Wholesale: Products & Services

Field Connection Point (FCP)/Cross-Connect Collocation - V25.0

Product Description

Field Connection Point (FCP), also known as Cross-Connect Collocation, is a demarcation point outside of the CenturyLink™ Central Office (CO) where your facilities interconnect with CenturyLink facilities. The FCP is located in the Feeder Distribution Interface (FDI) /Serving Area Interface (SAI) or other accessible terminal (e.g., a Controlled Environmental Vault (CEV), cabinet or pedestal). The FCP provides a point of interconnection away from the CenturyLink CO and provides access to the following sub-loop elements:

• Sub-Loop - Digital Service Level 1 (DS1) Capable Unbundled Feeder Loop (UFL) - Requires one termination per end-user
• Sub-Loop - 2-Wire or 4-Wire Unbundled Distribution Loop (UDL) - Requires one termination per end-user
• Sub-Loop - 2-Wire or 4-Wire Non-Loaded Unbundled Distribution Loop (UDL) - Requires one termination per end-user
• Shared Distribution Loop - Requires two terminations per end-user

The placement of cable facilities within CenturyLink's FDI/SAI for the sole purpose of creating a cross-connect field to support sub-loop unbundling constitutes a FCP. A cross-connect field is created when a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier's (CLEC's) cable is tied down to a termination block that is owned by CenturyLink.

The FCP is similar in function to an Interconnection Distribution Frame (ICDF) Collocation in the CO environment, but is located in the field. You will not have physical access to the splice points at CenturyLink's accessible terminal (e.g., FDI/SAI), however if you wish to request a non-standard access arrangement you can utilize the Special Request SR Process.

Product Diagram

Availability

FCP is available where facilities exist throughout CenturyLink QC where technically feasible and there is an accessible terminal.

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.

A FCP can be established within a CenturyLink accessible terminal (e.g., FDI/SAI). If space within the accessible terminal is legitimately exhausted, the FCP may be placed in an adjacent terminal, when technically feasible.

If the FCP consists of a separate cabinet that is placed by CenturyLink, CenturyLink will allow more than one CLEC to share the FCP for purposes of interconnecting with CenturyLink at the FDI or at other technically feasible points.

The FCP must be established prior to ordering Sub-Loop UDL and Sub-Loop UFL and Shared Distribution Loop. If you require UFL, you will need a CO Collocation and a FCP. For access to the UDL and Shared Distribution Loop, CO Collocation is not required.

You are required to obtain the Access to Poles, Ducts and Rights of Way (ROW), all necessary permits and approvals, and perform the necessary trenching required to bring your cable to the CenturyLink accessible terminal (e.g., FDI/SAI). You are also required to leave enough slack in the cable so CenturyLink can splice the cable into the CenturyLink accessible terminal (e.g., FDI/SAI).

In Colorado only, you may reserve sub-loop elements prior to completion of the FCP; refer to the Colorado Sub-Loop Reservation Process for more information.

Remote Terminal / Feeder Distribution Interface Move with CLEC Presence

The Move RT/FDI with CLEC Presence is a CenturyLink initiated procedure established for moving and or relocating a CenturyLink remote premise or a feeder distribution interface.

If a requirement identifies that a remote terminal or feeder distribution interface should be moved or relocated, i.e. roadway expansion, each CLEC with a presence in the premise will be notified by email of the impending relocation activity.

The Network Project Manager will contact each CLEC to schedule a coordination call. During this call, the CLEC will be informed of any options they may have involving the premise move, establishment of a timeline, and review the design job. While attending this call, you are expected to identify the methodology by which you will affect the transfer of equipment and/or services to the new location. For example, you will be required to indicate whether you will duplicate your equipment at the new site or do an "Out Of Service" cutover utilizing the existing equipment. A site survey, consisting of a coordinated review of potential work, is scheduled during this meeting. The site survey occurs within a few days from the coordination call.

The CLEC is expected to notify Network Project Manager via Email of its finalized methodology choice within 10 calendar days after the site visit. If the notification is not received within 10 calendar days from the site visit, CenturyLink will move forward with the methodology indicated during the coordination call.

Remote Terminal and Feeder Distribution Interface relocations may require CLLI changes, which will require changes to account records. Updating account records will be handled as a project within the overall premise relocation project.

All relocation projects and the responsibility of charges for each sites relocation will be handled on an individual case basis, (ICB).

When the project is complete CenturyLink will send out a notification via email and coordinate a site acceptance walk-through.

Technical Publications

Technical characteristics, including Network Channel/Network Channel Interface (NC/NCI?) codes, are described in Technical Publication, Interconnection Sub-Loop and Field Connection Point, 77405.

Pricing

Rate Structure

Nonrecurring charges are comprised of the following rate elements:

Quote Preparation Fee (QPF)

You will be charged a Quote and Preparation Fee (QPF) for the work to determine if the FCP request is feasible at the requested location.

You will be charged a nonrecurring charge consistent with Exhibit A of your Interconnection Agreement. The one-time nonrecurring charge will be developed on an Individual Case Basis (ICB) and consists of the costs to establish or augment the FCP. If the accessible terminal needs to be expanded to accommodate your request, the cost will be passed on to you as part of the nonrecurring 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

There are no optional features associated with this product.

Features/Benefits

Features	Benefits
Interconnection to CenturyLink Network at any technically feasible point.	You gain the ability to access and pay for only the sub-loop elements you require.

Applications

You may use a FCP to access sub-loop elements at any technically feasible point as follows:

You want to interconnect with CenturyLink to provide Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) service to a Multi-tenant Dwelling Unit/Campus environment. When you check the loops of certain end-users using a Raw Loop Data Tool, you discover that none of the loops qualify because of distance and Pair Gain. You then decide to apply for FCP to avoid the Pair Gain and reduce the loop length.

The diagram below depicts access at the accessible terminal:

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 FCP are not included in your Interconnection Agreement, you will be required to amend your Interconnection Agreement. For additional information, refer to Getting Started as a Facility-Based CLEC or contact your CenturyLink Sales Executive.

Pre-Ordering

It is recommended that you use one of the CenturyLink Loop Qualification tools to obtain facility information and determine whether facilities exist and are compatible with the service you want to provide. The facility information is dynamic. Facilities may be available at the time you perform the query and may not be available when you place the order. For additional information on CenturyLink's Loop Qualification Tools, refer to Pre-Ordering section of Unbundled Local Loop - General Information or the Pre-Ordering section of Shared Distribution Loop.

Prior to ordering FCP, you can request a Distribution Area (DA) Map at the Wire Center Level. You can utilize this map to determine which DAs serve a particular area. The DA Map also contains the DA number that is needed on the order form. Application and APOT(s) forms specific to Field Connection Point (FCP)/Cross-Connect Collocation can be found under Applications and APOT forms table in the Collocation - General Information. Return the completed order form to rfsmet@centurylink.com and copy your Wholesale Collocation Project Manager.

In Colorado only, you may reserve sub-loops if they are available; the reservation takes place at the time you submit a request for a FCP. Refer to the Colorado Sub-Loop Reservation Process for more information.

Ordering

To initiate the FCP ordering process, the FCP Request Application form must be complete and accurate before it will be accepted as a valid application.  Submittal of a detailed map or diagram with the application is optional and not required for the processing of the application.  Application and APOT(s) forms specific to Field Connection Point (FCP)/Cross-Connect Collocation can be found under Applications and APOT forms table in the Collocation - General Information.

Information on how to cancel a Field Connection Point (FCP)/Cross-Connect Collocation order already in progress is located in the Collocation - Cancellation Overview process. Collocation application forms can be found under Applications and APOT forms table in the Collocation - General Information.

Information on how to decommission a completed Field Connection Point (FCP)/Cross-Connect Collocation site is in the Collocation - Decommissioning Overview process. Collocation application forms can be found under Applications and APOT forms table in the Collocation - General Information.

Once you have submitted a complete and accurate FCP Request Application, the ordering process described in the Ordering section of Collocation - General Information will apply. A field meet will also be set up following receipt of the valid application.  The hand-off point for the FCP will be determined during this field meet. 

If you want to make changes to your order after you have submitted the application to CenturyLink, review the Major/Minor Matrix in the Collocation-General Information to obtain the effect on the interval. For specific information regarding time frames for the Feasibility, Quote and Acceptance stages detailed in the Ordering section of the Collocation - General Information, refer to your Interconnection Agreement.

If you require additional terminations after the establishment of the FCP, submit an FCP Request Application requesting an augment following the ordering process detailed in the Ordering section of Collocation - General Information.

After you have established your FCP and have received Alternate Point of Termination (APOT), you can reclassify your spare terminations. Refer to the Field Connection Point - Reclassification Process. For more information about the APOT form, refer to the Provisioning and Installation section of this web page.

For Colorado only, refer to the Colorado Sub-Loop Reservation Process , for the process to reserve sub-loop elements prior to completion of the FCP.

Early Ordering - For information on how to proceed with your FCP 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.

Service interval guidelines and are found in the Service Interval Guide (SIG).

Provisioning and Installation

Once you have accepted the quote and upon receipt of the 50% payment, CenturyLink will begin the engineering, space design, procurement of materials, conditioning of space and the installation of your FCP request.

You are required to obtain ROW and perform all of the necessary trenching required to bring your cable to the CenturyLink FDI/SAI.

You are responsible for constructing the cable facility up to the CenturyLink FCP location. You are required to have your cable in place and ready for splicing 21 calendar days before the Request For Service (RFS) date. If it is not in place, the FCP request will be placed on CLEC Hold. The maximum time for a CLEC Hold is 60 calendar days. On the 61st day, the FCP request will be cancelled, and you will be charged all applicable fees beyond the 50% payment.

You may inquire as to the status of your FCP request at any time by contacting the CSIE. If there is a delay that will impact your RFS date, CenturyLink will notify you, via a telephone call or email, with the reason for the delay, the corrective action being taken and the anticipated impact on your RFS date.

The APOT identifies the specific terminations at the FCP and will be used for the purposes of ordering Unbundled Network Elements (UNEs). You will receive two emailed APOTs, a Preliminary APOT and a Final APOT.

• You will receive a Preliminary APOT 15 calendar days prior to the RFS date and it will contain the terminations as they were originally assigned. This information has not been validated.
• Once the RFS date has been met, and you have paid the remaining 50 % of your nonrecurring charges, your Final APOT will be emailed to you.

Upon completion of the FCP order, you and the Network Project Manager will jointly conduct the Acceptance Walkthrough of the work. Any exceptions will be documented and the Network Project Manager will forward them for resolution. In addition, the Network Project Manager will answer any questions you might have.

If you are unable or elect not to participate in the Walkthough within 21 calendar days from the scheduled RFS date, the Network Project Manager will facilitate a Walkthough and sign the FCP Acceptance form noting that you did not participate. If you do not participate in the Walkthough and have questions about activities associated with the Walkthough, contact your CenturyLink Wholesale Collocation Project Manager.

Maintenance and Repair

General maintenance and repair activities are described in the Maintenance and Repair Overview.

You can access the FCP for maintenance and repair purposes by contacting the Account Maintenance Support Center (AMSC) at 1-800-223-7881.

Billing

Billing and Receivable Tracking (BART) billing is described in Billing Information - Billing and Receivable Tracking (BART).

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

• This self-directed, web-based product-training course provides you with an overview of Collocation concepts, features, requirements, configurations, entrance facility options, test points, and policies. Click here to learn more about this course and to register.

View additional CenturyLink courses in the Course Catalog.

Contacts

CenturyLink contact information is located in Wholesale Customer Contacts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can a CLEC use the FCP to access a Multi-Dwelling Unit (apartment complex)?
Yes, if there is an accessible terminal on the property to access the distribution cable. If you require access to the Intra-Building Cable, a Multi-Tenant Environment (MTE)-Point of Interconnection (POI) is required.

2. Must the FCP be constructed using a separate structure?
No, in most cases, space is available in an existing access terminal; however, if space does not exist a separate structure may be used or constructed.

3. Can the FCP be used to deliver High Speed Data services to end-users?
Yes, CenturyLink is not concerned with the type of equipment that you place at your equipment location as long as it does not interfere with the services already being provided to end-users. Remember the FCP is solely for the purpose of cross-connecting your cable facilities with CenturyLink cable facilities and does not provide space, power or heat disbursement for the placement of equipment. If you wish to place equipment at a CenturyLink site refer to the Remote Collocation web page.

Last Update: February 27, 2017

NC/NCI™ is a Trademark of Telcordia Technologies, Inc.