Sec.  52.21   Definitions.

   As used in this subpart:

   (a) The term 100 largest MSAs includes the 100 largest MSAs as identified in
   the 1990 U.S. Census reports, as set forth in the Appendix to this part, as
   well as those areas identified as one of the largest 100 MSAs on subsequent
   updates to the U.S. Census reports.

   (b) The term broadband PCS has the same meaning as that term is defined in
    Sec. 24.5 of this chapter.

   (c) The term cellular service has the same meaning as that term is defined
   in  Sec. 22.99 of this chapter.

   (d) The term covered CMRS means broadband PCS, cellular, and 800/900 MHz SMR
   licensees that hold geographic area licenses or are incumbent SMR wide area
   licensees,  and  offer  real-time, two-way switched voice service, are
   interconnected with the public switched network, and utilize an in-network
   switching facility that enables such CMRS systems to reuse frequencies and
   accomplish seamless hand-offs of subscriber calls.

   (e) The term database method means a number portability method that utilizes
   one  or  more  external  databases  for providing called party routing
   information.

   (f) The term downstream database means a database owned and operated by an
   individual  carrier for the purpose of providing number portability in
   conjunction with other functions and services.

   (g) The term incumbent wide area SMR licensee has the same meaning as that
   term is defined in  Sec. 20.3 of this chapter.

   (h) The term local exchange carrier means any person that is engaged in the
   provision of telephone exchange service or exchange access. For purposes of
   this subpart, such term does not include a person insofar as such person is
   engaged in the provision of a commercial mobile service under 47 U.S.C.
   332(c).

   (i)  The  term  local number portability administrator (LNPA) means an
   independent,  non-governmental entity, not aligned with any particular
   telecommunications industry segment, whose duties are determined by the
   NANC.

   (j)  The  term  location  portability  means  the  ability of users of
   telecommunications services to retain existing telecommunications numbers
   without impairment of quality, reliability, or convenience when moving from
   one physical location to another.

   (k) The term long-term database method means a database method that complies
   with the performance criteria set forth in  Sec. 52.3(a).

   (l)  The  term  number  portability  means  the  ability  of  users of
   telecommunications  services to retain, at the same location, existing
   telecommunications numbers without impairment of quality, reliability, or
   convenience when switching from one telecommunications carrier to another.

   (m) The term regional database means an SMS database or an SMS/SCP pair that
   contains information necessary for carriers to provide number portability in
   a region as determined by the NANC.

   (n) The term service control point (SCP) means a database in the public
   switched network which contains information and call processing instructions
   needed to process and complete a telephone call. The network switches access
   an SCP to obtain such information. Typically, the information contained in
   an SCP is obtained from the SMS.

   (o) The term service management system (SMS) means a database or computer
   system not part of the public switched network that, among other things:

   (1) Interconnects to an SCP and sends to that SCP the information and call
   processing instructions needed for a network switch to process and complete
   a telephone call; and

   (2) Provides telecommunications carriers with the capability of entering and
   storing data regarding the processing and completing of a telephone call.

   (p)  The  term  service  portability  means  the  ability  of users of
   telecommunications services to retain existing telecommunications numbers
   without impairment of quality, reliability, or convenience when switching
   from one telecommunications service to another, without switching from one
   telecommunications carrier to another.

   (q) The term service provider portability means the ability of users of
   telecommunications  services to retain, at the same location, existing
   telecommunications numbers without impairment of quality, reliability, or
   convenience when switching from one telecommunications carrier to another.

   (r) The term transitional number portability measure means a method that
   allows one local exchange carrier to transfer telephone numbers from its
   network to the network of another telecommunications carrier, but does not
   comply with the performance criteria set forth in 52.3(a). Transitional
   number portability measures are technically feasible methods of providing
   number portability including Remote Call Forwarding (RCF), Direct Inward
   Dialing (DID), Route Indexing—Portability Hub (RI-PH), Directory Number
   Route Indexing (DNRI) and other comparable methods.

   [ 61 FR 38637 , July 25, 1996. Redesignated at  61 FR 47353 , Sept. 6, 1996, as
   amended at  61 FR 47355 , Sept. 6, 1996;  63 FR 68203 , Dec. 10, 1998;  67 FR 6435 , Feb. 12, 2002;  68 FR 43009 , July 21, 2003]