A broadband network architecture for residential video services featuring distributed control of broadband switches and video dial tone functionality

A broadband network architecture is described for delivering switched residential interactive video services in a manner consistent with recent FCC video dial tone regulatory pronouncements. Highlights of this architecture are video gateway access to third party video service providers, hierarchical broadband switching under distributed control, a large capacity but extremely compact remote broadband switching module, SONET transport in both feeder and distribution facilities, and extension of the SONET protocol to the customer premise.<<ETX>>