This Section describes the various types of interconnection service and the associated guidelines for the provision of these services.

Interconnection services may be required by Service Providers licensed to provide any type of telecommunications services such as:

Public Mobile Telephone Services 

Public Data Telecommunications Services 

Fixed Public Voice Telephone Services 

International Access Services 

Satellite Communications Services such as GMPCS and VSAT 

Public Paging Services 

Public Pay Telephone Services

Trunking Services

As a minimum the following types of interconnection services should be included in the RIO of Dominant Service Providers :

Voice call termination 

Voice call origination

Intelligent call origination 

Voice transit 

International call transit 

Operator services 

Emergency services 

Supplementary services 

Transmission link services 

Data interconnection services 

Collocation and infrastructure sharing

4.2.1 Voice call termination

Voice call termination is a call conveyance service provided by a Service Provider B through its network where the voice call is carried from the point of interconnection to a called party’s network termination point, the called party being a subscriber of the Service Provider B.

The Service Provider A handing the call over for termination may be providing either a network access service to the calling party or may be providing a transit service (including incoming international).

Any Service Provider who has directly connected users on its network is required to provide call termination services to all other Service Providers.

There are four types of call termination services:

Local call termination: where the calls are delivered through an interconnection link to the local exchange of the end-user 

Single Tandem call termination: where the calls are delivered through an interconnection link to a tandem (or transit) exchange that has a direct link to the local exchange of the end-user 

Double Tandem call termination: where the calls are delivered through an interconnect link to a tandem (or transit) exchange which does not have a direct link to the local exchange of the end-user. In this case the call must be routed over one or more additional tandem exchanges before being sent to the local exchange of the end-user 

Mobile call termination: where the call is handed over by a Service Provider A to a mobile Service Provider B for delivery to a mobile end-user.

4.2.2 Voice call origination

Call origination comprises the conveyance of a call from a calling party’s network termination point through the infrastructure of Service Provider A to a point of interconnection where the call is handed over to another Service Provider B for transit and/or termination.

It is anticipated that there will be three types of call origination services:

No selection of carrier: where the calling subscriber makes no specific request regarding the Service Provider B making the onward conveyance of the call 

Call-by-Call Carrier selection; where the calling subscriber inserts a prefix in front of the number being dialled to designate the Service Provider B that is required to carry the call 

Carrier Pre-Selection; where the originating Service Provider is instructed by the calling subscriber which Service Provide B should carry the call. In this case there is no requirement for the calling subscriber to enter a prefix. This is sometimes referred to as ‘equal access’.

The Dominant Service Provider licensed to provide Fixed Public Voice Telephone Service is required to provide call origination service to all other Service Providers.

4.2.3 Intelligent call origination

Intelligent call origination is a service where the calling subscriber of Service Provider A dials a number of an IN service provided by Service Provider B. For example, freephone or premium rate services.

4.2.4 Voice call transit

Call transit comprises the conveyance of a call originating with a Service Provider A through the point of interconnection to the network of a Service Provider B and then through another point of interconnection to the network of Service Provider C. The Service Provider B is providing call transit service. For example, the Service Provider B may switch traffic from one local Service Provider A to another local Service Provider C, or from a local Service Provide A to a long distance or a mobile Service Provider C.

The Service Provider B providing the call transit service is neither responsible for origination nor termination of the call.

4.2.5 International call transit

International call transit is the conveyance of outgoing and incoming international call from/to of the network of a Service Provider A through the point of interconnection with the network of the Dominant Service Provider B which is licensed to provide International Access services.

4.2.6 Operator services

A Service Provider may choose to establish its own operator services. However, a Dominant Service Provider is required to provide operator services if requested by the other Service Providers. The Dominant Service Provider may establish a charge for providing this service.

4.2.7 Emergency services

All Service Providers must provide emergency services to their end-users free of charge.

In order to ensure the full availability of emergency call services to all users, the Dominant Service Provider must offer an interconnection service to all other Service Providers for emergency call services. The Dominant Service Provider may establish a charge for providing this interconnection service.

4.2.8 Supplementary services

Supplementary services are value-added or vertical services associated with voice calls that may be offered. Examples of such services are:

· Calling line identification presentation (CLIP) 

· Calling line identification restriction (CLIR) 

· Call transfer 

· Call waiting 

· User-to-user signalling 

· Conference call 

· Ring-back when free

The Dominant Service Provider providing supplementary services to its end-users is required to make the necessary technical and operational arrangements with the interconnecting Service Providers to support the operation of these services. The Dominant Service Provider may require reciprocal arrangements for such services from the other Service Providers or may establish appropriate charges.

It is recognized that there may be incompatibility between interconnected networks in the provision of supplementary services. However, where technically feasible, Service Providers shall cooperate to provide for transparency of supplementary service features in the interconnected networks.

4.2.9 Transmission link services

Transmission link services provide fixed transmission capacity between two points over the Access or Core Transport network of a Service Provider to other Service Providers.

4.2.10 Data interconnection services

Data interconnection services provide for the conveyance of data traffic, including international traffic, of a Service Provider through the data network of another Service Provider.

These services may use technologies such as:

· Packet Switching 

· ATM 

· Frame Relay 

· IP

4.2.11 Co-location and infrastructure sharing services

Co-location and infrastructure sharing services are services where a Service Provider makes available space, infrastructure or facilities to another Service Provider to use and/or install, operate and maintain its own network equipment. 

The Service Provider requesting co-location or use of infrastructure or facilities should compensate the Service Provider providing it.

The RIO should include a Service Level Agreement which describes the characteristics of the Interconnection Services, the service level obligations and compensation details for failure to meet these obligations. The Service Level Agreement should include:

Service definition and description 

Service configuration and technical characteristics such as points of interconnection, routing and signalling 

Operational and maintenance conditions and associated performance measures such as order lead time, network availability and service restoration time 

Quality and Grade of service measures 

Charges and penalties for non-compliance with service level objectives. 

The Dominant Service Provider has an obligation to provide interconnection services to other Service Providers under the same conditions and of the same quality as it provides for its own services or those of its affiliates.

Dominant Service Providers are required to obtain the approval of the Commission prior to additions or changes being introduced and to publish an updated RIO within 15 days of the approval by the Commission.

Appropriate time must be allowed for other Service Providers to make the necessary modifications or adjustments to their systems and networks due to the additions or changes to the interconnection services. Unless otherwise agreed between the parties, this should be at least two calendar months in advance of these additions or changes being introduced.​