Press Release

    HARRISBURG, Pa. - The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today finalized the contract for a neutral third-party to test the operations support systems (OSS) of Bell Atlantic-Pennsylvania.

    San Francisco-based KPMG started the test in February under the guidance of Bell and the PUC. Under the terms of the agreement, subcontractor Hewlett-Packard will simulate the actual operations of a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) operating in Pennsylvania. The test will continue until the OSS meet the criteria established in the Pennsylvania Test Plan.

    Operations support systems are the mechanized and manual systems used by Bell and other local phone companies to provide services to customers, such as order entry, assignment of facilities, maintenance, repair and billing. The federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 requires Bell to provide access to its OSS, to provide the documentation and support necessary for CLECs to access and use the system, and to demonstrate that its systems are operationally ready and provide an appropriate level of performance.

    It is through the OSS that a CLEC can provide interconnection, number portability, network elements and resold services to its customers. When the systems work properly, the phone company is able to satisfy a CLEC’s ordering requirements, deliver accurate bills to the CLEC and provide billing information so the CLEC can generate bills for its customers. Also, the phone company is able to maintain and repair the elements purchased by a CLEC and coordinate customer switches with minimum outage time.

    CLECs have sought third-party testing to ensure that Bell is meeting its federal obligation. Neither the Federal Communications Commission nor the PUC requires third-party testing, but Bell voluntarily agreed to the testing of its OSS late last year. The cost will be paid for entirely by Bell. No taxpayer money will be used.

    For additional press releases or more information about the PUC, visit our Internet site at http://puc.paonline.com.