Advanced intelligent network (AIN) based alternate carrier routing (ACR) for NS/EP telecommunications

The National Communications System (NCS) consists of 23 member organizations, including the Department of Defense (DoD), and is tasked with ensuring the availability of a viable national security and emergency preparedness (NS/EP) telecommunications infrastructure. NS/EP telecommunications must be assured in all environments, including disaster response and wartime. Based on presidential mandate, the NCS Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) Program is responsible for research and development of AIN-based technology applications to support NS/EP telecommunications. The AIN Program develops and demonstrates AIN NS/EP applications, ensures that NS/EP requirements influence the evolving technology, and facilitates integration of ATN into Government networks (e.g., Government Emergency Telecommunications Service [GETS], Defense Information System Network [DISN]). AIN is a service-independent architecture that enables the rapid development, customization, and implementation of advanced services for end users. This paper discusses AIN-based Alternate Carrier Routing (ACR), an application that is implemented using commercial AIN capabilities. ACR is being widely implemented to support NS/EP telecommunications requirements. The Office of the Manager, NCS (OMNCS) is implementing AIN-based ACR in several local exchange carrier (LEG) networks as a part of the GETS. GETS provides authorized NS/EP users with Public Switched Network (PSN)-based voiceband communications during times of network stress (e.g., network congestion or damage due to man-made or natural disasters). GETS calls are afforded preferential treatment and enhanced routing nationwide in both the LEC and interexchange carrier (IEC) networks. ACR is an AIN capability that provides enhanced call routing in the originating local network. ACR enables a GETS call to be automatically rerouted in the event that the primary carrier is unavailable. ACR queries an external AIN database to obtain additional routing instructions so that the local telephone switch can transparently route the call. ACR's key benefits are increased NS/EP call completion, mitigation of dial tone delay problems, and improved ease of use for GETS users. The AIN Program Office has analyzed the performance of ACR to quantify the expected increase in call completion rates. Analysis results verified ACR's performance benefit under several topological and traffic loading scenarios. Additionally, the OMNCS is pursuing use of AIN for enhanced routing, priority treatment, High Probability of Completion (HPC) treatment, and commercially available enhancements.