Products & Solutions
Switched Access Services – V2.0
Product Description
Switched Access Services, CenturyLink™'s most basic group of services, enables access customers, i.e., Interexchange Carriers (IXC), to complete end-user requests for intrastate or interstate long-distance calls.
Switched Access Service, which is available to customers for their use in furnishing their services to end users, provides a two-point electrical communications path between a customer’s premises and an end user’s premises. It provides for the use of terminating, switching, transport facilities and common subscriber plant of the Company. Switched Access Service provides for the ability to originate calls from an end user’s premises to a customer’s premises, and to terminate calls from a customer’s premises to an end user’s premises in the LATA where it is provided.
More detailed Switched Access information, including diagrams, can be found in the CenturyLink Operating Companies F.C.C.Tariff (F.C.C. No. 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9), and applicable state tariffs.
How the Service is Offered
Switched Access Service is available in several different serving arrangements and technical characteristics, e.g., services for lineside or trunkside connections, as well as in different Feature Group arrangements.
Availability
Switched Access Service is available where facilities exist throughout CenturyLink territory.
Terms and Conditions
Terms and conditions for the ordering, billing and provisioning of Switched Access Services are contained in CenturyLink Operating Companies F.C.C.Tariff, and applicable state tariffs.
Technical Publications
Feature Group D
- TR-NPL-000258- Compatibility information for Feature Group D Switched Access Service
Feature Group A
- TR-NPL-000377 – Compatibility information for Feature Group A Switched Access Service
Feature Group B
- GR-334 – Switched Access Service: Transmission Parameter Limits and Interface Combinations
More Information:
Pricing
Rate Structure
The Switched Access Service rate structure is complex, and includes MOU (Minutes of Use) and flat recurring charges. Rates depend on the type of service requested.
| Major rate categories for Switched Access Service: | |
| Switched Transport | Month to Month |
| Local Switching | |
| Common Line (CL) | Carrier Common Line |
Rates
Further information about these rate categories can be obtained in the CenturyLink Operating Companies F.C.C.Tariff,
Summary of Rate Categories and Elements
| Rate Element | Explanation | Type of charge |
| Rate Category: Switched Transport | ||
| Entrance Facility (EF) | Dedicated switched transport facility from carrier’s POP to CenturyLink Serving Wire Center (SWC) | Monthly fixed rate, based on facility provided, e.g., DS0, DS1, or DS3 |
| Direct Trunk Transport (DTT) | Transport from the SWC of the customer’s premises to an end office on dedicated circuits, and from the SWC to the Access Tandem | Monthly fixed rate, plus monthly per mile rate based on facility provided, e.g., DS0, DS1, or DS3 |
| Tandem Transmission (TT) | Transport to/from end offices via common transport circuits | Tandem MOU and per tandem MOU per mile, based on V&H coordinates |
| Tandem Switching (TS) | Charge for minutes switched by CenturyLink-owned Access Tandems | Tandem MOU |
| Common Transport Multiplexing (CT MUX) | Transport of MOUs between Access Tandems and subtending end offices via common facilities | Tandem MOU |
| Tandem Trunk Port charge (ATTP) | Fee per trunk terminated on the SWC side of the Access Tandem | Flat rate per trunk |
| Rate Category: Local Switching | ||
| Local Switching (LS) | Switching for originating minutes performed at the end office, host, RSS or RSM | Originating MOU |
| End Office Shared Port (EOSP) | Transport charge for originating MOUs between the Access Tandem and end office | Originating MOU |
| End Office Dedicated Trunk Port (DED TP) | Port connection linking the SWC of the POP to end offices | Flat recurring per trunk |
| Rate Category: Common Line | ||
| Carrier Common Line (CCL) | Carrier Common Line Access Service provides for the use of Telephone Company common lines by customers for access to end-users. | MOU |
| Rate Category: Nonrecurring Charges | ||
| Including, but not limited to: -Installation of Service -Installation of Optional Features -Service Rearrangements -Moves |
One time charge for installation or change of services. | flat rated |
To aid in better understanding recurring rate elements, diagrams depicting the Switched Access rate structure can be found in the CenturyLink Operating Companies F.C.C.Tariff, and applicable state tariffs.
Tariffs, Regulations and Policies
Tariffs, regulations and policies are located in the CenturyLink Operating Companies F.C.C.Tariff, and applicable state tariffs.
Identification and Rating of VoIP-PSTN Traffic
VoIP-PSTN Traffic is traffic exchanged between a Telephone Company end user and the customer in Time Division Multiplexing ("TDM") format that originates and/or terminates in Internet Protocol ("IP") format. The FCC Tariff governs the identification and compensation of VoIP-PSTN Traffic required by the Federal Communications Commission in its Report and Order in WC Docket Nos. 10-90, etc., FCC Release No. 11-161 (Nov 18,2011).
A customer may update their PVU factors quarterly using methods outlined in the FCC Tariff. If the customer submits factor updates, it must submit no later than 15 days after the first of January, April, July and/or October each year, based on data for the prior three months, ending the last day of December, March, June and September, respectively. The revised PVU factors will serve as the basis for future billing and will be effective the next bill date, and shall serve as the basis for subsequent monthly billing until superseded by new PVU factors.
Quarterly PVU Factor Updates
A standard CenturyLink Factor for must be used for submitting Quarterly Factor updates to CenturyLink. The PIU/POM/PCL/PVU Quarterly Update Form can be found on the CenturyLink Wholesale Website. IXC Forms.
Optional Features
Carrier Identification Parameter (CIP)
Carrier Identification Parameter, or CIP, is an optional switching feature which identifies and transmits the Carrier Identification Code (CIC) of the presubscribed carrier or the Access Code (101XXXX) dialed by the calling party to the customer as part of the Initial Address Message (IAM). CIP is available with originating CST3 and Feature Group D Switched Access Service from suitably equipped SS7 end offices and tandems on a per trunk basis.
CIP functionality allows the IXC to combine individual carriers or services on one trunk group between the End Office or Access Tandem and the IXC switches. The CIP allows the IXC to consolidate trunk groups by having the ability to identify the carrier or traffic type on the other end.
CIP is an optional SS7 parameter that supports Interexchange Carrier Interconnection using Integrated Services Digital User Part (ISUP) call signaling. The CIP is included in the SS7 Initial Address Message (IAM) used in ISUP connections. The ability to include the CIP must be present in Access Tandems and Equal Access End Offices that terminate on the IXC.
Depending upon the type of access tandem and the signaling used between the access tandem and the end office, CIP may or may not be available. In some instances, the access tandem can create the CIP even when it is not passed by the end office. There are other optional features available for Switching, Transport Termination and Line Termination. These optional features are described in CenturyLink Operating Companies F.C.C.Tariff, and applicable state tariffs.
Features/Benefits
| Service | Features | Benefits |
| Feature Group A |
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| Feature Group B |
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| Feature Group C |
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| Feature Group D |
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Applications
CenturyLink Switched Access Service enables the carrier to offer the high quality voice connections that long-distance users expect from the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network), at reasonable rates. For example ABC Carrier offers a host of products to end-user customers, including 1+ interstate long-distance service, and wants a low MOU rate that enables access to multiple end-users within selected LATAs.
Implementation
Product Prerequisites and Pre-Ordering
Interexchange Carriers that plan to originate or terminate intra or interstate traffic must determine if they need to apply to the local Public Utilities Commission or Corporation Commission to obtain a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN). The carrier must obtain an ACNA (Access Customer Name Abbreviation) from Iconectiv, and CIC (Carrier Identification Code) from NANPA, and then is able to set up an account with the CenturyLink Wholesale Center for Customer Service. They must also submit a Letter of Intent to the CenturyLink Sales Executive or Service Manager on their company’s letterhead.
Ordering
Switched Access Services are ordered using the Access Service Ordering Guidelines (ASOG) forms.
The ASOG forms are nationally agreed upon by the Order and Billing Forum (OBF)
CenturyLink Switched Access Service is ordered by completing an Access Service Request (ASR) form.
If CenturyLink, through its own fault, fails to meet the Company committed Service Date, the customer’s bill shall be shall be credited at the same rate at which they were billed, however the credit will not be provided if a credit of the same non-recurring charge for the same service is provided under other provisions of the Tariff. See CenturyLink Operating Companies F.C.C.Tariff, and applicable state tariffs.
Provisioning and Installation
Feature Group B and D (FG B-D) services provide a trunkside termination and are provided at CenturyLink-designated end office switches routed either directly to an end office or via CenturyLink Access Tandem switches.
When trunked directly from the carrier’s point of termination (POP) to the end office, FG B-D services provide originating and/or terminating service to only the NXXs served by that end office.
When trunked to an Access Tandem, FG B-D services provide originating and/or terminating service to all end offices that subtend that tandem.
When FG B-D services are directly routed to an end office, the Switched Transport configuration is composed of an Entrance Facility (EF) and Direct Trunked Transport (DTT) facility to an end office. When it is switched through an Access Tandem, the configuration is composed of an EF, a DTT facility between the Serving Wire Center and the Access Tandem, and Tandem Switched Transport (TST) from the Access Tandem to the end offices subtending the access tandem. For additional flat and usage elements see diagrams in CenturyLink Operating Companies F.C.C.Tariff.
Maintenance and Repair
When Switched Access facilities are out of service for 30 minutes or more, a credit of 1/1440 of the monthly charge for each 30 minute period or major fraction thereof, is allowed.
When usage sensitive rate elements are out of service for 24 hours or more, a credit of 1/30 of the monthly charge for each 24-hour period or major fraction thereof, is allowed.
See CenturyLink Operating Companies F.C.C.Tariff, Section 2.4.4
An IXC can initiate a report of trouble by calling the Service Repair Hotline at (866) 874-6790 or by sending an email to RCC@centurylink.com.
Billing
CenturyLink bills Switched Access Services using our Carrier Access Billing System (CABS).
Feature Group service is a usage sensitive service. The Telephone Company at either the end office switch or the Access Tandem switch records Minutes of Use (MOU). These charges are in addition to the flat, recurring charges that are billed for Switched Transport elements, such as Entrance Facility, Direct Trunked Transport, and Multiplexing (MUX) that are billed on the CABS Facility Billing Account Number.
Feature Group usage sensitive elements are billed on the Switched Access Bill,
- Access usage per MOU elements:
- Local Switching
- Interconnection Charge
- Local Transport Facility and Termination
- Tandem Switching
- Multiplexing (Common Transport MUX)
- Common Trunk Port
- Carrier Common Line
- Breakout of individual message type
Feature Group flat-rated elements are billed on the Facility bill:
- Flat-rated elements:
- Entrance Facility
- Direct Trunked Transport
- Multiplexer
- Tandem Trunk Port
- End Office Dedicated Trunk Port
Contacts
CenturyLink contact information is located in Wholesale Customer Contacts.
For existing Customers operating in the CenturyLink QC territory, please contact your Service Manager for all questions. If you do not know who your CenturyLink Service Manager is, click here for additional information.
Last Update: October 19, 2018