fellow experts,
More and more I'm starting to run into an issue with carriers now wanting a FIC (facilities interface code) ---from the equipment mfr?? which would obviously be cisco when ordering business class analog voice trunks for FXO services. Lately, when I tell them I need ground or loop start 2-way trunks they get all perplexed and start talking E&M -6wire and it will take 8-10 weeks to get hardware. This was not the case 3 years ago. I would call up and ask for loop or ground start trunks with 2-way privileges and a block of DN's. Would anyone have a cheat sheet, web link to order products with Qwest, ATT, Verizon? There has to be an easier way to make them see the light and not spend hours for ordering simple analog lines. Example from ATT -Midwest OH/MI/IN/WI/IL 8/15/11 â Analog PBX and DID Trunks â AT&T Midwest PBX Trunks 1.1. Description 1.1.1. Analog PBX Trunks Are central office (CO) lines used to connect Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) such as switchboards or consoles with the AT&T switched network. Must be specifically requested by the customer. Are not offered by AT&T employees. The customer's CPE vendor will know if PBX Trunks are required. Each trunk handles only one call at a time. 1.2. Aliases Combination Trunks Combo Trunks Ground Start - PBX Trunking PBX Trunks Trunks Two Way Combo Trunks 1.3. Restrictions 1.3.1. Limitations Flat, message, or measured services cannot be mixed on the same premises in states where these different services are offered. CO lines and trunks can be on the same account in ACIS; the CO lines require a Secondary Class of Service. Three-Way Calling and Call Waiting are not available. Call Forwarding and Speed Calling are available on a demand basis as follows: Refer customer to vendor to check compatibility (trunks must be able to draw dial tone). If Call Forwarding, available only to first number in hunt group. If Speed Calling, should be installed on all outgoing and combination trunks. In addition, each trunk should be programmed with the same Speed Call numbers. 1.3.2. Conflicting Products Per the tariff, Caller ID and AT&T Voice Mail Service are not available products for PBX trunks in the AT&T region. 1.4. Interactions Compatibility of PBX Trunks depends on the CPE provided by the customer. The customer or the customer's vendor will know when and how to order PBX Trunks in place of regular exchange business lines. 1.5. Features 1.5.1. Type of Trunks Offered PBX Trunks are available as: 1.5.1.1. One-Way In Only Allows for incoming calls only through an attendant (manual or automatic). A hunt group enhances the distribution of calls on a One-Way In trunk. These are appropriate for customers with high incoming call volumes. 1.5.1.2. One-Way Out Only Allows for outgoing calls only by dialing an access code, for example, 9+XXX-XXXX. These are appropriate for customers with high outgoing call volumes. 1.5.1.3. Combination Allows for both incoming and outgoing calls. These are appropriate for customers with both incoming and outgoing call volumes. Central Office hunting enhances the distribution of calls on a Combination trunk. 1.5.1.4. Other Important Points About PBX Trunks A customer may have more than one type of PBX Trunk; for example, both combination and One-Way Out Only, but they must have like usage billing on the entire account. Trunks may be either Flat, Message or Measured rates, where applicable. All Trunks are Touch-Tone. The recommended trunk ratio is one trunk for every 15 stations. 1.5.1.5. Architecture CO equipment for PBX trunks may be grounded in one of two ways, Ground Start or Loop Start. The customer or the customer's CPE vendor must indicate the type of grounding required. Ground Start is most common. Exception Does not apply to Incoming Only trunks. 1.5.1.6. Ground Start/Loop Start General Information: Loop and Ground start are different and opposite means of signaling the Central Office when a line is being engaged to place a call. These changes are needed by customers changing their telephone systems. Loop to Ground (or vice versa) require FDT (Frame Due Time) since down time may occur. Duplicate service is not available on âT&Fâ orders when LPS/GST change is involved. Charges apply to change from Loop to Ground start or vice versa. Follow standard intervals. Premise visit is required to ensure that changes are made. 1.5.1.6.1. Ground Start Ground Start describes CO equipment that is protected by "TIP" insulation to provide grounding. 1.5.1.6.2. Loop Start Loop Start describes CO equipment that is protected by grounding at the CO. Christopher J. Manacapelli Independent Consultant Converged IP Technologies Voice over IP | Data Networking | Internet Security P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail
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