Missouri Code of State Regulations › Title 20 - DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND INSURANCE › Division 4240 - Public Service Commission › Chapter 29 - Enhanced Record Exchange Rules › Section 20 CSR 4240-29.140 - Blocking Traffic of Transiting Carriers by Terminating Carriers

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 14, July 15, 2024
PURPOSE: This rule establishes parameters and
				  procedures for blocking traffic by terminating carriers if transiting carriers
				  fail to comply with rules pertaining to traffic traversing the LEC-to-LEC
				  network.
(1) In all instances
				of traffic blocking, transiting carriers may utilize alternative methods of
				delivering the blocked traffic to terminating carriers. Such methods may
				include interconnection agreement negotiations for transiting traffic, direct
				interconnection by originating carriers and/or traffic aggregators with
				terminating carriers, or contracting with interexchange carriers for traffic
				delivery.
(2) Pursuant to section
				(3) below, the terminating carrier may block Local Exchange Carrier-to-Local
				Exchange Carrier (LEC-to-LEC) traffic from a transiting carrier if the
				transiting carrier has failed to comply with rules pertaining to traffic
				traversing the LEC-to-LEC network including, but not limited to, ensuring that
				originating caller identification is being delivered to the terminating
				carrier.
(3) If the terminating
				carrier is unable to agree with the transiting carrier on blocking or other
				resolution of the issue, the terminating carrier will formally notify, via
				certified mail, the transiting carrier and the manager of the
				telecommunications department of the commission of the terminating carrier's
				intent to block traffic delivered by the transiting carrier. Such notice shall
				clearly indicate that the blocking will be done pursuant to the rules of the
				Missouri Public Service Commission and shall clearly indicate the rea-son(s)
				for certain traffic to be blocked, the date the traffic block will begin, an
				explanation of what action the transiting carrier should take to prevent any
				traffic from being blocked, when this corrective action must be completed, and
				the person to contact to obtain further information. Such blocks shall not be
				instituted on weekends or holidays, or on a day immediately preceding a weekend
				or holiday. Such blocks will not be implemented before forty-five (45) days
				after receipt of written notice.
(4) Upon receipt of notice that its
				transiting traffic is subject to blocking by terminating carriers, transiting
				carriers shall notify all telecommunications companies for whom the transiting
				carrier is contractually obligated to transit traffic. Such notices shall
				include, but shall not be limited to, resellers of local exchange service and
				providers of shared switching platforms. Such notices shall also include, but
				shall not be limited to, all originating carriers, traffic aggregators, and
				other transiting carriers with whom the transiting carrier has established
				direct interconnection facilities. Such notices shall be sent via certified
				mail within seven (7) days from the receipt of notice from the terminating
				carrier.
(5) Upon receipt of notice
				that its traffic is subject to blocking, wireline carriers shall determine
				whether to use alternative means of delivering the traffic that is subject to
				blocking. If the wireline carrier elects not to use an alternate means of
				delivering the traffic, the wireline carrier shall, within fifteen (15) days,
				notify all potentially affected end users in writing that calls to affected
				NPA-NXXs may be blocked. A copy of such written notification shall be provided
				to the manager of the telecommunications department of the Missouri Public
				Service Commission (MoPSC). In lieu of such customer notification, the
				originating carrier and/or traffic aggregator may proceed according to sections
				(6) and (7) following.
(6) If a
				transiting carrier wishes to dispute a proposal whereby some or all of its
				LEC-to-LEC traffic would be blocked by a terminating carrier, the transiting
				carrier should immediately seek action by the commission through the filing of
				a formal complaint. Such a complaint shall provide all relevant evidence
				refuting any reasons for blocking such traffic. Such complaint shall include a
				request for expedited resolution.
(7) If the transiting carrier files a formal
				complaint, the terminating carrier will cease blocking, pending the
				commission's decision. In all instances of blocking by a terminating carrier,
				the costs associated with blocking shall be borne by the terminating carrier,
				even if blocking is ultimately not implemented.
*Original authority: 386.040, RSMo 1939 and
					 386.250, RSMo 1939, amended 1963, 1967, 1977, 1980, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1993,
					 1995, 1996.