HK1051280A - System and method for switching telecommunications service in a multiple dwelling unit/multiple tenant unit environment - Google Patents

Description

Switched telecommunication service system and method for multi-family dwelling unit/multi-tenant unit

Technical Field

The invention relates to a digital exchange user line service system and method, which can connect new connection and disconnect outdated connection.

Background

As high-speed data services are increasingly applied to multi-family dwelling/multi-tenant units (MDUs/MTUs), title managers need to face new challenges. The number of service providers and service options has grown exponentially due to telecommunications industry regulatory (telecom) regulations. From a provisioning perspective, new technologies are needed to enable the connection of a wide array of tenants. There are also problems with pre-wiring a tenant building for fixed services that depend on the customer churn (churn) rate and assume that the tenant does not lock on one service or one service provider. For example, to remain competitive, some title owners may provide access to multiple internet service operators (ISPs).

A major problem with providing high-speed data services to large tenant owners is how to manage the large number of telecommunications and data services required by tenants. For example, the services may include Plain Old Telephone System (POTS), T1, Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), and Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL). The above services are typically provided by a plurality of service providers, such as a public local exchange operator (ILEC), a new local exchange operator (CLEC) or an internet service operator (ISP). A problem arises in managing the physical copper wiring between multiple data/voice services and pre-tenancy. This problem becomes more complicated due to the movement of tenants or terminating services, or moving to new services or providers.

The physical management problem described above is illustrated in fig. 1. As shown in fig. 1, a large number of leased telecommunication units, such as computer systems 102 and 104 and telephone offices 106 and 108, are connected to appropriate telecommunication network equipment through a Main Distribution Frame (MDF). For example, computer systems 102 and 104 may be connected via a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) protocol, while telephone offices 106 and 108 may be connected for use as standard analog telephones. Computer systems may be connected by a Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL) that is capable of supporting both voice and data services over IP over a two-wire cable. SDSL is attractive because it is relatively inexpensive to initially install and can also maintain multiple voice channels and data transmitted over the two-row conductors. The computer system 104 is connected via Asymmetric Data Subscriber Line (ADSL) that requires a Plain Old Telephone System (POTS) splitter 112 in order for a two-wire line to support both data and analog voice. A Main Distribution Frame (MDF)110 connects the input wires from the leased telecommunication system to a suitable service provisioning means, such as a multi-service access platform (MSAP) that can support a variety of telecommunication services. As shown in the example of FIG. 1, a new local exchange carrier CLEC operated multi-service access platform (MSAP)114 connects computer system 102 to data services, a public local exchange carrier ILEC operated multi-service access platform (MSAP)116 connects computer system 106 to POTS services, an ISP operated multi-service access platform (MSAP)118 connects computer system 104 to data services, and a telephone office 108 to POTS services.

If a tenant moves or terminates a service, or moves to an updated service or provider, the physical records of the MDG110 must be reconnected in order to accommodate the changes. This physical reconnection is expensive and often difficult to perform in a timely manner. Title managers may limit the lessees' selections and market pressures require that the lessees be provided with a wider range of selections. The cost and time to manage these physical connections becomes an important factor. The need for physical connection technologies that provide better cost and time for management and reassembly has increased dramatically.

Summary of The Invention

The present invention relates to a physical connection system and method for managing, switching and recombining telecommunication services that can provide better cost and time. The method of the invention comprises the following steps: providing telecommunications services of telecommunications equipment connected to a subscriber of a telecommunications network through a cross-connect switch, a first subscriber telecommunications device being connected to a first telecommunications service; receiving, at a network operations center connected to the cross-connect switch, a notification indicating that the first subscriber has terminated or changed services; in response to receiving a notification at the network operations center that the first user has changed services, sending a command to the cross-connect switch to switch the telecommunications device of the first user from the first service to the second service; in response to receiving the command at the cross-connect switch, the telecommunications equipment of the first subscriber is switched from the first telecommunications service connection to the second telecommunications service.

The above method further comprises the steps of: sending, at the network operations center, a command to the cross-connect switch requesting that the connection of the telecommunications equipment of the first subscriber be severed from the first service in response to receiving the notification that the first subscriber has terminated service; and disconnecting, in the cross-connect switch, the connection of the first subscriber telecommunications device from the first service in response to receiving the command.

The above method further comprises the steps of: receiving, at the network operations center, a notification that the second user has initiated the service; sending a command at the network operations center to the cross connect switch requesting connection of the data processing device of the second subscriber to the telecommunications service in response to receiving the notification; and connecting the data processing means of the second subscriber to the telecommunications service at the cross-connect switch in response to receiving the command.

The first user telecommunication device may be located in a multi-family dwelling unit or a multi-tenant unit. The cross connect switch may be connected to multiple telecommunication devices located in a multi-family dwelling unit or a multi-tenant unit.

Brief Description of Drawings

The details of the present invention, both as to its structure and operation, can best be understood in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating physical management problems in a prior art telecommunication system.

Fig. 2 is a typical block diagram of the telecommunication system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary flow chart of the operation of the system of FIG. 2 of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is an exemplary block diagram of a multi-family dwelling unit network of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is an exemplary block diagram of a network management system of the network operations center shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is an exemplary block diagram of the cross-connect switch shown in fig. 2.

Figure 7 illustrates a typical patch panel of the cross-connect switch shown in figure 6.

Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of cross-point connection on the wiring board shown in fig. 7.

Fig. 9 illustrates a typical cross-point connection pin for making a cross-point connection on the patch panel shown in fig. 7.

Figure 10 illustrates an exemplary mechanical cross-connect used in the cross-connect switch shown in figure 6.

Fig. 11 is a block diagram of an exemplary apparatus for verifying that the cross-point connection pins shown in fig. 9 are properly connected.

Fig. 12 shows an example of a wiring board employing a robot cross interface.

Fig. 13-18 illustrate some standard 3-dimensional external connection paths accomplished by cross-connect switches responding to commands.

Detailed Description

The system of the present invention may provide the ability to manage and reconfigure physical connections at a better cost and timeliness. The flexibility provided by the invention can be used for executing the movement, addition and change in real time according to the requirement without field technical service. The physical connection between the service and the leased line may be remotely controlled by the device manager or the service leaser. The services provided by the multi-service access platform and the service provider are ultimately connected to the equipment side of the cross-connect switch. The user side of the CONTROLPOINT cross-connect system connects to a tenant house. The entire system is controlled through Windows-based graphical user interface software (GUI) located in the homeowner's house or from a third-party service contractor. Once a tenant requests a connection service, the NMS establishes a physical connection between the appropriate multi-service access platform and the two-tenant line.

An exemplary system according to the present invention is shown in fig. 2. Most of the tenant telecommunications units, such as computer systems 202 and 204 and telephone offices 206 and 208, are connected to the appropriate telecommunications network equipment through automated MDF 210. The automated MDF210 comprises an automated remotely controllable cross-connect switch controlled by a network operations center (NMS) 212. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, computer systems 202 and 204 are connected via Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) protocols, while telephone offices 206 and 208 may be connected to function as standard analog telephones. Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) is one of the signal protocols used to transmit broadband digital data over existing two-wire telephone lines. There are several modes of DSL currently in common use. Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Lines (ADSL) provide a wider downstream data bandwidth than an upstream data bandwidth. ADSL reserves part of the available channel bandwidth for supporting traditional analog telephone service (plain old telephone service (POTS)). ADSL is used primarily in the residential market. Another mode of DSL is Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL). SDSL provides equal upstream and downstream notification bandwidth and does not support POTS. SDSL is more suitable for business applications such as web services communication, etc. Also, SDSL is attractive due to its very low installation cost and its ability to process multiple voice channel data over a two-wire line.

Computer system 202 supports voice and data over IP services over a two-wire line through a Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL) connection. Computer system 204 is connected via an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) connection and requires the use of POTS splitter 214 in order that the same two-wire link can support both voice and data services. The automated MDF210 connects the input lines of a leased telecommunication system to appropriate service provider equipment, typically a multi-service access platform (MSAP) that can support a majority of telecommunication services. As shown in the embodiment of fig. 2, CLEC control MSAP216 connects computer system 202 to digital services, ILEC control MSAP218 connects telephone office 206 to POTS services, ISP control MSAP220 connects computer system 204 to digital services, and telephone office 208 to POTS services.

A Network Management System (NMS)212, which may be any standard or proprietary network such as a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), or even multiple dial-up networks, is connected to the cross connect switch 210 through a network 222. NMS212 may control the configuration and operation of the cross-connect switch through network 222. Likewise, NMS212 may determine the status and configuration of cross-connect switch 210 through network 222.

An example of a suitable cross-connect switch 210 is CONTROLPOINT, commercially available from NHC^TM. As used herein, the terms cross-connect and cross-connect switch refer to the switching of any reliable interconnected telecommunications signals from input to output under the influence of internal or external control signals, including voice and data signals. The above terms include any of the switches described above as well as control systems, including closed loop management systems. To illustrate the operation of an embodiment of the cross-connect switch 210 and its method of control. The CONTROLPOINT switch from NHC will be described in detail below.

The CONTROLPOINT solution is a NHC's comprehensive non-blocking copper cross-connect system that remotely assists CLECs and ILECs in qualifying and provisioning DSL and other services without the need to enter the CLEC's COLLO or ILEC's CO. The CONTROLPOINT scheme works with third party equipment such as Harris, Hekimian, and Tollgrade remote test systems, allowing cross-connects to be used as test access platforms for rapid loop qualification. The CONTROLPOINT scheme may be used for DSL test access, for local loop qualification, provisioning, migration, and back-switching. The CONTROLPOINT scheme is coordinated for each major DSLAM vendor.

CONTROLPOINT cross-connect hardware includes matrix dimensions and loopback capability that allows multiple services to be provisioned and migrated remotely in real-time and on-demand, thus minimizing the wire rolls (trunckrolls) required to qualify and provision high-speed data services. The CONTROLPOINT scheme allows service providers to migrate subscribers quickly to high-speed data services. The CLEC can use any of the available ports on the DSLAM for back-switching to provide additional services to the CLEC and the subscriber.

The CONTROLPOINT scheme is managed by a double bond unit: CONTROLPOINT CMS212 and a CONTROLPOINT CMS remote (controller) (not shown). CONTROLPOINT CMS212 is the control and management software for the CONTROLPOINT scheme of NHC. Element 212 may also be a Network Management System (NMS) or a terminal. CONTROLPOINT CMS212 is cross-connected 210 to NHC's CONTROLPOINT copper via a CONTROLPOINT CMS remote control to allow voice and high speed data service providers full control of their cross-connection infrastructure.

CONTROLPOINT CMS controls and tracks the physical connections within the CONTROLPOINT patch panel, as well as important user and equipment information. CONTROLPOINT CMS features an intuitive user graphical interface software (GUI) for the user. The port connection includes a simple drag and drop operation. The consolidated database of CONTROLPOINT CMS tracks CONTROLPOINT user/service connections and catalogs the network into a national, urban or regional multi-level view.

Remote to CONTROLPOINT CMS is the SNMP control interface, CONTROLPOINT copper cross connect switch for NHC, which allows CONTROLPOINT cross connect 210 to be managed through the NHC's CONTROLPOINT Control and Management Software (CMS) or through a third party Network Management System (NMS). The CONTROLPOINT CMS is remotely connected to an ethernet local area network and is accessible via standard SNMP passwords. The remote end of CONTROLPOINT is connected to the CONTROLPOINT cross-connect via a plurality of lines. The device receives the standard SNMP password from the NMS or CONTROLPOINT CMS and sends it to the CONTROLPOINT cross-connect. Supporting APIs (application interfaces) at the remote end of CONTROLPOINT CMSs and in CONTROLPOINT CMSs allows customization to support NHC line sharing schemes.

Although the CONTROLPOINT switching system may be used to implement a cross-connect switch, it is understood that any remotely controlled cross-connect switching system may be implemented in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The cross connect switch 210 and its controller are discussed below. The cross-connect switch and cross-connect terms may be used interchangeably.

The operation of the present invention employed in the system shown in fig. 2 is illustrated in fig. 3. In connection with what is shown in fig. 2, it can be seen that: the process begins at step 302 with a user operating a telecommunications device, such as using computer system 202 for a service, which may be a service provided by connection 224 provided by MSAP216 through cross-connect switch 210. System 202 is connected to cross connect switch 210 by connection 217. In step 304, user operating system 202 terminates all services and changes services, thereby terminating services by MSAP216 operator, causing connection 224 to be broken. If the user requests a change of service at step 304, then step 306 is performed in which the network operations center 212 receives service change notification information from the system 202. In response to receiving the service change notification message in step 308, network operations center 212 sends a command to cross-connect switch 210 to switch the link of switching system 202 from the terminal service provided by MSAP216 to the new service. In step 310, in response to a command from network operations center 212, cross-connect switch 222 switches the link of system 202 provided by MSAP216 for which the service has been terminated to a new connection. For example, NMS212 may require cross-connect switch 210 to disconnect 224, which operates to connect system 202 to MSAP216 and establish connections 226, 226 to connect system 202 to MSAP 218.

If, at step 304, the user terminates the service and no new user takes the shape of the original user, then a jump is made from step 304 to step 312 and step 312 network operations center 212 receives notification of the termination of the service to system 202. In response to system 202 terminating service notification, network operations center 212 sends a command to cross connect switch 210 to disconnect system 202 from the terminated service provided by MSAP216 at step 314. In response to the command received from network operations center 212, cross-connect switch 222 disconnects the line of system 202 from the terminated service provided by MSAP216, freeing the line for later use, at step 316. To perform the disconnection, the cross connect switch 210 disconnects or deletes the original connection. For example, NMS212 may instruct cross-connect switch 210 to remove connection 224, which is used to connect system 202 to MSAP 216.

In step 304, if the user terminates the service and a new user replaces the original user, then step 304 branches to step 318 where another user operates a telecommunications device, such as computer system 202', to initiate the service, such as provided by an operator of MSAP 218. In the example shown in fig. 2, system 202' is connected to cross-connect switch 210 by line 217 instead of system 202. In step 320, the network operations center 212 receives service initiation information for the system 202'. In response to receiving the service initiation message for system 202 ', network operations center 212 sends a command to cross connect switch 210 to establish system 202' connection to the new service at step 322. In step 324, cross-connect switch 210 establishes a link for system 202' to the new service in response to a command received from network operations center 212. For example, NMS212 may notify cross-connect switch 210 to establish link 226 linking system 202' to MSAP 218.

Cross-connect switches are more cost effective when multi-tenant groups manage automatic MDFs. The management of a multi-tenant point is shown in figure 4. In fig. 4, numerous multi-family dwelling units (MDUs), such as MDUs402, 404, 406, and 408, are connected to an IP network 410. The cross connect switch is able to control the tenant links from a separate network operations center (NMS)412 without the need to go to the field to make changes.

An exemplary block diagram of a network operations center 500 is shown in fig. 5. The network operations center 500 is typically a programmed multi-purpose computer system, such as a personal computer, workstation, server system, and microcomputer or mainframe computer. The network operations center 500 includes a processor (CPU)502, input/output circuits 504, a network adapter 506, and a memory 508. The CPU502 executes program commands to perform the functions of the present invention. The CPU502 is typically a microprocessor, such as an Intel Pentium (INTEL PENTIUM) processor, but may also be a microcomputer or a mainframe processor. The input/output circuits 504 may input data to the computer system 500 or output data from the computer system 500. For example, input/output circuitry may include input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, touch pad, trackball, scanner, and the like, and output devices such as a video adapter, monitor printer, and the like, as well as input/output devices such as a modem and the like. The network adapter 506 connects the network operations center 500 and the network 510. Network 510 may be any standard local or wide area network, such as an ethernet, token ring, the internet, or a private/private local/wide area network, but IP network 220 is the internet. Note that a serial dial-up network may also be used instead of an IP-based local/wide area network.

The memory 508 stores program commands to be executed and data to be used and operated upon, and the CPU502 performs the functions of the present invention. The memory 508 includes electronic storage devices such as Random Access Memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (PROM), flash memory, etc., and electromechanical memory such as magnetic disk drives, magnetic tape drives, optical disk drives, etc., which may use an Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) interface, or a biased or enhanced device interface, such as Enhanced IDE (EIDE) or ultra-high speed direct memory access (UDMA), or an interface-based Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), or a biased or enhanced device interface, such as fast-SCSI, wide-SCSI, fast and wide-SCSI, etc., or a fibre channel arbitrated loop (FC-AL) interface.

Memory 508 includes a number of data blocks, such as a Loop Management System (LMS) database 512, a script block 514, and a myriad of program command blocks, such as a processing program 516 and an operating system 518. LMS data control 512 stores cross-connect switch data that NMS500 manages and controls, including data relating to connections of the cross-connect switch. The script module 514 includes commands that the NMS500 sends to the cross connect switch for controlling the circuit connections. The processing program 516 causes a software program to perform the processing of the present invention, such as receiving SNMP information, accessing the LMS database 512, sending commands from the command module 514, and the like. Operating system 518 is provided to provide all of the system functionality.

An exemplary block diagram of a CONTROLPOINT remotely controlled cross-connect switch 600 is shown in fig. 6. The switch 600 includes patch panels 602A and 602B, a robotic cross-connect 604, a control circuit 606, a processor 608, and a communications adapter 610. Patch panels 602A and 602B, which are described in further detail in fig. 7, are multi-layer matrix circuits having connection holes on cross-circuits of different layers. The use of these holes as cross-points allows connection of a myriad of circuits on different layers through the use of conductive pins. To achieve cross-connection, one pin can only fit into one hole on the patch panel, as shown in fig. 8. Each pin, such as pin 900, is shown in fig. 9 as having two metal contacts 902A and 902B on the shaft that make connections between different layers of circuitry in the wiring board.

As with the robotic cross-connect 604 shown in fig. 10, the pins may be moved into position and inserted to make connections at the cross-points or moved to sever the cross-connect. The robotic cross-connector 604 can move in three dimensions using separate motors in each direction. A Z-coordinate motor 1002 such as that shown in fig. 10 may provide movement along the Z-axis. The pins are carried, inserted, and moved by a robot "hand," which may be either hand 1004A or 1004B, which are part of the robot cross-connect 604.

Control circuitry 606 generates control signals that control the operation of the robotic cross-connect 604 in response to commands from the processor 608. Processor 608 responds to commands from the network operations center through telecommunications adapter 610 to generate commands that are output to control circuitry 606.

Once the pins are inserted into the cross-point, the robotic cross-connect 604 then checks to see if the connection has been successfully established, as shown in fig. 11. In addition to the metal connections on the axis of each pin, a metal strip 1102 is attached to each pin, such as pin 1104. The robot verifies the connection by sending a small current from one hand 1106A to the other hand 1106B. The metal parts of the robot hand are electrically insulated. Hand 1106B is grounded, while hand 1106A is connected to the current tester 1108. When a hand touches a strip of metal on top of the connection pin, the current flow changes state through the pin and output detector 1108 if the insertion is good. If not, the output of the detector 1108 will not change.

A patch panel embodiment of a cross-connect for a robot is shown in fig. 12. As shown, the dual motherboards 1202A and 1202B for mounting patch panels, the robotic cross-connect 1002, and the additional circuitry combine to form a cross-connect system.

Fig. 13-18 illustrate standardized 3-dimensional connection paths established through the CONTROLPOINT remote cross-connect switch in response to a command.

While the above-identified document sets forth a particular embodiment of the present invention, other similar embodiments may be devised in accordance with the described embodiment by those skilled in the art. It is therefore evident that the scope of the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments herein, but is defined by the appended claims.

Claims (27)

1. A method for telecommunication services, comprising the steps of:

providing telecommunications services to telecommunications equipment of a first subscriber through a cross connect switch connected to a telecommunications network, the telecommunications equipment of the first subscriber being connected to the first telecommunications services;

receiving, at a network operations center connected to the cross-connect switch, a notification that the first user has terminated or changed services;

sending a command at the network operations center to the cross connect switch to switch the telecommunications device connection of the first subscriber from the first service to the second service in response to receiving the first subscriber change service notification; and

switching the first user telecommunication device connection from the first telecommunication service to the second telecommunication service in response to receiving the command in the cross connect switch.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the telecommunications equipment of the first subscriber is located in a multi-family dwelling unit or a multi-tenant unit.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the cross-connect switch is connected to a plurality of telecommunications devices located in a multi-family dwelling unit or a multi-tenant unit.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

sending, at the network operations center, a command to the cross connect switch to disconnect the telecommunications device connection of the first subscriber from the first service in response to receiving the notification of the first subscriber terminating service information; and is

In response to receiving the command, the telecommunications equipment connection of the first subscriber is disconnected from the first service in the cross-connect switch.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the telecommunications equipment of the first subscriber is located in a multi-family dwelling unit or a multi-tenant unit.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the cross-connect switch is connected to a plurality of telecommunications devices located in a multi-family dwelling unit or a multi-tenant unit.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

receiving, at the network operations center, a notification that the second user has initiated the service;

sending a command at the network operations center to the cross connect switch to connect the data processing device of the second subscriber to the new telecommunications service in response to receiving the notification; and

in response to the received command, the data processing means of the second subscriber are connected to the telecommunications service in the cross-connect exchange.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the telecommunications equipment of the first subscriber is located in a multi-family dwelling unit or a multi-tenant unit.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the cross-connect switch is connected to a plurality of telecommunications devices located in a multi-family dwelling unit or a multi-tenant unit.

10. A system for telecommunication services, the system comprising:

means for providing a telecommunications service to telecommunications equipment of a first user, the means being connected to the first telecommunications service;

means for receiving a notification indicating that the first user has terminated or changed services;

means for sending a command to a device providing telecommunications services to switch the telecommunications equipment connection of the first user from the first service to the second service, the device being responsive to a notification it receives indicating that the first user has changed services; and

means for switching the telecommunications device connection of the first user from the first telecommunications service to the second telecommunications service, the means being responsive to the received command.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the telecommunications equipment of the first subscriber is located in a multi-family dwelling unit or a multi-tenant unit.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the cross connect switch connects a plurality of telecommunications devices located in a multi-family dwelling unit or a multi-tenant unit.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the system further comprises:

means for sending a command to the means for providing telecommunication services to disconnect the telecommunication device connection of the first user from the first service, the means being responsive to receiving a notification that the first user has terminated the service; and

means for disconnecting the telecommunication device connection of the first user from the first service, the means being responsive to the received command.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the telecommunications equipment of the first subscriber is located in a multi-family dwelling unit or a multi-tenant unit.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the cross connect switch connects a plurality of telecommunications devices located in a multi-family dwelling unit or a multi-tenant unit.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the system further comprises:

means for receiving a notification that a second user has initiated a service;

for sending a command to the cross-connect switch to connect the second user connection data processing device to the second service, the device being responsive to receiving the command; and

means for connecting the second user data processing means to the new telecommunications service, the means being responsive to receiving the command.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the telecommunications device of the first subscriber is located in a multi-family dwelling unit or a multi-tenant unit.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the cross connect switch connects a plurality of telecommunications devices located in a multi-family dwelling unit or a multi-tenant unit.

19. A system for providing telecommunication services, comprising the steps of:

a cross-connect switch connected to the telecommunications network, the cross-connect switch operable to provide telecommunications services to a first user telecommunications device connected to a first communications network service; and

a network operations center connected to the cross-connect switch, the network center operable to receive a notification indicating that the first user has terminated or changed services and operable to send a command to the cross-connect switch to switch the connection of the telecommunications equipment of the first user from the first service to the second service in response to receiving the notification that the first user has changed services; and

wherein the cross-connect switch is further operable to switch the connection of the telecommunications equipment of the first user from the first service to the second service in response to receiving the command.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the telecommunications device of the first subscriber is located in a multi-family residential single or multi-tenant unit.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the cross-connect switch connects a plurality of telecommunications devices located in a multi-family dwelling unit or a multi-tenant unit.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein:

the network operations center further being responsive to receiving notification that the first subscriber has terminated service and further being operable to send a command to the cross connect switch to terminate the telecommunications device connection of the first subscriber from the first service; and

the cross-connect switch is further responsive to receiving the command to terminate the telecommunications device connection of the first subscriber from the first service.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the telecommunications equipment of the first subscriber is located in a multi-family dwelling unit or a multi-tenant unit.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the cross connect switch connects a plurality of telecommunications devices located in a multi-family dwelling unit or a multi-tenant unit.

25. The system of claim 25, wherein:

the network operations center may further receive a notification indicating that the second subscriber is to commence service and may send a command to the cross-connect switch to connect the data processing apparatus of the second subscriber to another telecommunications service in response to receiving the notification; and

the cross connect switch is further responsive to receiving the command to connect the data processing device of the second subscriber to the telecommunications service.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the telecommunications equipment of the first subscriber is located in a multi-family dwelling unit or a multi-tenant unit.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the cross connect switch connects a plurality of telecommunications devices located in a multi-family dwelling unit or a multi-tenant unit.