location identification

what is a CLLI Code?

A Common Language CLLI code is standardized, geographic identifier that uniquely identifies the geographic location of places and certain functional categories of equipment unique to the telecommunications industry. All valid CLLI codes are created, updated and maintained in the Central Location Online Entry System (CLONES) database.

how are CLLI Codes used?

Central Location Online Entry System (CLONES) database, which houses all valid CLLI Codes, contains the details of millions of locations across the world, enabling automation and process efficiency for the largest Service Providers. You can use CLLI Codes to identify and describe different types of locations, worldwide, to enable faster, more efficient interconnections, including:

  • Network sites: These include such locations as central office buildings, business and commercial offices, microwave radio structures and earth stations.

  • Network support sites: These include locations as international boundaries or crossing points, end points, fiber nodes, cable and facility junctions, manholes, poles and repeaters.

  • Customer sites: These include customer locations and associated circuit terminations, facilities or equipment for each.

  • Network Entities: These include the functional category of communications equipment and provide a unique identification of its location and function.

why are CLLI Codes and CLONES needed?

First, a CLLI Code is required to obtain an NPA NXX code, which is required in the ASR/LSR process, so you need them to do business. You also need a CLLI Code as a primary key into the CLONES database so you can further define details about a given location.

When you use the combination of CLLI Codes and the CLONES database, you provide every department within your organization a unique way to refer to the same location and its function in the same way, without risk of ambiguity. That clarity helps to make billing, planning, provisioning and change orders more efficient. Because the data is consistent, both finance and engineering can use the same data to compile accurate reports.

When sharing location information between service providers, the code is concise and meaningful and allows you to:

  • Enable process automation within and between service providers
  • Gain a rapid understanding of the network
  • Reduce errors due to miscommunication, avoiding expensive work arounds or litigation
how do I create CLLI Codes?

You can purchase CLLI Codes individually from the Common Language Store, via our LOA process. In our LOA process, we enter your CLLI Code into the CLONES database for a one-time fee. Once the CLLI Code is delivered to you, we will continue to store the CLLI Code in CLONES, per the terms and conditions of the LOA agreement.

what is the benefit of getting a license to the CLLI Code set?

When you obtain a license to the CLLI Code set, you gain access to CLONES, where you can create your CLLI Codes directly. You also get a variety of extensive training opportunities, support from our subject matter experts and membership into the Technical Advisory Group (TAG). The license includes an annual subscription fee, plus a usage charge to create, amend, delete and query CLLI Codes via CLONES.

how do I gain access to the CLONES database?

You must be a CLLI licensee to access the CLONES database. Once you’ve purchased your CLLI license, you will be given a special login and permissions so you can create, delete or update CLLI Codes residing within the CLONES database. If you have questions about how to obtain the relevant documents and support for accessing CLONES, please call the Common Language Customer Support Center at +1 877-699-5577.

how do I get complete listings of geographical and geopolitical codes?

You can find a complete listing of geographical and geopolitical codes in BR documents, which are accessible via the Code Center. You can view or download these or any other BR document directly from the Code Center.

how do licensees request new geographical and geopolitical codes?

If you are a licensee, you can submit your coding requests via email to the Common Language Customer Support Center at clcsc@iconectiv.com.

how do non-licensees request new CLLI Codes?

If you are a non-licensee, you can order codes online per the LOA process or via the Common Language Customer Support Center. As CLLI Code set maintenance agent for the American National Standard Institute (ANSI), iconectiv also administers non-licensee requests.

how are CLLI Codes developed?

Each CLLI Code conforms to one of four basic formats: Network Site, Network Entity, Network Support Site and Customer Site. Each format, in turn, determines how the following six coding elements are used:

  1. Geographical Codes (Example: DNVR = Denver): Typically assigned to cities, towns, suburbs, villages, hamlets, military installations and international airports, geographical codes can also be mapped to mountains, bodies of water and satellites in fixed-earth orbit.

  2. Geopolitical Codes (Example: CO = Colorado): Typically assigned to countries, states and provinces, geopolitical and geographical codes can be combined to form a location identifier that is unique worldwide.

  3. Network Site Codes (Example: 56 = A central office on Main Street): This element is used with geographical and geopolitical codes to represent buildings, structures, enclosures or other locations at which there is a need to identify and describe one or more functional entities. This category includes central office buildings, business and commercial offices, certain microwave-radio relay buildings and earth stations, universities, hospitals, military bases and other government complexes, garages, sheds and small buildings, phone centers and controlled environmental vaults.

  4. Network Entity Codes (Example: DS0 = A digital switch): This element can be used with geographical, geopolitical and network-site codes to identify and describe functional categories of equipment, administrative groups or maintenance centers involved in the operations taking place at a given location, including Points of Interconnection (POIs).

  5. Network Support-Site Codes (Example: P1234 = A telephone pole): This element can be used with geographical and geopolitical codes to identify and describe the location of international boundaries or crossing points, end points, fiber nodes, cable and facility junctions, manholes, poles, radio-equipment sites, repeaters and toll stations.

  6. Customer Site Codes (Example: 1A101 = A customer): This element can be used with geographical and geopolitical codes to identify and describe customer locations associated with switched-service networks, centrex installations; trunk forecasting, cable, carrier or fiber terminations, NCTE, CPE and PBX equipment, military installations, shopping malls, universities and hospitals.

what resources are available with a CLLI subscription?

When you subscribe, you get access to the following resources:

  • CLONES/Locatelt and CLLI Codes
  • Support from our CLLI subject matter experts
  • XML extracts of the CLONES database
  • Industry forums for service providers to meet and discuss the evolution and best practice of implementing Common Language with other service providers
  • iconectiv policy management of key data elements, ensuring consistency in the data
  • Coding discipline and implementation support from Common Language data infrastructure experts
  • Key documentation, including, but not limited to:
    • BR-751-100-050, Common Language Geographical Codes
    • BR-751-100-055, Common Language Geographical Code Description and Listings
    • BR-751-100-460, Switching System Codes
    • BR-751-100-440, Switching System Codes Private Branch Exchange (PBX) Centrex and Special Service
    • BR 795-100-100, CLLI Codes Description for Location Identification