*OVERVIEW*
Resale Overview
Definition of Resellers and Service Providers
Honoring Contracts With Joint Marketing EUs Who Convert to CLEC-Resellers
Responsibilities of PB/NB and CLEC-Resellers
Cooperative Planning & Forecasts for Resale
The purpose of the Resale section is to provide a reference source to enable Non-Facilities-Based Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs), referred to as 'CLEC-Resellers', to operate in the California/Nevada region. The Resale section of the will:
- Help CLEC-Resellers understand how to do business with AT&T
- Explain the roles and responsibilities of the CLEC-Reseller and AT&T
- Provide Links to other sections of the Handbook that has pertinent information to CLEC-Resellers
- Enable CLEC-Resellers to obtain information about Resale Products and Services, including Promotions
- Allow CLEC-Resellers to access Product/Service Ordering information
Note: Although Nevada differs from California in some of its product offerings, guidelines and tariffs, its ordering and billing requirements are the same. All references to California in the Resale section of the Handbook apply to Nevada unless otherwise noted. Forms which are specific to California are also used by Nevada unless separate forms for Nevada are provided or otherwise noted.
The main areas within the Resale section are:
Products and Services: The Products and Services section offers information on a comprehensive range of Products and Services available to the CLEC-Reseller. The section includes information on the following:
- Simple Products and Services: Simple Products and Services are non-designed/engineered Local and General Exchange Tariff telecommunications services (e.g., single line Residence and Business flat rate or Measured classes of service). The information provided for these products and services includes general descriptions of the product, availability, limitations, and instructions, where applicable.
- Complex Products and Services: Complex Products and Services are Local and General Exchange and Private Line services that require special designing/engineering to assure AT&T and/or industry standard grade of service or transmission quality (e.g., Trunks, Centrex/Plexar, Hunting). The information provided for these products and services includes general descriptions of the product, availability, limitations, and instructions, where applicable.
- Basic Products and Services: Basic Products and Services are Local and General Exchange Tariff services that may apply to both simple or complex Residence and Business service (e.g., Call Restrictions, Calling Plans, Custom Calling, AIN). The information provided for these products and services include general descriptions of the product, availability, limitations, and instructions, where applicable.
Ordering: This section contains information to facilitate the CLEC ordering process for resale services including ordering prerequisites, the pre-order process, ordering options, ordering resale services, and links to ordering forms for specific services.
Additional information is also available in the appropriate state tariffs.
Definition Of Resellers and Service Providers
AT&T:
- Provisions exchange service to CLEC-Reseller End User (EU) location(s). The CLEC-Reseller resells it to their EUs
- Bills the CLEC-Reseller for these resold services, and the CLEC-Reseller may bill its EUs
The definitions of the various types of service providers, as used in this Handbook, are:
Local Service Provider (LSP): An LSP provides local exchange services to EUs. CLECs and AT&T are all LSPs. The LSP may directly provide:
- Local exchange services by means of its own facilities
- Facilities or services of another provider
- Its own facilities
- Local loop connection between the EU's premises and the network
- Dial tone at the Central Office (CO)
- Access to the switching network for transporting calls
- For resold lines, AT&T continues to provide exchange access services to IXCs, and bills these exchange access services to IXCs for calls to IXCs originating from or terminating to CLEC-Reseller's EUs or AT&T EUs.
AT&T does not bill either CLEC-Resellers or it's end users for IntraLATA long distance services.
Independence of EUs
CLEC EUs are able to obtain some services from AT&T, regardless of whether they subscribe to local exchange services from a CLEC-Reseller. For example:
- Non-subscriber calling cards
- Listings
- Other services not associated with the Working Telephone Number (WTN)
CLEC EUs can:
- Obtain features directly from other providers, e.g., voice messaging service, internet service, etc.
- Be billed directly by multiple providers
Honoring Contracts With Joint Marketing EUs Who Convert to CLEC-Resellers
Joint Marketing allows AT&T Account Teams to coordinate the sale of Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) with the sale of regulated network services, in order to provide EUs with complete network solutions. Joint Marketing EUs:
- Can convert to CLEC-Resellers
- Have the option of either:
- Terminating their contracts with AT&T when they convert to CLEC-Resellers
- Keeping their current contracts (those which are already in existence and have not expired). AT&T must honor these contracts and the associated Repair service for CPE.
Billing of these services, formerly appearing on the AT&T bill will stop effective with the conversion of service to the new provider. Any outstanding charges (e.g., installment billing, etc.) will appear on the final bill to the EU. If special arrangements are needed by the EU for these outstanding charges, the EU should contact the service vendor directly to negotiate resolution/special consideration.
The length of liability for most contracts is one year. Future Joint Marketing contracts will contain a clause which terminates the contracts if the EU moves (converts) to another LSPCLEC-Reseller.
In a joint marketing arrangement, where AT&T is the network provider, AT&T remains the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for repair for those EUs on the AT&T network. In that instance, the CLEC-Reseller calls the Local Operations Center (LOC) to report repair needs.
Customer of Record
Once a AT&T retail account has been converted to a CLEC, or a new connection of service has been installed by a CLEC, the provider of that service is the CLEC (current provider of record). AT&T customer (customer of record) is the CLEC for:
- The access line(s)
- All features associated with the access line that have been ordered by the CLEC-Reseller
- All intraLATA usage originating and charged to the access line
Customer Provided Equipment (CPE)
Customer Provided Equipment (CPE), including amplification and other Deaf and Disabled Services terminal equipment, can be connected to the Access Line, providing it conforms with the Industry and AT&T standards and tariffs.
- AT&T will not fix, repair or replace CPE
- Exception: As previously noted, where CPE was provided by AT&T affiliate.
Shared Service Provider (SSP) to Resale/UNE-P
SSP Service is NOT available and migratable to UNE-P. However, the CLEC may partially convert the SSP Centrex station lines to Resale or UNE-P service.
Note: Not all Centrex Features are available in UNE-P.
If the Request Type is a:
|
Then the CLEC: |
Disconnect SSP Centrex Station Lines and adding the lines to an existing Resale/UNE-P Centrex
|
Must send an ACT C.
The LSR Remarks section must state a positive entry: “SSP station lines to existing Resale/UNE-P”.
|
Disconnect SSP Centrex Station Lines and establishing a New Resale/UNE-P Centrex |
Will need to submit a "Manual Pre-Order Request" to obtain a Centrex ID/Group Name/Number.
After obtaining the Centrex ID Number, then the CLEC must submit an ACT N Firm order.
In addition to the Centrex Common Block information on the LSR Remarks section, they must state a positive entry: “SSP station lines to New Resale/UNE”.
All fields required to establish a new request must be populated.
|
EU Return From Resale To SSP
- When an EU migrates from a CLEC to a SSP, the CLEC must send a Purchase Order Number (PON) to disconnect the resold line(s).
- Important: It is the SSP's responsibility to be sure that the EU has requested the 'Disconnect' order from the CLEC.
Responsibilities of AT&T and CLEC-Resellers
Responsibilities of AT&T
- AT&T shall allow the CLEC-Reseller to place local service requests and receive phone number assignments (for new lines). These activities shall be accomplished by facsimile or electronic interface as outlined in the Ordering section.
- AT&T shall implement CLEC-Reseller local service requests within the normal same time intervals AT&T uses to implement local service requests for similar services for a retail EUs.
- CLEC-Resellers will have the ability to report trouble for its EUs to the LOC 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. CLEC-Reseller's EUs calling AT&T may be referred to the CLEC-Reseller at the number provided by CLEC-Reseller. AT&T shall at all times be responsible for the repair and maintenance of its network. Nothing herein shall be interpreted to authorize CLEC-Reseller to repair, maintain, or in any way touch AT&T network facilities, including those on EU premises.
- Methods and procedures for ordering are outlined in the Ordering section. Both parties agree to abide by the procedures contained therein.
- On no less than sixty (60) days advance written notice, CLEC-Resellers may request AT&T to make certain usage information available to CLEC-Resellers on a daily basis in a standard electronic format. The information will include, but is not limited to, usage sensitive billable records that AT&T will bill to the CLEC-Reseller arising out of the use of resold lines per state Public Utilities Commission (PUC) ruling or requirement. CLEC-Resellers agree to pay AT&T any charges as required by the state PUC mandate or ruling, plus any other applicable charges.
- Subject to any future order of the FCC which obligates AT&T to pay an amount different from the following, AT&T will pay Payphone Compensation due with respect to the Payphone lines in the amount of $0.284 per call. AT&T will pay to the CLEC-Reseller such Payphone Compensation only for (i) intraLATA subscriber 800 calls for which PB/NB provides the 800 service to the subscriber and carries the call and (ii) intraLATA calls placed using PB/NB's prepaid calling card platform and carried by AT&T. AT&T will not pay to the CLEC-Reseller any Payphone Compensation for non sent paid calls.
- AT&T will pay to the CLEC-Reseller the Payphone Compensation due to CLEC Reseller Payphone Service Provider EU within sixty (60) days after the close of the calendar quarter in which the call for which Payphone Compensation is due is made. However, payment may be made later than sixty (60) days if AT&T deems it necessary to investigate a call or calls for possible fraud.
- AT&T will make any payment due to the CLEC-Reseller under any agreement or tariff by crediting the CLEC Reseller's bill for the Payphone Line over which the call which give rise to the Payphone Compensation is placed. AT&T will not issue a check to the CLEC-Reseller if the credit for Payphone Compensation exceeds the balance due to AT&T on the bill.
- CLEC-Resellers shall not be entitled to, nor is AT&T obligated to provide any call detail or other call record for Payphone calls.
Responsibilities of CLEC-Reseller
Payment of Rates and Charges:
- The CLEC-Reseller is solely responsible for the payment of charges for all services furnished under any agreement or tariff including, but not limited to, calls originated or accepted at the CLEC-Reseller's location and its EUs' service locations, with the exception of any retail services provided directly by AT&T to the EU which AT&T shall be responsible for billing.
- Interexchange carried traffic (e.g., sent-paid, information services and alternate operator services messages) received by AT&T for billing to resold EU accounts will be returned as unbillable and will not be passed on to the CLEC-Reseller for billing. An unbillable code returned with those messages to the carrier will indicate that the messages originated from a resold account and will not be billed by AT&T.
- AT&T shall not be responsible for the manner in which the use of resold service, or the associated charges are allocated to others by the CLEC-Reseller. All applicable rates and charges for such services will be billed to and shall be the responsibility of the CLEC-Reseller, with the exception of other retail services provided directly to the EU by AT&T as described in paragraph 1 above.
- Compensation for all services shall be paid by the CLEC-Reseller regardless of the CLEC-Reseller's ability or inability to collect charges from its EU for such service.
- If the CLEC-Reseller does not wish to be responsible for collect, third number billed, toll and information services (e.g., 900, 976) calls, it must order the appropriate blocking for resold lines and pay any applicable charges. Depending on the origination point, some calls may bypass the blocking systems. CLEC-Resellers should be aware of this limitation and should understand that they are responsible for any charges associated with such calls. The CLEC-Reseller acknowledges that blocking is not available for certain types of calls, including 800 numbers.
- The CLEC-Reseller will pay all costs associated with a CLEC-Reseller name change, AECN number change, Repair recording change, CLEC merger/acquisition.
In accordance with industry standards, IXC PIC selections for lines resold to the CLEC-Reseller will not be processed from IXCs or EUs, but will only be processed if received directly from the CLEC-Reseller.
Additional responsibilities of the parties:
- Cooperation on Fraud:
- AT&T shall not be liable to CLEC-Resellers for any fraudulent usage on CLEC-Reseller's EUs' accounts.
- AT&T and the CLEC-Reseller agree to cooperate with one another to investigate, minimize and take corrective action in cases of fraud. The Parties' fraud minimization procedures are to be cost effective and implemented so as not to unduly burden or harm one Party as compared to the other.
- At a minimum, such cooperation shall include providing to the other Party, upon request, information concerning EUs who terminate services to that Party without paying all outstanding charges, when such EU seeks service from the other Party. The Party seeking such information is responsible for securing the EU's permission to obtain such information.
- Traffic Alert Referral:
- Traffic Alert Referral is a service that monitors traffic patterns associated with a CLEC-Reseller's resold line.
- Traffic Alert Referral is only available for 0+ alerts at this time and is only available in California.
- On no less than 30 days written notice, a CLEC-Reseller may order AT&T California Fraud Alert referral service. AT&T notifies the CLEC-Reseller of traffic abnormalities that indicate the possible occurrence of intraLATA and interLATA fraud. AT&T California agrees to furnish the CLEC-Reseller with information on all 0+ fraud alerts.
- CLEC-Resellers understand and agree that electronic mail will be used to provide such information and such information will only be available via electronic mail at the present time. It is the responsibility of the CLEC-Reseller to provide PB with the correct email address. After the initial non-recurring charge, information will be provided on per-Alert Referral basis and will be priced on a per-Alert Referral basis.
- AT&T California grants to CLEC-Resellers a non-exclusive right to use the information provided by AT&T. CLEC-Resellers will not permit anyone but its duly authorized employees or agents to inspect or use this information. CLEC-Resellers will pay AT&T a non-recurring charge to order the service, and recurring usage charge per Alert Referral.
Cooperative Planning & Forecasts for Resale
Cooperative planning and forecasting are essential to ensuring that AT&T has the capability to meet the ordering, provisioning, and maintenance needs of CLEC-Resellers. The forecasting process is designed to meet the resale needs of both the CLEC-Reseller and the EU in reasonable timeframes. Specifically, it will allow AT&T to adequately engineer its CO facilities, as well as to ensure that adequate systems and staffing levels are in place to meet CLEC-Reseller operational requirements.
Forecasts should be electronically transmitted. Each forecast will be handled with extreme confidentiality. Refer to the Forms section of the CLEC Handbook for Forecasting forms.
Forecasts:
- Are to be completed/updated on a quarterly basis
- Should provide a minimum one year forecast by product
- General forecast questions can be referred to your Account Manager.
Assumption of Existing Agreements is available only for resale services. It is not available to CLECs that provide facilities-based or UNE-P service, nor is it available for CLEC to CLEC migrations.
- If a CLEC encounters a prospective end user that is under contract with AT&T, the CLEC can generally assume existing Business Discount Plans and Term Volume Agreements.
- Before a CLEC can assume any existing retail contract, they must sign an amendment to their contract through their Account Manager.
- The CLEC will inform the Local Service Center, in writing, of its intent to assume and resell a service under agreement by submitting an LSR.
- The CLEC will assume the balance of the terms, including volume, term and termination liability existing on a current end user's contract at the time of conversion.
- The Assumption of Existing Agreement Form must be faxed to the Local Service Center within 30 minutes of the time an LSR is submitted through LASR or WFM (or should be included with the LSR when the request is submitted manually). The LSC fax numbers are:
California: 415-284-0119
Nevada: 775-334-1490
- The CLEC must use ACT 'W' on the LSR. CLECs submitting requests with ACT 'V' need to send the Assumption of Existing Agreement ONLY if they want to assume the contract for the existing service(s). If the Assumption of Existing Agreement, associated with the ACT 'V' request is not sent, the end user will be billed Termination Liability as appropriate.
- The original Assumption of Existing Agreement Form must be sent to the LSC within 30 days. In the event the signed original is not received within 30 days, the CLEC's Account Manager will be contacted.
IF THE |
AND |
Termination Charges Apply? |
Account belongs to AT&T |
Reseller requests Migrate as Specified without recapping the contract. |
Y |
Account is owned by AT&T or another Reseller |
Reseller requests "Migrate As Is." |
N |
Account is owned by AT&T or another Reseller |
Reseller requests "Migrate As Specified" and re-caps contract. |
N |
Account is owned by a Reseller |
Orders a Disconnect of service that is under contract. |
Y |
Account is owned by a Reseller |
Another Reseller requests Migrate as Specified without the contract. |
Y |
Account is owned by a Reseller |
AT&T sends a Winback order without assuming the contract. |
Y |
Account is owned by Reseller |
AT&T sends Winback order and assumes contract back. |
N |
Account is owned by a Reseller |
Sends order to change type of service without a new contract, i.e., Grandfathered Centrex to current tariff. |
Y |
Account is owned by a Reseller |
Changes from one service to another, same class of service, i.e., Grandfathered Centrex to current Centrex tariff new contract is of equal or greater terms and conditions. |
N |
Account is owned by a Reseller |
Changes from one service to another, different class of service, i.e., Centrex to ISDN Prime, with or without a new contract |
Y |
Account is owned by AT&T or a Reseller |
Request received to Migrate As Specified. The Reseller elects to replace the contract with a contract of equal or greater term. |
N |
Account is owned by a Reseller |
Orders disconnect of service. Account has an Aggregated* OCP. |
N |
Account is owned by a Reseller |
AT&T sends a Winback order. Account has an Aggregated* OCP. |
N |
Account is owned by a Reseller |
Another Reseller submits a Migrate order. The account has an Aggregated* OCP. |
N |
Account is owned by AT&T |
Reseller submits "Migrate As Is" order and elects to add the individual end-user contract to a contract that the Reseller has purchased to aggregate end users, i.e., umbrella contract. |
N |
Note: * Aggregated means that the Reseller has signed one contract that will cover all of their end-users. The toll from all of the end-users is added together to meet the commitment.