June 2003
The ATS Network & Billing Update is published by Advanced Technologies & Services, Inc. (www.atso.com), a revenue and service assurance solutions provider. This free newsletter is an electronic monthly guide to telecommunications OSS, billing, and revenue assurance news and analysis, and is distributed by subscription only. To subscribe, click on the "Sign Up" link at left. To unsubscribe, contribute an article, or for offbeat news, please scroll to the end. Feel free to forward this newsletter!
In this issue:
New Revenue Assurance Offering From NECA Services
This annual subscription plan is a cost effective solution that validates bills to other telecommunications companies. Specifically, NECA Services offers two reports: one that validates PIU (Percent of Interstate Use) and a second that validates Terminating Traffic. These two specialized reports also provide supporting data that will allow a communications provider to issue and reconcile access and reciprocal compensation bills. Lastly, this cost-effective monthly service bureau will help you avoid the need for expensive equipment purchases or long-term ASPs. [More] [Top of Page]
The New Wall Street Feast, Trunk Provisioning and More!
Regular readers of this column know that we sometimes diverge from the dry matters of switch translations, AMA analysis and all of that to look at what’s going on in the big picture, so I’ll start with that. [More] [Top of Page]
CompTel Unveils Principles to Guide Competition
CompTel outlined eight key competitive principles that will guide the association’s future advocacy efforts. These principles are designed to address issues that could impact the competitive telecommunications industry’s long-term ability to serve as an economic catalyst; to provide consumers choice, lower prices and innovative service offerings; and to deploy diverse network facilities critical to protecting the nation’s security. [More] [Top of Page]
Sprint Adds Packet Switching to Networks
Sprint and Nortel Networks are replacing the carrier's circuit-switched network with packet-based technology to support converged voice, data, and private-line services. Using Nortel's softswitches and gateways, Sprint is replacing its existing Class 5 switches as part of its conversion from circuit to packet. The equipment from Nortel included in the conversion will be the Succession Communication Server 2000, Media Gateway 9000, Multiservice Gateway 4000, and Passport 15000 Multiservice Switches. The packet network will be able to support such services as multimedia and call management. In 2003, Sprint will convert seven sites to packet-based networks in Florida, Kansas, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. [Top of Page]
MCI
Lands Wireless Contract in Iraq
MCI was awarded a $45 million contract to construct a
wireless network in Iraq. The carrier said it will deploy GSM technology
to help bring service to as many as 10,000 people in Baghdad who lost
service during the war there. The company expects to have the network up
and running this month. The Iraqi government will be responsible for
awarding future telecom contracts once it is established. MCI also helped
build a wireless network in Afghanistan. Interestingly enough, the company
is building wireless networks in war-torn countries but does not own any
wireless facilities in the US.
[Top of Page]
AT&T
Enters Two Local Markets
AT&T began offering local telephone
service in areas of Maryland and Virginia. Residents in these areas can
choose from a number of local calling plans and can decide to bundle their
local service with long distance through such packages as AT&T One
Rate USA. Aside from residents, businesses in Baltimore, Richmond, and
Washington, DC, can purchase AT&T's local voice and data services. In
addition, AT&T says that customers switching to its service from Verizon
will be able to keep their current number. AT&T already offers local
residential services to nearly three million customers in nine other
states.
[Top of Page]
Federal Government Budget Includes $54 Billion on IT
The federal government's 2004 budget is expected to include $54 billion in IT spending requests, according to Michael Gallagher, deputy assistant secretary for communications and information at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Additionally, state and local governments are expected to spend between $90 and $130 billion on homeland security measures, much of which is expected to come in the areas of IT. Gallagher predicted that much of that money will be spend on Wi-Fi, voice over IP, 802.16 wireless networking standard and more. [Top of Page]
OffBeat News: The Curse of the Quarter
A
strange series of coincidences befalls the 50 State Quarters.
S
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