Question

Define the term residential subscriber as it pertains to the telecommunications industry. Explain what is meant by the term rate center as it pertains to local telephone service. Who is responsible for determining the rate center boundaries for a calling region? Explain the difference between the terms rate center and wire center as they pertain to the local telephone serving area.

Answer 1

According to section 40-15-102(18) of the Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS), a residential “Residential subscriber” is an individual who has elected to receive residential telephone service with a local exchange provider. The definition of “Person” here is extended to include any other persons living or residing with the residential subscriber.

A rate center is a geographical area used to define and organise the perimeter for local calling, for billing, and for assigning specific phone numbers, which can include multiple area codes.

The rate center boundaries are determined by Local Exchange Carriers (LEC)

LEC is just a regulatory jargon in the telecoms sector for the local telephone company.

A wire center is the actual physical telephone exchange building.

A rate center, on the other hand, is a regulatory concept designed with the primary goal to make billing administration within the local telephone serving area easy.

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