Virtual Collocation
Overview
Obtain greater transmission capabilities. Increase interconnectivity and gain access to Unbundled Network Elements (UNEs) through Verizon central offices. Our Virtual Collocation improves your ability to perform in the market place -- without your staff having to physically install or maintain your collocated equipment.
How It Works
CLECs and Access Providers purchase the equipment they wish to collocate and work with Verizon to receive and install the equipment at the Verizon central office. The collocator retains ownership of the equipment but leases the equipment to Verizon for one dollar, but Verizon maintains the equipment for the duration of the virtual collocation arrangement.
Benefits
- Virtual Collocation arrangements eliminate the expense of installing and maintaining your own infrastructure.
- Virtual Collocation lets you expand your service offerings by connecting to Verizon's network for voice grade, digital and optical transmission rates.
Description
Virtual collocation is an alternative to physical collocation which offers the CLEC the ability to interconnect to Verizon services or UNEs without physical access by its personnel to a central office. The CLEC leases the equipment to Verizon for a nominal sum of $1.00, or through some other arrangement. The equipment, labeled with the CLEC's name, is installed by an approved vendor, which under certain conditions may be selected by the CLEC. In addition to traditionally accepted transmission equipment, Verizon will allow the installation of equipment that is necessary for either interconnection or access to unbundled network elements. This equipment may include DSLAMs (Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer), 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.
Availability
Virtual Collocation is available throughout the Verizon Footprint. The virtual collocation arrangement is inventoried by Verizon and may vary in the different state jurisdictions. The CLEC is responsible for assignment control of all virtual collocation arrangements.
Pricing
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 virtual collocation are as applicable in FCC No. 1 and FCC No. 11 and applicable state tariffs and SGATs.
Connection Service Charges
Once the collocation site has been implemented, the collocator can order Special Access and Switched Transport services, as well as interconnection to Unbundled Network Elements, to and from that collocation site. Today, the collocator may buy connection services at a DS0, DDS, DS1, or DS3 and fiber levels.
Security Requirements And Building Escort Charges
The CLEC does not generally have physical access to the collocation site. However, if the CLEC wishes to view the arrangement, a tour may be arranged by the Verizon Collocation Program Manager. At all times during the tour, the CLEC representatives are escorted by a Verizon employee. The CLEC is also charged for the escort according to Verizon standard labor rates.
When the CLEC delivers the equipment to the central office, an Asset Transfer Record is made, and both Verizon and the CLEC sign and retain copies. This record includes the total number and types of plug-in/circuit packs provided, including spares.
The original form is kept in the Verizon Collocation Program Manager?s office, and a copy is kept within the CLEC-dedicated storage cabinet for field reference.
Features
CLEC Equipment Installation Options
There are two options regarding the installation and engineering of CLEC-provided equipment, except in the New England states where all equipment installation is done by Verizon employees, as defined in the appropriate tariffs or SGATs:
1. The CLEC may contract with Verizon to perform the equipment installation and engineering. In Verizon-South, if Verizon is the contracted installation and engineering vendor, the CLEC will be charged a fixed non-recurring charge per piece of transmission equipment installed in accordance with applicable tariffs. In Verizon in New York, all vendor costs associated with equipment installation will be passed on to the CLEC on a dollar-for-dollar basis (vendor pass through). Verizon may subcontract to any vendor approved to perform the installation of the CLEC-provided equipment. This vendor will install and engineer the CLEC-provided equipment, in addition to updating the central office records.
2. The CLEC may contract directly with a Verizon-approved equipment installation and engineering vendor. In this case, the CLEC will pay the vendor directly. The vendor is responsible for engineering and installing the CLEC-provided equipment, in addition to updating the central office records. No tariff charges will apply for equipment installation.
Under option 2, the CLEC may opt to apply for approval as an authorized Verizon installation and engineering vendor. If the CLEC is approved as a Verizon installation vendor, then the CLEC is responsible for engineering and installing the CLEC-provided equipment, in addition to updating the central office records. No tariff charges for installation will apply.
The contracted vendor (Verizon or Verizon-approved) is responsible for the complete installation and engineering work associated with that collocation site.
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.DTS 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.
Outside Plant refers to the CLEC fiber facilities outside of and leading up to the Verizon central office. Accordingly, it is the CLEC's responsibility to obtain the required licenses and permits.
Additional Outside Plant requirements, rooftop leasing for microwave and Right of Way issues specific to CLEC requirements may fall outside of the scope of a collocation arrangement.
Representatives from the Construction and Engineering organization work with members of the Collocation Implementation Team in each state where a CLEC has requested collocation. Specific requirements based upon individual states and local ordinances will be discussed in detail during the actual collocation implementation.
CLEC Equipment Options
In virtual collocation arrangements, the CLEC designates and provides the transmission equipment to be installed in the central office. All equipment to be installed in Verizon central offices must comply with the Telcordia NEBS Generic Equipment Requirements (documented in GR-63-CORE), Electromagnetic Compatibility and Electrical Safety Generic Criteria for Network Telecommunications Equipment (GR-1089-CORE), and the Verizon central office environmental and transmission standards in effect at the time of equipment installation.
The equipment also needs to comply with the Verizon Digital Environmental Requirements for fire, safety, health, environmental and network safeguards. It is the CLEC's responsibility to demonstrate and provide adequate documentation from an accredited source, certifying conformance to Verizon's equipment specifications prior to the equipment being delivered and installed. Other types of transmission equipment not currently defined in the appropriate tariffs may require a specific bona fide request to assess cost for deployment and delivery dates.
The CLEC is not required to utilize the types of equipment already deployed in a central office. However, in selecting equipment that is not deployed in a central office, the CLEC is responsible for the cost of training Verizon technicians in that office on the specified equipment.
Diagrams
