1. Data Interchange Focus Group Update for OBF SAG Venkates Swaminathan (Swami) November 17, 2003 OBF#84 Vancouver, B.C.

2. Charter The Data Interchange Focus Group, comprised of mid-to-senior level management experts from ATIS member companies, will develop a work plan for a service-neutral e-commerce framework This framework will ensure the development of standard, secure processes, data models, protocols, and implementation agreements by which services can be ordered, provisioned, billed, settled, and managed. Companies will benefit from this effort by realizing quicker implementation timeframes and reduced implementation costs, as a result of repeatable, reusable processes.

3. Framework Components Processes Preordering, Ordering/Provisioning, Management, Billing, Settlement Data Models e.g., XML schema, EDI transaction set definitions Protocols e.g., SOAP, Connect:direct Implementation Agreements e.g., Version management, sunrise/sunset periods

4. Issues Multiple protocols and record formats require multiple interfaces. Multiple definitions and record lengths exist for the same data element. Legacy solutions, existing standards and protocols inhibit rapid implementation of new services. Existing implementation guidelines allow significant variability which compromises interoperability. Detailed business requirements for new services need to be provided as input to the framework activities defined in the Data Interchange Work Plan.

5. Issues (continued) Existing standards and protocols are not flexible enough to support “real time” processes when required by new services.

6. Recommendations Adopt the Unified Modeling Approach (UMA), including a standard XML protocol. The Framework should include migration plans for Legacy Systems. Generic Telecom Data Dictionary (GTDD) work should be expedited.

7. Recommendations (contd.) The Framework should include Implementation Guidelines that drive standard implementation agreements. Detailed business requirements are the expected input for Framework activities to begin. The Framework should enable “real time” processes when required.

8. Relevant Standards Bodies ATIS Ordering & Billing Forum (OBF) ATIS Committee T1 (i.e., T1M1) ATIS Telecommunications Industry Forum (TCIF) Internet Protocol Detail Records Forum (IPDR Forum)

9. Input Required What OBF documents should be converted to UMA/tML and what are the associated timelines? How to “speed up” work on Generic Telecom Data Dictionary (GTDD)? Requirements for “real time” provisioning and what will it take to make this a reality. What will it take to enable standard implementation agreements? What are the ordering and billing requirements for VoIP?

10. Challenges & Next Steps Challenges: Obtaining necessary resources. Standard implementation agreements. Legacy solutions. Next Steps: Responsible SDOs to finalize timeframes for recommendations. Additional Data Interchange Focus Group conference calls have been scheduled through the end of 2003. Anticipated completion date: 1Q04