Qwest offers ILECs (Independent Local Exchange Company) several Directory Assistance (DA) products that assist your end-users with obtaining local and intraLATA (Local Access and Transport Area) published and non-listed listing information. The published and non-listed telephone numbers are only those contained in Qwest’s DA database. Qwest can provide national published and non-listed listing information.
The listing information is comprised of the name, telephone number and/or address and ZIP code. Qwest offers searches by name, telephone number (reverse DA) and business type within a given locality. Please note: Business type searches within a given locality are currently not available in the states of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.
DA provides this information to your end-users on your behalf when the end-user dials 411, 1-411, 555-1212, 1-Local Numbering Plan Area (NPA)-555-1212, or as determined by your selected dialing pattern. Qwest will accept a maximum of two listing requests per call to Local or National Directory Assistance (NDA) from your end-user.
DA services include:
Local DA Service
Local DA service is a voice information service provided by Qwest that allows your end-users to receive published and non-listed listing information within the caller's NPA or LATA geographic area, whichever is greater, in Qwest's 14-state local service territory. This service is available with Qwest Branding, Generic Call Branding, Customized Call Branding, Promotional Customized Call Branding, and DA Call Completion (DACC).
Qwest's Local DA databases only contain published and non-listed telephone numbers obtained by:
NDA Service
NDA allows your end-users to receive listings nationwide including Canada and Puerto Rico.
DA service is available throughout Qwest's 14-state local service territory.
Qwest will perform DA services in accordance with operating methods, practices and standards in effect for all end-users. Qwest will respond to your end-user calls to Qwest DA services using the same call handling priority used to respond to Qwest end-user calls. Calls to Qwest DA services are handled on a first come, first serve basis.
Qwest will provide DA service to you per your Directory Assistance Services E, Infrxhibit 2astructure Master Agreement or for non-259 companies through the Directory Assistance Services Exhibit 2 Non-259. Please contact your ILEC Service Manager to obtain the proper exhibit.
ILECs must deliver their DA traffic to Qwest by using Operator Services (OS) or dedicated facilities that provide ANI (automatic number identification) to Qwest DA facilities in each lata.
DA Service for Special Needs End-Users
Qwest considers the relationship between you and your end-users a private and confidential matter. Qwest will provide DA service to you per your Agreement and charge you for that service.
DA Call Usage
Billable DA calls appear monthly based on usage.
DACC Local and IntraLATA Usage (only applicable with dedicated facilities)
DACC charges may apply for calls completed locally and within a LATA on a monthly basis.
IntraLATA DACC calls are completed on the Qwest network.
Branding
There is no charge for branding; however, any brand change(s) can only occur once a quarter subject to approval by Qwest. Upon written notification via the OS/DA Questionnaire, implementation of the new brand will take a minimum of 6 weeks.
Rates and/or applicable discounts are available in your Directory Assistance Services Exhibit 2. For non-259 companies the rates are in Directory Assistance Services Exhibit 2 Non-259.
DA Call Branding
“Call Branding” means announcing Qwest’s name, your name or a generic name on the front end and/or back end of the DA calls. You have the option of choosing what type of branding announcement you wish to have recorded and played at the beginning and/or end of your end-user’s calls to Qwest DA.
Front End Call Branding announces Qwest’s name, your company’s name or a generic name at the beginning of the call.
Back End Call Branding announces Qwest's name, your company's name or a generic name at the conclusion of the call. Four types of DA Call Branding are available. Calls may be branded with Qwest's brand, generic call branding, customized call branding, or promotional customized call branding as follows:
Promotional messages must include your company name, be factual, and are limited to promotion of existing telecommunication related products and services. Recording content is subject to approval by Qwest. Promotional Customized Call Branding is only available at the beginning of the call (Front End Call Branding).
DACC Service
DACC service is an optional service that Qwest may offer that allows your end-users to connect to the requested local or intraLATA telephone number directly, using the Qwest intraLATA toll network, without having to dial another number. At the discretion of Qwest, DACC is only offered with local and intraLATA telephone numbers.
Reverse DA Service
Reverse DA service allows your end-users to obtain the name and address related to a listed telephone number. Depending upon the type of telephone number listing, your end-users may not be able to obtain the name and address due to restrictions, e.g., toll-free, non-publish, some cell/mobile listings, pagers, coin phones, second lines, etc. For non-listed telephone numbers, the address is restricted and only the name will be provided.
DA Search by Business Type
DA search by business type allows your end-users to obtain the name of a business(s) within a given locality by requesting a specific business type/category/classification, e.g., your end-user may access DA and request the name of a Dry Cleaner in the Denver area. Listings for the type of business requested will be randomly selected within the locality requested.
| Features | Benefits |
| End-user support 24 hours a day, 365 days per year | Ensures reliable service and support |
| Operators/Agents that are dedicated and highly skilled to serve as customer advocates | Provides end-users with professional, courteous, and accurate information and services |
| 90% of all DA calls will be answered within 10 seconds | Provides a fast, but personal response to end-users inquiries |
| Front and Back End branding | Reinforces your relationship with your end-user |
| Promotional Customized Call Branding | Direct Product Marketing Opportunity |
| Leading edge systems and technology | Network connections that ensure survivability and uninterrupted traffic flow |
If you are requesting DA services from Qwest, you must have an executed MSA and Directory Assistance Services Exhibit 2 or for non-259 companies the rates are in Directory Assistance Services Exhibit 2 Non-259. You must also complete an Operator Services/Directory Assistance Questionnaire for Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLEC) and Independent Local Exchange Carriers (ILEC) for each state in which you are doing business with Qwest and want DA services. Your Service Manager can provide you with additional assistance when completing the forms.
If you request DA services with Qwest, you have two trunking options.
To order facilities you must first contact your Qwest service manager.
Dedicated Facilities
Before ordering DA service from Qwest, you should do the following:
You must provide a dedicated Operator Services (OS) trunk group that provides ANI to the Qwest DA facilities in each LATA. The facilities must be interconnected to the Qwest OS/DA switch or platform. In addition, you must have a state specific OCN (Operating Company Number) in order to associate you with your dedicated trunk group.
Qwest's states of CO, ID, MT, UT, AZ, NM, OR, WA, and WY
By interconnecting at the Qwest OS/DA switch, you may order all available services including DACC and customized call branding.
Qwest's states of IA, MN, NE, ND, SD
If you wish to order DACC and/or customized branding, you need to interconnect at the Qwest DACC remote switch in each state where you want services.
Once the Prerequisites and Pre-Ordering steps have been completed, your Qwest ILEC Service Manager will work with you to begin the Implementation process.
Additions, Deletions, or Changes to Existing Services
If you are an existing ILEC and want to add new services, delete or change existing services, you must complete the Operator Services/Directory Assistance Questionnaire for Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLEC) and Independent Local Exchange Carriers (ILEC).
Complete Discontinuance of Operator Services
If you choose to completely discontinue your DA with Qwest, download OS/DA Services Disconnect Request form.
Your calls can be branded with Qwest's brand or a generic Call Branding if you connect to Qwest with either shared or dedicated facilities. Your calls can also be branded with Customized Call Branding with or without a promotional message if you have dedicated facilities. Branding details are outlined above and are addressed during implementation procedures.
You should provide your individual state OCN for each state in which you do business with Qwest as an ILEC on the OS/DA Questionnaire.
DACC
Your ILEC Service Manager can assist you with the implementation of DACC in these states.
Customized and Generic Call Branding Testing
Qwest will perform acceptance testing on customized, promotional customized and generic Call Branding with you, at no additional charge, to insure the branding is operational.
Qwest will, at your request, schedule a mutually agreeable time to perform acceptance testing in cooperation with you. If you are unable to participate in the acceptance testing or if you request that branding installation be completed without your presence, the service will be considered accepted (i.e., blind acceptance) by you.
Qwest branding implementation personnel will conduct preliminary testing. Testing includes the following steps:
Trunk provisioning and facility ownership must follow Qwest guidelines and will be addressed during implementation.
If you encounter problems with the service, contact your Qwest ILEC Service Manager.
ILEC accounts are billed for DA usage out of the LEXCIS billing system, LEXCIS billing is described in Billing Information - Local Exchange Carrier Information System (LEXCIS).
Qwest contact information is located in Wholesale Customer Contacts.
Last Update: July 15, 2009
