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TITLE 1ADMINISTRATION
PART 12COMMISSION ON STATE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
CHAPTER 2519-1-1 SERVICE--STANDARDS
RULE §251.14VoIP Positioning Center Operator Minimum Requirements

(a) Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to establish minimum requirements for VoIP Positioning Center (VPC) Operators providing or facilitating the providing of 9-1-1 service using a dynamic Automatic Location Identification (ALI) solution. This rule is intended to provide the end-users of IP-enabled voice service providers (VSPs) with a consistent level of 9-1-1 service that is more comparable to wireline E9-1-1 service.

(b) Applicability. This rule is applicable to VPC Operators providing or facilitating the providing of 9-1-1 service to VSP end-users whose voice service is either fixed or nomadic, but non-mobile. Nomadic service is service that an end-user can access from any broadband connection. This rule provides the minimum standards for a VPC Operator to implement 9-1-1 service requirements.

(c) Registration. A VPC Operator shall register with the Commission and provide written notice to each 9-1-1 Entity in whose region or territory they provide VPC service. Registration is a prerequisite to accessing a 9-1-1 Entity's Network and 9-1-1 Database, for obtaining 9-1-1 Entity approval to obtain pseudo automatic number identifications (pANIs), and for accessing dedicated 9-1-1 trunking, as applicable. Registration shall be made on a form provided by Commission staff and includes:

  (1) VPC Operator name;

  (2) Services provided;

  (3) Name of 9-1-1 Entity in whose region or territory the VPC Operator provides service;

  (4) Name and contact information of its VSP customers;

  (5) Whether the VPC Operator collects or remits 9-1-1 service fees on behalf of any of its VSP customers' end-users.

(d) Service Plan. A VPC Operator shall submit to the Commission a service plan consisting of the pANIs obtained from the North America Numbering Plan Administrator and the Emergency Service Number (ESN) assignment associated with each pANI.

(e) Certification. A VPC Operator shall annually, and upon request by the Commission or a 9-1-1 Entity, update and certify the accuracy of its registration information.

(f) Coordination with 9-1-1 Entity. Upon request from the Commission or a 9-1-1 Entity in whose region or territory a VPC Operator provides service, the VPC Operator shall coordinate with the Commission or requesting 9-1-1 Entity to ensure compliance with this rule and the proper provisioning of 9-1-1 service.

(g) VPC Operator Minimum Requirements in Providing 9-1-1 Service. A VPC Operator shall:

  (1) use the current Master Street and Address Guide (MSAG) of each 9-1-1 Entity in whose region or territory the Operator provides 9-1-1 service to:

    (A) validate end-user ALI;

    (B) assign wireline ESNs from Emergency Services Query Key (ESQK) pools created for such purpose; and

    (C) use the correct ESQK pool in order to enable displaying valid English Language Translations (ELTs) matching the assigned wireline ESN;

  (2) accept delta MSAG files in a manner consistent with the standard current format of initial MSAG files to maintain the MSAG for near real-time validation purposes;

  (3) provide a pANI shell record containing the Automatic Number Information (ANI) and ALI associated with the 9-1-1 call;

  (4) provide the equivalent of MSAG-validated routing with associated wireline ESN, including the appropriate National Emergency Number Association (NENA) Class of Service (COS) code provided by its VSP and used by the 9-1-1 Entity in its region or territory. The foregoing requires VPC Operator to request from its VSP customers that they convey the correct COS codes for the VSPs' end-users;

  (5) provide its VSP customer's NENA Company ID in the Company ID field in the ALI record associated with each 9-1-1 call. VPC Operator's NENA Company ID should be identified by the pANI. In areas where the 9-1-1 Database supports using two NENA Company IDs, the two Company IDs shall be populated as provided in NENA standard 02-010; and

  (6) not use fictitious data in the pANI shell record associated with each 9-1-1 call.

(h) MSAG validation and ALI Discrepancies. A VPC Operator shall address MSAG validation errors and ALI discrepancies within three (3) business days of notification by a 9-1-1 Entity. A VPC Operator shall verify that referred MSAG validation and ALI discrepancies have been resolved and provide written notice to the notifying 9-1-1 Entity.

  (1) A VPC shall obtain prior approval from the notifying 9-1-1 Entity before resolving a validation or discrepancy using an address translation or alias. A notifying 9-1-1 Entity shall use its best efforts to approve/deny requests for translations or aliases within three (3) business days of receipt of a request from a VPC Operator.

  (2) A VPC shall refer questions about a 9-1-1 Entity's MSAG to the appropriate 9-1-1 Entity. If the VPC Operator does not receive a response within three (3) business days, it shall escalate the issue to the 9-1-1 Entity or a representative of the appropriate MSAG authority.

(i) ESQKs. Upon request from a 9-1-1 Entity, a VPC Operator will provide a listing of ESQKs used in the requesting 9-1-1 Entity's region or territory and a description of the standard period of aging and re-use cycle of ESQKs (e.g., how long ESQK information for the 9-1-1 call remains visible for call transfers).

(j) Conversion and Deletion of Static 9-1-1 ALI Records. A VPC Operator whose VSP customer has static 9-1-1 ALI records in the 9-1-1 Database shall notify in writing its customer and the 9-1-1 Entity when conversion from the static protocol is complete to enable the VSP to initiate removal of all affected static records from the 9-1-1 Database.

(k) Records and Information. To the extent permitted by 47 U.S.C. §222(g), a VPC Operator will, upon request from the Commission or a 9-1-1 Entity, provide records and information described by that section or timely forward the request to all affected VSPs and provide notice to the Commission or the requesting 9-1-1 Entity. Records and information submitted in response to a request shall be kept confidential in accordance with 47 U.S.C. §222(g) and Health and Safety Code §771.061, and used for purposes of enhancing the provisioning of 9-1-1 service or emergency notification service.


Source Note: The provisions of this §251.14 adopted to be effective May 1, 2013, 37 TexReg 8449

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