The North American Numbering Plan, or "NANP," refers to the telephone numbering scheme used for the public switched telecommunications networks to route calls to subscribers. The NANP format is a 10-digit number that consists of a 3-digit NPA code (commonly referred to as the area code), followed by a 3-digit NXX code (also referred to as the Central Office (CO) code) and a 4-digit line number.
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 directed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to "designate an impartial numbering administrator to make telecommunications numbering available on an equitable basis." The FCC directed the North American Numbering Council (NANC) to recommend a neutral party to serve as the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA), known as the "Code Administrator," to accomplish this task. Lockheed Martin IMS was selected as the new NANPA. Lockheed Martin IMS became NeuStar™, a separate company, on Dec. 1, 1999. Additional information on numbering resources and assignments administered by NANPA, includes Area Codes (NPA), Carrier Identification Codes (CIC), N11 Codes, Service Access Codes, Vertical Service Codes, and NXX Codes, can be found on the NANPA web site.
Numbering information is included in the national Business Integrated Routing/Rating Database System (BIRRDS), previously known as the Routing Data Base System (RDBS) and the Business Rating Input Database System (BRIDS) and the Line Information Data Base (LIDB) Access Support System (LASS). The BIRRDS contains detailed descriptions of all Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs) and wireless companies networks in the NANP area necessary for message routing, common channel signaling call setup, operator service access routing and message rating. The LASS contains information necessary for credit card and calling card services. Numbering information included in these databases provides the industry with notifications of changes through the database outputs. Examples of the database outputs include the Local Exchange Routing Guide (LERG™), the NPA/NXX Activity Guide (NNAG), the Terminating Point Master (TPM™), the NPA/NXX Vertical and Horizontal Coordinates Data (VHCD) and the LIDB Access Routing Guide (LARG).
You are responsible for administering numbering resources assigned to you and for updating the national databases (BIRRDS, LASS), when appropriate. In addition, you are responsible for programming and updating your own switches and network systems, pursuant to the LERG, to recognize and route traffic to Qwest's NXX codes. You are also responsible for notifying your end-users of any changes in numbering or dialing arrangements, such as the introduction of a new NPA.
NXX Assignments and Activations
NXXs are assigned within geographic NPAs for use at a Switching
Entity or Point of Interconnection (POI). NXX codes are normally
associated with a specific geographic location within an NPA. Examples
of uses for NXX codes include Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS),
Centrex, Direct Inward Dialing (DID®), cellular mobile service,
pagers, data lines, facsimile, coin phones and customer-owned pay
phones.
When you request an NXX code from NANPA, you must comply with the Industry Numbering Committee (INC) Central Office Code Assignment Guidelines (COCAG). The COCAG is published by the INC as INC 95-0407-008, and can be obtained by accessing Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS), under INC documents. The latest version of the Guidelines is considered the current standard. While the Guidelines were developed at the direction of the FCC, they do not supersede applicable local, state, federal governmental or the NANP area governmental regulations relative to the services you wish to provide.
The COCAG will describe all the steps necessary for you to request a new NXX code. The Guidelines include the following activities:
Qwest NPA NXX Code Activation Process
When you request to have an NXX code activated within the Qwest
territory, in addition to following the COCAG, you need to be familiar
with the related Qwest NPA NXX Code Activation Process.
The Qwest NPA NXX Code Activation Process is based on the requirements identified in the COCAG. You must first input your new NXX code information into the BIRRDS, or have contracted with another party to provide the input on your behalf. The BIRRDS data includes information on NXX codes and current network configurations necessary before your CO code can become active. Qwest pulls the "All Pending Changes," or XAP report, from the BIRRDS on a daily basis and issues the routing order to activate the new NXX Code within the Qwest network. The routing information is obtained from the LERG and the trunk group routing information you provided to Qwest when you issued your trunk group orders.
In some instances, Qwest also recommends that you complete the Qwest NPA NXX Code Request Routing Form described in the Ordering Section of this guide when requesting code activations where you have more than one routing option available, or where unique routing specifications are required.
Number Pooling
Thousands-block Number Pooling is a process by which 10,000 numbers
in a NXX are separated into 10 blocks of 1,000 numbers each (thousands-blocks),
and allocated within a rate center by a neutral administrator. Number
Pooling has been established in accordance with the FCC Report and
Order No. 00-104 and the INC Thousands Block Pooling Administration
Guidelines (INC 99-0127-023).
The term Pooling Administrator refers to the entity or entities responsible for administering a thousands-block number pool. The FCC selected NeuStar as the national Pooling Administrator. Where thousands-block Number Pooling has been implemented, the Pooling Administrator is authorized to allocate thousands-blocks to CLEC applicants and to apply for additional NXXs for pool replenishment. In areas where thousands-block Number Pooling has been implemented, the NXX code holders are designated as the "LERG Assignee". Where Number Pooling has not been implemented, CLEC providers that have been assigned NXXs are termed "code holders". CLECs obtaining blocks from the Pooling Administrator are termed "block holders." It is the responsibility of the block holder to know and comply with the INC Thousands Block Pooling Administration Guidelines. The Pooling Administrator will select a "LERG assignee" when codes need to be added to the pool, in accordance with the INC Guidelines. The LERG assignee will fill out the CO Code Request and submit it to the Pooling Administrator, who will forward the request to the Code Administrator. For more information on Number Pooling, refer to NeuStar. For a copy of the Pooling Administration Guidelines, refer to ATIS and click on INC documents.
Qwest Dialing Plans
Local Dialing Parity provides all CLECs with the ability to have
nondiscriminatory access to telephone numbers, operator services,
directory assistance, and directory listings, without unreasonable
dialing delays. For more information regarding Local Dialing Parity
and the Qwest dialing plans, refer to Local
Dialing Parity.
There are no charges associated with the activation of NXX codes within the Qwest network.
Not applicable to this product.
If you are a new CLEC and are ready to do business with Qwest, view Getting Started for Facility-Based CLECs or Getting Started for Resellers. If you are an existing CLEC wishing to amend your Interconnection Agreement, you can find additional information in the Interconnection Agreement.
The following actions must be completed prior to the activation of an NXX code within the Qwest territory:
You do not need to order NPA NXX Code Activation within Qwest COs.
Your NXX(s) are activated in the Qwest network as a normal course of business in accordance with the information you provide in the LERG. However, there are times when the routing information required to activate a new NXX is not discernable from the information contained in the LERG. For example, this could happen when you have a single switch served by multiple trunk groups, or when you do not have trunk groups in place prior to the NXX activation date. Qwest will attempt to determine the proper routing based on the information contained in your Local Service Requests (LSRs), LERG, and from your existing trunking records. However, the proper route is not always discernable from the information available to Qwest. In these instances, the Qwest Routing Group will refer routing questions to the Qwest Service Delivery Coordinator (SDC). The SDC will further investigate the routing information and, when necessary, call you to resolve any issues. If the SDC is not able to obtain all the necessary information after the SDC has contacted you, the SDC may additionally request that you complete the NPA NXX Code Request Routing Form.
You may also want to initiate the NPA NXX Code Request Routing Form on a proactive basis, prior to being contacted by Qwest, to ensure accurate routing of your code in accordance with your specifications.
NPA NXX Code Request Routing Form (previously known as the NPA
NXX Code Request Supplemental Form)
When the routing information is not discernable, as identified above,
Qwest will initiate a request that you complete the NPA
NXX Code Request Routing Form. The information contained on
this form is necessary to route calls to your NXX code appropriately.
For each NXX code assigned to you by the NANPA, you will need to
provide Qwest with the Common Language® Location Identifier
(CLLI™) of your CO switch serving the new NXX code, or your
(POI), if it is located in a different LATA, and the CLLI code(s)
of the Qwest tandem where traffic will be routed. For NXX codes
assigned to existing Local Interconnect Service (LIS) trunk groups,
you will need to provide Qwest with the assigned Trunk Group Serial
Number (TGSN or Two-Six Code) for the NXX code that is to be activated.
If you are aware that you have multiple routing options available within the Qwest network at the time you complete the Part 2 BIRRDS input, completing the Qwest NPA NXX Code Request Routing Form at the same time will ensure that your NXX code is routed to your specifications.
If routing information is not available, and the Qwest NPA NXX Code Request Routing Form has not been received, the Qwest routing order is in jeopardy until the appropriate routing information is received. Complete and accurate information must be received by the Qwest routing group 25 days prior to the activation due date. Qwest NPA NXX Code Request Routing Form can be sent to:
Qwest Routing Group
Email: routing@qwest.com
Fax: 303-707-9578
Send a copy of your Qwest NPA NXX Code Request Routing Form to your Qwest Service Manager.
Qwest uses a designed services coordinated installation provisioning process to fulfill your LIS orders associated with the opening of new NXX codes. Refer to the Provisioning and Installation Overview for more detailed information regarding the provisioning of your service.
NXX Code Activation Intervals
Requests for code assignments cannot be made more than six months
prior to the requested effective date. You must request an effective
date for the NXX code activation at least 66 calendar days after
your request is sent to NANPA. This 66-calendar day interval is
derived by adding the 21 days allotted for code request processing
to the industry standard of 45 days for code activation. NXX code
activation begins from the date the NXX code request is input into
RDBS and BRIDS. Download the Industry
NXX Code Activation Timeline for more information. Note that
Interconnection trunks and facilities must be in place prior to
activation of an NXX code. Such arrangements are outside the scope
of these interval guidelines.
NXX Code Testing
Qwest will perform testing for new NXX codes as a normal course
of business when test numbers are provided. Qwest requests that
you establish a four-digit test line number for use with each new
NXX code that you open up. Test numbers associated with an NXX code
should be published in the LERG and included in your NPA NXX Code
Request Routing Form, if one is issued.
Qwest will work cooperatively with you to resolve trouble reports when a trouble condition has been isolated and determined to be within the Qwest network. The Account Maintenance Support Center (AMSC) is open 24 hours a day and can be reached at 1-800-784-3414.
NPA NXX Trouble Reporting
When calling Qwest to report trouble that may be related to a recent
NXX Code Activation, you should complete the following activities
prior to reporting the trouble:
Contact the AMSC to report the trouble. You may submit trouble reports via e-bonding or by utilizing your normal trouble reporting channel into the AMSC.
The following information should be provided to the Qwest Repair Service Attendant (RSA):
Escalation of Trouble Ticket and Status Requests:
| Contact | Toll- Free Number | Information to Provide |
| Qwest AMSC | Utilize your normal trouble reporting channel into the AMSC | All details necessary to open the trouble ticket |
| Escalation of Trouble Ticket | ||
| Request Qwest Duty Supervisor or the Next Level of Supervision | Utilize your normal trouble reporting channel into the AMSC | |
Not applicable to this product.
Local Qwest 101 "Doing Business With Qwest"
View additional Qwest courses in the Course Catalog.
Industry training that includes information on NXX Code Activations is also available on the ATIS web site under the Document Center as "Intercompany Responsibilities Within The Telecommunications Industry."
Qwest contact information is located in Wholesale Customer Contacts.
For additional information, contact your Qwest Service Manager.
1. How do I obtain an NXX Code?
You can obtain an NXX Code by requesting one from the NANPA. Information
on numbering assignments can be found on the NANPA
web site.
2. How are my NXX Codes activated within Qwest?
Your NXX Codes are activated in the Qwest network as a normal course
of business in accordance with the information you provide in the
LERG. If, in some instances, additional routing information is required,
Qwest recommends that you complete the "Qwest NPA NXX Code Request
Routing Form."
3. What happens if my trunk groups are not in place, or if I
need to change the activation date of a new NXX Code?
You are responsible for administering the NXX codes assigned to
you. If the effective date for an NXX code activation changes, you
will need to notify NANPA and make the necessary changes in the
LERG.
Last Update: February 28, 2008
LERG™, CLLI™ and TPM™ are trademarks of Telcordia Technologies, Inc.
NeuStar™ is a trademark of NeuStar, Inc.
DID® is a registered trademark of Qwest Communications International, Inc.
Common Language® is a registered trademark of Telcordia Technologies, Inc.
