LNP Database Query Service

Overview

The Access that Preserves Your Capital

Gain access to routing data for portable numbers from one provider -- Verizon. Our national footprint saves you the trouble of negotiating access with multiple service providers in different regions.

Local Number Portability (LNP) is a circuit-switched network capability that allows carriers to move numbers to different switching systems. Thus, it becomes easy for you to let customers keep their phone numbers when they change providers, type of service or move physical locations. Verizon's LNP Database Query Service allows you single-source access to routing data so your customers' calls will arrive at the appropriate location.

How It Works

When customers dial a number within a portable NPA-NXX, your central office or mobile switching center routes the query to a Verizon signal transfer point (STP) over an SS7 link. We direct the query to our LNP database and send the Location Routing Number (LRN) information back to your switch for call routing. And of course, we keep the LNP database current to ensure accuracy.

Benefits

Verizon's LNP uses our infrastructure. So, you can count on reliability, speed-to-market and preserving capital dollars to grow your network in other directions.
Verizon maintains and monitors the network for you. Typically, potential problems are resolved before they ever have a chance to cause disruption.
When you need an answer, Verizon specialists are just a phone call away.
Leveraging our SS7 network can be profitable when you sell Caller ID, Single Number Service and DB800 Services to your customers.

Big Capabilities for a Small Investment

Routing customer calls goes from very expensive to surprisingly affordable with Verizon's LNP. We retrieve and forward your routing data. You send your calls on -- without spending a fortune for the infrastructure, access and software.

LNP

Description

Local Number Portability (LNP) is a serving arrangement that provides end users with the ability to change local service providers and retain their telephone numbers while remaining at the same serving area. In order to implement LNP functionality, Verizon deploys functionality that enables the network to identify a specific service provider for a dialed telephone number. The Verizon network determines the service provider of a telephone number by performing a query to the LNP database, a storage facility containing network routing information for ported telephone numbers. A Local Service Provider (LSP) has the reciprocal obligation to provide LNP, but has the option to deploy LNP capabilities in its own networks or to purchase the option from another provider. Through SS7 interconnection, a LSP can utilize the Verizon LNP database to perform its LNP queries.

Working with Verizon for regional or national Local Number Portability (LNP) Database Query Service coverage, you'll have the advantage of using our existing LNP network infrastructure to obtain Location Routing Number (LRN) information to facilitate call routing. Our network positions you for faster speed-to-market, eliminates your need to negotiate access with multiple service providers and allows you to preserve capital for growing your network.

Here's how Verizon provides routing information when one of your subscribers dials an NXX with a ported number. Your Central Office routes the query to a Verizon Signal Transfer Point (STP) over an SS7 link, either directly or via your STP. The Verizon STP directs the query to the LNP database in the Verizon ILEC Service Control Point (ISCP) which maintains current ported number routing data. The information is sent back to your switch, which routes the call. The ISCP LNP database is updated by our Local Service Management System (LSMS), which periodically downloads information from the Number Portability Administration Center (NPAC). The NPAC serves as a clearinghouse for ported-number routing information, data reported to it by the original carrier's Service Order Administration (SOA). For diagram, click on Technical Specs above.

Availability

LNP Database Query Srevice is offered on a national or regional basis through interconnection to Verizon's SS7 network.

In the former Bell Atlantic South states (DC, DE, PA, VA, MD, WV, NJ), the service purchased out of the FCC#1 tariff provides for regional service which provides location routing number (LRN) data for all the Mid-Atlantic states. Customers wanting to order out of FCC#11, which serves the former Bell Atlantic North states (NY, MA, VT, RI, NH, ME, CT), provides for regional LRN data for the Northeast states.The fGTE contract provides LRN data for all 50 states.

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Pricing

LNP Database Query Service may be offered under tariff or contract as applicable, to a Local Service Provider (LSP).

The LNP Database Query rates for Verizon East - fBA South are those set forth in Verizon FCC#1, Section 13.3.16, Service Provider Number Portability Database Service.

For Verizon East - fBA North, are set forth in Verizon FCC #11, Section 13.3.12, Service Provider Number Portability Database Service.

For Verizon West, the LNP product is offered through the Wholesale Markets Advance ServicesAgreement. The Verizon West (fGTE) agreement provides for volume and term-based discounts. The Verizon East (fBA) tariffs provide flat-rated pricing.

Features

There are no optional features associated with this product.

Applications

LNP is a circuit-switched network capability that allows carriers on one switching system to move directory numbers to a different switching system. Mandated by the Federal Communications Commission in July 1996, LNP enables subscribers to change local service providers without changing their phone number. Our LNP service helps carriers rise to the challenge easily and cost-effectively by offering:

Nationwide service or regional coverage tailored to meet your geographic needs.
Operational economies inherent in working with a reliable, single source provider.
A low query cost and volume discounts based on your query volumes.
Significantly faster deployment in your customer markets utilizing our existing LNP infrastructure.

Detailed Information

A Local Service Provider (LSP) subscribes to LNP query service via SS7 interconnection. An interconnected carrier is required to purchase the appropriate switch LNP feature software generics for its switch type. The LSP switch launches an LNP query to the Verizon database via the SS7 interconnecting facilities. These facilities may be purchased from Verizon or another SS7 provider. The Verizon network performs the query and returns the response containing the routing instructions for the dialed number to the originating point code. The LSP then routes the call based on the information included in the SS7 message returned from the Verizon LNP database. The source of the LNP information contained in the LNP database is a central database called the Number Portability Administration Center (NPAC). The NPAC provides the following functions:

Administration of pending orders
Receipt of local service provider's requests to activate a ported telephone number
Download of the ported telephone number information to the LNP database service management systems in all service providers' networks
Other administrative activities such as audits, NPA split administration, and conflict resolution

Local Service Order Activation (LSOA) processes donor and recipient local network service provider updates the NPAC with LNP information for individual ported numbers. This is an upload to the NPAC from those local network service providers involved with the NPAC (see Diagram B, NPAC Architecture)

Local Service Management System (LSMS) is the communications link by which local service providers receive LNP information updates from the NPAC. This is a download from the NPAC to all interconnected local network service providers. The architecture to meet this functionality is a spoke network with the NPAC connecting to multiple local network service providers. The node within a local network service provider's network that receives LNP downloads is called an LSMS. The LSMS, in turn, downloads the LNP information into the local network service provider's LNP database. It is the LNP database that is queried during LNP call processing.

The routing information from the LSMS database is received by the LNP Service Control Points (LNP/SCP). This database contains the instructions for routing a ported number. Queries are launched to the database from the Verizon network via the STPs that route the LNP queries from the Verizon central offices to the LNP/SCP. Verizon utilizes STPs in its network today, but LNP may require additional STPs to handle the query volumes. In addition, STP translations are required.