Exhibit 10.46


INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENT UNDER
SECTIONS 251 AND 252 OF THE

TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 1996


Dated as of February 4, 1999


by and between


NEW ENGLAND TELEPHONE AND
TELEGRAPH COMPANY d/b/a BELL 

ATLANTIC- RHODE ISLAND


and


COX RHODE ISLAND TELCOM II,
L.L.C. d/b/a COX COMMUNICATIONS


Dated: February 4, 1999





TABLE OF CONTENTS


	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 Section

 	
  

 	
 Page

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 1.0

 	
 NOT ALL
 DEFINITIONS ARE ADOPTED

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 2.0

 	
 NOT ADOPTED

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 3.0

 	
 NOT ADOPTED

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 4.0

 	
 INTERCONNECTION
 PURSUANT TO SECTION 251(c)(2)

 	
 V

 
	
  

 	
 4.1

 	
 Scope

 	
 V

 
	
  

 	
 4.2

 	
 Physical
 Architecture

 	
 V

 
	
  

 	
 4.3

 	
 Technical
 Specifications

 	
 VI

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 5.0

 	
 TRANSMISSION AND
 ROUTING OF TELEPHONE EXCHANGE SERVICE TRAFFIC PURSUANT TO SECTION 251(c)(2)

 	
 VI

 
	
  

 	
 5.1

 	
 Scope of Traffic

 	
 VI

 
	
  

 	
 5.2

 	
 Switching System
 Hierarchy

 	
 VII

 
	
  

 	
 5.3

 	
 Trunk Group
 Architecture and Traffic Routing

 	
 VIII

 
	
  

 	
 5.4

 	
 Signaling

 	
 IX

 
	
  

 	
 5.5

 	
 Grades of Service

 	
 X

 
	
  

 	
 5.6

 	
 Measurement and
 Billing

 	
 X

 
	
  

 	
 5.7

 	
 Reciprocal
 Compensation Arrangements Section 251(b)(5)

 	
 XI

 
	
  

 	
 5.8

 	
 Municipal Calling
 Service

 	
 XII

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 6.0

 	
 TRANSMISSION AND
 ROUTING OF EXCHANGE ACCESS TRAFFIC PURSUANT TO SECTION 251(c)(2)

 	
 XII

 
	
  

 	
 6.1

 	
 Scope of Traffic

 	
 XII

 
	
  

 	
 6.2

 	
 Trunk Group
 Architecture and Traffic Routing

 	
 XIII

 
	
  

 	
 6.3

 	
 Meet-Point Billing
 Arrangements

 	
 XIII

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 7.0

 	
 TRANSPORT AND
 TERMINATION OF OTHER TYPES OF TRAFFIC

 	
 XIV

 
	
  

 	
 7.1

 	
 Information
 Services Traffic

 	
 XIV

 
	
  

 	
 7.2

 	
 Tandem Transit
 Service

 	
 XIX

 
	
  

 	
 7.3

 	
 Dedicated Transit
 Service

 	
 XX

 
	
  

 	
 7.4

 	
 911/E911
 Arrangements

 	
 XXI

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 8.0

 	
 JOINT NETWORK
 CONFIGURATION AND GROOMING PROCESS, INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE, TESTING AND
 REPAIR

 	
 XXI

 
	
  

 	
 8.1

 	
 Joint Network
 Configuration and Grooming Plan

 	
 XXI

 
	
  

 	
 8.2

 	
 Installation,
 Maintenance, Testing and Repair

 	
 XXII

 
	
  

 	
 8.3

 	
 Party Review

 	
 XXII

 


I









	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 9.0

 	
 NOT ADOPTED

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 10.0

 	
 NOT ADOPTED

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 11.0

 	
 NOT ADOPTED

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 12.0

 	
 NOT ADOPTED

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 13.0

 	
 NOT ADOPTED

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 14.0

 	
 NOT ADOPTED

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 15.0

 	
 NOT ADOPTED

 	
  

 


II









	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 16.0

 	
 NOT ADOPTED

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 17.0

 	
 DATABASES AND
 SIGNALING

 	
 XXII

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 18.0

 	
 NOT ADOPTED

 	
 XXII

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 19.0

 	
 DIRECTORY SERVICES
 ARRANGEMENTS

 	
 XXIII

 
	
  

 	
 19.1

 	
 Directory Listings
 and Directory Distributions

 	
 XXIII

 
	
  

 	
 19.2

 	
 Directory
 Assistance (DA) and Operator Services

 	
 XXIV

 
	
  

 	
 19.3

 	
 Wholesale Busy
 Line Verification and Interrupt (BLV/I)

 	
 XXIV

 
	
  

 	
 19.4

 	
 Direct Access to
 Directory Assistance (DADA)

 	
 XXV

 
	
  

 	
 19.5

 	
 Operator Emergency
 Bulletin Service

 	
 XXV

 
	
  

 	
 19.6

 	
 Operator Pass
 Through Service

 	
 XXVI

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 20.0

 	
 COORDINATION WITH
 TARIFF TERMS/GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARTIES

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 21.0

 	
 NOT ADOPTED

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 22.0

 	
 NOT ADOPTED

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 23.0

 	
 NOT ADOPTED

 	
  

 


III









	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 24.0

 	
 NOT ADOPTED

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 25.0

 	
 NOT ADOPTED

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 26.0

 	
 NOT ADOPTED

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 27.0

 	
 NOT ADOPTED

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 28.0

 	
 NOT ADOPTED

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 29.0

 	
 NOT ADOPTED

 	
  

 


IV








	
  

 	
  

 
	
           4.0
 INTERCONNECTION PURSUANT TO SECTION 251(c)(2) 

 
	
  

 	
  

 
	
           Subject
 to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Interconnection of the
 Parties’ facilities and equipment pursuant to Section 4.0 for the
 transmission and routing of Telephone Exchange Service traffic and Exchange
 Access traffic shall be, to the extent possible, established on or before the
 corresponding “Interconnection Activation Date” shown for the State of Rhode
 Island on Schedule 4.0. Schedule 4.0 may be revised and supplemented from
 time to time upon the mutual agreement of the Parties. Interconnection in the
 LATA shall be accomplished through either: (i) a Fiber-Meet as provided in
 Section 4.2; (ii) Collocation as provided in Section 12.0; (iii) any other
 Interconnection method provided by applicable tariff, law, rule or
 regulation; or (iv) any other Interconnection method to which the Parties may
 agree.

 
	
  

 	
  

 
	
 4.1

 	
 Scope 

 
	
  

 	
  

 
	
           Section
 4.0 describes the physical architecture for Interconnection of the Parties’
 facilities and equipment for the transmission and routing of Local Traffic
 and IntraLATA toll traffic pursuant to Section 251(c)(2) of the Act. Sections
 5.0 and 6.0 prescribe the
 specific logical trunk groups (and traffic routing parameters) which will be
 configured over the physical connections described in this Section (4.0)
 related to the transmission and routing of Telephone Exchange Service traffic
 and Exchange Access traffic, respectively. Other trunk groups, as described
 in this Agreement, may be configured using this architecture.

 
	
  

 	
  

 
	
 4.2

 	
 Physical
 Architecture 

 
	
  

 	
  

 
	
           Cox
 and BA-RI shall configure a joint network configuration and Grooming Process
 (“Joint Grooming Process” as defined in Section 8.1). Both Parties will
 endeavor to provide a diverse reliable network that incorporates the most
 practicable technologies.

 
	
  

 	
  

 
	
           4.2.1
 Network architecture under the Joint Grooming Process shall be established
 under the following minimum criteria:

 






	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 (a)

 	
 The Parties shall
 establish physical interconnection points at the locations designated on
 Schedule 4.0. Points on the Cox network from which Cox will provide transport
 and termination of traffic are designated as the Cox Interconnection Points
 (Cox-IP). Points on the BA-RI network from which BA-RI will provide transport
 and termination of traffic are designated as the BA-RI Interconnection Points
 (BA-IP). Additional interconnection 

 



V









	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
 points may be
 established by mutual agreement of both parties at any technically feasible
 points consistent with Act.

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 (b)

 	
 Each Party will
 provide owned or leased facilities to deliver traffic originated on its
 respective networks to the designated interconnection points of the other
 Party’s network. The Party terminating the traffic will be responsible for
 providing all of the transport and termination of calls beyond the designated
 interconnection point.

 






	
  

 	
  

 
	
           4.2.2
 The Parties may interconnect their networks as provided in the Joint Grooming
 Process, unless an alternative plan is mutually agreed to by both parties.

 
	
  

 	
  

 
	
 4.3

 	
 Technical
 Specifications 

 
	
  

 	
  

 
	
           4.3.1
Cox and BA-RI shall work cooperatively to install and maintain a reliable
network. Cox and BA-RI shall exchange appropriate information (i.e.,
maintenance contact numbers, network information, information required to
comply with law enforcement and other security agencies of the Government and
such other information as the Parties shall mutually agree) to achieve this
desired reliability.  

 
	
  

 	
  

 
	
           4.3.2
 Cox and BA-RI shall work cooperatively to apply sound network management
 principles by invoking network management controls to alleviate or to prevent
 congestion. 

 
	
  

 	
  

 
	
           4.3.3
 The publication “Bellcore Technical Publication GR-342-CORE; High Capacity
 Digital Special Access Service, Transmission Parameter Limits and Interface
 Combinations” describes the practices, procedures, specifications and
 interfaces generally utilized by BA-RI and is referenced herein to assist the
 Parties in meeting their respective interconnection responsibilities related
 to electrical/optical interfaces. 

 






	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
 5.0

 	
 TRANSMISSION
 AND ROUTING OF TELEPHONE EXCHANGE SERVICE TRAFFIC PURSUANT TO SECTION
 251(c)(2) 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 5.1

 	
 Scope of Traffic 

 



          Section 5.0
prescribes parameters for trunk groups (the Traffic Exchange Trunks) to be
effected over the Interconnections specified in Section 4.0 for the
transmission and routing of Local Traffic and IntraLATA Toll Traffic between
the Parties’ respective Telephone Exchange Service Customers and where such
traffic is not presubscribed for carriage by a third party carrier nor carried
by a third party carrier as casual dialed (1OXXX and 1O1XXXX) traffic. 


VI









	
  

 	
  

 
	
 5.2

 	
 Switching System
 Hierarchy 

 



          5.2.1 For
purposes of this Section (5.0), each of the following Central Office Switches
shall be designated as a “Primary Switch”: 


	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 (a)

 	
 each Access Tandem
 BA-RI operates in the LATA; 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 (b) 

 	
 the initial switch
 Cox employs to provide Telephone Exchange Service in the LATA;

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 (c)

 	
 any Access or
 other Tandem Cox may establish for provision of Exchange Access in the LATA; 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 (d)

 	
 any additional
 switch or virtual switch Cox may subsequently employ to provide Telephone
 Exchange Service in the LATA which Cox may at its sole option designate as a
 Primary Switch; provided that the total number of Cox Primary Switches for a
 LATA may not, without mutual agreement, exceed the total number of BA-RI
 Primary Switches for that LATA. To the extent Cox chooses to designate any
 additional switch as a Primary Switch, it shall provide notice to BA-RI of
 such designation at least ninety (90) days in advance of the date on which
 Cox activates such switch as a Primary Switch; 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 (e)

 	
 any additional
 Access Tandem switch BA-RI may subsequently employ within a LATA. Traffic
 destined to subtending Secondary Switches routed via such a tandem(s) would
 be determined by network requirements and notice made available to Cox and
 all LECs at least one hundred-eighty (180) days prior to service
 introduction. 

 



          5.2.2 Each
Central Office Switch operated by the Parties which is not designated as a
Primary Switch pursuant to Section 5.2.1 shall be designated as a “Secondary
Switch”. 


          5.2.3 For
purposes of Cox routing traffic to BA-RI, sub-tending arrangements between
BA-RI Primary Switches and BA-RI Secondary Switches shall be the same as the
Access Tandem/End Office sub-tending arrangements which BA-RI maintains for
those switches. For purposes of BA-RI routing traffic to Cox, subtending
arrangements between Cox’s Primary Switches and Cox’s Secondary Switches shall be the same as the Access Tandem/End Office
subtending arrangements which Cox maintains for those switches. 


VII









	
  

 	
  

 
	
 5.3

 	
 Trunk Group
 Architecture and Traffic Routing 

 



          The Parties
shall jointly engineer and configure Traffic Exchange Trunks over the physical
Interconnection arrangements for the transport and termination of Telephone
Exchange Service Traffic, as follows: 


          5.3.1 The
Parties shall initially configure a separate two-way trunk group that will
operate as one-way or two-way as mutually agreed to by both Parties, as a
direct transmission path between each Cox Primary Switch and each BA-RI Primary
Switch. 


          5.3.2
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.0, if the two-way
traffic volumes between any two Central Office Switches (whether
Primary-Primary, Primary-Secondary or Secondary-Secondary) at any time exceeds
the capacity of the installed trunks for the CCS busy hour equivalent of one
DS1, the Parties shall within sixty (60) days after such occurrence add trunks
or establish new direct trunk groups consistent with the grades of service and
quality parameters set forth in the Joint Grooming Process. 


          5.3.3 BA-RI
and Cox will allow each other to route their intrastate and interstate switched
access service traffic over the Traffic Exchange Trunk Groups pursuant to the
rates, terms and conditions specified in each Party’s effective intrastate and
interstate access tariffs or at generally available and prevailing rates, terms
and conditions. 


          5.3.4 Usage
sensitive one-way trunks may be used to deliver local, intra, and interLATA
interexchange cellular or other wireless traffic. If Cox terminates
intra/interLATA, interexchange and cellular or other wireless traffic using the
same trunk groups as it uses for terminating local traffic, Cox must provide
usage percentages of the local traffic on the combined use trunk group and,
where available, the calling party number (CPN) through SS7 signaling for all
traffic terminated on the combined use trunk group or usage records necessary
to confirm the usage percentages when requested by BA-RI. 


          5.3.5 Upon
Cox’s request, BA-RI will offer a flat
rated interconnection trunk. The flat-rated interconnection trunk can only be
used to deliver local traffic since measurement capabilities are not available
for the other types of traffic (i.e.: toll, cellular and interLATA). The basis
for the development of rates for the flat-rated interconnection trunk will be
6000 minutes of use per trunk per month per end office trunk and 7500 minutes
of use per trunk per month per tandem trunk. A DS-1 will consist of twenty-four
(24) trunks. This flat-rated option will only be offered upon request until the
two-way usage sensitive trunks are available.  


VIII









	
  

 	
  

 
	
 5.4

 	
 Signaling

 



          5.4.1 Where
available, CCIS signaling shall be used by the Parties to set up calls between
the Parties’ Telephone Exchange Service networks. If CCIS signaling is unavailable,
MF (Multi-Frequency) signaling shall be used by the Parties. Each Party shall
charge the other Party equal and reciprocal rates for CCIS signaling in
accordance with applicable tariffs. During the term of this Agreement neither
Party shall charge the other Party additional usage-sensitive rates for SS7
queries (TCAP and ISUP) made for Local Traffic interchanged between the
Parties. 


IX






          5.4.2 The
publication “Bellcore Special Report SR-TSV-002275, BOC Notes on the LEC
Networks - Signaling” describes the practices, procedures and specifications
generally utilized by BA-RI for signaling purposes and is referenced herein to
assist the Parties in meeting their respective Interconnection responsibilities
related to signaling. 


          5.4.3 The
Parties will cooperate on the exchange of Transactional Capabilities
Application Part (TCAP) messages to facilitate interoperability of CCIS-based
features between their respective networks, including all CLASS features and
functions, to the extent each Party offers such features and functions to its
Customers. All CCIS signaling parameters will be provided including, calling
party number (CPN), originating line information (OLI), calling party category
and charge number. 


          5.4.4 Upon
Cox’s request, each Party shall provide
trunk groups, where available, that are configured utilizing the B8ZS ESF
protocol for 64 Kbps clear channel transmission to allow for ISDN
interoperability between the Parties’ respective networks. 


	
  

 	
  

 
	
 5.5

 	
 Grades of Service 

 
	
  

 	
  

 
	
           The
 Parties shall initially engineer and shall jointly monitor and enhance all
 trunk groups consistent with the Joint Grooming Process.

 
	
  

 	
  

 
	
 5.6

 	
 Measurement and
 Billing

 



          5.6.1 For
billing purposes, each Party shall pass Calling Party Number (CPN) information
on each call carried over the Local/intraLATA Trunks; provided that so long as
the percentage of calls passed with CPN is greater than ninety percent (90%),
all calls exchanged without CPN information shall be billed as either Local
Traffic or IntraLATA Toll Traffic in direct proportion to the minutes of use of
calls exchanged with CPN information. 


          5.6.2
Measurement of billing minutes (except for originating 800/888 calls) shall be
in actual conversation seconds. Measurement of billing minutes for originating
800/888 calls shall be in accordance with applicable tariffs. 


          5.6.3 Where
CPN is not available in a LATA for greater than ten percent (10%) of the
traffic, the Party sending the traffic shall provide factors to determine the
jurisdiction, as well as local vs. toll distinction, of the traffic. Such
factors shall be supported by call record details that will be made available
for review upon request. Where Parties are passing CPN but the receiving Party is
not properly receiving or recording the information, the Parties shall
cooperatively work to correctly identify the traffic, and establish a mutually
agreeable mechanism that will prevent improperly rated traffic. Notwithstanding
this, if any improperly rated traffic occurs, the Parties agree to reconcile
it. 


X









	
  

 	
  

 
	
 5.7

 	
 Reciprocal
 Compensation Arrangements — Section 251(b)(5) 

 



          5.7.1
Reciprocal Compensation only applies to the transport and termination of Local
Traffic billable by BA-RI or Cox which a Telephone Exchange Service Customer
originates on BA-RI’s or Cox’s network for termination on the
other Party’s network except as provided in Section 5.7.6 below. 


          5.7.2 The
Parties shall compensate each other for transport and termination of Local
Traffic in an equal and symmetrical manner at the rate provided in the Pricing
Schedule. This rate is to be applied at the Cox-Interconnection Point for
traffic delivered by BA-RI, and at the BA-RI-Interconnection Point for traffic
delivered by Cox. No additional charges, including port or transport charges,
shall apply for the termination of Local Traffic delivered to the
Cox-Interconnection Point or the BA-RI-Interconnection Point unless that
Interconnection Point is at a tandem. When Local Traffic is terminated over the
same trunks as intraLATA or interLATA toll, any port or transport or other
applicable access charges related to the toll traffic shall be prorated to be
applied only to the toll traffic. 


          5.7.3 The
Reciprocal Compensation arrangements set forth in this Agreement are not
applicable to Switched Exchange Access Service or to any other IntraLATA calls
originated on a third Party carrier’s network on a 1+ presubscribed basis or a
casual dialed (10XXX or 101XXXX) basis. All Switched Exchange Access Service
and all IntraLATA Toll Traffic shall continue to be governed by the terms and
conditions of the applicable federal and state tariffs. 


          5.7.4 Each
Party shall charge the other Party its effective applicable tariffed IntraLATA
switched access rates for the transport and termination of all IntraLATA Toll
Traffic. 


          5.7.5 Local
Traffic 


                    5.7.5.1
Cox will pay BA-RI interim rates of $0.005 per minute for local traffic
delivered at the BA-RI Tandem and $0.003 per minute for local traffic delivered
at an end office. BA-RI will pay Cox $0.005 per minute for local traffic
delivered to Cox’s switching facility in West Warwick
except as provided in paragraph 5.7.5.2 below. When the RI PUC approves permanent
rates, the permanent rates for tandem and end office termination will supersede
the interim rates, without a retroactive true-up. 


                    5.7.5.2
By mutual agreement or, absent agreement, in accordance with objective criteria
to be established in advance, BA-RI may designate one or more Cox NXX’s for “Virtual” End Office connection and pay the end office rate
($0.003) instead of the tandem rate for all traffic delivered to those NXXs.
Where Cox has made actual end office connection possible, BA-RI must directly
connect 


XI





in order to get the end office rate. The tacit understanding is that
BA-RI will take advantage of this option whenever, but only where, BA-RI
reasonably believes that an internet provider is being served from a particular
NXX, and the objective criteria will be developed with that end in mind. Where
internet traffic is not involved, the default rate of $0.005 will apply. 


                    5.7.5.3
If the FCC subsequently determines that Internet traffic is subject to
reciprocal compensation, (i.e., that Internet traffic is Local Traffic) no
change will be required in the Cox/BA-RI arrangement. If the FCC determines
that Internet traffic is not subject to reciprocal compensation, (i.e., that
Internet traffic is not Local Traffic) then the parties will be compensated as
determined by the FCC.  


          5.7.6
Compensation for transport and termination of all traffic which has been
subject to performance of INP by one Party for the other Party pursuant to
Section 13.0 shall be as specified in Section 13.6. 


          5.7.7 When
either Party delivers seven (7) or ten (10) digit translated IntraLATA 800/888
service to the other Party for termination, the originating party shall provide
the terminating Party with billing records in industry standard format (EMR) if
required by the terminating Party. The originating Party may bill the
terminating Party for the delivery of the traffic at local reciprocal
compensation rates. The terminating Party may not bill the originating Party
reciprocal compensation under this Agreement. The Party that is providing the
800/888 service shall pay the database inquiry charge, per the Pricing Schedule
to the Party that performed the database inquiry. 


	
  

 	
  

 
	
 5.8

 	
 Municipal Calling
 Service 

 



          The Parties
shall work cooperatively to facilitate each Party’s public service obligations
as required by the PUC to provide its end user Customers with toll free
Municipal Calling Service (MCS). Such cooperation shall include the sharing of
certain account and toll free municipal (TFM) codes on a daily or other
mutually agreeable basis and working with other industry participants to
satisfactorily resolve MCS related measurement and billing issues associated
with implementation of IntraLATA presubscription. 


	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
 6.0

 	
 TRANSMISSION
 AND ROUTING OF EXCHANGE ACCESS TRAFFIC PURSUANT TO SECTION 251(c)(2) 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 6.1

 	
 Scope of Traffic

 



          Section 6.0
prescribes parameters for certain trunk groups (Access Toll Connecting Trunks)
to be established over the Interconnections specified in Section 4.0 for the
transmission and routing of Exchange Access traffic between 


XII






Cox’s Telephone Exchange Service
Customers and Interexchange Carriers (IXCs). 


	
  

 	
  

 
	
 6.2

 	
 Trunk Group
 Architecture and Traffic Routing 

 



          6.2.1 The
Parties shall, at Cox’s request, jointly establish “Access
Toll Connecting Trunks” by which they will jointly provide tandem-transported
Switched Exchange Access Services to Interexchange Carriers to enable such
Interexchange Carriers to originate and terminate traffic from/to Cox’s Customers. 


          6.2.2
Access Toll Connecting Trunks shall be used solely for the transmission and
routing of Exchange Access traffic to allow Cox’s Customers to connect to or be connected to the interexchange trunks of
any Interexchange Carrier which is connected to a BA-RI Access Tandem. 


          6.2.3 The “Access Toll Connecting Trunks” shall be two-way trunks, and
operated as one-way or two-way as mutually agreed to by both Parties. These
trunks connect a Switch Cox utilizes to provide Telephone Exchange Service and
Switched Exchange Access in a given LATA to an Access Tandem Switch BA-RI
utilizes to provide Exchange Access in such LATA. 


          6.2.4 The
Parties shall jointly determine which BA-RI Access Tandem(s) will be sub-tended
by each Cox Switch. Cox will consider but not be required to subtend the BA-RI
Access Tandem that would have served the same rate center on BA-RI’s network.
Alternative configurations will be discussed as part of the Joint Grooming
Process. 


	
  

 	
  

 
	
 6.3

 	
 Meet-Point Billing
 Arrangements 

 



          6.3.1
Meet-Point Billing arrangements between the Parties for jointly-provided
Switched Exchange Access Services on Access Toll Connecting Trunks will be
governed by the terms and conditions of a mutually agreeable arrangement, in
accordance with Ordering and Billing Forum Guidelines, which the Parties will
cooperatively work to develop. 


          6.3.2 Until
and unless changed by the FCC on a going forward basis, Cox shall retain one
hundred percent (100%) of the Residual Interconnection Charge in instances in
which Cox provides the End Office switching. 


XIII







	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
 7.0

 	
 TRANSPORT
 AND TERMINATION OF OTHER TYPES OF TRAFFIC

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 7.1

 	
 Information
 Services Traffic

 
	
  

 	
  

 
	
           Bundled
Information Provider (IP) Billing Arrangement. This section describes a
cooperative billing arrangement to support interconnection to network
services for recorded information programs. These are “pay-per-call”
audiotext programs in which a vendor contracts with the local exchange
carrier to provide recorded announcement information or open discussion
programs to the general public. In specific LATA’s in the BA-RI region, BA-RI
reserves exchanges 976, 550, 540, 970 and 940 for its Information Services
Provider Customers offering the services addressed in the following
paragraphs: 

 
	
  

 
	
           Unbundled
IP Billing Arrangement. This section describes a cooperative billing
arrangement to support interconnection to network services for recorded
information programs. These are “pay-per-call” audiotext programs in which a
vendor contracts with the local exchange carrier to provide recorded announcement
information or open discussion programs to the general public. In specific
LATA’s in the BA-RI region, BA-RI reserves exchanges 976, 550, 540, 970 and
940 for its Information Services Provider Customers offering the services
addressed in the following paragraphs: 

 
	
  

 
	
  

 	
 7.1.1

 	
 Bundled IP Billing
 Arrangement

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 7.1.1.1

 	
 Routing and
 Provisioning: Each Party shall route Information Service Traffic which
 originates on its own network to the appropriate information services
 platform(s) connected to the other Party’s network. Where Cox uses its own
 network facilities, Cox will establish a direct trunk group to the BA-RI
 information services tandem switch. This trunk group will be utilized to
 allow Cox to route Information Service Traffic originated on its network to
 BA-RI. 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
 Where BA-RI
 routing plans permit a combination of POTS and IP traffic on such direct
 trunk groups, Cox may route a combination of POTS and IP traffic without
 establishing a separate direct trunk group exclusively for IP data. However,
 where BA-RI requires direct trunks dedicated to IP traffic, Cox must
 establish direct, dedicated trunking for its IP traffic. Such determinations
 will be at the sole discretion of BA-RI, on a par with its established
 routing requirements in each LATA, and are subject to change.

 


XIV





Where Cox utilizes the BA-RI network through the purchase of unbundled
network elements, Information Service Traffic may be routed over BA-RI
information service trunks on a shared basis. 


	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 7.1.1.2

 	
 Information Mass
 Announcement Services 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 a)

 	
 For Information
 Mass Announcement Service, the Party (Originating Party) on whose network the
 Information Services Traffic originated shall bill and collect such
 Information Provider charges and remit an amount equal to such charges to the
 Party (Terminating Party) to whose information platform the Information
 Service Traffic terminated less the Information Service Billing and
 Collection fee set forth in the Pricing Schedule. The Terminating Party may
 bill the Originating Party for such charges. The Originating Party shall pay
 the Terminating party in full regardless of uncollectible items. This shall
 apply whether the Originating Party uses its own network or utilizes the
 other Party’s network through the purchase of unbundled network elements. 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 b)

 	
 Upon request, the
 Party (Originating Party) on whose network the Information Service Traffic
 originated shall provide, via electronic file transfer or magnetic tape or
 other means as available, all recorded call detail information to the Party
 (Terminating Party) to whose information platform the Information Service
 Traffic terminated, at the standard price for record transmission. This data
 shall be in unrated EMR format per OBF/Bellcore standard. 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 7.1.1.3

 	
 Variable Rated
 Information Services 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 a)

 	
 The Party
 (Originating Party) on whose network the Information Service Traffic
 originated shall provide, via electronic file transfer or magnetic tape or
 other means as available, all recorded call detail information to the Party
 (Terminating Party) to whose information platform the Information Service
 Traffic terminated, at the standard price for record transmission. This data
 shall be in unrated EMR format per OBF/Bellcore standard. This shall apply
 whether the Originating Party uses its own network or utilizes the other
 Party’s network through the purchase of unbundled network elements. 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 b)

 	
 The Terminating
 Party shall provide to the Originating Party, via electronic file transfer or
 magnetic tape or other means

 


XV









	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
 as available, all
 necessary information to bill the Information Service Traffic to the
 Originating Party’s Customers pursuant to the Terminating Party’s agreements
 with each Information Provider, at the standard price for record transmission.
 Information shall be provided in as timely a fashion as practical in order to
 facilitate record review and reflect actual prices set by the individual
 Information Providers. This data will consist of the EMR records previously
 delivered by the Originating Party, returned to the Originating Party in
 rated format where possible, or with appropriate indicators populated on
 error messages. No Billing and Collection fees will be applied to error
 messages. No taxes will be calculated or paid on the Originating Party’s
 traffic.

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 c)

 	
 The Originating
 Party shall bill and collect such Information Provider charges and remit the
 amounts collected to the Terminating Party less: 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
 (1)

 	
 the Information
 Services Billing and Collection fees set forth on the Pricing Schedule; and

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
 (2)

 	
 customer
 adjustments provided by the Originating Party. Adjustments are made for
 subscriber-priced traffic only.

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 d)

 	
 The Terminating
 Party shall calculate these charges and bill them to the Originating Party
 for remittance. 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 e)

 	
 The Originating
 Party shall provide to the Terminating Party sufficient information regarding
 uncollectibles and Customer adjustments. The Terminating Party shall pass
 through the adjustments to the Information Provider. However, if the
 Information Provider disputes such adjustments and refuses to accept such
 adjustments, the Originating Party shall reimburse the Terminating Party for
 all such disputed adjustments. Final resolution regarding all disputed
 adjustments shall be solely between the Originating Party and the Information
 Provider. 

 


XVI









	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 7.1.1.4

 	
 Blocking

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 Nothing in this
 Agreement shall restrict either Party from offering to its Exchange Service
 Customers the ability to block the completion of Information Service Traffic,
 whether Information Mass Announcement Services or Variable Rated Information
 Services. 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 7.1.1.5

 	
 Billing and Usage
 Specifications 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 The Parties shall
 adopt an Information Provider Usage and Billing Specification Agreement prior
 to implementation of this billing arrangement. With the mutual consent of
 both Parties, the Information Provider Usage and Billing Specification
 Agreement may be modified in the future. 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
 7.1.2

 	
 Unbundled IP
 Billing Arrangement:

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 7.1.2.1

 	
 Routing and
 Provisioning 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 Each Party shall
 route Information Service Traffic which originates on its own network to the
 appropriate information services platform(s) connected to the other Party’s network. Where Cox uses its own
 network facilities, Cox will establish a direct trunk group to the BA-RI
 information services tandem switch. This trunk group will be utilized to
 allow Cox to route Information Service Traffic originated on its network to
 BA-RI. Where BA-RI routing plans permit a combination of POTS and IP traffic
 on such direct trunk groups, Cox may route a combination of POTS and IP
 traffic without establishing a separate direct trunk group exclusively for IP
 data. However, where BA-RI requires direct trunks dedicated to IP traffic,
 Cox must establish direct, dedicated trunking for its IP traffic. Such
 determinations will be at the sole discretion of BA-RI, on a par with its
 established routing requirements in each LATA, and are subject to change. 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 Where Cox utilizes
 the BA-RI network through the purchase of unbundled network elements,
 Information Service Traffic may be routed over BA-RI information service
 trunks on a shared basis. 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 7.1.2.2

 	
 Information Mass
 Announcement Services 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 a)

 	
 For Information
 Mass Announcement Service, the Party (Originating Party) on whose network the
 Information Services Traffic originated shall bill and collect such
 Information Provider charges and remit an amount equal to such charges to the
 Party (Terminating Party) to whose

 


XVII









	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
 information
 platform the Information Service Traffic terminated less the Information
 Service Billing and Collection fee set forth in the Pricing Schedule. The
 Terminating Party may bill the Originating Party for such charges. The
 Originating Party shall pay the Terminating Party in full regardless of
 uncollectible items. This shall
 apply whether the Originating Party uses its own network or utilizes the
 other party’s network through the purchase of unbundled network elements.

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 b)

 	
 Upon request, the
 Party (Originating Party) on whose network the Information Service Traffic
 originated shall provide, via electronic file transfer or magnetic tape or
 other means as available, all recorded call detail information to the Party
 (Terminating Party) to whose information platform the Information Service
 Traffic terminated, at the standard price for record transmission. This data
 shall be in unrated EMR format per OBF/Bellcore standard.

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 7.1.2.3

 	
 Variable Rated
 Information Services 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 a)

 	
 The Terminating
 Party shall charge the Originating Party $0.03 per minute of use for
 transport and switching. These charges shall be calculated by the Terminating
 Company and billed to the Originating Company. These charges shall apply
 whether the Originating Party uses its own network or utilizes the other
 Party’s network through the purchase of unbundled network elements. End user
 Customer adjustments shall not apply to these charges. 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 b)

 	
 Upon request from
 the Originating Party, the Terminating Party shall make available its Rating
 Service at a charge of $0.03 per message plus a $15,000 non-recurring charge.
 Under Rating Service, the Originating Party shall provide to the Terminating
 Party via electronic file transfer or magnetic tape or other means as
 available, recorded call detail information in unrated EMR format per
 OBF/Bellcore standard; the Terminating Party shall rate such calls placed by
 the Originating Party’s Customers and terminating to Information Provider
 services contracted with the Terminating Party, according to the rates
 established by such Information Providers. The Terminating Party shall then
 return the call records to the Originating Party, in rated format where
 possible, or with appropriate indicators populated on error messages. The
 Rating Service fee will be applied to all messages. In addition to the
 charges for

 


XVIII









	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
 Rating Service,
 standard charges will be made by the Terminating Party for the transmission
 and delivery of such records and files. The Terminating Party will not bill
 and collect for such rated calls. The Terminating Party will not calculate or
 pay taxes for such rated calls.

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 c)

 	
 Alternatively, at
 the Originating Party’s option, it may purchase a rating table from the
 Terminating Party at the rate set forth in the Pricing Schedule. 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 d)

 	
 The Originating
 Party is responsible for all payments due the Information Providers to whose
 programs that Party’s Customer places calls, and other obligations and
 relationships with such Information Providers. 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 e)

 	
 Resolution
 regarding all Customer adjustments shall be solely between the Originating
 Party and the Information Provider. 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 7.1.2.4

 	
 Blocking 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 Nothing in this
 Agreement shall restrict either Party from offering to its Exchange Service
 Customers the ability to block the completion of Information Service Traffic,
 whether Information Mass Announcement Services or Variable Rated Information
 Services. 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 7.1.2.5

 	
 Billing and Usage
 Specifications 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 The Parties shall
 adopt an Information Provider Usage and Billing Specification Agreement prior
 to implementation of this billing arrangement. With the mutual consent of
 both Parties, the Information Provider Usage and Billing Specification
 Agreement may be modified in the future.

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 7.2

 	
 Tandem Transit
 Service (Transit Service)

 



          7.2.1
“Transit Service” means the delivery of certain traffic between Cox and a LEC
by BA-RI over the Local/IntraLATA/InterLATA Trunks. The following traffic types
will be delivered: (i) Local or intraLATA Toll Traffic originated from Cox to
such LEC; and (ii) Local Traffic or IntraLATA Toll Traffic originated from such
LEC and terminated to Cox where BA-RI carries such traffic. 


          7.2.2
Subject to Section 7.2.4, the Parties shall compensate each other for Transit
Service as follows:


XIX









	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
 a)

 	
 Cox shall pay
 BA-RI for Local Traffic Cox originated over the Transit Service at the rate
 specified in the Pricing Schedule plus any additional charges or costs such
 terminating LEC imposes or levies on BA-RI for the delivery or termination of
 such traffic, including any InterLATA or IntraLATA switched access charges; 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
 b)

 	
 BA-RI shall pay
 Cox for Local, InterLATA, or IntraLATA Toll Traffic terminated to Cox from
 such LEC at the appropriate reciprocal compensation rates described in
 Section 5.7, InterLATA access rates, or at Cox applicable switched access or
 other rates or local termination rate, whichever is appropriate. 

 



          7.2.3 BA-RI
expects that all networks involved in transit traffic will deliver each call to
each involved network with CCIS and the appropriate Transactional Capabilities
Application Part (TCAP) message to facilitate full interoperability of those
services supported by BA-RI and billing functions. In all cases, Cox is
responsible to follow the Exchange Message Record (EMR) standard and exchange
records with both BA-RI and the terminating LEC to facilitate the billing
process to the originating network. 


          7.2.4 BA-RI
agrees that it shall make available to Cox, at Cox’s sole option, any Tandem Transit
arrangement BA-RI offers to another Telecommunications Carrier at the same
rates, terms, and conditions provided to such other Telecommunications carrier.



	
  

 	
  

 
	
 7.3

 	
 Dedicated Transit
 Service 

 



          7.3.1
“Dedicated Transit Service” provides for the dedicated connection between a Cox
collocation arrangement established pursuant to this Agreement or applicable
tariffs and/or license agreements at a BA-RI premises and a collocation
arrangement of a third party carrier that maintains a collocation arrangement
at the same premises. Dedicated Transit Service shall be provided using a
cross-connection (dedicated connection) using suitable BA-RI-provided cable or
transmission facilities or any other mutually agreed upon arrangement. In the
alternative, pursuant to Schedule 7.3.1, BA-RI will provide Cox with Dedicated
Cable Support (“DCS”) to facilitate Interconnection with another CLEC located
within the same common area in the central office. 


          7.3.2 The
carrier that requests the Dedicated Transit Service shall be the Customer of
record for both ends of the service in terms of ordering, provisioning,
maintenance, and billing. Alternative arrangements may be utilized if agreed
upon by all three Parties. 


XX









	
  

 	
  

 
	
 7.4

 	
 911/E911
 Arrangements 

 



          7.4.1 Cox
will interconnect to the BA-RI 911/E911 selective router/E911 tandems which
serve the areas in which Cox provides exchange services for the provision of
E911 services and for access to all subtending Public Safety Answering Points
(PSAPs). BA-RI will provide Cox with the appropriate CLLI codes and
specifications of the tandem serving area. 


          7.4.2 Path
and route diverse interconnections for E911 shall be made at the Cox-IP, the
BA-IP, or other points as necessary and mutually agreed to. 


          7.4.3 BA-RI
will provide Cox with an electronic interface through which Cox shall input and
provide a daily update of E911 database information related to appropriate Cox
Customers. BA-RI will provide Cox with the Master Street Address Guide (MSAG)
so that Cox can ensure the accuracy of the data transfer. Additionally, BA-RI
shall assist Cox in obtaining the subscriber number of the single PSAP which
exists in Rhode Island. 


          7.4.4 BA-RI
and Cox will use their best efforts to facilitate the prompt, robust, reliable
and efficient interconnection of Cox’s systems to the E911 platforms. 


          7.4.5 Cox
will compensate BA-RI for connections to its E911 System pursuant to the
Pricing Schedule (Exhibit A hereto). 


          7.4.6 Both
Parties will comply with all applicable rules and regulations pertaining to the
provision of E911 services in the State of Rhode Island. 


	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
 8.0

 	
 JOINT
 NETWORK CONFIGURATION AND GROOMING PROCESS; INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE,
 TESTING AND REPAIR. 

 



8.1  Joint Network Configuration and Grooming Process 


          8.1.1
Within six months after the date of this Agreement or as the Parties mutually
agree, Cox and BA-RI shall jointly develop an implementation and grooming
process (the Joint Grooming Process) which shall define and detail, inter-alia:


	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 a)

 	
 agreement on
 Physical Architecture consistent with the guidelines defined in Section 4.0; 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 b)

 	
 standards to ensure that interconnection trunk groups experience a grade of
 service, availability and quality which is comparable to that achieved on
 interoffice trunks within BA-RI’s network and in accord with all appropriate

 


XXI









	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
 relevant
 industry-accepted quality, reliability and availability standards;

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 c)

 	
 the respective duties and responsibilities of the Parties with respect to the
 administration and maintenance of the trunk groups, including but not limited
 to standards and procedures for notification and discoveries of trunk
 disconnects; 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 d)

 	
 disaster recovery
 provision escalations; and 

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 e)

 	
 expedite
 provisions. 

 



The initial mutual interconnection is not dependent upon completion of
the Joint Grooming Process. 


8.2 Installation, Maintenance, Testing and Repair. 


          8.2.1.
BA-RI’s standard intervals as set forth in Schedule 8.2, attached, will be
utilized in connection with the establishment of all interconnection trunking
arrangements between the Parties. Cox shall meet the same intervals for
comparable installations, maintenance, joint testing, and repair of its
facilities and services associated with or used in conjunction with
interconnection or shall notify BA-RI of its inability to do so and will
negotiate such intervals in good faith. 


8.3 Party Review 


          8.3.1. The
Parties will carefully review the Network Reliability Council’s recommendations
and, as part of the Joint Grooming Process, implement such recommendations
where technically and economically feasible. 


	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
 17.0

 	
 DATABASES
 AND SIGNALING 

 



     BA-RI shall, at Cox’s election, provide Cox with
electronic interfaces to access BA-RI’s databases, including LIDB and 800/888,
and associated signaling necessary for the routing and completion of Cox’s traffic through the provision of
SS7 under its applicable tariffs. 


	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
 18.0

 	
 NOT
ADOPTED  

 



 XXII









	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
 19.0

 	
 DIRECTORY
 SERVICES ARRANGEMENTS 

 



     BA-RI will provide certain directory
services to Cox as defined herein. In this Section (19.0) of this Agreement,
references to Cox Customer telephone numbers means telephone numbers falling
within NXX codes directly assigned to Cox and to numbers which are retained by
Cox on the Customer’s behalf pursuant to Interim Telecommunications Number
Portability arrangements described in Section 13.0 of this Agreement. 


	
  

 	
  

 
	
 19.1

 	
 Directory Listings
 and Directory Distributions 

 



          19.1.1
BA-RI will include Cox Customers telephone numbers in all of its “White Pages”
and “Yellow Pages” directory listings (including electronic directories) and
directory assistance databases associated with the areas in which Cox provides
services to such Customers, and will distribute such directories to such
Customers, in an identical and transparent manner in which it provides those
functions for its own Customers’ telephone numbers. 


          19.1.2
BA-RI will include all Cox NXX codes on appropriate existing calling charts in
the BA-RI Customer Guide section of the directory in the same manner as it
provides this information for its own NXX codes. 


          19.1.3 Cox
will provide BA-RI with its directory listings and daily updates to those
listings (including new, changed, and deleted listings) in a mutually agreed
upon format at no charge. 


          19.1.4
BA-RI will accord Cox directory listing information the same level of
confidentiality which BA-RI accords its own directory listing information and
in any event shall not distribute Cox’s directory listing information to
third parties without Cox’s written consent. 


          19.1.5
BA-RI shall provide Cox at no charge with: (i) one basic single line white and
yellow page directory listing per business Customer number, or one basic single
line white page directory listing per residence Customer number; (ii) directory
distribution for Cox Customers; and (iii) listings of Cox Customers in the
directory assistance database. 


          19.1.6
BA-RI will provide Cox with a report of all Cox Customer listings ninety (90)
days prior to directory publication in such form and format as may be mutually
agreed to by both Parties. Both Parties shall use their best efforts to ensure
the accurate listing of such information. 


          19.1.7
Yellow Page Maintenance 


     BA-RI will work cooperatively with Cox so
that Yellow Pages advertisements purchased by Customers who switch their
service to Cox (including Customers utilizing Interim Telecommunications Number
Portability) are maintained without interruption. BA-RI will allow Cox
Customers to purchase new Yellow Pages


XXIII





advertisements without discrimination, under the identical rates, terms
and conditions that apply to BA-RI’s Customers. 


	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
 19.1.8

 	
 Information Pages 

 



     BA-RI will include in the “Information
Pages” or comparable section of its White Pages Directories for areas served by
Cox, listings provided by Cox for Cox’s installation, repair and Customer service
information, including appropriate identifying logo. Cox shall be allocated one
page. Such listings shall appear in the manner that such information appears
for subscribers of BA-RI and other LECs. BA-RI shall not charge Cox for
inclusion of this information. 


	
  

 	
  

 
	
 19.2

 	
 Directory
 Assistance (DA) and Operator Services (OS) 

 



          19.2.1 Upon
request, BA will provide Cox with directory assistance and/or IntraLATA
operator services in accordance with the rates and terms set forth in the
Pricing Schedule (Exhibit A hereto) and the Directory Assistance and Operator
Services Agreement appended hereto as Exhibit C. 


          19.2.2 Cox
shall arrange at its expense the trunking and other facilities required to
transport traffic to and from the designated DA and OS switch locations. 


	
  

 	
  

 
	
 19.3

 	
 Wholesale Busy
 Line Verification and Interrupt (BLV/I) 

 



          19.3.1
Wholesale Busy Line Verification permits the operator of one local carrier to
request the status of access lines (conversation in progress, available to
receive calls, or out of order) that are served by another local carrier.
Interrupt allows the operator of one local carrier to request interruption of
conversation on access lines that have been determined to be in use. 


          19.3.2 If
Local Carrier A decides or is required by a regulatory body of competent
jurisdiction to offer BLV/I services to enable its Customers to verify and/or
interrupt calls of Local Carrier B’s Customers, the operator bureau of Local
Carrier B shall accept and respond to Wholesale BLV/I requests from the
operator bureau of Local Carrier A. Cox and BA-RI shall compensate the other
Local Carrier for Wholesale BLV/I inquiries in accordance with the rates of the
other Local Carrier’s Tariff or at the rates specified in Exhibit A of this
Agreement for Wholesale BLV/I. 


          19.3.3 The
Local Carrier B operator shall only verify the status of the line or interrupt
the line to inform the called party that another caller is attempting to reach
them. The Local Carrier B operator will not complete the telephone call of the
Customer initiating the BLV/I request. The Local Carrier B operator will make
only one Wholesale BLV/I attempt per operator bureau telephone request, and the
applicable charges apply whether or not the called party releases the line. 


XXIV





Wholesale BLV/I cannot be performed on telephone numbers utilizing a
“call forwarding” feature. The operator shall respond to only one telephone
number per call on requests for Wholesale BLV/I. 


          19.3.4 Each
Local Carrier shall route Wholesale BLV/I traffic inquiries over separate
direct trunks groups (and not the Local/IntraLATA/InterLATA Trunks established
between the Local Carriers’ respective operator bureaus. Each Party shall offer
interconnection for Wholesale BLV/I traffic at its operator services switch
serving the LATA or other mutually agreed point within the LATA. Unless
otherwise mutually agreed, the Parties shall configure Wholesale BLV/I trunks
over the Interconnection architectures in accordance with the terms of Section
4 of this Agreement. Local Carrier A shall outpulse the appropriate NPA, ATC
Code, and Routing Code (operator code) to Local Carrier B. 


	
  

 	
  

 
	
 19.4

 	
 Direct Access to
 Directory Assistance (DADA) 

 



     Direct Access to Directory Assistance
(DADA) is a database service that provides for access to BA-RI listings by a
Cox operator. The DADA database is a physically distinct entity from the BA-RI
DA database, populated with identical listing data, and updated from the same
source on a daily basis. 


     Cox is required to arrange for
interconnection to the database. BA-RI will interconnect at any technically
feasible point designated by Cox. 


     BA-RI will provide Cox with a User Guide
for training its agents. 


     Rates and Charges for DADA are set forth in the
Pricing Schedule. 



19.5 Operator Emergency Bulletin Service 


     This option provides Cox with emergency
numbers of police, fire, ambulance and Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) in
the BA-RI serving area so that Cox operators can connect callers directly to
the proper emergency bureaus. 


     The BA-RI Operator Emergency Bulletin
Service lists the emergency, police, fire, ambulance and PSAP telephone numbers
by municipality and in alphabetical order for each of the areas served by
BA-RI. 


     Operator Emergency Bulletin Service is
available for use by Cox operators for the sole purpose of assisting callers in
reaching an emergency bureau. 


     Operator Emergency Bulletin Service is a
copy of BA-RI’s own emergency bulletin. This agreement includes one annual copy
of the bulletin plus periodic updates during the year. Independent telephone
companies’ emergency numbers are not included (Exhibit A hereto). 


XXV





     Rates and charges for Operator Emergency
Bulletin service are set forth in the Pricing Schedule. 


	
  

 	
  

 
	
 19.6

 	
 Operator
 Passthrough Service 

 



     This option provides Cox’s end users with access to operators
of their Presubscribed Interexchange Carriers (IC) for operator assisted call
completion. This option applies only when the Presubscribed IC provides
Operator Services for Cox’s end users for calls originating
from a particular LATA and is capable of receiving calls passed through it by
BA-RI in that LATA. 


     BA-RI will, when requested by Cox’s end user, connect that end user to
a specified IC for operator call completion provided that IC offers operator
services in that end user’s originating LATA and is capable of receiving calls
passed through to it by BA-RI in that LATA. 


     If the IC does not provide Operator
Services for Cox’s end user, at the option of the IC,
BA-RI will provide Cox’s end user with access to an IC designated Operator
Services Provider or to a BA-RI provided announcement which will direct Cox’s end user to contact their
Presubscribed IC for dialing instructions. 


     The Operator Passthrough charge is
applied on an operator work second basis, and rated using the 0-Operator
Handled calls in the Pricing Schedule. 


     Cox will be assessed this charge on calls
that are passed through to either the Presubscribed IC’s operator, or a BA-RI
provided recording indicating that the IC does not provide service in that
area. 


     Rates
and charges applied to Operator Passthrough Service are set forth in the
Pricing Schedule. 


XXVI