Voice over DSL method and system for supporting a lifeline

A VoDSL system for providing a lifeline service to a customer at a customer premise through a lifeline terminal, the lifeline terminal connected to a switching center through tip and ring wires and a central office, the system comprising:

• means for actuating a first relay in a first integrated access device at the customer premise, wherein the first relay allows the lifeline terminal to bypass certain components in the integrated access device and connect directly to the tip and ring wires and wherein the first relay is actuated by a DC voltage signal from a test head in the central office;
• means for applying a voltage to the lifeline terminal from the central office;
• and
• means for providing the lifeline service to the customer through the lifeline terminal and a central office terminal module (PMC).

An integrated access device used for providing a lifeline service to a VoDSL customer, comprising:

• an xDSL termination unit;
• a service interface coupled to the xDSL termination unit for distributing signals to a data module and to a plurality of telephone modules;
• a relay control coupled to the service interface and tip and ring wires;
• a power supply for providing electrical power to the integrated access device;
• and
• a bypass relay for connecting a telephone directly to the tip and ring rings while bypassing the xDSL termination unit, the service interface, and a telephone module, wherein the bypass relay is actuated by a DC voltage signal from a test head in a central office.

A method of simultaneously providing lifeline services to a plurality of lifeline terminals using VoDSL service, comprising:

• actuating a plurality of relays in a plurality of first integrated access devices at the plurality of customer premises, the actuating of the relays allowing a plurality of lifeline terminals to bypass certain components in the plurality of the first integrated access devices and connect directly to a plurality of tip and ring wires, wherein one or more of the plurality of relays is actuated by one or more DC voltage signal from a test head in a central office;
• applying voltages to the lifeline terminals from the central office;
• and
• providing the lifeline services to the plurality of customers through the lifeline terminals and central office terminal modules.

A method for making a telephone call from a telephone using VoDSL service by bypassing certain components in a first integrated access device by actuating a first relay contained therein using a DC voltage signal from a test head in a central office, the method comprising:

• taking the telephone off-hook;
• detecting the off-hook condition from the central office;
• processing a call request using a voice gateway at a switching center;
• actuating a second relay at the central office;
• inserting a second integrated access device in the tip and ring wires upon actuating the second relay;
• and
• providing a dial tone to the telephone through a phone module in the second integrated access device.

A method for receiving a telephone call on a telephone using VoDSL service after bypassing certain elements in a first integrated access device by actuating a first relay contained therein using a DC voltage signal from.a test head in a central office, the method comprising:

• receiving a call request by a processing software in a voice gateway at a switching center;
• identifying the call request with the telephone;
• actuating a second relay at the central office;
• inserting a second integrated access device in the tip and ring wires upon actuating the second relay;
• and
• providing a ringing voltage to the telephone through a phone module in the second integrated access device.