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Product Catalog (PCAT)

Collocation - General Information - V99.0

History Log

Product Description

CenturyLink's collocation products allow you, as a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC), to interconnect to the CenturyLink network, access Unbundled Network Elements (UNEs), Ancillary Services and Finished Services by placing equipment or establishing connectivity at CenturyLink's premises. Accessing Ancillary Services or Finished Services via collocation is permissible if it is required as an adjunct to interconnection or to access UNEs. Collocation includes the leasing of physical space in CenturyLink premises, as well as the resources necessary for the operation and economical use of collocated equipment, such as your use of power; heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC); and cabling in CenturyLink's premises.

As a Facility-Based CLEC, you may wish to use collocation space to place equipment in a wire center or remote premises to access elements of the network available in the unbundled product family, utilize Ancillary Services such as 911/Enhanced 911 (E911), operator services and signaling systems, or to interconnect with the CenturyLink network. For wire center based collocation, you use an entrance facility to come into the building, although you may also choose to purchase (through the applicable tariffs) Finished Services which are leased lines or templated Digital Service Level 1 (DS1) or Digital Service Level 3 (DS3) lines.

Collocation takes place in or on CenturyLink premises. Premises are within a CenturyLink Wire Center or on CenturyLink owned or controlled property that is not contiguous or adjacent to a CenturyLink Wire Center. The two primary types of collocation are Physical Collocation, where you have access to your equipment on a 24/7 basis and do your own equipment installation and maintenance and Virtual Collocation, where you do not have access to your equipment and CenturyLink performs all installation and maintenance on your behalf and at your expense.

NOTE: Wire Center is often referred to as a Central Office (CO). For the purposes of this web page, these terms are used interchangeably.

NOTE: For the purpose of this web page when there is a reference to email, and your company does not utilize email, contact the Customer Service Inquiry and Education (CSIE) group. to establish an alternate method for exchanging information.

The following is a list of CenturyLink collocation products:

In addition, nonstandard types of collocation (anything not listed above) may be requested through the Bona Fide Request (BFR) process.

Availability

CenturyLink's Collocation is offered in all CenturyLink-owned or controlled premises where facilities exist throughout CenturyLink QC.

Terms and Conditions

Terms and conditions are included in your Interconnection Agreement; if these terms differ from those set forth in this web page, then the terms of your Interconnection Agreement may prevail.

CenturyLink will provide collocation on rates, terms and conditions that are just, reasonable and nondiscriminatory, in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Collocation is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Requests for collocation may be denied due to the lack of sufficient space in a CenturyLink premises for the placement of your equipment.

In the event the type of collocation you requested is not available due to the lack of sufficient space and you have identified alternate choices on your original Collocation Application, CenturyLink will determine the feasibility of your next preferred option(s). If you did not specify an alternate type of collocation on the original Collocation Application and you would like to pursue another type of collocation, you will be required to submit a new Collocation Application.

To the extent possible, CenturyLink will make contiguous space available when you request to expand your existing collocation space. Where adjoining space is not available, CenturyLink will engineer a route, if feasible, for you to provide facilities between your non-adjoining collocation spaces. You may not warehouse collocation space.

When planning renovations of existing facilities, constructing or leasing new facilities CenturyLink will take into account projected demand for Collocation as identified in CLEC forecasts.

You must identify equipment to be installed and provide the vendor technical specifications of the equipment with your Collocation Application. CenturyLink will evaluate the requirements associated with the power, floor loading, heat dissipation, environmental particulate level, HVAC and tie cables to determine if CenturyLink can meet your needs.

The demarcation point for interconnection, UNEs, Ancillary Services and Finished Services is that physical point where CenturyLink will terminate these services for you. The following are identified demarcation points:

  • The ICDF
  • A Direct Connection point of termination
  • Cross-connection equipment you provided in the Virtual or Physical Collocation space
  • Another point mutually agreed upon by you and CenturyLink

For Caged Physical Collocation, Cageless Physical Collocation, Shared Caged Physical Collocation, and Virtual Collocation, you must lease space for the placement of your equipment within CenturyLink's premises. CenturyLink will provide the necessary infrastructure to support the collocation, including physical space, a cage (for Caged Physical Collocation) if requested, required cabling between equipment and other associated hardware.

CenturyLink will assign the Virtual or Physical collocation space.

All equipment must meet and be installed in accordance with Network Equipment Building System (NEBS) Level 1 safety standards. CenturyLink will not impose safety or engineering requirements that are more stringent than the safety or engineering requirements CenturyLink imposes on its own equipment located on its premises.

If during Physical Collocation installation, CenturyLink determines your activities or equipment do not comply with the NEBS Level 1 safety standards, CenturyLink's Technical Publications or are in violation of any applicable laws or regulations, all equally applied to CenturyLink installations, CenturyLink has the right to stop installation until the situation is remedied.

CenturyLink will provide you written notice of the noncompliance, as soon as the situation is identified. The notice will include:

  • Identification of the specific equipment and/or installation not in compliance.
  • The NEBS Level 1 safety standard or CenturyLink Technical Publication requirement that is not met by the equipment and/or installation.
  • The basis for concluding that your equipment and/or installation do not meet the safety requirement.
  • A list of equipment that CenturyLink locates at the premises in question and an affidavit attesting that CenturyLink equipment meets or exceeds the safety standard that CenturyLink contends your equipment has failed.

For Physical Collocation, if the above conditions pose an immediate threat to the safety of CenturyLink employees, interfere with the performance of CenturyLink's service obligations, or pose an immediate threat to the physical integrity of the conduit system, cable facilities or other equipment in the premises, CenturyLink may perform such work and/or take action that is necessary to correct the condition at your expense. In the event that you dispute any action CenturyLink may take or has taken, you may pursue immediate resolution by the Commission or a court of competent jurisdiction.

If CenturyLink finds, in the course of business, reasonable evidence to substantiate that any equipment or property of CLEC has been abandoned or left unclaimed in or at any Premises, CenturyLink shall notify CLEC in writing, via an electronic form of the existence of such equipment or property and CLEC shall have sixty (60) calendar days from the date of receipt of such notice to remove such equipment or property from the Premises. If CenturyLink has not received any response to this notice within thirty (30) calendar days of the sending of the notice, CenturyLink shall send a copy of the notice to CLEC via registered mail.

Information regarding Out of Space Procedures are located in the Template Agreement sections 8.2.1.10 - 13 and in your Interconnection Agreement.

You may obtain more than one type of collocation (e.g., Virtual, Caged Physical, Shared Caged Physical and Cageless Physical Collocation or ICDF Collocation) in a single premises, provided space is available.

Nonstandard entrance facilities, such as copper cable, will be reviewed through the BFR process (except in Minnesota where the request is not considered a BFR) and, if approved, will require a suitable protection arrangement for the copper cable. Protection that may be required related to such entrance facilities may obligate you to obtain a Physical Collocation within the CenturyLink premises for placing lightning or voltage protection units on standard connector blocks on a distribution frame. All copper cables used for interconnection must come through a cable vault/entrance facility and have grounded/bonded sheaths. For information regarding Collocation - Entrance Facilities Overview.

CenturyLink will provide basic telephone service with a connection jack at your request for Caged Physical Collocation, Shared Caged Physical Collocation or Cageless Physical Collocation space. This service is available based on the standard CenturyLink retail service provisioning processes and rates.

A minimum of 20 amps of Direct Current (DC) power must be requested on new collocation orders with the exception of Adjacent Collocation, Common Area Splitter Collocation, Facility Connected Collocation, and ICDF Collocation. Adjacent Collocation, Common Area Splitter Collocation, Facility Connected Collocation, and ICDF Collocation do not have a minimum DC power requirement.

CenturyLink has the option to periodically review collocation sites to insure locations are meeting a customer’s required terms and conditions pursuant to the CLEC’s ICA. Collocations that are not compliant are subject to corrective action.

Technical Publications

Technical characteristics, including Network channel/Network Channel Interface (NC/NCI™) codes are described in the following Technical Publications:

Pricing

Rate Structure

Collocation charges will be based on the information you provided on your Collocation Application and the scope of work to be performed. There are charges that apply to all Collocation and typically could appear on a Collocation quote.

Nonrecurring charges are comprised of the following rate elements, if applicable:

  • Cable Splicing Charge
  • CLEC-to-CLEC Connection Charge
  • Collocation Entrance Facility Charge
  • Collocation Terminations
  • Collocation Grounding Charge
  • Inspector Labor Charge
  • Quote Preparation Fee (QPF)
  • Space Construction
  • Space Option Administration Fee
  • -48 Volt Direct Current (DC) Power Cable Charge

Recurring charges are comprised of the following rate elements, if applicable:

  • CLEC-to-CLEC Connection Charge
  • Collocation Entrance Facility Charge
  • Collocation Terminations
  • Composite Clock/CO Synchronization
  • Collocation Grounding Charge
  • Security Charge
  • Space Lease
  • -48 Volt DC Power Cable Charge
  • -48 Volt DC Power Usage Charge

Rates

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.

Tariffs, Regulations and Policies

Tariffs, regulations and policies are located in the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.

Optional Features

The following optional features are available with collocation:

  • Collocation CLEC-to-CLEC Connections Overview allow you to connect with another CLEC within a CenturyLink premises for the purpose of mutually exchanging local traffic. It also allows you to connect your own non-contiguous collocation spaces.
  • Collocation - Available Inventory Overview allows for a discount of the nonrecurring charge associated with the acquisition of an existing collocation site by an assuming CLEC while providing an opportunity for a percentage refund to a vacating CLEC for those elements determined as Reusable and/or Reimbursable. Existing Collocation sites and unaccepted price quote information may be viewed at Collocation Classifieds. Available Inventory is ordered using the Collocation Application form (New/Change/Augment).
  • Collocation - Direct Current (DC) Power Overview allows you to eliminate or reduce the value of power feeds.
  • Direct Connections (Configuration Options) provide a direct path from your collocation to an existing frame.
  • Collocation - Early Access Overview allows you to begin your equipment installation prior to completion of the entire supporting infrastructure.
  • Collocation – Early Acceptance allows you to accept and authorize CenturyLink to begin billing on a collocation site that is completed prior to the original Ready For Service (RFS) date provided for that site. Early Acceptance is offered on New, Change and Augmented Collocation Orders subject to availability on an individual request basis. Agreeing to Early Acceptance does not guarantee you shorter delivery intervals or that the collocation order will be processed in any manner other than on a first-ordered, first-served basis. You agree to accept the collocation upon notification that the collocation is RFS and waive billing contingent to walk through. Billing for early acceptance of a collocation will begin two (2) business days after CenturyLink provides customer the completion notice and final APOT and has received payment in full.
  • Collocation - Entrance Facilities Overview identifies different types of Entrance Facilities available for collocation premises, including fiber and microwave entrance facilities.

Features/Benefits

Features Benefits
Access to Local Services
  • Allows you to interconnect to the CenturyLink network, thus reducing the need to build infrastructure in order to provide local service.
  • Allows you to access UNEs, Line Shared Loops, Enhanced Extended Loops (EEL) and some Private Line services for the purpose of providing services to your end-users.

Applications

CenturyLink Collocation allows you to interconnect with CenturyLink's network.

Implementation

Product Prerequisites

If you are a new CLEC and are ready to do business with CenturyLink, view Getting Started as a Facility-Based CLEC. If you are an existing CLEC wishing to amend your Interconnection Agreement or New Customer Questionnaire, additional information is located in the Interconnection Agreement.

If terms and conditions for a specific collocation product are not included in your Interconnection Agreement, you will be required to amend your Interconnection Agreement. For additional information, or to obtain an Interim Collocation Agreement, refer to Getting Started as a Facility-Based CLEC. For additional information regarding Collocation product pre-requisites, refer to the Negotiations Template Agreement.

For information on how to proceed with your collocation order once an agreement is executed, but prior to Commission approval, refer to the Opportunity for Early Ordering section of Getting Started as a Facility-Based CLEC.

CenturyLink requests you submit an annual forecast updated quarterly, identifying your future collocation requirements. Individual CLEC Interconnection Agreements may differ on specific terms and conditions for forecasting. For additional information on forecasting and to access the Collocation Forecasting Form, click here.

Below is a list of collocation supporting documentation:

Pre-Ordering

To determine space availability prior to submitting a Collocation Application, the following options are available:

  • CenturyLink will maintain a Space Denial Queue, in order by the date of receipt for each premises where CenturyLink has denied collocation requests. When space becomes available in a premises in which a Space Denial Queue has been developed, CenturyLink will inform those CLECs that space for collocation has become available. If there is insufficient space to accommodate all of the CLECs in the Space Denial Queue, CenturyLink will notify you of the availability of space in accordance with your position in the Space Denial Queue (e.g., first in, first out, based on the date of the Collocation Application form).

  • CenturyLink maintains Collocation Space Reports that identify CenturyLink premises with space-exhausted conditions and premises where collocation requests have been denied due to insufficient space.

  • If CenturyLink denies a request for collocation in a CenturyLink premises due to space limitations, CenturyLink will allow your representatives to tour the entire premises escorted by CenturyLink personnel. Upon your notification to CenturyLink of your desire to tour the CenturyLink premises, CenturyLink will schedule a tour to take place within 10 calendar days (14 calendar days in Washington) of your receipt of the denial of space, or on a mutually agreed upon date. CenturyLink will review the detailed floor plans of the premises with you during the tour, including CenturyLink Reservations or Optioned Space. If it is determined that CenturyLink has incorrectly identified the space limitations, CenturyLink will honor the original Collocation Application form for determining the RFS date, unless both parties agree to a revised date.

  • The Space Availability Report provides details regarding Collocation space in specific CenturyLink premises.

    To order a Space Availability Report submit the Space Availability Report Request form (located in the Implementation - Ordering section - Collocation Application Forms and Order Forms) to rfsmet@centurylink.com with a copy to your Service Manager.

    Upon receipt of the request, CenturyLink will prepare a quote and email it to. This quote will equal the number of offices multiplied by the Space Availability Report Charge. The bill is final and due upon receipt.

    Upon receipt of the quoted charges, the Space Availability Report will be generated and sent to you. The information contained in the report is guaranteed to be accurate only on the day it is generated. Additional information regarding the Space Availability Report is located in the Negotiations Template Agreement section 8.2.1.9. You can submit a request for Collocation Space Reservation or Space Option in a CenturyLink premises for the purpose of establishing a future collocation. For additional information refer to the Negotiations Template Agreement (section 8.4.1.7 for Space Reservation and section 8.4.1.8 for Space Option).

For information on the Reclamation and Reconditioning of Space refer to the Negotiations Template Agreement section 8.2.1.14.

To request nonstandard collocation that is not available to you through your Interconnection Agreement, Negotiations Template Agreement, or defined as a CenturyLink product, refer to the BFR process.

The previous version Collocation Application form will only be accepted for 30 calendar days after the date of the new version of the Collocation Application form. Current forms are located in this web page in the Ordering section-Collocation Application Forms and Order Forms

Ordering

The collocation order process consists of the following four stages:

  • Application Stage - Submit a Collocation Application form located in the ordering section under the list of Collocation Application Forms and Order Forms. The Collocation Application must be complete and accurate before it will be accepted as a valid application. A Collocation Application will be considered complete and accurate, if it contains:
    • The appropriate collocation application for the type of collocation request.
    • The submittal date on the Collocation Application must match the email date received by CenturyLink.
    • Contact information, including contacts for both nonrecurring and recurring billing
    • The correct related BAN if the request is for an augment or change order.
    • Consistency of information on the Collocation Application and in the data blocks.
    • If applicable, identify alternate type(s) of collocation on the Collocation Application (it is recommended that you identify a second and third choice, the Collocation Application will accommodate up to three choices).

    Once you have completed the Collocation Application, email it to rfsmet@centurylink.com.

    CenturyLink will review the Collocation Application to verify that it is complete and accurate. If CenturyLink receives the Collocation Application on a weekend or a CenturyLink Holiday, the Application date will be the following business day. For a list of CenturyLink Holidays, please see Wholesale Customer Contacts.

    If CenturyLink determines that the Collocation Application is not complete/accurate, a Validation Corrections/Clarifications Notification will be emailed to you. CenturyLink will provide in sufficient detail, the discrepancy(s) and corrective action(s) needed, so you have a reasonable opportunity to correct each deficiency. You must correct all deficiencies on your Collocation Application, re-date and resubmit it prior to further processing by CenturyLink. Timeframes for both CenturyLink notification of discrepancies and your resubmission are specified in your Interconnection Agreement. Deficiencies include, but are not limited to:

    • Missing or Incorrect Data
    • CLEC data
    • Terminations
    • Entrance facilities
    • Power
    • Space
    • Security Access
    • Application Version
    • Synchronization
    • Equipment Specifications
    • Insufficient Interconnection Agreement language to support product or services ordered
    • Insufficient Rate Elements to support product or services ordered

    The day CenturyLink has validated your Collocation Application, an Order Validation Acceptance Notification will be emailed to you. The Order Validation Acceptance Notification includes the following information:

    • BAN
    • Feasibility Due Date
    • Quote Due Date
    • Common Language® Location Identifier (CLLI™)

    On the Collocation Application form you can request a 48-hour call providing both you and CenturyLink with the opportunity to review the Collocation Application. If you do not request a 48-hour call, and CenturyLink needs additional clarity about your Collocation Application, CenturyLink will call you. If additional clarification is not required, your Collocation Application will be accepted as a valid application.

  • Feasibility Stage - Once your Collocation Application has been validated, CenturyLink will perform a feasibility study to determine the feasibility of your request. CenturyLink will evaluate your space requirements against available space in the premises you have requested. The feasibility study will also include evaluations of power and entrance facilities, where applicable. If the existing power plant or entrance facilities are not sufficient in the premises you requested, CenturyLink will notify you by email with the timeframes for the power or entrance facility relief job(s).

    CenturyLink will make every attempt to facilitate your first choice. However, if space is not available and you have identified alternate choice(s), they will be evaluated before your request is denied. If space is not available and you have not identified alternate choice(s), your request will be denied. You will be notified by email and your request will be handled in accordance with the Out of Space Procedures located in your underlying Interconnection Agreement, also located in the Template Agreement, sections 8.2.1.10 - 13.

    If your request for collocation is feasible, a quote will be developed.

  • Quote Stage - CenturyLink will prepare a documented quote compiled and based on your specified requirements. The Quote will include the following:
    • Total cost of request (both nonrecurring and recurring charges).
    • Invoice for the first 50% payment (half of the nonrecurring dollars identified and the entire QPF).

    Collocation price quotes will be honored for 30 calendar days from the date the quote is provided. During this period, the collocation entrance facility and space are reserved pending your acceptance of the quote.

    If the payment is not received by the due date, the quote expires, the job will be cancelled and you will be billed the entire QPF charge.

    • Acceptance Stage - After receipt of a quote from CenturyLink, you will be required to formally accept the quote in order for CenturyLink to continue the processing of your Collocation Application. A Collocation Acceptance will be considered complete upon receipt of the first 50% of the quoted charges, including the entire QPF.
      • Approximately 25 calendar days after issuance of the quote you will receive a reminder notice that payment has not yet been received and to submit your payment before the quote expiration if you want to continue with the job.
      • The quote will expire 30 days after issuance; an Expiration Notice will be sent informing you that the quote has expired and that you must resubmit a Collocation Application should you desire collocation in this Central Office.

    Upon receipt of your Collocation Acceptance, your RFS date will be established and a formal Acceptance Letter emailed to you.

    NOTE: The RFS is the date CenturyLink has committed to have your collocation site completed and available for your use.

For specific information regarding time frames for Feasibility, Quote and Acceptance Stages refer to your Interconnection Agreement.

Any material changes, modifications or additional engineering requested, subsequent to your original collocation order, must be submitted with a revised Collocation Application.

  • If you submit a request for change prior to your payment of the first 50% of the quoted charges, it will be considered a "Change Order" on the revised Collocation Application and will be processed in conjunction with your existing order. The Major/Minor Matrix (Material Changes): is a tool for you to reference when you consider making changes to your Collocation Application, it indicates the potential impact to your RFS.
  • If you have paid the first 50% of quoted charges, the revised Collocation Application will be considered an augment. Your existing order will be completed as scheduled and the revised Collocation Application will be processed utilizing the same process you used for your original collocation request.

If you need to cancel a collocation order already in progress, refer to the Collocation - Cancellation Overview process.

Once you have established your collocation site, it may be necessary for you to make changes. To change or augment an existing site, submit a revised Collocation Application utilizing the same process used for your original collocation request. Change request information is located in the following documents:

 

Applications and Alternate Point of Termination (APOT) forms

Below is a list of all Collocation product Application forms and Alternate Point of Termination (APOT) Forms:

Product or Process Application Alternate Point of Termination (APOT) Forms
Adjacent Collocation
Caged Physical Collocation
Cageless Physical Collocation
Collocation - General Information
Common Area Splitter Collocation
Facility Connected Collocation
Field Connection Point (FCP)/Cross-Connect Collocation
Interconnection Distribution Frame (ICDF)
Remote Collocation
Shared Caged Physical Collocation
Virtual Collocation
Collocation - Joint Inventory Visit Process-Overview  
Collocation - Joint Testing Process At the Interconnection Distribution Frame (ICDF)  
Direct Connections (Configuration Options)  

Provisioning and Installation

Provisioning information and design requirements are described in CenturyLink's Technical Publications.

The Service Interval Guide (SIG) outlines the standard installation completion intervals for each collocation product. If your Interconnection Agreement does not specify a service interval, refer to the SIG. Unless otherwise specified, CenturyLink will allow application of a 'forecasted' interval for new Collocation Applications within 60 Days (90 Days for WA) of announcement of a new wire Center being added to the non-impaired Wire Center list - for that Wire Center ONLY. Where the CLEC has not forecasted and the newly non-impaired wire center was identified more then 60 day ago (90 for WA), the standard non-forecasted interval would apply, as specified in the SIG.

For additional collocation interval specifications, from application to installation, refer to Section 8.4 of the Negotiations Template Agreement.

The intervals for ICDF Collocation, Physical Collocation and Virtual Collocation apply to a maximum of five Collocation Applications per CLEC, per week, per state. If you submit six or more Collocation Applications in a one-week period, in a state, intervals are individually negotiated. When CenturyLink is permitted to complete a collocation installation in an interval that is longer than the standard interval, CenturyLink will use its best efforts to minimize the extension of the intervals beyond the standard intervals, depending on the total volume of applications pending from other CLECs.

If your collocation order requires cabling, there are two options available. For more information refer to the Collocation - CLEC and CenturyLink Cabling Receipt Process Overview.

For information regarding Early Access to your collocation site, refer to Collocation - Early Access Overview.

Collocation - Joint Testing Process At the Interconnection Distribution Frame (ICDF) Overview allows you to request CenturyLink to participate in the joint testing of your terminations at the ICDF after you have placed equipment in your physical or virtual collocation space. Joint testing can be requested as part of the New/Change/Augment Collocation Application or a separate request by using the Joint Testing At the ICDF Application

You may inquire to the status of your collocation request by contacting the Customer Service Inquiry and Education (CSIE) group. If there is a delay that will impact your RFS date, CenturyLink will notify you, by phone or an email, with the reason for the delay, corrective action, and the anticipated impact on your RFS.

The Alternate Point of Termination (APOT) form identifies specific collocation terminations at the ICDF frame or the frame where the service terminates and is used for the purpose of ordering UNEs, Ancillary Services and Finished Services. You will receive two emails. The first email will contain a Preliminary APOT form and the second email will contain a final APOT form.

The Preliminary APOT will be provided prior to the RFS and will contain the terminations as they were originally assigned; CenturyLink has not verified this information.

  • Once the RFS has been met and you have paid 100% of the nonrecurring charges, your Final APOT will be emailed to you.

All APOT forms are located in the specific collocation product catalogs with the exception of the APOT listed below:

NOTE: If you requested UNEs, Ancillary Services and Finished Services on Preliminary APOT verify the information against your Final APOT. If the information is different, you will need to supplement the orders with the correct information. Supplement Service information is located in the Supplements and Cancelled Service Requests section of the Ordering Overview.

Upon completion of the collocation order, you and a CenturyLink Project Manager will arrange the Acceptance Walkthrough, if applicable. If the Acceptance Walkthrough is required, the Project Manager will notify you by phone or an email. Any exceptions will be documented and the Project Manager will forward them for resolution.

At the conclusion of the Acceptance Walkthrough, CenturyLink will answer any questions and provide the information necessary for you to operate in the CenturyLink Wire Center, including the Collocation - CenturyLink Network Interconnection Guidelines Overview.

If a Walkthrough is not required, or you are unable to or elect not to participate in the Walkthrough within 21 calendar days from the scheduled RFS date, the Project Manager will facilitate a Walkthrough and sign the Collocation Acceptance form noting that you did not participate and forward the information to you by email.

Information regarding access to CenturyLink's Wire Center(s) is located in Collocation - CenturyLink Premises Access Overview.

Maintenance and Repair

CenturyLink will perform all building maintenance and building repair in the CenturyLink premises excluding collocation cages. You are responsible for work within your caged area. This section refers to maintenance and repair once a site is completed and circuits have been provisioned. Any problems relating to the site itself, after acceptance but prior to provisioning should be referred to the Service Manager. If you are unable to locate the Service Manager name and number for your state, contact the CenturyLink at rfsmet@centurylink.com.

Physical and Adjacent Collocation Repair

You are responsible for the maintenance and repair of your equipment located within CenturyLink's premises. You will have 24/7 access to your collocation site.

To access a CenturyLink premises outside of normal business hours (7 PM to 7 AM, Monday - Friday, Weekends, CenturyLink Holidays) you are required to notify the CenturyLink NROC:

Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming 1-800-713-3666

CenturyLink may require access to your site for augmentation of the site due to a collocation order or other necessary central office work.

Virtual Collocation Repair

CenturyLink or a CenturyLink authorized vendor will perform the maintenance and repair of your virtually collocated equipment. CenturyLink will perform these functions at your direction and at your expense, within the same time periods and with failure rates that are no greater than those that apply to the performance of similar functions for comparable CenturyLink equipment.

You are entitled to request access to test your virtual CLEC termination cables under the Collocation - Test Access Points Overview procedures.

If you detect a failure with your virtually collocated equipment, contact the CenturyLink Wholesale Repair Center at 1-800-223-7881, and provide the following information from your APOT form received at completion of your virtual site installation or augmentation.

Non-fiber Circuit ID (e.g., HJ101/OFX/PTLDOR14/PTLDOR14xxx)
CLEC Company Name
CLEC reported by: CLEC Employee Name and Telephone Number
Detailed description of work requested

Virtual Repair Billing

Once the work has been completed, you will be billed on an hourly basis for the maintenance performed, as specified in your Interconnection Agreement, based on the time spent to complete the request.

Field Connection Point Repair

The Field Connection Point (FCP) is a demarcation point outside the CenturyLink Central Office where CLEC facilities interconnect with CenturyLink facilities. The FCP is located in the CenturyLink accessible terminal (e.g., Feeder Distribution Interface (FDI)/Serving Area Interface (SAI) or other technically feasible location). If you have a problem with a specific circuit, turn in a repair ticket on that Circuit ID. Contact the CenturyLink Wholesale Repair Center at 1-800-223-7881. If you do not have trouble related to an individual circuit and still wish to access the FCP, notify the repair center that you would like a joint meet. Ask for a Message Report joint meet ticket. You will be required to provide a specific FCP address in lieu of a Circuit ID or Telephone Number for a joint meet.

Remote Collocation Repair

The Remote Collocation is a demarcation point outside the CenturyLink Central Office where CLEC facilities interconnect with CenturyLink facilities. The Remote Collocation is located in the CenturyLink accessible terminal (e.g., Feeder Distribution Interface (FDI)/Serving Area Interface (SAI) or other technically feasible location). If you have a problem with a specific circuit, turn in a repair ticket on that Circuit ID. Contact the CenturyLink Wholesale Repair Center at 1-800-223-7881. If you do not have trouble related to an individual circuit and still wish to access the Remote Collocation, notify the repair center that you would like a joint meet and provide the following information:

  • Non-fiber Circuit ID (e.g., JG or JJ 101/OFX/8 Char Site CLLI/11 Char CLEC CLLI)
  • CLEC Company Name
  • CLEC reported by: CLEC Employee Name and
  • Telephone Number
  • Detailed description of work requested

You may also need to provide a specific Remote Collocation address for the joint meet.

CenturyLink Notification for Power Work

CenturyLink will provide you with written notification at least five business days before any scheduled non-emergency Alternating Current (AC) or Direct Current (DC) power work in the collocated facility that may cause a power disruption to your equipment located in the CenturyLink premises. This does not include notification of routine power testing or power installation work that is not expected to cause a power disruption.

CenturyLink will notify you through the Abnormal Condition Report (ACR) of:

  • Any general power outages as soon as CenturyLink becomes aware that an outage is to take place or has occurred.
  • Any emergency power disruption that would impact your equipment no later than 30 minutes after such activity commences.
  • Any alarm condition that exists with respect to the monitoring of power that poses a material risk to the continued operation of your equipment.

Building Maintenance and Repair

Physical Caged Area Building Maintenance

CenturyLink will perform building maintenance and repair within the CenturyLink Central Office premises which includes repair work on the physical cage, if constructed by CenturyLink, and repair work on any related building system serving the cage.

You are responsible for keeping your caged area functionally clean and maintained by the following criteria:

Keep the floor and equipment dust free
Match the cleanliness of the surrounding CenturyLink space
Provide and replace lamps for light fixtures dedicated to your caged area
Dust mop with a treated cloth or damp mop
Provide waste container, use and replace liners in waste containers
Empty and clean waste containers on each visit
Flammable materials cannot be stored on premise
Open waste containers need to be emptied at the end of each day
Deposit waste in designated CenturyLink containers
Do not strip and wax the floor, and do not apply any chemical substances to the floor
Do not perform any pest control

Any questions or concerns about cleaning your area should be directed to a CenturyLink representative at the Work Environment Center.

To report building related problems, including problems gaining access to CenturyLink premises (where you have an issued CenturyLink ID card), contact the Work Environment Center at 1-800-201-7033.

Adjacent Collocation Areas with CLEC Structures

You are responsible for all building and structure maintenance, repair, cleaning, snow and trash removal within your assigned area on CenturyLink's property.

Central Office Building Addition or Related Work Notification

CenturyLink will notify you of any central office premise building work initiated by CenturyLink identifying start and end dates for a particular premise and the nature of the work. These letters will identify contact numbers should you wish to know more about the scheduled CenturyLink building work. These letters will be sent by CenturyLink.

Billing

Upon completion of the collocation construction activities, CenturyLink will close the Collocation job and begin billing recurring charges at the conclusion of the Walkthrough or 21 Calendar days after the actual RFS. The recurring charges will be retroactive to the actual RFS plus two business days.

Nonrecurring charges are billed in Billing Accounts Receivable Tracking (BART). BART is described in Billing Accounts Receivable Tracking

Recurring charges are billed in Carrier Access Billing System (CABS). CABS billing is described in Carrier Access Billing System.

Note: Payments made without an invoice will require investigation and manual handling and will delay posting of your payment to CenturyLink payment records.

All payments should be made to the CenturyLink Remittance Payment Center address listed on your invoice. Payments are not to be sent or given to your Service Manager.

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 for Course detail and registration information.

Collocation

View additional CenturyLink courses in the Course Catalog.

Contacts

CenturyLink contact information is located in Wholesale Customer Contacts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How can I find out if collocation space in a CenturyLink premises is exhausted?
CenturyLink provides a list of CenturyLink premises where collocation space has been exhausted at the following web site: http://www.centurylink.com/wholesale/notices/collo/spaceAvail.html.

2. How will I know if CenturyLink has accepted my Collocation Application?
CenturyLink will validate your Collocation Application and email an Order Validation Acceptance Notification that includes the following information: BAN, Feasibility Due Date, Quote Due Date and CLLI.

3. How can I find out what the installation interval will be for the type of collocation product I have ordered?
Installation intervals for collocation products are located in your Interconnection Agreement or the SIG.

4. When will I receive my RFS date for the order that I have submitted?
Once CenturyLink receives payment of at least the first 50% of the quoted nonrecurring charges, CenturyLInk will email you a formal Acceptance Letter, which includes your RFS date.

5. Who do I talk to if I have questions regarding charges that may not be listed in my Interconnection Agreement?
Contact the CenturyLink Billing Center.

Last Update: February 27, 2017

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