scope:

SCOPE AND PURPOSE

This standard is intended for general use to provide a common method of identification of location entities, in order to help ensure the unambiguous exchange and interpretation of information. The code described in this standard is intended to be used for information exchange between humans, between humans and machines, and between machines.

While the intended scope of this standard is for the identification of locations in North America, the code as defined may be applied to location entities in other countries and to unique designations (e.g., satellites and oceans).

Clauses 5 and 6 of this standard describe the format and structure of a code to be used for the identification of the following location entities:

♦ Network sites (e.g., central office switching locations);

♦ Network entities within network sites (e.g., central office switching classifications, network interconnection points, etc.);

♦ Network support sites (e.g., splice point); and

♦ Customer sites (e.g., customer location).

Examples of the application of this standard are shown in Annex A.

Subclauses 7.1 and 7.2 of this standard provide for codes used to uniquely identify geographical locations. Geographical locations that may be identified with this code include named populated places, geographic areas, outlying areas, and other related entities of the states or territories of the United States, provinces and territories of Canada, other countries of the world, and unique designations. Examples of geographical location codes are shown in Annex B.

These geographical location codes are primarily intended to be combined with other data elements, such as those defined in 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, and 5.6, to provide a unique identification of specific location entities.

Clause 7 specifies guidelines for the assignment of codes. The duties of a maintenance agent for the assignment of location codes are specified in clause 8.