Networx Unit Pricer

Voice Service (VS) Technical Summary

VS is a service comprised of voice circuits typically capable of carrying one telephone conversation or its digital equivalent. In CONUS analog voice circuits have been replaced with digital equivalent circuits with a 64 kbps standard for both Time Division Multiplex (TDM) and Internet Protocol (IP) based backbone circuits. VS supports outgoing voice calls by direct station-to-station dialing from on-net and off-net locations worldwide, including calling cards.

VS calls can be initiated from many types of telephony equipment, including single-line and multi-line key sets. VS calls typically traverse trunks to PBX and Centrex equipment and terminate in a variety of telephony equipment which may include secure telephone units and connection to Inmarsat mobile satellite devices.

The diagram below shows VS connectivity from on-net locations, such as Agencies served by PBXs and Centrex Central Offices. In addition, VS is interoperable with the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and all Networx contractors VS networks.

VS Connectivity from On-Net Locations

VS supports the full range of technical capabilities that are available in commercial offerings. It is similar to Switched Voice Service (SVS) on the FTS2001 contracts. These capabilities include:

• Uniform numbering plan:
  • Unique directory number for all on-net Government locations, including support of existing FTS2001 numbers.
  • PSTN (including both wireline and wireless networks) numbers and any future changes to PSTN numbers
  • Non-commercial Agency specific private 700 numbers
    • Allow transparency and interconnectivity between the Networx contractor's network and other networks. The contractor provides gateways between the networks as needed.
    • Support originating and terminating on-net calls. Incoming off-net calls from the PSTN are blocked unless an Agency specific request for the service gateway has been received and implemented.
  • Networx contractor's network-specific private numbers, including access to contractor's operators, trouble reporting, or other special applications.
• Network intercept to a recorded announcement is provided as an inherent network capability when a call cannot be completed, for example:
  • Number disconnected (disconnected numbers are not reassigned for at least 90 days for those situations where the contractor controls number assignment).
  • Time-out during dialing.
  • Network congestion.
  • Denial of access to off-net and non-domestic calls.
  • Denial of access to features.
• User-to-user signaling via ISDN D-channel during a call.
• Voice quality at least equal to 64 kbps PCM (standard: ITU G.711) for both TDM and
• VoIP based VS backbone networks.

These and other service capabilities are detailed in Section C.2.2.1.1.4 Technical Capabilities of the Networx contracts.

VS also offer features that complement the basic service. These features are described in Section C.2.2.1.2 Features of the Networx contracts.

• Agency-Recorded Message Announcements.
• Authorization Codes.
• Calling Cards (Post-paid and Pre-paid).
• Caller Identification (ID).
• Call Screening for users (class of service and restrictions).
• Customized Network Announcement Intercept Scripts.
• Internal Agency Accounting Code.
• Off-Net Information Calls.
• Operator Services.
• Support for Government travel cards.
• Suppression of Calling Number Delivery.

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

For more information on the general VS specifications and requirements, please refer to Section C.2.2.1 of the Networx contract for technical specifications and Section B.2.2.1 for pricing.

Voice Service (VS) Price Basics

VS provides a similar capability to FTS2001 Switched Voice Service. VS supports outgoing voice calls by direct station-to-station dialing from on-net and off-net locations, including calling cards. Calls can be either:

• CONUS to CONUS
• CONUS to OCONUS/Non-Domestic
• OCONUS/Non-Domestic to CONUS
• OCONUS/Non-Domestic to OCONUS/Non-Domestic

Price components required for full end-to-end service for VS:

• For switched access origination
  • VS Transport per-six second increment charge.
  • Access: Originating and terminating access costs are included in transport price.
• For dedicated access origination
  • VS Transport per-six second increment charge.
  • Access: DAA Originating and Terminating Wireline Access (MRC) and (NRC).
• Features ordered as needed by the Agency:
  • Agency-Recorded Message Announcements.
  • Authorization Codes/Calling Cards.
  • Caller Identification (ID).
  • Call Screening for users.
  • Internal Agency Accounting Code.
  • Off-Net Information Calls.
  • Operator Services.
  • Suppression of Calling Number Delivery.
• Service Enabling Devices (SEDs) may be required to implement VS. [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.]