Abstract: A system and method for providing IP transport and Internet services using a public switched telephone network and providing equal access. The system provides a wide area communications network serving a plurality of defined geographic areas (LATAs) served by a switched telephone network having a plurality of central office switching systems in the telephone network in each geographic area connected to a plurality of terminals in premises served by said switching systems in those geographic areas. A switched multimegabit data service (SMDS) network spans the geographic areas and a frame relay network spans the geographic areas. A plurality of Internet service providers (ISPs) are connected to the SMDS network. At least one data hub node is provided in each geographic area and each hub node is connected to the SMDS network and to the frame relay network.

Abstract: A system and method for providing IP transport and Internet services using a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and providing equal access. The system provides a wide area communications network serving a plurality of defined geographic areas such as LATAs, served by a switched telephone network having a plurality of central office switching systems in the telephone network in each geographic area connected to a plurality of terminals in premises served by said switching systems in those geographic areas. A switched multimegabit data service (SMDS) network spans the geographic areas and a plurality of Internet service providers (ISPs) are connected to the SMDS network. At least one data hub node is provided in each geographic area and each hub node is connected to the SMDS network. Each data hub node includes a gateway router connected via a packet switch and at least one multi-port access server to one of the central office switching systems for switched connection to selected ones of the premises.

Abstract: Equal access IP transport and Internet services are provided using a public switched telephone serving a plurality of defined geographic areas (LATAs). A switched multimegabit data service (SMDS) network and a frame relay network spans the geographic areas. A plurality of Internet service providers (ISPs) are connected to the SMDS network. A data hub node, connected to both the SMDS network and the frame relay network in each geographic area, includes a gateway router connected via a packet switch and at least one network access server to one of the central office switching systems. A central maintenance center monitors and maintains the wide area communications network through the SMDS and frame relay networks and data hub nodes. An ISP may setup conditions for redirection of all or a portion of a load to one or more network access servers in the hub for routing over the SMDS network in the event of overload.