Qwest's retail telecommunication service, Synchronous Service Transport (SST) is available for resale by Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs) for their end-users. Additional information about resale of Qwest's retail services can be found in the Resale General Product Catalog (PCAT).
SST is a two-point, broadband, shared Private Line that uses fiber optics and Synchronous Optical NETwork (SONET) technology for transmission. The service allows Qwest to provision and deliver large volumes of information via broadband transport services at line rates in excess of Digital Service Level 3 (DS3).
The SST system is physically built on an intraLATA basis. It is provisioned on single fiber and can be configured between:
A customer may request an SST system which will provide Channelized Optical Service. Channelized Optical Service allows a customer to channelize the SST as needed and Qwest equipment will sense the channelization and provide the service accordingly. Qwest accomplishes this by using a feature called auto-concatenation. Auto-concatenation is limited to OC12 and OC48 systems, and may be requested by using appropriate NC codes delineated in Qwest Tech Pub 77346. Auto-concatenation is limited to services supported by specific existing network equipment, and is not available for all requests.
In order to qualify for the resale discount, Resale SST can only be ordered as an end-to-end finished service.
SST is ordered by bandwidth. Bandwidth ranges from Optical Carrier 3 (OC3) and up. Certain interface (located at your end-user's premises) types can correspond only to specific bandwidth capacities. The interface types start at the DS1 level and can range to the OC level. Refer to Technical Publication 77346 for a list of all the interface possibilities on specific transport capacity.
SST components include:
Interface
Concatenated signaling is available.
Resale SST is available only in certain states within Qwest's 14-state local service territory. Refer to the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists to check for availability.
This product will be provisioned with the use of existing facilities. Where suitable facilities are not available, Special Construction of the facilities may be necessary and will be charged for as specified in the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists. Additional information regarding Special Construction can be found in the Resale General PCAT.
SST will always be provisioned with Route Protection on the local loop, unless it is a Remote Node in a CO connected to a port on a GeoMax system. Self Healing Alternate Route Protection (SHARP) protects the local loop by providing physically separated working and protect fiber paths. Special Construction charges may apply if the Alternate Route Protection is to be built. SHARP is not available when a Remote Node is connected to a GeoMax port or GeoMax NAC.
There must be at least one Qwest CO node utilized for each SST bandwidth capacity except when the SST is comprised only of two Remote Nodes located in different Qwest wire centers or when the Remote Node is connected to a GeoMax port or GeoMax NAC.
SST is available for resale as an end-to-end finished service:
Qwest retail rates, rate elements, rate plans, and how they apply to SST can be found in the Qwest Communications Rates and Services Schedule No.1 (QC RSS No.1) or the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.
Additional general resale rate structure information is located in the Resale General PCAT.
SST is billed on a month-to-month basis or on a fixed-period service rate plan. Resale SST may qualify for the rate plan. Contact your Qwest Sales Executive for additional billing arrangement information.
Retail rates can be found in the QC RSS No.1 or the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.
Qwest's retail rates for SST, less any applicable resale discount, apply to resold SST. Rates and/or discounts can be found in Exhibit A or the specific rate sheet in your Interconnection or Resale Agreement.
Recurring rates are dependent on the type of fixed period service rate plan that is selected by your end-user and may apply to the following rate elements:
Non recurring charges will be assessed on new installation, conversion, miscellaneous, and change requests and may not apply to all rate elements. Refer to the QC RSS No.1 or the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists to determine its applicability.
Information is available in the QC RSS No.1 or the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.
Additional information can be found in your Interconnection Agreement, Resale Agreement or in the SGAT for the relevant state.
Optional features and functions available for SST include:
Benefits of SST include:
Any large business or wholesale customer with the need to transport large volumes of information will find SST appealing.
If you are a new CLEC and are ready to enter the Interconnection business with Qwest, please view the Getting Started as a Facility-Based CLEC or the Getting Started as a Reseller PCAT.
If you are an existing CLEC wishing to amend your Interconnection Agreement or your New Customer Questionnaire, you can find additional information in the Interconnection Agreement.
For term pricing plans, please work with your Qwest Sales Executive to establish the contract and also obtain a contract identification number. The contract identification number must be noted in the Variable Term Agreement (VTA) field of the Local Service Request (LSR) form.
General pre-ordering information is located in the Pre-Ordering Overview.
Requirements for pre-ordering are described in Local Service Ordering Guidelines (LSOG) PreOrder.
The following functions may need to be performed by you in preparation for the issuance of the local service request:
It is important to understand the Resale General procedures before ordering Resale SST.
General ordering activities are identified in the Ordering Overview.
Service interval guidelines are found in the Service Interval Guide (SIG).
Two requests are required to establish SST:
The bandwidth request must be completed prior to the interface requests. When disconnecting Resale SST, all interface orders must be disconnected prior to the bandwidth fiber ring being disconnected.
Resale SST orders are submitted using the LSOG forms. The forms used for your request will include:
Field entry requirements are described in the LSOG. Required fields include:
Orders should be placed using the Interconnect Mediated Access Graphical User Interface (IMA GUI), Interconnect Mediated Access Extensible Markup Language (XML), or fax manual forms to (888) 796-9089.
Use of Universal Service Order Codes (USOCs) and Field Identifiers (FIDs) are described in the USOCs and FIDs Overview. Use of the USOC/FID Finder will assist you in identifying USOCs and FIDs.
Ethernet over SONET (EoS)
Qwest requires that all order requests for Ethernet over SONET (EoS) and Channelized Optical Service go through the Automatic Quote and Contract Billing (AQCB) pre-order process before you submit your service request. The AQCB inquiry is reviewed to ensure that the equipment deployed for your SONET system supports EoS or can automatically reconfigure Channelized Optical Service, and to determine any additional requirements that might be necessary to provide the service. Contact your Qwest account team to initiate the pre-order request; they will provide you with the AQCB inquiry number to include in the REMARKS Section of your service request.
General Provisioning and Installation activities are described in the Provisioning and Installation Overview.
Firm Order Confirmation (FOC) intervals are found in the SIG.
A jeopardy occurs on an LSR if a condition exists that threatens timely completion. Jeopardy notification information is described in the Provisioning and Installation Overview.
When placing trouble reports, the account telephone number and/or the appropriate circuit identification must be provided.
General maintenance and repair activities are described in the Maintenance and Repair Overview.
On a monthly basis, Qwest will provide you with billing information that will provide summary account information as well as end-user account information.
Customer Records and Information System (CRIS) billing is described in Billing Information - Customer Records and Information System (CRIS).
View Qwest courses in the Course Catalog.
Qwest contact information is located in Wholesale Customer Contacts.
1. Because SST comes with a protect path, when must the CLEC pay for SHARP?
What is EoS and Channelized Optical Service?
Last Update: November 19, 2009
