Ericsson’s Iconectiv division is set to take over LNPA authority from Neustar, promises ‘cost efficient and secure NPAC system’
The North American Portability Management signed a master services agreement with Ericsson’s Telcordia division to become the nation’s Local Number Portability Administrator for all seven of the U.S. Number Portability Administration Center regions.
The agreement, which follows recommended approval last month by the Federal Communications Commission, will see Telcordia’s Iconectiv business serve as the nation’s LNPA for an initial five-year contract. Iconectiv will replace long-time LNPA Neustar in overseeing the ability for consumers and businesses to port their phone numbers between service providers.
“This is a critical step forward for the industry,” said Richard Jacowleff, president and CEO of Iconectiv. “We are well prepared to implement a smooth transition to the new modern, cost efficient and secure NPAC system that will provide number portability at a fraction of the current cost.”
Iconectiv noted that with the deal officially signed, it would continue the transition planning process for all NPAC users, which includes thousands of wireline, wireless, Voice over Internet Protocol, cable service providers, law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations. The firm also highlighted that telemarketing firms rely on the database to maintain compliance with federal regulations.
In granting its approval last month, the FCC followed the recommendation from the North American Numbering Council, which said Telcordia “can meet the strict conditions set by the FCC to ensure reliability, security and competitive neutrality of the numbering system.” Those conditions include guaranteed support for public safety, law enforcement and national security operations; implementation of a “rigorous” audit program; Telcordia submitting a code of conduct and voting trust agreement tied to the firm being an impartial LNPA; and the firm engaging in “post-selection risk reduction activities to address the evolving cybersecurity threat environment.”
The FCC initially granted provisional approval to Telcordia in early 2015, in a move to handle the more than 100,000 phone numbers said to be ported each day. Iconectiv said its system will be compatible with the existing gateway systems, and that it will provide more information in the coming weeks on the transition process.
“While we have been planning for the transition for some time, we are glad to officially move the transition process forward,” Jacowleff said in a statement. “This new NPAC system will include best-in-class technology and security while providing number portability at a fraction of the current cost.”
Neustar, which has been the administrator and beneficiary of the multimillion-dollar contract since 1997, claimed the process of selecting a new LNPA was “substantially defective” and that the proposed vendor change “presents substantial transition risks and cost to the industry and the consumers it serves.” The company previously claimed the process was corrupted when a confidential email was posted in the FCC docket.
The firm continued to voice its displeasure with the process in its latest quarterly results conference call, with current President and CEO Lisa Hooks noting the decision was “another data point in a bizarre and arcane process that continues to give short shrift to the important issues involving critical U.S. telecommunications infrastructure.”
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said the government agency would closely monitor the transition of authority.
“The FCC will continue to exercise close oversight to ensure a successful transition from the incumbent provider to Iconectiv,” Wheeler said in a statement.
The wireless industry was required to implement number portability in 2003, which allowed mobile customers to keep their phone number when moving between carriers.
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