Abstract: A telecommunications system has identical access terminal shelves and an intershelf bus interconnecting each shelf. Each access terminal shelf has transmission card slots constructed to accept different types of transmission cards that use different types of transmission media to communicate with remote telecommunications equipment and a processor programmed to determine whether transmissions from the remote telecommunications equipment are to be transferred to the intershelf bus for connection completion.

Abstract: A method of switching subscriber calls is disclosed that includes receiving a subscriber call request on an access terminal, determining whether the access terminal is in communication with a telecommunications network and routing the subscriber call request through alternate telecommunications equipment if the access terminal is not in communication with the telecommunications network.

Abstract: A telecommunications terminal is provided that is compatible with, and capable of connecting to, a cellular switch. Also provided are a protocol engine programmed to convert signals used in the terminal to a protocol required by the cellular switch and a service element programmed to generate wireline services for wireline subscribers.

Abstract: Telecommunications system apparatuses and methods are disclosed. The apparatuses include a telecommunications system having a data transmitting and receiving apparatus, subscriber buses, and channel unit cards. First and second subscriber buses provide, respectively, a communication path to a first and a second data transmitting and receiving apparatus. A plurality of channel unit cards are coupled to the first and second subscriber buses. In one mode of operation, at least one channel unit card communicates data over the first subscriber bus. In another mode of operation, at least one channel unit card communicates data over the first subscriber bus and at least one other channel unit card communicates data over the second subscriber bus. A method of configuring a telecommunications system is also disclosed. The method includes selecting groups of channel unit cards and configuring each group to communicate data over a first and a second subscriber bus.