In communications systems, a digital system in which (a) access is performed by T-1 hardware architecture in private and public networks with centralized switching and (b) cross-connection is performed by D3/D4 framing for switching digital-signal-0 (DS-0) channels to other DS-0 channels. Note: Modern digital access and cross-connect systems are not limited to the T-carrier system, and may accommodate high data rates such as those of SONET.