Method and apparatus for processing labeled flows in a communications access network

An apparatus comprising:

• a layer 2 switch configured to receive a first carrier-tagged traffic flow from a service edge via a first multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) switched path, the first carrier-tagged traffic flow having a carrier tag,
• wherein the layer 2 switch is further configured to identify a second MPLS switched path based on a flow identifier included with the carrier tag of the first carrier-tagged traffic flow, wherein the flow identifier comprises a pseudo-wire tag or a virtual local area network (VLAN) tag,
• wherein the layer 2 switch is further configured to remove the flow identifier from the carrier tag of the first carrier-tagged traffic flow, and to switch the first carrier-tagged traffic flow, after assigning a new carrier tag without the flow identifier, to a building aggregation system configured to aggregate a plurality of services via the second path.