scope:

General

This draft European Telecommunication Standard (ETS) defines the stage 1 description of the Virtual Card Calling (VCC) service. Stage 1 is an overall service description, primarily from the service subscriber's and user's point of view, but does not deal with the details of the human interface itself. This ETS includes information applicable to network operators, service providers and terminal, switch and database manufacturers.

This ETS specifies the requirements where the service is provided to the user via a telecommunications network that is either the pan-European Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) or any other Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) as provided by European public telecommunications operators.

The requirements different from those of the basic call where the VCC service is provided to the user via a mobile network are outside the scope of this ETS. However, if calls to the VCC service originate or terminate in a mobile network and any special procedure above those for the basic calls has to be performed, this is be stated in subclause 7.1 dealing with the Interworking between ISDNs, PSTNs and mobile networks.

This ETS contains the core requirements for the VCC service which are sufficient to provide a complete service.

This ETS also documents some additional requirements which can be implemented (but do not have to be implemented).

Furthermore, additional functionalities not documented in this ETS may be implemented. The requirements of which are considered outside the scope of this ETS and consequently outside the scope of the corresponding stage 2 and stage 3 standards. Such additional functionality may be on a networkwide basis, or particular to one or a group of users. Such additional functionality shall not compromise conformance to the core requirements of the service.

Charging principles are outside the scope of this ETS, unless specific service requirements are stated. These requirements deal with the allocation of certain call charges to particular users.

Interactions with services/supplementary services not listed in clauses 8 and 9 are outside the scope of this ETS.

Interactions between optional VCC service features and ISDN supplementary services are outside the scope of this ETS, unless specific indication is given.

Definition and applicability

The VCC service allows the user to be automatically charged to the service subscriber's account, which is a telecommunications account subscribed with the service provider or may be optionally an account managed by some other commercial organization, for any outgoing call. The use of non telecommunications accounts is dependent on agreements between the service provider and such commercial organizations. The call shall be free of charge for the line the call originates from. After accessing the service, the user has to enter the card number, a PIN code and the called number.

Operation of the VCC service via operators is outside the scope of this ETS.

The VCC service is applicable to all telecommunications services using the CCITT Recommendation E.164 [5] numbering plan.

This ETS is applicable to the stage 2 and stage 3 standards for the VCC service, where the text indicates the status of a requirement (i.e. as strict command or prohibition, as authorization leaving freedom, as a capability or a possibility), this shall be reflected in the relevant stage 2 and stage 3 standards. Otherwise, the status of a requirement shall be reflected in the relevant standards for the underlying protocols.

Furthermore, conformance to this ETS is either met by:

- conforming to the stage 3 standards; or

- implicitly covered by conforming to the standards for the underlying protocols;

with the field of application appropriate to the equipment being implemented. Therefore no method of testing is provided for this ETS.

The validation procedures, general principles and card numbering system shall be in conformance with CCITT Recommendations E.113 [2], E.116 [3] and E.118 [4].