When floor space is tight at your premises, move in with Verizon -- your connectivity equipment, that is. Our broad range of Physical Collocation solutions gives CLECs and Access Providers many options for interconnectivity to voice grade, digital and optical transmission rates as well as Unbundled Network Element (UNE) access.
Need maximum flexibility? Verizon can provide facility terminations for special access, switched access and local (port/loop) services. We can provide your transmission and power cables -- or you can. Provide your own fiber entrance facilities -- or lease transport from us. The choices are yours.
Determine which application best meets your needs. Then contact your Verizon representative for complete details about our physical collocation services and availability. We'll take it from there.
In traditional physical collocation, the Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) occupies dedicated space within a central office. Verizon designates all spaces to be occupied by the CLEC's facilities. Verizon then provides points of interconnection between the CLEC's equipment and the Verizon network. Entrance facilities to a collocation node can be CLEC-owned fiber facilities or leased transport from Verizon or a third party. Microwave collocation entrance facility arrangements are also available.
In addition to traditionally accepted transmission equipment, Verizon will allow the installation of equipment that is necessary for either interconnection or for access to unbundled network elements. This equipment may include DSLAMs, routers, ATM multiplexers and remote switching modules. Verizon will not allow the collocation of equipment that is designed exclusively for switching or enhanced services and that is not necessary for interconnection or access to UNEs. A standard Verizon central office toll transmission environment is provided for any CLEC equipment deployed in Verizon premises.
Once the physical interconnection is established and tested, the CLEC purchases services or UNEs from Verizon that the CLEC uses to provide services to its end user. Physical collocation supports interconnection to voice grade, digital and optical transmission rates.
Verizon provides space in its central offices to the CLEC and provides interconnection and access to the embedded Verizon network under FCC and various state tariffs. The following description of physical collocation is based on such current tariff offerings and is subject to change based on, among other things, modifications to these tariffs.
Physical Collocation is offered throughout the Verizon footprint. Collocation service agreements are available for DS3, DS1, DSO and optical facility terminations. Verizon can also provide facility terminations for special access, switched access and local (port/loop) services.
Pricing and applicable USOCs are pursuant to applicable tariffs, SGATs or interconnection agreements and may vary accordingly. See your federal and state tariffs for detailed information.
Rates and terms for physical collocation are as applicable in FCC No. 1 and No. 11 and applicable state tariffs and SGATs.
Once the collocation site has been implemented, the CLEC can order Special Access and Switched Transport services, Interconnection Trunks and access to UNEs, to and from that collocation site.
Common room construction charges for the central office common room containing physical collocation nodes may vary per tariff.
In Verizon-South common room construction costs are no longer recovered under a pro rata methodology. For all applications submitted after May 19, 1999, flat rate room construction costs are applied according to applicable tariffs.
Flat rate room construction costs in Verizon-North are recovered according to applicable tariffs or SGATs.
In New England flat rate room construction charges apply to arrangements built in already conditioned space. Special construction costs, when required, will be billed to the CLEC according to applicable tariffs or SGATs.
Collocation options include:
Caged Collocation - Subject to space availability, space for cages of any size (25 square foot minimum) can be provided. The CLEC is responsible for the installation and maintenance of its own collocated equipment.
Cageless Collocation - With this arrangement, you get floor space without caging your equipment. Minimum requirement is a single bay or cabinet. The CLEC is responsible for the installation and maintenance of its own collocated equipment. Under a separate contract, we can provide alarm monitoring services.
Shared Cage Collocation - You can share caged space with one or more other CLECs who also are interconnecting with Verizon. The 'Host' CLEC is the primary contact and will be responsible for paying all associated recurring and non-recurring fees and charges and recovering the prorated charges from the 'guest' CLECs sharing the cage.
Subleased Caged Collocation - CLECs with caged collocation agreements and vacant space can make that space available to other CLECs who have interconnection agreements with Verizon. Terms and conditions are negotiated between the CLECs. The host provider is responsible for ordering and paying for Verizon services and recovering the prorated charges from the 'guest' CLECs sharing the cage.
Adjacent Collocation - When space is not available for Physical collocation in a Verizon facility that houses network equipment, and when it is technically feasible, the CLEC can construct or acquire a structure on Verizon property.
These descriptions are intended only to briefly describe the types of collocation arrangements available in Verizon interconnection agreements. They are not intended to provide complete information about the agreements.
Dedicated Transit Service (DTS) is an option which allows a collocating telecommunications carrier to interconnect its network with another telecommunications carrier at Verizon’s premises is provided between the collocated arrangements (physical or virtual) of the same or of two different collocation customers in the same Verizon premises, using Verizon-provided distribution facilities. DTS is available, per applicable tariff, at Voice Grade/DS0, DS1 and DS3/STS1 electrical levels or a dark/unlit fiber cable jumper for an unlit optical connection, provided that the collocated equipment is used for interconnection with Verizon or for access to Verizon’s unbundled network elements. DTS is provided at the same transmission level from collocated customer to collocated customer.
Verizon provides the CLEC with dedicated floor space within a secure common area with a toll environment, AC power for convenience outlets and DC power. A fiber optic cable rack to the CEF, and cable ducts to the street are also provided. Microwave collocation requires access to the CLEC's antenna on the roof.
CLECs are not required to secure their equipment in a wire mesh enclosure (cage). In those states where Verizon does not provide a caged enclosures, a collocator may, at its own expense, contract directly with a Verizon approved contractor for cage construction, providing it conforms with Verizon specifications and safety standards (refer to Verizon Real Estate Cage Construction Standards, click on Collocation Information). A list of approved master zone contractors will be made available pursuant to receipt of applications for physical collocation.
Verizon accepts requests from CLECs for physical collocation space on a first-come, first-serve basis pursuant to appropriate tariffs. Verizon offers a broad range of linear dimensions on physical collocation dedicated space. However, physical collocation space does not extend above the 8-foot plane of the collocation node height. Verizon offers the CLEC physical collocation of equipment for interconnection or for access to UNEs except when physical collocation is not practical for technical reasons or because of space limitations. A CLEC that is collocated for these purposes may also interconnect to another collocated CLEC.
CLEC employees, agents, and contractors, as approved by Verizon, typically have 24-hour by 7-day access to the CLEC collocation node. Applications for Verizon non-employee identification badges and the procedures for obtaining these are provided to the CLEC early in the collocation implementation process. The CLEC accepts responsibility for the protection and proper use of the Verizon ID badge and assures that it will be used only by the badge holder for business purposes within the Verizon central office. Verizon non-employee ID badges must be prominently displayed by the CLEC or vendor at all times while on a Verizon premises. Verizon ID badges are valid for one year from the date of issuance and is the responsibility of the CLEC to obtain new ID badges prior to the expiration date on the ID badge (month and year). CLECs an their vendors having an expired ID will not be given access to a Verizon premises and may be asked to forfeit the expired ID badge. Improper use of Verizon ID badges may result in termination of the contract or legal action.
Where the CLEC shares a common entrance to the central office with Verizon, the reasonable use of shared building facilities (e.g., elevators, unrestricted corridors, designated rest rooms, etc.) is permitted. Verizon makes reasonable efforts to provide access to shared building facilities; however, the location of physical collocation space is dependent on various qualifications that include space availability, proximity to distributing frames, power, and CEFs. Access to such facilities may be restricted by security requirements, and a Verizon employee may be required to accompany the CLEC personnel. In certain central offices, CLEC personnel may be allowed access to shared building facilities only when an authorized Verizon employee is available to accompany the CLEC personnel.
Once all applicable payment terms and conditions have been met, including appropriate application fee payments and deposits, construction of the collocation arrangement begins.
Common rooms typically have easy access from the street and, if possible, access to rest rooms on the same floor. Equipment layouts need to allow for the movement of material in and out of the common room and all collocation nodes. The common room includes the construction of an enclosed area for all CLECs, as well as a secure entrance and pathway to the enclosed area. The degree of construction necessary is determined on a location-specific basis and is dependent on actual conditions present in each central office.
The common room needs to have access to cable routes to the CEF, a power room, digital system cross-connect frame (DSX) line-ups, and Verizon distributing frames. Actual distance limitations associated with various cross-connects to Verizon distributing frames are considered during the actual site survey associated with the initial application for collocation in a Verizon central office.
Where possible, existing toll type environments are used to create common rooms. All common room work is performed by Verizon or its designated contractors.
The physical collocation arrangement entails CLEC owned or operated equipment being placed in a collocation node in a secure common room of the Verizon central office. The transition or demarcation point is electrical or optical and takes place on a POT Bay.
A ground bar, 110v AC convenience outlets, 110v AC power for equipment lighting, -48v DC power for the CLEC's equipment, and a common CLEC fiber optic cable support to the CEF are also provided in a physical collocation node.
Collocation nodes are generally constructed or expanded by Verizon using Verizon-approved design standards, material, and installation vendors. Collocation node additions or expansions can be contiguous, meaning direct expansion of an existing collocation node, or non-contiguous, meaning a new collocation node that does not touch the existing collocation node.
Verizon permits the CLEC to directly contract with a Verizon-approved general contractor in areas where Verizon uses contractors to construct the wire mesh enclosure that surrounds the collocation node. Vendors need to comply with the requirements specified in Central Office Detail Engineering and Installation/Removal Services and Telcordia Technologies document TR-NWT-001275.
The construction of the wire mesh enclosure by Verizon-approved contractors is limited to the wire mesh, the door and the lock. This construction is under the direct supervision of Verizon and needs to conform to Verizon engineering and design standards. The CLEC is responsible for all costs associated with the collocation node when contracting directly with a Verizon-approved contractor. The CLEC needs to provide Verizon with a key to the collocation node, for emergency use prior to occupying the space.
The NEBS compliant equipment in the collocation node is installed and maintained by the CLEC. Verizon allows the CLEC to use a portion of the central office and loading area (if available) to store equipment on a temporary basis. No overnight storing of equipment and materials is permitted in the staging area. All CLEC-provided equipment to be deployed on Verizon premises must comply with the Telcordia NEBS General Equipment Requirements (GR-63-CORE, GR-1089-CORE, GR-78-CORE) for a central office environment, Verizon central office environmental and transmission standards, and any statutory (local, state, or federal) and/or regulatory requirements in effect at the time of equipment installation or that subsequently become effective.
Verizon provides AC and DC power to the collocation node as follows:
AC: AC power is provided for the express purposes of convenience outlets and overhead lighting and shall not be used to power any equipment.
In Verizon-North, AC power in the collocation node is fed from a COMMERCIAL AC SERVICE PANEL. Specific provisioning is pursuant to the applicable Tariff, but generally will consist of two 110v 20 amp circuits. One circuit is for CLEC provided lighting in the collocation node and the other circuit is for Verizon provided convenience outlets, generally one AC duplex convenience outlet and two standard overhead lights per 100 square feet are provided.
DC: Exact DC power requirements may differ depending on the CLEC. The CLEC is responsible for identifying its specific DC power requirements on the collocation application.
If -48v DC is fed from a Battery Distribution Frame Bay (BDFB) in the common room, no shut-off on the outside of the collocation node is required. Fused capacities of 60 amps and less are normally fed from a BDFB. A pull box is required if power is remotely fed and local codes require it. Generally, Verizon provides A and B loads on cable long enough to reach the CLEC's equipment for a gutter tap or for a fuse panel arrangement or mini BDFB inside the collocation node.
All DC power not fed from a BDFB or fused over 60 amps per leg require a review and recommendation by the Power Engineering Department. A quality audit/inspection of the CLEC's equipment installation needs to be performed before Verizon turns on power, places fuses, or turns on circuit breakers to the collocation node.
Interconnection to the Verizon network is accomplished by cross-connections to a Verizon distributing frame. CLEC equipment is terminated on the distributing frame through the POT Bay as follows: Verizon provides a service access cable, the CLEC provides equipment cable, and both cables are terminated in a POT Bay. For DS1 cross conntect, the CLEC places a non-reassignable strap, if required, in the POT Bay extending the circuit to the Verizon distributing frame. Service access cables or cross connects are assigned and inventoried in the appropriate Verizon Operations Support Systems (OSS). The actual cable inventory is provided to the CLEC at the conclusion of the actual site implementation. Circuit provisioning is done by the CLEC using assignment control of the service access cables.
POT Bays and service access cables are passive devices. The CLEC provides transmission signals from CLEC equipment located in the collocation node to the POT Bay. Verizon provides interconnection to the network and associated distributing frames on the Verizon side of the POT Bay.
Collocation nodes and POT Bays are typically placed in a common collocation area of the central office. The toll type environment in this area is provided and maintained by Verizon. POT Bays installed in the common room are Verizon owned and are part of the Verizon network. POT Bays installed inside the collocation node are part of the CLEC's network. The POT Bay is the point of demarcation where Verizon's responsibility and ownership end and where the CLEC's responsibility and ownership begin. POT Bays are for terminating cable only and do not constitute a test point.
In Verizon-South, the POT Bay is provided by Verizon and is located in the common room.
In Verizon-North the CLEC has the following three options available for the installation of the POT Bay:
1. Verizon provides the POT Bay.
2. The CLEC purchases the POT Bay and provides it to Verizon to be installed in the common room.
3. The CLEC purchases the POT Bay and installs it in the CLEC's dedicated space.
Verizon installs the cable terminations for options 1 and 2. With option 3, Verizon provides the cable from the Verizon distributing frames to the CLEC dedicated space, and the CLEC is responsible for the installation of the cable terminations to the POT Bay. Verizon performs cooperative testing with the CLEC between the cable terminations on the Verizon distributing frames and the CLEC POT Bay in option 3. The preferred and most commonly deployed arrangement is option 1. This arrangement, as well as option 2, provides for the ability to isolate any troubles between the CLEC and Verizon networks without the requirement to have the presence of both a Verizon and CLEC technician at the same time.
For DS0, DS1, and some voice grade circuits, Verizon terminates a cable from a distributing frame or a DSX on the rear of a terminal strip in the POT Bay. The CLEC terminates on the rear of an adjacent Verizon-provided terminal strip in the POT Bay. The CLEC is responsible for installing and maintaining a non-reassignable strap between terminal strips. When a high density POT Bay is used for voice grade POTS service, it is normally a closed terminal block. The CLEC terminates cable on the rear with 25 pair amphenol connectors. Verizon terminates a cable on the front using a punch down arrangement. No strap is required. DS3 connection requires a Verizon owned interface panel with Bayonet-Locking Connectors (BLCs). Verizon coaxial cable from a DSX-3 lineup terminates on the front, and the CLEC's coaxial cable terminates on the rear of the same interface panel.
Verizon requires an optical path from the Fiber Distributing Frame (FDF) to the POT Bay, that will be used for future synchronous and asynchronous applications, in order for the CLEC to have access to Verizon optical services/elements at the FDF. The CLEC should refer to local tariffs for FDF availability. These services are cross-connected at the FDF using a transmit and receive fiber. Access to the FDF is provided through the existing POT Bay arrangement. A high-density Light Guide Connection (LGX) fiber termination shelf and splice tray are mounted in the private line POT Bay.
Getting Started with Collocation
Collocation Arrangements--East
Collocation Arrangements--West
Real Estate and Installation Requirements
Search