Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 270 - Department of Public Safety › Chapter 20 - E 9-1-1 Operations › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 1 - Rhode Island E 9-1-1 Uniform Emergency Telephone System Rules and Regulations (270-RICR-20-00-1) › Section 270-RICR-20-00-1.4 - Network Requirements and Testing

Current through June 14, 2024
A. Telephone Common Carrier E 9-1-1 Network Requirements
1. Network Connectivity - Every wireless service provider shall provide 9-1-1 network connectivity to the RI E 9-1-1 selective router(s) free of charge to RI E 9-1-1.
2. Diversity and Redundancy - The 9-1-1 network is to be completely and fully diverse and consist of redundant routes (as further discussed hereunder) from the selective router(s) into the PSAP(s) and must follow all NENA recommended standards including, but not limited to, those standards relating to the trunking from the selective router(s) to the PSAP(s). The RI E 9-1-1 PSAP(s) must have two completely and fully diverse and redundant routes from the selective router(s) into the PSAP(s).
3. Trunking - E 9-1-1 wireline telephone service trunks shall be dedicated to handle only E 9-1-1 traffic. A minimum of two diverse and redundant routes shall be provisioned from each telephone common carrier's central office(s), as follows: at a minimum one route from each central office to each of the two E 9-1-1 tandems, in Providence and in West Warwick, Rhode Island, respectively or any other tandems that may replace the Providence and West Warwick tandems. If the tandem locations are changed, the telephone common carriers will be afforded reasonable notice of the change so as to make the appropriate network modifications. RI E 9-1-1 may authorize the provisioning of an alternative trunking scheme upon a written request by both the Service Provider and a competitive local exchange carrier demonstrating that there are no facilities available within a reasonably foreseeable time and that the proposed alternative trunking scheme employs dedicated E 9-1-1 trunks, provides diversity and redundancy, and does not compromise the already existing network.
4. Grade of Service - Trunk quantities shall be based on a P.01 grade of service, e.g., so as to ensure that not more than one 9-1-1 call in 100 9-1-1 calls will experience a busy signal during the average busy season and time-consistent busy hour. As a general rule, the ratio of the number of central office trunks to the tandems should be as follows: up to 10,000 lines = two (2) trunks; 10,000 or more lines = an additional trunk for each additional 10,000 lines (or fraction thereof) over 10,000 lines.
5. Network Testing - Prior to commencement of service in Rhode Island, a telephone common carrier shall, conjunctively with RI E 9-1-1, conduct test calls. A minimum of two test calls shall be made from each NXX across each 9-1-1 trunk from the telephone common carrier's central office to the E 9-1-1 tandems. Test calling shall be arranged with RI E 9-1-1 at least three business days in advance by notifying it. Testing will be scheduled after the telephone common carrier has made arrangements with the RI E 9-1-1 Database Manager. The telephone common carrier shall test the accuracy of the numbers to be tested and the municipalities within which they fall. The telephone common carrier shall input the telephone numbers to be tested into the ALI database at least 24 hours prior to the commencement of testing. Test calls shall be documented on a test log form prescribed by RI E 9-1-1, which shall include the following test measurements: validation of the display of the correct ANI; validation of the display of the correct ALI; call setup timing, including the interval between the time the last digit in 9-1-1 was pressed by the caller and an audible (ringing) signal was heard by the caller and the interval between the time the last digit in 9-1-1 was pressed by the caller and an audible (ringing) signal was heard at the PSAP; any other criteria as agreed upon by the telephone common carrier and RI E 9-1-1. Call testing results on the prescribed log form shall be sent to RI E 9-1-1 upon completion of testing, which shall provide a copy to the Database Provider for review and error correction.
6. Monitoring - Each telephone common carrier shall provide traffic studies for the average busy season and time-consistent average busy hour (as determined by RI E 9-1-1 call volume reports) every six months to ensure P.01 grade of service. RI E 9-1-1 and the telephone common carrier shall coordinate the every-six-month dates at which such studies will be conducted. RI E 9-1-1 shall have the right to perform line load studies periodically, but not more than every six (6) months and/or shall have the right to order each telephone common carrier to perform such line load studies, at its own expense, for purposes of ascertaining its subscriber base and/or conformance with technological standards, performance of service, and quality of service.