10XXX/101XXX Codes In Canada?
Sebastien Kingsley
Ok, first of all, I KNOW what a PIC (primary interstate carrier) code
is (10xxx/101xxx), and what they are used for, but my question is, how
are they used in Canada?
The reason I ask this is because it was my understanding that they
WEREN'T used in Canada.
But, I recently obtained a document from Industry Canada, that
contains PIC codes for many Canadian RBOCs and other long distance
carriers.
Here are a few of them:
BC Tel - 10323
Bell Canada - 10363
Fonorola - 10507
London Telecom - 10960
Likewise, it was my understanding that the use of the special 950
exchange WASN'T used in Canada. However, this same document lists
950-xxxx dialups for Canadian companies too!?!
Here are a few of them:
BC Tel - 950-5226
BC Tel - 950-5322
Fonorola - 950-5507
Canadian Tire - 950-5303
Vancouver TE - 950-5826
Could someone PLEASE enlighten me on this subject? If they aren't
used here, then why do Canadian companies have them assigned to them?
And if they ARE used here, are they used in the same manner as in the
USA?
Here in BC Tel country, dialing 10xxx will result in an intercept
message. Dialing a 950 dialup results in a similar fashion. People
at the telco tell me that they aren't used, but they cannot explain
why BC Tel are assigned a 10xxx code, and a 950 dialup.
TIA for any help on this puzzling subject.
Mark J. Cuccia
Sebastien Kingsley wrote:
First, some definitions ...
PIC = Primary InterExchange Carrier
CIC = Carrier Identification Code
XXX (except 10X, 15X, 16X), in permissive expansion to 0XXX;
also 5XXX, 6XXX;
and after mid-1998, possible to be any XXXX
CAC = Carrier Access Code (10-XXX, 101-XXXX)
i.e., 10 + a three-digit "CIC", and 101 + a four-digit "CIC"
fgB = Feautre-Group "B", where 950-xxxx numbers are dialed
fgD = Feature-Group "D", where a "CAC" is dialed
LATA = Local Access and Transport Area
In the US, Equal Access and dialing to alternate carriers has been
around for over ten years, but originating use is still not universally
available (such as from some independent or rural area). Canada does now
have Equal Access or dialing through an alternate carrier, but
similarly, originating use is not available from all areas. It is
possible that your _particular_ area of British Columbia doesn't yet
have originating Equal Access.
In the US, 950-xxxx numbers pre-dated the use of 10[1X]XXX+ codes and
choosing a primary carrier. Similarly in Canada, where originating
access was made available, use of 950-xxxx access pre-dates 10[1X]XXX+
access or choosing a primary carrier.
Since 950-xxxx numbers are _supposed_ to be coin-free and toll-free to
the originating end-user, another use of 950-xxxx numbers has been for a
'universal' toll-free seven-digit number, similar to 800/888-nxx-xxxx
numbers. There have been 950-xxxx numbers assigned to Pizza Hut, banks,
credit-card companies, etc. for voice services, or for modem/data
functions)
There have been many postings to TELECOM Digest over the years regarding
Equal Access, 950-xxxx numbers (fg.B) and 10[1X]XXX+ service (fg.D).
Also, Bellcore/AT&T/Lucent/Nortel/etc. have published many documents
since the 1980's regarding such, including Bellcore's "Notes on the BOC
Intra-LATA Networks" (1983, 1986), "BOC Notes on the LEC Networks"
(1990, 1994, 1996).
As for LATAs, when the Bell System broke-up in the 1980's, the US was
divided into "LATAs". For the most part, (toll) calls placed within a
LATA are supposed to be carried by the toll functions of your local
telco, while inTER-LATA calls are to be carried by your chosen
long-distance company. In some states, you can even choose a primary
carrier for toll calls within your LATA, and that carrier can be
different from your chosen primary inTER-LATA carrier. But in either
case (except from areas where Equal Access and fg.D originating hasn't
yet been implemented), you can place calls via a different carrier on a
per-call basis, by dialing the 10[1X]XXX+ "CAC" code before dialing the
number, so long as that LD-carrier desires to carry your call. Some of
them will accept 'casual-use' calls dialed with a "CAC", _only_ if you
have previously set up an account with them.
Canada hasn't adopted the "LATA" concept. Where Equal Access and fg.D
originating has been implemented in Canada, it is supposed to be where
_toll_ calls to the US and Canada (even toll within your province) is to
be routed (and billed) on the carrier that you chose as your primary.
And use of a 10[1X]XXX+ CAC is to route/bill such toll calls on a
'per-call' basis (casual use) via the dialed alternate carrier.
Therefore, if you choose fONOROLA as your primary (US/Canada) toll
carrier, you _don't_ have to dial 10[10]507+ prior to the number. But if
you want to use the toll services of BC-Tel on a casual-use per-call
basis, you would dial 10[10]323+ first.
But with inTRA-LATA toll competition in the US, as well as competition
between local telcos (which is also coming to Canada), it could possibly
happen in the next several years that LATAs as we have known them will
eventually vanish.
Since I don't actually live in Canada, I couldn't say how certain
ideosynchosies and inconsistancies exist, such as calling the operator
or operator/card services, non-US international, etc. It has been that
Teleglobe is the protected monopoly for calling non-US internatinal
locations, and such calls have been placed as before, through your
Canadian local telco's services. I don't know what happens if you dial a
10[1X]XXX+ "CAC" first, then 011+. Nor do I know how (straight) 011+
calls would be handled if your primary toll carrier were _not_ the toll
services of "your local telephone company". However, I understand that
Teleglobe is soon supposed to be losing its protected monopoly status if
it hasn't lost it already. It could also be that other carriers allow
you to use them for 011+ calls, but they are simply _reselling_
Teleglobe.
Even where Equal Access and fg.D origination has been implemented in
Canada (_and_ in the US), various inconsistancies will abound.
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