CALEA in Detail

Posted on October 26, 2009 by smsgov

Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA)

Assistance capability requirements for wireline, cellular, and PCS telecommunications carriers

1. (a) Definitions.
1. Call identifying information. Call identifying information means dialing or signaling information that identifies the origin, direction, destination, or termination of each communication generated or received by a subscriber by means of any equipment, facility, or service of a telecommunications carrier. Call identifying information is “reasonably available” to a carrier if it is present at an intercept access point and can be made available without the carrier being unduly burdened with network modifications.
2. Collection function. The location where lawfully authorized intercepted communications and call-identifying information is collected by a law enforcement agency (LEA).
3. Content of subject-initiated conference calls. Capability that permits a LEA to monitor the content of conversations by all parties connected via a conference call when the facilities under surveillance maintain a circuit connection to the call.
4. Destination. A party or place to which a call is being made (e.g., the called party).
5. Dialed digit extraction. Capability that permits a LEA to receive on the call data channel a digits dialed by a subject after a call is connected to another carrier’s service for processing and routing.
6. Direction. A party or place to which a call is re-directed or the party or place from which it came, either incoming or outgoing (e.g., a redirected-to party or redirected-from party).
7. IAP. Intercept access point is a point within a carrier’s system where some of the communications or call-identifying information of an intercept subject’s equipment, facilities, and services are accessed.
8. In-band and out-of-band signaling. Capability that permits a LEA to be informed when a network message that provides call identifying information (e.g., ringing, busy, call waiting signal, message light) is generated or sent by the IAP switch to a subject using the facilities under surveillance. Excludes signals generated by customer premises equipment when no network signal is generated.
9. J-STD-025. The standard, including the latest version, developed by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) for wireline, cellular, and broadband PCS carriers. This standard defines services and features to support lawfully authorized electronic surveillance, and specifies interfaces necessary to deliver intercepted communications and call-identifying information to a LEA. Subsequently, TIA and ATIS published J-STD-025-A and J-STD-025-B.
10. Origin. A party initiating a call (e.g., a calling party), or a place from which a call is initiated.
11. Party hold, join, drop on conference calls. Capability that permits a LEA to identify the parties to a conference call conversation at all times.
12. Subject-initiated dialing and signaling information. Capability that permits a LEA to be informed when a subject using the facilities under surveillance uses services that provide call identifying information, such as call forwarding, call waiting, call hold, and three-way calling. Excludes signals generated by customer premises equipment when no network signal is generated.
13. Termination. A party or place at the end of a communication path (e.g. the called or call-receiving party, or the switch of a party that has placed another party on hold).
14. Timing information. Capability that permits a LEA to associate call-identifying information with the content of a call. A call-identifying message must be sent from the carrier’s IAP to the LEA’s Collection Function within eight seconds of receipt of that message by the IAP at least 95% of the time, and with the call event time-stamped to an accuracy of at least 200 milliseconds.

1. In addition to the requirements in section 1.20006, wireline, cellular, and PCS telecommunications carriers shall provide to a LEA the assistance capability requirements regarding wire and electronic communications and call identifying information covered by J-STD-025 (current version), and, subject to the definitions in this section, may satisfy these requirements by complying with J-STD-025 (current version), or by another means of their own choosing. These carriers also shall provide to a LEA the following capabilities:
1. Content of subject-initiated conference calls;
2. Party hold, join, drop on conference calls;
3. Subject-initiated dialing and signaling information;
4. In-band and out-of-band signaling;
5. Timing information;
6. Dialed digit extraction, with a toggle feature that can activate/deactivate this capability

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Rationing Rumors Rattle Consumers

Posted on October 26, 2009 by smsgov

In the telecommunications industry, we are once again hearing rumors of toll free rationing. The federal government rationed 800 numbers in 1995 until the new 888 pre-fix was introduced a year later. Now, the supply of available 1-800 numbers is again nearly depleted. This marketing tool has been so successful that the available numbers are decreasing while demand is growing at unprecedented rates. If rationing is implemented, obtaining a new toll free number will be more difficult than ever before.

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CALEA’s – Tap and Trace

Posted on October 25, 2009 by smsgov

In October 1994, Congress took action to protect public safety and ensure national security by enacting the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (CALEA), Pub. L. No. 103-414, 108 Stat. 4279. The law further defines the existing statutory obligation of telecommunications carriers to assist law enforcement in executing electronic surveillance pursuant to court order or other lawful authorization. The objective of CALEA implementation is to preserve law enforcement’s ability to conduct lawfully-authorized electronic surveillance while preserving public safety, the public’s right to privacy, and the telecommunications industry’s competitiveness.

May 3, 2006 Second Report, Memorandum Opinion, and Order — The primary goal of the Order is to ensure that Law Enforcement Agencies have all of the resources that CALEA authorizes with regard to facilities-based broadband Internet access providers (ISP) and interconnected voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) providers.

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Limited Numerical Possibilities Get Worse

Posted on October 25, 2009 by smsgov

Telecommunications insiders continue to recommend that anyone wishing to obtain a toll free number research them immediately. With a limited number of numerical possibilities, the finite supply of toll free numbers is nearly expended.There are no immediate plans to add another toll free pre-fix. These recommendations to obtain a toll free number immediately are widespread. Numbers do not have to be advertised until the owner needs it: so the cost is minimal until the subscriber is ready to actively use the number.

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Why Is Obtaining a 1-800 Number So Time Consuming?

Posted on October 24, 2009 by smsgov

Once used primarily by big businesses, 800, 888, 877, and 866 toll free numbers are now popular with small businesses, charities, churches, and for personal use. Toll free service has become a staple of all successful businesses. Demand has grown quickly but the supply of numbers has remained stagnant.

Adding to the problem, insiders say 800 numbers retired back to the main database for someone else to use are scarce. Toll free numbers have such an extreme positive impact on any company, that it is rare for business owners to cancel their numbers. A plea for unused numbers to be released offered a brief reprieve earlier this year. But within weeks, the supply dropped again as thousands of new subscribers invested in toll free service each day.

Read more here.

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What You Need to Know About CALEA

Posted on October 24, 2009 by smsgov

On September 21, 2001, the FCC released Order FCC 01-265. In the Order, the FCC granted in part the relief requested by CTIA by temporarily suspending the September 30, 2001, compliance date for wireline, cellular, and broadband PCS carriers to implement two punch list capabilities mandated by the Third Report and Order FCC 99-230. Also, the FCC denied CTIA’s request for a blanket extension of the September 30, 2001, compliance deadline for these carriers to implement a packet-mode communications capability. However, due to the imminence of the packet-mode compliance deadline, the FCC granted these carriers until November 19, 2001, either to come into compliance or seek individual relief. You can read the news announcement regarding Order FCC 01-265.

Read more here.

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What is FCC 00-237?

Posted on October 23, 2009 by smsgov

FCC 00-237
TOLL FREE FIFTH REPORT AND ORDER

We look to our Federal Advisory Committee on numbering issues, the NANC, for a recommendation on how best to administer toll free numbers. We ask the NANC to address whether a system of administration similar to that used to administer the NANP or a different system should be established. Among the alternatives NANC should consider is whether the ownership and operation of the centralized toll free database system should be transferred to a non-government and/or non-carrier entity, and whether SMS/800 service should continue to be provided under tariff. Additionally, we seek recommendations from the NANC to facilitate the selection of the administrator through a competitive bidding process similar to the process used to select the North American Numbering Plan Administrator.[1] Specifically, we ask the NANC to develop the necessary technical requirements for toll free number administration. We direct the NANC to submit its recommendations to the Commission within 180 days of the effective date of this Order. Upon receipt of the NANC’s recommendations and public comment, we will move expeditiously to determine whether it is in the public interest to restructure the ownership and operation of the current system of toll free number administration, and, if so, whether a new toll free number administrator should be selected.[2]

Toll Free Administration
Management and Oversight Structure

* Break Up the SMT
* Owner/Operators cannot be affiliated with the Administration, Data Center or SCP
* Need Neutral 3rd party Toll Free Administrator, Data Center and SCP

Toll Free Administration
Management and Oversight Structure

Propose that the current SMT be replaced with a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) similar to what exists for LNP.

The LLC would be open to any entity that provides toll free service.

LLC members will have equal vote

LLC manages the RFP for toll free vendor(s)

LLC manages vendor performance and costs

LLC manages the day-to-day relationship with the vendor

Each member pays a fee to join the LLC to cover the operational costs of the LLC

The FCC has ultimate oversight over the LLC and toll free administration.

Toll Free LLC

Responsible for
o
+ System planning (both long and short term)
+ Database functional requirements
+ Negotiating vendor contracts
+ Ensuring vendor compliance

Toll Free Pricing

* Toll Free Service no longer provided under SMS/800 Access Tariff
* Simplified pricing elements such as:
o Shared industry costs per Section 251(e) of the Telecommunications Act
o Monthly fee for RespOrg system access
o Enterprise Services

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Consumer Recognition of Toll Free Advantages Commonplace

Posted on October 23, 2009 by smsgov

These days, it seems that consumers recognize the real value of toll free over standard phone service. Experts say that the increase in consumer recognition of the advantages of 1-800 numbers is related to the tangible financial benefits of using toll free, particularly in tough economic times. Businesses with a 1-800 number can see almost instant increases in sales, word of mouth referrals, and a decrease in product returns. Standard local phone service often does not provide any of these advantages.

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The Absence of Good 800 Numbers Remains

Posted on October 22, 2009 by smsgov

The dearth of toll free numbers continues. More than two-thirds of the available supply of 800, 888, 877, and 866 numbers are taken and millions of new subscribers are registering every year. Business owners who wait much longer to obtain a number might find themselves out of luck. In a competitive market, a toll free number is a valuable commodity for every business. Some carriers still have access to a good stock of numbers but with toll free in such demand, one cant help but wonder how long these supplies will last?

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Be Wary of Toll Free Ownership “Certificates”

Posted on October 22, 2009 by smsgov

ATTENTION: ALL RESPONSIBLE ORGANIZATIONS

Beware of Fake Ownership Certificates While Porting Toll Free Numbers To Your RespOrg.

A number of telephone companies have been reporting that they are receiving an influx of new toll-free customers that want the telephone company to port a “new” 800 number to their resporg.

Your new customer may attempt to provide what they believe to be a “legitimate” certificate showing that they have the legal rights to the specified 800, 888, 877 or 866 phone number. Oftentimes these customers have paid upto $5000 for this certificate, but unfortunately they were scammed.

These home-made 800 number ownership certificates are often made on home computers, they look like they could be authentic but they are far from it. They come in a variety of designs.

Please note: there have also been unconfirmed reports that con artists are also giving out fake telephone bills (page 1 of the bill) as a secondary proof of ownership. Neither of these are real or valid and should not be accepted by your company.

The scam works like this…
The con artist will tell the prospective target that they have (or can obtain) toll free numbers for them to have, something that would be too good to be true like 1-800-123-4567. They typically charge anywhere from a few dollars to $5000 depending on how much they think their target is worth. The seller of the toll free numbers will then issue what they claim to be a certificate showing that their target is the owner of the new 800 numbers. The con artist will then tell their target that in order to use the toll-free number; they must transfer it to another phone company. The con artist coaches the target on how to use this fake certificate to attempt to acquire phone service.

The Federal Communications Commission regulates the use of toll free numbers in the United States and they specifically prohibit this type of “brokering” of toll free numbers. The article asks that you contact the FCC regarding this scam.

If you encounter this scam, it’s illegal and should be reported to the FCC for investigation. If you encounter anyone who has been a victim of this scam, please give them the FCC phone number to call and report it 888-CALL-FCC.

Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street SW 1(888)CALL-FCC
Washington, DC 20554 1(888)225-5322

How to avoid this scam
When porting a toll-free number into your company, always require a copy of your customers’ recent toll-free telephone bill issued from a legitimate Resp-org and verify that the name on the bill and the ring-down number match your records. (make sure the bill is not fake) and make sure your customers identity is true. More on transferring a number

Text from:

http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200807/1217114562.html

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