Methods and systems for interfacing packet and circuit telephony
operations in a distributed telecommunications network. Initially, one or
more digital circuit switches can be associated with the distributed
telecommunications network. Thereafter, one or more network transmission
elements within the distributed telecommunications network can be
connected to one or more of the digital circuit switches. One or more
broadband switches can then be associated with one or more of the network
transmission elements, such that the broadband switches thereof interface
with network transmission elements and the digital circuit switches to
coordinate combined circuit and packet signaling, routing and calling
processing services among varying terminals of the distributed
telecommunications network.