Wholesale Operations

All collocating equipment must terminate in Frontier equipment. A collocating carrier may not make connections between partitioned space of other collocating carriers in the central office.

Frontier does not allow the Collocator to provide its own DC power plant equipment, or AC power backup equipment. Learn more from the Frontier Collocation Service Guide.

A collocating carrier will not be permitted to add or change equipment in collocation space without advising Frontier Interconnection Manager in writing of the additions or changes of collocator’s equipment.

Any requests made by carriers with existing collocation agreements to Frontier for additional space will be negotiated as a new request for interconnection.

Frontier will determine space availability in the Central Office and coordinate the installation work

Frontier shall not be responsible for the design, engineering, testing, maintenance, or performance of the equipment of the collocating carrier.

All AC & DC power requirements will be supplied on a dedicated basis only. All AC & DC power requirements will be provided with circuit breakers. The collocator is responsible for providing their own uninterrupted power source (UPS) system.

The collocating carrier will be responsible for maintaining adequate liability and indemnification insurance policies and must agree to comply with all Frontier mandated procedures designed to preserve and maintain the integrity and operation of Frontier telephone network and facilities or to comply with applicable laws and regulations.

Frontier will not provide Collocator personnel or agents with direct access to:

• Frontier distribution frames
• Digital Signal Cross-connect (DSX)
• Digital Cross-connect System (DCS)
• Fiber Distribution Frames, or
• Frontier equipment not specifically designated by Frontier for Collocator access.

Collocators are charged for the following in a Frontier Physical Collocation:

• Processing fee
• Floor space
• Engineering
• Cable pulls
• AC/DC power
• Cross-connects
• Bays (cageless)
• Enclosure (caged)

The following are products and services not allowed in collocation:

• Equipment used solely for switching or solely to provide enhanced services
• DC power plant equipment, e.g. rectifiers or chargers and batteries
• AC power backup equipment such as un-interruptible power system with batteries, or standby engine

No carrier collocating at Frontier central offices may use any equipment at the central office which will interfere with the use and operation of equipment used by Frontier at the central office location.

Frontier reserves the right to upgrade Frontier equipment at central offices. Frontier shall give any collocating carriers six months notice of an impending upgrade. It is the responsibility of collocating carriers to assure their equipment remains compatible with Frontier central office equipment.

Caged collocation provides the customer with a caged floor space arrangement in Frontier wire centers and access tandems to allow the CLEC to install and maintain CLEC provided equipment with direct access 24 hours a day. This option will be available in Frontier’s intrastate tariff for the purposes of interconnection or for access to Unbundled Network Elements (UNE's). Caged Collocation provides the Collocator with an individual enclosure. This enclosure is an area designated by Frontier within the Central Office structure to be used by the Collocator for the sole purpose of installing, maintaining and operating the Collocator provided equipment. Frontier will provide floor space based on a square foot basis. A minimum of 50 square feet is required.

Visit the Regulated Collocation Types page to learn more.

Cageless Collocation provides the CLEC with a floor space arrangement in Frontier’s wire centers or access tandems, for a minimum of a single equipment bay or cabinet. This space arrangement will allow the CLEC to install and maintain its own CLEC provided equipment, provide direct access to its equipment 24 hours a day, and not require the CLEC to cage its equipment. This option will be available in Frontier’s intrastate tariff for the purposes of interconnection or for access to Unbundled Network Elements (UNEs). Cageless provides a standard method of provisioning similar to that which Frontier would perform in the planning functions of their own lineups and bays. Frontier will provide the infrastructure, cable racks and lighting to support a bay layout. Cageless Collocation will be assigned in 10 or 18 square foot increments on a first come first serve basis. Cageless will be offered to accommodate two (2) sizes. A standard size is 19 to 23 inches wide, 12 to 15 inch deep, 7 feet high.

Due to egress needs the minimum floor space is 10 square feet for one standard bay. A larger bay will accommodate a 36-inch deep cabinet with swing out doors. The minimum floor space is 18 square feet. Frontier will provide Collocators with cageless physical collocation in any space in the eligible structure which is not occupied by Frontier personnel, occupied or reserved for Frontier network equipment, or needed for access to occupied or reserved space. Frontier will provide Collocator with an entrance to the central office premises and once inside, the Collocator will have direct access to their equipment. Frontier will make cageless collocation space available in single bay increments. Collocator can purchase space in increments small enough to collocate a single relay rack, or bay, of equipment (10 square feet for standard bay and 18 square feet for cabinetized bay.)

Visit the Regulated Collocation Types page to learn more.

In Physical Regulated Collocation, the CLEC occupies space within a central office, and the CLEC installs and maintains its transmission equipment. This is typically in a dedicated, segregated and secured space in that office. Frontier then provides points of interconnection between the CLEC's equipment and the Frontier network. Once the physical interconnection is established and tested, the CLEC buys services or UNEs from Frontier, which the CLEC uses to provide services to its end users. The CLEC typically has 24 hour by 7 day access to its collocation arrangement and is responsible for the provisioning, maintenance, and repair of its equipment. Physical Collocation refers to a physical space or cage in which the Collocator can install telecommunication equipment. This space or cage is typically interconnected with Frontier’s:

• Main Distribution Frame (MDF) or equivalent
• Line side of the switch
• DSX
• DCS
• Multiplexer (MUX)

Visit the Regulated Collocation Types page for more information.

A shared caged arrangement is a newly constructed caged collocation arrangement that is jointly applied for and occupied by two or more CLECs within a Company premises. When two or more CLECs request establishment and jointly apply for a new caged collocation arrangement to be used as a shared caged arrangement, one of the participating CLECs must agree to be the Host CLEC (Host) and the other(s) to be the Guest CLEC (Guest). Visit the Regulated Collocation Types page to learn more.

An adjacent collocation arrangement permits a CLEC to construct or procure a structure on Frontier property for collocation for the purposes of provisioning expanded interconnection and/or access to unbundled network elements in accordance with the terms and conditions of this tariff. Adjacent collocation is only an option when the following conditions are met:

• Space is legitimately exhausted in Frontier’s premises for caged and cageless collocation
• It is technically feasible to construct or procure a hut or similar structure on Frontier property that adheres to local building code, zoning requirements, and Frontier building standards.

Visit the Regulated Collocation Types page to learn more.

Pricing for interconnection will be based on Frontier FCC No.1 Tariff for all recurring and non-recurring costs related to the leasing and use of Frontier central office space and facilities.

Frontier provides the floor space, power, air conditioning, security and maintenance of the cross-connect frames and power equipment.

Vacant space available in a CLEC's existing caged collocation arrangement may be made available to a third party for the purpose of interconnection and/or for access to unbundled network elements in Frontier’s premises via the subleasing collocation arrangement. The CLEC subleases floor space to the third party pursuant to terms and conditions agreed to by the CLEC and third party involved. The CLEC and third party must each be interconnected to Frontier for the exchange of traffic with Frontier and/or to access unbundled network elements.

Visit the Regulated Collocation Types page to learn more.

The Collocator maintains their own equipment and the facilities up to their side of the demarcation or Point of Interconnection (POI).

Edge Colocation involves the placement of equipment within Frontier central offices and data centers, and the facilities required to connect to Frontier’s network. The Customer’s equipment may be used to provide either data applications or access services in multiple use cases except for switched voice services. This differs from Regulated Collocation which provides space & power within Frontier central offices for Customer equipment used to connect to voice services.

The demarcation point will be at the collocation cage or designated demarcation point for cageless collocation. Frontier will provide the common language identification code for demarcation. Frontier will provide a DSX Cross Connect Panel to the Demarcation Point. Collocator is responsible for any cross connects on the inside of caged area.

In virtual collocation, the CLEC leases the equipment to be collocated to Frontier for a nominal sum of $1.00 or through some other arrangement. Frontier then handles the provisioning, maintenance, and repair of the equipment at the CLEC's direction on a non-discriminatory basis. Virtual collocation offers the CLEC similar benefits as physical collocation utilizing the same equipment that the CLEC may deploy within a physical collocation arrangement. The major difference between physical and virtual collocation is that in virtual collocation the CLEC does not have access to the central office or the equipment. The CLEC has the ability to perform remote provisioning and maintenance of the collocated equipment. However, the equipment is provided by and dedicated to the CLEC and is installed by an approved vendor, which in certain conditions may be selected by the CLEC. Virtual Collocation is provided only when available space in the central office has been exhausted. A virtual collocation arrangement occurs outside the central office in a manhole or other similar location. Frontier’s personnel installs, maintains and repairs the equipment.

Visit the Regulated Collocation Types page to learn more.

Microwave Collocation Facilities- Microwave collocation provides Collocators with physical collocation of certain terrestrial point-to-point microwave facilities and transmission equipment for connection to their own collocated transmission equipment.

Competitive Fiber Providers (CATT)- This service allows competitive (3rd party) fiber providers (CFPs) access to a shared alternate splice point referred to as the Competitive Alternate Transport Terminal (CATT). This is in or near a Frontier vault for the purposes of terminating CFP fiber facilities for distribution to collocation arrangements within a central office.

Cable Installation- The competitive (3rd party) fiber provider (CFP) is allowed to place its cable in the central office vault. The Frontier outside plant engineer verifies an approved fire retardant riser cable. An authorized Frontier representative accompanies the CFP or approved agent completing the splicing at the CATT. A Frontier approved fire retardant splice closure must be used. All bonding and grounding procedures need to be followed.

Visit the Regulated Collocation Types page to learn more.

Frontier will provide security and environmental controls for carriers physically collocating at the central office to the extent such controls are already in place at the site. Frontier won't be required to provide security or environmental controls over and beyond the standard equipment already used by Frontier in the normal operation of the central office site.

The types of physical collocation are:

• Caged
• Cageless
• Virtual

The Date of Occupancy that Frontier gives the Collocator will be the billing start date of the lease.

Frontier isn't required to purchase additional plant or equipment to:

• Relinquish floor space or facilities designed for Frontier use
• Undertake new construction, or
• Construct additions to existing central offices to accommodate a collocating carrier’s needs.

Frontier isn't required to provide new or upgraded electrical power or security facilities/equipment to accommodate additional needs occasioned by the interconnection of the collocating carrier’s equipment with Frontier central office equipment.

For Circuit Inventory of a specific ACTL please contact your Sales Support Consultant on your Frontier Account Team. For Circuit Inventory of Active Collocation arrangements under company name or ACNA please contact your Sales Engineer on your Frontier Account Team. If you are currently unaware of your assigned dedicated Account Team, please email [email protected].

To request to establish a regulated collocation arrangement with Frontier, please complete and submit the Frontier Collocation Application to [email protected]. Please visit the Regulated Collocation Applications page for more information.

To request to establish a regulated collocation arrangement with Frontier, please complete and submit the Frontier Collocation Application to [email protected]. Please visit the Regulated Collocation Applications page for more information.

Frontier will process collocation requests within ninety days from the date of receipt of the completed application form and the required processing fee payment.

1. Collocator submits completed regulated collocation application to [email protected]
2. Frontier responds with either a request for application clarification/correction if needed, or a Hold Letter with application fee request
3. Collocator Remits payment and updates the application if required
4. Frontier sends a Start Letter to the Collocator
5. Frontier conducts an engineering review of the application request and sends the Schedule, Cost Estimate and Acceptance form to the Collocator
6. Collocator has 10 business days to respond with notification of Acceptance and 50% NRC payment, or cancellation of Application
7. Frontier sends CFA Form and Carrier Acceptance Letter to the Collocator
8. Frontier sends Completion Letter to the Collocator

In instances where Frontier is not able to accommodate a CLEC's request for collocation in a central office, CLECs may request a tour of the office.

Frontier Regulated Collocation Terms and Conditions are found in the Frontier Collocation Service Guide.

Contacts are available online from the Regulated Collocation Overview page.

Contacts are available online from the Regulated Collocation Overview page.

Contacts are available online from the Regulated Collocation Overview page.

Customers can reach out to their Program Manager as listed on the 'Start Letter' sent by Frontier.

Customers can reach out to their Program Manager as listed on the 'Start Letter' sent by Frontier.

Contacts are available online from the Regulated Collocation Overview page.

Contacts are available online from the Regulated Collocation Overview page.

Contacts are available online from the Regulated Collocation Overview page.

Contacts are available online from the Regulated Collocation Overview page.

To renew expired or replace lost or stolen Frontier Collocation Access Cards, please complete and submit a Frontier Access Card Application. For renewals, please submit your application no earlier than 3 weeks in advance of the expiration date.

Complete and submit the Frontier Access Card Application with a current photo to [email protected]. If approved, access card credentials will be supplied via mail.

To request collocation access cards, please complete and submit the Frontier Access Card Application.

Collocation access cards are valid for one year from the date of issue.

Collocators are required to comply with the same security requirements, rules and regulations that apply to Frontier authorized employees and contractors while in Frontier eligible structures and central office premises. Collocator’s must wear their photo ID card at all times while in the central office. Entering Frontier’s central office behind someone else is tailgating and is not allowed. Collocators are not allowed in unsecured areas of the central office unless properly escorted.

PLEASE NOTE: If Frontier provides escort services to a Collocator, the Collocator will pay minimum hourly rate.

• No Smoking is allowed in any of Frontier’s buildings.
• Must follow all safety and fire regulations.
• The use of Cell Phones, PCS Phones or any type of portable radio transmitters or portable telephones is strictly prohibited in central offices.
• Collocators may not use Frontier’s tools, spare parts, or telephones.
• Collocators are not allowed anywhere in the central office except in their designated space. Violators will be removed from the building.
• Collocators are allowed to use restrooms.

Frontier accepts photographs in JPEG format for Frontier Collocation Access Cards.

Email questions about Collocation security to [email protected]. Security in Frontier central office premises is a high priority. Collocators are required to comply with the same security requirements, rules and regulations that apply to Frontier authorized employees and contractors, while in Frontier structures and central office premises. Frontier may select to use all or any combination of the following for security purposes, as appropriate for eligible structures where physical collocations will take place:

• Cameras or other monitoring devices
• Badges with tracking system
• Identification swipe cards
• Keyed access
• Logs

Bill remittance questions should be directed to [email protected] attention: Melissa Lunsford.

To submit a billing claim for a Regulated Collocation billing statement please follow the Wholesale Billing Claim and Escalation Guide.

For Regulated Collocation billing questions, please contact your assigned Frontier Wholesale Claims and Collections Representative or email: [email protected].

Once all Application revisions are complete, a payment remittance request will be sent to you with the address for payment.

You may email Application Fee questions to [email protected]. Escalation Contacts are available online from the Regulated Collocation Overview page.

Contacts are available online from the Regulated Collocation Overview page.