Uniform Service Order Codes
Exactly what are USOC codes? USOC codes are alphanumeric id's that Bell uses to identify all types of services and equipment. Not to be confused with CLEI (Common Language Equipment Identification) USOC is more or less a helpful guide to recognizing hundreds of services of different types and equipment as well. It is used by all departments in Bell but some departments have specific uses for it.. But before I go into detail about the USOC codes and their format, I would like to explain how they were formed and why.
The need for standard codes to be used for telephone service brought about the development of Uniform Service Order Codes (USOC). These codes were established for use by all associated companies in the Bell System. They provide a common language for the interchange of orders and information between long distance carriers and exchange companies. They were also designed for use in computer operations.
As I stated before all departments use USOC codes.
The Business Service Center/Residence Service Center and Marketing personnel use them to describe service items on the service order.
The Installation and Maintenance/Installation and Repair forces use them for identification of equipment which they are to order and install. They also use them for changes made on the service order and for various reports.
The Information Systems organizations use them for billing, summarization and the preparation of various reports. Usually, the Other Charges and Credit Statement that appear on your bill will carry these codes.
While the other departments are not as dependant on USOC's, it benefits them greatly as it makes it easier to identify services and equipment.
The USOC does not only identify service and equipment, but the proper rate for each code is listed as well for purposes of computer billing.
FORMAT
Each USOC code is made up of 3 or 5 characters, each of which may be either a letter or a number. To avoid confusion and errors, the numerals 1 and 0 are not used and the letters O and I are not used.
Three other characters which are used in the codes may be mistaken for each other. They are numeral 2 and the letter Z, the numeral 5 and the letter S, and the numeral 8 and the letter B. Special attention should be given to the writing of these characters so that errors will be avoided.
A 2-character suffix is provided for some USOC codes. Suffixes and their use will be covered later.
The general rule is that where recurring monthly charges are different, a separate USOC must be assigned. There are some exceptions to this rule:
- Those items whose rates are governed by the class of service (extensions or PBX stations, etc.) or those which are governed by the exchange in which they are billed (trunks or class of service, etc.)
- Those items where a minimum rate or reduced rate applies according to the amount of service provided, such as channels, mileage, or centrex services. For example in the case of some mileage where one rate applies for the first mileage measurement and a different rate applies for the the additional mileage measurement. The mileage measurements are grouped in one entry as: 3 1L3AR
SUFFIXES
A 2-character suffix is provided with USOC's to indicate additional information about the service or to provide variations in the basic items. In many cases suffixes are necessary to show the type and finish of the equipment which is to be ordered and installed. A 3-character USOC may or may not require a suffix to indicate color or style of a piece of equipment. A single suffix character is never used. Where only one suffix character is applicable, the character X is used for the second suffix.
USOC's for channels, circuits and mileage consist of regular 3 character codes followed by 2 character suffixes. Codes for mileage are established as follows:
The firs 2 characters of the mileage are always 1L. This is an indication that the code is for mileage or for a channel or circuit.
The third character indicates the general category of the channel insofar as usage is concerned. For example the third character P is for full period telephone service and the third character Y is for private line teletypewriter service etc.
The first suffix indicates further detail as to the class or grade of service, such as trunk, voice grade, 75-speed, duplex, etc.
The second suffix can be dual in purpose, indicating both the basic category of length, such as continuous property, different premises, interexchange, etc. and specific length of the billing units involved, such as 1/10 mile, 1/25 mile and 1 mile etc..
DECODE MANUAL
If you are lucky enough to find a USOC manual, one of the pages might look something like this:
USOC Description PIC SFF1 SFF1 CSQ COF OSP TAX
====== ============================== === ==== ==== === === === ===
ANUNW AT&T-C- WATS Answer supervision N 0 N N N
BBAAS PL- Telpak A-Class of service N 1 N Y NThe first column is the USOC. The USOC can be a 3 or 5 character code. A 3 character code followed by one suffix indicator +, e.g. 3CM+, indicates CRIS will accept with or without suffixes. A code followed by two suffix indicators ++ indicates suffixes are always required, e.g. PRN++
Next column is the word code description of the item or service.
Next is the Predsignated Interexchange Carrier column. Y indicates an entry is necessary, N indicates an entry is not necessary. D indicates default.
The next 2 columns are SFF1 and SFF2 which designate the suffix chart references.
The next column is CSQ for class-of-service- qualifier A "1" indicates class of service and "0" indicates not a class of service.
The next two columns are the Central Office Facility (COF) and Outside Plant Facility (OSP) indicators. A "Y" in these columns indicates that Central Office and/or Outside Plant work is required with the USOC. An "N" indicates no Central Office and/or Outside Plant Facilities are required.
Next is the tax column. T-indicates the item is taxable. D-indicates tax depends on the class of service and N- indicates the item is nontaxable.
There was one other column but It would not fit on the screen, its just a reference number column so that you can match up codes in the Encode manual where you can cross-reference items. There is one thing about the reference number section that is important.. the first character of the reference number identifies what type of service that USOC is associated with.. they are as follows:
- -E -Exchange Services
- -P -Private Line Services
- -A -Access Services
- -O -Official Company Services
- -R -Radio Common Carrier
- -C -Public Services (COIN)
I Should point out that the usefulness of this file can vary depending on what you are working with. In COSMOS, LMOS etc. you will find USOC descriptions on the printouts or terminals which can be very helpful. By knowing your USOC codes, you can determine the type of line being worked on, what service they have, and what type of equipment. Now thats a lot of useful info for just one service order. These might be handy in bullshitting Business Office Reps or any other branch of the Phone Co. And of course they will appear on your actual phone bill usually on the Other Charges and Credit page. So have fun and I hope this has helped you to understand more about how the phone company works within their offices.
Network Operator
