Today: NANPA releases new 5XX area code, FCC activates DIRS for Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, FCC Issues Public Notice with 24/7 emergency contact information
NANPA Releases New 5XX Code
As of September 12, 2017, the supply of 500, 522, 533, 544, 566, 577 and 588 NXXs was exhausted. As such, NANPA has initiated the assignment of 521 NXX codes. 5XX-NXX codes are used for applications which are non-geographic in nature, are not assigned to rate centers and may or may not traverse the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), but do require an E.164 addressing scheme. The use of this NANP numbering resource is to communicate with both fixed and mobile devices, some of which may be unattended. This resource may also be used for applications enabling machines, which would include but not be limited to wireless devices and appliances, with the ability to share information with back-office control and data base systems and the people that use them. Service is limited only by terminal and network capabilities and restrictions imposed by the service provider. [NANPA PL-511]
FCC Activates DIRS For Hurricane Maria
The FCC has activated the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) in response to Hurricane Maria. DIRS is a voluntary, web-based system that communications providers, including wireless, wireline, broadcast, cable and VoIP providers, can use to report communications infrastructure status and situational awareness information during times of crisis. For providers that participate in DIRS, the separate Network Outage Reporting System (NORS) obligations are suspended for the duration of the period in which DIRS is active with respect to outages in the counties where DIRS has been activated. Reports are requested beginning at 10:00 a.m. on September 21, 2017, and every day after that by 10:00 a.m. until DIRS is deactivated.
The counties of interest are as follows:
Puerto Rico: Adjuntas, Aguada, Aguadilla, Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Anasco, Arecibo, Arroyo, Barceloneta, Barranquitas, Bayamon, Cabo Rojo, Caguas, Camuy, Canovanas, Carolina, Catano, Cayey, Ceiba, Ciales, Cidra, Coamo, Comerio, Corozal, Culebra, Dorado, Fajardo, Florida, Guanica, Guayama, Guayanilla, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Hatillo, Hormigueros, Humacao, Isabela, Jayuya, Juana Diaz, Juncos, Lajas, Lares, Las Marias, Las Piedras, Loiza, Luquillo, Manati, Maricao, Maunabo, Mayaguez, Moca, Morovis, Naguabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Patillas, Penuelas, Ponce, Quebradillas, Rincon, Rio Grande, Sabana Grande, Salinas, San German, San Juan, San Lorenzo, San Sebastian, Santa Isabel, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto, Utuado, Vega Alta, Vega Baja, Vieques, Villalba, Yabucoa and Yauco.
Virgin Islands: St. Croix, St. John, St. Thomas.
As with previous hurricanes, the FCC also issued: (1) a Public Notice providing guidance concerning applications for special temporary authority and providing International Bureau, Media Bureau, Wireline Competition Bureau, and Wireless Telecommunications Bureau contacts during and after business hours. The procedures are intended to help communications services initiate, resume, and maintain operations in the areas affected by Hurricane Maria; and (2) a Public Notice providing 24/7 emergency contact information for providers operating in areas expected to be impacted by Hurricane Maria.
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