This Section describes the​ operational aspects and processes of interconnection and the associated guidelines covering:

Provisioning including planning, ordering and implementation processes such as installation testing and commissioning Operation and maintenance processes including network operations, traffic and routing management, fault management, operational testing and safety and system protection Billing process, Call Detail Records, payment and reconciliation

The RIO of the Dominant Service Provider shall fully specify the provisioning processes for the interconnection services to be provided to the other Service Providers including but not limited to:

Network PlanningTraffic ForecastsOrdering of interconnection services and lead-timesImplementation 

6.1.1 Network planning

The Dominant Service Provider should specify the network planning process in the RIO including but not limited to:

· Planning of new interconnection links

· Removal of interconnection links

· Interconnection capacity forecasts

· Access and Core Transport network interconnection

Service Providers are required to exchange forecast information to ensure sufficient capacity is available as required.

Service Providers should agree on the approach for the management of under or over capacity.

6.1.2 Traffic forecast

Service Providers requesting or using interconnection services shall provide a two (2) year forecast of traffic over each interconnection link for both voice and data. The forecast shall be updated every 6 months.

The RIO of a Dominant Service Provider shall identify the detailed requirements for the provision of traffic forecast. 

6.1.3 Collocation

Service providers with existing telecommunications facilities shall allow other service providers to collocate their telecommunications transmission systems at their installation sites, where such collocation is economically feasible and no major additional construction work is required. 

The Dominant Service Provider shall cooperate in providing collocation and infrastructure sharing and indicate the terms and conditions in the RIO including site access procedures and access to on site facilities such as lighting and power. 

6.1.4 Ordering procedure

The RIO shall provide detailed procedures for the ordering of interconnection services. 

The Dominant Service Provider shall respond within 20 working days to a request for service indicating acceptance or rejection.

Where, the request is not accepted, a written response, indicating the reasons as well as an appropriate alternative proposal shall provided to the Service Provider making the request and a copy of the response provided to the Commission.

6.1.5 Lead time

The Dominant Service Provider shall identify the expected typical lead time associated with the order of various interconnection services. For Example, the lead time for:

· Connection of a new POI

· Implementation of a new transport link

· Provision of additional capacity on an existing network link

· Routing changes

6.1.6 Implementation

The Implementation process should cover installation, including construction and any civil work which may be required, testing and commissioning.

Implementation procedures shall be established by Service Providers offering interconnection services in order to ensure timely provision of these services which meet the quality of service standards.

The Dominant Service Provider and the other Service Providers must work cooperatively during the implementation phase of the provisioning of interconnection services.

The Service Providers should develop and agree to test plans and schedule, the testing procedure, acceptance and the handover of service.

Where appropriate, the Service Providers should use the following testing procedures for interconnection:

· Conformance test

· Compatibility test

· Interoperability test of the interconnected systems

· Test of whether the networks deliver the same charging / billing data

· Any other tests as may be required

For the commissioning and hand over of service, there should be a formal sign-off by both Service Providers to indicate that the service has been provided to the agreed standards.

The RIO of the Dominant Service Provider shall provide the details of all aspects of the implementation process.

The RIO of the Dominant Service Provider shall specify all the operation and maintenance processes associated with interconnection including but not limited to:

Network ManagementTraffic and Routing ManagementFault ManagementOperational TestingSafety and System Protection

6.2.1 Network management

The Dominant Service Provider shall ensure that one or more Network Operation Centres (NOCs) are operational for management of the interconnection network.

Both the Dominant Service Provider and the other Service Provider must have close cooperation between their Network Management Centres (NMCs) in order to ensure high quality service.

To ensure the smooth functioning of the operations and maintenance processes, a joint committee should be established between the Dominant Service Provider and the other Service Provider.

6.2.2 Traffic management

Interconnected Service Providers must have Network Traffic Management (NTM) capabilities for real-time surveillance and control of traffic flow for maximizing the use of available capacity and maintaining high quality of service.

The RIO of the Dominant Service Provider shall specify procedures for dealing with NTM queries and problems.

The RIO should document: congestion protection measures including measures for giving priority to emergency services traffic when congestion occurs and appropriate dimensioning of signalling links to avoid congestion.

The RIO should identify the types of traffic control that are available upon request by other Service Providers and how quickly they can be implemented.

A Service Provider may implement appropriate traffic controls within its own networks to safeguard against problems detected in the interconnected network of another Service Provider. The Service Provider in whose network the problem has been detected should be advised of the controls being implemented and also advised after the controls are removed.

Service Providers shall be responsible for measuring and monitoring both the traffic and the quality of service on all interconnect links in their network.

Service Providers shall provide traffic and quality of service measurements when requested by the Commission.

6.2.3 Routing management

Service Providers should manage the routing of outgoing calls and incoming calls in their networks up to the Point of Interconnection.

Service Providers should ensure that calls are routed using overflows to alternative routing paths as necessary. For High Usage interconnection links, the overflow links should be identified.

A Service Provider may request the use of proportional routing and other routing technique for incoming traffic to its network to be delivered on specific interconnection links.

Service Providers should jointly plan the routing of traffic, develop procedures to manage routing changes and agree to a documented Routing Plan.

The RIO of the Dominant Service Provider shall provide the detailed framework for routing management.

6.2.4 Fault management

The Dominant Service Provider shall describe in the RIO the procedures for fault management including: 

· Contact details and escalation process for fault reporting

· Detection of faults

· Processing of faults

Service Providers are required to provide 24 hours, 7 days a week contact points for reporting of faults. 

A Service Provider detecting a possible fault that may affect interconnection services should inform the other interconnected Service Provider immediately. This should be done irrespective of whether or not the fault is within the detecting Service Provider’s network.

The Service Provider that detects or is advised of a possible fault should process the fault report internally before requesting the assistance of the other interconnected Service Provider for providing diagnostic support.

Service Providers should make every effort to determine whether the fault is genuine and to identify the location of the fault.

Following a reported fault, Service Providers should determine who is responsible for the fault and proceed to clear the fault and restore service.

Service Providers should develop and operate a fault reporting and tracking system.

6.2.5 Operational testing

Operational and maintenance testing should be undertaken with minimal impact on traffic flow. The scheduling should be mutually agreed to and testing to take place preferably after midnight on weekdays or on weekends.

6.2.6 Safety standards

Service Providers are responsible for the safety and operation of their own systems.

Service Providers have an obligation to protect the integrity and ensure the safe operation of their interconnected networks and should adopt measures for providing such safety protection to all personnel and users.

The RIO shall include safety standards and procedures to ensure the safety of the staff of the other Service Provider who work on the Dominant Service Provider sites. The range of safety standards should cover high voltage, physical safety, electrical safety, electromagnetic radiation and any other aspects required by national law.

The RIO of the Dominant Service Provider shall fully describe the billing processes including but not limited to:

· The Billing System

· Call Detail Records

· Payment process

· Billing reconciliation

Service Providers offering interconnection services should have the capability to measure, record and bill the charges for these services.

6.3.1 Call Detail Records

Billing should be based on Call Detail Records (CDR) which are generated in the interconnected switches and processed through the CDR mediation system as inputs to the Billing System.

The billing party shall store billing data for a period of at least one year. The data should be in easily retrievable format if required for recalculation of any due amounts.

6.3.2 Payment process

The RIO shall document a formal payment process including the billing and payment periods, invoice format, invoice queries, transmittal of invoice and other payment details such as settlements and treatment of uncollectibles. 

6.3.3 Billing reconciliation

The RIO shall describe the reconciliation process for billing.

The reconciliation process should be undertaken in good faith and interconnecting Service Providers should work together to reach a satisfactory resolution of the billing issues.

The RIO shall also define procedures for handling unresolved billing issues.​