Networx Unit Pricer

Toll-Free Service (TFS) Technical Summary

TFS is an inbound voice service which provides a toll free number (no charge to caller) with advanced features and routing capabilities that can be used by an Agency to provide enhanced customer service. TFS capabilities include voice applications, network based Interactive Voice Response (IVR) announcements, call routing to the appropriate party, and caller self service options to effectively manage inbound calls for delivering services to the Agency's callers.

TFS may be ordered as a domestic (CONUS and OCONUS) or non-domestic service with numbering consistent with toll free codes standards in the country in which the call originates.

The diagram below shows a typical TFS configuration. TFS can be used for individuals, help desks and call centers, to provide access to recorded announcements, access to voice mail service, or to provide a telephone number for an individual. TFS connects to and interoperates with the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) including both wireline and wireless transport. TFS utilizes the underlying Voice Service (VS) for connectivity and is offered for both dedicated and switched terminating access arrangements.

Typical TFS Configuration

TFS provides a similar capability to FTS2001 Toll-Free Service. TFS will support the full range of technical capabilities that are available in commercial offerings. These include an intelligent call routing capability to meet an Agency's specific needs. An Agency can use presently assigned toll free numbers or request "vanity" toll free numbers (e.g., 1-800-CALL GSA) which will be provided if available. TFS supports portability of the assigned toll free number and can deliver inbound calls to a single site or to multiple sites. A brief summary of the other TFS technical capabilities is presented below:

• Universal International Toll Free Number service (UIFN) enabling the Agency to request a single, unique toll free number that is the same throughout the world (Where available commercially from participating countries)
• Busy signal or recorded announcements for all calls encountering network congestion and/or terminating egress congestion. The Agency determines the choice of announcements.
• A capability for customized network intercept to the recorded announcements and messages when a call cannot be completed. The announcement can be recorded by the contractor or remotely by the subscribing Agency in English and Spanish languages (other languages are optional).
• Dialed Number Identification Service (DNIS) that enables multiple toll free numbers to be routed and uniquely identified on a shared trunk group.
• Automatic Number Identification (ANI) to assist Agencies with identifying malicious or emergency calls and the help desk.

TFS also provides a wide range of service features that are listed below and described in the Networx Contracts Section C.2.2.3.2.1 Toll-Free Service Features:

• Agency based routing database
• Alternate Routing (also known as "Cascade" routing)
• ANI
• ANI Based Routing
• Announced Connect
• Announcements
• Call Prompter
• Call Redirection
• Computer Telephony Integration (CTI)
• Custom Call Records
• Day of Week Routing
• Day of Year Routing (Holiday Routing)
• In Route Announcements
• Interactive Voice Response (IVR)
• Make Busy Arrangement
• Network Call Distributor
• Network Queuing (Optional)
• NPA/NXX Routing
• Office Locator Database Service
• Operator Connect Bridging
• Percentage Call Allocation
• Real Time Reporting
• Routing Control
• Service Assurance Routing
• Speech Recognition
• Tailored Call Coverage
• Time of Day Routing

Each Networx contractor may provide variations or alternatives to the offering and pricing for TFS. The specific details can be found within each Contractors Networx contract files and pricing notes for TFS.

For more information on the general TFS specifications and requirements, please refer to Section C.2.2.3 of the Networx contract for technical specifications and Section B.2.2.3 for pricing.

Toll-Free Service (TFS) Price Basics

TFS provides a similar capability to FTS2001 Toll-Free Service. TFS provides basic inbound toll free calling with added capabilities to enable Agencies to effectively manage inbound calls. It includes options for termination of calls for the toll free number over either dedicated access or switched access arrangements. Calls can be either:

• Domestic to Domestic or
• Non-Domestic to Domestic

Price components required for full end-to-end service for Domestic and Non-Domestic to Domestic TFS:

• For switched access termination
  • TFS Transport per-six second increment charge
  • Access: Originating and terminating access costs are included in transport price
• For dedicated access termination
  • TFS Transport per-six second increment charge
  • Access: DAA Originating and Terminating Wireline Access (MRC) and (NRC)
  • Features ordered as needed by the Agency:
    • Agency based routing database
    • Alternate Routing (also known as "Cascade" routing)
    • ANI
    • ANI Based Routing
    • Announced Connect
    • Announcements
    • Call Prompter
    • Call Redirection
    • *Computer Telephony Integration (CTI)
    • Custom Call Records
    • Day of Week Routing
    • Day of Year Routing (Holiday Routing)
    • In Route Announcements
    • *Interactive Voice Response (IVR)
    • Make Busy Arrangement
    • *Network Call Distributor
    • Network Queuing (Optional)
    • NPA/NXX Routing
    • Office Locator Database Service
    • Operator Connect Bridging
    • Percentage Call Allocation
    • Real Time Reporting
    • Routing Control
    • Service Assurance Routing
    • *Speech Recognition
    • Tailored Call Coverage
    • Time of Day Routing
  • Service Enabling Devices (SEDs) may be required to implement TFS. [Please note that SEDs under Networx replace the FTS2001 User-to-Network Interfaces and Access Adaptation Functions (UNIs/AAFs). SEDs may differ between Networx providers. The pricing structure for SEDs provides for either a one-time payment or monthly term payments for purchase, plus a NRC for installation and a MRC for maintenance.]

  * Some or all price components are priced on an Individual Case Basis (ICB). CLINs with ICB prices are not available in the unit pricer.

  Example 1: TFS with Switched Access Termination

  

  • TFS Transport: Choose CLIN 34001 (TFS Transport Usage Price - Switched access termination per six-second increment)
  • Access: For calls terminated over a switched access arrangement, the originating and terminating access costs are included in the transport pricing.
  • SEDs must be chosen based on equipment required at each location. CLINs differ between vendors.

  Example 2: TFS with Dedicated Access Termination

  

  • TFS Transport: Choose CLIN 34002 (TFS Transport Usage Price - Dedicated access termination per six-second increment)
  • Access NRC: Choose CLIN 760111 Routine DAA T1 NRC for the terminating end of the T1 dedicated access circuit
  • Access MRC: Choose CLIN 760311 Routine DAA T1 MRC for the terminating end of the T1 dedicated access circuit
  • SEDs must be chosen based on equipment required at each location. CLINs differ between vendors.

A payphone add-on charge applies to toll-free calls placed from payphones. The payphone add-on charge does not apply to calls placed from payphones paid for by inserting coins during the progress of the call.

Flat rate pricing is provided on a per Service Delivery Point (SDP) basis, for call between locations in CONUS, Alaska, and Hawaii. Flat rate pricing packages are available based upon blocks of minutes used per month. Overage usage charges occur if the maximum monthly minutes are exceeded.

Price components required for full end-to-end service for Flat Rate TFS:

• For switched access termination
  • TFS Transport flat rate MRC (inclusive of a pre-determined number of maximum allowable minutes per month)
  • Overage usage per additional six-second increment for minutes of use above the maximum allowed per month
  • Access: Originating and terminating access costs are included in transport price
• For dedicated access termination
  • TFS Transport flat rate MRC (inclusive of a pre-determined number of maximum allowable minutes per month)
  • Overage usage per additional six-second increment for minutes of use above the maximum allowed per month
  • Access: DAA Originating and Terminating Wireline Access (MRC) and (NRC)
• Features ordered as needed by the Agency
• Service Enabling Devices (SEDs) may be required to implement TFS. [Please note that SEDs under Networx replace the FTS2001 User-to-Network Interfaces and Access Adaptation Functions (UNIs/AAFs). SEDs may differ between Networx providers. The pricing structure for SEDs provides for either a one-time payment or monthly term payments for purchase, plus a NRC for installation and a MRC for maintenance.]

Each Networx contractor may provide variations or alternatives to the offering and pricing for TFS. The specific details can be found within each Contractors Networx contract files and pricing notes for TFS.

For more information on the general OWS specifications and requirements, please refer to Section C.2.2.3 of the Networx contract for technical specifications and Section B.2.2.3 for pricing.