Local loop: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 07:18, 9 March 2013

Revision as of 03:03, 20 May 2013

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At the edge of the carrier [[access network]] in a traditional PSTN ([[public switched telephone network]]) scenario, the local loop terminates in a circuit switch housed in an [[incumbent local exchange carrier]] or [[telephone exchange]].

== Infrastructure ==

Traditionally, the local loop was an [[electrical circuit]] carried by a single [[twisted pair]] of wires whichconductors connectedfrom the telephone on the customer's premises to the local [[telephone exchange]]. InSingle olderwire systems,earth wherereturn thelines numberhad ofbeen localused loopsuntil wasthe restricted,introduction differentof customerselectric couldtramways sharefrom the same1900s loop,made knownthem as a [[party line (telephony)|party line]]unusuable.

Historically the first section was often an aerial open-wire line, with several conductors attached to porcelain insulators on cross-arms on "telegraph" poles. Hence [[party line (telephony)|party line]] service was often given to residential customers to minimise the number of local loops required. Usually all these circuits went into aerial or buried cables with a [[twisted pair]] for each local loop nearer the exchange, see [[outside plant]].

Modern implementations may include a [[digital loop carrier]] system segment or [[fiber optic]] transmission system. The local loop may terminate at a circuit switch owned by a [[competitive local exchange carrier]] and housed in a [[point of presence]] (POP), which typically is an incumbent local exchange carrier telephone exchange. A local loop supports voice and/or data and/or data communications applications in the following ways: