Product Catalog (PCAT)
Switched Access Services - V11.0
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 Tariff F.C.C. No. 11, Sections 6, 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. The services are offered to Interexchange Carriers according to the terms and conditions of CenturyLink Operating Companies Tariff F.C.C. No. 11, Sections 6 and 16, and applicable state tariffs.
Availability
Switched Access Service is available where facilities exist throughout CenturyLink QC's 14-state local service territory.
Terms and Conditions
Terms and conditions for the ordering, billing and provisioning of Switched Access Services are contained in CenturyLink Operating Companies Tariff F.C.C. No. 11, 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 Switched Transport Pricing Plan (STPP) may reduce monthly payments. |
| Local Switching | |
| Common Line (CL) | Carrier Common Line |
Rates
Further information about these rate categories can be obtained in the CenturyLink Operating Companies Tariff F.C.C. No. 11, Section 6 or state access tariffs or state access tariffs.
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 |
| Access 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 (in AZ, CO, ID, IA, MN, NM, ND, SD and UT. In MT, CCL Recovery Charge is bulk billed based upon market share. |
| Interconnection Charge (IC)(In SD only) | Interconnection charge, in South Dakota for Originating Traffic only, is a recovery of subsidies that were formerly included in the local transport charges. | Originating 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, following is a picture depicting the Switched Access rate structure:
A customer can realize a discount on their transport rate elements by committing to certain terms and conditions. The current discounted transport plan is displayed in the following matrix:
Switched Transport Pricing Plan – Description
| PLAN NAME | Switched Transport Pricing Plan (STPP) | |
| PRODUCT | DS1 | DS3 |
| WHERE AVAILABLE | In 9 states where CenturyLink has met the FCC'S definition of viable transport competition: AZ,CO,IA,,MN,NE,NM,OR,UT,WA | |
| PROVISIONED AS | BOTH PURE SWITCHED AND SHARED USE | |
| RATE ELEMENTS | EF, DTT, DS1-0 MUX | Optical EF, Electrical EF, DTT, DS3-DS1MUX |
| TYPES OF DISCOUNT | Term Discount only for all elements. | Volume & Term Discount for EF. Term discount for DTT& MUX |
| HOW DISCOUNT IS OFFERED | Specific term rates with built-in discounts. | Specific term rates with built-in discounts. |
| MINIMUM PURCHASE TO QUALIFY FOR DISCOUNT | None | None |
| ANY SHORT-FALL CHARGES | None | None |
| TERM LENGTH [Months] | PROVISIONED AS PURE SWITCHED | |
| 36, 60 (EF,DTT & MUX) | 36, 60 (EF Elect. Cap. of 1, DTT & MUX) | |
| PROVISIONED AS SHARED USE | ||
| 36, 60 (EF,DTT & MUX) | 12, 24, 36, 60, 120 (DTT, MUX & EF Cap. => 2 Opt. & Elect.) | |
| TRANSPORT MILEAGE STRUCTURE | 4 mile bands - fixed & per mile charge within each band. | 4 mile bands - fixed & per mile charge within each band. |
| PORTABILITY | None | None |
| NRC % DISCOUNT | PROVISIONED AS PURE SWITCHED - APPLICABLE TO SWITCHED RATE ELEMENTS & TRUNK WORK | |
| 25% for 36 mos. Plan when the access order is received within 90 days of plan establishment date. 50% for 60 mos. or 120 mos. plans when the access order is received within 180 days of the plan establishment date. | ||
| PROVISIONED AS SHARED USE - APPLICABLE TO TRUNK WORK | ||
| 25% for 36 mos. plan when the access order is received within 90 days of plan date. 50% for 60 mos. or 120 mos. plans when the access order is received within 180 days of the plan establishment date. | ||
| TERMINATION LIABILITY | PROVISIONED AS PURE SWITCHED | |
| DISCONTINUE BEFORE COMPLETING 12 MOS. MSP (RECURRING) | ||
| (100% x balance of MSP x current switched monthly rates) plus 40% x current monthly rates x (term length less MSP). | (100% x balance of MSP x current switched monthly rates) plus 40%x current monthly rates x (term length less MSP). | |
| DISCONTINUE AFTER COMPLETING 12 MOS. MSP (RECURRING) | ||
| 40% x current switched monthly rates x balance of term length. | 70% x current switched monthly rates x balance of term length. | |
Tariffs, Regulations and Policies
Tariffs, regulations and policies are located in the CenturyLink Operating Companies Tariff F.C.C. No. 11, Section 6 or state access 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. CenturyLink | Wholesale | Interexchange Carriers (IXCs).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.
CIP functionality will not be available in the Ericsson offices. 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. See table below:
| Carrier Connection | Access Tandem Type | End Office Type | Signaling between tandem and end office | CIP available? |
| DTT to End Office | N/A | Ericsson | SS7 | No |
| DTT to End Office | N/A | Ericsson | MF | No |
| DTT to End Office | N/A | Nortel or Lucent | MF | No |
| DTT to End Office | N/A | Nortel or Lucent | SS7 | Yes |
| DTT to Access Tandem | 5ESS | Ericsson | MF | Yes |
| DTT to Access Tandem | 5ESS | Ericsson | SS7 | Yes |
| DTT to Access Tandem | DMS200 | Ericsson | MF | Yes |
| DTT to Access Tandem | DMS200 | Ericsson | SS7 | No |
| DTT to Access Tandem | DMS200 | Nortel or Lucent | MF | Yes |
| DTT to Access Tandem | DMS200 | Nortel or Lucent | SS7 | Yes |
There are other optional features available for Switching, Transport Termination and Line Termination. These optional features are described in CenturyLink Operating Companies Tariff F.C.C. No. 11, Section 6.3.
Features/Benefits
| Service | Features | Benefits |
| Feature Group A |
|
|
| Feature Group B |
|
|
| Feature Group C |
|
|
| Feature Group D |
|
|
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.
- Service date interval information is available in the Service Interval Guide (SIG).
If CenturyLink, through its own fault, fails to meet the Company committed Service Date, the customer's bill shall be adjusted to reflect a Service Guarantee credit of 100% of the total nonrecurring charge for certain rate elements. See Operating Companies Tariff F.C.C. No. 11, Section 5.2.1 C.1.
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 diagram FCC 6.1.
FG B-D services can also be provided jointly with other telecommunication providers. If you have questions about jointly provided Switched Access, see the Jointly Provided Access Services PCAT.
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 Tariff F.C.C. No. 11, Section 2.4.4 B.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). CABS billing is described in Billing Information - 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 Tandems records Minutes of Use (MOU). All Feature Group usage is billed on the CenturyLink Carrier Access Billing System (CABS) bill on a Switched Billing Account Number. 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.
Jointly provided Switched Access billing arrangements are discussed in the Jointly Provided Access Services PCAT.
Feature Group usage sensitive elements are billed on the Switched Access Bill, as well as the flat-rated trunk port charge(s).
- Access usage per MOU elements:
- Local Switching
- Interconnection Charge
- Tandem Transmission Fixed and Variable
- Tandem Switching
- Common Transport MUX
- End Office Shared Port
- Flat-rated elements:
- Access Tandem Trunk Port
- End Office Dedicated Trunk Port
- Direct Trunked Transport
- Breakout of individual message type
Feature Group flat-rated elements are billed on the Facility bill:
- Flat-rated elements:
- Entrance Facilty
- Direct Trunked Transport
- Multiplexer
Training
View CenturyLink courses in the Course Catalog.
Contacts
CenturyLink contact information is located in Wholesale Customer Contacts.
For existing Customers operating in CenturyLink 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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can an Interexchange Carrier order 950 (Feature Group B) over Feature Group D?
Per CenturyLink Operating Companies Tariff F.C.C. No. 11, Section 6.3.1.S.1, FG B (950) can be provisioned over FG D only if the FG B and D Carrier Identification Codes (CIC) are identical.
2. What are the current PICC charges?
See CenturyLink Operating Companies Tariff F.C.C. No. 11, Section 4.7.2. As of July 2001, PICC no longer applies to residence, single line business or ISDN BRI services.
3. If an Interexchange Carrier orders tandem routed service can they request blocking to one or more of the subtending End Offices?
No, per the tariff, service is routed to/from all the End Offices which subtend the tandem when service is ordered as tandem versus direct routed.
4. What is CenturyLink's FG D blocking policy?
CenturyLink will not provide blocking on Feature Group D trunks based on the line class of service (e.g., coin, multiparty, hotel/motel), or service prefix indicator (e.g., 00+, 00-, 0+, 0-, or 1+). The exceptions to this policy are International DDD service, multiparty calls from 900 Access, and for calls dialed 101XXXX from inmate service.
The preferred method in disconnecting a partial group is for the customer to disconnect trunks at the end of the group. However, if the customer wants to disconnect trunks in the middle of the trunk group, a subsequent C-Order is required so CenturyLink translations personnel can remove and reinstall the trunks in the correct sequence.
- Are there charges associated with disconnecting trunks?
It depends on whether the trunk is at the end or in the middle of the trunk group. There is no charge to disconnect trunks at the end of the group. However, when a trunk is disconnected at the middle of the group Rearrangement charges apply for the removal and re-installation of the trunks. A description of the charges for a Rearrangement is outlined in CenturyLink Operating Companies Tariff F.C.C. No. 11, Section 6.7.1.C.3.e. - How does CenturyLink apply the terms of its CenturyLink Operating Companies Tariff F.C.C. No. 11 Tariff when a carrier desires to perform a service rearrangement on a facility by removing trunk numbers in the middle of the numbering sequence for the facility?
This activity would be considered a rearrangement per Section 6.7.1.C.3 of the tariff. That section defines a rearrangement as, "… changes to existing services installed which do not result in either a change in the minimum period requirement . . . or a change in the physical location of the point of termination at a customer's premises or a customer's end user premises."
Section 2.3.6 of the tariff provides that, "...the customer shall be solely responsible, at its own expense, for the overall design of its services and for any redesigning or rearrangement of its services which may be required because of changes in facilities, operations or procedures of [CenturyLink], minimum protection criteria or operating maintenance characteristics of the facilities (emphasis added)." The operations and procedures of CenturyLink QC referenced in the tariff require the customer to disconnect trunks (when not disconnecting the entire facility) sequentially. They must place an order to disconnect them from the highest numbered trunk down. Those operations and procedures govern the relationship between the parties as referenced in the tariff.
Section 2.1.8.A of the tariff provides that CenturyLink can refuse to complete any pending orders for services if customer fails to comply with the regulations in Section 2.3 (e.g., the operations or procedures of CenturyLink). Section 2.1.8.A further provides that CenturyLink applies these actions uniformly across its service territory.
Please contact your CenturyLink Account Representative for information
Last Update: October 19, 2018