(a) Purpose. The provisions of this section are intended
to assure the integrity of the state's emergency 9-1-1 system in the
context of a competitive and technologically evolving telecommunications
market. In particular this section establishes specific reporting
and notification requirements and mandates certain minimum network
interoperability, service quality standards, and database integrity
standards. The requirements in this section are in addition to the
applicable interconnection requirements required by §26.272 of
this title (relating to Interconnection).
(b) Application. This section applies to a certificated
telecommunications utility (CTU).
(c) 9-1-1 service provider certification requirements.
(1) Only a CTU may be a 9-1-1 database management services
provider.
(2) Only a CTU may be a 9-1-1 network services provider.
(3) Unless acting as a 9-1-1 database management services
provider or 9-1-1 network services provider, PSAPs and 9-1-1 administrative
entities do not require certification by the commission.
(d) Requirement to prepare plan and reporting and notification
requirements.
(1) Network Services Plan. Before providing service,
a 9-1-1 network services provider must prepare and file with the commission
a network services plan. The plan must be updated upon a change affecting
a 9-1-1 administrative entity, a 9-1-1 database management services
provider, or the 9-1-1 network services provider, but not more often
than quarterly of each year. Material submitted to the commission
in accordance with this section believed to contain proprietary or
confidential information must be identified as such, and the commission
may enter an appropriate protective order. The network services plan
must include:
(A) a description of the network services and infrastructure
for equipment and software being used predominantly for the purpose
of providing 9-1-1 services including alternate routing, default routing,
central office identification, and selective routing, ESN, and transfer
information;
(B) a schematic drawing and maps illustrating current
9-1-1 network service arrangements specific to each 9-1-1 administrative
entity's jurisdiction for each applicable rate center, city, and county.
The maps must show the overlay of rate center, county, and city boundaries;
and
(C) a schedule of planned network upgrades and modifications
that includes an explanation of 9-1-1 customer premises equipment
implications, if any, related to upgrades and modifications.
(2) Database Services Plan. Before providing service,
a 9-1-1 database management services provider must prepare and file
with the commission a database services plan. The plan must be updated
upon a change affecting a 9-1-1 administrative entity, a 9-1-1 database
management services provider, or the 9-1-1 network services provider,
but not more often than quarterly of each year. Material submitted
to the commission in accordance with this section believed to contain
proprietary or confidential information must be identified as such,
and the commission may enter an appropriate protective order. The
database services plan must include:
(A) a narrative description of the current database
services provided, including but not limited to a description of current
9-1-1 database management service arrangements and each NPA/NXX by
selective router served by the database management services provider;
(B) a schematic drawing and maps of current 9-1-1 database
service arrangements specific to the applicable agency's jurisdiction
for each applicable rate center, city, and county. The maps must show
the overlay of rate center, county, and city boundaries;
(C) a current schedule of planned database management
upgrades and modifications, including software upgrades;
(D) an explanation of 9-1-1 customer premises equipment
implications, if any, related to any upgrades and modifications referenced
in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph; and
(E) a description of all database contingency plans
for 9-1-1 emergency service.
(3) Other notification requirements. A CTU must notify
each affected 9-1-1 administrative entity at least 30 days prior to
activating or using a new NXX in a rate center or upon the commencement
of providing local telephone service in any rate center.
(e) Network interoperability and service quality requirements.
To ensure network interoperability and a consistent level of service
quality the following standards apply.
(1) A CTU operating in the state of Texas must:
(A) Participate, as technically appropriate and necessary,
in 9-1-1 network and 9-1-1 database modifications; including, but
not limited to, those related to area code relief planning, 9-1-1
tandem reconfiguration, and changes to the 9-1-1 network services
or database management services provider.
(B) Notify and coordinate changes to the 9-1-1 network
and database with, as necessary and appropriate, its wholesale customers,
all affected 9-1-1 administrative entities, and CSEC.
(C) Provide a P.01 grade of service, or its equivalent
as applicable, on the direct dedicated 9-1-1 trunk groups. If a CTU
is a 9-1-1 network services provider, the CTU must provide a P.01
grade of service, or its equivalent as applicable, to the PSAP.
(D) Apprise all affected 9-1-1 administrative entities
of any failure to meet the P.01 grade of service, or its equivalent
as applicable, in writing and correct any degradation within 60 days.
(2) A telecommunications provider operating in the
state of Texas must:
(A) Provide to each applicable 9-1-1 administrative
entity the name, title, address, and telephone number of the telecommunications
provider's 9-1-1 contacts including a designated contact person to
be available at all times to work with the appropriate 9-1-1 administrative
entity or entities, CSEC and the commission to resolve 9-1-1-related
emergencies. CSEC must be notified of any change to a telecommunications
provider's designated 9-1-1 contact personnel within five working
days.
(B) Develop a 9-1-1 disaster recovery and service restoration
plan with input from the applicable 9-1-1 administrative entity, CSEC,
and the commission.
(f) Database integrity. To ensure the consistent quality
of database information required for fixed-location 9-1-1 services,
the following standards apply.
(1) A CTU operating in the state of Texas must:
(A) Utilize a copy of the 9-1-1 administrative entity's
MSAG or other appropriate governmental source, such as post offices
and local governments, to confirm that valid addresses are available
for 9-1-1 calls for areas where the 9-1-1 service includes selective
routing, or automatic location identification, or both, in order to
confirm that valid addresses are available for 9-1-1 calls. This requirement
is applicable where the 9-1-1 administrative entity has submitted
an MSAG for the service area to the designated 9-1-1 database management
services provider. The MSAG must be made available to the CTU at no
charge and must be in a mechanized format that is compatible with
the CTU's systems. This requirement must not be construed as a basis
for denying installation of basic telephone service, but as a process
to minimize entry of erroneous records into the 9-1-1 system.
(B) Take reasonable and necessary steps to avoid submission
of telephone numbers associated with non-dialtone generating service
to the 9-1-1 database management services provider.
(C) Submit corrections to inaccurate subscriber information
to the 9-1-1 database management services provider within 72 hours
of notification of receipt of the error file from the 9-1-1 database
management services provider.
(D) As applicable, coordinate 9-1-1 database error
resolution for resale customers.
(2) A 9-1-1 database management services provider operating
in the state of Texas must:
(A) Provide copies of the MSAG for each 9-1-1 administrative
entity the 9-1-1 database management services provider serves to any
CTU authorized to provide local exchange service within the jurisdiction
of those 9-1-1 administrative entities. The 9-1-1 database management
services provider must make all updates to the MSAG electronically
available to CTUs within 24 hours of the update by the 9-1-1 administrative
entity.
(B) Upon receipt of written confirmation from the appropriate
CTU, delete inaccurate subscriber information within 24 hours for
deletions of fewer than 100 records. For deletions of 100 records
or more, the database management service provider must delete the
records as expeditiously as possible within a maximum time frame of
30 calendar days.
(g) Cost recovery. A CTU is prohibited from charging
a 9-1-1 administrative entity for, through tariffed or non-tariffed
charges, the preparation and transfer of files from the CTU's service
order system to be used in the creation of 9-1-1 call routing data
and 9-1-1 ALI data.
Cont'd... |