Enhanced Extended Loop (EEL) is a combination of the Unbundled Local Loop and Unbundled Dedicated Interoffice Transport (UDIT) and/or Extended-Unbundled Dedicated Interoffice Transport (E-UDIT). The UDIT and E-UDIT offering may vary by state. Refer to your Interconnection Agreement. An EEL can also be a multiplexed dedicated transport circuit that carries multiple loop-transport EELs.
Enhanced Extended Loop (EEL) transport and loop facilities may utilize Digital Signal Level 0 (DS0) - Analog Voice Grade, Digital Signal Level 1 (DS1), Digital Signal Level 3 (DS3), or Optical Carrier Level n (OCn) bandwidths. EEL at OCn bandwidths is requested using the Special Request Process
Enhanced Extended Loop (EEL) provides you with the ability to access either residential or business end-users located in a different Qwest Wire Center, other than your existing collocation or switch. EEL transport can originate from either your collocation or switch (Point of Presence). The EEL loop must terminate at an end-user's premises/demarcation point in the same Local Access and Transport Area and state as your Collocation or switch. EEL loops can also be connected to a multiplexer on a Local Interconnection Services (LIS) Entrance Facility or to a multiplexer on a LIS Mid Span Meet Point of Interface (POI) with termination points within Qwest territory. When an end-user is served by a Remote Serving Unit (RSU) and you are collocated in the RSU's host Central Office (CO), you can provide service to those end-users with an EEL.
DS0 - Analog Voice Grade is a two-point circuit that provides such services as:
Product Diagram
Enhanced Extended Loop (EEL) is available in two configurations, the Point-To-Point EEL and Multiplexed EEL.
Point-to-Point EEL Configuration
The Point-To-Point EEL is a Qwest facility that provides a connection from either your collocation or switch served by a Qwest Serving Wire Center to an end-user premises/demarcation point served by a different Qwest Serving Wire Center.
Point-to-Point EEL With Collocation
Point-to-Point EEL Without Collocation
Multiplexed EEL Configuration
The Multiplexed EEL is available in three configurations:
Multiplexed EEL with Collocation and Interoffice Transport
With collocation, EEL transport provides a transmission path from your collocation in a Qwest Wire Center to a multiplexer in a different Qwest Wire Center.
Multiplexed EEL With Collocation and Interoffice Transport
Multiplexed EEL - CLEC Switch to Qwest Serving Wire Center
Without collocation, EEL transport provides a transmission path from your switch to a multiplexer in the Qwest Serving Wire Center.
Multiplexed EEL - CLEC Switch to Qwest Serving Wire Center
Multiplexed EEL - CLEC Switch with Interoffice Transport
Enhanced Extended Loop (EEL) transport from your switch to the Qwest Serving Wire Center can also be combined with additional EEL transport and extended to a multiplexer in a different Qwest Wire Center.
Multiplexed EEL - CLEC Switch With Interoffice Transport
Enhanced Extended Loop (EEL) is available where facilities exist throughout Qwest's 14-state local service territory.
Enhanced Extended Loops (EEL) are available within the same Local Access and Transport Area (LATA) and state where facilities exist and/or where you have CLEC Requested UNE Construction per the terms and conditions of your Interconnection Agreement. Refer to Negotiation Template Agreement, which addresses options available to you when facilities are not available.
Border town cities are physically located in one state with service provided from a Qwest Serving Wire Center located in an adjacent state. EEL requests that involve a border town will be provisioned if facilities are available; and the CLEC wire center and end-user customer location are located within the same Qwest Serving Wire Center Area.
Enhanced Extend Loop (EEL) 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.
You may utilize the EEL DS1 Loop product to serve a location where you have multiple end user customers at a single multi-tenant location. EEL Loops are not available for telecommunications services provided directly to you for your own administrative purposes. An unbundled loop is defined as transmission facility between a distribution frame (or its equivalent) in a Qwest central office and the loop demarcation point at an end user customer premises.
Service guarantees associated with Private Line/Special Access circuits converted to EEL do not apply after the circuits have been converted to EEL.
Each EEL must carry a significant amount of Local Exchange traffic. You must self-certify that EEL circuits meet one of the three eligibility options from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Supplemental Order Clarification, Adopted May 19, 2000, Released June 2, 2000, CC Docket No. 96-98, FCC 00-183, paragraph 22. Key criteria of these options include:
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) eligibility options to certify a significant amount of Local Exchange Traffic are described in Negotiations Template Agreement.
Additional information about the certification process is available in the Prerequisites section of this web page.
Audits
In order to confirm reasonable compliance with the eligibility requirements of your options, Qwest may perform audits of Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLEC) records according to the guidelines outlined below. Qwest will not audit the local usage on a circuit before converting an existing Private Line/Special Access circuit to an EEL.
Detailed information is available in the Section 9.23.3.7.2 of the Negotiations Template Agreement for the relevant state.
Technical characteristics, including Network Channel/Network Channel Interface (NC/NCITM) codes are described in Technical Publication, Unbundled Network Element Combinations Including Enhanced Extended Loop (EEL) and Loop Mux Combinations (LMC) 77403.
Recurring charges are comprised of the following rate elements:
There are three different types of EEL nonrecurring charges. The one that is applied to your service request is dependent upon the work Qwest must perform to fulfill your request. The following provides a brief description of each EEL nonrecurring charge.
Full EEL Installation Nonrecurring charges apply to the following Conversion As Specified requests:
A rearrangement nonrecurring charge may be assessed on some requests for work to be performed by Qwest on an existing EEL:
For coordinated project installations scheduled to commence out of hours, or rescheduled by a CLEC to commence out of hours, additional nonrecurring charges will be applied to each EEL circuit for the work performed by Qwest outside of normal business hours. If this offering is not included in your current ICA, an amendment will be required. Out of Hours Project Coordinated Installations are offered only in those states that contain the appropriate rates found under Miscellaneous Charges in Section 9.20 of Exhibit A for the specific state.
Additional rate information can be located in Exhibit A or the specific rate sheet in your Interconnection Agreement. The nonrecurring charges, either full installation or rearrangement, applied to Conversion as Specified requests are dependent upon the physical work Qwest must perform. Full EEL installation nonrecurring charges will apply on all Conversion as Specified requests unless your current Interconnection Agreement includes the EEL rearrangement nonrecurring charge. If you wish to amend your current Interconnection Agreement to include either EEL or the rearrangement nonrecurring charge, contact your Qwest Service Manager.
When providing an EEL to an end-user served from an RSU, the facility between the host office and the RSU is billed at EEL transport rates. If the RSU has the same NPA NXX as the host switch, Qwest will zero rate the recurring cost of the transport between the host and the remote office.
For Private Line/Special Access Services that are converted to EEL, minimum service period, termination liability and shortfall charges for the product from which the circuit is being converted will apply and will be assessed as described in the individual state Tariffs/Catalogs Price Lists. If you wish to convert services to EEL, the conversion of these services will not be delayed due to the applicability of minimum service period, shortfall or termination liability charges.
Information regarding Geographic Deaveraging is available in Geographic Deaveraging - General Information.
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 are located in the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.
Enhanced Extended Loops (EEL) are provisioned where existing facilities are available and/or where you have CLEC Requested UNE Construction per the terms and conditions of your Interconnection Agreement.
When you submit your service request and facilities are not available, your request may be held for 90 business days. For exceptions and detailed information, refer to the Provisioning and Installation Overview.
Co-mingling is the FCC's term for "combining loops or loop-transport combinations with tariffed services." Combining tariffed services such as Private Line/Special Access or Switched Access Services with Unbundled Network Elements (UNEs), i.e., EELs, is prohibited. Circuits connected to a Qwest tariffed service will not be converted to or provisioned as an EEL.
Eligible circuits that are converted from Private Line/Special Access Service to EEL will retain all optional features and functions that were associated with the existing service as requested from the tariff(s). After a circuit has been converted to EEL, if you wish to make design changes to that service, the change requested must be in compliance with the design requirements identified in Technical Publication Unbundled Network Element Combinations Including Enhanced Extended Loop (EEL) and Loop Mux Combinations (LMC), 77403. If the change is outside of the scope of Technical Publication Unbundled Network Element Combinations Including Enhanced Extended Loop (EEL) 77403 the Special Request Process must be followed.
The Special Request (SR) process is used when you are requesting nonstandard combination of previously available UNEs, or certain UNEs that Qwest does not offer as a standard product but have been identified by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or State Commission as network elements. Special Requests information is described in Bona Fide Request (BFR) and Special Request (SR) Processes.
| Features | Benefits |
| Ability to provide local service to end-users served by distant Wire Centers where you do not have collocation. |
|
See Features/Benefits.
If you are a new CLEC and are ready to do business with Qwest, 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.
Before submitting your first request to either convert or provision new EEL service, you should review your Interconnection Agreement. If your Interconnection Agreement includes provisions for UNE combinations, all of the UNEs (e.g., loop and transport) making up the EEL and all of the appropriate recurring and nonrecurring billing elements comprised in an EEL, an amendment to your Interconnection Agreement is not required. The following EEL billing elements must be included your Interconnection Agreement:
An EEL amendment may be required to include, full nonrecurring charges for loop, transport, and multiplexing as described in the Negotiations Template Agreement for the relevant state and will apply when converting Private Line/Special Access circuits to EEL and when provisioning new EELs.
If you are amending your Interconnection Agreement, a New Customer Questionnaire must be updated and provided to your Qwest Service Manager.
Before accepting an EEL conversion service request, Qwest will perform a pre-qualification process to determine each circuit's eligibility to convert to EEL. The pre-qualification process is not an audit of local usage. As part of the pre-qualification process you must:
Spreadsheets that do not contain all of the required information or are not accompanied with the Certification of Private Line/Special Access Services to Unbundled Network Elements Platform Letter will be rejected.
Once the Certification of Private Line/Special Access Services to Unbundled Network Elements Combination Letter and Pre-Qualification UNE-Combination Spreadsheet have been received, you will receive pre-qualification feedback based on the following intervals:
| Number of Circuits | Response Interval |
| 1 - 28 | 5 business days |
| 29 - 60 | 6 business days |
| 61 - 99 | 7 business days |
| 100 or more | Negotiated with your Qwest Service Manager |
If you have a limited number of circuits to pre-qualify for conversion and you want to negotiate an alternative qualification process contact your Qwest Service Manager.
The pre-qualification process will validate the following:
Upon completion of the pre-qualification process, Qwest will provide a validation code to you for circuits that qualify for conversion to EEL.
General pre-ordering activities are described in the Pre-Ordering Overview.
Requirements for pre-ordering are described in Local Service Ordering Guidelines (LSOG) Pre-Order.
The Interconnect Mediated Access (IMA) User's Guide specifically details the information available for the pre-ordering functions.
Qwest recommends use of pre-ordering functionality to assist in achieving increased service request flow through and accuracy that will result in reduced service request rejects.
Pre-Ordering activities applicable to EEL include:
You may verify if the DS1 or DS3 facility is available by doing a high capacity facility check using the inquiry function in IMA. Information is available in the IMA User's Guide.
CSR retrieval is available through IMA for the following Local Service Request (LSR) ACT types:
On-line CSR retrieval is not available for 'Conversion as is' requests as the account resides in the Integrated Access Billing System (IABS™). IMA does not have the ability to access records in IABS.
If you are unable to locate the CSR, contact the Qwest Customer Service Inquiry and Education (CSIE) and select the Centrex and Complex Resale Option to reach the appropriate workgroup.
When contacting the Qwest CSIE, be prepared to provide:
Depending on your needs, the Qwest CSIE can:
The RLD Tools provide the physical characteristics of the facility at either the Wire Center level or at the individual loop level. Data may include, but is not limited to, the physical characteristics by segment:
The Wire Center RLD Tool provides the physical characteristics of the facilities for a Wire Center.
The IMA RLD Tool provides loop specific information. This tool also enables you to obtain the physical characteristics of the facilities.
Information regarding the IMA RLD Tool is described in the IMA User's Guide. The IMA Loop Qualification and Raw Loop Data-CLEC Job Aid provides loop makeup information and instructions on how to use the IMA based loop qualification tools and the Wire Center RLD Tool. The Wire Center RLD Tool requires a digital certificate.
It is important to understand the network topology, in understanding the difference between a 'stand alone' Serving Wire Center or Serving Central Office, a Host Central Office, a remote and a Remote Service Unit (RSU). Generally, Serving Wire Center is a term used to describe a Central Office that directly serves a specific geographic area of end-users. In this circumstance, there are no intermediary offices between the end-user and the Central Office. Contrarily, Host Office is a term generally used to describe a Central Office that directly serves sub-tending office(s) in addition to its own end-users. For example, the Dry Creek, Colorado Central Office has some direct end-users and is also the originating end of the cable that fed the Tech Center in its remote status (not as a stand-alone Serving Central Office). A remote is a piece of field equipment attached to the Serving Wire Center that provides capability that the end-user's distance would otherwise prohibit. Thru time, if or when a remote grows to accommodate a significant number of its own end-users, it can be deemed a sub-tending office. This sub-tending office is generally referred to as an RSU and becomes a Serving Central Office (i.e., no longer a remote, but a Remote Service Unit).
A distinct cable naming convention is used when an end-user is not directly served by the Host Central Office (i.e., served from a remote), an "EX" prefix will appear in the end-users distribution cable pair (e.g., F2 ca EXA7). The "EX" prefix designates the cable that extends from a remote to the end-user. When an end-user is served from a Remote Serving Unit (RSU), Unbundled Local Loops are available only when you are collocated in the same RSU that your end-user is served by. If you are not collocated in the same RSU as an end-user, Enhanced Extended Loops (EELS) are available to serve end users that have EX cable designations in their distribution pair. Where an end-user is fed out of a Serving Central Office other than one where the Collocation is present, an EEL is also used.
Unbundled Loops are available when you are collocated in the same Serving Central Office that your end-user is served by. Generally, once a remote becomes a Serving Central Office, you can now collocate in the RSU and serve the customer with an Unbundled Loop (UBL) or continue to serve from the old Host Central Office under the EEL.
In rare instances where the facility between the Host office serving that RSU and the end user has been included in the Unbundled Loop cost models, Qwest will continue to make Unbundled Loops available to you to serve that end user. These instances will need to be evaluated on an ICB basis, contact your Qwest Sales Executives for assistance if you believe you have such an instance. The Chandler Main AZ central office is one such exception. Unbundled Loops are available in Chandler Main when an "EX" prefix appears in the end-users distribution cable pair.
General ordering activities are described in the Ordering Overview.
Enhanced Extended Loop (EEL) service requests are submitted using the following LSOG forms:
Field entry requirements are described in the LSOG.
Service requests should be placed using IMA Extensible Markup Language (XML), IMA Graphical User Interface (GUI), or faxed to (888) 796-9089.
A Design Layout Record (DLR) request is described in the IMA XML Network Disclosure Document or the IMA User's Guide.
Enhanced Extended Loop (EEL) transport or EEL Links/Loops at OCn bandwidths may be requested using the Special Request Process. Additional information regarding the Special Request Process is located in Exhibit F of your Interconnection Agreement.
Point-to-Point and EEL Link/Loop requests are issued using a Common Language Circuit ID, which are identified on the CSR as CLS. Multiplexed EEL requests use the Common Language Facility format, which are identified on the CSR as CLF.
Enhanced Extended Loop (EEL) service request are placed using the LSR and Resale Private Line (RPL) forms. Detailed information regarding field entry requirements is described on the Local Service Ordering Guidelines (LSOG) web page. Service requests should be placed via IMA, or faxed to (888) 796-9089.
A separate service request is required for each of the following:
Valid REQTYP is MB.
Valid LSR ACT types are:
Valid TOS Types include:
NOTE: EELs used for residential service require a TOS of 1.
The Remarks field on the LSR form must indicate your request is for “EEL.” If this is missing or incorrect, your request will be rejected.
When an EEL Loop is connected to a multiplexed facility, the Primary Location on the RPL form is the CLLI for the wire center where the multiplexer is located.
Service interval guidelines are located in the Service Interval Guide (SIG).
"When submitting EEL DS1 Loop requests where the end user location is a multi-tenant environment, you must place your company name followed by the acronym "MTE" in the "Name" field in the Secondary Location on the Resale Private Line (RPL) form."
Enhanced Extended Loop (EEL) Conversion Requests
Enhanced Extended Loop (EEL) ‘Conversion As Is’ is the conversion of an existing Private Line/Special Access circuit. The conversion does not require redesign of the circuit and will not disrupt service. There is a change in billing and the service code modifiers within the circuit ID.
A separate service request is required for each 'Conversion As Is' circuit requested. The ACT field of the LSR must show a 'W' for 'conversion as is'. In the remarks section of each LSR, you must specify:
Enhanced Extended Loop (EEL) Conversion as Specified requires Qwest to redesign and perform physical work on a circuit at the time of conversion from Private Line/Special Access to EEL. The end user address must remain the same for all Conversion as Specified requests. All work must be performed in the same Qwest Wire Center.
The following options are available with Conversion As Specified:
Qwest will follow the same pre-qualification process followed on Conversion As Is requests on all EEL Conversion as Specified requests. After Qwest has completed the prequalification process, Qwest will provide a validation code to you. This validation code must be included on your LSR along with one of the three FCC options to certify local use.
Conversions as Specified with circuits converting from Private Line to EEL require an Access Service Request (ASR) and an LSR. An ASR is required to disconnect the existing Private Line circuit. The activity field must be populated with a "D". The RPON field must be populated to relate the ASR to the LSR and the REMARKS section of the ASR must state:
An LSR is required to establish the circuit as EEL. The activity field on the LSR must be populated with 'V'. Your LSR must include the new information associated with the Conversion as Specified request to establish the circuit as an EEL. The REMARKS section of the LSR must state:
Enhanced Extended Loop (EEL) New Requests
A separate LSR is required for each new EEL circuit requested. The ACT field of the LSR must show an "N" for "new service", in the REMARKS section of the LSR, you must specify:
New EELs will not be provisioned to, connected to or combined with tariffed services. If a service request is received requesting that an EEL be connected or combined with tariffed services, the request will be rejected.
Enhanced Extended Loop (EEL) Rearrangement Requests
The CLEC and the end-user address must remain the same on all rearrangement requests. All work performed must be in the same Qwest Wire Center. Rearrangements to an existing EEL may include the following:
A separate LSR is required for each EEL rearrangement request. The ACT field of the LSR must show a "C" for rearrangement." In the REMARKS section of the LSR, you must specify:
General provisioning and installation activities are described in the Provisioning and Installation Overview.
Firm Order Confirmation (FOC) intervals are found in the SIG. FOC information is available in the Provisioning and Installation Overview.
If no facilities are available, the service request will be rejected for a No Facilities reason. Information describing reject codes is located in the Ordering Overview.
A jeopardy on a service request results if a condition exists that threatens timely completion of the request. Detailed information regarding jeopardy codes is described in the Provisioning and Installation Overview.
A DLR will be provided when requested on the LSR. Information describing DLR viewing options is available in the IMA User's Guide.
For order status information for EEL above DS0 signal levels, refer to the Customer Electronic Maintenance and Repair (CEMR). This tool requires a digital certificate. For additional information about CEMR, access the Customer Electronic Maintenance and Repair (CEMR).
Qwest offers Out of Hours Project Coordinated Installations. Qwest's standard installation hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Qwest holidays. Installations requested outside of these hours are considered to be Out of Hours Project Coordinated Installations. You must first contact your assigned Qwest Service Manager to ensure you have provisions in your existing ICA that allow for Out of Hour Project Coordinated Installations of EEL circuits. An amendment may be required before submitting your first request.
The date and time of the project coordinated installation requires up-front planning and must be negotiated between Qwest and the CLEC. Contact your Qwest Service Manager to negotiate project dates and times. All requests will be processed on a first come, first served basis and are subject to Qwest's ability to meet a reasonable demand. Considerations such as volumes, system down time, switch upgrades, switch maintenance, and contention with other CLECs requesting the same appointment times in the same switch must be reviewed. To request Out of Hours Project Coordinated Installations, you will submit an LSR designating "Out of Hours Project Coordinated Installation" in the Remarks section of the LSR.
General maintenance and repair activities are described in the Maintenance and Repair Overview.
Qwest's Repair Centers will assist you in your EEL repair needs. Qwest repair call-handling centers are described in the Wholesale Customer Contacts PCAT.
Trouble isolation and testing is a joint process. Details of this process are described in the Test Results Information download found in the Maintenance and Repair Overview under Qwest Design Services Trouble Ticket Codes and Qwest Non-Design Disposition & Cause Codes.
Customer Records and Information System (CRIS) billing is described in Billing Information - Customer Records and Information System (CRIS).
When the Special Access circuit converts to an EEL the circuit is removed from the IABS Billing Account Number (BAN) (for billing purposes only) effective with the completion date of the EEL conversion service request. Charges will be prorated from the service order completion date to the bill date for circuits converted to EEL.
The account will be established in CRIS, effective with the completion date of the EEL conversion and/or new service request.
The Universal Service Order Codes (USOCs) will be a combination of retail (i.e., tariffed) and EEL specific USOCs. The recurring multiplexing, transport (fixed and per mile) and the loop (channel termination) USOCs are retail USOCs utilizing the rates from your Interconnection Agreement. All other EEL USOCs are product specific and also utilize the rates from your Interconnection Agreement.
Enhanced Extended Loop (EEL) are billed on a CRIS Summary Bill on a month-to-month basis. Term contracts are not available.
Loss and Completion Reports are based on loss and gain account activity. Completion notification, including Loss and Completion Reports, is described in Billing Information - Additional Outputs - SMDR, Completion Report, Loss Report.
View Qwest courses in the Course Catalog.
Qwest contact information is located in Wholesale Customer Contacts.
This section is being compiled based on your feedback
Last Update: May 27, 2009
Common Language® is a Registered Trademark of Telcordia Technologies, Inc.
IABS™ is a Trademark of Qwest Communications International, Inc.
CLLI™, LERG™ and NC/NCI™ are Trademarks of Telcordia Technologies, Inc.
