Wholesale: Products & Services

Archived System CR SCR060507-01 Detail

Expected Delivery:

CRIS EDI 811 records will include the appropriate USOC for all OCC charges, both fractional and NR.

Status History

Project Meetings

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October 1, 2007 Email Sent to Eschelon: Kathy, Qwest has reviewed the examples/accounts, provided by Eschelon and could not find instances of OC&C’s with USOC’s. About 3 years ago, there was a request to make the EDI data bill of record quality. OBF concurrence was obtained for this effort and was supported by both the CLECs and Qwest. In order to meet the requirements of the ‘bill of record quality’, the EDI data had to match everything that was put on the paper bill. If the USOC appears on the paper bill, it will also appear on the EDI output. Zero rated USOC’s will not appear on either the paper bill or the EDI output. Thank you, Qwest Wholesale CMP

September 19, 2007 Systems CMP Meeting Discussion: Kathy Stichter-Eschelon asked when we would be discussing the denial on her CR (SCR060507-01 USOCs for All OCC Charges in EDI Files). Peggy Esquibel Reed-Qwest stated that Qwest did receive the examples that Eschelon had provided and noted that investigation is continuing. Peggy stated that the SMEs had been on vacation but research is being done and that we would be getting with Eschelon with information. Bonnie Johnson-Eschelon stated that they did provide examples due to the denial reason that this was outside of Industry Guidelines. Bonnie stated that the denial reason is not valid because items have been done outside of Industry Guidelines and Qwest cannot say that some parts couldn’t be inside and some not. Bonnie asked that Qwest reevaluate the denial. Bonnie then stated that there could be a glitch that causes some USOCs to show up and some not. Mark Coyne-Qwest stated that his understanding was not that this denial would be carried forward and acknowledged that there were some action items that were being addressed offline with Eschelon. [Comment received from Eschelon: Kathy Stichter-Eschelon stated that Qwest had communicated that this CR would be discussed at the August CMP meeting.]

- August 31, 2007 Email Sent to Eschelon: Thank you Kathy. I will forward them on to my SME Team.

-- August 31, 2007 Email Received from Eschelon: [Eschelon provided examples] - Proprietary information.

August 31, 2007 Email Sent to Eschelon: Hi Kathy, Have you been able to locate some examples of where you are seeing USOCs on the EDI 811 files? Thanks much, Peggy Esquibel-Reed Qwest Wholesale CMP

-- August 24, 2007 Email Sent to Eschelon: Hi Kathy, Can you provide some examples of where you are seeing this on the EDI file? Examples would assist in our investigation and response. Thanks, Lynn Stecklein Qwest Wholesale CMP

August 23, 2007 Email Received From Eschelon: Please explain why some USOCs for NRC charges appear on the EDI 811 files and others do not. Would that not be a deviation from the Industry Standards? Kathy Stichter Senior Invoice Validation Analyst Eschelon Telecom Inc.

August 15, 2007 Systems CMP Meeting Discussion: Note: 8/23/07 Bold indicates comments to minutes received from Eschelon Mark Coyne-Qwest stated that this CR was also submitted by Eschelon and that Wendy Thurnau (Qwest) would be addressing this denial. Wendy Thurnau-Qwest stated that Qwest has evaluated several Eschelon Summary BAN’s to determine the current billing output provided and where this information may be found. Because the EDI 811 record format is an industry standard, Qwest is bound by those standards and deviation could cause a negative impact to other EDI customers. Eschelon receives both EDI output and Billmate ASCII output on the accounts requested. Although the EDI data does not provide the OCC USOC, the Billmate ASCII output does currently provide that information in the SOACTVTY file. Because the data is available on the Billmate ASCII files, Qwest has determined that this change does not provide a reasonable demonstrable business benefit. Kathy Stichter-Eschelon stated that she is very well versed in ASCII so she knows that it is there and available. Kathy stated that she figured that it could be put in the EDI file. Kathy stated that she had 2 items. The first item is that Qwest is stating that to change it would be outside of Industry Standards and could cause problems. Kathy stated are you saying you are never outside of the industry standard and asked what problem Qwest feels this would cause. Kathy stated that if they had the information, the CLECs could determine if it would cause a hardship to them. The second item is that Qwest has tried to convince Eschelon that since they have EDI files that they do not need ASCII files and that Eschelon doesn’t do both. Kathy stated that is not true and noted that they have different information. Kathy stated that Qwest is trying to get Eschelon to drop Billmate. Wendy Thurnau-Qwest stated that she is not aware of Qwest attempting to do that. Wendy stated that in regard to EDI, Qwest has not deviated from the 811 standard format and noted that the Industry Standards were used. Wendy stated that she knows of one change made to 811 standards but that was made with the entire industry. Wendy stated that BOS BDT does have deviations, from the Industry Standards, and that they do cause trouble with some CLECs. Wendy stated that deviations to the 811 records are not something that Qwest wants to do due to the other deviations that are currently causing problems. Wendy stated that some of the problems that are being caused have to do with data changes that are needed from vendors. Wendy stated that it creates a domino effect and the ability to process data could then be a problem. Wendy then noted that she would need to get the steps from our OBF SME. Kathy Stichter-Eschelon asked that if a change has been made in the past, what made a change important enough for the industry to adopt that change. Wendy Thurnau-Qwest stated that she could not answer that. Mark Coyne-Qwest asked if Kathy’s (Stichter-Eschelon) question is because she wants to understand what the driver is to make industry changes. Wendy Thurnau-Qwest stated that she would find out from Jim Horton what drives a change. Kathy Stichter-Eschelon asked Kim (Isaacs-Eschelon) for assistance regarding Qwest trying to persuade Eschelon to remove Billmate. Kim Isaacs-Eschelon stated that Eschelon had made profile updates requesting both EDI and Billmate is a media option. Kim stated that it took 10 months for the change after it was escalated and also had a couple of calls that Josh (Nielsen-Qwest) coordinated. On the calls, Qwest stated that EDI and ASCII were an either or option and that Eschelon couldn’t get both ASCII and EDI together. Kim stated that Eschelon explained the EDI file is incomplete and that is why Eschelon requested both EDI and ASCII. When Eschelon insisted that the current, the Eschelon profile was set-up in order to get both and Qwest backed off. Kim stated that Qwest has a disconnect somewhere and stated that there are Qwest individuals that believe EDI and ASCII are either or billing options. Wendy Thurnau-Qwest stated that a few years ago there was some confusion in the Qwest Centers regarding EDI and ASCII media options. Qwest stated that the folks in the Center have since been refreshed of the media offerings and stated that the service is provided at no cost. Wendy stated that normally, both are not provided. Wendy noted that she became aware, several months ago, that both may be needed. Kim Isaacs-Eschelon stated that on a call held on June 11, 2007, Wendy stated that Eschelon could have either/or but not both. Wendy Thurnau-Qwest stated that that was the stance for quite a while and she was not involved at that time. Wendy stated that Eschelon did get both, at no charge, and stated that she can only go forward. Wendy stated that any changes to that would be contractual. Wendy then stated that the Service Manager’s and the Center look at the needs of the business to determine if could have both. Kim Isaacs-Eschelon stated that EDI does not provide information to validate the bills and she is hoping that Qwest is not thinking about charging when both media are requested as Wendy had indicated on the June call. Kim stated that Qwest should not charge CLECs to validate their bills. Wendy Thurnau-Qwest stated that she is not aware of any plans to charge so that is not an issue. Kathy Stichter-Eschelon asked that the OBF SME be asked about information regarding the driver for an Industry change. Mark Coyne-Qwest stated that if we get the information prior to the meeting minutes going out, that the information would be included in the meeting minutes. Mark stated that it could also go out separately. NOTE: 8/20/07 Qwest Response to Eschelon’s question above regarding OBF: The website for the committee that maintains the Telecommunications 811 is www.atis.org/obf/etbhome.asp. This site holds the public information and also contains contact information that can be used to submit requests. It is our understanding that active participants/active members in ETB should champion those issues that are important to their companies in order to drive any change to an Industry Standard.

-- July 18, 2007 Systems CMP Meeting Discussion: Mark Coyne-Qwest stated that Qwest continues to evaluate this request and noted that Qwest has been communicating with Eschelon and investigating some examples that were provided by Eschelon.

- June 20, 2007 Systems CMP Meeting Discussion: Kathy Stichter-Eschelon presented the CR and stated that Eschelon is asking that they get the USOC so they do not have to manually journalize the charges. Bonnie Johnson-Eschelon asked Kathy if the amount is given but they have no idea what the credit is for. Kathy Stichter-Eschelon said yes and would like to see them like on Billmate. Kathy stated that the USOCs do not come through on the EDI Files and they need to reconcile. Mark Coyne-Qwest stated that Qwest is currently looking into the request and that a response would be given in the July CMP Meeting.

June 12, 2007 Clarification Meeting Attendees: Kathy Stichter-Eschelon, Steph Prull-Eschelon, Peggy Esquibel Reed-Qwest, Wendy Thurnau-Qwest, Carol McKenzie, Carol Palmeiro-Qwest Peggy Esquibel Reed-Qwest reviewed the CRs Title, Description, and Expected Deliverable. Peggy asked Kathy if there was any additional information that she would like to share. Kathy Stichter-Eschelon provided the example of when maintenance of service is billed the charges are on UBL and the USOCs do not come across on the EDI files. Kathy stated that the system that Eschelon uses allocates charges to journal codes and uses the USOCs. Kathy stated that currently Eschelon has to manually journalize the money. Carol Palmeiro-Qwest asked to confirm that Eschelon’s example is specific to maintenance of service charges for unbundled loops, dispatch charges, and time charges. Steph Prull-Eschelon provided an example of a USOC that is not included in the EDI files: MVW1X. Wendy Thurnau-Qwest asked if Eschelon see’s any USOCs on the EDI files. Kathy Stichter-Eschelon stated no, not on OCC, which is more important because they are journalized differently. Peggy Esquibel Reed-Qwest confirmed that this request is impacting to the Wholesale Billing System only. Peggy Esquibel Reed-Qwest confirmed that this request is for all CRIS EDI products. Peggy Esquibel Reed-Qwest stated that this CR would be scheduled for presentation at the June 20, 2007 Systems CMP Meeting and that Qwest will provide the response to this request in July 2007. There were no additional questions or comments.

- June 8, 2007 Email Sent to Eschelon: Hi Kathy, I have scheduled the Clarification Call as follows: DATE: Tuesday, June 12th TIME: 1:00 CT CALL IN: 1-877-564-8688, 8571927# Talk to you then. Have a great weekend. Peggy Esquibel-Reed Qwest Wholesale CMP

June 6, 2007 Email Received From Eshelon: Peggy, I am available Monday, June 11 from 11:00 to noon and 2:30 to 3:30, Tuesday, June 12 from 1:00 to 3:00, Wednesday, June 13 from 2:00 to 3:00 and Thursday, June 14 from 11:00 to noon and 1:00 to 3:30. All of these times are Central Daylight time. Kathy Stichter Senior Invoice Validation Analyst Eschelon Telecom Inc.

- June 5, 2007 Email Sent to Eschelon: Hi Kathy, Please provide me with your availability for the Clarification Call for your newly submitted Billing CMP CR. Several dates and times would be great. Thanks much, Peggy Esquibel-Reed Qwest Wholesale CMP

CenturyLink Response

This letter is in response to CLEC Change Request Number SCR060507-01, dated 6/05/07, titled USOC’s for all OCC charges in EDI files.

CR Description: Currently CRIS EDI files for OCC charges do not include the USOC. Without this information, Eschelon must manually allocate charges to the correct journal code. Eschelon asks Qwest for all OCC charges on EDI 811 records.

Expected Deliverable: CRIS EDI 811 records will include the appropriate USOC for all OCC charges, both fractional and NR.

History: The CR was submitted on June 5, 2007 with acknowledgement on the same day. A clarification meeting was held on June 12, 2007.

Qwest Response: An evaluation was performed on several of the Eschelon Summary BAN’s to determine the current billing output provided and where this information may be found. Because the EDI 811 record format is an industry standard, Qwest is bound by those standards and deviation could cause a negative impact to other EDI customers. Eschelon receives both EDI output and Billmate ASCII output on the accounts requested. Although the EDI data does not provide the OCC USOC, the Billmate ASCII output does currently provide that information. Because the data is available on the Billmate ASCII files, Qwest has determined that this change does not provide a reasonable demonstrable business benefit.

Sincerely, Qwest Corporation

-- DRAFT RESPONSE

July 9, 2007

RE: SCR060507-01 USOCs for All OCC Charges in EDI Files

Qwest has reviewed the information submitted as part of Change Request SCR060507-01. Qwest is still examining the issue. Qwest will continue to research the problem and provide an updated response at the August Systems CMP Meeting.

Sincerely, Qwest Corporation