Collocation and its impacts on central office backup power systems

The 1996 Telecommunications Act led to a huge expansion in the number and size of collocators (CLECs or Collocated Local Exchange Carriers). Due to maintenance, weight, and environmental issues associated with DC plants; CLECs usually want the incumbent (ILEC) to provide power to their equipment. The incumbents can recoup their costs if they take the proper steps; however there are many pitfalls which need to be avoided. The author discusses the background to this issue and then discusses power cost recovery, power capacity issues, time frames, power alarm access by CLECs, and power drain monitoring. To properly accomplish the the timely provisioning of backup power involves planning by the ILECs who need to recover the costs. Neglect of backup power issues can delay collocation