Method and system for packet and circuit telephone in a distributed telecommunications switching system

The method of 1 further comprising the step of configuring said at least one network transmission element to comprise:

• at least one peripheral circuit and timing card (PCTC) and at least one ethernet card;
• at least one packet-to-circuit conversion card;
• and
• a plurality of cross-connect multiplexers that permit data communications between said at least one PCTC, said at least one ethernet card and said at least one packet-to-circuit conversion card.

A method for interfacing packet and circuit telephony operations in a distributed telecommunications network, said method comprising the steps of:

• associating at least one digital circuit switch with said distributed telecommunications network;
• connecting at least one network transmission element within said distributed telecommunications network to said at least one digital circuit switch;
• associating at least one broadband switch with said at least one network transmission element;
• and
• interfacing at least one broadband switch with said at least one network transmission element and said at least one digital circuit switch to coordinate combined circuit and packet signaling, routing and calling processing services among terminals of said distributed telecommunications network.

A system for interfacing packet and circuit telephony operations in a distributed telecommunications network, said system comprising:

• at least one digital circuit switch associated with said distributed telecommunications network, wherein said distributed telecommunications network comprises a metropolitan packet telephony service and a long distance packet telephony service;
• at least one network transmission element within said distributed telecommunications network associated with said at least one digital circuit switch;
• and
• at least one broadband switch associated with said at least one network transmission element, wherein said at least one broadband switch interfaces with said at least one network transmission element and said at least one digital circuit switch to coordinate combined circuit and packet signaling, routing and calling processing services among terminals of said distributed telecommunications network.

The system of 11 wherein said at least one network transmission element comprises:

• at least one peripheral circuit and timing card (PCTC) and at least one ethernet card;
• at least one packet-to-circuit conversion card;
• and
• a plurality of cross-connect multiplexers that permit data communications between said at least one PCTC, said at least one ethernet card and said at least one packet-to-circuit conversion card.