Digital packet network for the local access loop

The present invention is related to the field of signal transmission in the local access loop between a central telephone office switching center and a plurality of local users. In particular, a packetized digital network architecture is provided that is capable of transporting high-quality voice and high-speed data packets between the central office and the plurality of users. This data-centric architecture provides many advantages over traditional voice-centric networks presently in use. A digital packet access network for transporting voice and data signals in the local loop between a central office location and a plurality of remote local users. The network architecture may also include: (1) a dual-pipelined structure for separately transporting the voice and data signals; (2) a mechanism for prioritizing the transport of the voice signals, or (3) a method of synchronizing the timing of the voice signals to a telephone switch.