A CLEC may select from five (5) methods for facility access to its collocation space.
They include
CLEC may request alternative entrance facilities including Unbundled Dark Fiber (UDF) and other non-standard entrance facilities.
Copper Entrance facilities for all states other than Minnesota and other entrance facility technology requests may be requested via the Bona Fide Request (BFR) Process.
Unbundled Dark Fiber (UDF) is ordered outside of the collocation process.
The Facility Connected (FC) Collocation product is described in Facility Connected (FC) Collocation.
Standard Fiber Entrance Facility (Shared Fiber) -- The standard fiber entrance facility provides fiber connectivity between CLEC's fiber facilities delivered to the C-POI and CLEC's Collocation space in increments of 12 fibers. Qwest splices CLEC's fiber cable at the C-POI into a Qwest-provided shared fiber entrance cable. The fiber cable terminates on a Fiber Distribution Panel (FDP). A 12 fiber minimum (6 pair) Interconnection cable is placed between CLEC's Collocation space and the FDP. The FDP provides Qwest with test access and a connection point between the transport fiber and CLEC's Interconnection cable.
CLEC is responsible for providing its own fiber facilities to the C-POI outside Qwest's Wire Center. Qwest will extend the fiber cable from the C-POI to a Fiber Distribution Panel (FDP). Qwest will then provide additional fiber, conduit and associated riser structure from the FDP. The Qwest provided facility from the C-POI to the FDP within the Qwest Wire Center shall be considered the Collocation Fiber Entrance Facility.
Cross-Connect Fiber Entrance Facility -- The cross-connect fiber entrance facility provides fiber connectivity between a CLEC's fiber facilities and multiple locations within a Qwest Wire Center. The CLEC's fiber cable is spliced by Qwest at the C-POI into a Qwest shared fiber entrance cable that terminates on a Qwest OSP FDP located in the Qwest Wire Center. The OSP FDP connects via fiber jumpers to a secondary FDP to connect to the CLEC's collocation space.
The CLEC must order OCN terminations to connect from their collocation site to the secondary FDP. The CLEC has the option to also connect to multiple locations with the same Qwest Wire Center from the OSP FDP or the secondary FDP. This product is ordered in 12 fiber strand increments including the connection from the secondary FDP to the CLEC collocation space.
CLEC fiber running from a CLEC collocation site to a Qwest Central Office secondary FDP forming the Central Office portion of a Cross-Connect Fiber Entrance Facility can be re-designated as spare CLEC Central Office fiber. The CLEC may place an inverse augment order to have all or a portion (in 4 strand increments, i.e. 2 fiber circuits) of the fiber cross connect jumpers removed, effectively reducing the number of fiber entrance facilities. One application of this process is the CLEC may elect to reallocate the disconnected fiber to connect to another CLEC within the same Qwest Wire Center. This CLEC to CLEC Connection is also referred to as a CLEC to CLEC Cross-Connect.
The express fiber entrance facility is assumed to be fiber optic cable and meets industry standards (GR. 20 Core). Metallic sheath cable is not considered a standard Collocation entrance facility.
If you are unable to deliver your Fiber Entrance facility in a timely manner, additional information is described in the Collocation Express/Shared Fiber Process Overview.
As an alternative to the Fiber Entrance Facilities described above, CLEC may purchase unbundled dedicated interoffice transport (UDIT), cataloged DS1 or DS3 Private Line or Qwest Tariff Access or Switched Access Services.
Microwave Entrance Facilities - is the placement of an antenna on a non-penetrating roof mount, or on an existing tower, building or supporting structure on the exterior of a Qwest premises building, to be used in conjunction with transmission (radio) equipment collocated inside the premises.
Qwest offers Microwave Entrance Facilities, on Premises owned or controlled by Qwest, to access CLEC transmission equipment collocated on or inside the Qwest Premises. The rooftop, duct, conduit, and riser cable space for Microwave Entrance Facilities is available on a first-come, first-served basis, where Technically Feasible. CLEC may place its microwave antenna on a Qwest owned or controlled existing tower, building or supporting structure, where space is available, or CLEC may construct such tower or supporting structure, if necessary and if there is sufficient space and the building structure is not jeopardized. Such microwave equipment will be limited to that which is necessary for Interconnection to Qwest's network or access to Qwest's Unbundled Network Elements. Any equipment used to produce or extract moisture must be connected to existing or newly constructed building or roof top drainage systems, at the CLECs expense.
Qwest will jointly coordinate and plan with CLEC for the placement and location of the microwave equipment on a non-penetrating roof mount, or an existing tower or supporting structure on the exterior of a Qwest Premise. The method of placing CLEC microwave equipment shall be mutually agreed upon. Tower or building roof space that allows for unobstructed line-of-sight will be provided by Qwest where Technically Feasible. A weatherproof cable entry hatch or an existing wave-guide hatch or other suitable entrance into the building is required. If space is available, CLEC may use an existing cable entry hatch or a new cable entry hatch will need to be constructed. The cable entry hatch charges are calculated on a per Port used basis.
CLEC can perform the determination of line-of-sight feasibility or if requested, Qwest will perform the line-of-sight feasibility. CLEC will submit a Microwave Entrance Facility Application for each antenna arrangement and each Qwest Premises requested. A site visit will include appropriate Qwest and CLEC personnel for the purpose of determining whether an unobstructed line-of-sight is Technically Feasible and structural analysis of the building. The site visit will take place within fifteen (15) calendar Days after receipt by Qwest of the CLEC's Microwave Entrance Facility Application, unless the CLEC requests a later date. If CLEC performs the structural analysis and line-of-sight feasibility, it shall submit a response regarding its analysis to Qwest and Qwest will only bill for an escort fee per site requested. If either Party disputes the technical feasibility, space availability, or other conditions proposed by Qwest, the Parties will promptly petition the Commission for resolution of the dispute.
If Qwest performs the feasibility analysis, a response will be provided to CLEC within thirty (30) calendar Days after the site visit with the structural analysis and line-of-sight feasibility. If the site visit determines that unobstructed line-of-sight and placement of the microwave equipment are not Technically Feasible, CLEC will be billed only for the site visit. If the site visit determines that the placement of microwave equipment is Technically Feasible, Qwest will provide a quote for the Microwave Entrance Facility with the quote for the submitted Collocation Application. If CLEC does not submit a Collocation Application for the Premises within thirty (30) calendar Days following the completion of the line-of-sight and structural feasibility analysis or CLEC subsequently cancels the Collocation Application; CLEC will be billed for the site visit.
CLEC must obtain all necessary variances, licenses, approvals and authorizations from governmental agencies with jurisdiction, such as use permits, building permits, FCC licenses and FAA approval, if required, to construct, operate and maintain the CLEC facilities. If Qwest's assistance is required in order for a CLEC to obtain necessary licenses or permits, Qwest will not unreasonably withhold such assistance. CLEC will pay all expenses associated with that assistance on a time and materials basis.
CLEC is responsible for the engineering, purchasing, supplying, installing, maintaining, repairing and servicing of its microwave specific equipment. CLEC shall provide the cable from the antenna equipment to the building cable entry hatch. However, CLEC is not permitted to penetrate the building exterior wall or roof. Qwest will do all building penetration and Qwest will install the coaxial cable or wave-guide/transmission facility from the cable entry hatch to the CLEC's Collocation space within the interval, as set forth in your Interconnection Agreement, for the type of Collocation requested by CLEC. CLEC facilities shall not physically, electronically or inductively interfere with the existing Qwest or other CLECs' equipment. Each transmitter individually and all transmitters collectively, for Qwest, Qwest Affiliates and CLECs, at a given location shall comply with appropriate Federal, State, and Local regulations governing the safe levels of RF radiation.
Upon expiration or termination of the Collocation arrangement or the Microwave Entrance Facility, CLEC shall return the antenna space to its original condition. CLEC shall repair any damages caused by removal of its microwave equipment, or by the use, operation or placement of its microwave equipment on the Premises. If CLEC performs the foregoing, Qwest shall impose no charges on CLEC for such work. In the event the CLEC fails to remove its microwave equipment, CLEC shall be liable to Qwest for all reasonable costs of removal, restoration of the property, storage and transportation to CLEC of such microwave equipment incurred by Qwest.
If terms and conditions for Microwave Entrance Facilities are not included in your Interconnection Agreement, you will be required to amend your Interconnection Agreement. In the event you wish to relocate any of your existing Microwave Physical Collocation facilities to a different place contiguous to or on the relevant Qwest premises rooftop, you must submit a written request to Qwest, at rfsmet@qwest.com specifying the new location you propose to occupy. Qwest will, within 30 calendar days, approve such relocation or describe, in writing, why the relocation is not technically feasible.
Qwest, its contractors/vendors and you or your contractors/vendors are required to adhere to the requirements of Network Equipment Building System (NEBS) Level 1 safety standards, Generic Equipment Requirements (TR-NWT-000063), Electromagnetic, Compatibility and Electrical Safety Generic Criteria for Network Telecommunication Equipment (TR-NWT-001089), and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) Bulletin 65 dated 08/97, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), as well as to the following Qwest Technical Publications and web page. These standards apply equally to Qwest, Qwest affiliates, Qwest contractors/vendors and CLECs or CLECs' contractors/vendors.
The following Technical Publications are specific to Microwave installation
Collocation Fiber Entrance Facilities are ordered on the general Collocation Application form, in conjunction with your request for collocation.
General Collocation ordering activities are described in the Collocation General Information PCAT.
Microwave Entrance Facilities are ordered on the Collocation Application form, in conjunction with your request for Collocation.
Each antenna arrangement must be requested on a separate application.
Local Qwest 101: "Doing Business with Qwest"
View additional Qwest courses by clicking on Course Catalog.
Qwest contact information is located in Wholesale Customer Contacts.
This section is being compiled based on your feedback.
Last Update: September 2, 2008
