Bona Fide Request (BFR) and Special Request (SR) Processes - V47.0
Description
Bona Fide Request (BFR) and Special Request (SR) are two CenturyLink™ processes used for placing requests when a product or service process is not already available.
Bona Fide Request (BFR)
The Bona Fide Request (BFR) process is designed to support your requests for Interconnection or access to Unbundled Network Elements (UNEs) or Ancillary Service(s) that are not already available to you through your Interconnection Agreement, Tariff or is otherwise defined by CenturyLink as a product.
The previous two years of CenturyLink BFR information is available for your review in the BFR Notification Log.
If you request Local Number Portability (LNP) capability in a switch where CenturyLink has not deployed LNP, you must submit an LNP BFR letter to CenturyLink. The LNP BFR process is separate from the BFR process for interconnect services. Information about the LNP BFR process is described in Local Number Portability (LNP).
Special Request (SR)
The Special Request (SR) process is used when you are requesting switch features that are not available or activated in a switch, that are nonstandard combinations of previously available UNEs, or certain UNEs that CenturyLink does not offer as a standard product but have been identified by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or State Commission as network elements. CenturyLink is obligated to provide as described in your Interconnection Agreement.
The Special Request (SR) process is designed to support your requests for:
- Specific product feature(s) that are available in a CenturyLink switch but are not activated.
- Specific product feature(s) that are not currently available in a CenturyLink switch, but are available from a switch vendor.
- A combination of UNEs not currently offered by CenturyLink as a standard product which are:
- Made up of UNEs defined by the FCC or State Commission as a network element and CenturyLink is required to provide unbundled access
- Made up of UNEs ordinarily combined in the CenturyLink network
- UNEs defined by the FCC or State Commission, for which CenturyLink has not developed a standard product.
A SR analysis will determine costs and timeframes for providing the requested
product/feature.
The previous two years of CenturyLink SR information is available
for your review in the SRP Notification Log.
Availability
Both the BFR and SR processes are available throughout CenturyLink QC.
Terms and Conditions
Bona Fide Requests (BFR)
You must follow the Bona Fide Request (BFR) process as described in your Interconnection Agreement .
Special Request (SR)
You must follow the Special Request (SR) process as described in your Interconnection Agreement.
BFR and/or SR requests may be submitted after both companies have signed an Interconnection Agreement.
Pricing
Rates
Bona Fide Request (BFR)
Wholesale rates for this product or service, including tariff references and any applicable discounts, are provided in your current Interconnection, Resale, Commercial, or other governing agreement.
Quotes for BFRs will be developed on an Individual Case Basis (ICB).
Special Requests (SR)
SR rates are identified in a quote provided to you, in accordance with the provisions of your Interconnection Agreement.
Tariffs, Regulations and Policies
Tariffs, regulations and policies are located in the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.
Features/Benefits
Features/Benefits is not applicable to BFR/SR.
Applications
Applications is not applicable to BFR/SR.
Implementation
Prerequisites
If you are a new Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) and are ready to do business with CenturyLink, view Getting Started for Facility-Based CLECs or Getting Started for Resellers. If you are an existing CLEC wishing to amend your Interconnection Agreement, you can find additional information on Interconnection Agreement.
Pre Ordering
Bona Fide Request (BFR)
To request a BFR, you must complete a CenturyLink Bona Fide Request (BFR) Application Form and submit it to your CenturyLink Sales Executive with full payment of the Processing Fee as specified in Exhibit A of your Interconnection Agreement.
BFR request criteria and specific timeframes for CenturyLink to acknowledge, evaluate and respond, and for you to accept the quote are outlined in Section 17 of your Interconnection Agreement.
Special Request (SRs)
To request a SR, you must complete a CenturyLink Special Request (SR) Application Form and submit it to your CenturyLink Sales Executive. SR request information and specific timeframes for CenturyLink to acknowledge, analyze, provide a quote and for you to accept the quote are outlined in your Interconnection Agreement.
The information you provide on the application is essential in evaluating your request. All sections must be completed before CenturyLink can begin processing the request. If you need assistance in completing the forms, contact your CenturyLink Sales Executive.
Ordering
Bona Fide Request (BFR)
Once the BFR form has been received, CenturyLink will determine the technical feasibility and compliance with the unbundling requirements of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 or state law. If the request qualifies under the Act or state law, a BFR quote will be provided. The quote will include, at a minimum, the description of each UNE and ancillary service, the quantity to be provided, interface specifications, applicable rates, and timeframes. Additional information is found in your Interconnection Agreement.
Special Request (SRs)
Upon receipt of the SR form, CenturyLink will determine if the requested combination is valid, i.e., the combination of network elements are ordinarily combined in the CenturyLink network. If the combination is not valid, the response will specify that the BFR process is required for this request. If the SR is valid, CenturyLink will begin the work to provision the request. Additional information is found in your Interconnection Agreement.
Provisioning and Installation
Bona Fide Request (BFR)
CenturyLink will provide to you, in the same quote as outlined in the Ordering Section above, the timeframes the request will be provisioned.
Special Request (SRs)
CenturyLink will provide to you, in the analysis, the timeframes to provision the requested service.
Maintenance and Repair
Contact your CenturyLink Sales Executive for information.
Billing
Charges involving BFR and/or SRs are billed on a Billing Information - Billing and Receivables Tracking (BART) bill on a per request basis. Additional information regarding the BART Bill, Inquiry and Disputes is also described in BART.
Training
Local CenturyLink 101 "Doing Business With CenturyLink"
- This introductory web-based training course is designed to teach the Local CLEC and Local Reseller how to do business with CenturyLink. It will provide a general overview of products and services, CenturyLink billing and support systems, processes for submitting service requests, reports, and web resource access information. Click here to learn more about this course and to register.
View additional CenturyLink courses by clicking on Course Catalog.
Contacts
CenturyLink contact information is located in Wholesale Customer Contacts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This section is being compiled based on your feedback.
Last Update: March 30, 2015