Private Line Transport (PLT) GeoMax™ service is a high speed, high capacity, multi-protocol data-networking solution. The service combines dense wave division multiplexing (DWDM) technology with diverse interoffice fiber facilities, 24/7 proactive network monitoring and aggressive service level agreements (SLAs) to provide a total robust finished service. GeoMax uniquely supports both native and proprietary protocols, e.g., IBM mainframes as well as industry standard protocols such as synchronous optical network (SONET) and Ethernet. GeoMax service has the ability to support multiple protocols and applications on a single platform. Another key advantage DWDM technology offers is the transparency to the data riding on it. It is bit rate and protocol independent, thus guaranteeing customers the 100 percent throughput and low latency their applications demand.
GeoMax supports linear and ring configurations.
The components that make up GeoMax are:
Private Line Transport GeoMax™ supports linear and ring configurations.
Private Line Transport (PLT) GeoMax™ service can connect to the following Qwest provided services. Connections must be made at a CO Node:
Synchronous Service Transport (SST) over GeoMax is a service option that is available to the customer for the purpose of transporting Digital Signal Level 1 (DS1) and Digital Signal Level 3 (DS3) signals across the customer's GeoMax Network. The customer will order both GeoMax and SST, and cross connect the SST nodes to the GeoMax nodes at the OC-N level. Service and design restrictions do apply, please refer to Qwest Technical Publications 77407 & 77346 for further information.
Technical Publication, GeoMax, 77407
Technical Publication, Synchronous Service Transport (SST), 77346
Private Line Transport GeoMax™ is available where facilities exist throughout Qwest's 14-state local service territory.
Terms and Conditions section does not apply to Private Line Transport (PLT) GeoMax™
Recurring charges are comprised of the following rate elements:
Nonrecurring charges are comprised of the following rate elements:
An initial service period of 36 or 60 months is required for GeoMax. At the end of the initial service period, GeoMax™ will automatically revert to the month-to-month plan. Service converted to the month to month plan can not be added to or changed, only upgraded to a term plan of 36 or 60 months or disconnected. New service cannot be obtained on month to month basis.
Rates are available in Qwest Corporation Rates and Services Schedule No.1 (QC RSS No.1) or in the state specific tariff or your Interconnection Agreement.
Tariffs, RSS, regulations and policies are located in the interstate QC RSS No.1 or state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.
Read-Only Monitoring is a read-only network monitoring using Nortel's System Manager residing on Nortel equipment. It allows customer to view ALL alarms and service performance parameters which Qwest NMS views. Uses customer provided/maintained dedicated workstation.
| Features | Benefits |
| Uses protocol transparent wavelengths | Supports multiple protocols in a single platform, including non-traditional optical interfaces (SONET, Ethernet, FICON, Fibre Channel, ESCON, etc.). |
| Can support up to 64 wavelengths | High capacity system, with up to 640 Gbps total bandwidth (at 10 Gbps per wavelength). Excellent for fiber saver applications. |
| Can combine protected and unprotected customer interfaces on same system | Provides flexibility for multiple customer applications. Offers high SLAs for either option. Regardless of protection option, 24x7 dedicated, proactive monitoring is provided. |
| Available in point to point or ring architecture | Can provide service through many sites. Combined with features above, GeoMax is a powerful and flexible solution. |
See Features/Benefits
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.
An AQCB form must be submitted to the Qwest System Design Engineer or the Custom Solutions Engineer for a facilities check, by your Account Team /Sales Executives and Service Managers. If facilities are not available, then your Qwest Account Team representative will submit a Notification of Potential Sale. A mini-business case will be developed to determine if it is economical for Qwest to build facilities to support this request.
Contract Process: Interstate GeoMax Service must be purchased under contract.
Private Line Transport (PLT) GeoMax™ service requests are submitted using the following Access Service Ordering Guidelines (ASOG) forms:
Optional ASOG forms could include:
Field entry requirements are described in the Access Service Request (ASR) Forms.
Service requests can be placed using Qwest® Online Request Application (QORA™) Graphical User Interface (GUI) or one of the other methods described in Qwest ASR Ordering Systems.
GeoMax service is provided on an Individual Case Basis (ICB). For new service where facilities do not exist, the time between sale and final installation may take up to 180 days. New services where facilities exist may take up to 90 days.
If facilities are not available, then through AQCB a Business Case for funding is submitted for review and either granted or denied.
Contact your Account Team / Sales Executives and Service Managers for information.
Integrated Access Billing System (IABS) billing is described in Billing Information - Integrated Access Billing System (IABS™).
Local Qwest 101 "Doing Business With Qwest"
View additional Qwest courses in the Course Catalog.
Qwest contact information is located in Wholesale Customer Contacts.
1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of DWDM technology?
Key advantages of DWDM technology include transparency (i.e., bit
rate and protocol independent) making it an ideal optical solution
for supporting a customer's multi-protocol applications. It offers
scalable bandwidth and quick service provisioning, enabling the
offering of bandwidth virtually on demand. Its transparency allows
customers to support multiple protocols and applications with a
single platform. Customers have the flexibility to pick and choose
the protection that fits their specific needs, down to interface
or port level. Some challenges of DWDM technology include limited
performance capabilities, still a new and evolving technology, thus
customers are still in the early adopting stages.
2. What is included in GeoMax service?
The service includes all the necessary electronics equipment, including
the DWDM, fiber facilities, SLAs, and 24/7 monitoring/management
service by Qwest.
3. What is the SLA for GeoMax?
SLA (Service Level Agreements) consists of the following four parameters.
Service Availability, Customer notification, Mean Time to Repair
(MTTR) and Installation Guarantee.
4. Are there specific distance limitations?
Distance limitation varies depending on specific customer applications,
protocols and characteristics of the fiber facilities involved.
For instance, the maximum supported fiber distance (including customer
cables) is 40 km (24.8 miles) for External Timing Reference (ETR™)/Control
Link Oscillator (CLO) links and 50 km (31.0 miles) for Enterprise
System Connection (ESCON™). In a Geographically Dispersed Parallel
Sysplex (GDPS) implementation, which will use all three interfaces,
the ETR interface will limit the distance to 40 km maximum.
Other protocols, including SONET, GigE, etc. can go up to 50km (31 miles) before requiring amplification. If supported by the customer's specific application, optical amplification or regeneration can be deployed to extend the distance.
5. Are there limitations for the number of nodes available on
the service?
Yes. The maximum number of nodes that can be supported varies depending
on specific network configurations. Typically in a ring configuration
the network can support up to a maximum of 16 different physical
nodes.
6. Where is the DWDM equipment physically located?
GeoMax DWDM equipment is generally located at customer premises
or Qwest central office (CO). Locating at customer premises allows
GeoMax to interface directly with customer equipment, avoiding possible
distance limitations. However, in some ring configurations it's
necessary for GeoMax DWDM equipment to be located at non-customer
locations such as Qwest CO.
7. How is the service being managed and monitored?
GeoMax service is being managed and monitored remotely by the Qwest
Network Operating Center (NOC) located in Minneapolis, MN. The NOC
performs 24/7 proactive network monitoring and management.
8. What are the key customer applications currently supported
by GeoMax service?
GeoMax service can support a number of customer applications from
data center mainframe connectivity to LAN/WAN internetworking applications.
Data center applications can include applications such as data replication,
load sharing and Storage Area Networks (SAN). LAN networking such
as Gigabit Ethernet and SONET are the other common applications.
9. What is the physical appearance of the "Node"?
Each node consists of a "system" or multiple systems of DWDM boxes.
A system is four cabinets, each approximately 7' tall, with a 2.5'
square footprint.
Last Update: April 15, 2009
CLLI™, CLCI™, NC/NCI™ are trademarks of Telcordia Technologies, Ins.
COSMICTM is a trademark of Lucent Technologies, Inc.
NC/NCI™ is a Trademark of Telcordia Technologies, Inc.
GeoMax™ and IABS™ are Trademarks of Qwest Communications International, Inc.
