The present invention discloses a method and architecture for enabling multiple services or service providers to share the facilities of an access network infrastructure that provides physical connectivity to subscribers. A message is provided from a sender to at least one recipient in accordance with a communication flow having a plurality of potential paths. The presence of the doped region lying between the bottom portion of the trench and the substrate serves to reduce the on-resistance of the device. The controller of the first UPS module gradually transfers power from the first power source of the first UPS module to the first power source of the second UPS module to detect the presence of the first power source of the second UPS module.