For Reference

April 17, 2000

Carriers Association of Dialing Parity

(short name: MYLINE Carriers Association)

[ CONTENTS ]

1. Background of Dialing Parity (Carrier Selection Service) and the Association

2. Description of Carrier Selection Service (Contents of Publicity)

(1) Purpose of Carrier Selection Service

(2) MYLINE and MYLINE PLUS

(3) Four Calling Categories

(4) Dialing Procedures

(5) How to Apply and Register

(6) Charges and Billing

(7) Making Calls Without Registration

(8) Other Precautions

(9) Services Not Included

[Supplementary document 1] Dialing Parity in Other Countries

[Supplementary document 2] Diagram of MYLINE and MYLINE PLUS

 

 

1. Dialing Parity (Carrier Selection Service) and the MYLINE Carriers Association-- Brief background

By the late 1990s, deregulation and streamlining of the interconnection rules among telephone companies, along with the restructure of NTT, created favorable conditions in Japan for the deployment of Dialing Parity. The Study Group on Dialing Parity, a group within the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, met in November 1998 and was able to work out a basic strategy for adopting Dialing Parity in Japan.

That initiative led to the formation one month later, in December 1998, of the Preparation Council for the Introduction of Dialing Parity, made up of carriers that provide telephone service in Japan. The Preparation Council worked for over a year hammering out all aspects of the project, from the basic functions and specifications of the switching board, to publicity, the registration process, and cost to the consumer.

Then in October 1999 the postal ministry set up the Feasibility Study Group which, after carefully reviewing the Preparation Council's report, turned its full attention to the various issues and problems which were arising in connection with the adoption of Dialing Parity. Finally, on February 15, this year, the Feasibility Study Group completed a report which confirmed that service could begin on May 1, 2001.

On the basis of that report, the member companies on the Preparation Council set up the current Carriers Association of Dialing Parity and set as its objectives a trouble-free changeover to Dialing Parity and establishing and maintaining fair competition. NTT East is acting as manager, and the offices are located at the headquarters of the Telecommunications Carriers Association.

Now that NTT East and NTT West have obtained approval of amendments in the provisions of their subscriber contracts (i.e. to add Carrier Selection Service: CSS), the Association members are optimistic that service will begin without problems in May, 2001 and that they will be able to proceed with the CSS activities.

2. Description of Carrier Selection Service (Contents of Publicity)

(1) PURPOSE OF CARRIER SELECTION SERVICE

There are a number of merits to the Carrier Selection Service, one of which is to create and maintain conditions for fair competition in telecommunications. The customer must first register the carrier of choice with the subscribers switchboard at either NTT East or NTT West. When that is done, it is no longer necessary to dial the carrier access code when making a call. This is not only more convenient for the customer, but it also creates uniform dialing procedures among all carriers. Formerly, only NTT East, NTT West, and NTT Communications could be dialed without the carrier access code. With Dialing Parity connection, once a customer has registered, all carriers can be dialed without the access code and using the same number of digits.

Some countries are already using this type of system. Using it in Japan will establish international compatibility with those telecommunications systems. (see Supplementary document 1)

Once the service starts, the dialing procedure and number of digits dialed will be the same for all telephone companies. It will create a level playing field for competition and encourage brisk market activities, and thus better telecommunication services for customers will be anticipated.

(2) MYLINE AND MYLINE PLUS (see Supplementary document 2)

1) Carrier Selection Service --- MYLINE

MYLINE service makes it possible for the customer to select a carrier, register the selection, and then make calls via the registered carrier without dialing its access code.

However, in the case where the customer dials the access code of a different carrier, he/she will be connected via the latter carrier, not the registered carrier.

When the phone has ACR (Automatic Carrier Routing) or similar functions, moreover, phone calls will be connected via the carrier selected by ACR, which overrides the registered carrier.

2) Carrier Designation Service --- MYLINE PLUS

MYLINE PLUS Carrier Designation Service is well-suited for people who wish to use the same telephone company every time, as it always routes calls through the same registered carrier. Even if the access code of a different carrier is dialed, the registered carrier will take priority and complete the connection.

However, whenever an emergency like an earthquake makes it impossible to use the registered carrier, a different carrier can be used by dialing the registration suspension code (122) followed by the access code of the carrier selected.

(3) FOUR CALLING CATEGORIES

With the carrier selection service, calls are categorized into four types:

1) Local, 2) In-prefecture long-distance, 3) Out-of-prefecture long-distance, and
4) International.

With both MYLINE and MYLINE PLUS, the customer can register a carrier for each and any one of the four categories, or he/she can register carrier for all four.

(4) DIALING PROCEDURES

1) Making Domestic Calls (MYLINE and MYLINE PLUS Subscribers)

[Calling via registered carrier]

- Local calls: City code + Subscriber's number (the four digit number)

In-prefecture long-distance / Out-of-prefecture long-distance:

Area code + City code + Subscriber's number (the four digit number)

2) Making International Calls

The Carrier Selection Service will require dialing the international prefix (010). The current dialing procedure will be changed, as shown below.

[Current dialing]

Carrier's access code + Country code + Domestic number

[After service starts (from May 1, 2001)]

* International dialing for MYLINE and MYLINE PLUS subscribers

010 + Country code + Domestic number

* Dialing procedure for non-subscribers to MYLINE or MYLINE PLUS

Carrier's access code + 010 + Country code + Domestic number

Note: To allow transition time, the current dialing procedure (carrier's access code + country code + domestic number) will remain in effect for two years after start of service.

(5) HOW TO APPLY AND REGISTER

* Applications will be accepted beginning January 10, 2001 (Wed.) (subject to change).

* Application forms may be obtained at the customer service desk of any participating carrier, or they will be mailed to the customer upon telephone request to MYLINE Center.

* After providing all the required information in the designated application form, the customer should bring or send the completed application to the application desk at NTT East, NTT West, or one of the participating carriers.

* In order to prevent such dishonest practices as changing the carrier of a customer without the customers consent (slamming), all applications must be submitted in writing (a signature or a personal stamp is required on the applications form). (Telephoned applications cannot be accepted.)

(6)CHARGES AND BILLING

* Until October 31, 2001 (Wed), all applications, registrations, or changes therein submitted to the MYLINE Center or to the respective participating carriers will be accepted free of charge.

Beginning November 1, 2001 (Thu), application, registrations and changes of MYLINE services will be assessed a charge of 800 yen (not including tax), except for new telephone service registration.

- After the no-charge grace period is over, a registration fee will be charged for each carrier registration (for any of the 4 categories of calls). A fee will be charged for each change in carrier registration, and for each change in service (from MYLINE to MYLINE PLUS or vice-versa).

- Registration fees will be included in an invoice from NTT East or NTT West.

- Charges for phone usage will be billed by the customer's carriers. The basic monthly phone charge will continue to be billed as before by NTT East or NTT West.

* There is no monthly charge for MYLINE or MYLINE PLUS

(7) MAKING CALLS WITHOUT SUBSCRIPTION

* When a customer does not register to Carrier Selection Services, local calls and in-prefecture long-distance calls are routed through NTT East or NTT West, and out-of-prefecture long-distance calls are routed through NTT Communications. If the phone has ACR or similar functions, it will continue to let ACR or other function select the carrier.

In the case that no carrier has been registered for international calls, it is necessary to dial the carrier access code for each call made.

(8) Other Precautions

* People who are using ACR or similar functions

1) They should be aware that if they are a MYLINE user, the carrier selected by ACR will have priority over their registered carrier.

2) They should be aware that if they are a MYLINE PLUS user, their registered carrier will have priority over the carrier selected by ACR.

* Subscribers to MYLINE or MYLINE PLUS services can continue to use their current telephones and other equipment without modification when the new service starts. It is important to beware of unscrupulous and predatory sales people who, in the attempt to sell new phone equipment, will inform consumers that their present phones and ACR adapters cannot be used after the Carrier Selection Service begins. No new equipment or installations are necessary to use the service

* When MYLINE PLUS Carrier Designation Service users dial the carrier access code of a carrier not registered, or ACR tries to select a carrier that is not registered, users will be notified in the ways indicated below that the registered carrier is being connected:

[Customers using an ordinary subscriber phone]

will hear a series of short beeps.

[Customers using ISDN (voice, 3.1 kHz audio)]

will hear a series of short beeps and will see a display showing the number of the carrier they have been connected to.

[Customers using ISDN (64 kb/s asynchronous digital)]

will see a display showing the number of the carrier they have been connected to.

In no case do any of these signals indicate malfunction in phone equipment or something wrong with the telephone line. Also, in some cases, depending on the type of telecommunications equipment, there may be no audio signal or display of the carrier code.

* MYLINE and MYLINE PLUS subscribers should be aware that depending on the type of carrier registration, in some cases certain flat-rate and credit-card discount services may not be used.

(9) SERVICES NOT INCLUDED

As a general rule, Carrier Selection Service is intended to carry out the basic function of dialing the carrier access code (only basic connections, excluding additional services). It does not apply to the services listed below.

* Cellular phone (090) connection, PHS (070), beepers (the number 020 only)

* Public telephone calls

NTT East or NTT West connects local and in-prefecture long-distance calls, while NTT Communications connects out-of-prefecture calls.

* toll-free calls (0120), Telegong-Teledome (0180), Angel Line (0190), Navidial (0570), Dial Q² (0990), Sharp Dial (#ABCD).

* Pink Public telephones (signaling function, as in coin reception)

* 110 (police), 119 (fire), 117 (time), 177 (weather forecast)

- If 177 is dialed without an area code, it will not be connected through the MYLINE service. When 177 is dialed with an area code, it will be connected through the MYLINE service.

 

* Subscribers may not register CATV phones without NTT East or NTT West for MYLINE or MYLINE PLUS services.

Supplementary document 1

[DIALING PARITY IN OTHER COUNTRIES]

In several countries where Dialing Parity has been adopted, it has proven to have strong merits in ensuring fair competition among telecommunications carriers, and as a result has benefited customers. Having such advantages, it quickly became established in the United States, where it went into operation in 1984, and soon thereafter in one advanced country after another. The chart below shows the present status of the priority connection system in several major countries, including the schedule for its adoption in Japan.

Country	Entered long-distance market	Adopt priority connection	Calling area(s)
USA	1978	1984	Interstate, Inter-LATA* Long-distance including International. Local and Out-of-LATA service varies by state.
UK	1985	Long-distance and International by end 2000 (subject to change). All calls including Local by mid- 2001.	Local only, International only, all calls including Local
France	1998	Jan. 2000	Long-distance, International
Germany	1998	Jan. 1998	Long-distance, International
Canada	1992	July 1994	Long-distance, International
Australia	1992	July 1993	Long-distance, International
Japan	1985	May 2001 (subject to change)	Local, In-prefecture long-distance, Out-of-prefecture long-distance, International

* LATA (Local Access and Transport Area)

In USA, service area where regional carriers and Long-distance carriers are distinct; Regional carriers handle in-LATA calls, Long-distance carriers handle Inter-LATA calls.