§  52.21   Definitions.

   Link to an amendment published at  74 FR 31638 , July 2, 2009.

   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 § 24.5 of this chapter.

   (c) The term cellular service has the same meaning as that term is
   defined in § 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 § 20.3 of this chapter.

   (h) The term "interconnected VoIP provider" is an entity that provides
   interconnected VoIP service as that term is defined in 47 CFR 9.3.

   (i) The term IP Relay provider means an entity that provides IP Relay
   as defined by 47 CFR 64.601.

   (j) 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).

   (k) 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.

   (l) 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.

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

   (n) 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.

   (o) 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.

   (p) The term Registered Internet-based TRS User has the meaning set
   forth in 47 CFR 64.601.

   (q) 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.

   (r) 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.

   (s) 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.

   (t) 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.

   (u) 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.

   (v) The term VRS provider means an entity that provides VRS as defined
   by 47 CFR 64.601.

   [ 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;  73 FR 9481 , Feb. 21, 2008;  73 FR 41293 , July 18, 2008]