Abstract: A method for cross connecting an ATM network and a telecommunication switch includes receiving ATM cells from the ATM network at a packet sorter and extracting data packets comprising address data and payload data from the ATM cells. Translated addresses are generated based on the address data, and new data packets are created based on the payload data and the translated addresses to create new ATM cells with the new data packets. The new ATM cells are scheduled to be transmitted from the packet sorter to an ATM switch in compliance with an ATM service contract. The new ATM cells are forwarded from the ATM switch to at least one distributed SAR, which converts the new ATM cells into TDM signals and transmits the TDM signals from to the telecommunication switch via at least one TDM port.

Abstract: A voice gateway (64) includes an input port (70) that receives a voice signal from an unbundled analog line (62) coupled to a Class 5 switch (52). The voice signal is converted to a digital format by an analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converting unit (76). The voice signal is placed into a compressed format by a compressing/decompressing unit (80) using a selected one of a plurality of compression ratios. The voice signal is placed into a transport frame by a packetizing/depacketizing unit (84) according to a selected packet format. The voice signal is multiplexed with other voice signals by an output port (88). The output port (88) places the voice signal onto a selected one of a plurality of output lines in order to transport the voice signal in its transport frame to one of an office customer premises (12) and a residence customer premises (14).