Wholesale: Products & Services

Scan-Alert^SM - V12.0

NOTE: Scan-Alert was eliminated on July 25, 2004, in the following states: AZ, CO, IA, ID-S, MN, MT, ND, NE, SD, UT and WY. The service is only available in OR and WA.

Product Description

Scan-Alert is a monitoring service that detects changes in the status of a partnering alarm company's warning device or sensor located on an end-user's premises.

Scan-Alert is referred to in the CenturyLink™ tariffs as the Alarm Signal Transport (AST) Service. Additional information about resale of CenturyLink's retail services can be found in the Resale-General, CenturyLink™ Local Services Platform (CLSP™) - General Information.

CenturyLink's retail telecommunication service, Scan-Alert, is available with the following products for your end-users:

• Resale - Local Exchange Services Business and Residence Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS)
• Resale-Private Branch Exchange (PBX)
• Resale-Centrex 21
• Resale-Centrex Plus and Centron
• Resale-Centrex Prime
• CLSP Business and CLSP Residential. For information, see CLSP Business and Residential
• CLSP Centrex. For information, see CLSP Centrex - Centrex Plus, Centrex 21, and Centron®
• CLSP Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) Basic Rate Interface (BRI). For information, see CLSP ISDN BRI
• CLSP Private Branch Exchange (PBX) Trunks. For information, see CLSP PBX Trunks
• CLSP Public Access Lines (PAL). For information, see CLSP PAL
• CLSP Voice Messaging Services (VMS). For information, see CLSP VMS

CenturyLink provides a scanning device in the Central Office (CO) that monitors a sensor (Subscriber Terminal Unit (STU)) located at your end-user’s premises. The scanning occurs on a 24-hour basis. If the sensor fails to respond to the scanner poll or transmits an alarm signal, the alarm company is automatically alerted. The alert notification is sent through the scanner to the alarm company. Once notified, the alarm company will take whatever action has been agreed upon with their end-user, e.g. contacting the proper authorities (police, fire, etc.) or the end-user.

This PCAT describes the Scan-Alert service as provided to the patron/end-user of the alarm company and does not address the network support system provided to the alarm company. If an alarm company comes to you to request the alarm support system provided by CenturyLink for the alarm service on a resale basis, contact your CenturyLink Sales Executive.

Scan-Alert uses an existing telephone dial tone line. CenturyLink recommends that the line selected is not a high usage line, such as the first line in a hunting sequence, high usage lines can cause a delay in the Scan-Alert signal. If restrictions prevent the use of Scan-Alert on an existing telephone dial tone line, a separate Scan-Alert alarm line can be used. This option provides for the service over a non-dial tone circuit. This option also allows CenturyLink to offer the service to large Centrex or PBX end-users with remote locations.

The Scan-Alert Monitoring System is made up of the following components:

• Agency Terminal Unit (ATU)— A two-way interface provided by the alarm company and located at their premises. The ATU converts the data received from the STU to an output display terminal or to a receiver at the monitoring station. Most ATUs have backup redundancy service terminals.

• Alarm Company — Provides the monitoring of the alarm panel status and notifies the proper authorities/end-user.

• Alarm panel — Provided by the alarm company and is connected to the STU. It acts as an interconnection/access point where the STU responds to the physical stimulus of heat, light, motion, etc.

• Dial-tone Service, or Dedicated Alarm Line — the facilities used to get from the CO to the Patron Location Network Interface.

• Dual Message Switch (Host)— Provided by CenturyLink and located at the CenturyLink Computer Center, it routes the alarm monitoring data between the patron and their selected alarm company, with built in redundancy to serve as back up protection.

• Patron (End-user) — This is the alarm company’s customer that has requested Scan-Alert service.

• Scanner — Located in the CO, it is a dual microprocessor that checks for switch hook status of a line and the status of the STU. It sequentially and/or on demand polls each assigned patron and has built in redundancy to serve as back up protection.

• STU— An electronic device provided by the alarm company that is connected to the alarm panel or on a stand-alone basis at the end-user’s premises. It is connected to the telephone line as a non-ringing extension through a standard jack. It serves as an interface between the alarm panel/sensors and the alarm-reporting network. The CO scanner polls the STU to check status and for any change in state that may indicate an alarm condition. It constantly transmits either an all clear or an alarm signal.

Availability

Additional information can be found in your Interconnection Agreement.

Terms and Conditions

Additional information can be found in your Interconnection Agreement.

Scan-Alert is provided over metallic (copper) facilities and universal pair gain equipment. If integrated pair gain is used to provide the end-user dial tone service, then Scan-Alert can only be provided on the dedicated Scan-Alert Alarm Line. The Interconnection Service Center (ISC) will reject your request if it is determined that integrated pair gain equipment exists on the exchange line.

Scan-Alert is not available with the following services; however a dedicated Scan-Alert Alarm Line may be used to provide the service:

• Analog Data Transmission, e.g., fax, computer dial-up lines, credit card validation

• Designed services

• Split copper wire, referred to as Another Main Line (AML)

• Facilities with integrated pair-gain

• Ground start lines

• Multi-party exchange lines

• Non-continuous property, different CO

• Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)

• Suspension of service

• Unbundled Switch Ports (UBS)

• Network Elements Switching (NES)

• Wide Area Telephone Service (WATS)

The Resale - Scan-Alert Alarm Line can be used on copper or non-integrated pair gain and is:

• Available as an intra-office lease line with no dial-tone
• A non-designed circuit
• Not assessed a service order processing charge

The alarm company performs the following as part of their regular activities:

• Provides all monitoring of STU performance and alarm conditions.
• Co-ordinates any changes made to the service with CenturyLink Scan-Alert System Administration group.
• Initiates and tracks any repair issues involving the service.
• Arranges to install the STU at the end-user's premises and connects it to the access line.
• Ensures that their terminal equipment is compatible with CenturyLink's equipment.
• Determines if a jack at the end-user's premises is required for the Scan-Alert connection.
• Ensures that CenturyLink Repair Center is not the initial contact upon receipt of an alarm report.
• Notifies the end-user in the event of a potential security problem.

The end-user or CLEC on behalf of the end-user performs the following as part of their regular activities:

• Contacts the alarm company to establish Scan-Alert

• Orders and maintains a compatible line at the premises where the STU is located to allow for the connection to Scan-Alert

• Notifies the alarm company of conversion, new installation, re-connection, repair, disconnection, moves and changes to the line.

Technical Publications

Technical characteristics are described in Technical Publication, CenturyLink Scan-Alert 77333.

Pricing

Rate Structure

CenturyLink retail rates, rate elements, and how they apply to Scan-Alert can be found in the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.

Rates

Wholesale rates for this product or service, including tariff references and any applicable discounts, are provided in your current Interconnection, Resale, Commercial, or other governing agreement.

Tariffs, Regulations and Policy

Tariff, regulations and policies are located in the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.

Optional Features

No optional features are available with this service.

Features/Benefits

Features	Benefits
Security Monitoring Abilities	A reliable 24 hour secure and monitored system
Low Cost	Uses the existing telephone line for both conversation and monitoring
Compliance	Meets insurance, State Regulatory and Fire Department occupancy rules.

Applications

See Features / Benefits.

Implementation

Product Prerequisites

If you are a new CLEC and are ready to do business with CenturyLink, view Getting Started as a Facility-Based CLEC or Getting Started for Resellers. If you are an existing CLEC wishing to amend your Interconnection Agreement or New Customer Questionnaire, additional information is located in the Interconnection Agreement.

Pre-Ordering

General pre-ordering activities are described in the Pre-Ordering Overview.

Requirements for pre-ordering are described in Local Service Ordering Guidelines (LSOG) Pre-Order.

Ordering

It is important to understand the Resale - General or CenturyLink™ Local Services Platform (CLSP™) - General Information procedures before ordering Scan-Alert.

General ordering activities are described in the Ordering Overview.

You may:

• Order Scan-Alert on your newly installed CenturyLink Resale or CLSP
• Add or remove Scan-Alert from existing service
• Convert existing retail or resale services with Scan-Alert from another provider to you

Follow the service interval guidelines provided for the product with which the Scan-Alert will be provisioned. When ordering the Scan-Alert Alarm Line, use the dispatched intervals. When ordering the Scan-Alert option on an existing telephone line, use the non-dispatched feature intervals. Follow the LSOG rules, or the instructions in the following paragraphs to issue your request.

When you request new voice service with Scan-Alert, two service requests are required. The first service request is to establish the voice service. The second service request is for Scan-Alert. When two service requests are required, relate the requests by including an entry in the RPON field of the second LSR form.

When requesting Scan-Alert, enter the appropriate USOCs from the table below in the FEATURES field of the RS, PS, or CRS forms. The Scan-Alert request requires an entry of 'Y' in the MANUAL IND field and in the REMARKS field, include the name and telephone number of the alarm company.

The following forms are required when requesting Scan-Alert on a voice line:

• LSR

• End User (EU)

• Resale Service (RS), Port Service (PS) or Centrex Resale Service (CRS) form

Detailed information describing field entry requirements are available in the LSOG.

The following forms are required when requesting the Resale – Scan-Alert Alarm Line:

• LSR
• Resale Private Line (RPL)

The Resale Scan-Alert Alarm Line follows the field entry requirements for Private Line Resale – Non Switched product described in the LSOG.

Generally Network Channel/Network Channel Codes (NC/NCI™) are entered on the LSR to identify the service type and some of the related optional features being requested. This product does not use NC/NCI; therefore the following information is required on the service request.

On the LSR form include a ‘Y’ in the MANUAL IND field and the following information in the REMARKS field:

• The appropriate USOC(s) from the table below.
• Name of the alarm company
• Telephone number of the alarm company
• Scanner number (on subsequent orders)
• STU number (on subsequent orders)

State	Resale Scan-Alert Alarm Line
OR	ASP and 1DC2X
WA	ASP and W1P9M

On the RPL form include a ‘Y’ in the MANUAL IND field and in the following information in the REMARKS field:

• Include an entry of "2-wire Scan-Alert Alarm Line"

• In PRILOC field include the Common Language Location Identification (CLLI) code of the CenturyLink CO.

• Complete the Secondary Location Service Details section with the end-user name and address.

State	Scan-Alert Feature USOC
OR	ASP
WA	SNK (for the Central Security Alarm Company) or ASP(All other alarm companies)

Scan-Alert service requests are manually processed. The service requests should be placed using the Interconnection Mediated Access (IMA) Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), IMA Graphical User Interface (GUI), or faxed to (888) 796-9089.

Provisioning and Installation

General provisioning and installation activities are described in the Provisioning and Installation Overview.

The Firm Order Confirmation (FOC) will include some or all of the following:

• Circuit number
• Scanner number
• STU number
• Billing Telephone Number (BTN)

Maintenance and Repair

General maintenance and repair activities are described in the Maintenance and Repair Overview.

CenturyLink will not dispatch for repair until verification is made that the condition is not due to a security problem (burglary, fire, etc.). CenturyLink Repair Center is not the initial contact upon receipt of an alarm report.

CenturyLink will take trouble reports only from you. CenturyLink will not take repair reports from second or third parties including the end-user. If an end-user attempts to report maintenance trouble, CenturyLink will advise the end-user to call you to report the maintenance trouble. If available, CenturyLink will provide your name and telephone number to the end-user.

Billing

On a monthly basis, CenturyLink will provide you with billing information that will provide summary account information as well as end-user account information.

Customer Records and Information System (CRIS) billing is described in Billing Information - Customer Records and Information System (CRIS).

Training

View CenturyLink courses in the Course Catalog.

Contacts

CenturyLink contact information is located in Wholesale Customer Contacts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

This section is being compiled based on your feedback

Last Update: August 8, 2011

Scan-Alert^SM is a Service Mark of Ameritech.
NC/NCI™ is a Trademark of Telecordia Technologies, Inc.