Table of Contents:

Definition and Overview

1. Why It Is Important to Test in the Local Loop

2. The Problem of Gaining Access to the Local Loop

3. Unbundled Local Loop Defined

4. How to Take Your Telephone Number with You

5. How Remote Call Forwarding Works

6. How Existing Testing Strategies Can Be Costly

7. Connectivity + Total Solution = Cost Savings

8. ILECs, CLECs, and the Future of the Unbundled Loop

Self-Test

Glossary

PDF of this tutorial

ADSL
asymmetric digital subscriber line

ALT
automatic loop test

ANAC
automatic number announcement circuit

ANI
automatic number identification

CLEC
competitive local exchange carriers

DLC
digital loop carrier

HDSL
high bit rate digital subscriber line

IDF
intermediate distribution frame

ILEC
incumbent local exchange carrier

ISDN
integrated services digital network

LNR
location number routing

MDF
main distribution frame

MTTR
mean time to repair

NPAC
number portability administration center

OSP
outside plant

POT
point of termination

POTS
plain old telephone service

PUC
Public Utility Commission

RBOC
regional Bell operating company

RTU
remote testing unit

SMAS
switched access maintenance system

STP
signal transfer point

VDSL
very-high-data-rate digital subscriber line

xDSL
(generic) digital subscriber line