Bell Canada announces the planned introduction of a database containing number portability information. In response to a query containing a subscriber number the database returns a network routing number that can be used to route calls to a network switch serving the subscriber. The database is expected to be offered by IIQ98.

Compatibility Impact:

None expected.

Documentation:

The interface is described in a technical specification prepared by the Technical Interface Subworking Group of the CRTC Interconnection Steering Committee (CISC). The technical specification is titled Network-to-Network Technical Interface for Local Interconnection: NP Query-Response Network Capability. The interface provided by the number portability database is described in the CISC specification as "Message Set A."

The CISC specification referenced above is available as a ZIP archive "TICO070a.zip" from the CRTC Web Page at:

http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/proc_rep/telecom/1997/general/cisf3d3b.htm