Digital Signal Level 3 (DS3) service consists of a high capacity channel provisioned for transmission speeds of 44.736 Megabits per second (Mbps) isochronous serial data. DS3 is offered at an electrical interface for single DS3 applications.
This service is used for customers who need to transport large amounts of information between locations and who have the flexibility to configure communications services to meet specific needs to economically optimize networks, such as aggregation of lower speed services, e.g., Digital Signal Level 1 (DS1) (1.544Mbps), onto a high speed digital backbone.
Digital Signal Level 3 (DS3) facility can be channelized to provide 28 DS1 circuits with the multiplexing ability to enable a platform for voice, video, or data services. This advanced; digital communications solution is designed and deployed to support applications where high bandwidth and fiber-optic reliability are necessary. For extremely mission-critical business functions, DS3 is available with Self-Healing Alternate Route Protection (SHARP) options.
Optical and electrical interfaces for DS3 capacity services (Capacity 2 - Capacity 36) have been grandparented in the FCC No. 1 Tariff. Capacity services have been replaced with Synchronous Service Transport (SST) which is a SONET backbone available in bandwidths of OC3, OC12, OC24, OC48 and OC192.
Digital Signal Level 3 (DS3) is available where facilities exist throughout Qwest's 14-state local service territory.
If facilities are not available, service will be provided on an Individual Case Basis (ICB) with 90 to 120-day provisioning time frame after, an individual assessment based on the regional funding process, which your Account Team / Sales Executives and Service Managers will facilitate.Digital Signal Level 3 (DS3) is provided in compliance with provisions stated per Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Tariff #1, Sections 7 & 17 and/or the relevant State Access Tariffs. For more information contact your Account Team/Sales Executive.
Services that extend to designated high voltage (HV) environments are required to have high voltage protection (HVP). HVP devices may be provided by you, the end user, or may be requested from Qwest. General High Voltage Protection activities are described in High Voltage Protection.
Washington CLEC Customers - Alternate Form of Regulation (AFOR)
Effective December 2007, Qwest makes available the terms of the existing Washington Qwest Performance Assurance Plan (PAP) to Unbundled Network Elements (UNE) substitutes under the terms of the Washington Alternative Form of Regulation. CLECs may purchase DS3 special access/private line services in Washington wire centers as substitutes for DS3 UNE loop, UNE transport (UDIT) or Enhanced Extended Link (EEL) for inclusion in their WA PAP results, consistent with the terms of the Commercial Agreement for the PAP and providing Qwest with the required information identifying the DS3 special access/private line service as a UNE substitute. You will be asked to complete the Eligible Substitute List Spreadsheet and return it to your Qwest Service Manager or send an email indicating there are no embedded base circuits to be included under the agreement. Additional information is described in the Washington CLEC Customers - Alternative Form of Regulation (AFOR) download.
Technical Publications
Technical characteristics, including Network Channel /Network Channel Interface (NC/NCI™) codes, are described in Technical Publication, Qwest DS3 Service, 77324.
Recurring charges are comprised of the following rate elements:
Nonrecurring charges are comprised of the following rate elements:
Rates are available in Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 1 sections 7 & 17 and/or in the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price List.
Tariffs, regulations and policies are located in the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.
Optional Features
Optional Features and Functions may be added to DS3 Service to improve its quality or its utility to meet specific communication requirements. Available DS3 Optional Features and Functions include:
* NOTE: SHARP Plus is no longer available for new service requests. The grandparenting action will affect you in the following ways:
For additional information about the grandparenting of SHARP Plus contact your Qwest Service Manager.
Digital Signal Level 3 (DS3) service is used for customers who need to transport large amounts of information between locations and who have the flexibility to configure communications services to meet specific needs to economically optimize networks, such as aggregation of lower speed services, e.g., DS1 (1.544Mbps), onto a high speed digital backbone.
Digital Signal Level 3 (DS3) facility can be channelized to provide 28 DS1 circuits with the multiplexing ability to enable a platform for voice video and data services. This advanced, digital communications solution is designed and deployed to support mission-critical business functions and applications such as:
| Features | Benefits |
| Cost savings. | |
| High reliability. | |
| Cost effective service plans. | |
| Responsiveness | |
| Aggregation of service. |
See features and benefits section
If you are an Interexchange Carrier (IXC), Internet & Data (ISP) or Wireless Service Provider (WSP) and have questions regarding your contract with Qwest, contact your Account Team / Sales Executives and Service Managers for more information.
Pre-Ordering section does not apply to DS3.
Digital Signal Level 3 (DS3) service requests are submitted using the following Access Service Ordering Guidelines (ASOG) forms:
For UNE to a Private Line Transport
When converting a UNE "As Is" to Qwest Private Line Transport (PLT) or Special Access (SA) Tariff Services, one (1) ASR is required.
The valid ASR entries are:
| ASR Field | Valid Entries |
| ACT | C |
| PROJECT | UNETOPLT |
| ECCKT | UNE circuit ID (A new DS3/Circuit ID will be provided on FOC) |
| RMK | Transition from UNE to DS3. Records change only. No physical work. Reuse facilities. (Include UNE Billing Number if available) |
| UNE | Must be Blank |
Field entry requirements are described in the Access Service Request (ASR) Forms.
Contact your Account Team / Sales Executives and Service Managers for more information.
FOC intervals are found in the Service Interval Guide (SIG) for Access Services.
Contact your Account Team / Sales Executives and Service Managers for more information.
The DS3 Service maintenance and repair problems are reported to the Qwest Customer Service Center 1-800-954-1211. If your end-users experience problems with their local circuits or services, provisioned with Qwest provided products and services, their first point of contact is you, their local service provider. You or your end-user must isolate the trouble and verify it is not the customer-owned equipment or cable before calling.
Integrated Access Billing System (IABS) billing is described in Billing Information - Integrated Access Billing System (IABS™).
Digital Signal Level 3 (DS3)
View additional Qwest courses by clicking on Course Catalog.
Qwest contact information is located through your Account Team/Sales Executive.
1. Can DS3 connect to other Qwest services?
Yes. For example, DS3s are often used as "tail circuits"
to SHNS rings.
2. DS3 is efficient transport for aggregating DS1s. Can
it transport other types of services?
Yes. Some customers want to transport a combination of DS1 private
Lines, Frame Relay Services, and ISDN PRI from their location to
their serving wire center. DS3 can save the customer money by efficiently
transporting the traffic.
3. Can Qwest place an M1/3 MUX (like an ADC EZD3s) at the
premise instead of a FLMxxx?
As part of the DS3 Private Line product, M1/3 MUXs can only be at
COs. Engineering can only put M1/3s at a premise as:
4. Can DS3s be provisioned on coax cable?
Except for very specific circumstances within a wire center, Qwest's
DS3s are only provisioned using fiber-optics, which provides for
much greater reliability and scalability.
Last Update: November 8, 2008
NC/NCI™ is a trademark of Telecordia Technologies Inc.
IABS™ is a trademark of Qwest Communications International, Inc.
COMMAD A LINKsm is a service mark of Qwest Communications International, Inc.
