History Log

Product Description

Qwest's retail telecommunications services, Business and Residence local exchange access line services also known as Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) - Business and Residence, are available for resale by Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs) to their end-users. Additional information about resale of Qwest's retail services, is availabe in Resale - General.

Both Business and Residence local exchange access line services provide access to the public switched network for local and long distance dialing. If your end-user chooses to use Qwest for Intra-Local Access and Transport Area (LATA) long distance the IntraLATA long distance is billed to you at the resale rate. The IntraLATA long distance is determined by the Local Primary Interexchange Carrier (LPIC). End-users designate a carrier of choice on calls that originate and terminate within the end-user's home LATA. The end-user's intraLATA carrier can be the same or different from their interLATA (long distance) carrier. Information describing long distance carrier selection is available in the Long Distance Carrier Selection Overview.

Types of Business Services include:

• Flat-rated Business service is unmeasured, allowing your end-user to make an unlimited number of calls within the local calling area at a flat, or fixed, monthly rate. The service utilizes the exchange access line, which includes the central office equipment and all the Qwest plant facilities up to and including the Standard Network Interface. The service provides basic dial tone.
  • Qwest Stand-By Line^TM is a Basic Exchange service that allows buiness end-users to expand and contract their telephone service according to call volume and pay for only the service that they need. Business end-users are billed the same nonrecurring charges as for a flat business line however they pay about half the monthly cost of a regular second line plus per-minute usage charges for both incoming and outgoing calls. Ideal uses include fax modem lines or lines with credit card machines. Standby Lines cannot be used as a primary line, cannot be billed separately and are not available with measured service.
• Measured-rated Business service provides access to the public switched network for local and long distance calling. 1MB service is billed at a flat monthly rate for a set number of local calls or messages per line with an additional charge for every local message in excess of the base allowance. Charges for local calls in excess of the allowance are billed for based upon length of call, originating and terminating point of call, and time of day each call was made.
• Public Response Calling Service (PRCS), also known as Choke Network, is currently available in the tariffs in NE, SD and MN and is being added to the CO, ID-S, IA, MT, NM, OR, UT, WA, and WY tariffs effective July 18, 2005, and to the ID-N tariff effective August 1, 2005. PRCS is a service offering which provides facilities for call-in programs, promotional activities and contests which are publicly advertised and result in mass calling by the general public to a telephone number. This service allows high volume incoming calls to a single number that exceeds 200 calls a minute without putting a switch at risk. This service is commonly used by radio stations for contests or by ticket outlets. For specific ordering requirements, refer to the Ordering section of this document.
  
  NOTE: The tariff states that certain conditions require your end-user customer to subscribe to PRCS. For additional information, refer to Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.

Types of Residence Services include:

• Flat-rated Residence service is unmeasured, allowing the end-user to make an unlimited number of calls within the local calling area at a fixed monthly rate. The service consists of utilizing the exchange access line, which includes the central office equipment and all the Qwest plant facilities up to and including the Standard Network Interface. The service provides basic dial tone for residential end-users.
• Message/Measured Rated Residence service provides access to the public switched network for local and long distance calling.
  • Measured Rated Service bills a flat monthly rate for a set number of local calls or messages per line with an additional charge for every local message in excess of the base allowance.
  • Message Rated Service bills a flat monthly rate that includes a monetary usage allowance for calls completed to stations in the local calling area. Charges for local calls in excess of the allowance are also applicable and are based upon length of call, originating and terminating point of call, and time of day call was made.
• Lifeline Services
  • The Lifeline Assistance Plan is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plan to provide a credit toward the recurring monthly local exchange service rate. It is available for resale to qualified low-income residential end-users throughout Qwest's 14-state local service territory.
  • Tribal Lifeline is an enhancement to the existing Lifeline program. Tribal Lifeline offers low-income residential end-users on tribal lands a credit toward charges associated with the access line throughout Qwest's 14-state local service territory except Wyoming.
  • Link Up is another assistance program that is funded by the CLECs. With this plan, some states waive up to 100% of the installation charges for residential low-income end-users.

For additional information on types of Business and Residence services and related USOCs view state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.

The following Discounted Feature Packages are available for Resale to your end-users:

Call Manager Connection - Business Only.
NOTE: Call Manager Connection – Business Only Packages are grandparented in all states except Arizona and Idaho-North effective April 11, 2005 and are only available as a new service in Arizona and Idaho-North. Contact your Qwest Sales Executive for additional information.

CustomChoice® for Business Package.
NOTE: CustomChoice® for Business Packages are grandparented effective April 11, 2005 and are not available as a new service. Contact your Qwest Sales Executive for additional information.

CustomChoice® Packages - Residence.
NOTE: CustomChoice® Packages - Residence is grandparented effective May 5, 2003 and is not available as a new service. Contact your Qwest Sales Executive for additional information.

CustomChoice-Complete™ Packages. (Residence Only).
NOTE: CustomChoice-Complete™ Packages - (Residence Only) is grandparented effective May 5, 2003 and is not available as a new service. Contact your Qwest Sales Executive for additional information.

PopularChoice™ Packages. (Residence Only).
NOTE: PopularChoice™ Packages is grandparented effective May 5, 2003 and is not available as a new service. Contact your Qwest Sales Executive for additional information.

PreferredChoice™ Packages. (Residence Only)
NOTE: PreferredChoice Packages are grandparented effective August 16, 2004, and are not available as a new service. Contact your Qwest Sales Executive for additional information.

Qwest Choice™ Business (available from December 15, 2003 to April 11, 2005)
NOTE: Qwest Choice™ Business Packages are grandparented effective April 11, 2005, and are not available as a new service. Contact your Qwest Sales Executive for additional information.

Qwest Choice™ Business (Qwest Choice Business Pick 3 in CO) (available April 11, 2005)

Qwest Choice™ Business Plus

Qwest Choice™ Business Prime

Qwest Choice™ Business Add-A-Line

Qwest Choice™ Home
NOTE: Qwest Choice Home Packages are grandparented effective August 16, 2004, and are not available as a new service. Contact your Qwest Sales Executive for additional information.

Qwest Choice™ Home (Qwest Choice Home Pick 3 in CO) (available August 16, 2004 and later)

Qwest Choice™ Home Plus

Qwest Business Line Plus™.
NOTE: Qwest Business Line Plus™ Packages are grandparented effective April 11, 2005 in all states except Idaho-North and are not available as a new service except in Idaho-North. Contact your Qwest Sales Executive for additional information.

SelectPak™ (Residence Only).
NOTE: SelectPak™ is grandparented effective May 5, 2003 and is not available as a new service. Contact your Qwest Sales Executive for additional information.

SmartSet™ (Business Only).
NOTE: SmartSet™ Packages are grandparented in all states except Arizona effective April 11, 2005 and are only available as new service in Arizona. Contact your Qwest Sales Executive for additional information.

ValueChoice Packages™ (Residence Only).

NOTE: ValueChoice Packages are grandparented effective August 16, 2004, and are not available as a new service, with the exception of Idaho-North. Contact your Qwest Sales Executive for additional information.

Availability
Business and Residence local exchange access line services are available for resale throughout Qwest's 14-state local service territory.

For additional Qwest retail services available for resale by state, view state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.

Terms and Conditions
Business services can be installed in any business location and in a residential location where an end-user may be operating a 'home business.'

Residence services can only be installed in a residential location.

It is your responsibility to provide Qwest with accurate end-user address and location information for state regulated emergency databases. Information regarding 911/Enhanced 911 (E911) is located in Access to Emergency Services (911/E911).

For each main telephone number Qwest will accept one white page directory listing at no charge. Additional information about directory listing is available in White Pages Directory Listings.

Additional terms and conditions, rates and charges can be found in the Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.

Technical Publications
Technical characteristics are described in:

• Telcordia Special Reports (SRs), SR-2275, Notes on the Network.
• American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

Pricing

Rate Structure

General resale rate structure information is described in Resale - General.

Nonrecurring charges apply for the initial provisioning and installation of Residence service and most Business services. Nonrecurring charges also apply whenever there are additions or changes to existing services. Monthly recurring charges apply.

Business and Residence services and optional features are available on a month-to month basis. A minimum billing period of thirty days applies for monthly recurring charges.

Qwest retail rate elements for Business and Residence services, and how the rate elements apply are available in the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.

Rates
Rates and/or applicable discounts are available in Exhibit A or the specific rate sheet in your Interconnection or Resale Agreement.

Qwest's retail rates can be found in the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.

Tariffs, Regulations and Policies
Tariffs, regulations and policies applicable to Qwest retail products available for resale are located in the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.

Qwest has Interconnection/Resale tariffs in the following states:

You may purchase services for resale under these tariffs, or under an Interconnection or Resale Agreement in these states.

Additional policy information can be found in your Interconnection or Resale Agreement, or the Statement of Generally Available Terms and Conditions (SGAT) for the relevant state.

Optional Features
Business and Residence services optional feature availability and pricing may vary according to the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.\

A complete list of standard features, feature descriptions, availability, pricing, and ordering information is available in the Resale - Features matrix.

Qwest offers various optional intraLATA local calling plans in some states. Check the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists to determine what plans may be available.

Message Delivery Service (MDS) and Message Delivery Service Interoffice (MDSI) are network service product offerings that are used to facilitate the delivery of a voice messaging platform and are available with certain product offerings. For additional information contact your Qwest Service Manager.

Traffic Data Report Service (TDRS) provides customers with a summary of traffic data on certain network facilities. For additional information contact your Qwest Service Manager.

See Features/Benefits.

Product Prerequisites
If you are a new CLEC and are ready to do business with Qwest, view Getting Started as a Facility-Based CLEC or Getting Started as a Reseller.

If you are an existing CLEC wishing to amend your Interconnection Agreement or New Customer Questionnaire, additional information is located in the Interconnection Agreement.

Pre Ordering

General pre-ordering activities are described in the Pre-Ordering Overview.

Requirements for pre-ordering are described in Local Service Guidelines (LSOG) Pre-Order.

Ordering

It is important to understand the Resale - General procedures before ordering local exchange services.

General ordering activities are described in the Ordering Overview.

Service requests should be placed using Interconnect Mediated Access (IMA) Extensible Markup Language (XML), IMA Graphical User Interface (GUI), or faxed to (888) 796-9089.

Local Exchange Services, Business and Residence POTS service requests are submitted using the following LSOG forms:

• Local Service Request (LSR)
• End User (EU)
• Resale Service (RS)
• Directory Listing (DL), if applicable

Field entry requirements are described in the LSOG.

When requesting a full conversion from existing Retail/Resale/commercial local exchange services products e.g. Qwest Local Service Platform™ (QLSP™) using the LSR ACT Type = V, all listings on the current account must be addressed by providing the end-state of the listing on your LSR. If there are no change(s) to the listing(s), the listing(s) should have the LACT value of Z. If the LSR ACT Type = V, and a LACT value of Z is present on the DL form, the TN will be used for validation purposes, but all other information on the DL form will be ignored. The listing will remain exactly as it exists on Qwest’s Customer Service Record. LSRs with 'LACT = N - New Listing' selected when changes are being made to existing listings will be manually rejected by Qwest. Only new listings may be added with LACT = N during conversion activity. Existing listings may be deleted during conversion activity with LACT = D - Delete Listing.

Requests for multiple line conversions may be made on the same LSR, provided the request is based on the same Customer Service Record (CSR), for the same end-user, at the same location, and for the same due date.

LSRs related to Public Response Calling Service (Choke Network) must be submitted by fax until further notice. Additionally, the following three USOCs are required on the RS form:

• 1MN - Public Response Calling Service
• GE6 - Traffic Load Protector
• NRC83 - Non-Recurring Charge

In addition, the Remarks section must include the following information:

• "Choke Network"
• Group Size/Number of Lines
• New or Existing Call Forwarding 'To' Number, if needed

Additional information regarding the restrictions and limitations of Choke Network Service:

• Call Forwarding Restrictions - whenever Choke calls are forwarded or hunt outside the choke network, they lose their choking properties. Be advised to NEVER call forward a Choke line outside of the Choke Network.
• Multi-Line Hunt Concerns - Call Forwarding features may be used on a one-to-one basis with Multi-Line Hunting, however no Series Hunting is allowed. Many Choke Network lines have multiple Multi-Line Hunt groups, which in turn have multiple Call Forwarding Variable (CFV) features active. This leads to abuse and loss of control of the network as the forwarding feature can be used to forward these numbers to other service providers.

Provisioning and Installation

General provisioning and installation activities are described in the Provisioning and Installation Overview.

Some products or features require the addition of a Line Class Code (LCC) to provision the service in the Qwest switch. When a LCC is required, the CLEC is not responsible for providing it on the LSR; Qwest adds it to the service order.

In some cases, several products associated with a single line may each require a LCC. Only one LCC may be used on a line. Therefore, in these situations, Qwest will assign a single LCC that provides the function for multiple products. There are also times when one LCC may be translated into another LCC to accommodate various switch types and/or Multi-line Hunting requirements.

Qwest enters the LCC on the service order following each line USOC to be equipped with the product or feature, as in the following example:

• 1FB/PIC xxxx/LCC KXB
• RTY

For information on the LCCs used in provisioning Resale POTS services refer to the LCC Job Aid. The LCC Job Aid is provided as an informational tool and should not be used by the CLEC when submitting an LSR.

Loss and Completion Reports are based on loss and gain account activity. Loss and Completion Reports are described in Billing Information - Additional Outputs - SMDR, Completion Report, Loss Report.

Maintenance and Repair

General maintenance and repair activities are described in the Maintenance and Repair Overview.

In certain communities where Qwest has deployed Fiber To The Premise (FTTP) architecture, Qwest will not be able to technically line power the customer phone from the serving wire center. Therefore, a battery back up unit is required and is initially installed at the end user customer location for lifeline capability. The maintenance of this battery backup unit will be your responsibility. Qwest will monitor this battery backup unit for alarms (i.e., battery is low, dead, or missing) and provide written notification to you, as a provider of Resale service to an impacted end user location, so that you may make arrangements to ensure that the battery is replaced. This notification will provide instructions on how to proceed.

The written notification for the FTTP low battery alarm will be sent to the billing address on the CSR. If you would like the battery replacement notification to be sent to an alternate address, mark the FTTP LSR for manual handling and enter the alternate address or contact information in the Remarks section of the request.

Billing

On a monthly basis, Qwest will provide you with billing information that will provide summary account information as well as end-user account information.

Customer Records and Information System (CRIS) billing is described in Billing Information - Customer Records and Information System (CRIS).

Training

Local Qwest 101: "Doing Business with Qwest"

• This introductory web-based training course is designed to teach the Local CLEC and Local Reseller how to do business with Qwest. It will provide a general overview of products and services, Qwest billing and support systems, processes for submitting service requests, reports, and web resource access information. Click here to learn more about this course and to register.

IMA "Hands On"

• This introductory instructor-led training course teaches you how to use the Qwest's IMA Graphical User Interface (GUI) to order wholesale products. You will experience the interactive software demonstrations and participate in hands-on practice sessions to familiarize yourself with the IMA GUI system. Click here to learn more about this course and to register.

Interconnect Mediated Access (IMA) Facility Based Directory Listing Training

• This course introduces the participant to the IMA functionality as well as the processes that need to be followed to establish, change and/or delete directory listing information. The participant will review the resources available to assist with Directory Listing questions and processes. A significant amount of time will be spent reviewing Qwest listing business rules and how to complete an Ordering and Billing Forum (OBF) Directory Form via IMA. Please click here to learn more about this course and to register.

POTS Product Overview

• This instructor-led training course provides an overview of the Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) product. This course will provide a general overview of the POTS product and the various features associated with POTS. Click here to learn more about this course and to register.

POTS Resale

• This instructor-led process and systems training course provides an overview of POTS Resale products as well as the processes for submitting the service request via Interconnect Mediated Access (IMA). The processes covered are Preorder, Order, Post Order, Provisioning, Billing and CEMR Maintenance and Repair. Click here to learn more about this course and to register.

View additional Qwest courses by clicking on Course Catalog.

Contacts

Qwest contact information is available in the Wholesale Center Contacts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

This section is being compiled based on your feedback.

Last Update: April 21, 2008

Qwest Stand-By Line™, CustomChoice Complete™, PopularChoice™, PreferredChoice™, Qwest Business Line Plus™, Qwest Choice™ Home , Qwest Choice™ Home Plus, Qwest Choice™, Business SelectPak™, SmartSet™ and ValueChoice Packages™ are Trademarks of Qwest Communications International, Inc.

CustomChoice® is a Registered Trademark of Qwest Communications International, Inc.