# Unbundled network element > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Unbundled_network_element > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Unbundled_network_element.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unbundled_network_element > Source revision: 1341076372 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) **Unbundled network elements** (**UNEs**) are a requirement mandated by the [United States](/source/United_States) [Telecommunications Act of 1996](/source/Telecommunications_Act_of_1996). They are the parts of the [telecommunications network](/source/Telecommunications_network) that the [incumbent local exchange carriers](/source/Incumbent_local_exchange_carrier) (ILECs) are required to offer on an [unbundled](/source/Local_loop_unbundling) basis. Together, these parts make up a [local loop](/source/Local_loop) that connects to a [digital subscriber line access multiplexer](/source/Digital_subscriber_line_access_multiplexer) (DSLAM), a voice switch or both. The loop allows non-facilities-based [telecommunications](/source/Telecommunication) providers to deliver service without having to lay network infrastructure such as [copper](/source/Copper) wire, [optical fiber](/source/Optical_fiber), and [coaxial cable](/source/Coaxial_cable). ## UNE-Platform A UNE-Platform (or UNE-P) is a combination of UNEs that allow [end-to-end](/source/End-to-end_principle) service delivery without any facilities. Despite not involving any [CLEC](/source/Competitive_local_exchange_carrier) facilities, a UNE-P still requires facilities-based certification from the [Public Utilities Commission](/source/Public_Utilities_Commission) to deliver services. ## Availability In [Telecommunications Act of 1996](/source/Telecommunications_Act_of_1996) sections 251(c)(3), incumbent [local exchange carriers](/source/Local_exchange_carrier) (LECs) are required to lease certain parts of their network specified by the FCC or by state PUCs. According to section 252(d)(1), these [network elements](/source/Network_element) must be provided on an unbundled basis at cost-based rates.[1] ## FCC orders In the UNE Remand Order issued on November 5, 1999, the FCC specified the UNE to which a competitor must be provided access: "the 'loops' that connect the switches to end users, including high-capacity loops; the switches (with some exceptions), the transport facilities between switches and other networks, and the software needed to operate the telephone network".[1] In the Line Sharing Orders (Line Sharing Order, 14 FCC Rcd at 20951), the LECs are required to unbundle the high-frequency portion of the loop of DSL.[2] However, both the UNE Remand Order and the Line Sharing Orders were remanded by the [D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals](/source/D.C._Circuit_Court_of_Appeals) in *United States Telecom Association v. FCC* (290 F.3d 415), decided on May 24, 2002; the Line Sharing Orders were [vacated](/source/Vacated). The court concluded that the FCC had not considered the availability of competitive facilities on a sufficiently granular basis.[1] The FCC eliminated mandatory DSL unbundling in 2003.[3] ## Prices Based on the [Telecommunications Act of 1996](/source/Telecommunications_Act_of_1996), the FCC could require LECs to provide UNEs at a cost-based price, which may include a "reasonable profit". The FCC has determined that "cost" means forward-looking economic cost and has required the states to use a methodology called [total element long-run incremental cost](/source/Total_element_long_run_incremental_cost) (TELRIC).[1] ## See also - [Leased line](/source/Leased_line) - [Local loop unbundling](/source/Local_loop_unbundling) - [Product bundling](/source/Product_bundling) ## References 1. [\[1\]](http://www.mrsc.org/Subjects/telecomm/LSIProgramMaterials.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20061103164752/http://www.mrsc.org/Subjects/telecomm/LSIProgramMaterials.pdf) November 3, 2006 at the Wayback Machine 1. ["In the Matter of Deployment of Wireline Services Offering Advanced Telecommunications Capability And Implementation of the Local Competition Provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996"](http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/Orders/2001/fcc01026.pdf). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090721085755/http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/Orders/2001/fcc01026.pdf) 2009-07-21 at the Wayback Machine. 1. ["FCC Releases Order in UNE Triennial Review—New Procedures Announced for Seeking Relief from Unbundling Requirements"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141021045058/http://www.lw.com/upload/pubContent/_pdf/pub794.pdf). *[Latham & Watkins](/source/Latham_%26_Watkins) Client Alert*. No. 323. 25 August 2003. Archived from [the original](http://www.lw.com/upload/pubContent/_pdf/pub794.pdf) on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 17 October 2014. ## External links - [FCC, Network Unbundling.](http://www.fcc.gov/wcb/cpd/triennial_review/) - [FCC Releases Interim Order on Unbundled Network Elements.](http://www.dwt.com/LearningCenter/Advisories?find=118526) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20101224001051/http://www.dwt.com/LearningCenter/Advisories?find=118526) 2010-12-24 at the Wayback Machine - [FCC cracks down on "gamesmanship" of line-sharing rules](https://arstechnica.com/telecom/news/2009/06/fcc-cracks-down-on-gamesmanship-of-line-sharing-rules.ars) - [290 F.3d 415](https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/290/415/474562/) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Unbundled network element](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unbundled_network_element) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unbundled_network_element?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.