Product Catalog (PCAT)
Unbundled Local Loop - Digital Signal Level 3 (DS3) Capable Loop - V31.0
NOTE: The Federal Communications Commission ("FCC" or "Commission") released Order FCC 20-152 on October 28, 2020, a Report and Order in WC Docket 19-308 for the Modernizing Unbundling and Resale Requirements in an Era of Next-Generation Networks and Services ("Order"), which became effective February 8, 2021, and altered CenturyLink’s obligations to provide certain unbundled network elements. As such, these services will no longer be available after the following transition periods, consistent with the terms of the UNE Modernization Forbearance Amendment: 1) DS1- new orders not available after February 8, 2023; 2) DS3- new orders not available as of February 8, 2021; 3) DS0/ADSL/xDSL/ISDN BRI - new orders not available after February 8, 2023; 4) UNE Subloops and NIDs- new orders not available as of February 8, 2021; 5) Dark Fiber Transport- new orders not available as of February 8, 2021; and 6) OSS- subject to the transition periods applicable to the corresponding UNEs. The wire center lists pertaining to this order can be found at: http://www.centurylink.com/wholesale/clec.html.
Product Description
Unbundled Local Loop - Digital Signal Level 3 (DS3) Capable Loop is a transmission path between a CenturyLink™ Central Office (CO) DSX-3, or equivalent, and the loop demarcation point at the end-user premises. DS3 Capable Loop transports bi-directional DS3 signals with a nominal transmission rate of 44.736 megabits per second (Mbps). DS3 channel will typically be provided using a channel of a fiber based system.
Additional information on Unbundled Local Loops is located in Unbundled Local Loops – General Information.
Product Diagram
Availability
DS3 Capable Loop is available where facilities exist throughout CenturyLink.
Non-Impaired Wire Centers and the Omaha Forbearance Wire Centers are described at CenturyLink Non-Impaired Wired Center Lists for Loops and Dedicated Transport . In those cases, the DS3 equivalent facility is available only via CenturyLink’s Special Access Tariffs.
Terms and Conditions
General Interconnection Agreement, regulation and policy information for DS3 Capable Loop are described in the Terms and Conditions section of Unbundled Local Loop - General Information.
A requesting telecommunication carrier may obtain a maximum of 1 (one) Unbundled DS3 Loop to any single building in which DS3 loops are available as Unbundled Loops.
CenturyLink is not obligated to provision DS3 capable Loops to End User Customers in areas served exclusively by Loop facilities or transmission equipment that are not compatible with the requested service.
Technical Publications
Technical characteristics, including Network Channel/Network Channel Interface (NC/NCI™) Codes, are specified in Technical Publication, Interconnection - Unbundled Loop, 77384 and technical details for DS3 Capable Loops are described in Technical Publication, CenturyLink DS3 Service, 77324.Pricing
Rate Structure
Recurring charges are comprised of the following rate elements:
- DS3 capable loop
- Interconnection Tie Pair (ITP), per connection (a DS3 ITP for DS3)
Recurring charges are billed on a month-to-month basis.
Nonrecurring charges are billed at the time service is rendered. Nonrecurring charges depend on the Installation option chosen. A nonrecurring charge applies to the installation of service(s) and in some states a disconnect service(s) charge will apply. CenturyLink is not obligated to provision DS3 capable Loops to End User Customers in areas served exclusively by Loop facilities or transmission equipment that are not compatible with the requested service.
Additional rate element information is available in the Pricing section of Unbundled Local Loop - General Information.
Rates
Rates are available in Exhibit A or the specific rate sheet in your Interconnection Agreement. If there are elements that are not in your Interconnection Agreement, contact your CenturyLink Service Manager.
Tariffs, Regulations and Policy
Tariff, regulations and policies are located in the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.
Optional Features
There are no optional features available with DS3 Capable Loop.
Features/Benefits
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Applications
See Features/Benefits.
Implementation
Product Prerequisites
If you are a new Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) and are ready to do business with CenturyLink, view Getting Started for Facility-Based CLECs. If you are an existing CLEC wishing to amend your Interconnection Agreement or your New Product Questionnaire, additional information is located in the Interconnection Agreement.
Pre-Ordering
General pre-ordering activities are described in the Pre-Ordering Overview. Requirements for pre-ordering are described in the Local Service Ordering Guidelines (LSOG)
Prior to ordering a DS3 UBL, CLECs must have a certification form on file. That form certifies that the CLEC:
- Is using the circuit for local traffic.
- Is ordering a circuit in an impaired Wire Center as filed by CenturyLink QC.
- Is ordering a circuit that does not exceed the cap in an impaired Wire Center as filed by CenturyLink QC.
- Is not accessing an unbundled network element for the provision of mobile wireless services or interexchange services.
The Certification of Remand Order Criteria High Capacity Unbundled Transport, Unbundled Loop, and Combinations form is kept on file at CenturyLink subsequent to submission to the Account Team / Sales Executives and Service Managers.
Loop Qualification
The EASE-LSR User's Guide specifically details the information applicable to preordering functions.
CenturyLink strongly recommends use of pre-ordering functionality to assist in achieving increased service request flowthrough and accuracy that will result in reduced order rejects.
The following activities may need to be performed by you in preparation for the issuance of the service request:
- Validate address
- Validate Connecting Facilities Assignment (CFA)
- Review Customer Service Record (CSR)
- Check facility availability
- Query Fiber Data Reports
These activities will enable you to verify the type of facility and the loop make-up of the Unbundled Local Loop, which will assist you in identifying the appropriate service intervals, described in the Service Interval Guide (SIG).
More information can be found on these activities in the Loop Qualification and Raw Loop Data - CLEC Job Aid.
Additional pre-ordering information is located in the Pre-Ordering section of Unbundled Local Loop - General Information.
Requirements for pre-ordering are described in the Local Service Ordering Guidelines (LSOG)
Ordering
General ordering activities are described in the Ordering Overview.
Unbundled Local Loop Installations Options
Six installation options are available for Unbundled Local Loop. Detailed information about the different installation options is available in the Ordering section of Unbundled Local Loop - General Information.
Circuit ID (ECCKT)
DS3 Capable Loop are assigned with Circuit Identification numbers. Detailed information about the Circuit Identification number format is available in the Ordering section of Unbundled Local Loop - General Information.
Required Forms and Activity Types
DS3 Capable Loops orders are submitted using the following Local Service Ordering Guidelines (LSOG) forms:
- Local Service Request (LSR)
- End User (EU)
- Loop Service (LS)
- Directory Listing (DL), if applicable
Field entry requirements are described in the LSOG. Some UBL specific information, including valid LSR ACT types is described in the Ordering section of Unbundled Local Loop - General Information.
Orders are placed using EASE-LSR Extensible Markup Language (XML) or EASE-LSR Graphical User Interface (GUI).
A Design Layout Report (DLR) request is described in the EASE-LSR XML Network Disclosure or the EASE-LSR User's Guide.
Service requests can be rejected for various reasons. Error and rejection notifications are described in the Ordering Overview.
Service interval guidelines are located in the SIG.
Provisioning and Installation
General provisioning and installation activities are described in the Provisioning and Installation Overview and in the Provisioning section of Unbundled Local Loop - General Information.
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.
Cooperative and Performance Testing shall conform to objective limits of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) T1.510 Standard.
Loss and Completion Reports are generated based on loss and gain account activity. Loss and Completion Reports are described in Billing Information – Additional Outputs – SMDR, Completion Report, Loss Report.
Installation hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Installations requested outside of the normal operating hours are considered to be Out of Hours Installations.
Hours of Operation
Installation hours are described in the Provisioning and Installation section of Unbundled Local Loop - General Information.
Maintenance and Repair
General maintenance and repair activities are described in the Maintenance and Repair Overview.
Billing
Ensemble is the new billing system for customers. For questions about the bill, please follow the instructions on the reverse side of each billing statement.
The Ensemble bill is described in Billing Information – Ensemble.
Training
View CenturyLink courses by clicking on Training Catalog.
Contacts
CenturyLink contact information is located in Wholesale Customer Contacts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This section is being compiled based on your feedback.
Last Update: November 4, 2021
Last Reviewed: March 25, 2024
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