WO2006115488A1

WO2006115488A1 - Method and system for global interconnection of network services

Info

Publication number: WO2006115488A1
Application number: PCT/US2005/014110
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael J. Boyle; Peters Kyle; Matt Alan Ruehlen
Original assignee: Clise Properties, Inc.
Priority date: 2005-04-21
Filing date: 2005-04-21
Publication date: 2006-11-02

Abstract

A method and system are provided for a global interconnection of network services among a plurality of standardized interconnection facilities established within office buildings in various locations (Figure 4). The global interconnection enables sales and purchase activities of network services in a global market among a plurality of network service providers and a plurality of network service customers. The need for costly individualized connections directly from each network service provider to a customer is over come by providing a single secure plug-in port that provides a single point access to any service provider on the network. In a preferred embodiment, the global interconnection of network services is established through franchise agreements with an organization of interconnection facility owners that provides for standardization of facility configuration and operations.

Description

TITLE OF INVENTION:

Method and System for Global Interconnection

of Network Services

INVENTORS:

Michael Boyle, Kyle Peters, and Matt Ruehlen

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from United States Patent Application Serial No.

10/940,833, filed on September 13, 2004 and entitled METHOD FOR GLOBAL

INTERCONNECTION OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a system for interconnecting diverse services, including

telecommunications and information technology services, to a plurality of service customers. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The Internet is a global network of interconnected computers that utilize a packet-

switched communications protocol known as Internet Protocol (IP). As internet usage grows,

there is a need for improved architectures, services and equipment to allow telecommunications and information technology service providers to offer additional and improved services to

customers.

Currently, telecommunications and information technology network service providers (collectively referred to a service providers for purposes of the present invention) must physically extend their signal connection pathways to each customer using those services. In order to utilize

the services, customers must have specialized equipment that interfaces with the specific type of

network the provider has available in the local geographic area. For customers' premises located

within office buildings or within closely-situated residential neighborhoods, the requirement for

individual physical connections for each desired service increases the complexity and cost of

each customer's implementation.

The result is duplication of equipment, cabling redundancies, and an inability to readily

update or expand the capability of the services. Because bandwidth is used only as a given

service is used, overall bandwidth use within a facility is less than optimal. The complexity

inherent within the creation and maintenance of individual connections demonstrates a need for an improved method by which a companies and users can establish communications with a

variety of network service providers. The method for interconnecting global network services

should eliminate equipment and cabling redundancies and provide an optimized use of available

bandwidth. There is also a need for a method for a global interconnection of network services that provides a standardized access for services among a wide variety of service providers and

customers at remote locations and that is expandable to new markets and new services as

advances are made in technology.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a system for providing a global interconnection for telecommunications

and data services to users locates within closely situated physical spaces such as office buildings,

shopping malls, cruise ships, and residential communities. According to the invention, customers are provided with a single source for access to a variety of telecommunications and

data services. All desired services are provided through a single physical connection extending

from the interconnection facility to the customer. The global interconnection enables each of a

plurality of users to select specific telecommunications and data services from among many

available service providers without the need for installing additional lines or facilities.

The system of this invention comprises signal cabling and switching devices located

within a physical location, such as space within an office building, that maintain high-bandwidth

connectivity with service providers and customers. Secure plug-in ports, comprising part of the

signal switching equipment, are provided for enabling customers to have signal access to a

plurality of network services. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the

interconnection facilities are built, maintained and operated according to a standard model

thereby facilitating interconnection between services and customers, and optimizing operational effectiveness.

The present invention also provides for an interconnection facility which may be

networked with similar interconnection facilities located at various locations around the world. These networked interconnection facilities form a global network of telecommunications and

data services within a global market, making services available to a plurality of customers in

remote locations. The interconnection facility comprises a physical space within a location, such

as an office building, that maintains high-bandwidth connectivity with at least one service provider and at least one customer; the physical space further comprising network signal cabling

and signal switching equipment within the office building for interconnection to service

providers and customers. A secure plug-in port located within the physical space is provided for interfacing with the signal cabling, the signal switching equipment and the signal interface for

enabling customers to have network signal access to a plurality of services.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a flow chart showing the method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an interconnection facility of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of an equipment cabinet of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing interconnection of a plurality of interconnection

facilities and services between two cities.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a system of he present invention showing an example of an

interconnection of a database service provider, a network service provider, an applications

service provider, and three interconnection facilities located in three different cities.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an office building example of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a prior art communications system.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of another form of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an example of an example of the present invention in a

housing community development.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an example of the present invention in a shopping mall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A system for a standardized global interconnection of services provides access for

services and applications activities among a wide variety of network customers at locations around the world as shown in the flow chart of FIG 1. The steps are shown for the method of the

present invention.

As shown in FlG 1 , the first step 1 is providing a physical location 17 having high-

bandwidth connectivity with network service providers 10. A network service provider 10

provides a network through which any combination of digital voice, data or media services is

established. Such services may include, for example, cable television services,

telecommunications services, metropolitan and long-haul providers, submarine fiber providers,

and satellite service providers. High-bandwidth connectivity is generally understood in the

telecommunications and information technology fields, as the ability to interface with and carry

digital electronic signals at rates exceeding 5 Mega-bits (5 Mb) per second. A physical location 17 having high-bandwidth connectivity, as used in the present invention, will include a building

such as an office building, a shopping mall, or a housing development community center, or any

mobile structure having high-bandwidth connectivity. The communications infrastructure may

(and usually will) include fiber-optic sonnet rings or long-distance fiber-optic cable runs forming a broad communications grid capable of handling very large amounts of data. One example of such an infrastructure is a fiber-optic cable system called a "dark fiber system" in which 432

individual fibers are available for signal transmission. Those fibers not being immediately used are "dark," leading to the term "dark fiber system." The fiber-optic cable 19 system as described

is physically located in underground passages, or troughs, that typically run beneath city streets and constitute an integral part of a city's telecommunications infrastructure. A service provider

10 owns rights for the use of at least of portion of these fiber-optic cables 19. Service providers

10 may also provide the switching equipment, such as network switch devices, servers and routers, that arc necessary for interfacing with and adapting to particular strands of the fiber-optic

cable 19 in order to establish connectivity with a particular provider's service.

Because of the high-bandwidth of the fiber-optic cable 19, at least 120 different service

providers 10 can use the same fiber-optic cable 19. For example, of the 432 fibers within a fiber¬

optic cable 1 10, each fiber can be separated into 32 wavelengths of light and can additionally be

separated by time division multiplexing, as by a Cisco 7609, for providing extremely large signal

carrying capability. The switching device 22 separates out the individual provider services for

access at separate ports on the switching device 22.

Other physical locations 17 having high-bandwidth connectivity 18 are possible,

including mobile structures such as off-shore oil platforms providing access to services for a

number of different customers and cruise ships having wire-less high-bandwidth access to a

communications infrastructure such as by satellite link or microwave transmission.

The second step 2 in FIG 1 is providing an interconnection facility 20 within the physical

location 17, having, at minimum, signal cabling 21 and signal switching devices 22 that interface

with the fiber-optic cable 19, separate signals corresponding to a plurality of individual network services 23, and provide customer 15 accessibility to these network services 23 in the form of a

single customer cable 26.

Step 3 in FIG. 1 is providing a secure plug-in port 130 within the interconnection facility

20 integral to one of the signal switching devices 22 that enables access to network services 23

by a customer 15. This secure plug-in port 130 is preferably a connection point on the switching device 120, or can be one or more ports on any of a plurality of switching devices 120 interfaced

with the in-coming fiber-optic cable 1 10 within the interconnection facility 20. Switching devices 120, as described in the present invention, can be switches, servers or routers as are

commonly known in field of telecommunications and information technology. From the

switching device 22, the customer cable 26, in the form of a CAT5e copper cable or fiber-optic

cable, connected to the port 130 extends from the interconnection facility 20 and is preferably

bundled with other cables in the cable management system. Labeling is provided on the cables

and/or the ports on the switching device 22 to identify the customer 15 and the incoming

provider connections. The customer cable 26 extends to the customer's office where it is

connected with customer premises equipment (CPE) for ultimate distribution to individual customer devices such as phone system, fax, internet, network security (firewall services) and

database. CPE can be one or more switches, routers or servers and provides the means necessary

to divide combined incoming signals on the customer cable 26 into individual signals for each

particular application. The customer cable 26 has a capacity from 10 Mb to 1 Gb. If connectivity is not sufficiently established between a customer 15 and a service provider 10, if

greater bandwidth is desired over that available on the single wire, or if an additional line is requested by a customer, as for example a private point-to-point connection for linking remote

offices, step 3 is repeated as necessary to provide sufficient connectivity.

Step 4 in FIG. 1 is to establish a communication pathway 125 between the interconnection facility 20 and at least one other similar interconnection facility 25. The method

of the present invention provides for establishing a network of similar interconnection facilities

25 at geographically remote locations. Facilitating the establishment of this network is a standardized physical layout and operational protocol, as will be specified in a business franchise

agreement established between an interconnection facility owner and an organization of similar interconnection facility owners. Once a network of two or more interconnection facilities is

established, activities between service providers 5 and customers 10 is enabled, as shown by step

5 in FIG. 1.

The system of the invention provides a simplified, inexpensive and standardized

interconnection by means of a universal interface among network service providers, applications

service providers and users. An organization of a plurality of network participants is thus formed

whereby an organization administrator provides a single source for facilitating network activities.

In a preferred embodiment, each interconnection facility will be set up as a separate business

franchise to provide interconnectivity with other franchise locations under guidelines established

by a franchise organization. The franchise location can be any multiple tenant location. The

owner of the location would purchase the right to establish a franchise in a given location or locations. In order to operate a franchise, the franchisee must agree to organize the facility

locations, equipment, and cabling infrastructure according to pre-established standards. The franchisee must also agree to remunerate the franchise organization according to established

franchise agreement terms.

The organization of franchise owners is preferably administered through a web-based

interface. This web site would contain the address, location, contact names, and site-specific information relating to each franchise facility. A separate organization of network service

providers will also be administered through a separate web-based interface. This web site contains a collection of various applications available to each facility within the service location.

In a preferred embodiment, companies that position themselves to sell network services

within the interconnection facility 20 would simply contract with an interconnection facility owner to establish a network presence for the sale of bandwidth services. These services consist

of network access to other buildings within the region, intrastate, across the country or at

international locations. Companies who provide satellite-type network services may also

position their network services for sale within the region from a regional satellite head end

thereby reducing their capitalization cost while increasing their market presence.

Companies who position themselves to sell applications such as hosted private e-mail

could provide access for those applications within a facility and thereby provide direct access to

outsourced e-mail servers. Alternatively, they could position themselves within another facility

and grant access to the buying party by simply utilizing a TCP/IP address. Similarly, companies

selling applications such as Voice-Over-IP, outsourced database applications, video¬

conferencing, TV- Over-IP or Video-Over-IP, firewall, data backup, alarm monitoring and video

surveillance services could all be accommodated utilizing such facilities.

An embodiment of the present invention enables monitoring of sales and purchase

activities conducted through the interconnection facilities 20, and provides a system of generating revenue corresponding to those sales and purchase activities. Customers of network

access through the interconnection facilities 20 will utilize a standard web-based interface to

enter their existing locations and the desired location(s) of new or additional network interconnection. The web-based interface can generate a request for proposals to providers of network interconnection within the location identified. A customer may identify the best options

and prices for each location and choose the most suitable network service providers for each

location. Customers are thereby able to effectively construct their own networks based on their

specific requirements, utilizing multiple network service providers. Customers buying application services will utilize a similar web-based interface to enter their existing location and

their desired applications or application services. Providers of application services, either at the

provider's location or within the interconnection facilities 20, are able to submit proposals to

supply the desired services using the interconnection facility over a TCP/IP protocol.

FIG 2 is a schematic diagram of the interconnection facility 20 of the present invention.

The interconnection facility 20 is contained within an office building 100 that houses and

maintains high-bandwidth connectivity with one or more service providers. The facility has at

least one service provider interface; an applications provider interface; and a customer interface

at a signal switching device 22 contained within a secured equipment cabinet 115. While one

switching device 22 will provide access to multiple service providers and multiple customers, a plurality of switching devices 22 greatly expands the number of service providers and customers

that are made accessible to the system.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of an equipment cabinet 115 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, a standardized equipment cabinet 115 is comprised of a plurality of rack¬

mounted signal switching devices 22, each of which is connected by way of a cable management system to fiber-optic cables and Cat5e customer cables. The cable management system provides

a neat and orderly routing of cables to and from the signal switching devices 22, enabling greater

efficiencies in installations and subsequent cable or equipment revisions and routine

maintenance. All cables and connectors are installed pursuant to IEEE and BICSI standards, which are well known in the field of telecommunications as ensuring the highest level of quality. Two uninterruptable power supplies are provided to supply temporary backup power to the

equipment, and added internal circuit redundancies minimize the risk of system down-time. The interconnection facility 20 consists of a secure room with one or more separate,

locking cabinets 1 15, each cabinet 1 15 having the capability to mount telecommunications

switching and routing equipment. The facility ideally has card key and CCTV monitoring

systems installed in order to control and monitor access of individuals to the room. The facility

is furnished with sufficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), uninterruptable

power supplies (UPS's), and generator-backed power in order to maintain optimal operating

temperature within the facility and to provide back-up electrical power in the event of a

disruption in primary electrical power.

Operators setting up and maintaining the interconnection facility will supply and install fiber-optic cable, CAT5e, CAT6 and other cable types, and will provide cable management

panels sufficient to accommodate an anticipated number of customers and to allow for the

expansion of capacity. The facility consists of tenant-supplied switches to accommodate either Ethernet or IP networks, these devices being a 2U format typically having 48 ports (although

changes in technology and an increase in module-based equipment could accommodate future bandwidth growth and demand as well as changes in delivery methods).

The interconnection facility has simple and standardized labeling procedures to identify

network service providers, application service providers, city or other location identifiers, and customer cable runs identifying the locations served. The facility will provide Ethernet and IP

access to tenants and network service providers that will include standard, facilities-based pricing

to accommodate both in-building cabling structures and monthly port charges. Both Ethernet access and Internet Protocol (IP) access are provided for service providers and customers. The interconnection facility is established under a franchise agreement to provide a

standardized physical layout and operational protocol for each interconnection facility. The

physical layout refers to the orientation of equipment and cables within the interconnection

facility, and the operational protocol refers to running the interconnection facility and performing

routine cleaning, testing and maintenance. The interconnection facility contains a standardized

arrangement of telecommunications and information technology switching and routing

equipment such as those produced by Cisco. A standardized model for the facility will provide

for network cabling, fiber-optic cabling, and a cable management system installed and organized

according to, at minimum, IEEE and BICSI standards for telecommunications and information

technology cable installations, providing a pathway for electronic and light input, output and

throughput signals utilized by the telecommunications switching equipment and the routing equipment. A standardized labeling system is utilized for identification of network service

providers, application service providers, and customer cable runs, and is applied to equipment,

equipment cabinets and cabling.

Securable equipment cabinets contain and organize the telecommunications switching

and routing equipment. The facility has a security system including at least a closed-circuit video monitoring system, and controlled access such as card key entry for persons entering and exiting

the facility. The facility is also provided with basic utilities such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning utilities for providing temperature and humidity control within the facility; and

electrical power comprising main power, generator back-up power (if required), and at least one

uninterruptable power supply to provided back-up electrical power in the event of a disruption in primary electrical power. The following examples illustrate the present invention in practical application.

EXAMPLE 1

An example of the present invention is shown in FlG. 6 is applied to a 20-story office

building 100. A branch of the fiber-optic cable 19 enters an office building 100 from its location

under the city street by way of a building transition point. The building transition point provides

a moisture barrier and a means of securing the fiber-optic cable 19 physically to the location

where it enters the building wall. The fiber-optic cable 19 is routed through horizontal and

vertical passages within the building 100, ultimately reaching the location of the interconnection

facility 20. The interconnection facility 20 is located in the basement of the building shown, but

can be located anywhere within an office building from the basement to the roof.

The incoming fiber optic cable 105, having a 432-count of individually available fibers

for signal transmission, preferably enters the interconnection facility 20 secured within a cable management system, including a cable tray for keeping cables organized and labeling to identify

the cable source. A link with the incoming fiber-optic cable provides the building with high-

bandwidth connectivity capable of providing 5 Mega-bits or greater. Among the services available on the fiber-optic cable are telecommunication services provided by a variety of

internet provider services.

The fiber-optic cable 1 10 is routed to a standard locking 4-post equipment cabinet, as is

commonly used in the field of telecommunications technology, within the interconnection facility. At minimum, the fiber optic cable 1 10 connects to a signal switching device 120, such

as a Cisco model 12018 (similar signal switches are manufactured by Juniper and Foundry), for

breaking out individual fibers and enabling signal transfer from the fiber-optic cable 1 10 to other cable formats, such as CAT5e, for transfer to other switching devices 120 or direct connection to

a customer. Switching devices commonly used in the field of telecommunications and

information technology arc provided by the manufacturer with internal electronic circuit

redundancies and self-diagnostics to minimize the likelihood of equipment down-time. The

switching equipment is further provided with uninterruptable power supplies and generator-

backed electrical power. In this example, twelve switching devices are used and are stacked

within the equipment cabinet, each service provider providing its own equipment.

A CAT5e riser cable is patched into the switching devices and runs from the switching

equipment in the interconnection facility to the top floor of the building, providing access to the riser cable to customers on every floor of the building. Each customer on any floor, such as a law

firm on the 20^th floor, an accounting firm on the 5^th floor, and an investment firm on the 17^th

floor, is provided with a CAΪ5e patch cable connecting the office of each customer with the

CAT5e riser. Customer premises equipment (CPE) such as a VOIP switch, a firewall, and a router are provided at each customer's offices in order to split the plurality of services available

on the single CAT5e cable into individual applications such as a phone system, a fax machine, and a computer network.

Each customer can be charged on a per-port connection fee basis for connection to the

interconnection facility (additional charges may be applicable to set-up and installation activities) pursuant to payment terms established by the organization of interconnection facility owners.

Each customer has the ability to make changes for addition or alteration of services provided by

contacting a web-based administrator of the organization of network participants so that the

services can be changed on demand without the need for additional interface equipment. EXAMPLE 2

Another example of the present invention is an interconnection facility established

within a community development serving, e.g., 3000 residential units as shown in FlG . A

developer of the housing development may enter into a business franchise agreement with the

organization of interconnection facility owners to set up an interconnection facility pursuant to

the terms of the franchise agreement, and provides the housing development with access for each

of the 3000 units. Each unit is a separate customer and is provided with a single fiber-optic cable connection from a secure plug-in port on a switching device within the interconnection facility.

A CAT5e cable extends to each housing unit. Network and service providers negotiate with the

developer to sell services such as Voice-Over-IP, Video-Over-IP, Video-On-Demand, and data. The interconnection facility is located within a community center building that has high- bandwidth connectivity with the service providers and other interconnection facilities by way of a

fiber-optic cable system and satellite link. Homeowners are additionally provided access for

purchasing alarm monitoring and video surveillance services that could be connected to the

facility monitoring services obtainable over the same single wire connection. The services can be changed on demand without the need for additional interface equipment.

EXAMPLE 3

Another example of the application of this invention is an interconnection facility located

within a shopping mall. The mall owner sets up the interconnection facility by way of a link to a

fiber-optic trunk line forming part of a regional communications infrastructure. The interconnection facility accepts individual fibers for network service providers to provide

dissemination of network and application services to meet the individual and specialized needs of

the customer-retail stores. One or more CAT5e cables are interfaced at the interconnection

facility and extend to each retail store. Customer premises equipment at each of the store

locations splits the incoming signal received on the CAT5e cable into individual services for use

by the customer. Chain stores located within a mall could utilize the facility to disseminate

specialized marketing materials displayed upon digital screens located within the chain store,

alerting customers to current promotional advertisements, and for providing employee training

events, video conferencing, and networking security cameras.

EXAMPLE 4

Another application of the present invention is the establishment of an interconnection

facility located on an offshore oil drilling platform. The drilling platform has high-bandwidth

connectivity by way of a satellite link and an alternate microwave link to a mainland base of operations. An interconnection facility is located within a secure space on the drilling platform

and receives cables from the satellite and microwave receivers signals. Several network service providers are accessible at the interconnection facility, and may be used by employees of the

company owning or operating the platform, or by various independent contractors. Individual CAT5e cables are provided for each customer and extend from the interconnection facility to

individual offices on the oil platform. Connection of the oil platform facility with other similar

interconnection facilities enables direct connections between the oil platform operator and its

other offices that are geographically remote from the platform. EXAMPLE 5

Another application of the present invention is through an interconnection facility located

on an island that is one of a number of islands comprising a small island nation. The

interconnection facility may be located on the "main" island, and will have high-bandwidth

connectivity by way of a primary satellite link. Cabling from the satellite receiver is connected to

switching equipment within the interconnection facility, and provides multiple network service

provider access at the facility. Individual cables interface with the switching equipment and

extend to microwave transmitter/receiver units capable of providing communications links between the main island and multiple surrounding islands. A single microwave link is capable of

providing each surrounding island with multiple services, even where direct access to those services was previously limited.

The present invention has applicability within the field of telecommunications, and more particularly to a system for providing global interconnection of networked services. The

invention has been described in language more or less specific as to telecommunications and information technology networks, hardware, software, methods and systems. It is to be

understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific means or features shown or described, but is limited only by the language of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A method for providing a global interconnection of network services, the method

comprising the steps of: providing a physical location that maintains high-bandwidth connectivity with at least one

service provider and at least one customer;

providing at least one interconnection facility further comprising network signal cabling

and at least one signal switching device within the office building for interconnection among the

at least one service provider, and the at least one customer;

providing a secure plug-in port located on the at least one signal switching device within the interconnection facility for enabling the at least one customer to have network signal access

to a plurality of network services; providing a communication pathway enabling signal transfer between the at least one

interconnection facility, and at least one other similar interconnection facility;

enabling sales and purchase activities of the network services, a plurality of applications

services, and a plurality of administrative services between the at least one service provider and the at least one customer;

whereby interconnection of network services is enabled among a plurality of similar interconnection facilities in various physical locations around the world, and the sales and

purchase activities of the network services are available in a global market to a plurality of

service providers and a plurality of customers.

2. The method for providing a global interconnection of network services of Claim 1 ,

wherein each of the at least one interconnection facility conforms to a standardized physical

layout and operational protocol.

3. The method for providing a global interconnection of network services of Claim 1,

wherein the sales and purchase activities are provided for network services such as network

security (firewall services), hosted email, VOIP, database management, and videoconferencing,

and activities related to franchise location, operations and administration.

4. The method for providing a global interconnection of network services of Claim 1,

further comprising the step of providing a system of monitoring the sales and purchase activities for determining recoverable revenue corresponding to the sales and purchase activities.

5. The method for providing a global interconnection of network services of Claim 4,

wherein the system of monitoring the sales and purchase activities is standardized among the

plurality of similar interconnection facilities.

6. The method for providing a global interconnection of network services of Claim 1,

further comprising the step of forming an organization comprising a plurality of owners of the interconnection facilities, whereby network administration activities are facilitated.

7. The method of Claim 6, further comprising the step of implementing a franchise

agreement between the organization and each of the plurality of owners of the interconnection

facilities, whereby the buying and selling activities, the system of monitoring the buying and

selling activities, and physical layout and operational protocol of the plurality of interconnection

facilities is standardized.

8. The method for providing a global interconnection of network services of Claim 1 ,

further comprising the step of providing an interactive network administration website for

enabling the sales and purchase activities of the network services, the plurality of applications

services, and the plurality of administrative services between the at least one network service

provider and the at least one network service customer.

9. A system for a global interconnection of network services, the system comprising:

a first physical location that maintains high-bandwidth connectivity with at least one network service provider and at least one network service customer;

at least one interconnection facility further comprising network signal cabling and at least one network signal switching device within the office building for interconnection among the at

least one network service provider and the at least one network service customer; a secure plug-in port located on the at least one network signal switching device within

the interconnection facility for enabling the at least one network service customer to have

network signal access to a plurality of network services; and a communication pathway enabling network signal transfer between the at least one

interconnection facility and at least one other similar interconnection facility;

whereby interconnection of network services is enabled among a plurality of similar

interconnection facilities in various physical locations around the world, and the sales and

network service providers and a plurality of network service customers.

10. The system of Claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of facilities in various physical

locations around the world conforms to a standardized physical and operational protocol.

1 1. The system of Claim 9, further comprising a standardized system of monitoring the sales and purchase activities for determining recoverable revenue corresponding to the sales and

purchase activities.

12. An interconnection facility for providing a global interconnection of network services, the facility comprising:

a physical space within a physical location that maintains high-bandwidth connectivity

with at least one network service provider and at least one network service customer; the physical space further comprising network signal cabling and at least one network

signal switching device within the office building for interconnection among the at least one

network service provider and the at least one network service customer; a network signal interface for providing connection to a high-bandwidth communication

pathway for providing a network interface between the facility and at least one other similar

facility; and

a secure plug-in port located within the physical space for interfacing with the network

signal cabling, the at least one network signal switching device, and the network signal interface

for enabling the at least one network service customer to have network signal access to a plurality

of network services;

whereby a plurality of similar interconnection facilities located in various locations

around the world are connectable to form a global network of the interconnection facilities, and

the sales and purchase activities of the network services are available in a global market to a

plurality of network service providers and a plurality of network service

customers.

13. The interconnection facility of Claim 12 further comprising a standardized physical

configuration of the network signal cabling, the network switching devices, whereby interconnection is facilitated among the plurality of similar interconnection facilities.

14. The interconnection facility of Claim 12 further comprising a security system for monitoring and controlling access to persons entering the facility.

15. The interconnection facility of Claim 12 further comprising heating, ventilation and air-

conditioning (HVAC) utilities, at least one uninterruptable power supply (UPS) to provide temporary electrical support of electronic devices within the facility, and a back-up power source,

such as an emergency generator, to provide an alternate source of electrical power.