To prepare for WLNP, BellSouth recommends WSPs complete the following:

• The Wireless Service Provider (WSP) must sign a blanket Letter of Authorization (LOA) prior to processing any wireless ports involving a BellSouth wireline. This blanket LOA is required for WSPs to have access to BellSouth's Customer Service Records (CSR's). The blanket LOA does not relieve the WSP of the obligation to secure and maintain authorization from every end-user whose CSR it will view or use. BellSouth may request a copy of the end-user authorization obtained by the WSP from the WSP's end-user to view and/or use in the event of an end-user dispute. To view a copy of the LOA please click here.

• Establish an account with the Number Portability Administration Center (NPAC). This is required of all participants in WLNP. For more information, visit the NeuStar web site at www.neustar.biz
  
  
• Determine and establish a WLNP ordering and provisioning process with BellSouth.
  
  
• Train Service Reps on completing and submitting a Local Service request to the BellSouth Local Carrier Service Center (LCSC).
  
  
• Complete and submit a Porting Profile. This information is required to participate in Wireless Local Number Portability with BellSouth. Upon receipt of the completed profile, BellSouth will submit reciprocal information to the Wireless Service Provider's designated WLNP contact.

Porting orders must be submitted to the BellSouth Local Carrier Service Center (LCSC) via a Local Service Request package. BellSouth will offer training for WSPs on completing and submitting the Local Service Request. Click here to link to the WLNP Training section of this site.

Local Service Requests may be submitted to the LCSC via FAX or via the following automated interfaces:

The Local Exchange Navigation System (LENS)
LENS is BellSouth's web-based graphical user interface that is accessible to WSPs with Internet connectivity and a browser. The system may be used perform pre-order CSR look-ups and to submit porting orders. LENS is updated to remain consistent with the BellSouth Business Rules for Local Ordering and provides the easiest and most economical interface to BellSouth, as WSPs are not required to purchase, program, or customize software. BellSouth will offer training for WSPs on using LENS to submit Local Service Requests. Click here to link to the WLNP Training section of this site.

Electronic Data Interface (EDI)
EDI is a computer-to-computer application and provides the exchange of business documents in a standardized format. Companies that exchange information using EDI are called trading partners. Trading partners define the business information necessary to transact daily business and encode that information to fit a standard EDI transaction set for data transmission. Specific translation software converts data between an internal application and an industry standard format. Each trading partner is responsible for maintaining its' own "translator" software according to established standards. BellSouth's EDI specifications must be followed to avoid translator rejections. In addition, when creating data content, it is critical to adhere to BellSouth Business Rules for Local Ordering to avoid errors in BellSouth's Operations Support Systems such as LEO, LESOG, and SOCS.

Telecommunications Access Gateway (TAG-XML)
TAG is a computer-to-computer exchange of business documents in a standard format over a communications path. TAG provides a bi-directional flow of information between a WSP and BellSouth's Operational Support Systems (OSSs). Additionally, TAG offers both pre-ordering and ordering functionality through the WSP's own application interface. TCIF 7 and TCIF 9 are both supported by TAG. WSPs must program the TAG API to interface with their company's systems.

Testing an Automated Ordering Interface
Wireless Service Providers who elect to use TAG-XML or EDI interfaces must first conduct testing in order to verify that their interfaces with BellSouth applications are functioning properly. This includes connectivity, syntax, and validity testing.

Interface testing is not required for LENS prior to submitting a porting order.

The process below is used to establish and/or test an automated ordering interface. Click here for a flow chart of this process.

1. Establish an account with the Number Portability Administration Center (NPAC).
   
2. Establish a Miscellaneous Billing Account with BellSouth. Applicable charges will be charged to this account. BellSouth shall bill an electronic service order charge (SOMEC) at the rate of $3.50 for each LSR submitted by means of an electronic interface (e.g. EDI, LENS, TAG). BellSouth shall bill a manual service order charge (SOMAN) at the rate of $19.99 for each LSR submitted by means other than the electronic Interfaces (e.g. mail, fax, courier, etc.). An individual LSR will be identified for billing purposes by its Purchase Order Number (“PON”). BellSouth will bill the electronic (SOMEC) or manual (SOMAN) service order charge, for an LSR, regardless of whether that LSR is later supplemented, clarified or cancelled. Please contact your Wireless Account Team representative for assistance in establishing this account.
   
3. Determine which automated ordering interface will be used: LENS, TAG-XML, or EDI

Test the automated ordering interface prior to submitting any porting request.

a. For TAG-XML:

i. Complete BellSouth TAG training and obtain a digital certificate

ii. Build your ordering interface

iii. Use BellSouth's web-based BIRT system to schedule TAG interface testing

Go to web-based BIRT system. Get an id and password by completing and submitting the BIRT Access Request Form

Upon receipt of the Access Request Form, BellSouth will issue an ID and password

Use the ID and password to access the BellSouth Interface Registration Tool (BIRT)

In BIRT, complete and submit a Company Profile

Upon receipt of the Company Profile, BellSouth's ECAT Team will contact you to establish a test schedule and test plan

iv. Conduct Test

v. Test with "live" order

b. For EDI:

i. Build your ordering interface

ii. Use BellSouth's web-based BIRT system to schedule EDI interface testing

Go to web-based BIRT system. Get an id and password by completing and submitting the BIRT Access Request Form

Upon receipt of the Access Request Form, BellSouth will issue an ID and password

Use the ID and password to access the BellSouth Interface Registration Tool (BIRT)

In BIRT, complete and submit a Company Profile

Upon receipt of the Company Profile, BellSouth's ECAT Team will contact you to establish a test schedule and test plan

iii. Conduct Test

iv. Test with "live" order

c. For LENS (Interface testing not required)

i. Complete BellSouth LENS/LSR training for WLNP.

ii. Use BellSouth's web-based BIRT system to apply for a password and user name for accessing and using LENS

Go to web-based BIRT system. Get an id and password by completing and submitting the BIRT Access Request Form

Upon receipt of the Access Request Form, BellSouth will issue an ID and password

Use the ID and password to access the BellSouth Interface Registration Tool (BIRT)

In BIRT, complete and submit a Company Profile

Upon receipt of the Company Profile, BellSouth's ECAT Team will contact you to establish a test schedule and test plan

Software Vendors and Service Providers
Alternatively, a WSP may elect to engage an independent service provider or service bureau to perform some or all aspects of completing and submitting wireline porting requests to BellSouth. Any service bureau acting on behalf of a WSP is required to submit a letter of agency to BellSouth and test and validate their ordering interface prior to submitting any porting orders.

Click here to link to a list of Vendors who have been certified through BellSouth's Software Vendor Process (SVP).

Software Vendors and Service Bureaus are encouraged to join the BellSouth SVP program. Click here to link to the SVP web site. The Software Vendor Process is designed to assist software vendors during their development of pre-order and/or firm order interface applications software and services for Wireless Service Providers submitting wireline porting orders.

When a wireline customer requests a new service provider to port his existing wireline number to wireless service, the new service provider must send certain information, via the Local Service Request, to the old service provider. This process requires the new service provider to identify the customer and the old service provider and is needed to communicate with the Number Portability Administration Center (NPAC). It also serves as notification of a request to port to the old service provider.

For ports that involve BellSouth wireline service (Wireline to Wireless, Wireless to Wireline), BellSouth Interconnection Services will use wireline porting processes and flows based on national agreement of the Local Number Portability Administration Working Group. Click here for an overview of a Simple Type 2 Porting Request.

In addition to the LSR form, porting requests must be accompanied by end-user and number portability information. This information ensures proper handling of porting requests and is submitted to the LCSC via the End User Form and Number Portability form respectively.

Training on LSRs and BellSouth's LENS automated ordering interface

BellSouth will offer training on completing and submitting the Local Service Request and on our web-based ordering interface, LENS. A special LSR/LENS course is being developed specifically for our WSP customers. This course focuses on submitting porting orders and is designed for the WSP customer service rep.

Instructor-led training will be offered at BellSouth's training facilities in Atlanta and Birmingham. All course materials will be posted on the Training section of this site and may be downloaded and printed at no charge. For more information or to view materials, click here to link to the LSR/LENS training section of this site.