Telephonic communications – Special services – Locating using diverse technology
Reexamination Certificate
1997-11-28
2001-08-28
Tsang, Fan (Department: 2645)
Telephonic communications
Special services
Locating using diverse technology
C379S243000, C379S221050
Reexamination Certificate
active
06282277
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for connecting a competing local exchange carrier (CLEC) to a telephone subscriber, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for unbundling the subscriber loop of a local exchange carrier (LEC) to permit access by a CLEC.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the United States, telephone service was historically provided almost exclusively by American Telephone and Telegraph, Inc. (now AT&T). Following the deregulation of the telephone industry in 1984, AT&T was limited to providing long distance telephone service, and local telephone service was thereafter provided by the Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs), such as Bell Atlantic and Southern New England Telephone (now SNET). Thus, following deregulation, the Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs) served as the exclusive local exchange carriers (LECs), and maintained the subscriber loop between the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and each individual telephone subscriber. As competition in all segments of the telephone industry increases, however, non-Bell companies are poised to provide local telephone service.
In order to permit competition in the local telephone market, the Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs) must unbundle their subscriber loop, such that the Competing Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs) can access the subscriber. The tin bundling can occur at any point in the subscriber loop, between the LEC's Central Office and the subscriber's equipment. Currently, the LEC or CLEC must manually rewire the subscriber loop, to permit CLEC access. Depending on the location of the CLEC equipment, the subscriber's loop may be connected at the Central Office end or at the subscriber's end. If the CLEC's equipment is merely bridged on the LEC's loop, the resulting bridged cable and battery will undoubtedly cause transmission problems. Although some form of connection will have to be made at the point of the CLEC connection, the LEC is typically unwilling to permit the CLEC to modify the LEC's equipment at the subscriber facility. Thus, the LEC currently must dispatch a technician to the subscriber site to disconnect the LEC's loop, thereby incurring significant labor costs.
As apparent from the above-described deficiencies with conventional systems for unbundling subscriber loops, a need exists for a low-cost device that permits a LEC to remotely and selectively disconnect a subscriber loop when the subscriber elects to utilize a CLEC for local telephone service. A further need exists for an unbundling device that does not interfere with telephone signals or subscriber equipment and disconnects the LEC equipment even in the presence of a fault with CLEC or subscriber equipment. Yet another need exists for an unbundling device that allows the LEC to test the subscriber loop up to and beyond the demarcation point, where the CLEC accesses the LEC's subscriber loop.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Generally, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, an unbundling demarcation device (UDD) is disclosed to disconnect the equipment of a local exchange carrier (LEC) from a subscriber in order to permit a competing local exchange carrier (CLEC) to provide local service to the subscriber. The unbundling demarcation device (UDD) and related CLEC equipment may be positioned at any point in the subscriber loop, between the LEC switch and the subscriber equipment. The unbundling demarcation device (LDD) is embodied as an electro-mechanical or electro-optical coupling device, such as a sensitive relay, a latching relay or a switching mechanism, that transparently connects the LEC equipment to the CLEC equipment when an appropriate control signal is applied to the subscriber loop by the LEC. The control signal may be an electrical or optical signal, including a DC voltage or a trigger signal. When the DC voltage is removed from the subscriber loop, or when the appropriate deactivating control signal is applied to the loop, the unbundling demarcation device (UDD) will open circuit or decouple, preventing the LEC from accessing the subscriber equipment and allowing the CLEC to access the subscriber.
The LEC should be able to test and maintain their facilities up to the point of connection with the CLEC. Thus, according to a further aspect of the invention, the unbundling demarcation device (UDD) operates as a maintenance termination unit (MTU) and can be utilized to determine whether there is a fault in the subscriber loop, up to and beyond the unbundling demarcation device (UDD). By placing an unbundling demarcation device (UDD) at the point of the CLEC connection, the LEC can maintain and test its portion of the loop with or without the UDD activated by the LEC test equipment. Specifically, with no voltage applied or the UDD deactivated, the unbundling demarcation device (UDD) disconnects the CLEC equipment from the LEC equipment and exchange facility, and the LEC can evaluate the subscriber loop all the way to the unbundling demarcation device (UDD). With the voltage applied or the UDD activated, the LEC can evaluate the CLEC loop and customer equipment for faults as well. Unlike electronic MTUs, the unbundling demarcation device (UDD) is not a lossy device when in the deactivated state.
A more complete understanding of the present invention, as well as further features and advantages of the present invention, will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description and drawings.
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Avaya Technology Corp.
Bean Thomas J.
Foster Roland G.
Ryan & Mason & Lewis, LLP
Tsang Fan
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