Rewrite of SMS 800 Database Software
SMT, which operates the SMS 800 Database, recently announced
plans to discontinue the current 3270 interface, replace the
current GUI software interfaces with a new "Human Interface",
and introduce a set of programming tools known as "Web
Services". There are substantial startup and software
development costs associated with programming in the Web Services
environment, which will result in significant competitive
disparities among Resp Orgs. We are asking Resp Orgs to join
1-800 AFTA in urging DSMI/SMT to make all new functionality
available in the Human Interface as well as Web Services.
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ENUM
ENUM, or electronic numbering, converts a telephone number
into an Internet address (url) for VoIP. As VoIP continues
to grow, global implementation of ENUM appears more certain.
This is a critical issue for the toll free industry. To date,
ENUM does not include any safeguards to ensure that the individual
or entity registering a toll free number is in fact the subscriber
or service provider for that subscriber. This opens the door
to slamming. As a first step in protecting the toll free industry
from such slams, AFTA has presented the ENUM Forum with a
proposal that would require conforming the ENUM registrations
for toll free numbers to the Resp Org processes. A more far-reaching
decision is expected shortly. The guideline changes incorporating
the AFTA proposals are currently under review by an industry
committee.
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SMS 800 Database Management
The transfer of control and ownership of the SMS database
is moving forward. A straw proposal outlining terms of governance
for a limited liability corporation (LLC) overseeing these
responsibilities was recently presented to the FCC (read the
complete straw proposal below). AFTA’s role in the process
is to protect the needs and rights of small and medium Resp
Orgs. The next step will be to draft the legal documents governing
the LLC. We’ll keep you apprised about important upcoming
decisions, to ensure that you have an opportunity to voice
your opinion about how the SMS database is managed.
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SNAC Issue # 2617
1-800 AFTA and its members have been particularly active
in pressing SNAC to strengthen anti-slamming protections for
toll free numbers. While the slamming of outbound telephone
service may result in an inconvenience to the subscriber and,
generally minor, financial ramifications, the slamming of
toll-free service results in disruption of service and, frequently,
interruption of the business of the subscriber whose number
is slammed. Nonetheless, current anti-slamming protections
for toll-free numbers are exceedingly weak, in sharp contrast
to the strict regime and fines (up to $40,000 per incident)
which exist on the outbound side. Spearheaded by AFTA members,
the following letter was recently sent to the FCC by the SNAC
committee:
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PayPhone Compensation Regulations
In May 2004, after submitting written comments, AFTA representatives
held a series of meetings at the FCC to address proposed changes
to payphone compensation regulations. As a result, the FCC
has already agreed to allow major carriers to manage and administer
payphone compensation for smaller switch-based resellers.
Companies that opt to keep these arrangements in place will
be exempt from proposed onerous audit requirements. This is
a significant win for AFTA and the toll free service providers
it represents.
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