Trading Partner Profile (TPP)

Trading Partner Profiles (TPPs) are simply "handshakes" between carriers to trade numbers with one another. Providing number portability to customers is required by the FCC (except in some specific locations/situations).

Generally, these trading partner profiles contain a few pieces of relevant local number porting operations information, such as:

• Company Name
• SPID(s)/OCN(s)
• Type of SPID (wireless/wireline)
• Business Hours / Holidays
• Residential & Business Account Porting Rules
• Where to submit CSR/LSR requests
• Escalation contacts
• Other "good to know" information, such as FOC grace periods, and same-day FOC procedures.

Our TPP requires our clients to include the following information:

• Operating Company No. (OCN): This is assigned by the NECA.
• Administrative OCN: The Administrative Operating Company Number: This is the OCN of the company that manages the BIRRDS (Business Integrated Routing and Rating Database System) database.
  • The Business Integrated Routing and Rating Database System contains data in the routing and rating of calls.  Contains a complete description of all Local Exchange Companies’ networks in the NANP area and pertinent information relating to the networks of other code holders.  This provides information for, (1) message routing, (2) common channel signaling call setup routing, and (3) operator service access routing.  Data supports all CO Codes assigned through these Guidelines, as well as all CO Codes in place prior to the existence of these Guidelines, and covers all Numbering Plan Areas (NPAs) administered under the North American Numbering Plan (NANP
• Service Provider ID (SPID): The SPID is the NPAC account number and in most cases is drawn from the NPAC User's OCN.
• Facility Based or Reseller: 
  • Facility Based companies have CLEC status.
• Carrier Service Verification/Confirmation, select one of the below:
  • Disconnection of services once the number has successfully ported out.
  • Disconnection of services will be scheduled when FOC has been issued at (TIME & DATE).
• List the OCN(s)/SPID(s) for Each State doing business in:
  
  • OCN
  • SPIDs

For most carriers, this "handshake" is a simply exchange of a PDF/word document via email. For others that have more advanced systems/portals, you can request access to port from the carrier via their website/GUI. 

***Please note: RBOCs such as AT&T or CenturyLink - you need to contact an account manager and begin a bit of a longer (legal) process to get access to their systems.

ATL would say that a typical TPP exchange happens within 1-5 business days with the exception of gaining access to a older, legacy system (such as those provided by RBOCs). With these systems it may take a month or two to get access.

Expand your trading partner base as much as possible! You never know when you may have a customer wanting to leave their existing provider for your network - and the last thing you want is the old carrier to be a blocker to new business.

Questions about TPPs, or need assistance with acquiring one? We are happy to help email us at [e-mail].