Common use of Methods for Interconnection Clause in Contracts

Methods for Interconnection. Where the Parties interconnect, for the purpose of exchanging traffic between networks, the Parties may use the following interconnection methods of each Tandem and End Office identified in Appendix DCO making use of facilities they own or lease from a third party. 4.3.1 Physical Collocation Interconnection ("PCI") - Where Optel provides fiber cable and connects to its equipment located in the SWBT Wire Center. Optel owns and maintains Optel's equipment. 4.3.2 Virtual Collocation Interconnection ("VCI") - Where Optel provides fiber cable to SWBT for connection to Optel-designated basic transmission equipment dedicated solely for Optel's use, located in the SWBT Interconnection Wire Center. SWBT owns and maintains the basic transmission equipment at the SWBT Interconnection Wire Center. This option shall be consistent with the terms of SWBT's virtual collocation tariff. 4.3.3 SONET-Based Interconnection ("SBI") - Where Optel provides fiber cable to SWBT for connection to SWBT-designated basic transmission equipment located at the SWBT Interconnection Wire Center (SIWC) and dedicated solely for Optel's use. SWBT owns and maintains the basic transmission equipment. This option shall be consistent with SWBT's SBI tariff. 4.3.4 Leased Facility Interconnection ("LFI") - Where facilities exist, either Party may lease facilities from the other Party. 4.3.5 Mid-span Fiber Interconnection ("MSFI") - Where the Parties agree to interconnect through SONET technology, a Fujitsu originating line terminating multiplexer fiber optic terminal ("FOT") shall be used. Mid-Span Fiber Interconnection (MSFI) between Southwestern ▇▇▇▇ Telephone (SWBT) and LSP can occur at any mutually agreeable, economically and technically feasible point between LSP's premises and a SWBT tandem or end office. This interconnection will be on a point-to-point SONET system over single mode fiber optic cable. 4.3.5.1 MSFI may be used to provide interconnection trunking as defined in Attachment ITR. 4.3.5.2 There are two basic mid-span interconnection designs: a. Design One: LSP's fiber cable and SWBT's fiber cable are connected at an economically and technically feasible point between the LSP location and the last entrance manhole at the SWBT central office. The Parties may agree to a location with access to an existing SWBT fiber termination panel. In these cases, the network interconnection point (POI) shall be designated outside of the GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS PAGE 12 OF 52 SWBT/Optel J130 SWBT building, even though the LSP fiber may be physically terminated on a fiber termination panel inside of a SWBT building. In this instance, LSP will not incur fiber termination charges and SWBT will be responsible for connecting the cable to the SWBT facility. The Parties may agree to a location with access to an existing LSP fiber termination panel. In these cases, the network interconnection point POI) shall be designated outside of the LSP building, even though the SWBT fiber may be physically terminated on a fiber termination panel inside of an LSP building. In this instance, SWBT will not incur fiber termination charges and LSP will be responsible for connecting the cable to the LSP facility. If a suitable location with an existing fiber termination panel cannot be agreed upon, LSP and SWBT shall mutually determine provision of a fiber termination panel housed in an outside, above ground, cabinet placed at the physical POI. Ownership and the cost of provisioning the panel will be negotiated between the two parties. b. Design Two: LSP will provide fiber cable to the last entrance manhole at the SWBT tandem or end office switch with which LSP wishes to interconnect. LSP will provide a sufficient length of fiber optic cable for SWBT to pull the fiber cable to the SWBT cable vault for termination on the SWBT fiber distribution frame (FDF). In this case the POI shall be at the manhole location. In this instance, LSP will not incur fiber termination charges and SWBT will be responsible for connecting the cable to the SWBT facility. Each Party is responsible for designing, provisioning, ownership and maintenance of all equipment and facilities on its side of the POI. Each Party is free to select the manufacturer of its Fiber Optic Terminal (FOT). Neither Party will be allowed to access the Data Communication Channel (DCC) of the other Party's FOT. The Parties will work cooperatively to achieve equipment compatibility. 4.3.5.3 The Parties will mutually agree upon the precise terms of each mid-span interconnection facility. These terms will cover the technical details of the interconnection as well as other network interconnection, provisioning and maintenance issues. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS PAGE 13 OF 52 SWBT/Optel J130 4.3.5.4 The LSP location includes FOTs, multiplexing and fiber required to take the optical signal handoff from SWBT for interconnection trunking as outlined in Appendix ITR. 4.3.5.5 The fiber connection point may occur at several locations: a. a location with an existing SWBT fiber termination panel. In this situation, the POI shall be outside the SWBT building which houses the fiber termination panel; b. a location with access to an existing LSP fiber termination panel. In these cases, the network interconnection point (POI) shall be designated outside of the LSP building, even though the SWBT fiber may be physically terminated on a fiber termination panel inside a LSP building; c. a location with no existing SWBT fiber termination panel. In this situation, SWBT and LSP will negotiate provisioning, maintenance and ownership of a fiber termination panel and above ground outside cabinet as a POI and for connection of the fiber cables; d. a manhole outside of the SWBT central office. In this situation, LSP will provide sufficient fiber optic cable for SWBT to pull the cable into the SWBT cable vault for termination on the SWBT FDF. The POI will be at the manhole and SWBT will assume maintenance responsibility for the fiber cabling from the manhole to the FDF. 4.3.5.6 The SWBT tandem or end office switch includes all SWBT FOT, multiplexing and fiber required to take the optical signal hand-off provided from LSP for interconnection trunking as outlined in Appendix ITR. This location is SWBT's responsibility to provision and maintain.

Methods for Interconnection. Where the Parties interconnect, for the purpose of exchanging traffic between networks, the Parties may use the following interconnection methods of each Tandem and End Office identified in Appendix DCO making use of facilities they own or lease from a third party. 4.3.1 Physical Collocation Interconnection ("PCI") - Where Optel DTI provides fiber cable and connects to its equipment located in the SWBT Wire Center. Optel DTI owns and maintains OptelDTI's equipment. 4.3.2 Virtual Collocation Interconnection ("VCI") - Where Optel DTI provides fiber cable to SWBT for connection to OptelDTI-designated basic transmission equipment dedicated solely for OptelDTI's use, located in the SWBT Interconnection Wire Center. SWBT owns and maintains the basic transmission equipment at the SWBT Interconnection Wire Center. This option shall be consistent with the terms of SWBT's virtual collocation tariff. 4.3.3 SONET-Based Interconnection ("SBI") - Where Optel DTI provides fiber cable to SWBT for connection to SWBT-designated basic transmission equipment located at the SWBT Interconnection Wire Center (SIWC) and dedicated solely for OptelDTI's use. SWBT owns and maintains the basic transmission equipment. This option shall be consistent with SWBT's SBI tariff. 4.3.4 Leased Facility Interconnection ("LFI") - Where network facilities exist, either Party may lease facilities from the other PartyParty at rates no greater than SWBT Access Tariff rates. 4.3.5 Mid-span Fiber Interconnection ("MSFI") - Where the Parties agree to interconnect through SONET technology, using a Fujitsu originating line terminating multiplexer fiber optic terminal ("FOT") shall be used. Mid-Span Fiber Interconnection (MSFI) between Southwestern ▇▇▇▇ Telephone (SWBT) details of this architecture are addressed in Appendix MSFI attached hereto and LSP can occur at any mutually agreeable, economically and technically feasible point between LSP's premises and a SWBT tandem or end officeincorporated by reference. This interconnection will be on a point-to-point SONET system over single mode fiber optic cablearrangement is limited to interconnecting trunks. 4.3.5.1 MSFI may be used to provide interconnection trunking as defined in Attachment ITR. 4.3.5.2 There are two basic mid-span interconnection designs: a. Design One: LSP's fiber cable and SWBT's fiber cable are connected at an economically and technically feasible point between the LSP location and the last entrance manhole at the SWBT central office. 4.3.6 The Parties may agree to a location with access to an existing SWBT fiber termination panel. In these cases, the network interconnection point (POI) shall be designated outside of the GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS PAGE 12 OF 52 SWBT/Optel J130 SWBT building, even though the LSP fiber utilize another Interconnection Method as may be physically terminated on a fiber termination panel inside of a SWBT building. In this instance, LSP will not incur fiber termination charges and SWBT will determined to be responsible for connecting technically feasible in the cable to the SWBT facility. The Parties may agree to a location with access to an existing LSP fiber termination panel. In these cases, the network interconnection point POI) shall be designated outside of the LSP building, even though the SWBT fiber may be physically terminated on a fiber termination panel inside of an LSP building. In this instance, SWBT will not incur fiber termination charges and LSP will be responsible for connecting the cable to the LSP facility. If a suitable location with an existing fiber termination panel cannot be agreed upon, LSP and SWBT shall mutually determine provision of a fiber termination panel housed in an outside, above ground, cabinet placed at the physical POI. Ownership and the cost of provisioning the panel will be negotiated between the two partiesfuture. b. Design Two: LSP will provide fiber cable to the last entrance manhole at the SWBT tandem or end office switch with which LSP wishes to interconnect. LSP will provide a sufficient length of fiber optic cable for SWBT to pull the fiber cable to the SWBT cable vault for termination on the SWBT fiber distribution frame (FDF). In this case the POI shall be at the manhole location. In this instance, LSP will not incur fiber termination charges and SWBT will be responsible for connecting the cable to the SWBT facility. Each Party is responsible for designing, provisioning, ownership and maintenance of all equipment and facilities on its side of the POI. Each Party is free to select the manufacturer of its Fiber Optic Terminal (FOT). Neither Party will be allowed to access the Data Communication Channel (DCC) of the other Party's FOT. The Parties will work cooperatively to achieve equipment compatibility. 4.3.5.3 The Parties will mutually agree upon the precise terms of each mid-span interconnection facility. These terms will cover the technical details of the interconnection as well as other network interconnection, provisioning and maintenance issues. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS PAGE 13 OF 52 SWBT/Optel J130 4.3.5.4 The LSP location includes FOTs, multiplexing and fiber required to take the optical signal handoff from SWBT for interconnection trunking as outlined in Appendix ITR. 4.3.5.5 The fiber connection point may occur at several locations: a. a location with an existing SWBT fiber termination panel. In this situation, the POI shall be outside the SWBT building which houses the fiber termination panel; b. a location with access to an existing LSP fiber termination panel. In these cases, the network interconnection point (POI) shall be designated outside of the LSP building, even though the SWBT fiber may be physically terminated on a fiber termination panel inside a LSP building; c. a location with no existing SWBT fiber termination panel. In this situation, SWBT and LSP will negotiate provisioning, maintenance and ownership of a fiber termination panel and above ground outside cabinet as a POI and for connection of the fiber cables; d. a manhole outside of the SWBT central office. In this situation, LSP will provide sufficient fiber optic cable for SWBT to pull the cable into the SWBT cable vault for termination on the SWBT FDF. The POI will be at the manhole and SWBT will assume maintenance responsibility for the fiber cabling from the manhole to the FDF. 4.3.5.6 The SWBT tandem or end office switch includes all SWBT FOT, multiplexing and fiber required to take the optical signal hand-off provided from LSP for interconnection trunking as outlined in Appendix ITR. This location is SWBT's responsibility to provision and maintain.

Methods for Interconnection. Where the Parties interconnect, for the purpose of exchanging traffic between networks, the Parties may use the following interconnection methods of for each Tandem and End Office identified in Appendix DCO making use of facilities they own or lease from a third partyparty or SWBT. 4.3.1 Physical Collocation Interconnection ("PCI") - Where Optel CLEC provides fiber cable and connects to its equipment located in the SWBT Wire Center. Optel CLEC owns and maintains OptelCLEC's equipment. 4.3.2 Virtual Collocation Interconnection ("VCI") - Where Optel CLEC provides fiber cable to SWBT for connection to OptelCLEC-designated basic transmission equipment dedicated solely for OptelCLEC's use, located in the SWBT Interconnection Wire Center. SWBT owns and maintains the basic transmission equipment at the SWBT Interconnection Wire Center. This option shall be consistent with the terms of SWBT's virtual collocation tariff. 4.3.3 SONET-Based Interconnection ("SBI") - Where Optel CLEC provides fiber cable to SWBT for connection to SWBT-designated basic transmission equipment located at the SWBT Interconnection Wire Center (SIWC) and dedicated solely for OptelCLEC's use. SWBT owns and maintains the basic transmission equipment. This option shall be consistent with SWBT's SBI tariff. 4.3.4 Leased Facility Interconnection ("LFI") - Where facilities exist, either Party may lease facilities from the other Party.Party as defined in Section 7 of Appendix NIM. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS - KS PAGE 12 OF 50 SWBT/BIRCH TELECOM OF KANSAS, INC. 100198 4.3.5 Mid-span Fiber Interconnection ("MSFINIM") - Where the Parties agree to interconnect through SONET technology, using a Fujitsu originating line terminating multiplexer fiber optic terminal ("FOT") shall be useddetails of this architecture are addressed in Appendix NIM attached hereto and incorporated by reference. Mid-Span Fiber Interconnection This interconnection arrangement is limited to interconnecting trunks. 4.3.6 Other interconnection methods, as negotiated by the parties, which interconnect CLEC's and SWBT's networks (MSFI1) between Southwestern ▇▇▇▇ Telephone for the transmission and routing of telephone exchange traffic, exchange access traffic, or both; (SWBT2) and LSP can occur at any mutually agreeable, economically and technically feasible point between LSP's premises and a SWBT tandem or end office. This interconnection will be on a point-to-point SONET system over single mode fiber optic cable. 4.3.5.1 MSFI may be used to provide interconnection trunking as defined in Attachment ITR. 4.3.5.2 There are two basic mid-span interconnection designs: a. Design One: LSP's fiber cable and within SWBT's fiber cable are connected network including: (1) the line-side of a local switch; (ii) the trunk-side of a local switch, (iii) the trunk interconnection points for a tandem switch; (iv) central office cross-connect points; (v) out-of-band signaling transfer points necessary to exchange traffic at an economically these points and technically feasible point between access call related databases, and (vi) the LSP location and the last entrance manhole at the SWBT central office. The Parties may agree to a location with points of access to unbundled network elements; (3) that is a level of quality that is equal to that which SWBT provides itself, a subsidiary, an existing SWBT fiber termination panelaffiliate, or any other party. In these casesIf CLEC requests, the network interconnection point (POI) shall be designated outside of the GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS PAGE 12 OF 52 SWBT/Optel J130 SWBT building, even though the LSP fiber may be physically terminated on a fiber termination panel inside of a SWBT building. In this instance, LSP will not incur fiber termination charges and SWBT will be responsible for connecting the cable to the SWBT facility. The Parties may agree to a location with access to an existing LSP fiber termination panel. In these cases, the network interconnection point POI) shall be designated outside of the LSP building, even though the SWBT fiber may be physically terminated on a fiber termination panel inside of an LSP building. In this instanceextent technically feasible, SWBT will not incur fiber termination charges and LSP will be responsible for connecting the cable shall negotiate interconnection that is superior or lesser in quality to the LSP facility. If a suitable location with an existing fiber termination panel cannot be agreed upon, LSP and SWBT shall mutually determine provision of a fiber termination panel housed in an outside, above ground, cabinet placed at the physical POI. Ownership and the cost of provisioning the panel will be negotiated between the two parties. b. Design Two: LSP will provide fiber cable to the last entrance manhole at the SWBT tandem or end office switch with which LSP wishes to interconnect. LSP will provide a sufficient length of fiber optic cable for that provided by SWBT to pull itself or any subsidiary, affiliate, or any other party to which the fiber cable to the SWBT cable vault for termination on the SWBT fiber distribution frame (FDF). In this case the POI shall be at the manhole location. In this instance, LSP will not incur fiber termination charges and SWBT will be responsible for connecting the cable to the SWBT facility. Each Party is responsible for designing, provisioning, ownership and maintenance of all equipment and facilities on its side of the POI. Each Party is free to select the manufacturer of its Fiber Optic Terminal (FOT). Neither Party will be allowed to access the Data Communication Channel (DCC) of the other Party's FOT. The Parties will work cooperatively to achieve equipment compatibilityincumbent LEC provides interconnection. 4.3.5.3 The Parties will mutually agree upon the precise terms of each mid-span interconnection facility. These terms will cover the technical details of the interconnection as well as other network interconnection, provisioning and maintenance issues. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS PAGE 13 OF 52 SWBT/Optel J130 4.3.5.4 The LSP location includes FOTs, multiplexing and fiber required to take the optical signal handoff from SWBT for interconnection trunking as outlined in Appendix ITR. 4.3.5.5 The fiber connection point may occur at several locations: a. a location with an existing SWBT fiber termination panel. In this situation, the POI shall be outside the SWBT building which houses the fiber termination panel; b. a location with access to an existing LSP fiber termination panel. In these cases, the network interconnection point (POI) shall be designated outside of the LSP building, even though the SWBT fiber may be physically terminated on a fiber termination panel inside a LSP building; c. a location with no existing SWBT fiber termination panel. In this situation, SWBT and LSP will negotiate provisioning, maintenance and ownership of a fiber termination panel and above ground outside cabinet as a POI and for connection of the fiber cables; d. a manhole outside of the SWBT central office. In this situation, LSP will provide sufficient fiber optic cable for SWBT to pull the cable into the SWBT cable vault for termination on the SWBT FDF. The POI will be at the manhole and SWBT will assume maintenance responsibility for the fiber cabling from the manhole to the FDF. 4.3.5.6 The SWBT tandem or end office switch includes all SWBT FOT, multiplexing and fiber required to take the optical signal hand-off provided from LSP for interconnection trunking as outlined in Appendix ITR. This location is SWBT's responsibility to provision and maintain.