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Chapter 3. Interexchange Carrier Design Study

USCom is a fictitious nationwide data and long-distance voice service provider in the U.S. that provides connectivity between local exchanges in different geographic regions. It also facilitates inter-Local Access and Transport Area (LATA) services (as described in the Federal Communications Commission [FCC] Telecommunications Act of 1996), as well as a complete portfolio of data services. USCom may be classified as an Interexchange Carrier (IXC) that owns its fiber and transmission facilities as well as a Layer 2 switching infrastructure (ATM and Frame Relay) spanning its service footprint.

Note

A LATA in the U.S. determines where a Local Exchange Carrier (LEC) can transmit traffic and where an IXC is required to carry traffic between LATAs. A state may have several LATAs. A few LATAs cross state boundaries.


This chapter discusses the current USCom MPLS network design, its evolution, and how USCom characteristics and objectives influenced the corresponding design decisions that were made.

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