What exactly do you order from Qwest to hook up a new subscriber?

For SDSL, what we order is called an "unbundled distribution subloop" which runs from our Field Connection Point to the subscriber's home. You can read about unbundled distribution subloops in the Qwest Product Catalog - Sub-Loop and in Qwest Technical Publication 77405 - Interconnection - Unbundled Sub-Loops and Field Interconnection. For ADSL, what we order is called a "shared distribution subloop." You can read about shared distribution subloops in the Qwest Product Catalog - Shared Distribution Loop and in Qwest Technical Publication 77405 - Interconnection - Unbundled Sub-Loops and Field Interconnection.

We place the order using a Qwest web-based order placement system called Interconnect Mediated Access (IMA). In the order we specify each end of the subloop. For one end we provide the name of our Field Connection Point and we specify which pair of the FCP to use. In the case of an SDSL order, for the other end we provide the street address of the new subscriber. In the case of a shared-loop order, for the other end we provide the POTS telephone number which will be used for the line sharing.

In the order we also specify what type of circuit we want (that is, an unbundled distribution subloop or a shared distribution subloop) between these two points. In the IMA order the type of circuit is specified by means of a "network channel" (NC) code, a "network channel interface" (NCI) code, and a "secondary network channel interface" (SECNCI) code. For an unbundled distribution subloop, the NC code is "LX--", the NCI code is "02NO2", and the SECNCI code is " 02QD2.OOF". For a shared distribution subloops, the NC code is "UA--", the NCI code is "02DUM.LS5", and the SECNCI code is "04QRM.L05."

What about loading coils? The unbundled distribution subloop is "non-loaded" meaning that if there were loading coils on the subloop, Qwest would be obligated to remove them. It turns out that there are no loading coils in our neighborhood so all of the subloops are already "non-loaded."

What about bridge taps? The type of subloop we order may have bridge taps, and it turns out that each of our subloops does in fact have at least one bridge tap and some of our subloops have more than one bridge tap. If we wanted the bridge taps removed we would have to pay extra. The specifications for our DSL equipment suggest that the equipment should work even with bridge taps in place, and our experience is that each of our DSL circuits is working fine despite the presence of the bridge tap or taps.