FOR DETAILED TERMS AND CONDITIONS REFER TO THE SUB LOOP CIRCUIT ACCESS AGREEMENT

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Sub-Loop Unbundling

This document contains a non-technical description of Sub-Loop Unbundling (SLU). Also

included is an outline description of line sharing with sub-loop unbundling.

BT maintains that all reasonable care and skill has been used in the compilation of this
publication. However, BT shall not be under any liability for loss or damage (including
consequential loss) whatsoever or howsoever arising as a result of the use of this publication by
the reader, his servants, agents or any third party.

CONTENTS

1. Outline of SLU Product

2. General Description for SLU

3. Data Report for SLU

4. Forecasting for SLU

5. Full Survey and Build

6. Line Sharing with SLU

7. Full SLU MPF

8. Supporting Processes - Provision

9. Supporting Processes - Repair

10. Product Availability

11. References

12. Abbreviations

Issue 5 – March 2010 1

Subject to review:- March 2011
© British Telecommunications plc 2009
FOR DETAILED TERMS AND CONDITIONS REFER TO THE SUB LOOP CIRCUIT ACCESS AGREEMENT
1. OUTLINE OF PRODUCT

1.1 This paper is a description of Openreach’s Sub Loop Unbundling products. These products have
been developed to meet Openreach’s obligations under the EU Regulations of 5 December 2000
on unbundled access to the local loop. Sub-loop unbundling (SLU) provides a Communications
Provider with access to a partial local loop connecting the network termination point at the end
customer’s premises to a concentration point or a specified intermediate access point in the local
network.
1.2 A Sub Loop Unbundling circuit consists of a circuit offering a 2 wire point to point metallic
transmission path between a served end-user premise and SLU Communications Provider’s
equipment connected by copper wire tie cables to a Sub Loop Connection Point (SLCP). This is
normally the Primary Connection Point within the Openreach’s Access network. The circuit
provided will allow a Communications Provider to deploy relevant equipment in order to provide
telecommunications services to the end-user. Electronics deployed by the Communications
Provider must conform to the current BT Access Network Frequency Plan (ANFP) referred to in
paragraph 2.8 below. Openreach will be responsible for the provision, maintenance and repair of
the Sub Loop Unbundling circuit. The product will include SMPF and MPF options.
1.3 Sub Loop Unbundling circuits are made up of elements of a number of supporting products.
These products are :-
• Sub Loop Access Tie Cable Product: The provision and repair of a transmission link
between Openreach’s SLCP and the termination point in the Communication Providers
Equipment Cabinet via a point of handover linking Openreach and the Communication
Provider’s network.
• Sub Loop Connection Point Extension: The extension of a SLCP (when required) in
order for it to provide additional space to accommodate the Sub Loop Tie cable
terminations.

 SLU handover joint box in the network between the SLU Communications Provider’s
equipment site and the Openreach PCP is the point of handover of Openreach provided tie
cables to the Communication Provider. The demarcation point for faulting purposes between
both networks is the HDF in the CP cabinet.

• Alternatively if a Communications Provider provides their duct which requires

connection to the Openreach infrastructure the break-in will be completed by Openreach
and a break-in charge will be levied.
1.4 The Sub-Loop Unbundling service will be offered to those Communications Providers entitled to
request it under the EU regulations and having returned to their Customer Business Manager a
SLU contract accepting the terms and conditions as specified within available at:-
http://www.openreach.co.uk/orpg/products/llu/contracts/contracts.do.
1.5 Deployment of ADSL and VDSL electronics is particularly sensitive to cross talk. In order to
ensure that all Communications Providers have an equal opportunity to deploy to a given
location both from the SLCP or from the exchange, it will be necessary to stipulate certain
characteristics of the Sub Loop Tie Cable [See reference 1] and for Communication Providers to
configure their DSLAMs to the Cabinet Assigned Loss (CAL) value as advised by Openreach
and mandated by the current ANFP.

Issue 5 – March 2010 2

Subject to review:- March 2011
© British Telecommunications plc 2009
FOR DETAILED TERMS AND CONDITIONS REFER TO THE SUB LOOP CIRCUIT ACCESS AGREEMENT
1.6 A pre-requisite of the SLU line-sharing product will be the previous availability of the SLU
Connection Point and Sub-Loop Tie Cables provided to the Communications Provider under
terms and conditions documented in the Openreach Sub Loop Circuit Access Agreement and
splitters provided by the Communications Provider at the appropriate Communications Provider
Site and at the end user premises. The splitters must comply with the specification described in
the line sharing splitter specification. [See reference 2].

2. GENERAL DESCRIPTION FOR SLU

2.1 SLU will be implemented using a dedicated point to point metallic path (tie cable) between the
termination point in a Communications Providers Equipment enclosure and a Connection Point
in the Openreach Access Network known as the Sub Loop Connection Point (SLCP).
2.2 From the requested Openreach PCP, the Communications Provider will be provided with a Sub
Loop Tie Cable compliant to reference [1] to the handover footway box for pull-in and
termination by the Communication Provider to the interface point provided by the
Communication Provider within their SLU equipment enclosure, the role of the interface point
being similar to that of the Handover Distribution Frame under LLU.
2.3 To avoid interference between Communications Providers accessing the same SLCP, all Sub
Loop Tie Cables must comply with the Specification for the Sub Loop Tie Cable [Reference 1].
The specification stipulates for VDSL that tie cable lengths must not exceed 100 metres and that
the maximum differential length between all Communication Provider at a given SLCP must not
exceed 50 metres. To ensure future technology compatibility tie cables will only be provided to

Issue 5 – March 2010 3

Subject to review:- March 2011
© British Telecommunications plc 2009
FOR DETAILED TERMS AND CONDITIONS REFER TO THE SUB LOOP CIRCUIT ACCESS AGREEMENT
this specification. Tie Cables will be provided as listed on the Openreach Price list at:-
http://www.openreach.co.uk/orpg/products/llu/lluhp.do.
2.4 In order to accommodate the tie cable terminations, Openreach may need to extend the SLCP
cabinet. The costs for this work is published in the Openreach price list and will be borne by the
Communications Provider requesting access to that SLCP.
2.5 The service will be available nationally within areas covered by Openreach’s network, subject to
any technical limitations or special costs identified during the design stage or availability of
supporting services.
2.6 All equipment connected to Sub Loop Circuits must comply with relevant specifications and with
the ANFP in force for the Openreach Network, to address interference issues.
2.7 The ANFP [Reference 3] is published by NICC on their website (http://www.nicc.org.uk) and the
latest issue of the ANFP will be shown on the ‘Current Publications’ page of the NICC website.
2.8 At the time of writing this document ANFP, Issue 3 (ND1602:2005/08) applies and is applicable
to both full loop and sub-loop.

2.9 Charges for all SLU services are contained in the Openreach Price List at
http://www.openreach.co.uk/orpg/products/llu/lluhp.do

3. PCP DATA FOR SLU

3.1 Before information about the existing Openreach network can be shared a Communication
Provider must be a registered LLU Provider and have entered into the Revised Access Network
Facilities Services (RANFS) Agreement when access to the secure LLU website will be issued.
Additionally, to submit a forecast or order for SLU a Communication Provider must have entered
into an SLU agreement. The necessary arrangements can be made by contacting your Openreach
Customer Business Manager.
3.2 Communications Provider requesting network information can download PCP data information
from the LLU secure website . The data for each District will contain a list of SLCPs (Primary
Connection Points) with PCP addresses, derived grid references, cable distance from exchange,
working lines, total d-side capacity and postcodes of the end users premises that have a working
line..
4 FORECASTING FOR SLU PLAN AND BUILD
4.1 Forecasting for Sub Loop Unbundling Plan and Build should be submitted using the schedule,
template and guidance notes available at:-
http://www.openreach.co.uk/orpg/products/llu/forecast/ffg.do
4.2 Un-forecast Orders which have not been agreed within the forecasting process maybe subject to
extended delivery timescales.
4.3 Communication Providers who are intending to submit a number of orders likely to be part of a
multiple deployment should submit a completed forecast template available using the link
provided above in 4.1. Once a forecast has been agreed Communication Providers should place a
Full Survey request aligned with the agreed forecast dates as explained in section 5 of this
document.
4.4 Communication Providers wishing to submit an un-forecast order should follow the instructions
below having accepted the conditions in 4.2

Issue 5 – March 2010 4

Subject to review:- March 2011
© British Telecommunications plc 2009
FOR DETAILED TERMS AND CONDITIONS REFER TO THE SUB LOOP CIRCUIT ACCESS AGREEMENT

5 FULL SURVEY AND BUILD

5.1 A Full Survey is the first stage of the Plan and Build process and is requested using the SLU
Weekly Order Form available at:-
http://www.openreach.co.uk/orpg/products/llu/planbuild/plan_build.do
5.2 Before placing a Full Survey Request Communication Providers should have obtained Local
Authority permission to build their infrastructure. (It should be noted that any changes to the
location after completion of a Full Survey will attract additional survey charges. Additionally
cancellation of the order at any stage will also incur a charge as published in the SLU price list).
5.3 The Full Survey will involve an on-site meeting between the Openreach Planner and the
Communication Providers representative. The survey will provide a detailed investigation of the
work and costs which will constitute the ‘Offer’ made by Openreach to complete the Sub Loop
Tie Cables provision at a specified SLCP. The meeting will be arranged by the Openreach
Planner within 5 working days of the request being made and should take place within 10
working days or later if requested by the Communication Provider. Failure to attend an agreed
meeting will result in a non attendance charge being raised as published in the SLU price list.
5.4 Multiple Surveys within a 5 mile radius of an MDF site maybe completed on the same day in
agreement with the Openreach planner and the Communication Providers Representative
however these are limited (depending on complexity) to a maximum of 5 a day.
5.5 On-site survey requirements will include:-
• Confirming that the Communication Providers preferred cabinet location is acceptable
• If space exists within the SLCP to accommodate the new tie cable terminations or
whether a Cabinet Extension will be required and if so any additional bespoke
requirements.
• The civils requirements needed to link both networks and where the point of handover
(footway box) will be located. (refer section 5.9)
• Responsibility for completion of civils (refer section 5.9)
5.6 On completion of a Full Survey an Offer will be returned by the Service Management Centre
(SMC) to the Communication Provider within 5 working days of completing the survey (this may
be extended if multiple surveys were completed on the day). The Offer will include:-
• The estimated total cost of the enabling work
• The tie cable costs as published on the Price List
• The confirmed Cabinet Assigned Loss (CAL) value
• The proposed Completion Date
• Request for Payment In Advance (PIA) if progressing to build (when determined by the
Openreach Credit Vetting process)
5.7 Proceeding with the SLU build at a particular SLCP will be conditional on the Communications
Provider emailing the SMC within 30 working days a formal acceptance of the costs identified at
the time of the Full Survey by Openreach. The Communications Provider will also need to
confirm all necessary permissions have been approved by the relevant authorities to allow
construction of their cabinet. Normally Openreach will complete the build work within 55
working days from acceptance of the offer. However, this maybe subject to change when
Issue 5 – March 2010 5
Subject to review:- March 2011
© British Telecommunications plc 2009
FOR DETAILED TERMS AND CONDITIONS REFER TO THE SUB LOOP CIRCUIT ACCESS AGREEMENT
conforming to statutory regulations that may be applicable or a later date for the build completion
being requested (up to 120 working days) by a Communication Provider.
5.8 Surveys are valid for 30 working days in which time a Communication Providers should notify
their intentions to accept or reject the offer, failure to do so within the 30 working day period will
result in the order being closed. A new order will be required to restart the process. In all cases on
completion of a Full Survey a charge will be raised.
5.9 Tie cable provision will involve the cable being handed over to the Communication Provider to
complete pull in and termination of the cable within their cabinet. To facilitate the handover a
footway box must be available between Openreach and the Communication Providers network.
This can be provided by Openreach at additional cost within 5 metres of Openreach network.
5.10 Alternatively it will be acceptable to use the Communication Providers cabinet footway box
for this purpose and Openreach can provide the ductwork to that box. However if the
Communication Provider wishes to bring their own network from their box to Openreach the
connection (break-in) to Openreach network will be completed by Openreach and a charge will be
levied. The only exception to the 5 metre rule above being when this is not physically possible
and in this instance the shortest distance will be adopted by the Openreach planner. Openreach
will provide a duct linking Openreach’s network into this handover box and handover the tie
cables at this point. Both parties will have ongoing statutory liability for the up keep of network
they have provided. Excess Construction Charges as published at:-
http://www.openreach.co.uk/orpg/pricing/serviceproducts.do will be applicable for all civils work
completed by Openreach and be included in the offer on completion of survey.

5.11 A Cabinet Extension will be required where insufficient space or capacity exists to
accommodate the Tie cable terminations within the surveyed PCP. Pricing and details regarding
Cabinet extension work is available at:-
http://www.openreach.co.uk/orpg/pricing/llu/downloads/ORPL_LLU_Slu.htm
5.12 Tie Cable Provision will involve Openreach providing cables to the agreed point of handover
and a sufficient coiled length of cable left for the Communication Provider to complete the pull-
in and termination within their cabinet. Openreach will advise the Communication Provider in
advance of the date on which this will occur in an effort to facilitate a co-ordinated end to end
‘tap out’ of the tie cable(s)
6 LINE SHARING WITH SLU
6.1 Line sharing with SLU will only be available to a Communications Provider that has established
an SLU presence and at which Shared MPF tie cables have been provided in addition to an
associated MPF tie cables by Openreach. An order using the published manual eCRF available at
http://www.openreach.co.uk/orpg/products/llu/planbuild/sub_loop.do should be emailed to the
SMC for each SMPF order request.
6.2 The low frequency service (e.g. analogue PSTN service) will be provided (and continue to be
provided) to the end user from equipment providing dial tone in the MDF site to which the SLCP
is connected
6.3 Line sharing within the sub-loop service will be implemented on a dedicated point-to-point
metallic path from a specific end user’s premises, through the equipment of the Communications
Provider, to the Openreach MDF site.
6.4 Implementing line sharing will require a pair within both the SMPF and MPF Sub Loop Tie
Cables that link the Communications Provider’s accommodation to the SLCP. One tie cable pair
will carry the combined signal between the Communications Provider and the end user and the
Issue 5 – March 2010 6
Subject to review:- March 2011
© British Telecommunications plc 2009
FOR DETAILED TERMS AND CONDITIONS REFER TO THE SUB LOOP CIRCUIT ACCESS AGREEMENT
other tie cable pair will carry the low frequency service from the Communications Provider back
to the BT local exchange, via the SLCP.
6.5 It is recommended that pairs of tie cables provided for SMPF should not be used singularly for
provision of MPF as this will render the associated SMPF tie pair redundant.
6.6 The Communications Provider must deploy their equipment and splitter within their own SLU
equipment enclosure.
6.7 The equipment deployed by the Communications Provider must not interfere with the low
frequency service spectrum used by Openreach, and must adhere to the requirements of the
ANFP as per paragraph 2.8 and sub-loop tie cable specification [1].
6.8 The Openreach interface at the end user’s premises will be a standard NTE.

7 MPF WITH SLU

7.1 MPFs within SLU will only be available to a Communications Provider that has established an
SLU presence at the relevant SLCP at which an MPF tie cable has been provided by Openreach.
7.2 An MPF within the sub-loop service will be implemented on a dedicated point-to-point metallic
path from a specific end user’s premises, through the Communications Provider’s equipment, via
the Openreach SLCP.
7.3 MPF will require one pair within the Sub Loop Tie Cable that links the Communications
Provider’s accommodation to the SLCP.
7.4 The equipment deployed by the Communications Provider must adhere to the requirements of the
ANFP as section 2.8 and sub-loop tie cable specification [1].
7.5 The Openreach interface at the end user’s premises will be a standard NTE.

8 SLU SMPF/MPF REPAIR

8.1 End users will report all SMPF/MPF faults to the SLU Communications Provider. The only
exception to this will be where the end user has a low frequency service (e.g. PSTN) fault and a
Shared Line Facility agreement is in place between the Communications Provider and Openreach.
8.2 The Communications Provider must prove the fault out of their network and CPE before raising
the fault with Openreach.
8.3 Openreach will be responsible for repairing any faults that occur on the metallic sub-loop path
between the NTE at the end user’s premises and the Communications Provider’s Interface Point.
Openreach will also be responsible for repairing faults that occur on the low frequency (e.g.
PSTN) service from the exchange MDF site.
8.4 Faults must be raised using the guidance notes and eCRF available at:-
http://www.openreach.co.uk/orpg/products/llu/planbuild/sub_loop.do
8.5 Openreach will provide a 2 stage fault reporting process for fault reports received from the
Communications Provider. This will follow the same fault reporting procedure currently in
operation for Full Local Loop Unbundling. Line tests and faults diagnosed at stage 1 which
subsequently prove to be in Openreach’s network will not be chargeable. However, charges will
be raised for subsequent fault reports (stage 2) which are found to be RWT or not within

Issue 5 – March 2010 7

Subject to review:- March 2011
© British Telecommunications plc 2009
FOR DETAILED TERMS AND CONDITIONS REFER TO THE SUB LOOP CIRCUIT ACCESS AGREEMENT
Openreach’s network and have incurred a field visit to the PCP or End User. It should be noted
that line test systems will only be available for SMPF but not available for full MPF’s. For MPF
a visit to the SLCP will always be required (when requested) to complete diagnostic testing and
charges maybe incurred as specified.
8.6 Openreach will endeavour to respond to a fault on the metallic paths for which it has
responsibility within the timescales of the care package applicable.
8.7 Openreach is not responsible for repair of faults which relate to the Communications Provider
terminating equipment or End Users equipment.
8.8 Some repair activities when working on a line will be intrusive on the Communications
Provider’s services.

9 PRODUCT AVAILABILITY
9.1 SLU will be available at any SLCP within the Openreach Access Network with the following
exceptions:
• Where the SLCP is scheduled for removal within 3 years of the time of application.
• The SLCP is already scheduled for major works.
• Previous SLU requests have resulted in the SLCP being extended to the maximum practical
capacity and there is insufficient space.
• Where the End Users are not served by means of metallic paths i.e. fibre (TPON)
9.2 Providers will be allowed to connect to more than one PCP from a single cabinet providing the
tie cable ports within the DSLAM are configured to the CAL value relevant to the PCP from which
the tie cable is linked and that the requirements of the Tie Cable conforms with the specifications in
reference [1]

10. END USER AVAILABILITY

10.1 For SLU End User connectivity the following conditions will apply:-
• No connectivity will be possible where spare metallic pairs do not exist between the relevant
SLCP and the End User
• The parts of Openreach’s Access Network that are not served by a SLCP will not be available to
SLU. Where lines are connected directly to the exchange a service will only be available through
Full LLU.
• Within an SLU arrangement the Communications Provider will only be able to access end users
that are already connected to the designated SLCP with a metallic path. End Users cannot be
transferred from other SLCPs.

11 REFERENCES

Issue 5 – March 2010 8

Subject to review:- March 2011
© British Telecommunications plc 2009
FOR DETAILED TERMS AND CONDITIONS REFER TO THE SUB LOOP CIRCUIT ACCESS AGREEMENT
1. Specification for the Sub Loop Access Tie Cable, Issue 3:-
http://www.openreach.co.uk/orpg/products/llu/planbuild/downloads/subloop/Sub-loop
%20Tie%20Cable%20Specification%20%20-%20Issue%2032.pdf

2. Exchange based Splitter Specification for use with Local Loop Unbundling Line Shared
Service – ND1606:2005/01 available at:-
http://www.openreach.co.uk/orpg/products/llu/mpfsmpf/downloads/Line_Share_Technical_S
pecification_Issue_3.pdf

3. Access Network Frequency Plan (ANFP) for transmission systems used on the Openreach
access network – ND1602:2005/11 (available at http://www.nicc.org.uk)

10 ABBREVIATIONS
ANFP Access Network Frequency Plan
CAL Cabinet Assigned Loss (see reference [3] for details)
MPF Metallic Path Facility
DSLAM Digital Subscribers Line Access Multiplexer
NICC Network Interoperability Consultative Committee
NTE Network Termination Equipment
SLCP Sub-loop Connection Point
SLU Sub-loop Unbundling
SMPF Shared Metallic Path Facility
PCP Primary Connection Point
TPON Telephony over Passive Optic Network
VDSL Very high speed Digital Subscribers Line
END

Issue 5 – March 2010 9

Subject to review:- March 2011
© British Telecommunications plc 2009