Abstract: A method to provide a loop-free telecommunication network comprising end-users interconnected through one or more Metropolitan Area Network and/or Wide Area Network providing Virtual Private Local Area Network Service (VPLS) and possible geographically dispersed Layer-2 networks (K, L) is provided. To prevent the VPLS-networks from creating loops, a predetermined protocol, e.g. the Rapid Spanning Tree Protocolis used. Internal node ports of each node of a VPLS-network are grouped into a port arrangement in order to model a virtual LAN inside the VPLS-network. For each port arrangement, the sum of weight factors or port Path Cost towards a root bridge is calculated, the node having an external node port with the lowest port path cost is selected as the primary node, and the paths of the other external node ports towards the root bridge are disabled. In case two or more nodes of a VPLS-network have an identical port path cost, the node number or node ID for selecting the primary node is taken into account.