Category Selection
And
Validation Guidelines

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Forward
Assuring that TL 9000 measurements data are as accurate as possible requires thatorganizations certified to TL 9000 select the correct product or service category. Reporting datausing an incorrect category may impact the value of the performance data reports. These
guidelines are to assist organizations in selecting the correct product category and assisting
TL 9000 auditors in validation of the product category choice.
Copyright  2022 Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA)

For information about TIA QuEST Forum visit
https://tiaonline.org/what-we-do/tia-quest-forum/
For TL 9000 specific information,
visit tl9000.org
TL 9000 is a registered trademarkof theTelecommunications Industry Association.

April 2022

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Table of Contents
Forward......................................................................................................................................... 2
Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................... 3
Purpose of These Guidelines ......................................................................................................... 4
Responsible Parties for Proper TL 9000 Category Selection .......................................................... 4
Quick Start for Proper TL 9000 Category Selection ....................................................................... 4
Why Are Product Categories Important? ...................................................................................... 5
Major Product Categories – Defined ............................................................................................. 6
Which Organizations Report in A Particular Category? ................................................................. 8
Accredited TL 9000 Certification Bodies ....................................................................................... 8
Scope of TL 9000 Registration ....................................................................................................... 9
Category Tables........................................................................................................................... 10
The “Primary Function” of the Product or Service ...................................................................... 11
Multi-function Products .............................................................................................................. 12
Maintenance ............................................................................................................................... 12
Category Approval Process ......................................................................................................... 12
Category Validation Program ...................................................................................................... 13
Appendix A .................................................................................................................................. 14
Principles for Construction of the Category Tables ............................................................. 14
Rules for Classification of Products ..................................................................................... 14

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Purpose of These Guidelines
These guidelines are intended to help TL 9000 registered organizations, certification body (CB)auditors, and accreditation bodies (AB) assure that TL 9000 data is reported in the correct
product or service category. Category selection is a responsibility of the TL 9000 registeredorganization, with verification of the correct choice by the CB auditor.

Responsible Parties for Proper TL 9000 Category Selection
 Organization – Responsible for category selection
 Certification Body (CB) – Responsible for validating the organization’s category
selection
 Accreditation Body (AB) – Responsible for verifying that the CB is effective invalidation of organization’s choice of category

Quick Start for Proper TL 9000 Category Selection
One of the first things an organization can do is to determine the scope of their registration,that is, define which parts of the organization will become certified. The organization provides
product to customers and these products must be assigned to the correct category as part of
the registration. TIA QuEST Forum has defined some 160+ product categories in a rigorous way
as shown in the ‘Rules for Classification of Products or Services’ in the Appendix of this paper.
Organizations can quickly make a first assignment of their products or services to categories byreviewing the examples for each category shown in Table A-1 of the category tables. The
category tables, while part of the TL 9000 standard, are available free to the public through alink on https://tl9000.org/links.html. Next the organization refines and/or verifies theassignment through the following selection and verification steps.
Selection:
1. Consider the “scope” of the TL 9000 registration. The scope statement is somethingthat is agreed to early in the process of certification by the organization andcertification body. It describes the depth and breadth of the TL 9000 registeredquality management system (QMS) and defines the products or services offeredunder that QMS. Customer requirements that would impact the scope or category
selection must be checked.
2. Understand the primary function of the product(s) or service(s) offered to customers.
Depending on the breadth of the product line or service offerings the organization
may need to report data in multiple categories.
3. Compare the primary function of the product against the category definitions in Table
A-1 of the category tables at https://tl9000.org/links.html.
4. Select the category(s) that best fits the primary function of the product or service
delivered, while still meeting the rules for classification of products or services.
Verification:
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1. Compare the data reporting requirements for each measurement relative to thebusiness and to data availability; this will provide additional insight into proper
selection. It should be that all or most of the data requirements can be fulfilled by theorganization’s existing processes. There may be a need to add processes to collect allof the required measurements.
2. Based on the required measurements (Table A-2) to be submitted for the selectedcategory, determine if the selected category seems to be a reasonable fit for theorganization.
3. Review the names of companies, and products, which report data into the selectedcategory to understand what other companies report and review any similarities tohelp guide the category selection.
4. Review the selected categories with the organization’s executive management to gettheir concurrence.
5. Before creating a TL 9000 registration on the TL 9000 Registration Management
System, review the category selection with the chosen certification body (registrar) to
get their concurrence on the category selection.
6. After entering the category into the organization’s private profile in the Registration
Management System, start the TIA QuEST Forum approval process described below.
This process is mandatory beginning January 1, 2015.

Why Are Product Categories Important?
Table A-1 of the category tables found at https://tl9000.org/links.html defines the productcategories identified by TIA QuEST Forum. The product categories allow for direct comparisonof TL 9000 measurement data reported in the product categories.
There are over 1600 sites certified to TL 9000 and TL 9000 measurement data appropriate forthe product categories certified at each site is submitted monthly to a secure measurements
repository. TL 9000 measurements include:









Problem Reports (NPR)
Fix Response Time (FRT)
Overdue Fix Responsiveness (OFR)
Outage (SO, SONE, SSO,MTRS,GSI)
On Time Delivery (OTD)
Field Returns (FR,BRR)
Software (SFQ, eSPR)
Service Quality (SQ,CCRR,IRR)

Not all these measurements are reported in all categories. The registration option selected (H,S, and/or V) and the category determine which measurements are reported. Table A-2
identifies the measurements that can be reported by category and the registration option
determines which of those measurements must be reported. For convenience, data submission
templates are available that define the measurements to be reported. The templates are
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publicly available through a link to Standardized Data Submission Templates on pagehttps://tl9000.org/links.html
The reported measurements are calculated into summary Performance Data Reports (PDRs) ina secure manner and made available to TIA QuEST Forum members (monthly) and TL 9000
registrants (annually) so that they can compare their measurements with the industry as awhole. To make sure that comparable data is used, each data submitter must report in theproper category. For example, a switch should be compared to other switches, and installation
providers should be compared to other installers.
Proper category selection is most important to assure that comparable data is submitted. Whendata is submitted to the secure measurements repository it must be in the proper category. The
reported data is placed into the category data folders and are then used to publish the PDRs,
which include trend data for each measurement.
Best in classWorst in classIndustry averageMonthly average

If data is not submitted in the correct category the integrity of the information used to generate
the PDRs and annual data is reduced, thus making the data of less value to the users of the
TL 9000 data.

Major Product Categories – Defined
From the category tables referenced at https://tl9000.org/links.html
Category
Code1Category
Name
Switching

2

Signaling and
Network
Control

3

Transmission
Systems

4

Operations &MaintenanceCommonSystems

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Definition
Equipment for the physical or virtual interconnection of communication channels in response to asignaling system. The switching category is broadly defined to include packet or circuit switchedarchitectures.
Equipment for the provision of signaling, i.e., states applied to operate and control the component
groups of a telecommunications circuit to cause it to perform its intended function. In general, there
are five basic categories of signals commonly used in the telecommunications network:
supervisory signals, information signals, address signals, control signals, and alerting signals. This
category includes those signaling products that function within the telecommunications networkand excludes possibly similar products that normally provide enhanced services outside the
network, or on the customer premises such as ACD, IVR, or voice messaging systems.
Equipment for the connection of the switched and interoffice networks with individual customers.
An integral part of the distribution network is the loop that connects the customer to the local
central office (CO), thus providing access to the interoffice network.
Equipment and systems for the management, upkeep, diagnosis and repair of the communications
network.
Any of a variety of specialized shared equipment to support network elements. Common systems
include power systems and the Network Equipment-Building System (NEBS) that provides spaceand environmental support for network elements. These systems are located in central offices andremote building locations.

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Category
Code
6

7

8

Category
Name
CustomerPremise andEnhanced
Services
Services

Components
and Subassemblies
EndCustomer
Services

9

Definition
Equipment installed beyond the network demarcation point. Although commonly installed on thesubscriber’s premises, equipment with essentially identical function installed in the service
provider’s facility may also be classified as customer premises equipment.
In addition to purchasing tangible hardware or software products, customers may also acquire
service from an organization. Services include activities such as network engineering, installationand commissioning, product maintenance, network operation, etc., where the organization is
responsible for the conduct of the activity in accordance with customer defined requirements.
Services may be thought of as the result generated by activities at the interface between theorganization and the customer and by the organization’s internal activities to meet the customer
needs.
NOTES:• The interface between the customer and the organization may be represented by personnel orequipment.
• Customer activities at the interface with the organization may be essential to the service delivery.
• Delivery or use of tangible products may form part of the service delivery.
• A service may be linked with the manufacture and supply of tangible product.
• A contracted service is one where a legal agreement is reached between the customer and theorganization to provide a service. Contracted services are services offered for sale to companies
outside of the organization’s company or its subsidiaries.
• An internal service is a service activity performed for internal customers within the same
company as the organization.
Individual components or assemblies provided for use in telecommunications systems excluding
those already covered by a specific category in another category family. These items are typicallyused by other suppliers and not sold directly to service providers except as replacement parts.
End-user consumer and business customers acquire a vast variety of services from a service
provider organization. These may be supplied on a buy, lease or rental basis and compriseservices from simple pre-paid wireless phone service to complex solutions or outsourced facilities
management of a customer organization’s entire telecommunications facilities.

It is important to note some basic differences in the category tables to assist in making theproper selection. Review of the organization’s scope statement should assist in focusing theselection on one of the 4 table items below.
Category(s)
1-6
7
8
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Descriptions
These categories are primarily for suppliers of hardware and software products and are divided into sub categories
focused on the specific function of the hardware or software product being sold to the customer. Included are
products such as routers, switches, handsets and others.
This category is primarily for the provider of services and it is divided into sub categories focused on the specific typeof service being provided. Included are services such as contract manufacturing, service center, repair andinstallation.
This category is primarily for the supply of sub-assemblies and components. It is divided into sub categories focusedon the specific type of hardware/software component, sub-assembly, or tool being supplied. Included are products
such as software components, optical sub-assemblies, and electronic assemblies.
This category is for the supplier of end-customer services. It is typically used by service providers instead of suppliers.
It encompasses such offerings as voice service, wireless service, transport networks and internet access.

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Which Organizations Report in A Particular Category?
When making a category selection it is often beneficial to determine which other organizations
are reporting in a particular category. TIA QuEST Forum makes some TL 9000 certified
registration information public:








Company Name
ISO 9001 Scope of Registration
TL 9000 Scope of Registration
Exclusions and Exemptions
CB (registrar) Name
Categories
Locations

The public website, tl9000.org, provides an interface to the Registration Management System(RMS) which is the database where the registration records are stored. It is easy to search for
TL 9000 certified organizations that are reporting data in a category. Start at tl9000.org thenclick on TL 9000 Registration from the main menu bar. Next select Certified Registrations fromthe left side menu and finally click on Advanced Search. Select the category from the dropdown list in the top search box then click on the button Search by Category. The RMS will returna list of organizations that are certified to TL 9000 in the selected category as shown here forcategory 1.2.9.1.1 “Legacy Core Routers”. Clicking on the registration name provides all the
publicly available information about the registration including which product categories areincluded.
TL ID

Registration Name

Company Name

TL 1531

CIENA Corporation

Ciena Corporation

TL 3463

Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems

TL 2207

Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.

Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.

TL 3428

Juniper Networks, Inc.

Juniper Networks, Inc.

TL 6109

New H3C Technologies Co., Ltd.

New H3C Technologies Co., Ltd.

TL 1193

Nokia Solutions and Networks

NOKIA

TL 3161

ZTE Corporation

ZTE Corporation

Accredited TL 9000 Certification Bodies
QuEST Forum keeps a list of the TL 9000 Certification Bodies (CB), also known as registrars andAccreditation Bodies (AB) on the TL 9000 web site at tl9000.org. There is a great deal ofmaterial on this site. Some specific topics are:









TL 9000 Certification Bodies (CB) List
TL 9000 Accreditation Bodies (AB) List
CB/Auditor Resources
Qualification Requirements for Auditors
Code of Practice for CBs/Auditors
Auditor Time Chart
NACE Codes
e-audits

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These resources are all accessed by going to the TL 9000 website at tl9000.org and clicking on
the ABs/CBs/Auditors button in the main menu bar.

Scope of TL 9000 Registration
Reviewing the scope of TL 9000 registration is a good place to begin the process of category
selection. It outlines at a high level what products or services are covered under the TL 9000
QMS. Since it is acceptable to issue a TL 9000 registration by company, division or section, or agroup of products or a particular product line, the scope statement helps provide focus for theselection of area to be certified to TL 9000.
Example Scope Statement #1 – HW & Software Systems Manufacturer

Design, Development, Manufacturing Operations and Support of Networking Solutions for the following
product lines: DRS-1, x800, y800, z500, w7600, GGG 8800, GGG 8900, x0000, y0720, z2000, NMS x5310, NMS
x5327, NMS x5454, NMS x5600, System Transport Manager, Solution Center (SC), Services Module (excluding
other Line Cards) and including NMS Software and Port Adaptors. The Integration and Test Engineeringgroup and the Technical Assistance Center (TAC) are included in their entirety.

Example #1 is a good example of a TL 9000 registration that is product specific. It would be
likely that multiple categories would be selected for such a registration scope. Services such as“Technical Assistance Center” would likely fall into PC 7.5.1 “Technical Assistance and Customer
support services”. While products like “DRS-1” would likely fall into Category 1.2.9.1.1 “Legacy
Core routers”. Note that it is best not to enter the exact category numbers in the scopestatement. Rather the category numbers are listed in a separate section of the registration
profile.
Example Scope Statement #2 – Systems Networks Manufacturer

Design, development, provision and servicing of Core and Edge IP Routers, Firewall VPN devices running
Systems Networks Security Operating System

The scope statement in Example #2 is much more general in nature and will require thecompany to collect and report measurements of all core or IP routers that they supply that are
still “generally available”. That conceivably could be up to four different router categories;
1.2.9.1.1 Legacy Core Routers, 1.2.9.1.2 Virtualized Core Routers, 1.2.9.2.1 Legacy Edge
Routers, and 1.2.9.2.2 Virtualized Edge Routers, as well as another category for “Firewall VPN
devices”, which would most likely be category 6.6 “Internet Security Devices”
Example Scope Statement #3 – Installation Services

The provisioning and installation of central office equipment to specifications identified bytelecommunications service providers.

The scope statement in Example #3 includes two different services. It would require thecompany to become certified in 7.1.1.1 Physical Installation and 7.1.2 Provisioning.

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Page 9Category Tables
Appendix A (The Category Tables) listed below is part of the TL 9000 standard and is updated
approximately every 12 months to add, modify or clarify the category tables. The current
release of Appendix A of the Measurements Handbook may always be found on the TL 9000
website at tl9000.org under the main menu item Handbooks. Click next on Category Tables in
the left side menu under Measurements Handbook. The effective dates for each release areembedded in the documents on the web site and that release is used until superseded by thenext revision.
There are periods of times, usually six months, where more than one Category Table can beused. It is the choice of the data submitter to choose one of the Category Tables during those
periods.
List of Tables
Table A-1
Table A-2
Table A-3
Table A-4
Table A-5
Table A-6
Table A-7

Category Definitions
Measurement Applicability Table (Normalized Units)
Network Element Impact Outage*
Transmission Standard Designations and Conversions*
Optical and Electrical Equivalency*
Measurements Summary Listing*
TL 9000 Data Submission Labels**not normally used for category selection

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The “Primary Function” of the Product or Service
Category Definitions in Table A-1 of the category tables referenced athttps://tl9000.org/links.html may also include an indicator for the “primary function” of the
products or services assigned to that category. In complex product categories the primaryfunction is indicated in “bold” typeface within the table. That is, those complex productcategories will have an indicated primary function. Bolded text in the category definitionindicates the primary function of the category. This is the function to use for outage
measurements. Please note that many product categories are not so complex to require
amplification of “primary function”. Also, use of the example column in Table A-1 will assist in
making a proper selection of category. See Table A-1 excerpt below:
Table A-1 Category Definitions
Category
Category Name
Code
1.1
Circuit Switch

1.2.9.1.1

3.2.1.2

6.2.7

Legacy Core
Routers

Digital Cross
Connect
Systems

CPE Router

Definition

ExamplesEquipment used for the termination of subscriber lines
and/or trunk lines and the dynamic interconnection ofthese ports or channels in a digital transmission facility. A
circuit switch establishes a dedicated circuit, as opposed to a
virtual circuit, in response to a signal. Stored Program Control(SPC) is the most common type of switching equipment usedat end offices and tandem offices. These systems use either
analog or digital switching. The switching system used musthave the capability to send, receive and be actuated bysignals, e.g., access line signals, or inter-office in-band orcommon-channel signaling. This category includes all circuit
switches regardless of transmission medium, i.e., wireline or
wireless.
Fully redundant routing equipment primarily intended for use
in the backbone (core) of the network, connecting with edge
routers and other core routers but not directly connecting withend users. Core routing equipment consisting of proprietary
hardware and software.

•
•
•
•
•

Equipment to provide a physical termination point for physicalcables and individual conductors where changes inconnections are performed electronically. These systems
provide electrical cross-connection of network distribution
facilities and equipment in the central office, electricalprotection for conductive media, test access, temporary
disconnection, and termination points for facilities andequipment. They may interface to the network either opticallyor metallically.
Packet routing equipment designed primarily for home orsmall office use to connect consumer computing, video, andIP phone equipment to the IP network. This equipment may
have wireless network capability.

•

•
•
•
•
•
•
•

•
•
•
•
•

End-officeTandemTandem access
RemoteService switching point(SSP)
Mobile switching center(MSC)

IP core router
Transport protocol
converters
MPLS optimized packet
routerMulti-service Core router
Multi-chassis router
Digital cross-connect
system (DCS)Electronic DSX

4 port router
Wireless home router
DSL/VoIP/Cable/Router(wired and/or wireless)combination box
DSL/VoIP/Satellite Router(wired and/or wireless)combination box
Intelligent Gateway

Additionally, look for an indication of the typical location of the product in the network in thedefinition. For example, 1.2.9.1.1 Legacy Core routers are “in the core of the packet network
connecting other packet network elements together” while 1.2.9.2.1 Legacy Edge routers are“at the edge of the core network”, 1.2.9.3 Access routers provide an access/aggregation point
between customer premise equipment and the external network, and 6.2.7 CPE routers arelocated in the “home or small office.”
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Multi-function Products
Sometimes a product will provide multiple functions. For such products, the following should
be considered.
 If the product has a primary function, then that should be used to determine its
category following both Rule 4 and Rule 5 in Section b) of the first page of Table A-1.
These rules are included in Appendix A of this document.
 If multiple categories could still apply, then the reliability performance expectations forthe product should be compared to those of other products in the category. This will
ensure like for like comparison for the measurement data. The marketing material forthe product and competitors will likely provide expectations for outage and reliability
rates.

MaintenanceCategory selections are required to be reviewed periodically. As noted above, the Category
Tables themselves are updated on a regular basis. Categories may be split or combined,
impacting your selection. Your product itself will likely change with time. It may evolve fromone category into another. An example of this would be a SONET/SDH product (3.2.2.1.2.1) towhich an optical switching matrix is added. This new capability would move the product to the
ROADM category (3.2.2.1.2.3)

Category Approval Process
All new category selections require approval by TIA QuEST Forum before they are certified. This
includes new registrations and additions to existing certifications. The process is built into theRegistration Management System. There is an option to start the process once a new category
is entered into the organization’s private profile. Once started the organization will be required
to provide information about the product such as: Product or service description
 Product name and/or model number (hardware/software products – Families 16 and 8)
 Primary function (hardware/software products – Families 1-6 and 8)
 Competitors products name or model numbers (hardware/software products–
Families 1-6 and 8)
 Link(s) to material on web
 Brochures
The approval process will be completed within 30 days.

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Page 12Category Validation Program
TIA QuEST Forum has a program to actively validate an organization’s category selection, shoulda question be raised about that selection. A team of subject matter experts whose primaryconcern is the accuracy of the industry data statistics will review the organization’s scopestatement and publicly available literature to determine the appropriateness of the category
selection. If there is still an issue, a request is sent to the organization for more information. If
there is a problem, the team works with the organization through the TL 9000 Administrator todetermine the correct category. If a change is necessary, the TL 9000 Administrator works withthe organization to move or delete prior data submissions. The organization’s Certification
Body will be notified of the correction.

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Appendix

Appendix A
Principles for Construction of the Category Tables
1) Categories shall be defined so that they can be clearly assigned within a hierarchy ofclassification.
2) There are well-established rules for classification.
3) Categories should not be separated artificially if they can be logically aggregated.
4) Categories should have clear definitions, which lend themselves to unambiguousinterpretation.
5) For each category, the level to which measurements may be aggregated shall be defined.
6) Each category specification shall consist of standard elements.
7) The placement of the product or service in the hierarchy will reflect the dominant use of the
product or service.
8) Terminology used shall reflect standard technical meanings; wherever possible aligned to
relevant standards such as ITU-T, ETSI, ANSI, etc.

Rules for Classification of Products
TL 9000 Measurements Handbook – Appendix A

1) The definitions of categories in Table A-1 shall be used by organizations in categorizing theirproducts.
2) An organization shall not classify a product or service in multiple categories. Therefore, any
product or service from an organization must be classified in exactly one product or service
category.
3) All new category selections must be approved by TIA QuEST Forum before the category can be
added to the organization’s TL 9000 Certification public profile.
4) General-purpose products, such as computers, shall be classified by specific function, e.g.,
signaling, when provided as a system designed for that function. Otherwise, they shall beclassified in a separate category, for example, Common Systems-Computers, designed for thegeneral-purpose product.
5) A product shall be classified according to its primary function. For example, a digitaltransmission facility product with performance monitoring will be classified as a transmission
product instead of an operations and maintenance product.
6) The standard for classification is the product category, not the possible uses for the product. For
example, if a product classification falls in the Outside Plant category, all products that areconsistent with that category will be classified as such, even if the exact same product issometimes used in the customer premises and even if a particular organization’s product is soldprimarily into the customer premises market.
7) Organizations choosing a category in Families 1 through 6 or Family 8 cannot exclude Clause
8.3 in the Requirements Handbook in its entirety. Organizations without responsibility for designand development should look to the service categories in Family 7 for the appropriate category.

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