Network Element Switching (NES) products are commercially negotiated wholesale services provided to Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs). NES products are provided as the functional equivalent replacements for Unbundled Network Elements-Switching (UBS) products which are no longer available pursuant to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals' decision ('USTA II') which vacated certain Federal Communication Commission's (FCC's) unbundling rules.
NES products require CLEC collocation and provide access to line side and trunk side local switch ports as well as the features, functions and capabilities of the Qwest end-office switch. The following NES Ports are available:
Line Side Ports include a 2-wire connection between the Qwest end-office switch and the Main Distribution Frame (MDF). They are extended to the Interconnection Distribution Frame (ICDF) via an Interconnect Tie Pair (ITP) provided by Qwest. A separate ITP is required for each Line Side Port.
Line Side Ports establish the line interconnection to the switching components of the Qwest network, providing access to the basic functionality of the switch including vertical features, signaling, digit reception and translations, routing and rating, call supervision, and access to intraoffice services. Line Side Port local switching functions provide for the establishment of a connection between the calling and called parties either within the switch (intraoffice) or between switches (interoffice).
Line Side Ports may be provided as analog or digital line ports. Digital Line Side Ports support ISDN BRI digital architecture providing integrated voice and data capability.
Line Side Ports may include but are not limited to the following types of features, services or functionality:
The following table lists and describes the Line Side Ports available with NES:
| Local Switching Ports | Line Side Port Description |
| Analog Line Side Port | Analog Line Side Ports are an interface on the line-side of the end office switch that provides access to the basic functionality of an end office switch. This Service is a 2-wire Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) type of line side switch connection which also supports line side analog PBX trunks. A separate ITP must be ordered for each Analog Line Side Port to provide connection from the MDF to the ICDF, demarcation point on the collocation frame. |
| Digital Line Side Port (Supporting BRI ISDN) | BRI ISDN is a digital interface on the line side of the end office switch that provides integrated digital voice and data capability (2-wire). The Digital Line Side Port is a digital 2B+D port (2 Bearer channels for Switched Voice or Data and 1 Delta channel for packet data information and signaling). For flexibility and customization, optional features can be added, however the Digital Line Side Port does not offer B channel packet service capabilities. Vertical features are software attributes on end-office switches. The standard features and functions support two terminals per loop. The serving arrangement conforms to International Telecommunications Union (ITU) standards. |
Trunk Ports include a connection between the trunk side of the Qwest end-office switch and the Trunk Main Distribution Frame (TMDF). The connection from the TMDF to the collocation demarcation point shall be an ITP provided by Qwest. The Trunk Side Ports may be provided as analog or digital ports.
Trunk Ports provide a physical means of connecting to/from the trunk side of a Qwest switch and provide access to the basic functionality of the switch. This includes signaling, digit reception, routing and rating, call supervision, and access to interoffice services. Trunk ports do not provide dial tone; the terminating equipment provides it. The following trunk types are available: DID®, Direct Outward Dialing (DOD), two-way, miscellaneous private facilities, and ISDN PRI. The availability of each trunk type is dependent on the type of switch on which the port is provisioned, as well as switch capacity.
The following table lists and describes Trunk Ports available with Local Switching:
| Local Switching Ports | Trunk Side Port Description |
| DS-1 Local Message Trunk Port | DS-1 Trunk Port is a 4-wire trunk side end-office switch port physically terminating at the DS-1 common ICDF or equivalent. Each DS-1 Trunk Port supports up to 24 DS-0 channels. Each DS-1 Trunk Port facility request requires a minimum service request of one trunk group member (e.g., one DS-0 channel). This trunk port supports services such as customized routing. |
| DID/PBX Trunk Port | DID/PBX Trunk Port is a DS-1/Digital
Trunk side end-office switch port termination that provides
the ability to connect a digital PBX user with the trunk side
of the Qwest CO and permits incoming calls from the exchange
network to reach a specific PBX station directly without attendant
assistance. All trunks are designed as 4-wire. DID is a special trunk arrangement that permits incoming calls from the exchange network to reach a specific PBX station directly without an attendant assistance. DID service is offered with an analog or digital 2-way trunk and includes hunting within the trunk group. If digital, the individual DS-0s are 2-way trunks using advanced service that requires DID ports. DID numbers are generally ordered in blocks of 20. Provisioning of the DID feature requires subscription to a sufficient number of trunk ports to adequately handle the volume of incoming calls. Special trunk arrangement that permits incoming calls from the exchange network to reach a specific PBX station directly without attendant assistance. |
| ISDN PRI Trunk Port | ISDN PRI is a switched network capability
that supports services that are designed to provide end-to-end
digital connectivity for the simultaneous transmission of voice
and data. ISDN PRI service consists of a 4-wire DS-1 trunk side
switch port associated with a Qwest CO switch. An ISDN PRI trunk
port provides a DS-1 level electrical interface to a Qwest CO
switch for the provision of 24 DS-0 64 kilobits per second (Kbps)
channels. The base configuration consists of 23 64 Kbps B channels
for end-user voice and or data traffic and one 64 Kbps D channel
for out of band signaling control of the B channels. Some of
the available functions of an ISDN PRI switch port are:
|
Shared Transport is provided with NES for interoffice switching within the local calling area, unless you request dedicated transport.
Shared Transport is the collective interoffice transmission facilities shared by various carriers (including Qwest) between end-office switches and between end-office switches and local tandem switches. Shared Transport uses the existing routing tables resident in Qwest switches to carry your end-user's originating and terminating local/extended area service (EAS) interoffice traffic on the Qwest interoffice message trunk network that Qwest uses for Retail and Resale traffic.
Qwest's Directory Assistance (DA) Services or Operator Services are available with NES. Alternatively, you may arrange to provide access to your own, or to a third party's, DA or Operator Services platform with NES by use of Customized Routing and dedicated trunks.
You can request Unbundled Dedicated Interoffice Transport (UDIT) with DS-1 and higher trunk ports.
Local Tandem Switching is available in conjunction with Local Interconnection Service (LIS)
Product Diagram
NES is available where facilities exist throughout Qwest's 14-state local service territory.
For Line Side Port services Qwest is available, on behalf of CLECs, for selection as a Local Primary Interexchange Carrier (LPIC) providing intraLATA toll service with Qwest Local Service Platform™ (QLSP™) products in all states where available. Two alternative LPICs are available, dependent upon your needs, and terms and conditions/restrictions provided in your contract:
For more information refer to the Long Distance Carrier Selection Overview.
QLSP products are business-to-business arrangements provided in accordance with commercially negotiated Master Services Agreements (MSAs) between Qwest and interested CLEC customers.
You must have an established Collocation in your end-user's serving Qwest CO to offer NES. When ordering network elements, it is your responsibility to design your own network and keep records as to how these elements are combined. You may choose to combine network elements purchased from Qwest and/or combine them with your own facilities or equipment to build the desired service. For information on the Design Layout Record (DLR) process see Provisioning and Installation Overview.
Qwest will comply with the FCC Open Network Architecture (ONA) rules for Network Disclosure.
The Analog Port Residential End-user Credit may only be ordered for and provisioned to residential end-users. The definition of residential service shall be the same as in Qwest's retail tariffs as applied to Qwest's end-user customers. Tariffs, regulations and policies are located in the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.
If you are using a DA or Operator Services provider other than Qwest, you may request. Customized Routing to route your end-user's DA and/or Operator Services calls to your dedicated trunks for delivery of the calls to your DA or Operator Services provider.
Existing Contract Service Arrangements (CSAs) for finished services between Qwest and a retail end-user must be terminated if the service covered by the CSA is to be converted to NES. Likewise, existing CSAs for resale services between you and Qwest must be terminated if converting to NES. To terminate CSAs, contact your Qwest Sales Executive. Termination liability charges applicable under the CSA may apply.
If you choose to convert existing retail or resale services to NES services, terms and conditions for NES service will apply as of the installation date.
Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN), Qwest Broadband service, Qwest Voice Messaging Service, Qwest Calling Cards, Retail/Resale Feature Packages, and Special billing arrangements are not available with NES.
Directory advertising charges must be removed from any existing Qwest retail accounts when converting the retail services to NES services. You will be required to establish separate billing with the directory publishers for the end-user's directory advertising.
Qwest DA Services are voice information services provided by Qwest. These services are available with customized call branding and call completion options (where technically feasible).
Operator Services provides assistance with local calls and intraLATA toll calls for your end-users.
Access to 911/ Enhanced 911 (E911) is included with NES. You must provide Qwest with accurate end-user location information for state regulated emergency reasons. Guidelines on how end-user information is updated for the 911/E911 system are located in Access to Emergency Services (911/E911).
All NES products include either one residential or one business directory listing, based on the product requested, for each main telephone number, at no charge. Premium and privacy listings are also available with NES services. Information describing directory listings is described in Directory Listings.
Suspension of Service, sometimes referred to as Vacation Service, is available with NES products in the same manner and with the same restrictions that apply for comparable Qwest retail or resale services. While your service is suspended, neither Local Switching, nor Shared Transport MOU charges will be generated or billed. Monthly recurring charges for the port and switch features (if any) continue to apply and will be billed to you. Information describing Suspension of Service is available in Suspension of Service.
"Microsoft Network (MSN) Internet Access Powered by Qwest" narrowband (dial-up) billing arrangements are not available with NES. During conversion of an existing Retail service with MSN Internet Access Powered by Qwest narrowband billing arrangements to NES, Qwest will remove the following Universal Service Order Codes (USOCs), all of which are followed by the Field IDentifier (FID) DVDP, e.g. N8BAB/DVDP: N8BAB, N8BAC, N8BB1, N8BB2, N8BBD, N8BCB, N8BD1, N8BD2, N8BD3, N8BD4. This activity will not impact end-user narrowband functionality.
Qwest Choice TV (a cable TV service over fiber optic facilities) and Qwest Choice Online (a VDSL high-speed Internet Access Service) arrangements are not available with NES. These arrangements are indicated by the presence of one or more of the following USOCs: AS3TV, NMOTA, or NMOTD. If the end-user wants to retain Qwest Choice TV/Online functionality, they must contact Qwest Choice TV/Online to arrange for alternative billing arrangements prior to the submission of your conversion Local Service Request (LSR). If you request conversion of a Qwest Retail service with Qwest Choice TV/Online to NES, Qwest will remove the arrangement from the end-user customer's account. This activity will remove end-user Qwest Choice TV/Online functionality. Following conversion, if your end-user wishes to reestablish Qwest Choice TV/Online functionality and alternative billing arrangements, additional nonrecurring and/or monthly charges may apply.
Technical characteristics, including Network Channel /Network Channel Interface (NC/NCI™) codes are described in Technical Publication, Unbundled Switch Elements 77391.
Additional information can be found in the following:
Monthly Recurring Charges (MRCs) for NES are the sum of the monthly recurring rates of the following elements:
For Mass Market switching, Qwest will implement NES MRC changes annually, effective January 1 of each year, in accordance with terms, conditions, and rates contained in the NES Rate Sheet.
Analog line side ports that are identified as serving residential end-user customers will receive, on a monthly basis, the "Analog Port Residential end-user credit" provided in the NES Rate Sheet. Lines not specifically identified as serving a residential end-user customer (by the presence of the LAWUR USOC) will not receive the credit.
NES products include either one residential or one business directory listing (dependent on end-user application and the product requested) for each main telephone number, at no charge. Premium and privacy listings are also available with NES services. Regardless of residential or business directory appearance, all premium and privacy listings (with the exception of residential additional listings, i.e., USOC RLT) are categorized as business for rating purposes. Information describing directory listing availability and ordering is described in White Pages Directory Listings.
Local Switching and Shared Transport MOUs are billed per MOU for Mass Market Analog Ports. Local Switching and Shared Transport charges on the remaining Mass Market and Enterprise Market products are billed per line/trunk, per month.
Qwest does not assess surcharges in conjunction with NES, and none of the following surcharge USOCs should be included on any NES LSR:
The Oregon EAS increment USOC TBX is not required on NES services and does not provide any functionality.
Non-recurring Charges (NRCs) for NES installation, disconnection (in some states) and feature activity are provided in the NES Rate Sheet.
Collocation and ITP MRCs and NRCs are provided in the Rate Sheet or Exhibit A of the applicable ICAs in effect between Qwest and CLEC.
MRCs and NRCs are available in the QLSP Rate Sheet of your Master Services Agreement (MSA) and/or the Rate Sheet or Exhibit A of the applicable ICA.
The Subsequent Order NRC, USOC NHCUU or NHCVQ, provided in the NES Rate Sheet is applicable in all states, on a per-order basis when changes are requested to existing service. This includes changing a telephone number, initiating or removing Suspension of Service, denying or restoring service, adding, removing or changing features, and other similar requests.
Tariffs, regulations and policies are located in the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.
The following downloadable documents provide complete lists of switch features that are generally compatible with each type of NES product, as well as descriptions, availability, pricing, and ordering information for each feature:
With ISDN PRI Trunk Ports, optional features include ISDN Calling Name Delivery (NM1PP), ISDN Redirecting Number Delivery (RN4PP), and ISDN Call Transfer (ZPTMX).
Optional switch feature availability is dependent on the capabilities of each serving Qwest CO switch. You may determine feature availability for each switch by using the following resources:
In addition to the feature information available by the aforementioned resources, USOCs and Field Identifiers (FIDs) are also described in the Universal Service Order Codes (USOCs) and Field IDentifiers (FIDs) Overview. Use of the USOC/FID Finder will assist you in identifying features by USOC and/or FID.
| Features | Benefits |
| Access to Qwest's industry-leading telecommunications network and infrastructure | |
| Customer Care | |
| Products and Services |
NES ports can be combined with other UNEs, such as Unbundled Local Loops, or your own facilities to provide a complete service for your end-user. Additional information regarding Unbundled Local Loops is located in Unbundled Local Loop - General Information.Alternatively, Qwest Local Service Platform(QLSP) products provide finished services on your behalf to your end-user. Additional information regarding QLSP is located in Qwest Local Services Platform® (QLSP®).
If you are a new CLEC and are ready to do business with Qwest, view Getting Started as a Facility-Based CLEC, and Interconnection Agreement, and Commercial Agreements.
In order for existing CLECs to request NES, ICAs must include ITP, Collocation, OS, DA, etc., and must not include Unbundled Network Elements - Platform (UNE-P) and/or UBS, or Amendments will be necessary for NES. If you are an existing CLEC and wish to amend your ICA, and/or Customer Questionnaire, refer to Interconnection Agreement Amendments. To initiate NES commercial negotiations, refer to Commercial Agreements and Commercial Solutions Customer Questionnaires.
You must have an established Collocation in your end-user's serving Qwest CO to offer NES.
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 applicable to pre-ordering functions.
In order for you to provide service to an end-user, it is your responsibility to have a signed Letter of Authorization (LOA) from the end-user on file before ordering. You are responsible for obtaining authorization from the end-user to handle the disconnection of the end-user's service from their current service provider. Should a dispute or discrepancy arise regarding your authority to act on behalf of the end-user, you are responsible for providing written evidence of your authority to Qwest.
General ordering activities are described in the Ordering Overview.
Service interval guidelines are located in the Service Interval Guide (SIG).
Service Requests for Analog Line Side Ports, ISDN BRI Line Side Ports, DID®/PBX trunk group members and ISDN PRI B channel ports are submitted using the following Local Service Ordering Guidelines (LSOG) forms:
NES service requests for the DS-1 Local Message Trunk Port and NES ISDN PRI DS-1 facilities are submitted using the following LSOG forms:
| NES Port Type | COMMERCIAL NAMES | Product Name Used in the Qwest LSOG Rule Table or Usage Matrix | REQTYP | TOS | PORT TYP | LSOG Forms |
| Analog Line Side Port | Analog Line Side Port | Analog Line Side Port | FB | 1, 2, or 3 | LA | LSR, EU, PS* |
| Digital Line Side Port | Digital Line Side Port | ISDN BRI Line Port | FB | 1, 2, or 3 H(e.g. 1H) | LD | LSR, EU, PS* |
| PBX/DID Trunk Port | PBX/DID Trunk Port | DS-0/Analog Trunk Port | FB | 1JM | TA | LSR, EU, PS* |
| DS-1 DID/PBX Trunk Port - Trunk Group Member | Trunk Group Member/Network Connections, per Trunk | DS-1 Trunk Port | FB | 1JM | TD | LSR, EU, PS* |
| DS-1 DID/PBX Trunk Port - Facility | DID/PBX Trunk Port | DID/PBX Trunk Port Facility | FB | 1DM | TD | LSR, EU, LS |
| PRI/ISDN Trunk Port - Trunk Group Member | Trunk Group Member/Network Connections, per Trunk | Not supported - Ordered via IIS | FB | 1KM | TD | LSR, EU, PS* |
| DS-1 PRI/ISDN Trunk Port - Facility | DS-1 PRI ISDN Trunk Port | Not supported - Ordered via IIS | FB | 1KM | TD | LSR, EU, LS |
(*) Directory Listing forms, as appropriate for activity being requested.
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 via facsimile to (888) 796-9089.
A Design Layout Record (DLR) request is described in the Provisioning and Installation Overview.
Service requests can be rejected for various reasons. Error and rejection notifications are described in the Ordering Overview.
USOCs and FIDs are described in the Universal Service Order Codes (USOCs) and Field IDentifiers (FIDs) Overview.
A list of USOCs and FIDs required for ordering ISDN BRI in the 5ESS switch type is available by downloading the NES BRI 5ESS Ordering Information.
A list of USOCs and FIDs required for ordering ISDN BRI in the DMS100 switch type is available by downloading the NES BRI DMS100 Ordering Information.
A list of USOCs for UBS ISDN BRI requests is available by downloading the NES Digital Line Side Port (ISDN BRI) USOCs.
Identification of QLSP Residential end-users
NES Analog Line Side Ports serving Residential end-users will be identified by the presence of the USOC LAWUR in the Service & Equipment (S&E) section of the CSR. Any Analog Line Side Ports without the presence of LAWUR will be classified as Business. Whether submitting an LSR for new or conversion activity from existing services, you must include LAWUR in the FEATURE field of the Resale form on the LSR to receive the "residential end-user credit'.
When you submit an LSR to identify an existing UBS Analog Line Side Port account serving a residential end-user to NES service the following field entries are required:
| LSR Form Field | Valid Entry |
| REQTYP | FB |
| ACT | C |
| TOS | Value of 1st Character in TOS must be 2 |
| PS Form Field | Valid Entry |
| FA | N |
| FEATURE | LAWUR |
To identify an Analog Line Side Port as Residential on new LSRs, include LAWUR in the FEATURE field of the Port Service form as indicated in the table below:
| LSR Form Field | Valid Entry |
| REQTYP | FB |
| ACT | V, Z or N |
| TOS | Value of 1st Character in TOS must be 2 |
| PS Form Field | Valid Entry |
| FA | N |
| FEATURE | LAWUR |
| DL Form Field (if Required) | Valid Entry |
| TOA | R |
General provisioning and installation activities are described in the Provisioning and Installation Overview.
Pending Service Order Notice (PSON) and Completion Notification (CN) are described in the Provisioning and Installation Overview.
Firm Order Confirmation (FOC) intervals are located in the SIG.
A jeopardy occurs on a service request if a condition exists that threatens timely completion. Jeopardy notifications are described in the Provisioning and Installation Overview.
NES DS-1 facility terminations must be provisioned before NES trunk group member terminations (DID/PBX/PRI/Message) can be provisioned.
General maintenance and repair activities are described in the Maintenance and Repair Overview.
Customer Records and Information System (CRIS) billing is described in Billing Information - Customer Records and Information System (CRIS).
Loss and Completion Reports are described in Billing Information - Additional Outputs - SMDR, Completion Report, Loss Report.
Local Qwest 101 "Doing Business With Qwest"
Interconnect Mediated Access (IMA) Directory Listing Training
View additional 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 8, 2009
Common Language® is a Registered Trademark of Telcordia Technologies, Inc.
CLLI™ and NC/NCI™ are Trademarks of Telcordia Technologies, Inc.
DID® is a Registered Trademark of Qwest Communications International Inc.
Qwest Local Service Platform™ (QLSP™), and Spirit of Service™ are Trademarks of Qwest Communications International Inc.
