PRODUCT GUIDE Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of the vendor or its representatives. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without the written permission of MapInfo Corporation, One Global View, Troy, New York 12180-8399. © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. MapInfo, the MapInfo logo and CarrierInfo are trademarks of MapInfo Corporation and/or its affiliates. MapInfo Corporate Headquarters: Voice: (518) 285-6000 Fax: (518) 285-6070 Sales Info Hotline: (800) 327-8627 Government Sales Hotline: (800) 619-2333 Technical Support Hotline: (518) 285-7283 Technical Support Fax: (518) 285-6080 Contact information for all MapInfo offices is located at: http://www.mapinfo.com/contactus. Adobe Acrobat® is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States. Telcordia® LERG™ Routing Guide - Special Data Product (LERG-SDP) is a trademark of Telcordia Technologies, Inc. Products named herein may be trademarks of their respective manufacturers and are hereby recognized. Trademarked names are used editorially, to the benefit of the trademark owner, with no intent to infringe on the trademark. November 2005 Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Uses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Installing CarrierInfo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Chapter 2: Detailed Data Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Coverage, Scale, and Coordinates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Table Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 OCN Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Parent Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Full US Versions versus State Cut Versions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Compatibility with Other MapInfo Communications Data Products. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Chapter 3: Using CarrierInfo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Merger and Acquisition Scenarios. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Using CarrierInfo with Other MapInfo Communications Data Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Using CarrierInfo with RateCenterInfo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Using CarrierInfo with ExchangeInfo Plus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Using CarrierInfo with CallingAreaInfo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Appendix A: Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Appendix B: Glossary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Acronyms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Introduction This chapter introduces MapInfo’s communications carrier data product, CarrierInfo. In this section… Overview, p. 5 Uses, p. 6 Features, p. 6 Installing CarrierInfo, p. 7 1 Product Guide Chapter 1: Introduction Overview CarrierInfo provides overview information about local and wireless telephone service providers. CarrierInfo is a macro view of the communications landscape, showing the serving area region of every telecommunications operating company. The product includes a high-level parent company view of a carrier's service area as well as a medium-level operating company number (OCN) view of the service area. In particular, the product: • Accurately shows the service area footprints, by rate center, of U.S. communications service providers. • Allows users to determine coverage areas by service type (ILEC/CLEC/Wireless), parent company name, carrier name, or operating company number (OCN). • Allows users to quickly determine and compare the overall competitive landscape of various carriers. Background There are three major categories of landline telecommunications carriers: • Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOC) • Independent Telephone Companies (ICO) • Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLEC) In addition to the landline telecommunications carriers, there are two major categories of wireless carriers: • Personal Communication Services (PCS) • Cellular Carriers The divestiture of AT&T in 1984 created seven RBOCs. Several of the original RBOCs have merged and there are now four RBOCs. The local telephone companies that serve areas not served by RBOCs are considered Independent Telephone Companies (ICO). In a given area, there is one and only one RBOC or ICO offering service. The term “Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier” (ILEC) is used to identify the collection of RBOCs and ICOs. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 deregulated the telecommunications landscape and for the first time allowed consumers to choose their local service provider. Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs) provide alternative service in areas served by ILECs. Unlike ILECs, CLECs are not required to provide service to all locations within their service territory, and can decline to offer service to particular regions or consumers. Consumers in a territory in which a CLEC operates have the option to receive local service from a CLEC rather than from the ILEC in the area. There can be multiple CLECs offering service in a given area. CarrierInfo © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 5 CRI_PG_Eng.pdf Product Guide Chapter 1: Introduction Uses CarrierInfo is used to analyze telecommunications carriers’ geographic presence at a high-level. Additionally, CarrierInfo may be used with other MapInfo data products such as ExchangeInfo Plus and RateCenterInfo to associate parent company information with the lower-level detail provided by these products. To see examples of how CarrierInfo can be used in conjunction with other MapInfo communications data products, see Chapter 3: Using CarrierInfo. For example, users can use the parent company layer to identify the footprint of Verizon Communications through a single selection. By then adding the OCN layer from CarrierInfo, users are then able identify all of the OCNs assigned to Verizon Communications. In this example, there are forty-one (41) OCNs assigned to Verizon Communications. The results of this query would identify all of the areas in which Verizon operates as an ILEC as well as a CLEC. CarrierInfo may also be used to determine all of the CLECs that operate within a particular ILEC service territory. A selection of the ILEC’s parent company territory can be made from the Parent Company layer. That geographic area can then be overlaid with the CLEC layer and a selection can be made to determine all of the CLECs that have operating territories within the ILEC footprint. CarrierInfo is useful for a variety of different users and applications, including: • Mergers and Acquisitions • Competitive Analysis • Strategic expansion into new markets The product can be used to answer questions such as: • How much does one company overlap other companies’ coverage area? • What are all the OCNs associated with Verizon or CenturyTel? • What are all the NPA/NXXs for a specific company?1 • What is the parent company of an area’s ILEC/CLEC? • What are all the CLECs operating within a particular ILEC service area? Features CarrierInfo offers the following features: • A single source for ILEC, CLEC, and Wireless carrier service areas by rate center. • • CarrierInfo allows users to identify the service areas for any communications service provider in the United States. Useful layers that include Parent Companies, OCNs, incumbent and competitive carriers. • • The Parent company layer provides a researched parent company name so that affiliates can be viewed as part of a larger parent company view. The OCN layer provides a more detailed view of a parent company's serving area—in terms of the individual operating company numbers owned by the parent company 1. This question needs data from RateCenterInfo or ExchangeInfo Plus to perform complete analysis. CarrierInfo © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 6 CRI_PG_Eng.pdf Product Guide Chapter 1: Introduction • Provides a critical link between Telcordia® LERG™ based company names and an industry recognized company name. • Increase the value of other MapInfo communications data products such as ExchangeInfo Plus and RateCenterInfo that rely on Telcordia LERG based company names. Installing CarrierInfo To install CarrierInfo, follow the steps below. 1. Do one of the following: • • From the Windows Start menu, choose RUN. From the Windows Program Manager, choose FILE > RUN. The Run dialog box displays. 2. Type, drive:\install, where drive is the drive letter of your CD-ROM drive). Setup.exe on the CarrierInfo CD launches the Data Installer. 3. Choose INSTALL PRODUCTS from the Installer screen. The Welcome screen displays. 4. Click NEXT. The License Agreement displays. 5. Read the license agreement. 6. Click YES to proceed. The Choose Destination Location dialog box displays. 7. Do one of the following: • • Click NEXT to proceed using the default destination to copy the CarrierInfo data. Click BROWSE to select an alternative location to copy the CarrierInfo data. The Start Copying Files dialog box displays. 8. Review the information in the Start Copying Files dialog box. Click NEXT to proceed, or click BACK to make any changes. CarrierInfo is now installed on your machine. 9. Click FINISH to complete the Setup and return to your desktop. You are now ready to start using CarrierInfo. CarrierInfo © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 7 CRI_PG_Eng.pdf Detailed Data Description This chapter contains detailed information about the data included in CarrierInfo. In this section… Coverage, Scale, and Coordinates, p. 9 Tables, p. 9 Table Structures, p. 9 Full US Versions versus State Cut Versions, p. 11 Compatibility with Other MapInfo Communications Data Products, p. 11 2 Product Guide Chapter 2: Detailed Data Description Coverage, Scale, and Coordinates The CarrierInfo database has the following coverage, scale, and coordinates: • Coverage – Continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico • Scale – 1:24,000 • Coordinates – Latitude and Longitude • Projection – NAD 83 Tables Each table is a native MapInfo Professional TAB file. TAB files are composed of five component files. Each of the component files has the same root name followed by the file extensions TAB, MAP, DAT, IND, and ID. The CarrierInfo database consists of the following tables: • RegionOcn.* • RegionOcnIlec.* • RegionOcnClec.* • RegionOcnWireless.* • RegionParent.* • RegionParentIlec.* • RegionParentClec.* • RegionParentWireless.* Region is the two letter abbreviation for the covered geographic area. This is either US for the full United States version, or the state abbreviation for individual state cuts. For example, the Ocn table for the United States is called UsOcn.TAB, while the Pennsylvania version is called PaOcn.TAB. Table Structures OCN Tables Each of the four OCN tables has the following table structure: Column Name Description Type (Length) Indexed OCN (primary key) Operating company number for all incumbent local exchange carriers that have active NPA/NXXs. Character (4) Yes OCN_Name Operating company name. Character (50) No CarrierInfo © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 9 CRI_PG_Eng.pdf Product Guide Chapter 2: Detailed Data Description Column Name Description Type (Length) Indexed Abbre_Ocn_Name Abbreviated operating company name. Character( 20) No ParentName Parent company name for this OCN. Character (100) No ParentID Parent company identifier for this OCN. Integer Yes Category Category for this OCN. It has one of three values: • ILEC • CLEC • Wireless Character (10) Yes <object> Combination of rate centers that have at least one active NPA/NXX assigned to this OCN. region The four OCN tables contain the following information: • RegionOcn - Information for all operating companies. • RegionOcnIlec - Subset of the RegionOcn table where Category = “ILEC”. • RegionOcnClec - Subset of the RegionOcn table where Category = “CLEC”. • RegionOcnWireless - Subset of the RegionOcn table where Category = “Wireless”. Since the ILEC, CLEC, and Wireless tables are subsets of the full RegionOcn table, all information contained in those tables are also contained in the RegionOcn table. The information in the subset tables is duplicated to improve usability of the product, since common analysis involves splitting the full table by category. Parent Tables Each of the four Parent tables has the following table structure. Column Name Description Type (Length) Indexed ParentID (primary key) Parent company identifier Integer Yes Category Category for this Parent. It has one of three values: • ILEC • CLEC • Wireless Character (10) Yes ParentName Parent company name. Character (100) No <object> Combination of OCNs that have this ParentID and Category. region Each of the four Parent tables contain the following information: • RegionParent – Information for all operating companies. • RegionParentIlec – Subset of the RegionParent table where Category = “ILEC” • RegionParentClec – Subset of the RegionParent table where Category = “CLEC” • RegionParentWireless – Subset of the RegionParent table where Category = “Wireless” CarrierInfo © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 10 CRI_PG_Eng.pdf Product Guide Chapter 2: Detailed Data Description Since the ILEC, CLEC, and Wireless tables are subsets of the full RegionParent table, all information contained in those tables are also contained in the RegionParent. The information in the subset tables is duplicated to improve usability of the product, since common analysis involves splitting the full table by category. The primary key for the Parent table is both ParentID and Category, since some parent companies have operations in multiple categories. For example, Verizon Communications operates in some areas as an ILEC and others as a CLEC, so there will be two records for Verizon Communications in the Parent table. About the ParentID Field • The ParentID is an arbitrary integer value that does not correspond to any industry-standard code. • The ParentID value for a particular ParentName will not change between updates. • There is always a one-to-one relationship between ParentID and ParentName. • The OCN table may be joined to the Parent table on ParentID and Category, or on ParentName and Category. Full US Versions versus State Cut Versions CarrierInfo customers who purchase data for the entire United States will receive a full US-tile version of the product as well as the product broken up by state. The US-tile version of the product is contained in a CarrierInfo_US folder in the installation directory. The individual state-cuts are contained in a CarrierInfo_State folder in the installation directory. In the US-tile version of the database, when an OCN or Parent boundary crosses state lines, the entire region is included in one map object (which crosses state borders). The state-cut version of the database, on the other hand, cuts each map object at the state line. So in the state-cut version, only the portion of its coverage inside of the given state is shown when an OCN or Parent boundary crosses state lines. Compatibility with Other MapInfo Communications Data Products The OCN Category values in CarrierInfo are not the same as those found in other MapInfo data products such as CallingAreaInfo, ExchangeInfo Plus, and RateCenterInfo. The following table shows how the CarrierInfo Category corresponds to the OCN Category values in other MapInfo data products. Categories in other MapInfo communications data products CarrierInfo Category ILEC • RBOC • ICO CarrierInfo © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 11 CRI_PG_Eng.pdf Product Guide Chapter 2: Detailed Data Description Categories in other MapInfo communications data products CarrierInfo Category CLEC • • • • • CLEC ULEC L RESELLER IPES CAP Wireless • • • • WIRELESS W RESELLER PCS P RESELLER CarrierInfo © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 12 CRI_PG_Eng.pdf Using CarrierInfo This section describes how to use CarrierInfo in conjunction with other communications data products to perform common queries. This section assumes that you have a basic familiarity with MapInfo Professional functionality. If a task is listed here that is not clear, refer to the MapInfo Professional User’s Guide for detailed procedures on accomplishing those particular tasks. In this section… Merger and Acquisition Scenarios, p. 14 Using CarrierInfo with Other MapInfo Communications Data Products, p. 15 3 Product Guide Chapter 3: Using CarrierInfo Merger and Acquisition Scenarios For users that want to look at various scenarios such as mergers and acquisitions, CarrierInfo allows users to view the service area at the parent company level and the OCN level. As an example let us take a look at the pending (as of November 1, 2005) MCI WorldCom and Verizon Communications merger and what impact it will have on the service areas of Verizon Communications. The following procedure shows how to do this. 1. Use the SQL Select dialog box to select the parent companies from the UsParent table. In this example we are using Verizon Communications and MCI WorldCom. See the image below for the parameters we are using. 2. Once the desired companies have been selected, create a thematic map to distinguish between the individual company’s service areas. Note: It may be helpful to use a “pattern” in order to ‘see through’ the top polygon in areas of overlapping service areas 3. Using the resulting map you can compare the difference in service areas and see how the addition of the proposed merger or acquisition will affect the overall service area. In this example the MCI WorldCom footprint is being added to the Verizon Communications footprint. CarrierInfo © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 14 CRI_PG_Eng.pdf Product Guide Chapter 3: Using CarrierInfo 4. In addition to visually comparing the service areas, you can incorporate the boundaries into TargetPro to extract detailed demographic information such as population, age, and income to better understand how the proposed coverage meets their target market. For details on performing this additional analysis refer to the TargetPro Users Guide. Using CarrierInfo with Other MapInfo Communications Data Products This section highlights some common applications of CarrierInfo with other MapInfo communications data products such as CallingAreaInfo, ExchangeInfo Plus, and RateCenterInfo. Note that licenses for these products are required to complete the queries shown. Using CarrierInfo with RateCenterInfo RateCenterInfo is a map database of rate centers throughout the United States. It enables users to accurately determine the rate centers and NPA/NXX combinations that a carrier serves and to create maps that show all of the rate centers for a particular parent company. Using RateCenterInfo alone, users would not know each individual OCN under which a carrier operates and would not have access CarrierInfo © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 15 CRI_PG_Eng.pdf Product Guide Chapter 3: Using CarrierInfo to the carrier’s overall footprint. By using CarrierInfo alone, users are unable to detail the individual rate centers and NPA/NXXs that a carrier serves. The relation between CarrierInfo and RateCenterInfo provides the complete picture of telecommunication carriers’ footprints. While the possibilities of using RateCenterInfo with CarrierInfo are limitless, the following examples are some of the most common scenarios of using two products together. Selecting the Rate Centers for a Parent Company This scenario walks through the process of selecting the rate centers served by a particular parent company. CarrierInfo provides the overall footprint, and RateCenterInfo provides the individual rate centers that can be further studied for a more detailed analysis. 1. From the UsOcn table, select all the OCNs for a particular Parent Company (for example, Sprint Communications). 2. Once the list of OCNs that the parent company operates is determined, use it to select the list of rate centers from the Us_Rc_D table from RateCenterInfo for each OCN. Note: Note the use of the Group By Column parameter. CarrierInfo © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 16 CRI_PG_Eng.pdf Product Guide Chapter 3: Using CarrierInfo 3. Now that the discrete list of serving rate centers is selected, select all the rate center geographies from the Us_Rc_G table from RateCenterInfo. 4. Finally, display the map and listing of rate centers that the particular company serves. CarrierInfo © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 17 CRI_PG_Eng.pdf Product Guide Chapter 3: Using CarrierInfo This image only shows the first 30 records, not the entire result of the query. CarrierInfo © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 18 CRI_PG_Eng.pdf Product Guide Chapter 3: Using CarrierInfo Selecting the NPA/NXXs a Parent Company Operates This scenario walks through the process of identifying all the NPA/NXXs a particular parent company operates. This information is helpful for understanding potential inventory availability of a wireless carrier. The resulting output could be used in a lookup table or as input into additional analysis using CallingAreaInfo (see Using CarrierInfo with CallingAreaInfo on page 25, for more details). 1. From the UsOcn table, select all the OCNs for a particular Parent Company (for example. BellSouth Corporation). 2. Once all of the OCNs from BellSouth are selected, find all the NPA/NXXs from the Us_Rc_D table RateCenterInfo for the selected OCNs. 3. Finally, list the results in a browser window. CarrierInfo © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 19 CRI_PG_Eng.pdf Product Guide Chapter 3: Using CarrierInfo This image only shows the first 30 records, not the entire result of the query. Using CarrierInfo with ExchangeInfo Plus ExchangeInfo Plus is a map database of wire centers and Central Offices throughout the United States. It enables users to accurately determine the NPA/NXX combinations that are included in specific wire centers as well as carrier information. By working with both CarrierInfo and ExchangeInfo Plus, users can quickly create maps that show all of the wire centers for a particular parent company. By using ExchangeInfo Plus alone, users would need to know each individual OCN in order to understand the overall carrier’s footprint as identified in CarrierInfo. By using CarrierInfo alone, users are unable to detail the individual wire centers, Central Offices, and NPA/NXXs that a carrier serves. Combining CarrierInfo and ExchangeInfo Plus provides the complete picture of ILECs serving areas in the US as well as ILEC, CLEC, and Wireless Central Offices. Selecting Wire Centers Serving an ILEC This scenario uses data from ExchangeInfo Plus to identify the wire centers serving a particular ILEC. 1. From the UsOcnIlec table select all of the OCNs for a particular ILEC parent company (for example, BellSouth Corporation). CarrierInfo © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 20 CRI_PG_Eng.pdf Product Guide Chapter 3: Using CarrierInfo 2. Once the list of OCNs is selected, find the list of wire centers from the UsNpaNxx table from ExchangeInfo Plus for the selected OCNs. 3. Now that all of the CLLI codes are identified, select all the wire center geographies from the UsWcReg table from ExchangeInfo Plus. CarrierInfo © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 21 CRI_PG_Eng.pdf Product Guide Chapter 3: Using CarrierInfo 4. Finally, display the map and listing of wire centers served by the particular ILEC. CarrierInfo © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 22 CRI_PG_Eng.pdf Product Guide Chapter 3: Using CarrierInfo This image only shows the first 30 records, not the entire result of the query. Selecting the NPA/NXXs Served by a Particular ILEC This scenario walks through the process of identifying all the NPA/NXXs that a particular ILEC parent company operates. The resulting output could be used in a lookup table or as input into additional analysis using CallingAreaInfo (see Using CarrierInfo with CallingAreaInfo on page 25, for more details) 1. From the UsOcnILEC table, select all the OCNs for a particular ILEC Parent Company (for example, Verizon Communications). CarrierInfo © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 23 CRI_PG_Eng.pdf Product Guide Chapter 3: Using CarrierInfo 2. Once the list of OCNs is selected, find all the NPA/NXXs in the UsNpaNxx table from ExchangeInfo Plus for the selected OCNs. 3. Finally, display the list using a browser window. CarrierInfo © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 24 CRI_PG_Eng.pdf Product Guide Chapter 3: Using CarrierInfo This image only shows the first 30 records, not the entire result of the query. Using CarrierInfo with CallingAreaInfo CallingAreaInfo maps the local calling plans available to business and residential customers when calling from or into a location. Calling plans are the rate structures that determine which phone numbers can call which other phone numbers, and at what rates. Most Local Exchange Carriers (LECs) offer more than one calling plan for each NPA/NXX combination they serve. By using CarrierInfo and CallingAreaInfo users can determine detailed information about parent companies and their local calling area footprints, such as what areas can call into a wireless company’s network without incurring additional charges, or what is the overall outbound calling coverage of an ILEC. Showing Inbound Most Restrictive Footprint For A Wireless Carrier Users, such as Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) are able to understand the inbound coverage areas for wireless carriers. This information is useful in determining phone number inventory assignments as well as actual inbound service areas for carriers for which they are partnered. This information can also help an MVNO understand the potential of a new partner. 1. From the UsOcnWireless table, select all the OCNs for a particular wireless parent company (for example, Sprint PCS). CarrierInfo © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 25 CRI_PG_Eng.pdf Product Guide Chapter 3: Using CarrierInfo 2. Select all the NPA/NXXs from the NpaNxx table from CallingAreaInfo for the selected OCNs. 3. Save the selection as a Microsoft Access (.mdb) table. CarrierInfo © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 26 CRI_PG_Eng.pdf Product Guide Chapter 3: Using CarrierInfo 4. Import the list of NPA/NXXs into CallingAreaInfo using the Inbound – Most Restrictive options. 5. From CallingAreaInfo create a database report and enable GENERATE MAPS. CarrierInfo © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 27 CRI_PG_Eng.pdf Product Guide Chapter 3: Using CarrierInfo 6. Display the map for the resulting coverage area. In this scenario we see the rate centers that Sprint PCS has inventory, as well as areas that can access that inventory as a local call. CarrierInfo © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 28 CRI_PG_Eng.pdf Frequently Asked Questions Question: What is the relationship between the CarrierInfo OCN categories and the OCN category in other products? The OCN category values in CarrierInfo are not the same as those found in other MapInfo data products such as CallingAreaInfo, ExchangeInfo Plus, and RateCenterInfo. See Compatibility with Other MapInfo Communications Data Products in Chapter 2 on page 11, for a table that shows how the CarrierInfo category corresponds to the OCN category values in other MapInfo data products. Question: What is the source for the OCN company name and the parent company name? The OCN Company names come directly from Telcordia LERG. The Parent Company name is an aggregate of disparate OCN company names, and is determined by extensive research conducted by MapInfo to include easily recognizable names. Question: What is the source of the geography? The geographic boundaries in CarrierInfo are based upon RateCenterInfo. Question: What is the reason that the boundaries in CarrierInfo do not line up exactly with the rate center boundaries in RateCenterInfo or the wire center boundaries in ExchangeInfo Plus? In an effort to reduce file size and improve performance, the node counts in the CarrierInfo boundaries have been "thinned" to a small extent. This results in a minor difference between the resolution provided in ExchangeInfo Plus and RateCenterInfo. A Product Guide Chapter A: Frequently Asked Questions Question: Why do wireless coverage areas appear smaller and more fragmented than a landline carrier in the same market? CarrierInfo regions are built from the rate centers in which the company has phone numbers. Unlike landline carriers, wireless carriers typically do not acquire phone numbers in every rate center they intend to serve. Instead, they acquire phone numbers based upon the area that can call into a rate center. The MapInfo communications data product CallingAreaInfo is used to precisely calculate the area that can call into a rate center. See Chapter 3: Using CarrierInfo. Question: Why are there sometimes overlaps in the ILEC layers? Every area should have exactly one incumbent carrier, so the ILEC layers should have no holes and no overlaps. In the few cases where this does not hold true, it is due to errors in the carrier's regulatory filings. Question: Why is there a separate table for Parents when the parent information is included in the OCN table? The region object for a parent is a combination of all OCNs with the same parent and category. The combined view is included so that users can quickly obtain the coverage area for a parent company in a single database row, rather than having to manually combine it themselves. Question: What are the differences between the UsOcn table and the UsOcnIlec, UsOcnClec and UsOcnWireless tables? The UsOcnIlec, UsOcnClec, and UsOcnWireless tables are subsets of the full UsOcn table. All information contained in those tables are also contained in the full UsOcn table. There is no information in the subset tables that can not be obtained from the full UsOcn table. The information in the subset tables is duplicated to improve usability of the product, since common analysis involves splitting the full table by category. Question: What are the differences between the UsParent table and the UsParentIlec, UsParentClec and UsParentWireless tables? The UsParentIlec, UsParentClec, and UsParentWireless tables are subsets of the full UsParent table. All information contained in those tables are also contained in the full UsParent table. The information in the subset tables is duplicated to improve usability of the product, since common analysis involves splitting the full table by category. Question: Why are there multiple ParentIDs in the Parent table (why isn't the ParentID a unique value)? The unique key for the Parent table is ParentID and Category since some carriers have operations in multiple categories. Question: How is the Parent Company name defined? The Parent Company data is an aggregate of disparate operating company names represented through an easily recognizable industry name. This information is collected through industry research including FCC Form 499 and carrier reports, as well as independent research of company ownerships. Examples include: Parent_Name Verizon Communications OCN OCN_Name 0831 VERIZON NORTH INC.-IN (ALLTEL) CarrierInfo © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 30 CRI_PG_Eng.pdf Product Guide Chapter A: Frequently Asked Questions Parent_Name OCN OCN_Name Verizon Communications 4421 VERIZON CALIFORNIA INC.-NV Verizon Communications 9104 VERIZON NEW YORK, INC. Verizon Communications 1036 VERIZON NORTH INC.-IL (CONTEL) Verizon Communications 2344 VERIZON WEST COAST INC.-CA Verizon Communications 1015 VERIZON NORTH INC.-IL TDS Telephone & Data Systems 0954 STOCKBRIDGE & SHERWOOD TELEPHONE CO. TDS Telephone & Data Systems 0118 PORT BYRON TELEPHONE CO. TDS Telephone & Data Systems 2377 HOME TELEPHONE CO. OR TDS Telephone & Data Systems 1507 WINSTED TELEPHONE CO. TDS Telephone & Data Systems 0217 AMELIA TELEPHONE CORP. TDS Telephone & Data Systems 0958 TENNEY TELEPHONE CO. TDS Telephone & Data Systems 0047 MERRIMACK COUNTY TELEPHONE CO. Question: How does CarrierInfo compare to CLECInfo and LECInfo? Previously LECInfo contained Parent Company information but lacked OCN level detail. CLECInfo contained OCN level detail but lacked the Parent Company information. CarrierInfo combines these two products into one commonly designed data product. This allows customers to extract the same information from both products while introducing wireless company information as well. Question: What OCNs are not included in CarrierInfo? CarrierInfo includes information only for OCNs that have active NPA/NXXs. Some carriers, such as local resellers, do not have active NPA/NXXs assigned to their OCN, and so are not included in the product. CarrierInfo © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 31 CRI_PG_Eng.pdf Glossary This section defines acronyms and terms used throughout this manual. In this section… Acronyms, p. 33 Terms, p. 34 B Product Guide Chapter B: Glossary Acronyms CLEC Competitive Local Exchange Carrier. CLLI Common Language Location Identifier, Wire Center Code. CO Central Office. GIS Geographic Information System. ILEC Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers. LATA Local Access Transport Area. LEC Local Exchange Carrier. MVNO Mobile Virtual Network Operator. NPA Numbering Plan Area, Area Code. NXX Prefix. OCN See Operating Company Number (OCN). PCS Personal Communications Services. RBOC Regional Bell Operating Company. SQL Structured Query Language. CarrierInfo © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 33 CRI_PG_Eng.pdf Product Guide Chapter B: Glossary Terms Area Code This is another term for Numbering Plan Area or NPA. The area code is a three-digit code designating a 'toll' center in the United States and Canada. The first three digits of a telephone number (usually shown in parentheses) are the Area Code. For example: in the telephone number (412) 372-2399, the Area Code is 412. Cellular The cellular radiotelephone service is a mobile radiotelephone service in which common carriers are authorized to offer and provide a mobile telecommunications service for hire to the general public using cellular systems. Cellular systems in the United States operate in the 824-894 mHz frequency bands and have 30 kHz channel spacing. Central Office (CO) A telephone company facility where subscriber's lines are joined to switching equipment. This connects subscribers to each other for local and long distance service. The CO actually delivers the dial tone to the subscriber's phone equipment. Each CO is assigned a unique, 11-character CLLI code. Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) Competitive Local Exchange Carriers provide alternate service in areas served by either an RBOC or ILEC. CLECs are not required to provide service to all locations within their service territory, and can decline to offer service to particular regions or consumers. Geographic Information System (GIS) Computer applications, such as MapInfo Professional and CallingAreaInfo, that store and manipulate electronic maps and related data, are GIS applications. Inbound Local Calling Area All the NPA/NXX combinations (and associated geographic area) that can call in to a given NPA/NXX by using a local phone service provider. Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (ILEC) Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers are telephone carriers that serve areas not served by RBOCs. In a given area there can only be one RBOC or ILEC offering service. License Area Geographic area (i.e., MTA, BTA, CMA, etc.) that is obtained through an FCC auction in order to provide wireless communication at a specified frequency. Local Access Transport Area (LATA) The United States is divided geographically into 192 LATA regions. Local telephone companies are permitted to offer local or long distance telecommunications services within these regions. Local Exchange Carrier (LEC) Local telephone companies which can either be a Regional Bell Operating Company (RBOC) or an independent. Also referred to as ILEC. CarrierInfo © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 34 CRI_PG_Eng.pdf Product Guide Chapter B: Glossary Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) A company that buys network capacity from a network operator to offer its own branded mobile subscriptions and value-added services. Numbering Plan Area (NPA) See Area Code. Operating Company Number (OCN) A number used to identify a specific telephone company. Operating Company Number Name (OCN Name) This is the company name as shown in the Telcordia LERG database. Paging A signaling and control channel which operates on a set of frequencies separate from those used to support cellular voice communications. Parent Company Next level up ownership of operating OCN Name. This is an industry recognized company name that owns/operate multiple OCNs across the country. Personal Communications Services (PCS) Broadband Personal Communications Services (PCS) is used to provide a variety of services, such as digital mobile phones and wireless Internet access. These services are also called mobile telephone services and mobile data services. PCS operates in the 1850-1990 mHz bands. Prefix (NXX) This term refers to the first three digits of a seven-digit local phone number. Rate Center Rate Centers are geographic locations laid out according to telecommunications industry standards. The distance between two Rate Centers is used to calculate the charge rates for telecommunications services between the two Rate Centers. Regional Bell Operating Company (RBOC) This is the term given to the 7 companies that were created from the initial divestiture of AT&T in 1984. After several mergers, there are currently 4 RBOCs. Structured Query Language (SQL) A powerful database language you can use to pull desired information out of the CarrierInfo output database. By using various SQL commands, you can sort through the raw output and find the kinds of information you need for numerous applications. Wire Center The location where the telephone company terminates the local lines; this is usually the same location as a Central Office. A wire center might have one or more Central Offices. Because of this, the terms 'Wire Center', 'Central Office', and 'End Office' are often used interchangeably. Wire Center Code (CLLI) Each Wire Center is assigned a unique, 8-character code. CarrierInfo © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 35 CRI_PG_Eng.pdf Product Guide Chapter B: Glossary Wireless Carrier A Cellular, PCS, or Paging company that provides wireless voice (or paging) services. CarrierInfo © 2005 MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 36 CRI_PG_Eng.pdf