LNP and number pooling: a matched set?

Number pooling and local number portability were two hot topics at the IN World Forum last week in Orlando. With number pooling trials underway in Chicago, Ameritech representatives were the main speakers addressing the impending end of available numbers.

Number exhaust is forecast for around 2007; about 40% of the supply of numbers are in use today. In Chicago, where the number of area codes has jumped significantly in the past few years, Ameritech has been testing number pooling since May 1998.

Ameritech is using number pooling in 1000 directory number blocks. It's based on the same technology as LNP in that the number portability query is used to obtain a local routing number from the database, and the local routing number routes calls to a switch.

However, "it's a mistake to assume number pooling and number portability are the same," said Wayne Heinmiller, senior member of technical staff for network services at Ameritech.

With various LNP deployments underway, it's important to consider future number pooling plans, which are easier if developed in parallel. "Number pooling is the most complex change that the telecom industry has ever seen," said Robert Wienski, director and general manager of IN services at Illuminet.

To help carriers with both issues, Nortel Networks announced a third generation LNP solution that offers automated ported services management and advanced routing functionality.

"We've included the ability to split block values and allow carriers to automatically configure number pooling into their systems," said Brian McClelland, senior research and development manager for Nortel's signaling solutions group. "Universal NP Master is a flexible architecture that accommodates number pooling and the more rigid challenges that European carriers are facing."

Universal NP Master can be used as a stand-alone or integrated into a legacy network. It scales from an initial 600 queries per second to 20,000 queries per second and lets growing carriers add queries per second by adding a processor card.

Initial capabilities include Advanced Intelligent Network/intelligent network and IS-41 protocols for wireline and wireless porting services, 10- or 11-digit NPGTT for wireless number porting, and up to 5 million ported number records. Six services are provided for each ported number: calling name, custom local area signaling services, inter-switch voice messaging, line information database, wireless short message service and one spare service.

Nortel worked with DSET to allow users to interact with all eight regional number portability administration centers and up to 32 number portability databases.

The Universal NP Master will be available in August. The company plans to rollout Internet protocol-based number portability solutions in the fourth quarter.

* 193 blocks have been allocated to participating carriers

* 22 NXXs opened to replenish pool

* An estimated 123 NXXs conserved, not including donated blocks

* Projected exhaust date at start of trial end of 1998; latest projected exhaust date, early 2000