IFAST

     1.0 Purpose and Scope

This document contains the guidelines and procedures for the assignment of System Identifier (SID) codes for use in AMPS based mobile systems.

1.1 The SID administrator manages the assignment of the SID resource.

1.2 These guidelines were developed by the consensus of representatives of entities within the AMPS based wireless sector of the international telecommunications industry, as well as from other international wireless networks interoperating with AMPS based networks, as represented at the International Forum on ANSI-41 Standards Technology (IFAST).

1.3 These guidelines apply internationally among carriers using AMPS based mobile systems and, or providing roaming into AMPS based systems from other wireless network technologies. These guidelines do not supersede the regulations, procedures or requirements of any other appropriate legal or regulatory authority.

2.0 SID Format and Function

2.1 The SID is a 15 bit identifier (0-32767) transmitted from a base station over a radio interface, that identifies a mobile system conforming to one of several TIA wireless standards (e.g. ANSI/EIA/TIA-553). The SID is used by Mobile Stations to identify systems that they are monitoring.

2.2 The SID is also a 16 bit identifier used within a wireless network to identify wireless systems. SID codes that do not fit within the 15 bit range (i.e. 32768-65535) can be used for various network purposes, such as identifying portions of a wireless system for accounting purposes.

2.3 A BID (Billing ID) is a SID code that is not transmitted from any base stations, but is only used for network identification purposes. A BID may be a 15 or 16 bit SID. BID codes are assigned by Cibernet Corporation.

3.0 Assumptions and Constraints

These guidelines are based on the following assumptions and constraints:

3.1 These guidelines and procedures should provide the greatest latitude to those providing AMPS based mobile systems, as well as other wireless networks providing roaming into AMPS based systems, while permitting the effective and efficient management of a finite resource.

3.2 The function of the SID administrator will be performed by tbd.

3.3 These guidelines do not describe the method by which SID codes are transmitted across and processed by networks. Network interworking arrangements are contained in other standards, documents, or business agreements.

3.4 Participation by AMPS based companies as well as other wireless networks is strictly voluntary.

4.0 Assignment Principles

The assignment principles defined below allow wireless networks the greatest possible latitude in providing seamless international roaming capabilities between them.

4.1 Blocks of SID codes may be assigned to national regulatory authorities. These authorities will assign individual SID codes to carriers within their borders.

4.2 Blocks of SID codes may be assigned directly to entities that are licensed to provide wireless service across national boundaries (e.g. global mobile satellite carriers) provided that the terminals that can access that system are able to operate according to one or more standards that require the use of a SID code.

4.3 Blocks of SID codes may be assigned to Cibernet Corporation for use as BID codes, upon pending exhaustion of the current BID resource. Only SID codes with the high order bit set to "1" will be assigned for this purpose (i.e. 32,768-65,535).

4.4 The SID administrator will:

• Assign SID codes in a fair, timely and impartial manner to any applicant that meets the criteria for assignment (Section 5).

• Assign SID codes on a first come, first served basis from the available pool.

• Make all assignments based on the procedures in these guidelines.

• Treat sensitive information received from applicants as proprietary and confidential, and not to be shared with non-administrator personnel.

4.5 Information that is requested of applicants in support of a SID application shall be uniform and kept to a minimum.

4.6 These guidelines have no effect on SID assignments made prior to the approval of these guidelines. Use of all assigned resources shall be consistent with these guidelines.

5.0 Responsibilities of SID Administrator

The assignment guidelines in the following paragraphs should be considered by a potential SID applicant before submitting a SID application and will be used by the SID administrator in reviewing and processing a SID application:

The SID administrator will:

5.1 Assign SID codes, upon request, to any country that operates, or will soon operate, an AMPS based cellular networks, and wishes to provide international roaming with other countries that operate compatible networks.

5.2 Assign SID codes to other wireless networks which are licensed to provide wireless service across country boundaries (e.g. mobile satellite carriers).

5.3 Assign SID codes in a fair, timely and impartial manner to any applicant that meets the criteria for assignment.

5.4 Make all assignments based on the procedures in this document.

5.5 Treat sensitive information received from applicants as proprietary and confidential, and not to be shared with non-administrator personnel.

5.6 Assign a SID block no larger than requested. An applicant must provide a justification for the number of SID codes requested.

5.7 Assign SID codes to permit the most effective and efficient use of a finite resource in order to maximize the existing allocated resource inventory.

5.8 Charge an administrative fee associated with an application for a block of SID codes.

5.9 Report SID usage to each IFAST meeting, through a publicly accessible website and to TIA standards committee TR-45.

6.0 Rights and Responsibilities of SID Applicants and Assignees

Entities requesting SID assignments and entities already assigned one or more SID blocks shall comply with the following:

6.1 Meet all conditions specified in these guidelines. Copies of the guidelines may be obtained from the SID administrator.

6.2 Apply in writing to the SID administrator.

6.3 Comply with all applicable regulations.

7.0 SID RETURN AND RECLAMATION PROCEDURES

Guidelines for the return of SID codes include the following:

7.1 The returnee will ndicate, in writing to the SID administrator, the list of SID codes being returned.

7.2 The returnee will agree to cease using the SID codes no later than the date indicated in their letter to the SID administrator.

4.10 The administrator will not reassign a SID code that is recovered or returned to the administrator for reassignment, for a period of not less than one year, from the date of return to the SID pool.

8.0 SID CONSERVATION AND ASSIGNMENT AUDITS

Assignment and management of SID resources are undertaken with the following conservation objectives:

8.1 To efficiently and effectively administer and manage a limited resource through code conservation, and

8.2 To eliminate or delay the exhaust potential for the available SID resource.

8.3 The Administrator will track and monitor SID assignments and assignment procedures to ensure that the resource is being used in an efficient and effective manner. Ongoing Administrator procedures that foster conservation shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

• An active reclamation program to reclaim unused or misused SID blocks or individual codes,

• Strict conformance with these guidelines by those assigning SID codes within a SID block,

• Appropriate and timely recommendations to the IFAST for modifications to these guidelines, if they are found to result in inefficient use or assignment of SID blocks or codes,

• Periodic specific and random audits of assignments and assignment procedures.

8.4 The Administrator may conduct an audit of an Assignee's assignment records. The audit may be precipitated by a complaint from outside the Administrator's organization or by the Administrator. The purpose of an audit will be to verify the Assignee's compliance with the provisions set forth in these guidelines.

8.4.1 Audits will be conducted at the Assignee's premises or at a mutually agreed to location and at a mutually agreed to time.

8.4.2 The Administrator will not copy or remove the information from the premises nor will they disclose the information to non-Administrator personnel.

8.4.3 The Administrator will expect to review the following information to ensure conformance with these guidelines and the proper use of the SID resource:

• Need for SID codes based on national license assignment or customer forecasts,

• Verification of assignment for each SID code,

• Date of assignment of each SID code,

• Activation date of each SID code,

• Indication of SID assignment to national carriers or the appropriate elements of a multi-national carrier network, and

8.5 Audit results should be used to identify and recommend to the IFAST specific corrective actions that may be necessary. Examples of specific corrective actions which may be proposed are as follows:

• Modifications to these assignment guidelines to reflect the specific circumstance revealed by the audit,

• Additional training for Assignees concerning the assignment guidelines,

• Return of assigned SID blocks or codes,

• Requirements for supporting documentation of future SID requests in non-compliant situations, or

• Modifications to the process in which records are maintained or SID codes are assigned.

8.6 Audit results with respect to Assignee information and/or recommended Assignee process modifications shall be treated on a proprietary and confidential basis.

8.7 Failure to participate or cooperate in an audit shall result in the invocation of SID reclamation procedures.

9.0 MAINTENANCE OF GUIDELINES

It may be necessary to modify the guidelines periodically to meet changing and unforeseen circumstances. The need for guidelines modification may be identified by the administrator, any entity in the international wireless telecommunications sector or the IFAST Forum. When need for modification is identified by other than the forum, the identifying entity will submit the modification issue to the forum. The forum will coordinate the modification process. Questions or concerns regarding the maintenance of the guidelines may be directed to:

SID Administrator(tbd)

Phone: tbd

Fax: tbd

10.0 APPEALS PROCESS

Disagreements may arise between the SID Administrator and SID applicants or assignees in the context of the administration and management of these guidelines. In all cases, the SID Administrator and SID applicants/assignees will make reasonable, good faith efforts to resolve such disagreements among themselves, consistent with the guidelines, prior to pursuing any appeal. Appeals may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following options:

• The SID applicant/assignee will have the opportunity to resubmit the matter to the administrator for reconsideration with or without additional input.

• Guidelines interpretation/clarification questions may be referred to the IFAST for resolution. Unless otherwise mutually agreed to by the parties, these questions will be submitted in a generic manner protecting the identity of the appellant.

• The applicant/assignee may pursue the disagreement with the appropriate governmental/regulatory body.

Reports on any resolution resulting from the above options, the content of which will be mutually agreed upon by the involved parties, will be kept on file by the administrator. At minimum, the report will contain the final disposition of the appeal; e.g., whether or not a SID block or code was assigned or reclaimed.