Unbundled Network Element
Encyclopedia
Unbundled Network Elements (UNE) are a requirement mandated by the United States
Telecommunications Act of 1996
. They are the parts of the telecommunications network
that the incumbent local exchange carrier
s (ILECs) are required to offer on an unbundled
basis. Together, these parts make up a local loop
that connects to a digital subscriber line access multiplexer
(DSLAM), a voice switch or both. The loop allows non-facilities-based telecommunication
s providers to deliver service without laying network infrastructure, such as copper
wire, optical fiber
, and coaxial cable
.
to deliver services.
sections 251(c)(3), incumbent LECs are required to lease certain parts of their network specified by the FCC or by state PUCs. According to section 252(d)(1), these network elements must be provided on an unbundled basis at cost-based rates
In the Line Sharing Orders (Line Sharing Order, 14 FCC Rcd at 20951), the LECs are required to unbundle the high-frequency portion of the loop of DSL
However, both the UNE Remand Order and the Line Sharing Orders were remanded by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in United States Telecom Ass’n v. FCC, decided on May 24, 2002; the Line Sharing Orders were vacated. The court concluded, among other things, that the FCC had not considered the availability of competitive facilities on a sufficiently granular basis
, the FCC could require LECs to provide UNEs at a cost-based price, which may include a “reasonable profit.” The FCC has determined that “cost” means forward-looking economic cost and has required the states to use a methodology called “Total Element Long Run Incremental Cost” or “TELRIC.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Telecommunications Act of 1996
Telecommunications Act of 1996
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 was the first major overhaul of United States telecommunications law in nearly 62 years, amending the Communications Act of 1934. This Act, signed by President Bill Clinton, was a major stepping stone towards the future of telecommunications, since this was the...
. They are the parts of the telecommunications network
Telecommunications network
A telecommunications network is a collection of terminals, links and nodes which connect together to enable telecommunication between users of the terminals. Networks may use circuit switching or message switching. Each terminal in the network must have a unique address so messages or connections...
that the incumbent local exchange carrier
Incumbent local exchange carrier
An ILEC, short for incumbent local exchange carrier, is a local telephone company in the United States that was in existence at the time of the breakup of AT&T into the Regional Bell Operating Companies , also known as the "Baby Bells." The ILEC is the former Bell System or Independent Telephone...
s (ILECs) are required to offer on an unbundled
Local loop unbundling
Local loop unbundling is the regulatory process of allowing multiple telecommunications operators to use connections from the telephone exchange to the customer's premises...
basis. Together, these parts make up a local loop
Local loop
In telephony, the local loop is the physical link or circuit that connects from the demarcation point of the customer premises to the edge of the carrier or telecommunications service provider's network...
that connects to a digital subscriber line access multiplexer
Digital subscriber line access multiplexer
A digital subscriber line access multiplexer is a network device, located in the telephone exchanges of the telecommunications operators. It connects multiple customer digital subscriber line interfaces to a high-speed digital communications channel using multiplexing techniques...
(DSLAM), a voice switch or both. The loop allows non-facilities-based telecommunication
Telecommunication
Telecommunication is the transmission of information over significant distances to communicate. In earlier times, telecommunications involved the use of visual signals, such as beacons, smoke signals, semaphore telegraphs, signal flags, and optical heliographs, or audio messages via coded...
s providers to deliver service without laying network infrastructure, such as copper
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
wire, optical fiber
Optical fiber
An optical fiber is a flexible, transparent fiber made of a pure glass not much wider than a human hair. It functions as a waveguide, or "light pipe", to transmit light between the two ends of the fiber. The field of applied science and engineering concerned with the design and application of...
, and coaxial cable
Coaxial cable
Coaxial cable, or coax, has an inner conductor surrounded by a flexible, tubular insulating layer, surrounded by a tubular conducting shield. The term coaxial comes from the inner conductor and the outer shield sharing the same geometric axis...
.
UNE-Platform
A UNE-Platform (also known as a UNE-P) is a combination of UNEs that allow end-to-end service delivery without any facilities. Despite not involving any CLEC facilities, a UNE-P still requires facilities-based certification from the PUCPublic Utilities Commission
A Utilities commission, Utility Regulatory Commission , Public Utilities Commission or Public Service Commission is a governing body that regulates the rates and services of a public utility...
to deliver services.
Availability of Unbundled Network Elements
In Telecommunications Act of 1996Telecommunications Act of 1996
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 was the first major overhaul of United States telecommunications law in nearly 62 years, amending the Communications Act of 1934. This Act, signed by President Bill Clinton, was a major stepping stone towards the future of telecommunications, since this was the...
sections 251(c)(3), incumbent LECs are required to lease certain parts of their network specified by the FCC or by state PUCs. According to section 252(d)(1), these network elements must be provided on an unbundled basis at cost-based rates
UNE Remand Order & Line Sharing Orders
In the UNE Remand Order (issued on November 5, 1999), the FCC specified the UNE to which a competitor must be provided access: "the 'loops' that connect the switches to end users, including high-capacity loops; the switches (with some exceptions), the transport facilities between switches and other networks, and the software needed to operate the telephone network"In the Line Sharing Orders (Line Sharing Order, 14 FCC Rcd at 20951), the LECs are required to unbundle the high-frequency portion of the loop of DSL
However, both the UNE Remand Order and the Line Sharing Orders were remanded by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in United States Telecom Ass’n v. FCC, decided on May 24, 2002; the Line Sharing Orders were vacated. The court concluded, among other things, that the FCC had not considered the availability of competitive facilities on a sufficiently granular basis
Prices of UNES
Based on the Telecommunications Act of 1996Telecommunications Act of 1996
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 was the first major overhaul of United States telecommunications law in nearly 62 years, amending the Communications Act of 1934. This Act, signed by President Bill Clinton, was a major stepping stone towards the future of telecommunications, since this was the...
, the FCC could require LECs to provide UNEs at a cost-based price, which may include a “reasonable profit.” The FCC has determined that “cost” means forward-looking economic cost and has required the states to use a methodology called “Total Element Long Run Incremental Cost” or “TELRIC.