emergency telephone system which includes network switching,
database, and customer premise equipment (CPE) elements capable of
providing Selective Routing, Selective Transfer, Fixed Transfer, ANI,
and ALI.
24. “Feature Group D”
means a multi-frequency signaling protocol, originally developed to
support equal access to long distance services, capable of carrying
one or two ten-digit telephone numbers.
25. “GIS” means geographic
information system, a computerized, digital method of capturing
location data of objects on the ground. The data captured by this
method is referred to as GIS data.
26. “GIS Liaison” means a
person or entity that is appointed or assigned by a local community
to be the coordinator of GIS activities on behalf of the local
community. This person or entity will work with RI E 9-1-1 in
resolving local community GIS issues.
27. “Grade of Service”
means the designation, expressed as a decimal fraction, of the
probability (P) of a telephone number being blocked. P.01 is the
grade of service reflecting the probability that one call out of one
hundred during the average busy hour will be blocked.
28. “Master Street Address
Guide (MSAG)” means a database of street names and address ranges
within their associated municipalities defining Emergency Service
Zones (ESZs) and their associated Emergency Service Number (ESNs) to
enable proper routing of 9-1-1 calls.
29. “Master Street Address
Guide (MSAG) Liaison” means a person or entity that is appointed or
assigned by a local community to be the coordinator of MSAG
activities on behalf of the local community. The person or entity
will work with RI E 9-1-1in resolving community MSAG issues.
30. “Migrate or Migration”
means the term used to describe the inward transaction the Recipient
Company submits to the RI E 9-1-1 Database Provider that signifies
movement of telephone service and a telephone number from a Donor
Company.
31. “Mobile Identification
Number (MIN)” means a 34-bit binary number that a wireless handset
transmits to identify itself to the wireless network. It is the
number associated with a cellular-wireless device.
32. “Mobile Telephone Switch
(MTS)” means a switch used by a wireless carrier which routes voice
and data transmissions within a given geographic area served by the
wireless carrier.
33. “National Emergency
Number Association (NENA)” means the National Emergency Number
Association is a not-for-profit corporation established in 1982 to
further the goal of "One Nation-One Number" for emergency
purposes, by serving as a networking source and promoting research,
planning, and training. In doing so, NENA educates, sets standards,
and provides certification programs, legislative representation and
technical assistance for implementing and managing 9-1-1 systems.
34. “No Record Found (NRF)”
means a condition where no ALI information is available for display
at the PSAP.
35. “North American
Numbering Plan” means the use of 10-digit dialing in the format of
a 3-digit NPA, followed by a 3-digit NXX and a 4-digit line number.
36. “Number Plan Area (NPA)”
means an established three-digit area code for a particular calling
area. It takes the form of NXX, where N is any digit from 2 through 9
and X is any digit from 0 through 9.
37. “NXX” means a
three-digit code in which N is any digit 2 through 9 and X is any
digit 0 through 9. They are the second set of three digits in the
North American Numbering Plan.
38. “pANI” means the code
(usually a telephone number, and thus an “ANI”) that is used to
identify the receiving antenna coverage area for a wireless call. The
“p” simply signifies that it is not an access line for other
calling purposes.
39. “Private Branch Exchange
(PBX)” means a private telephone system that is connected to the
Public Switched Telephone Network, and which has more than one
answering station reachable through a common telephone number.
40. “Public Safety Answering
Point (PSAP)” means a facility equipped and staffed to receive RI E
9-1-1 calls. A Primary PSAP receives the calls directly. When a 9-1-1
call is transferred, the next receiving PSAP (the responding agency)
is designated a Secondary PSAP.
41. “Recipient Company”
means the new Telecommunication Services Provider responsible for the
end user’s telephone service and RI E 9-1-1 data after the
migration of the telephone number from a Donor Company.
42. “Service Order” means
the document used by telephone common carriers and other telephone
services providers for initiation of, additions to, changes of, or
removals of telephone service or of subscriber information.
43. “Service Provider”
means an entity providing one or more of the following 9-1-1
elements: Network, customer premise equipment (CPE), or Database
Services. The Service Provider may also be a Database Provider.
44. “Subscriber” means a
party that utilizes the services of a telecommunication services
provider in exchange for money or other lawful consideration and
which is the principal obligor under such an arrangement.
45. “Telecommunication
Services Provider” means every person, party or entity which
provides communications services, telephony services, voice or data
transmission services, and wireless prepaid services, including, but
not limited to: audio, print information, Voice Over Internet
Protocol (VoIP), data or visual information, communication or
transmission or any combination thereof, for profit on a
subscription, wireless prepaid services, wireless prepaid telephone
calling arrangement or pay-for-services or any other basis by means
of landline local telephone exchange, cellular telephone, wireless
communication, radio, telephony, Internet, data, satellite, computer,
prepaid wireless telephone, Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
instruments, devices or means, or any other communication or data
.instrument, devices or means which have access to, connect with, or
interface with the E 9-1-1 Uniform Emergency Telephone System.
Telecommunication services provider includes “telephone common
carrier,” “wireless services provider,” “communications
common carrier,” “telephone companies,” and “common carrier”
as those terms are used in R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 39-21 et seq .
and R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-21.1 et seq . and “telecommunication
common carrier” as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations at 47
C.F.R. Part 22, as amended from time to time and as defined in the
NENA Master Glossary of the 9-1-1 terminology as amended from time to
time.
46. “Telephone Common
Carrier” means any person, party or entity, which provides
communications, services for profit between a point of origin and a
point of reception by way of landline wire connection between the two
(2) points. It includes resellers of such services.
47. “TN” means telephone
number. It is also a term used to refer to records in the ALI data
base, which includes a subscriber’s telephone number.
48. “Wireless Services
Provider” means cellular, satellite or other radio based telephony
or data transport commercial entity.
49. “24x7x365 Basis” means
24 hours per day (24), 7 days per week (7), and each day (365) of
every calendar year.
1.8 Severability
A. Should any portion of these
Rules and Regulations be held to be invalid under any state or
federal law or Constitution of the State of Rhode Island and
Providence Plantations or of the United States of America, the
remaining portions of such Rules and Regulations shall remain in full
force and effect.
B. Effective Date - These
Rules and Regulations shall take effect on February 28, 2011.