Specific USOCs and FIDs are found in the Universal Service Order Codes (USOCs) & Field IDentifiers (FIDs) Overview

Detailed information on Acronyms associated with products and services can be found in the individual PCATs and Business Procedure.

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IABS	(Integrated Access Billing System) A billing system whose functionality includes switched and special service orders, rate, tax and bill, payments, meet point billing, mechanized adjustments and Feature Group A end-user billing.
IAC	(Infrastructure Availability Center) The entrance point into the network infrastructure provisioning process for Wholesale Account Management for all Bona Fide Requests (BFRs).
ICAL	(Interexchange Carrier Access Line) is a PAL used primarily by IXCs to connect their coinless phones to the LEC network.
ICS	(InterCompany Settlement) using CMDS transmission and CATS (Calling Card and Third Number) Settlement.
IDDD	(International Direct Distance Dialing) Refers to dial-up calls placed to locations outside the United States.
IFE	(Integrated Front End) A service order input system used in the three Qwest regions. IFE downloads orders into the various service order processors such as SOLAR, CORD and SOPAD.
ILEC(s)	(Independent Local Exchange Carriers(s)) Local telephone businesses. These companies are the historical "Independents" who operate a local telephone business in non-Qwest territory. We interface with approximately 500 ILECs, who range in size from very small (less than 10 access lines) to very large (larger than Qwest).
IMA	(Interconnect Mediated Access) System for CLECs to send Local Service Requests and repair reports for POTS and designed services.
Inside Wiring	Wiring within a customer's premises that is used for internal communications or to connect CPE to the network interface.
Interexchange	Communication between two different LATAs.
InterLATA	Communication between two different LATAs.
Internet	Worldwide, interconnected networks. Through the use of gateways that convert formats and protocols between networks, the internet appears as a single network, with hosts and interconnected networks appearing as interconnected hosts.
IntraLATA	Communication within a Local Access Transport Area (LATA).
IP	(Internet Protocol) Defines the unit of information passed between systems that provides a basis packet delivery service.
IP Address	A 32-bit address assigned to a host. The IP address has a host component and network component. IP format may look like this: 148.123. 45.201.
IPP	(Independent Payphone Provider) A provider of CPE coin telephones and services. These companies may use Qwest public access lines or they may purchase local access from another provider.
IRRG	(Interconnect and Resale Resource Guide) explains the steps you need to take in order to do business with Qwest. The types of business explained in the guide are as a Facility-Based Provider, also known as a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC), and a Reseller. The IRRG is located here: http://www.qwest.com/wholesale/pcat/index.html
ISC	(Interconnect Services Center) Part of the Carrier Division, this department manages service non-complex order requests for CLECs.
ISCP	Integrated Services Control Panel
ISDN	Integrated Switched Digital Network
ISP	(Internet Service Provider) is a company which provides internet services
IXC	(Interexchange Carrier) Any individual, partnership, association, joint-stock company, trust, governmental entity or corporation engaged for hire in interstate or foreign communication by wire or radio between two or more exchanges.
Jeopardy	A condition that endangers the completion of scheduled provisioning processes, e.g., no facilities available.
K	One thousand. See kilobit.
Kbpst	(KKilobit) A measurement for data transmission. One kilobit is 1,000 bits per second.
kHz	(kHzKilohertz) Equals 1,000 hertz (1,000 cycles per second.)
LAN	(Local Area Network) A group of computers connected for the purpose of sharing resources.
LATA	(Local Access and Transport Area) Denotes a geographical area established for the provision and administration of communications service. It encompasses one or more designated exchanges, which are grouped to serve common social, economic, and other purposes.
LCA	(Local Calling Area) Defines the area(s) a customer can call without toll charges being incurred.
LERG	(Local Exchange Routing Guide) Telcordia Technology's document that identifies ends offices and their relationship to Tandem offices.
LFACS	(Loop Facilities Assignment and Control Center) System which assigns outside plant facilities, based on the type of service (design vs. non-design) requested and the serving central office and its wire center.
LIDB	(Line Identification Database) The Common Channel signaling system process of validating queries to determine the existence of data. Services include validation of the Qwest calling card; determination of billed lines that automatically reject or accept verification of certain calls billed as collect or bill-to-third party; determination of whether the billed line is a Qwest public or semi-public pay telephone; and, determination of the status of Central Office codes as active or vacant.
Line-Side Connection	A connection of transmission path to the line-side of a local exchange switching system.
LNP	Local Number Portability
LNPAs	Local Number Portability Administrators
LOA (Exclusive)	(Letter of Agency) Written by a customer authorizing a specific inter-connector to act exclusively on behalf of the customer when requesting CPNI or service order activity. The letter may have a set time frame or may be open ended.
LOA (Individual)	(Letter of Agency) The customer’s written or recorded authorization for an interconnector to act on behalf of the customer when requesting CPNI or service order activity. A customer may have Individual Letters of Agency signed with various providers.
Local Loop	The circuit between an end user's phone or terminal and the equipment at the local serving Central Office. Also called local access.
LONAL	(Local Off Network Access Line) Similar to Foreign Exchange Service, this line terminates local calls from an end user's private network.
LRAC	(Local Resource Administration Center) Builds technician logs, monitors the work order to a technician.
LSR	1. (Local Service Request) a form requesting transfer of or change to existing service. 2. (Leaf Setup Request) refers to a new multi-point connection in ATM
M	One million.
MAN	(Metropolitan Area Network) LANs interconnected within approxi-mately a 50 mile radius.
Mbps	(Megabits) A measurement of data transmission. One megabit equals 1 million bits per second.
MF	(Multifrequency) Having more than one frequency.
MOP	Method of Procedure
MOU	(Minutes of Use) The conversation time or the period of time from return of answer supervision to receipt of disconnect supervision, over Switched Access Service.
MPOP	(Minimum Point of Presence) The point at which the line enters the facility. The Demarc is located next to the MPOP.
MPTS	(Multiple POP Tandem Sectorization) A tandem routing option on originating Feature Group C and D service that allows customers to balance call volumes.
MSAs	Metropolitan Statistical Areas
MTSO	Mobile Telephone Switching Office
Multimedia	Computer systems providing audio, video and data.
MUX	(Multiplexer) Devise combining two or more signals into a single composite data stream for transmission on a single channel.
MUXing	Multiplexing, to transmit more than one signal over a single channel.
Narrowband	Transmission speeds less than 1.544 Mbps.
NANC	North American Numbering Council
NANP	North American Numbering Plan
NANPA	North American Numbering Plan Administration
NASC	Number Administration Service Center (800/888/887 database)
NCTE	(Network Channel Terminating Equipment) Customer Premises Equipment used with Qwest’s Switched Digital Service.
NDM	(Network Data Mover) File transmission protocol software.
Network	The set of switches, circuits, trunks and software that make up a telecommunications facility.
Node	An entity that accesses a network.
NPA	(Numbering Plan Area) North American area codes, three digits.
NPAC	Number Portability Administration Center
NR1	A charge code that permits a specified non-recurring charge to be billed which is different from the tariff rate.
NXX	The first three characters of a seven digit telephone number.
OBF	Ordering and Billing Forum
OC&C	(Other Charges and Credits) The portion of a customer telephone bill that itemizes work done charges for that billing period.
OCN	Operating Company Number
ODM	(Online Dispute Management) Is a common Web portal accessed via the Remote Control ordering system that allows Qwest Wholesale national customers to enter, submit, view, update, and cancel billing disputes.
ONA	(Open Network Architecture) A reconfiguration of Qwest's network whereby the Basic Service Elements of the switched network would be offered, for a price, to providers of Enhanced Services.
ONAL	(Off-Network Access Line) Similar to Foreign Exchange Service, this line terminates LATA-wide calls from an end user's private network.
ONI	Operator Number Identification.
Outside Plant	The connection from a customer's premises to Qwest's Central Office. Outside plant can be several different technologies, including cable, copper wire or fiber, depending on the type of service at the customer's location.
PAL	Public Access Line
PBX	Private Branch Exchange
PC	(Personal Computer) A computer system used primarily by one person.
PCS	Personal Communications Service
PMC	Public Mobile Carrier
POA	(Proof of Agency) A form signed by both a customer and a reseller that provides written authority for the reseller to act on behalf of the customer when ordering wholesale resale services.
Point-to-Point	A type of connection that links two, and only two, logical entities directly, with no intermediate processing nodes or computers.
POP	(Point-of-Presence) A physical location which is usually a building where the Interexchange Carrier system is interconnected with the Local Exchange Carrier Network.
POT	(Point-of-Termination) A designated point at or near a customer-designated premise at which the telephone company's responsibility for the provision of access service ends. Also called POP (Point-of-Presence.)
POTS	(Plain Old Telephone Service)
Primary Path	The preferred route from one switched node to another.
Product Overview	A brief definition of a product and/or service used in written methods and procedures.
Protocol	Formal set of rules for the format, sequencing, error control and timing of information sent on a data network.
PSC	Public Services Commission (Same as PUC)
PSD	(Payphone Specific Digit) As mandated by the FCC, a is transmitted on PAL lines to IXCs for purposes of Dial Around Compensation. Flex ANI technology allows Qwest central office switches to transmit the "29" (Inmate Phone) or "70" (Public Phone) digits on Basic PALs.
PSP	A Payphone Service Provider or 'vendor'.
PSTN	Public Switched Telephone Network
PTN	Public telephone network.
PUC	Public Utilities Commission
QORA	Qwest ® Online Request Application allows you to use a Graphical User Interface (GUI) to electronically submit Access Service Requests (ASRs)
QPF	(Quotation Preparation Fee) Denotes the fee for the work activities performed by Qwest to provide to a Carrier a quotation for Virtual Expanded Interconnection/ Collocation.
Q.Pricer	A web-based management tool that allows customers to obtain and save a price quote for unregulated leased local access, unregulated private line services, unregulated Qwest local broadband services, customer provided access (CPA) and regulated private line services.
Qwest Control (QControl)	A secure proprietary on-line and web-based application that provides instant access and management control over a broad range of Qwest National Wholesale products and services.
RA Date	On treatable bills, the date the Qwest billing system formats a reminder notice which is mailed to a customer advising of an over due bill. A "pay by" date is indicated on the notice.
RAM	(Random Access Memory) The part of a computer's memory that stores information temporarily while the information is being used.
Rate Center	Specified geographical coordinate location used for determining mileage.
RB Date	On treatable bills, the date the Qwest billing system notifies the collection office to contact the customer by telephone regarding an over due bill.
RBOC	(Regional Bell Operating Company) One of the seven "Baby Bell" companies established by the 1982 Modified Final Judgement that specified the terms for AT&T divestiture, e.g., Qwest, Ameritech, Nynex.
RDBS	Routing Data Base System
RFS	Ready For Service
RHS	Regional Holding Company
Resellers	These companies resell Qwest services to both residence and business customers. The type of products that are resold go from simple 1FR/1FBs to very complex Centrex systems and Frame Relay. Most of these customers have interconnection agreements with Qwest that allow them a wholesale discount on services the purchase from Qwest to resell to their end-user.
R/O	(Read Only) Data that cannot be modified by the reader.
ROM	(Read Only Memory) Memory whose contents may be read but not changed. Used for storing firmware and remains even when the computer's power is off.
Router	System that controls message distribution between multiple optional paths. Routing protocols are used to gain information about the network and select the best path.
ROW	Rights of Way
RSA	Repair Service Attendant
RSS	(Regional Subscription System) The system by which Qwest processes Equal Access information that allows end users to obtain service from their Interexchange Carrier of Choice.
SCID	(Sonet Carrier ID) Identifier that a Qwest Engineer assigns for TIRKS data. It identifies the carrier and location of the carrier’s equipment.
SCP	(Service/Signal Control Point) A part of SS7. A SCP is usually a host computer with databases.
SDC	(Service Delivery Coordinator) Also, formerly known as System Design Center. Now Custom Solutions & Implementation.
SDS	(Switched Digital Service) A data transport service offered by Qwest that lets end users establish digital connections to multiple locations through the public switched network.
Selective Carrier Denial	A service that restricts an end user from placing 1+, 0+, 00- and 10XXX calls from each restricted Feature Group D line.
Server	A remote computer that provides information accessible across a network.
Serving Wire Center	Denotes the Qwest office from which dial tone for local exchange service would normally be provided to the customer premises.
Slam	Changing a customer's interexchange carrier without permission.
SMDS	(Switched Multi- Megabit Data Service) Wide area, public packet data service encompassing high-performance information transport.
SONET	(Synchronous Optical Network) Standards and supporting technologies allowing for optical interfaces at both ends of an optical fiber; also connects equipment from different suppliers.
SOPS	(Service Order Process System) Generic term for the variety of service order distribution systems, e.g., SOPAD, SOLAR.
SS7	(Signaling System 7) Addressing protocol that speeds call processing by operating out of band.
SSP	Service Switching Ports.
STP	1. Shielded Twisted Pair. 2. Switching Transfer Points or Single Transfer Points, part of SS7. STPs are packet switches.
STS	Shared Tenant Service; Synchronous Transport Signals; Serving Translation Scheme.
SWC	Serving Wire Center
Switch	A device, such as a PBX, that responds to originator signals and connects the caller to the desired communications destination.
Switched DS1	Public Switched asynchronous transmission service that allows customers to set up and take down 1.544 Mbps circuits between locations in less than 10 seconds.
Tandems	Switches that consolidate traffic, reduce trunk group requirements, and switch interoffice traffic. They allow Qwest to manage the network more economically. Also referred to as "local" and "access" tandems.
TCIF	Telecommunications Industry Forum
Token Ring	An IBM LAN-based protocol that uses a ring shaped configuration. It has speeds of 4Mbps and 16Mbps. Data is transmitted from machine to machine with only one machine in control of the token is able to transmit.
Traffic	The messages or calls that flow through the circuits or equipment on a communications network. The four Switched Access capacity traffic types are originating, terminating, voice data and SwitchNet 56.
Trunk	A line which runs between two switches or swiching systems which are generally found in Central Offices and/or PBXs.
Trunk Group	A group of circuits of a common type originating from the same location.
Turn Up	Completion of an installation of a circuit and making it available for use by a customer.
Twisted Pair	Two copper wires twisted to cancel their own radio frequency interference to reduce noise on the circuit.
UDIT	Unbundled Dedicated Interoffice Transport
UNEs	Unbundled Network Elements
Upload	To transmit a file from one computer to another.
User ID	A unique name or number or both associated with a user name on a computer server.
USOC	(Universal Service Order Code) Standard code assigned to tele-communications service offerings, e.g., TFB, 9ZR.
VCP	(Vendor Commission Plan) The Qwest Vendor Commission Plan allows PSP's to earn competitive commissions on local & IntraLATA 0+/0- calls routed through Qwest.
V H	Vertical and horizontal grid points used to determine straight-line mileage between locations. The junction point is the called V and H coordinate.
Voice Grade	The term applied to channels used primarily for speech transmission, generally with a frequency range of about 300 to 3,000 cycles per second (hertz.) Voice Grade channels may be used to send analog or digital data or facsimile.
VPN	(Virtual Private Network) Permits a switched network to have special services such as abbreviated dialing. This allows an end user to call between two long distance locations without having to dial all numbers.
WAN	(Wide Area Network) Remote computer system that allows file sharing among geographically distributed locations. Speeds are generally slower than those of LANs or MANs.
WATS	(Wide Area Telephone Service) Normally an 800-telephone number that permits a caller to call toll free to the subscriber of the WATS service.
Wideband	Transmission speeds between 1.544 and 155 Mbps.
Wire Center	A building housing one or more end office and/or tandem switches.
WSPs	Wireless Service Providers
WWW	(World Wide Web) Internet system for hypertext linking of multimedia documents. Allows a user to travel through multiple related documents by following a chosen route by clicking on words or graphics.

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