1. 21 st Century Voice Networks and the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code June 8, 2010 NFPA Expo Session Roy Perry r.perry@cablelabs.com

2. Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved. 1 Who is CableLabs? Non-profit research and development consortium Develops new video, voice, and data technologies Helps cable operators adopt those technologies Based in Louisville, Colorado Founded in 1988 by cable operating companies CableLabs serves the cable television industry by: »Researching broadband technologies »Authoring specifications »Conducting certification testing »Resolving interoperability issues »Disseminating information

3. Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. 2010. All Rights Reserved. Proprietary/Confidential. 2 To show that: 1.NFPA 72 has resolved the issue of which types of phone lines are suitable for fire monitoring 2.Nationally uniform requirements address the issue of unique local and state policies 3.Managed Facilities-based Voice Networks are now required by NFPA 72 Goals Today

4. Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. 2010. All Rights Reserved. Proprietary/Confidential. 3 End-of-life of copper based voice service Questions about VoIP equivalence »Internet VoIP was causing problems »Internet VoIP confused with Managed VoIP Questions about reliability arose »Transmission, installation »Battery, CPE Approach: Redefine PSTN in the code using performance requirements »Provide guidance to AHJs on what is required of any and all voice lines NFPA Concerns

5. Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved. 4 The Future of Analog Phone Service Since 1980s, phone networks increasingly digital »Analog lines shorter and shorter – now feet not miles Digital equipment now on-premises »On-premises equipment new to AHJs AT&T to end support for analog phone service »FCC filing »Cited costs of older equipment and maintenance of analog facilities Verizon CEO announced no more analog phone facilities to be built Federal policies now focused on retiring POTS, moving to broadband

6. Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved. 5 NFPA Objectives √Indentify clear accountability for the reliability of the voice service √Preserve the ability for the alarm panel to “seize” the phone line, even if telephones are in use √Preserve the PSTN service interface (to assure backwards compatibility) √Preserve carriage of alarm signals across the network √Operate during power outages and disasters

7. Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved. 6 CableLab’s Work with NFPA 72 2007: Discussions held with NFPA Technical Committee for Communications (SIG/SSS), NFPA Staff, and UL 2007: CableLabs and ADT joint proposal submitted 2008: Proposal debated in committee 2009: NFPA execs intervened to invoke emergency process to get changes into 2010 edition, due to urgency 2010 – New guidance issued

8. Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved. 7 NFPA 72 - 2010 Resolves Issue 2010 edition now defines requirements for phone lines »Past code required the use of “public switched telephone network” phone lines »Meaning of “PSTN” left to AHJs »AHJs created own policies as PSTN evolved »Disparate policies  confusion Now a nationally uniform policy »NFPA updated definition of PSTN »PSTN redefined to be a collection of “managed facilities- based voice networks” NFPA recommends AHJs adopt 2010 guidance since older editions silent

9. Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved. 8 Changes To NFPA 72 Managed Facilities-based Voice Networks are now required in all cases for Digital Alarm Communicator Transmitter (DACTs) MFVN defines the minimum performance requirements for voice lines used with DACTs in commercial and residential fire alarm applications MFVNs include traditional POTS, as well as cable digital voice and telco VoIP services Telco lines must conform too (never before required)

10. Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved. 9 PSTN Redefined in NFPA 72 “An assembly of communications facilities and central office equipment operated jointly by authorized common carriers that provides the general public with the ability to establish communications channels via discrete dialing codes.” “An assembly of communications equipment and telephone service providers that utilize Managed Facilities-based Voice Networks (MFVN) to provide the general public with the ability to establish communications channels via discrete dialing codes.” OLD NEW

11. Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved. 10 Two New Definitions Added Managed Facilities-based Voice Network “A physical facilities-based network capable of transmitting real time signals with formats unchanged that is managed, operated, and maintained by the service provider to ensure service quality and reliability from the subscriber location to public switched telephone network (PSTN) interconnection points or other MFVN peer networks.” Loop Start Telephone Circuit “A loop start telephone circuit is an analog telephone circuit that supports Loop Start Signaling as specified in either Telcordia GR-506-CORE, LATA Switching Systems Generic Requirements: Signaling for Analog Interface or in Telcordia GR-909-CORE, Fiber in the Loop Systems Generic Requirements”

12. Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved. 11 MFVN Performance Expectations Functional equivalence to PSTN with respect to dialing, dial plan, call completion, carriage of signals and protocols, and loop voltage treatment* Proactive management, operation, and maintenance to assure reliability Loop start telephone circuit interface 8 hour “standby power supply capacity” for “MFVN equipment at the protected premises” 24 hours standby power at the “central office” Safeguards to protect MFVN equipment from unauthorized access Notification to customers to have their alarm system re-tested Professional installation assuring proper wiring to assure line seizure Disaster recovery plans equivalent to traditional landline telephone services *Drop of loop voltage upon loss of network physical layer connectivity (pref. 90 seconds)

13. Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved. 12 Frequently Asked Questions What does “8 hours standby power supply capacity” actually mean in practice? »This is the duration that the supplied battery should continue to provide dial tone during a local power failure. It assumes the equipment is in standby mode (all lines “idle”), and the battery is new. Does this apply to existing installations? »No. All existing installations are “grandfathered” by NFPA What happens if the local jurisdiction hasn’t yet adopted the 2010 edition of the fire code? »NFPA is encouraging local authorities to apply this guidance to all new alarm system installations, even if they have not yet adopted the 2010 edition Is UL listing required for CDV equipment? »No. UL has specifically stated it does not certify service providers

14. Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved. 13 What is Cable Digital Voice (CDV)? Delivers voice service over a managed facilities-based broadband network Provides PSTN equivalent service at the service demarcation point (the phone jack) Digital end-to-end Designed to PSTN standards of availability and reliability Based on PacketCable™ specifications Complies fully with E911 Utilizes carrier-class redundant systems Provides PSTN-equivalent backup power Targets 99.94% availability (equivalent to PSTN) Used by millions of alarm systems today

15. Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. 2010. All Rights Reserved. Proprietary/Confidential. 14 $185B invested in cable broadband network infrastructure since 1996; $14.4B in 2009 Serves over 30M subscribers or 35% of homes Grew 13% in 2009 Primary voice provider in some major markets Comcast is 3rd largest voice provider in US Replaces over half of 8 million telco POTS lines dropped yearly Has saved consumers over $100B Cable Digital Voice Facts and Figures Source: NCTA

16. 15 Cable Digital Voice (CDV) Technology PSTN Gateway Cable VoIP Telephone Adapter Alarm Panel Hybrid Fiber/ Coax Managed IP Network Copper Pair Backup Powered Trunks Cable CDV Network 10’s ft FCC Softswitch Optional Cell Backup For Added Reliability ))) Alarm Monitoring Facility PSTN Interconnection (IXC) End to end facilities owned and operated by a single Cable Provider This is an example of a “Managed Facility Voice Network”

17. Comparison of Telco POTS and Cable CDV MFVN’s PSTN Gateway Remote Terminal (SLIC, DLC) Cable VoIP Telephone Adapter Alarm Panel Alarm Panel Alarm Panel LEC Class 5 Central Office Line Cards Fiber Hybrid Fiber/ Coax Managed IP Network Copper Pair Backup Powered Trunks Cable MFVN 1000’s ft 100’s ft 10’s ft FCC Softswitch LEC Alarm Monitoring Facility PSTN Interconnection (IXC) Telco MFVN (POTS) Facilities owned and operated by a single Service Provider ))) Optional Cell Backup For Added Reliability )))

18. 17 Comparison of Cable MFVN and Internet VoIP PSTN Gateway PSTN Gateway Internet VoIP Telephone Adapter Cable VoIP Telephone Adapter Alarm Panel Alarm Panel Internet Hybrid Fiber/ Coax Managed IP Network Copper Pair Ethernet Backup Power ? Backup Powered Trunks Line Seizure Disabled Cable MFVN Internet VoIP Provider 10’s ft FCC Softswitch Alarm Monitoring Facility PSTN Interconnection (IXC) Internet VoIP (E.g., Vonage, Lingo) Optional Cell Backup For Added Reliability )))

19. Telco VoIP MFVNs vs Cable VoIP MFVNs PSTN Gateway Cable VoIP Telephone Adapter Alarm Panel Hybrid Fiber/ Coax Managed IP Network Cable MFVN 10’s ft FCC Softswitch Alarm Monitoring Facility PSTN Interconnection (IXC) PSTN Gateway Network Interface Device Alarm Panel Fiber Managed IP Network Telco MFVN (VoIP) 10’s ft FFF Softswitch E.g., Verizon FiOS, AT&T UVerse. E.g., Comcast Digital Voice, Cox Digital Telephone. Telcos are migrating from POTS to an IP-based MFVN model equivalent to Cable Optional Cell Backup For Added Reliability )))

20. Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved. 19 NFPA 72 2010 Announcement FROM NFPA Website: Digital alarm communicator systems Another significant area of interest in the 2010 edition of NFPA 72 involves one of the common means of transmitting signals from a fire alarm system to an offsite monitoring facility: digital alarm communicator systems. The code requires that these systems be connected to the public switched telephone network. In recent years, telephone service has been provided not only by the traditional telephone company but also by other service providers, such as those providing television service or access to the Internet. Revisions to the definition of the term "public switched telephone network" will clarify the type of telephone network permitted to transmit fire alarm signals. It is recognized that the performance of these telephone networks is not under the control of NFPA 72, but information has been included in the code to explain the performance and features expected of these networks if they are to be used with digital alarm communicator systems. One of the expected features is that at least eight hours of standby power be provided for field-deployed communications equipment. By contrast, the code requires at least 24 hours of backup power for the fire alarm system itself. Where fire alarm system signals are sent offsite to a supervising station, these revisions to the code, and the information contained in it, will help system designers, system owners, and inspection authorities to better understand what constitutes a public switched telephone network, and they will help users determine what performance to expect. At http://www.nfpa.org/publicJournalDetail.asp?categoryID=1890&itemID=44574http://www.nfpa.org/publicJournalDetail.asp?categoryID=1890&itemID=44574

21. Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved. 20 Summary Nationally uniform guidance now clearly defines which voice service providers are acceptable NFPA recommends guidance should be applied regardless of code year currently in effect Voice service providers can now formally cite compliance with NFPA 72, eliminating need for AHJ interpretation of code

22. Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved. 21 Thank You Questions? To report issues: alarm-issues@cablelabs.comalarm-issues@cablelabs.com

23. Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved. 22 Appendix- Annex Text

24. Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved. 23 Annex Text (1 of 4) A.3.3.141 Managed Facilities-based Voice Network (MFVN). Managed Facilities-based Voice Network service is functionally equivalent to traditional PSTN-based services provided by authorized common carriers (public utility telephone companies) with respect to dialing, dial plan, call completion, carriage of signals and protocols, and loop voltage treatment and provides all of the following features: (1) A loop start telephone circuit service interface (2) Pathway reliability that is assured by proactive management, operation, and maintenance by the MFVN provider (3) 8 hours of standby power supply capacity for MFVN communications equipment either located at the protected premises or field deployed. Industry standards followed by the authorized common carriers (public utility telephone companies), and the other communications service providers that operate MFVNs, specifically engineer the selection of the size of the batteries, or other permanently located standby power source, in order to provide 8 hours of standby power with a reasonable degree of accuracy. Of course, over time, abnormal ambient conditions and battery aging can always have a potentially adverse effect on battery capacity. The MFVN field-deployed equipment typically monitors the condition of the standby battery and signals potential battery failure to permit the communications service provider to take appropriate action.

25. Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved. 24 Annex Text (2 of 4) (4) 24 hours of standby power supply capacity for MFVN communications equipment located at the communication service provider’s central office. (5) Installation of network equipment at the protected premises with safeguards to prevent unauthorized access to the equipment and its connections When providing telephone service to a new customer, MFVN providers give notice to the telephone service subscriber of the need to have any connected alarm system tested by authorized fire alarm service personnel in accordance with Chapter 14 to make certain that all signal transmission features have remained operational. These features include the proper functioning of line seizure and the successful transmission of signals to the supervising station. In this way, the MFVN providers assist their new customers in complying with a testing procedure similar to that outlined in 26.2.3 for changes to providers of supervising station service.

26. Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved. 25 Annex Text (3 of 4) The evolution of the deployment of telephone service has moved beyond the sole use of metallic conductors connecting a telephone subscriber’s premises with the nearest telephone service provider’s control and routing point (Wire Center). In the last 25 years, telephone service providers have introduced a variety of technologies to transport multiple, simultaneous telephone calls over shared communication’s pathways. In order to facilitate the further development of the modernization of the telephone network, the authorized common carriers (public utility telephone companies) have transitioned their equipment into a Managed Facilities-based Voice Network (MFVN) capable of providing a variety of communications services in addition to the provision of traditional telephone service. Similarly, the evolution of digital communications technology has permitted entities other than the authorized common carriers (public utility telephone companies) to deploy robust communications networks and offer a variety of communications services, including telephone service. These alternate service providers fall into two broad categories. The first category includes those entities which have emulated the Managed Facilities- based Voice Network (MFVN) provided by the authorized common carriers. The second category includes those entities that offer telephone service using means that do not offer the rigorous quality assurance, operational stability, and consistent features provided by a Managed Facilities-based Voice Network.

27. Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved. 26 Annex Text (4 of 4) The Code intends to only recognize the use of the telephone network transmission of alarm, supervisory, trouble, and other emergency signals by means of Managed Facilities-based Voice Networks. For example, the Code intends to permit an MFVN to provide facilities-based telephone (voice) service that interfaces with the premises fire alarm or emergency signal control unit through a digital alarm communicator transmitter (DACT) using a loop start telephone circuit and signaling protocols fully compatible with and equivalent to those used in public switched telephone networks. The loop start telephone circuit and associated signaling can be provided through traditional copper wire telephone service (POTS—“plain old telephone service”) or by means of equipment that emulates the loop start telephone circuit and associated signaling and then transmits the signals over a pathway using packet switched (IP) networks or other communications methods that are part of a Managed Facilities- based Voice Network. Providers of Managed Facilities-based Voice Networks have disaster recovery plans to address both individual customer outages and wide spread events such as tornados, ice storms or other natural disasters, which include specific network power restoration procedures equivalent to those of traditional landline telephone services