Qwest's retail telecommunication service, Market Expansion Line ® (MEL) is available for resale by Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs) to their end-users. Additional information about resale of Qwest's retail services is available in Resale General.
MEL is also known as Remote Call Forwarding (RCF). RCF provides the end-user a local telephone number without having a physical location. The local telephone number works out of a Central Office (C.O.).
Types of MEL service include:
The MEL (Remote Call Forward) Number has one access (talk path) which allows only one call in progress at a time. Additional talk paths can be ordered to allow additional calls to be forwarded provided the distant location is equipped to receive them.
Qwest provides notification when local calling areas are changed due to Extended Area Service (EAS) expansions. As a result of these expansions, you should take the opportunity to determine if your current MEL option meets your needs.
MEL service is available where facilities exist throughout Qwest's 14-state local service territory. In Utah, a Local MEL is not available when the call forwarding number is to a different exchange in the same local calling area.
For more information refer to the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.
Customers with MEL are susceptible to toll fraud so security actions must be taken. It is your responsibility to validate the end-user's billing and credit information.
Additional terms and conditions, rates, and charges can be found for each state in the Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.
MEL calls can be forwarded to the following:
MEL calls cannot forward to the following:
Technical characteristics are described in the following:
MEL service is offered on a month-to-month basis. Non recurring charges may apply when the service is added and or changed.
Rates are available in Exhibit A or specific rate sheet in your Interconnect or Resale Agreement.
Qwest retail rates are available in the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.
Qwest's retail rates for MEL service, less any applicable resale discount, apply to resold MEL service.
For terms and conditions applicable to Qwest retail products available for resale, view the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.
There are no optional features applicable with MEL.
For information regarding availability of Optional Calling Plans refer to the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.
| Features | Benefits |
| Includes one free directory listing |
|
| Provides a local telephone number without having a physical location. |
|
See Features/Benefits.
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, additional information is located in the Interconnection Agreement.
You must perform Loop Qualification before ordering new QWB service to determine if, and at what speeds, broadband service is available at the end-user's location. Loop Qualification will qualify addresses for Qwest broadband only, and will return the highest speed available for that location. Loop qualification is available by:
It is important to understand Resale General procedures before ordering MEL.
General ordering activities are described in the Ordering Overview.
Service requests should be placed using Interconnect Mediated Access (IMA) Extensible Markup Language (XML), IMA Graphical User Interface (GUI), or faxed to (888) 796-9089.
MEL service requests are submitted using the following Local Service Ordering Guidelines (LSOG) forms:
MEL is ordered similarly to Resale POTS with the following unique ordering requirements:
If you want the main listing to be Non-Published this will be provided free of charge for the main listing only. To achieve this you must :
The RS Form must contain the appropriate line Universal Service Order Code(s) (USOCs). The following table contains the USOCs available for MEL service.
| Product | Business USOCs | Residential USOCs |
| Resale LMEL | RCFVH - AZ, ID-S, MT, NM, UT*, WY RCFVF - CO, IA, MN, NE, ND, SD RD5 - ID-N, OR, WA |
RCFRH - AZ, ID-S, MT, NM, UT*, WY RCFRF - CO, IA, MN, NE, ND, SD RD6 - ID-N, OR, WA |
| Resale Long Distance MEL | RCFVT - AZ, CO, ID-S, MT, NM, UT, WY RCFVE (Interlata) - IA, ID-N, MN, NE, ND, OR, SD, WA RCFVS (Intralata) - IA, ID-N, MN, NE, ND, OR, SD, WA |
RCFRT - AZ, CO, ID-S, MT, NM, UT, WY RCFRE (Interstate) - IA, MN, NE, ND, SD RCFRS (Interstate) - IA, MN, NE, ND, SD NA in ID-N, OR, WA |
| Resale WATS MEL | RCFWT - AZ, CO, ID-S, MT, NM, UT, WY RCFVS (Intrastate Termination) - IA, MN, NE, ND, SD RCFWS (Intrastate Termination) - ID-N, OR, WA RCFVE (Interstate Termination) - IA, MN, NE, ND, SD RCFWE (Interstate Termination) - ID-N, OR, WA |
NA |
| Resale International MEL (includes Canada) |
RCFVN - IA, ID-N, MN, NE, ND, OR, SD, WA | RCFRN - IA, MN, NE, ND, SD |
| MEL additional path (If you want to be able to answer two or more calls from the MEL number) | RCA - All states | RCA - All states |
* UT: Local Remote Call Forwarding is not available when the call forwarding number is to a different exchange in the same local calling area.
The MEL can be arranged to handle more than one call simultaneously by establishing additional talk path(s). The additional talk path functions as an incoming call group which allows multiple calls to the MEL number to be completed simultaneously.
If customer wants to be able to answer two or more calls from the MEL at the same time they must:
| IF YOU HAVE | AND | THEN | EXAMPLE |
| One MEL, No additional path (RCA) Call Waiting at CFN | First MEL call is in progress | Second MEL call will get a busy | RCFVH/GSZ 1 |
| One MEL, One additional path (RCA), Call Waiting at CFN | First MEL call is in progress | Second MEL call can be answered | RCFVH/GSZ 2 RCA/GSZ 2 |
The total number of calls that can be in progress at the same time is identified by the FID /GSZ (Group Size). If additional call paths are required, the USOC RCA will be added to the request followed by the FID /GSZ and the total number of call paths. The Group Size is calculated by adding the MEL line plus the additional call paths.
The RCA (Remote Call Additional) adds the capability of forwarding additional calls from the same MEL line. Each RCA added to the MEL Line will forward one additional call to the forwarding end. There are limitations to how many additional paths are allowed by Central Office Switch Type. The table below shows the RCA limitations.
| Central Office Type | RCA Limitation |
| 5ESS/RSM | 99 paths |
| DMS10 | 15 paths |
| DMS-100 | 511 paths |
NOTE: Because the MEL releases each call almost immediately, it is usually unnecessary to have a large number of extra call paths; however, the end user should have a sufficient number of lines at the call forwarding number (CFN) to support the additional talk paths. (End users lines should be equal to or greater than the number of talk paths.). If callers to the MEL are getting busy signals, this is an indication that there are an insufficient number of talk paths to accommodate the number of concurrent calls. Call Waiting and Call Forward Busy arrangements have physical limitations depending on switch type and should not be relied on to handle calls being received. The total GSZ should not exceed the number of calls that can be answered at the end-user's premises. For example, a MEL with a GSZ=6 should have six lines in a hunt group, or five lines in a hunt group with the last line forwarding to voice mail.
Use of USOCs and Field Identifiers (FIDs) are described in the USOCs & FIDs Overview. Use of the USOC/FID Finder will assist you in identifying USOC and FID requirements.
Other field entry requirements are described in the LSOG.
If requesting a directory listing, the listed address can not be the CO address. The listed address must be the address where calls are answered or the address may be omitted from the directory.
Additional information on ordering directory listings is available in the White Pages Directory Listings PCAT
Feature Detail (FID and Data Requirements)
The Activity type of Conversion as Specified (ACT = V - Conversion as specified/DL) should be used for the following changes:
If you are the owner of the account, refer to the following examples when changing to a different type of service.
Changing from Resale POTS or Centrex service to Resale MEL
This feature is ordered by including:
Example of entries:
Changing from Resale MEL service to Resale POTS
This feature is ordered by including:
Example of entries:
Changing from Resale MEL service to Resale Centrex Plus
This feature is ordered by including:
Example of entries:
Firm Order Confirmation (FOC) intervals are available in the SIG.
A jeopardy occurs on a LSR request if a condition exists that threatens timely completion. Jeopardy notification information is described in the Provisioning and Installation Overview.
General maintenance and repair activities are described in the Maintenance and Repair Overview.
On a monthly basis, Qwest will provide you with billing information that will provide summary account information as well as end-user account information.
Customer Records and Information System (CRIS) billing is described in Billing Information - Customer Records and Information System (CRIS).
Local Qwest 101 "Doing Business With Qwest"
View additional Qwest courses in the Course Catalog.
Qwest contact information is located in Wholesale Customer Contacts.
Q. What number will appear on the Caller ID?
A. Caller ID displays the Calling Number and not the Remote Call
Forwarding (MEL) Number.
Q. Can a Reseller send Qwest a request to Port-In a telephone
number (non-native to Qwest) and establish it as a MEL?
A. Yes, as long as all rules for both Port-In and MEL are followed,
including but not limited to porting within the same Rate Center.
Additional information can be found in the Port-In
Business Procedure
Q. Can more than one MEL be billed on the same account?
A. Yes, more than one MEL may be billed on the same account as long
as they originate from and terminate in (CFN) the same exchanges,
i.e., originating exchanges are same and terminating exchanges are
same.
Q. Can usage for each MEL be billed separately?
A. If more than one MEL on account all local usage is billed together
for all MELs. If usage is needed separately for each MEL, issue
each MEL request as a separate account.
Last Update: March 6, 2009
Market Expansion Line® is a Registered Trademark of Qwest Communications International, Inc.
