JOINT PRESS RELEASE
ATIS
John Bernhards
Phone: 202/434-8850
E-mail: jbernhards@atis.org
For Immediate Release
CTIA
Travis Larson
Phone: 202/736-3207
E-mail: tlarson@ctia.org
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ATIS and CTIA Announce Plans to Transfer Management of WNP Implementation Procedures Document to ATIS-sponsored Ordering and Billing Forum (OBF)
January 15, 2002, Washington, D.C. - The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry
Solutions (ATIS) and the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association
(CTIA), today announced an agreement to transfer responsibility and maintenance
of the Intercarrier Communications Process (ICP) Document from the CTIA to the
ATIS-sponsored Ordering and Billing Forum (OBF). The ICP Document outlines the
processes and procedures necessary for wireless carriers to implement Wireless
Number Portability (WNP). WNP allows consumers to keep their telephone numbers
when changing to local area wireless service providers.
Specifically, the ICP Document defines the operational requirements and technical specifications necessary for the exchange of information between Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS) providers, in order to "port" a specific telephone number. The requirements found within the ICP document pertain to all CMRS providers, including analog Advanced Mobile phone Systems (AMPS), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), and iDEN (Nextel) providers.
"The ATIS-sponsored OBF provides a venue to identify and resolve national telecommunications issues which affect ordering, billing and provisioning of information for access services," said Susan Miller, President and CEO of ATIS. "In assuming responsibility of the ICP Document, the OBF will utilize its expertise to support the wireless industry in meeting the many challenges in implementing WNP."
"ATIS historically has supported the technical pace for the telecommunications
industry," said Mike Altschul, Senior Vice President and General Counsel
of CTIA.
"We are pleased that the OBF will continue the work started by our members
and has welcomed them into their ranks."
A "Wireless Workshop" has been formed within the OBF to manage the ICP Document. The Wireless Workshop will convene its next meeting in conjunction with the OBF meeting to be held from February 11-15 in Kansas City, MO. To obtain a copy of the ICP Document or for more information on the Wireless Workshop contact OBF Director, John Pautlitz at jpautlitz@atis.org.
About ATIS
The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) is a member company organization that is the leader for standards and operating procedures for the telecommunications industry. More than 1,500 experts from over 400 telecommunications companies participate in ATIS' 19 committees, forums, and Incubator Solutions programs, where work focus includes network interconnection standards, number portability, improved data transmission, wireless communications, Internet telephony, toll-free access, and order and billing issues. For more information, visit the ATIS web site www.atis.org.
About CTIA
Founded in 1984, The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) is the international organization that represents all elements of wireless communication - cellular, personal communication services enhanced specialized mobile radio, and mobile satellite services - serving the interests of service providers, manufacturers, and others. For more information, visit the CTIA web site at www.wow-com.com.
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