Patent ID: 6118777
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: H04M,H04Q

Abstract:
An apparatus for providing a competing local exchange carrier unbundled access to a subscriber line, the apparatus comprising:a line interface module connected to and terminating said subscriber line, said line interface module having a first output connected to a service node of an incumbent local exchange carrier and a second output connected to a network interface module,a database storing provisioning information for said subscriber line, the provisioning information being indicative of whether traffic on said subscriber line will be switched to said service node of said incumbent local exchange carrier, or be switched to said network interface module for forwarding to a service node of said competing local exchange carrier;the line interface module being adapted to switch traffic received on said subscriber line selectively to the first output or the second output in accordance with said provisioning information for said subscriber line stored in said database;said network interface module providing an interface between one or more line interface modules and a generic connectivity network,said generic connectivity network having a plurality of interconnected switches and transmission equipment for transmitting traffic appearing at the network interface module to said service node of said competing local exchange carrier without transmitting said traffic over a public switched telephone network;the line interface module and the network interface module working in tandem with each other to allow the competing local exchange carrier to have access to said subscriber line without the need for physical unbundling of said subscriber line from said incumbent local exchange carrier.