Geographic Service Area Number Management |
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MACH has a global role to manage and allocate identification numbers for use by home networks for the purpose of geographical identification. Essentially, these numbers are used within a call record to allow drill down to areas for the purpose of segmented billing, indicating which service area a phone was used in.
MACH holds the database of these identifiers, manages the database and allocates information out to networks identifiers upon application. There are two types of identifiers, primary (SID) and Secondary (BID) identifiers. There are charges associated with the application of both SIDs and BIDs.
System Identification Number (SIDs):
The SID is a 15-bit binary number that translates into a five-digit decimal number. In all ANSI-41-based systems, the SID is used to notify wireless users as to whether they are in their home area or roaming. When operating, the mobile handset compares the SID initially programmed into the handset to the SID broadcast by the serving system’s cell sites. If the SID broadcast by the cell site matches the SID programmed into the handset, then the "home" indicator on the mobile handset will be illuminated. If the SID broadcast by the cell site does not match the SID programmed into the mobile station, then the "roam" indicator on the mobile handset will be illuminated. The intent of the "roam" indicator is to notify the wireless user that additional roaming-based charges may be applied for usage on the serving system.
Because each SID is unique to a particular operator, the SID is also used to properly route roaming call records for billing among roaming partners.
Billing Identification Number (BIDs):
Similar to a SID, a BID is a five digit decimal number. A BID can exceed the 15-bit constraint because a serving carrier's cell site does not broadcast BID’s. The intent of a BID is to either segment a carrier's subscriber base, or to further segment a geographic area defined by a SID. All BID’s are assigned and maintained by MACH.
In the case of a PCS market split by parties employing ANSI-41 technology, upon request, MACH can assign a BID that meets the 15-bit constraint of a SID and may be used in radio signal broadcast or "transmission" and signalling.
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