A cell bus (270), which reduces the number of conductors required to transfer data in a telecommunications switching fabric, contains a plurality of conductors, Data[X:0], for transmitting information. A cell bus interface (110) generates a cell bus frame that includes a plurality of words 'X' bits in length, of both data and control information that includes, in part, routing information for the data. As a result of encapsulating data and control information into a cell bus frame for transmission on the Data[X:0] conductors, the number of conductors required to transmit data is reduced. An asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switching fabric (200), which includes a plurality of cell buses configures in a point to point fashion between a cell routing unit (CRU)/ATM filter bank interface unit (AFIU) (220, 240) and a plurality of optical line units (OLUs) is also disclosed.