What is LRN?
An LRN is a unique
number that uses a 10-digit telephone number format to efficiently and cost
effectively route calls to numbers that have been ported or moved from one
carrier to another. Essentially, the LRN assigns a unique 10-digit telephone
number to each switch in a defined geographic area and this location routing
number serves as a network address. Carriers routing telephone calls to
customers that have transferred their telephone numbers from one carrier to
another perform a database query to obtain the location routing number that
corresponds to the dialed telephone number. The carrier would then route the
call to the new carrier based on the location routing number.
Why LRN is used?
In 1996, the U.S.
Congress mandated a change in local telephone service that allowed any carrier
to enter a local market. This regulation meant that consumer’s phone services
could be moved from one provider to another and the number remains with the
consumer. Prior to this ruling
the NPA-NXX determined where a number resided and how to route a call to this
number. With the 1996 ruling, consumers could keep their number but a system
was needed to determine where the number reside for providers to efficiently
route calls. Part of the 1996 mandate was that every ported number must have an
LRN assigned to it. NeuStar was chosen to develop and maintain the Number
Portability Administration Center (NPAC) to support local number porting.
Previously, the
NPA-NXX was the method used to identify the state and rate center where the
number was originally assigned, as well as the service provider and carrier
type (wireless or wireline). As discussed above, LRN service was introduced to
provide end users with the ability keep their numbers when they change
providers. The LRN
therefore replaced the need to identify rate center, state, service
provider, and carrier type and only identifies the switch that the number is
associated with. If a number has never been ported, it will not have an LRN,
but will route based on the NPA-NXX of the number. Numbers that have been
ported and consequently have an LRN, route based off the NPA-NXX of the LRN.
How LRN’s affect VoIP wholesale origination?
Most wholesale VoIP
provider’s route termination calls using jurisdictional routing, which is
comprised of interstate (between states) and intrastate (within one state)
routes. Simply put, jurisdictional routing is based off the originating and the
destination numbers. If the calling number is located in the same state as the
called number, it is an intrastate call. If the calling number is located in a
different state than the called number, it is an interstate call. Carriers
using jurisdictional routing can choose to dip for the LRN (the most direct
route) or they can choose to not dip for the LRN, but run the risk of paying a
high rate for the call.
Jurisdictional routing
is call routing through the recognition of originating and destination
telephone numbers and encompasses intrastate and interstate routes. Most
wholesale Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers route
termination calls in this manner. Carriers using this method can elect to dip
for a ported number’s LRN; if they do not, they may pay a higher rate for that
call.
While all of this
remains invisible to the eyes of consumers, they would probably be surprised to
learn that only a relatively small section of the Telecommunications Act of
1996 gave rise to the technological infrastructure which affords them such an
invaluable convenience.
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