Rolling out high bandwidth connection services in geographical areas covering several central offices

• US 6,538,998 B1
• Filed: 07/02/1999
• Issued: 03/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: LGc Pivotal LLC
• Original Assignee: Covad Communications Group Incorporated
• Inventors: Garimella, Krishna Sastry
• Primary Examiner(s): TON, DANG T
• Application Number:
  US09/347,434
• Time in Patent Office: 1,362 Days
• Field of Search: 370/241, 370/468, 370/351, 370/352, 370/222, 370/404, 370/405, 370/406, 370/465, 370/460, 370/403, 370/318, 370/328, 370/331, 370/332, 703/1, 703/2, 703/6, 703/13, 703/23, 705/26, 705/27, 705/39
• US Class Current: 370/241
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A computer assisted rollout of digital subscriber loop (DSL) technology based services in new geographical areas covering several central offices. The tasks required for rolling out service in each central office are indicated in a computer system. As each task is complete, the task is indicated to be complete. Dependancies (required or desired sequence) in execution of tasks also may be indicated to assist in both scheduling of the tasks and in verifying that the tasks are performed in a desired sequence.

Claims

1. A method of rolling out service in new areas, wherein said service comprises providing high bandwidth connections on local loops connected to central offices contained in said new areas, said method being used by a local exchange carrier (LEC), said method comprising:

identifying in a computer system a plurality of tasks which need to be performed to successfully rollout said service in each of said new areas;

indicating in said computer system that each of said plurality of tasks is completed upon completion of each of said plurality of tasks; and

determining that the rollout of service in one of said central offices is complete when said plurality of tasks corresponding to said one of said central offices are indicated to be complete,

wherein said LEC can efficiently rollout said service in said new areas by using said computer system.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising indicating dependencies among said plurality of tasks in said computer system such that any required sequence in the execution of any of said plurality of tasks for a central office can be indicated in said computer system.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising indicating a plurality of central offices in which said service need to be rolled out to provide said service in said new areas.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said identifying comprises:

identifying in said computer system the progress of securing collocation space from an incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC).

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said LEC comprises a competitive LEC (CLEC), and wherein said identifying in said computer system the progress of securing collocation space further comprises:

indicating in said computer system whether an interconnect agreement exists between said ILEC and said CLEC;

indicating in said computer system whether and when a price quote has been requested from said ILEC by said CLEC; and

indicating in said computer system whether and when payment has been sent to said ILEC.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said identifying in said computer system the progress of securing collocation space further comprises:

indicating in said computer system whether and when a bonafide has been sent to said ILEC; and

indicating in said computer system whether and when said bonafide has been received from said ILEC.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

indicating in said computer system the progress of delineating said collocation space.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said indicating in said computer system the progress of delineating said collocation space further comprises:

indicating in said computer system whether and when building of cage has started;

indicating in said computer system whether and when installation of ironworks for said cage is complete;

indicating in said computer system whether and when electronics are installed in said cage; and

indicating in said computer system whether and when power is installed and verified in said cage.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said indicating in said computer system said plurality of tasks further comprises:

indicating the progress of deploying a transmission line for equipment in collocation space secured from an incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC).

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said indicating the progress of deploying said transmission line further comprises:

indicating whether and when testing of said transmission line has begun; and

indicating whether and when said transmission line has been accepted.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said identifying in said computer system said plurality of tasks further comprises:

indicating the status of deployment of equipment in collocation space secured from an incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC).

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said indicating the status of deployment further comprises:

indicating whether and when a switch has been installed;

indicating whether and when a tester has been installed for testing said local loops; and

indicating whether and when digital subscriber loop access multiplexors have been installed.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

indicating in said computer system an estimated date of availability of said service;

indicating in said computer system a date for starting accepting said service on a type of DSL technology,

wherein said computer system can determine whether said service can be provided by said estimated date according to completions indicated by said indicating in said computer system that each of said plurality of tasks is completed.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said estimated date of availability is provided for each of a type of DSL technology.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said type of DSL technology comprises one of IDSL, ADSL, and SDSL.

16. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon for enabling a processor in a computer system to assist in the rolling out of service in new areas, wherein said service comprises providing high bandwidth connections on local loops connected to central offices contained in said new areas, said roll out being performed by a local exchange carrier (LEC), said computer program logic comprising:

means for identifying in said computer system a plurality of tasks which need to be performed to successfully rollout said service in each of said new areas;

means for indicating in said computer system that each of said plurality of tasks is completed upon completion of each of said plurality of tasks; and

means for determining that the rollout of service in one of said central offices is complete when said plurality of tasks corresponding to said one of said central offices are indicated to be complete,

wherein said LEC can efficiently rollout said service in said new areas by using said computer system.

17. The computer program product of claim 16, further comprising the means for indicating dependencies among said plurality of tasks in said computer system such that any required sequence in the execution of any of said plurality of tasks for a central office can be indicated in said computer system.

18. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein said LEC comprises a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) or an incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC).

19. An operational support system (OSS) for assisting in a local exchange carrier in rolling out service in new areas, wherein said service comprises providing high bandwidth connections on local loops connected to central offices contained in said new areas, said OSS comprising:

means for identifying in a computer system a plurality of tasks which need to be performed to successfully rollout said service in each of said new areas;

means for indicating in said computer system that each of said plurality of tasks is completed upon completion of the corresponding task; and

means for determining that the rollout of service in one of said central offices is complete when said plurality of tasks corresponding to said one of said central offices are indicated to be complete,

wherein said LEC can efficiently rollout said service in said new areas by using said computer system.

20. The OSS of claim 19, further comprising means for indicating dependencies among said plurality of tasks in said computer system such that any required sequence in the execution of any of said plurality of tasks for a central office can be indicated in said OSS.