Before either provider can meet point bill IXCs for jointly provided access, a number of work activities must occur. These activities include the following:

• Both providers should work cooperatively to reach agreement on which provider will function as the Access Service Coordinator (ASC), as defined in the (MECOD). The ASC provider will provide the operational, technical and administrative support required in the planning, provisioning and maintenance involved in the joint access provisioning process. CenturyLink will assume the responsibility as the ASC, unless the providers reach an alternative agreement.
  
  
• Each provider will be responsible for obtaining all necessary regulatory approvals, including tariffs, if applicable, for any access services jointly provided by each. CenturyLink will provide the one-time notification to the LEC of the billing name, billing address and carrier identification codes (CICs) of the IXCs subtending any CenturyLink tandem to which the LEC directly connects.
  
  
• The providers should maintain provisions in their respective federal and state access tariffs, and/or provisions within the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) Tariff No. 4, or any successor tariff, sufficient to reflect this MPB arrangement, including BPs (Billing Percentage).