National Communications Standards

The National Communications Standards are a set of standards created by the Patriot Communications Provider Association (PCPA) to standardize communcations between providers across the nation and provide improved interoperability and customer experience.

## History

Following the creation of MidAtlantic Appalachia, local governmental corporations and private companies rushed to establish communications infrastructure. During this rush, these infrastructure projects developed isolated systems which were limited to a small area and had poor, if any interoperability, which extended to other local systems at best. While this infrastructure enabled information to cross the nation, this process was rarely quick nor easy. Many communications providers felt it was necessary to the success of their businesses that they were better able to interface with other systems, which lead to the formation of the PCPA which established the National Communications Standards to fulfil this goal.

## Authority and Enforcement

While the National Communications Standards are not law, they are widely used and enforced. Nearly all communications providers are members in some capacity of the PCPA so that they can have some level of input on future revisions of the National Communications Standards. The PCPA requires that members be in compliance with the National Communications Standards. NCS-0 also requires that communications systems only allow access to other systems which are also in compliance with the National Communications Standards. Revisions to the national communications standards are made periodically, these revisions always have a grace period before enforcement of compliance begins. This grace period can last from 3 months to 5 years depending on the revision. Most revisions have a grace period of either 6 months for minor revisions or 3 years for revisions require infrastructure modifications.

## Standards

### NCS-0000: Network Compliance

NCS-0 requires all systems to only connect to or interface with other systems which are also in compliance with the National Communications Standards.

### NCS-1000: DNS and Domain Names

Prior to the standards, every internet provider had their own DNS which did not match other providers DNS causing domain names to not work across providers. In order to have internet interoperability, DNS needed to be standardized. NCS-1000 standardizes domains to use the following format `subdomain.domain`, although subdomains are not required and a subdomain may have its own subdomain such as `subdomain1.subdomain.domain`. Unless otherwise specified the `www` subdomain will point to the 'root' domain. All internet providers (or other DNS providers) are also required to register their DNS servers' domains with PCPA and allow PCPA to make updates to DNS records. DNS providers may not edit or register DNS records on their own, all changes must go through PCPA so that DNS resolves consistently across providers. NCS-1000 also requires that internet provider's networks be able to reach any other registered provider's networks which can now be accomplished by connecting to any one other NCS compliant network, although most providers have direct connection to as many other networks as possible to provide higher connection speeds.

### NCS-1001: TLDs and distributed domain registration

NCS-1001 superseded NCS-1000's domain naming conventions. Under NCS-1001, PCPA no longer controlled all DNS changes and domain registrations, instead these were handled by "issuing authorities". Issuing authorities are entities authorized by PCPA to register domains and update DNS record, although they can only modify or create record for domains under a TLD that they are assigned. All issuing authorities are assigned one or more TLDs. All TLDs are assigned to an issuing authority but never to more than one issuing authority. NCS-1001 also changed the naming convention for domains and addresses. Subdomains remained the same, however an extra portion, the TLD, was added at the end following the format `subdomain.domain.TLD`. Domains using a given TLD can only be registered or updated by that TLD's assigned issuing authority. Domains registered prior to this change were automatically transferred to the `.fmr` TLD following this revision and could be renewed under this TLD, but new domains cannot be registered with this TLD and domain transfers with this TLD can only be done with the express permission of PCPA. Issuing Authorities may also impose restrictions on the use of their TLDs. Below is the list of TLDs along with the corresponding issuing authority.

### NCS-1002: Reserved and Special Domains

NCS-1002 followed shortly after NCS-1001 to restrict the use of certain domains as listed below.

NCS-1002 Restricted Domains
 localhost
 .local (TLD)
 provider.net
 *country*.info
 host.\*

### NCS-2000: National Postal Codes and Parcel Identifiers

NCS-2000 outlines country codes and short names for nations to simplify the delivery of mail. NCS-2000 also standardizes the use of the Parcel IDs on mail to indicate the destination. Parcel IDs are unique, 100 character, case sensitive, alphanumeric IDs assigned by the federal sheriff to each parcel of land in MidAtlantic Appalachia. The country codes and short names selected in the standard are listed below.

### NCS-2001: Region Codes

NCS-2001 amends NCS-2000 to better account for international shipping. NCS-2001 specifies that the use Parcel IDs is specifically for domestic shipments and shipments to MidAtlantic Appalachia. NCS-2001 also establishes "NCS Region Codes" which are similar to ZIP codes but they are assigned to postal service facilities ("post offices"). Each postal service facility can register their facility with PCPA and receive a region code to give to their customers to include as part of their address. PCPA has a database of region codes, their corresponding postal service facility, the postal service/company, and any cost that are incurred to ship to that facility. This database is used to route packages to the end postal service facility, often by shipping packages to that service's nearest facility to be taken by the receiving service to the destination facility. Region codes are country specific, meaning that multiple countries can share the same region code but no country will have the same region code twice. NCS-2001 only requires the region code and country code be present on a package for international delivery or the region code, country code, and parcel ID for domestic delivery, any other information is dictated by the postal services involved in handling the package. The region code database also includes any additional requirements or required information for each postal service facility.

### NCS-3000: Phone Numbers

NCS-3000 establishes a uniform system for assigning phone numbers. A phone number consists of two parts, a three digit provider code followed by the four digit phone number in this format `xxx-xxxx`. When calling another number with the same provider code, the provider code does not need to be included (note: this was amended in NCS-3002, if the EPC does not match, the provider code must be included). Provider codes are assigned by PCPA and additional provider codes can be requested if a provider runs out of numbers. Phone numbers within the provider code can be assigned as desired by the provider.

### NCS-3001: Reserved and Special Phone Numbers

NCS-3001 reserves a set of numbers for special uses including the N-1-1 numbering system. Below is a list of the reserved numbers and their uses, if no provider code is listed than the number is reserved for this purpose across all provider codes. 3 digit reserved numbers are also prohibited from use as a provider code or as a phone number with a `0` attached at either the beginning or end of the number.

Reserved Phone Numbers
 911
 999 or 000
 311
 211
 988
 977
 811
 511
 411

### NCS-3002: Extended Numbering

NCS-3002 supersedes NCS-3000 to provide more provider codes for international use. NCS-3002 adds an addition set of three numbers, the "extended provider code" to the front of the phone number such as `(**xxx**) xxx-xxxx`, where the extended provider code is in bold. The extended provider code is assigned along with the provider code by PCPA. The EPC for additional provider codes is assigned as close to the original EPC as possible and geographically close providers should also be assigned provider codes within similar EPCs for consistency. This would also allow EPCs to indicate approximate geographic regions.

### NCS-4000: Radio Band Plan

NCS-4000 designates the uses for each band of radio. Unless otherwise specified, Data/Digital, FM Voice, SSB, and CW modes are authorized on all bands as long as the station is authorized for that frequency. The uses and restrictions are listed in the chart below:

### NCS-5000: Emergency Communication Service

NCS-5000 authorizes communicators to disregard any and all communications regulation in order to communicate to save life, limb, or property. NCS-5000 also authorizes specially trained communications volunteers to disregard certain regulations as needed to support emergency response to safe life, limb, or property. The final provision of NCS-5000 requires communications providers and broadcasters to provide radiogram communications free of charge to the public as possible during times of need.

### NCS-7000: Semaphore

Semaphore is discouraged by the NCS except as outlined in NCS-1111.

### NCS-8000: Language and Alphabet

NCS-8000 specifies relayed communications should be in English and use the phonetic alphabet below when needed. Information included that needs to be used by the communications provider, such as an address or metadata, should also be in English.

### NCS-1111: Distress Signaling

NCS-1111 establishes 3 distress signals. 3 sets of 3 one second sounds (such as an airhorn or whistle) is considered the audible distress signal. The second option is "SOS" (...---...) which is 3 quick signals, 3 long signals, and three more long signals. This option can be used with light, sounds, broadcast audio, telegram, or digitally. Digitally this should be transmitted as 10010010 11011011 10010010. When used with broadcast audio, telegram, or digital, this option should be accompanied by more information about location and if possible information about the nature of the emergency. The finally option is hand signals. This option is only effective with direct line of sight. The hand signal is done by forming an x with both arms crossed over your head then bringing both arms out to form a V with your head at the bottom, this cycle is then repeated until you are spotted. This last signal can be canceled by forming a circle over your head with both arms.

## International Use

The National Communication Standards is also in use in The Armed Nation of the Southern Militia.