In Telecommunications a Point of Interface (POI) is used to show the physical interface between two different carriers, such as a local exchange carrier (LEC) and a wireless carrier or an LEC and a IntereXchange Carrier (IXC). This demarcation point often defines responsibility as well serving as a point for testing. In many cases, a POI exists as a point of demarcation ("DEMARC") within an LEC building, and is established under "Co-Location" agreements. A long distance, wireless, or competitive local carrier 'rents' space at the local telephone (usually tandem switch) location. This space is physically a 'cage' in which a device for interconnecting telecom services is installed. This 'device' was originally a wire frame with one side being accessed by the LEC, and the other side accessed by the "other" carrier. In recent years, 'electronic frames' such as a digital cross-connect systems have been used as POI devices. Local exchange services are ordered from the local telephone carrier who delivers the service to 'their side' of the POI. The 'other' carrier then arranges to bring its own facilities (fiber, or other type of transport) into the POI and transport the service to its own network facilities.
Famous quotes containing the words point of and/or point:
“What’s the point of fighting the dollars
when all you need is a warm bed?
When the dog barks you let him in.
All we need is someone to let us in.
And one other thing:
to consider the lilies in the field.”
—Anne Sexton (1928–1974)
“A set of ideas, a point of view, a frame of reference is in space only an intersection, the state of affairs at some given moment in the consciousness of one man or many men, but in time it has evolving form, virtually organic extension. In time ideas can be thought of as sprouting, growing, maturing, bringing forth seed and dying like plants.”
—John Dos Passos (1896–1970)