For Immediate Release
1200 G Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20005
202/628-6380
202/393-5453 (fax)
Contact: John Bernhards
Director of Public Relations
Phone: 202/434-8850
E-mail: jbernhards@atis.org
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For Immediate Release
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ATIS' International Forum for ANSI-41 Standards Technology (IFAST) Announces the Availability of ANSI SS7 Point Codes for Wireless Network Operators Not Served by the North American Numbering Plan (NANP)
February 11, 2002, Washington, D.C. - In an effort to more readily enable
international roaming capabilities for wireless customers, the ATIS-sponsored
International Forum for ANSI-41 Standards Technology (IFAST) announced that
conditional assignments of ANSI SS7 Point Codes (PC) for wireless network operators
are now available for operators not served by the North American Numbering Plan
(NANP).
Point Codes are 24 bit binary codes which are needed for all signaling points
using the SS7 (Signaling System 7, also know as Common Channel Signaling) network.
PCs identify network nodes so the SS7 network can route calls properly. PCs
consist of nine digits. The first three represent the network, the second three
the cluster, and the third three the member.
Currently, the PCs are being assigned on a conditional basis to non-NANP wireless network operators. Upon approval from Standards Committee T1, the accredited telecommunications standards body sponsored by ATIS, Telcordia Technologies, which serves as the administrator of SS7 Point Codes, will automatically convert all conditional assignments to permanent assignments. There are currently no identified technical or regulatory concerns regarding the PCs assignments, and formal approval by Committee T1 is anticipated in the 3rd Quarter of 2002.
The release of the PCs can be attributed, in part, to IFAST's efforts to ensure the use of international wireless roaming services when customers travel within the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). Wireless operator members of IFAST have continually identified technical complications and business drawbacks when changing network service providers, which requires a change-out of old SS7 PCs for new ones. This decision will eliminate that need and enable a smoother transition of network service providers and encourage greater international roaming.
The IFAST is an open, international and technical forum with the voluntary participation of wireless carriers, network service providers, and infrastructure vendors. It provides intersystem operations implementing the ANSI-41 family of standards, and facilitates interoperation of wireless systems around the world using this interworking protocol.
Telcordia Technologies is responsible for the administration and assignment
of SS7 Point Codes in the United States and other North American Numbering Plan
(NANP) countries. For more information on the administration of SS7 Point Codes
visit www.ss7pcadmin.com.
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.
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