In operational environments where local loop generation equipment is used, communication
interruptions between a central office and a customer premises device is minimized
by using a dedicated communications link between the local loop generation equipment
and the central office. A processing mechanism at the central office determines
if, when, and under what circumstances the customer premises device will be notified
in response to the activation of local loop generation equipment. This eliminates
the need to place local loop generation equipment in series with a communications
path that runs between the central office and the customer premises. The central
office may provide the dedicated communications link in the form of a telephone
line which is equipped to place outgoing local calls, but not equipped to receive
incoming calls, and not equipped to place long-distance calls.