Sec.  52.25   Database architecture and administration.

   (a) The North American Numbering Council (NANC) shall direct establishment
   of  a nationwide system of regional SMS databases for the provision of
   long-term database methods for number portability.

   (b) All telecommunications carriers shall have equal and open access to the
   regional databases.

   (c)  The NANC shall select a local number portability administrator(s)
   (LNPA(s)) to administer the regional databases within seven months of the
   initial meeting of the NANC.

   (d) The NANC shall determine whether one or multiple administrator(s) should
   be selected, whether the LNPA(s) can be the same entity selected to be the
   North American Numbering Plan Administrator, how the LNPA(s) should be
   selected, the specific duties of the LNPA(s), the geographic coverage of the
   regional  databases,  the  technical  interoperability and operational
   standards, the user interface between telecommunications carriers and the
   LNPA(s), the network interface between the SMS and the downstream databases,
   and the technical specifications for the regional databases.

   (e) Once the NANC has selected the LNPA(s) and determined the locations of
   the regional databases, it must report its decisions to the Commission.

   (f) The information contained in the regional databases shall be limited to
   the  information necessary to route telephone calls to the appropriate
   telecommunications  carriers.  The  NANC shall determine what specific
   information is necessary.

   (g) Any state may opt out of its designated regional database and implement
   a state-specific database. A state must notify the Wireline Competition
   Bureau and NANC that it plans to implement a state-specific database within
   60 days from the release date of the Public Notice issued by the Chief,
   Wireline Competition Bureau, identifying the administrator selected by the
   NANC and the proposed locations of the regional databases. Carriers may
   challenge a state's decision to opt out of the regional database system by
   filing a petition with the Commission.

   (h) Individual state databases must meet the national requirements and
   operational standards recommended by the NANC and adopted by the Commission.
   In addition, such state databases must be technically compatible with the
   regional system of databases and must not interfere with the scheduled
   implementation of the regional databases.

   (i) Individual carriers may download information necessary to provide number
   portability from the regional databases into their own downstream databases.
   Individual carriers may mix information needed to provide other services or
   functions with the information downloaded from the regional databases at
   their own downstream databases. Carriers may not withhold any information
   necessary to provide number portability from the regional databases on the
   grounds that such data has been combined with other information in its
   downstream database.

   [ 61 FR 38637 , July 25, 1996. Redesignated at  61 FR 47353 , Sept. 6, 1996, as
   amended at  67 FR 13226 , Mar. 21, 2002]