Sec. 52.21  Definitions.

    As used in this subpart:
    (a) The term broadband PCS has the same meaning as that term is 
defined in Sec. 24.5 of this chapter.
    (b) The term cellular service has the same meaning as that term is 
defined in Sec. 22.99 of this chapter.
    (c) The term covered SMR means either 800 MHz and 900 MHz SMR 
licensees that hold geographic area licenses or incumbent wide area SMR 
licensees that offer real-time, two-way switched voice service that is 
interconnected with the public switched network, either on a stand-alone 
basis or packaged with other telecommunications services. This term does 
not include local SMR licensees offering mainly dispatch services to 
specialized customers in a non-cellular system configuration, licensees 
offering only data, one-way, or stored voice services on an 
interconnected basis, or any SMR provider that is not interconnected to 
the public switched network.
    (d) The term database method means a number portability method that 
utilizes one or more external databases for providing called party 
routing information.
    (e) 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.
    (f) The term incumbent wide area SMR licensee has the same meaning 
as that term is defined in Sec. 20.3 of this chapter.
    (g) 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).
    (h) 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.

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    (i) 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.
    (j) The term long-term database method means a database method that 
complies with the performance criteria set forth in Sec. 52.3(a).
    (k) 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.
    (l) 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.
    (m) 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.
    (n) 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.
    (o) 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.
    (p) 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.
    (q) The term transitional measure means a method such as Remote Call 
Forwarding (RCF), Flexible Direct Inward Dialing (DID), or other 
comparable and technically feasible arrangement 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 Sec. 52.3(a).

[61 1997 FR 38637 , July 25, 1996. Redesignated at  61 FR 47353 , Sept. 6, 1996, 
as amended at  61 FR 47355 , Sept. 6, 1996]