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Overview
For CLECs using Verizon unbundled local switching, Verizon delivers end user usage data to the CLEC each Verizon business day via the Daily Usage File (DUF). The usage data includes a level of detail that enables the CLEC to bill each of its end users for the usage charges incurred. Verizon will maintain a history of that usage for a period of up to 45 days from the date of delivery. All usage contained in the delivery will also be included in Minutes Of Use (MOU) totals in one of the CLEC's monthly bills. It should also be noted that Verizon does not attempt to sort or package the usage data to relate it to a specific bill.
Process Flow
The processing of usage is as follows:
The end user makes a call
That call is recorded at the central office switch
The usage detail is processed only on business days
The usage detail is sent to the CLEC either electronically via Connect:Direct or courier service on cartridge tape. (Refer to Figure 10.2.1 for a high level flow of the delivery of usage data to the CLEC.)
Figure 10.2.1: Delivery of Usage Data
First Usage in DUF
Usage data is transmitted to CLECs every business day for all existing
unbundled line ports and platforms. However, when a new unbundled line
port is installed or an existing retail line is migrated, there is a variable
interval between the CLEC being notified of provisioning completion of
the order and usage on the new or migrated line port being included in
the DUF (Daily Usage File).
Provisioning completion indicates that the line has been successfully installed for or migrated to the CLEC. The provisioning completion date, therefore, equals installation date or migration date, whichever applies.
NOTE: Usage on a migrating line belongs to the carrier from which the line has migrated before the migration date. All usage occurring on or before the migration date belongs to and is the responsibility of the carrier from which the line has migrated; all usage after the migration date belongs to and is the responsibility of the carrier to which the line has migrated.
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Rated vs. Unrated
Usage data is delivered as either rated (priced) or unrated depending
on the type of usage. Usage for services provided by Verizon including
local, regional and IntraLATA calls, but excluding certain alternate billed
calls, is unrated. Usage provided by other service providers (e.g., out
of region, Information Provider (IP)), as well as specified Verizon provided
Alternate Billed Calls (ABC), may be rated in accordance with the CLEC's
interconnection agreement or tariff.
Exchange Message Interface (EMI)
All usage data is sent to the CLEC in a single transmission in Alliance
for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) defined Exchange Message
Interface (EMI) format, and includes the usage for all telephone lines
belonging to the CLEC processed that day (or other interval) by Verizon.
As previously stated, this usage data does not necessarily relate to a
specific CLEC bill.
Usage Types
Unrated Usage
All usage on calls covered by a Verizon tariff or SGAT (Statement of Generally Available Terms & Conditions) are passed to the CLEC unrated. The following information, at a minimum, is included for each individual call:
Calling telephone number (call from a UNE Switch Port) ("from" number) (when recorded)
Called telephone number ("to" number)
Call date
Connect time (hour/minute/second)
Elapsed time (mmmm:ss:t)
Alternate Billed Calls (ABC)
ABC originated by a CLEC's own end user will be included as unrated usage, since the CLEC is the earning company for such calls and may rate and bill them, either directly or via a host, to the "bill to" end user.
For "bill to" end users outside the Verizon systems, the originating or earning CLEC (the CLEC entitled to retail payment) will be expected to identify and settle directly with the "bill to" end user's Local Service Provider (LSP), using the 10-digit "bill to" Working Telephone Number (WTN) as the billing guide.
For "bill to" end users within the Verizon systems, Verizon includes the Operating Company Number (OCN) of the "bill to" end user's LSP in the unrated usage record, since this may be a company other than Verizon (e.g., a Reseller or another CLEC). If the "bill to" OCN identifies a company other than Verizon or the earning CLEC itself, the earning CLEC must settle directly with the "bill to" end user's LSP using the OCN as the billing guide. Industry clearinghouses are available for CLECs to facilitate these intercompany settlements.
Rated Usage
There are two primary types of rated calls. (This may vary by interconnection agreement.) The first unique rated calls are non-tariff priced calls that are derived from an outside service such as those that offer information on time and weather. Verizon at the line level using a pricing table for unique calls rates these calls. This pricing is passed to the CLEC. The second type of rated call is ABC - collect, third number or line based calling card - which is charged to a CLEC end user's account. If an ABC is originated either by a Verizon South end user or by an end user outside the Verizon South footprint, it will be transmitted to the CLEC as rated usage. These two types of rated usage will be identified on the output file by the appropriate EMI record type.
Rejected Usage
Certain types of usage received by Verizon, for billing the end user, are rejected and returned to the interexchange provider (with a return code of 50) who then bills the CLEC or end user directly. An example of this is "casual" usage, (i.e., usage dialed through a non-Verizon calling card or 10-10-XXX, using a carrier other than Verizon). This usage is returned to the interexchange provider with a field that identifies the CLEC by OCN.
Rated & Unrated Usage Reversals
When a duplicate or incorrect Message Record (rated or unrated) has been sent to and processed by the CLEC, at the CLEC's request, Verizon will correct the error and send the CLEC a complete replacement usage data file. Shouldn't we say when requested by the CLEC or is this an automatic assumption that we send out usage
No Usage
If there is no usage for a particular day, no DUF will be sent to that
CLEC by Verizon, either via NDM or a cartridge/ tape.
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Usage Format
Exchange Message Interface
Usage data is provided in an industry standard record format. The industry
standard, defined by Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions
(ATIS)), is the Exchange Message Interface (EMI). Record types, record
descriptions and other EMI information is available from ATIS in its publication
titled Exchange Message Interface.
Information on this publication is available by accessing their web site
at www.atis.org.
Conventions
All EMI conventions are followed for CLEC usage data files, including the following:
Standard compacting procedures (i.e., the standard is: No Compaction)
Header and trailer record format and content
Pack invoice numbering
Dataset naming
Data transfer control reports
Sequence failures and re-send procedures
Security requirements
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EMI Types
An EMI consists of three general categories: rated (01-XX-XX), unrated
(10-XX-XX) and access (11-XX-XX). Within these categories are groups.
The predominant groups are "North American Originated, Terminated and
Billable" (XX-01-XX), Electronic Directory Assistance (XX-50-XX) and Packet
Switching (XX-12-XX). Within these categories and groups are the types
of usage passed to the CLEC.
Schedule of Usage Data and Delivery
Date to CLEC
Access standards are followed to minimize the time lapse between usage recording and delivery. The following rules apply:
Usage is transmitted from all Verizon switches electronically, and is normally received by a Verizon processing center on the first business day following the day on which the usage was recorded.
Usage data will normally be transmitted to CLECs on or before the third business day following the day in which the usage was received by a Verizon processing center.
No usage processing is performed and no data is received or transmitted to a CLEC in Verizon processing centers on Saturdays, Sundays or Verizon observed holidays. These holidays are listed in the tariffs.
If any departure from these rules occurs, the CLEC will be notified
as soon as Verizon becomes aware of it.
Method of Transmission
Usage data is transmitted using Connect:Direct (see the Connectivity Guide and Wizard for a description of Connect:Direct installation, testing and maintenance)
Magnetic Tape Cartridge is delivered to the CLEC by special carrier.
Usage Data Retention
Verizon will store CLEC usage data for 45 days from the time the file is created. If a request for re-transmission of usage data is received after this time period has elapsed, it will not be possible for Verizon to comply.
If a CLEC requires a re-transmission of usage data, a request should
be made to the Wholesale Customer Care Center (WCCC).
Verizon will accept re-transmission requests received after the 45 day
limit, and evaluate each, on a case-by-case basis, in terms of the feasibility
of recreating the requested file.
Problem Identification and Notification
Usage Transmission Contact List
Support for Usage Issues, including requests for re-transmission, is handled
during business hours only (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern
Standard Time), by the Wholesale Customer Care Center Help Desk.
The following information should be provided on all trouble calls:
Caller name
Call back number
Date and time of call (if appropriate)
Description of the problem
Account number where usage billing is occurring or file identifier (Data Set Name).
When a technician returns the call to resolve the trouble, if the trouble is not resolved to the CLEC's satisfaction and escalation is warranted, the CLEC should refer to the Contact Us tab.
A trouble ticket is never closed until the CLEC has been notified of the reason for closure.
Wholesale Customer Care Center Help Desk will address the following matters:
Technical Issues concerning DUF, BDT, BOS, or BARM files.
Send, resend, misdirected media via tape or CD
NDM Transmission Problems
Respond to Usage Questions
Correction of Software Errors
If you wish to request changes in distribution type or medium please refer to your customer profile and process to update the necessary information.
If you wish to request information regarding changes to current business
policy and practices, please refer to the Verizon
Wholesale Industry Letters database.
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