Possible Revision or Elimination of Rules, 9282-9305 [2017-02221]
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 22 / Friday, February 3, 2017 / Proposed Rules
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
47 CFR Chapter I
[OCBO: CB Docket No. BO 16–251; DA 16–
792]
Possible Revision or Elimination of
Rules
Federal Communications
Commission.
ACTION: Review of regulations;
comments requested.
AGENCY:
This document invites
members of the public to comment on
the Federal Communication
Commission’s (FCC’s or Commission’s)
rules to be reviewed pursuant to section
610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act of
1980, as amended (RFA). The purpose
of the review is to determine whether
Commission rules whose ten-year
anniversary dates are in the years 2011–
2014, as contained in the Appendix,
should be continued without change,
amended, or rescinded in order to
minimize any significant impact the
rules may have on a substantial number
of small entities. Upon receipt of
comments from the public, the
Commission will evaluate those
comments and consider whether action
should be taken to rescind or amend the
relevant rule(s).
DATES: Comments may be filed on or
before May 4, 2017.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Chana S. Wilkerson, Attorney-Advisor,
Office of Communications Business
Opportunities (OCBO), Federal
Communications Commission, (202)
418–0990. People with disabilities may
contact the FCC to request reasonable
accommodations (accessible format
documents, sign language interpreters,
CART, etc.) by email: FCC504@fcc.gov
or phone: 202–418–0530 or TTY: 202–
418–0432.
ADDRESSES: Federal Communications
Commission, Office of the Secretary,
445 12th Street SW., Washington, DC
20554.
SUMMARY:
Each year
the Commission will publish a list of
ten-year old rules for review and
comment by interested parties pursuant
to the requirements of section 610 of the
RFA.
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
FCC Seeks Comment Regarding
Possible Revision or Elimination of
Rules Under the Regulatory Flexibility
Act, 5 U.S.C. Section 610
[CB Docket No. BO 16–251]
Comment Period Closes: May 4, 2017.
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1. Pursuant to the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (RFA), see 5 U.S.C. 610,
the FCC hereby publishes a plan for the
review of rules adopted by the agency
in calendar years 2001–2004 which
have, or might have, a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. The purpose of
the review is to determine whether such
rules should be continued without
change, or should be amended or
rescinded, consistent with the stated
objective of section 610 of the RFA, to
minimize any significant economic
impact of such rules upon a substantial
number of small entities.
2. This document lists the FCC
regulations to be reviewed during the
next twelve months. The Commission
will issue separately plans for the
review of rules adopted in succeeding
years.
3. In reviewing each rule in a manner
consistent with the requirements of
section 610 the FCC will consider the
following factors:
(a) The continued need for the rule;
(b) The nature of complaints or
comments received concerning the rule
from the public;
(c) The complexity of the rule;
(d) The extent to which the rule
overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts with
other federal rules and, to the extent
feasible, with state and local
governmental rules; and
(e) The length of time since the rule
has been evaluated or the degree to
which technology, economic conditions,
or other factors have changed in the area
affected by the rule.
4. Appropriate information has been
provided for each rule, including a Brief
Description of the rule and the need for,
and Legal Basis of, the rule. The public
is invited to comment on the rules
chosen for review by the FCC according
to the requirements of section 610 of the
RFA. All relevant and timely comments
will be considered by the FCC before
final action is taken in this proceeding.
Comments may be filed using the
Commission’s Electronic Comment
Filing System (‘‘ECFS’’) or by filing
paper copies. Comments filed through
the ECFS may be sent as an electronic
file via the Internet to https://
www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/. Generally, only
one copy of an electronic submission
must be filed. In completing the
transmittal screen, commenters should
include their full name, U.S. Postal
Service mailing address, and the
applicable docket (proceeding) and
‘‘DA’’ number.
Parties may also submit an electronic
comment by Internet email. To obtain
filing instructions for email comments,
commenters should send an email to
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ecfs@fcc.gov, and should include the
following words in the body of the
message: ‘‘get form.’’ A sample form and
directions will be sent in reply. Parties
who choose to file by paper must file an
original and one copy of each filing.
Again, please include the docket
(proceeding) and ‘‘DA’’ number.
Filings can be sent by hand or
messenger delivery, by commercial
overnight courier, or by first-class or
overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. All
hand-delivered or messenger-delivered
paper filings for the Commission’s
Secretary must be delivered to FCC
Headquarters at 445 12th St. SW., Room
TW–A325, Washington, DC 20554.
Again, please include the docket
(proceeding) and ‘‘DA’’ number.
The filing hours at this location are
8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
All hand deliveries must be held
together with rubber bands or fasteners.
• Any envelopes must be disposed of
before entering the building.
• Commercial overnight mail (other
than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail
and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300
East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights,
MD 20743.
• U.S. Postal Service first-class mail,
Express Mail, and Priority Mail should
be addressed to 445 12th Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20554.
• All filings must be addressed to the
Commission’s Secretary, Office of the
Secretary, Federal Communications
Commission.
Comments in this proceeding will be
available for public inspection and
copying during regular business hours
at the FCC Reference Information
Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street SW.,
Room CY–A257, Washington, DC 20554.
They may also be purchased from the
Commission’s duplicating contractor,
Best Copy and Printing, Inc., 445 12th
Street SW., Room CY–B402,
Washington, DC 20554, telephone 202–
488–5300 or 800–378–3160, facsimile
202–488–5563, or via email at fcc@
bcniweb.com. To request materials in
accessible formats for people with
disabilities (Braille, large print,
electronic files, audio format), send an
email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the
Consumer & Governmental Affairs
Bureau at 202–418–0530 (voice), 202–
418–0432 (TTY).
The proceeding this Notice initiates
shall be treated as a ‘‘permit-butdisclose’’ proceeding in accordance
with the Commission’s ex parte rules.1
Persons making ex parte presentations
must file a copy of any written
presentation or a memorandum
summarizing any oral presentation
1 47
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within two business days after the
presentation (unless a different deadline
applicable to the Sunshine period
applies). Persons making oral ex parte
presentations are reminded that
memoranda summarizing the
presentation must (1) list all persons
attending or otherwise participating in
the meeting at which the ex parte
presentation was made, and (2)
summarize all data presented and
arguments made during the
presentation. If the presentation
consisted in whole or in part of the
presentation of data or arguments
already reflected in the presenter’s
written comments, memoranda or other
filings in the proceeding, the presenter
may provide citations to such data or
arguments in his or her prior comments,
memoranda, or other filings (specifying
the relevant page and/or paragraph
numbers where such data or arguments
can be found) in lieu of summarizing
them in the memorandum. Documents
shown or given to Commission staff
during ex parte meetings are deemed to
be written ex parte presentations and
must be filed consistent with rule
1.1206(b). In proceedings governed by
rule 1.49(f) or for which the
Commission has made available a
method of electronic filing, written ex
parte presentations and memoranda
summarizing oral ex parte
presentations, and all attachments
thereto, must be filed through the
electronic comment filing system
available for that proceeding, and must
be filed in their native format (e.g., .doc,
.xml, .ppt, searchable .pdf). Participants
in this proceeding should familiarize
themselves with the Commission’s ex
parte rules.
For information on the requirements
of the RFA, the public may contact
Chana S. Wilkerson, Attorney-Advisor,
Office of Communications Business
Opportunities, 202–418–0990 or visit
www.fcc.gov/ocbo.
Federal Communications Commission.
Lisa Fowlkes,
Acting Director, Office of Communications
Business Opportunities.
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Appendix
List of rules for review pursuant to the
Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C.
Section 610, for the ten-year period
beginning in the year 2001 and ending in the
year 2004. All listed rules are in Title 47 of
the Code of Federal Regulations.
PART 1—PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
Subpart E—Complaints, Applications,
Tariffs, and Reports Involving Common
Carriers
Brief Description: Section 1.767 sets forth
the application filing requirements for
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submarine cable landing licenses. Section
1.768 sets forth the notification and prior
approval requirements for submarine cable
landing licensees that are or propose to
become affiliated with a foreign carrier.
Need: The rules are needed to implement
the Commission’s policies that facilitate the
expansion of capacity and facilities-based
competition in the submarine cable market.
These measures are designed to enable
international carriers to respond to the
demands of the market with minimal
regulatory oversight and delay, saving time
and resources for both the industry and
government, while preserving the
Commission’s ability to guard against anticompetitive behavior.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j),
155, 225, 303(r), 309 and 325(e).
Section Numbers and Titles:
1.767(a), (a)(5), (a)(7)–(11), (g)–(m) Cable
landing licenses.
1.768 Notification by and prior approval for
submarine cable landing licensees that
are or propose to become affiliated with
a foreign carrier.
Subpart F—Wireless Radio Services
Applications and Proceedings
Brief Description: Part 1 rules state the
general rules of practice and procedure
before the Federal Communications
Commission. Subpart F sets forth the
requirements and conditions under which
entities may be licensed in the Wireless
Radio Services as described in parts 1, 13, 20,
22, 24, 26, 27, 74, 80, 87, 90, 95, 97 and 101.
Need: These rules are needed to implement
the Commission’s policies with regard to the
processing of applications, like applications
to provide public safety services, for licenses
under the Communications Act of 1934, as
amended, and to update the rules to comply
with Federal Registration Number (‘‘FRN’’)
requirements.
Legal Basis: 15 U.S.C 79 et seq.; 47 U.S.C.
151, 154(i), 154(j), 155, 157, 225, 227, 303(r)
and 309.
Section Numbers and Titles:
1.913(g) Application and notification forms;
electronic and manual filing.
1.934(d)(2) through (4) Defective
applications and dismissal.
Subpart V—Implementation of Section 706
of the Telecommunications Act of 1996;
Commission Collection of Advanced
Telecommunications Capability Data
Brief Description: Subpart V sets out the
terms by which certain entities shall
complete FCC Form 477 to report data to the
Commission concerning the deployment of
advanced telecommunications capability,
defined pursuant to 47 U.S.C. 157 as ‘‘highspeed, switched, broadband
telecommunications capability that enables
users to originate and receive high-quality
voice, data, graphics, and video
telecommunications using any technology,’’
and the deployment of services that are
competitive with advanced
telecommunications capability.
Need: Subpart V implements the
Commission’s data collection authority
pursuant to section 706 of the
Telecommunications Act of 1996.
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Legal Basis: 15 U.S.C. 79 et seq.; 47 U.S.C.
151, 154(i), 154(j), 155, 157, 225, and 303(r).
Section Number and Title:
1.7001 Scope and content of filed reports.
Subpart W—FCC Registration Number
Brief Description: Anyone doing business
with the Commission is required to first
obtain a unique identifying number called an
FCC Registration Number, or ‘‘FRN,’’ which
must be referenced when submitting or filing
applications and remitting payments to the
Commission. These rules describe the use of
FRNs, identify the individuals and entities
required to obtain FRNs and how they can be
obtained, and set forth penalties for
noncompliance.
Need: To ensure compliance with the Debt
Collection Improvement Act of 1996
(‘‘DCIA’’), these rules establish individual
identification numbers (FRNs) used by
individuals and entities when doing business
with the FCC. FRNs are utilized by all
Commission systems that handle financial,
authorization of service, and enforcement
activities, and enable our customers to be
more easily identified as the filers of
applications, reports, remittance payments
and other documents with the FCC, thereby
improving the Commission’s ability to
effectively forecast, assess and collect
regulatory fees; track enforcement of fines
and forfeiture actions; monitor and collect
penalties; and manage the grant of waivers
and exemptions.
Legal Basis: 31 U.S.C. 3512(b) (mandating
the establishment and maintenance of
systems of accounting and internal controls);
31 CFR 901.1 (requiring agencies to
aggressively collect all debts arising out of
the agency’s activities).
Section Numbers and Titles:
1.8001 FCC Registration Number (FRN).
1.8002 Obtaining an FRN.
1.8003 Providing the FRN in Commission
filings.
1.8004 Penalty for Failure to Provide the
FRN.
Subpart X—Spectrum Leasing
Brief Description: This subpart covers the
rules regarding spectrum leasing. These rules
specify which services are subject to the
general policies and procedures imposed by
this subpart. In addition to providing the
policies and requirements that govern the
spectrum leasing process, these rules also
make special provisions which apply to
educational broadband, the Public Safety
Radio Service, and the ancillary terrestrial
component of Mobile Satellite Services.
Need: By providing thorough guidance to
any licensee seeking to lease its spectrum,
these rules regulate and stimulate a robust
secondary market.
Legal Basis: 15 U.S.C. 79, et seq.; 47 U.S.C.
151, 154(i), 154(j), 155, 157, 160, 201, 225,
227, 303, 309, 332, 1403, 1404, 1451, 1452,
1455.
Section Numbers and Titles:
1.9001 Purpose and scope.
1.9003 Definitions.
1.9005 Included services.
1.9010 De facto control standard for
spectrum leasing arrangements.
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1.9020 Spectrum manager leasing
arrangements.
1.9030 Long-term de facto transfer leasing
arrangements.
1.9035 Short-term de facto transfer leasing
arrangements.
1.9040 Contractual requirements applicable
to spectrum leasing arrangements.
1.9045 Requirements for spectrum leasing
arrangements entered into by licensees
participating in the installment payment
program.
1.9046 Special provisions related to
spectrum manager leasing in the Citizens
Broadband Radio Service.
1.9047 Special provisions relating to leases
of educational broadband service
spectrum.
1.9048 Special provisions relating to
spectrum leasing arrangements involving
licensees in the Public Safety Radio
Services.
1.9049 Special provisions relating to
spectrum leasing arrangements involving
the ancillary terrestrial component of
Mobile Satellite Services.
1.9050 Who may sign spectrum leasing
notifications and applications.
1.9055 Assignment of file numbers to
spectrum leasing notifications and
applications.
1.9060 Amendments, waivers, and
dismissals affecting spectrum leasing
notifications and applications.
1.9080 Private commons.
Subpart Y—International Bureau Filing
System
Brief Description: Subpart Y describes the
procedures for electronic filing of
international and satellite services
applications using the International Bureau
Filing System (IBFS).
Need: Subpart Y is necessary as it codifies
the use of the International Bureau Filing
System (IBFS) as an official method of filing
applications related to satellite and
international telecommunications services
with the Commission. Electronic filing
improves the speed and efficiency of
application processing and also expedites the
availability of application information for
public use and inspection.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j),
155, 225, 303(r), 309 and 325(e).
Section Numbers and Titles: (originally
codified at 1.9000–9018)
1.10000 What is the purpose of these rules?
1.10001 Definitions.
1.10002 What happens if the rules conflict?
1.10003 When can I start operating?
1.10004 What am I allowed to do if I am
approved?
1.10005 What is IBFS?
1.10006 Is electronic filing mandatory?
1.10007, (b) What applications can I file
electronically?
1.10008 What are IBFS file numbers?
1.10009 What are the steps for electronic
filing?
1.10010 Do I need to send paper copies
with my electronic applications?
1.10011 Who may sign applications?
1.10012 When can I file on IBFS?
1.10013 How do I check the status of my
application after I file it?
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1.10014 What happens after officially filing
my application?
1.10015 Are there exceptions for emergency
filings?
1.10016 How do I apply for special
temporary authority?
1.10017 How can I submit additional
information?
1.10018 May I amend my application?
certified and capable of meeting specific EAS
requirements
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i) and (o),
303(r), 544(g), 606.
Section Number and Title:
11.34(f) and (g) Acceptability of equipment.
PART 2—FREQUENCY ALLOCATIONS AND
RADIO TREATY MATTERS; GENERAL
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Brief Description: Part 13 rules set forth the
manner and conditions under which
commercial radio operators are licensed by
the Commission pursuant to the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
Need: These rules are needed to define the
application process for licensing commercial
radio operators and to ensure the telegraphy
requirements for commercial radio operator
licenses remain unchanged.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154 and 303.
Section Numbers and Titles:
13.9(d)(2) Eligibility and application for
new license or endorsement.
13.13(d)(2) Application for a renewed or
modified license.
Subpart C—Emissions
Brief Description: These rules specify the
frequency bandwidth limits and a given class
of emission. The emissions are useful for the
functioning of the receiving equipment.
Need: The rules provide the frequency
bandwidths limits and the given class of
emission.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 302a, 303, and
336, unless otherwise noted.
Section Number and Title:
2.202 Bandwidths.
Subpart D—Call Signs and Other Forms of
Identifying Radio Transmissions
Brief Description: These rules require
stations using radio frequencies that identify
transmissions according to the procedures
prescribed by the rules governing the class of
station to which it belongs.
Need: Call signs are required for each
station to identify transmission governing the
class of each station.
Section Numbers and Titles:
2.301 Station identification requirement.
2.302 Call signs.
2.303 Other forms of identification of
stations.
Subpart K—Importation of Causing Harmful
Interference
Brief Description: These rules update
current rules to better accomplish
interference prevention from radiofrequency
devices and facilitate the filing of FCC Form
740 (Importation) information.
Need: These rules are promulgated to
control criteria thereby reducing filing and
handling burden on both importers and the
government and facilitates conversion to a
method of electronic filing of importation
information in cooperation with the U.S.
Customs Service.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 302, 303(r).
Section Numbers and Titles:
2.1203 General requirement for entry into
the U.S.A.
2.1207 Examination of imported
equipment.
PART 11—EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM
(EAS)
Subpart B—Equipment Requirements
Brief Description: These rules ensure that
EAS decoders, encoders and combined units
are compliant with the certification
requirements and are capable of
implementing the new EAS codes specified
in section 11.31 and the logging features in
section 11.34(a)(4).
Need: Ensuring that EAS decoders,
encoders, and combined are properly
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PART 13—COMMERCIAL RADIO
OPERATORS
PART 15—RADIO FREQUENCY DEVICES
Subpart A—General
Brief Description: These rules sets out the
regulations under which an intentional,
unintentional, or incidental radiator may be
operated without an individual license.
These rules contain the technical
specifications, administrative requirements
and other conditions relating to the
marketing of part 15 devices.
Need: These rules are necessary to promote
the efficient use of the radio spectrum by
preventing harmful interference to licensed
radio services that share the same spectrum
or nearby spectrum as unlicensed devices.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 302a, 303, 304,
307, 336, and 544a.
Section Numbers and Titles:
Subpart B—Unintentional Radiators
15.107 Conducted limits.
15.121 Scanning receivers and frequency
converters used with scanning receivers.
Subpart C—Intentional Radiators
15.207 Conducted limits.
15.213 Cable locating equipment.
15.214 Cordless telephones.
Subpart F—Ultra-Wideband Operation
15.509 Technical requirements for ground
penetrating radars and wall imaging
systems.
15.510 Technical requirements for through
D-wall imaging systems.
15.511 Technical requirements for
surveillance systems.
15.517 Technical requirements for indoor
UWB systems.
15.519 Technical requirements for hand
held UWB systems.
PART 20—COMMERCIAL MOBILE
SERVICES
Brief Description: Part 20 rules set forth the
Commission’s requirements and conditions
for commercial mobile radio service
providers under the Communications Act of
1934, as amended.
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Need: The amended rules are needed to
update subsections which referred to services
by previous names and subpart designations
and it defines which mobile services will be
treated as common carriage services pursuant
to section 332 of the Communications Act.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 160, 201, 251–
254, 301, 303, 316 and 332. Section 20.12 is
also issued under 47 U.S.C. 1302.
Section Number and Title:
20.9(a)(6) through (9) Commercial mobile
radio service.
Brief Description: Section 20.15(c) provides
that providers of commercial radio services
(CMRS) shall not file tariffs for international
and interstate service to their customers,
interstate access service, or international
operator services. The section further
provides that sections 1.771 through 1.773 of
part 61 of the rules do not apply to
international and interstate services provided
by commercial mobile radio service. Finally,
the section further provides that providers of
commercial mobile radio services must
cancel their tariffs for international and
interstate service to their customers,
interstate access service, and international
operator service. Section 20.15(d) provides
that, except as provided in paragraphs (d)(1)
and (d)(2), nothing in section 20.15(d) shall
be construed to modify the Commission’s
rules and policies on the provision of
international service under part 63 of the
rules. Paragraph (d)(1) provides that,
notwithstanding the provisions of section
63.21(c) of the rules (requiring carriers
regulated dominant for a particular service
on a particular route to file tariffs), a provider
of commercial mobile radio service is not
required to comply with section 42.10 of the
rules. Section 20.15(d)(2) provides that a
provider of commercial mobile radio service
that is classified as dominant under section
63.10 of the rules because it is affiliated with
a foreign carrier must comply with section
42.11 of the rules if its affiliated foreign
carrier collects settlement payments from
U.S. carriers for terminating U.S.-originated
international switched traffic at the foreign
end of the route. Such a CMRS carrier is not
required to comply with section 42.11 of the
rules if it provides services on affiliated
routes solely through the resale of an
unaffiliated facilities-based provider’s
international switched traffic. Section
20.15(d)(3) provides that, for purposes of
paragraphs (d)(1) and (d)(2) of section 20.15,
the terms ‘‘affiliated’’ and ‘‘foreign carrier’’
are defined in section 63.09 of the rules.
Need: Section 20.15 is necessary to provide
that providers of CMRS are not required
under section 203 of the Communications
Act, 47 U.S.C. 203, to file a tariff for the
international and interstate CMRS they
provide to their customers or for interstate
access service they provide to other carriers
or their offer of international operator
service. The rule is also needed to ensure that
providers of CMRS do not voluntarily file
tariffs for such services, as the Commission
has concluded that competition among
CMRS providers is the best way to ensure
that rates, terms and conditions for CMRS are
just and reasonable. Paragraphs (d)(1) and
(d)(2) of section 20.15 are necessary to ensure
that the Commission’s decision to require the
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detariffing of CMRS is not frustrated by
tariffing requirements in other services.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 160, 201, 251–
254, 303, 316 and 332.
Section Number and Title:
20.15 Requirements under Title II of the
Communications Act.
Brief Description: The note to rule 20.18(c)
provided that operators of digital wireless
systems must begin complying with the
provisions of the rule paragraph on or before
June 30, 2002. The rules in sections
20.18(g)(1), (2) and (i) make adjustments to
the deployment schedule for wireless carriers
that choose to implement enhanced 911
Phase II service using a handset-based
technology. The rules defer the date for
initial distribution of Automatic Location
Identification (ALI)-capable handsets by
seven months, adjust the timetable for
carriers to meet certain interim benchmarks
for activating new ALI-capable handsets,
defer the date by which a carrier must
achieve full penetration of ALI-capable
handsets until December 31, 2005, modify
the manner in which the Commission defines
full penetration by adopting a requirement
that carriers achieve 95 percent penetration
of ALI-capable handsets by the December 31,
2005 date, eliminate the separate handset
phase-in schedule triggered by a request from
a Public Safety Answering Point, and extend
the deadline for carriers to file Phase II
enhanced 911 implementation reports.
Need: The Commission established
December 31, 2001, as the deadline for
carriers operating digital wireless systems to
have obtained all software upgrades and
equipment necessary to make their systems
capable of transmitting 911 calls from TTY
devices, but allowed wireless carriers an
additional six-month period (until June 30,
2002) to integrate, test, and deploy the
technology in their systems in conjunction
with the public safety community. The rules
in sections 20.18(g)(1), (2) and (i) are needed
to establish a practical, understandable, and
workable schedule for implementation of
handset-based ALI solutions for enhanced
911 Phase II service.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 160, 251–254,
303, and 332 unless otherwise noted.
Section Numbers and Titles:
20.18(c) 911 Service.
20.18(g)(1), (2), and (i) Phase-in for handsetbased location technologies.
Brief Description: Section 20.19 requires
providers of covered mobile services and the
manufacturers of handsets used with these
services to offer a selection of hearing aidcompatible handsets. Providers and
manufacturers must ensure that a certain
minimum percentage or number of the
handsets that they offer meet a specified
rating for compatibility with hearing aids in
acoustic coupling mode (coupling via the
hearing aid microphone) and inductive
coupling mode (coupling via a telecoil), as
measured under Commission-approved
technical standards.
Need: Section 20.19 implements, for
wireless handsets, the statutory requirement
under 47 U.S.C. 610(b) that telephones and
devices used for advanced communications
services provide internal means for effective
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use with compatible hearing aids. The rule is
also necessary to ensure reasonable access to
commercial mobile services by persons with
impaired hearing, as required under 47
U.S.C. 610(a).
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 157, 160,
201, 202, 208, 214, 301, 303, 308, 309(j), 310,
and 610.
Section Number and Title:
20.19 Hearing aid-compatible mobile
handsets.
PART 24—PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS
SERVICES
Subpart D—Narrowband PCS
Brief Description: Part 24 sets forth rules
relating to Personal Communications
Services (PCS), specifically, the rules
establishing the requirements and conditions
under which radio stations may be licensed
and used in those services. Subpart D sets
forth the rules governing the licensing and
operation of narrowband PCS systems
authorized in the 901–902, 930–931, and
940–941 MHz bands (900 MHz band).
Need: These rules are needed to set forth
which frequencies are available for
narrowband PCS and to revise an erroneous
reference to another rule section.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302, 303,
309 and 332.
Section Numbers and Titles:
24.129 Frequencies.
24.133(a) Emission limits.
Subpart E—Broadband PCS
Brief Description: This subpart covers the
technical requirements for broadband
Personal Communications Services
operations in the 1850–1910 and 1930–1990
MHz bands. These rules require licensees to
make a substantial service showing in their
license area within ten years of the date of
the initial grant or license renewal in order
to avoid forfeiture of the license, and specify
that the 1910–1915 MHz frequency block is
to be used for mobile station transmissions
while the 1990–1995 MHz block shall be
used for base station transmissions.
Need: By imposing a substantial service
standard on the Personal Communications
Services construction requirement and
designating the types of transmissions
authorized on the paired frequency blocks
1910–1915 and 1990–1995 MHz, these rules
incentivize the active use of spectrum.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302, 303,
309, 332.
Section Numbers and Titles:
24.203(d) Construction requirements.
24.229(c) Frequencies.
PART 25—SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS
Subpart A—General
Brief Description: Part 25 contains the
Commission’s rules governing the licensing
and operation of space stations and earth
stations. It includes application
requirements, technical requirements,
operational requirements, and coordination
requirements for various satellite services.
The rules also define the Commission’s
processing of applications.
Need: The part 25 rules are needed to
ensure that satellite services may be provided
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without harmful interference and consistent
with the public interest.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302, 303,
307, 309, 310, 319, 332, 605, 721.
Section Numbers and Titles:
25.103 Definitions.
Subpart B—Applications and Licenses
25.110 Filing of applications, fees, and
number of copies.
25.111(b), (c) Additional information, ITU
filings, and ITU cost recovery.
25.112(a)(3), (b) introductory text Dismissal
and return of applications.
25.113(b) [formerly partially in 25.136,
25.143(i), (j), (k)], (g), (h) Station
construction, deployment approval, and
operation of spare satellites.
25.114 Applications for space station
authorizations.
25.115(a), (c)(2), (e), (f) Applications for
earth station authorizations.
25.116(b)(5), (c) introductory text, (d), (e)
Amendments to applications.
25.117(a), (c), (d)(1), (2), (3), (f)
Modification of station license.
25.118(a), (b), (e) Modifications not
requiring prior authorization.
25.119(a), (c), (d), (g) Assignment or transfer
of control of station authorization.
25.120(b) Application for special temporary
authorization.
25.121 License term and renewals.
25.129 Equipment authorization for
portable earth-station transceivers.
25.130(a) Filing requirements for
transmitting earth stations.
25.131(a), (b), (h), (i), (j) Filing requirements
and registration for receive-only earth
stations.
25.132(a) Verification of earth station
antenna performance.
25.135(c), (d) Licensing provisions for earth
station networks in the non-voice, nongeostationary Mobile-Satellite Service.
25.287 [formerly partially in 25.136]
Requirements pertaining to operation of
mobile stations in the NVNG, 1.5/1.6
GHz, 1.6/2.4 GHz, and 2 GHz MobileSatellite Service bands.
25.137 Requests for U.S. market access
through non-U.S.-licensed space
stations.
25.138(a) introductory text, (a)(6), (f)
Licensing requirements for GSO FSS
earth stations in the conventional Kaband.
25.139 NGSO FSS coordination and
information sharing between MVDDS
licensees in the 12.2 GHz to 12.7 GHz
band.
25.140(a) [formerly generally in 25.140(b)]
Further requirements for license
applications for GSO space station
operation in the FSS and the 17/24 GHz
BSS.
25.142(a)(1) Licensing provisions for the
non-voice, non-geostationary MobileSatellite Service.
25.144(b) Licensing provisions for the 2.3
GHz satellite digital audio radio service.
25.145 Licensing provisions for the FSS in
the 18.3–20.2 GHz and 28.35–30.0 GHz
bands.
25.146 Licensing and operating rules for the
NGSO FSS in the 10.7–14.5 GHz bands.
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25.148 Licensing provisions for the Direct
Broadcast Satellite Service.
25.149 Application requirements for
ancillary terrestrial components in
Mobile-Satellite Service networks
operating in the 1.5/1.6 GHz and 1.6/2.4
GHz Mobile-Satellite Service.
25.154(a)(3), (c), (d) Opposition to
applications and other pleadings.
25.155 Mutually exclusive applications.
25.156(d) Consideration of applications.
25.157 Consideration of applications for
NGSO-like satellite operation.
25.158 Consideration of applications for
GSO-like satellite operation.
25.159 Limits on pending applications and
unbuilt satellite systems.
25.161(a) Automatic termination of station
authorization.
25.164 Milestones.
25.165 Surety bonds.
Subpart C—Technical Standards
25.202(a) Frequencies, frequency tolerance,
and emission limits.
25.208(c), (d), (l), (m), (o), (p)–(t) Power flux
density limits.
25.209(h)(1) Antenna performance
standards.
25.210(c) [formerly in 25.215], (f), (j)
Technical requirements for space
stations.
25.216 Limits on emissions from mobile
earth stations for protection of
aeronautical radionavigation-satellite
service.
25.217 Default service rules.
25.253 Special requirements for ancillary
terrestrial components operating in the
1626.5–1660.5 MHz/1525–1559 MHz
bands.
25.254 Special requirements for ancillary
terrestrial components operating in the
1610–1626.5 MHz/2483.5–2500 MHz
bands.
25.255 Procedures for resolving harmful
interference related to operation of
ancillary terrestrial components
operating in the 1.5/1.6 GHz and 1.6/2.4
GHz bands.
25.258 Sharing between NGSO MSS feederlink stations and GSO FSS services in
the 29.25–29.5 GHz band.
25.261 Procedures for avoidance of in-line
interference events for Non
Geostationary Satellite Orbit (NGSO)
Satellite Network Operations in the
Fixed-Satellite Service (FSS) Bands.
Subpart D—Technical Operations
25.271(e) Control of transmitting stations.
25.280 Inclined orbit operations.
25.282 Orbit raising maneuvers.
25.283 End-of-life disposal.
25.284 Emergency Call Center Service.
25.285 [formerly generally in 25.143(i), (j),
(k)] Operation of MSS and ATC
transmitters or transceivers on board
civil aircraft.
Subpart F—Competitive Bidding
Procedures for DARS
25.401 Satellite DARS applications subject
to competitive bidding.
25.404 Submission of down payment and
filing of long-form applications.
25.601 Equal employment opportunities.
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25.701 Other DBS Public interest
obligations.
PART 27—MISCELLANEOUS WIRELESS
COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
Subpart B—Applications and Licenses
Brief Description: Part 27 contains service
and licensing rules for Miscellaneous
Wireless Communications Services. Subpart
B establishes application and licensing
requirements applicable to a number of
spectrum bands, including AWS–1 (Advance
Wireless Services) stations operating in the
1710–1755/2110–2155 MHz band.
Need: The revised rules specify channel
blocks for AWS–1 (27.11(i)) and establish the
term for licenses to operate in these
frequencies (27.13(g)). The need for these
rules is ongoing.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302, 303,
307, 309, 332, 336, 337, 1403, 1404 and 1451.
Section Numbers and Titles:
27.11(i) Initial authorization.
27.13(g) License period.
Subpart C—Technical Standards
Brief Description: This subpart contains the
rules for the miscellaneous wireless
communications services. These rules specify
power and antenna height requirements for
stations transmitting in the 1695–1710 MHz,
1710–1755 MHz, 1755–1780 MHz, 1915–
1920 MHz, 1995–2000 MHz, 2000–2020
MHz, 2110–2155 MHz, 2155–2180 MHz, and
2180–2200 MHz bands; additionally, under
these rules, all operation in the above bands
is subject to international agreements with
Mexico and Canada. These rules also impose
separate power limit restrictions on stations
operating in the Broadband Radio Service
and Educational Broadband Service, in
addition to specifying the attenuation
requirement relating to out-of-band emissions
for stations operating in the 600 MHz band
and the 698–746 MHz band.
Need: In providing protection for adjacent
operators, these rules protect television
stations from interference and ensure that
consumers continue to benefit from
television broadcasts.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302(a), 303,
307, 309, 332, 336, 337, 1403, 1404, 1451,
1452.
Section Numbers and Titles:
27.50(d), (h) Power limits and duty cycle.
27.53(g), (l) Emission limits.
27.55(a)(4) Power strength limits.
27.57(c) International coordination.
Subpart L—1695–1710 MHz, 1710–1755
MHz, 1755–1780 MHz, 2110–2155 MHz,
2155–2180 MHz, 2180–2200 MHz Bands
Brief Description: Part 27 contains service
and licensing rules for Miscellaneous
Wireless Communications Services. Subpart
L contains specific rules applicable to AWS–
1 (Advanced Wireless Service) stations
operating in the 1710–1755/2110–2155 MHz
band, and rules applicable to AWS–3 stations
operating in the 1695–1710 and 1755–1780/
2155–2180 MHz bands and to AWS–4
stations operating in the 2000–2020/2180–
2200 MHz bands.
Need: The revised rules establish licensing
and competitive bidding rules for the AWS–
1, AWS–3 and AWS–4 bands, as well as rules
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regarding protection and relocation of
incumbent operations in these frequency
bands. The need for these rules is ongoing.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302, 303,
307, 309, 332, 336, 337, 1403, 1404 and 1451.
Section Numbers and Titles:
27.1101 1710–1755 MHz and 2110–2155
MHz bands subject to competitive
bidding.
27.1102 Designated Entities in the 1710–
1755 MHz and 2110–2155 MHz bands.
27.1111 Relocation of fixed microwave
service licensees in the 2110–2150 and
2160–2200 MHz bands.
27.1131 Protection of part 101 operations.
27.1132 Protection of incumbent operations
in the 2150–2160/62 MHz band.
27.1133 Protection of part 74 and part 78
operations.
27.1134 Protection of Federal Government
operations.
27.1135 Protection of non-Federal
Government Meteorological-Satellite
operations.
Subpart M—Broadband Radio Service and
Educational Broadband Service
Brief Description: Part 27 contains service
and licensing rules for Miscellaneous
Wireless Communications Services. Subpart
M contains specific rules applicable to the
Broadband Radio Service (BRS) and
Educational Broadband Service (EBS) that
operate in the 2500–2690 MHz band.
Need: The rules establish service,
licensing, competitive bidding and technical
rules for BRS and EBS. The rules also
establish policies governing transition of
2500–2690 MHz band to use by BRS and
EBS. Prior to January 10, 2005 these
frequencies had been assigned to the
Multipoint Distribution Service (MDS) and
the Multichannel Multipoint Distribution
Service (MMDS) and the Instructional
Television Fixed Service (ITFS). The need for
these rules is ongoing.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302, 303,
307, 309, 332, 336, 337, 1403, 1404 and 1451.
Section Numbers and Titles:
27.1200 Change to BRS and EBS.
27.1201 EBS eligibility.
27.1202 Cable/BRS cross-ownership.
27.1203 EBS programming requirements.
27.1206 Geographic Service Area.
27.1207 BTA license authorization.
27.1208 BTA service areas.
27.1209 Conversion of incumbent EBS and
BRS stations to geographic area
licensing.
27.1210 Remote control operation.
27.1211 Unattended operation.
27.1212 License term.
27.1213 Designated entity provisions for
BRS in Commission auctions
commencing prior to January 1, 2004.
27.1214 EBS spectrum leasing arrangements
and grandfathered leases.
27.1215 BRS grandfathered leases.
27.1216 Grandfathered E and F group EBS
licenses.
27.1217 Competitive bidding procedures for
the Broadband Radio Service.
27.1218 Designated entities.
27.1220 Transmission standards.
27.1221 Interference protection.
27.1222 Operations in the 2568–2572 and
2614–2618 bands.
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27.1230 Conversion of the 2500–2690 MHz
band.
27.1231 Initiating the transition.
27.1232 Planning the transition.
27.1233 Reimbursement costs of
transitioning.
27.1234 Terminating existing operations in
transitioned markets.
27.1235 Post-transition notification.
PART 32—UNIFORM SYSTEM OF
ACCOUNTS FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS
COMPANIES
Brief Description: Part 32 implements
section 220 of the Communications Act of
1934, as amended, which requires the
Commission to ‘‘prescribe a uniform system
of accounts for use by telephone companies.’’
The part 32 rules contain the current
Uniform System of Accounts that apply to
regulated telephone companies, which were
amended in 1986 to respond to the
introduction of competition and new
products and services in the
telecommunications market. Part 32 specifies
the asset, revenue and expense accounts that
must be maintained.
Need: The Commission initiated a
rulemaking on August 18, 2014 to determine
whether part 32 rules could be streamlined
to reduce regulatory burdens while
maintaining access to the data the
Commission needs to fulfill its statutory and
regulatory obligations. Comprehensive
Review of the Part 32 Uniform System of
Accounts, 29 FCC Rcd 10638 (2014).
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154(i) and (j), and
220.
Section Numbers and Titles:
Subpart B—General Instructions
32.16(a) Changes in accounting standards.
32.17 Interpretation of accounts.
32.19 Address for reports and
correspondence.
32.24(b) Compensated absences.
32.27(a) Transactions with affiliates.
Subpart C—Instructions for Balance Sheet
Accounts
32.101 Structure of the balance sheet
accounts.
32.103 Balance sheet accounts for other
than regulated-fixed assets to be
maintained.
32.1120 Cash and equivalents.
32.1170 Receivables.
32.1171 Allowance for doubtful accounts.
32.1220(g), (h) Inventories.
32.1280 Prepayments.
32.1350 Other current assets.
32.1410 Other noncurrent assets.
32.1438(a) Deferred maintenance and
retirements.
32.2000(a)(2), (4), (b)(2)(i), (iii), (iv), (c)(2)(x),
(xiii), (d)(2)(i), (4), (5), (f)(3)(i), (g)(3), (5),
(h)(3), (j) Instructions for
telecommunications plant accounts.
32.2003(c) Telecommunications plant
under construction.
32.2005(b) Telecommunications plant
adjustment.
32.2007(a) Goodwill.
32.2111(f), (g) Land.
32.2210 Central office—switching.
32.2211(a) Non-digital switching.
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32.2212(b), (c), (d) Digital electronic
switching.
32.2231 Radio systems.
32.2232(b), (c), (d) Circuit equipment.
32.2311(f) Station apparatus.
32.2424(a) Submarine & deep sea cable.
32.2682(c) Leasehold improvements.
32.2690 Intangibles.
32.3000(a)(2), (b) Instructions for balance
sheet accounts—Depreciation and
amortization.
32.3100(b), (d) Accumulated depreciation.
32.3200(b) Accumulated depreciation—
held for future telecommunications use.
32.3300(b), (c) Accumulated depreciation—
nonoperating.
32.3410(b), (c) Accumulated amortization—
capitalized leases.
32.3999 Instructions for balance sheet
accounts—liabilities and stockholders’
equity.
32.4000 Current accounts and notes
payable.
32.4040(b) Customers’ deposits.
32.4070 Income taxes—accrued.
32.4080 Other taxes—accrued.
32.4110(c), (f) Net current deferred
nonoperating income taxes.
32.4130 Other current liabilities.
32.4200 Long term debt and funded debt.
32.4300 Other long-term liabilities and
deferred credits.
32.4330 Unamortized nonoperating
investment tax credits—net.
32.4341(a), (b)(2) Net deferred tax liability
adjustments.
32.4350(b), (e) Net noncurrent deferred
nonoperating income taxes.
32.4361 Deferred tax regulatory
adjustments—net.
32.4540 Other capital.
Subpart D—Instructions for Revenue
Accounts
32.5000 Basic local service revenue.
32.5001 Basic area revenue.
32.5060 Other basic area revenue.
32.5081 End user revenue.
32.5082 Switched access revenue.
32.5083 Special access revenue.
32.5100 Long distance message revenue.
32.5200 Miscellaneous revenue.
32.5230 Directory revenue.
32.5280(c) Nonregulated operating revenue.
32.5300 Uncollectible revenue.
Subpart E—Instructions for Expense
Accounts
32.5999(b)(4), (c), (g) General.
32.6110 Network support expenses.
32.6112(b) Motor vehicle expense.
32.6113(b) Aircraft expense.
32.6114(b) Tools and other work equipment
expense.
32.6120 General support expenses.
32.6124 General purpose computers
expense.
32.6210 Central office switching expenses.
32.6211 Non-digital switching expense.
32.6212 Digital electronic switching
expense.
32.6230 Central office transmission
expense.
32.6232 Circuit equipment expense.
32.6310 Information origination/
termination expenses.
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Accounts
32.6999 General.
32.7100 Other operating income and
expenses.
32.7200 Operating taxes.
32.7210(b) Operating investment tax
credits—net.
32.7240(d), (e), (g) Operating other taxes.
32.7300 Nonoperating income and expense.
32.7400 Nonoperating taxes.
32.7500 Interest and related items.
32.7600 Extraordinary items.
that collects settlement payments from U.S.
carriers for terminating U.S. international
switched traffic at the foreign end of the
route. The rule also makes clear that CMRS
providers are not required to retain price and
service information on affiliated routes (i.e.,
routed on which they are affiliated with a
foreign carrier at the foreign end) if they
provide service on that route solely through
the resale of international switched
telecommunications services that they
purchase from an unaffiliated facilities-based
provider. Finally the rule states that the price
and service information the rule requires
subject carriers to retain includes documents
supporting the rates terms and conditions of
covered services and requires carriers to
retain the records in such a way that they can
produce such records within 10 days of a
request.
Need: Section 42.11 is needed to ensure
that a CMRS carrier that is dominant on a
particular route because is affiliated with a
foreign carrier that collects settlement
payments from U.S. carriers for terminating
switched international services at the foreign
end of the call does not abuse its affiliated
position by unfairly routing return traffic to
the United States through the affiliated
CMRS carrier and thereby to reduce the
amount of return traffic and settlement
payments other U.S. carriers receive.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 219 and 220.
Section Number and Title:
42.11 Retention of information concerning
detariffed interexchange services.
PART 42—PRESERVATION OF RECORDS
OF COMMUNICATIONS COMMON
CARRIERS
Brief Description: Section 42.10 provides
that non-dominant interexchange carriers
(IXCs), which category includes providers of
commercial mobile radio services (CMRS),
must make available to the public, in an
easily understood format, and during regular
business hours, information on the rates,
terms and conditions for all of its
international, interstate, domestic,
interexchange services.
Need: Section 42.10 is needed to ensure
that the information that was formerly
contained in the carriers’ tariffs and publicly
available will continue to be available to
users once the carriers have detariffed their
services.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 219 and 220.
Section Number and Title:
42.10 Public availability of information
concerning interexchange services.
Brief Description: Section 42.11(a) requires
non-dominant interexchange carriers (IXCs)
to retain price and service information for all
their domestic and international
interexchange services, and to make such
information available to the Commission and
state regulators upon request. The section,
however, clarifies that one class of IXC,
providers of commercial mobile radio
services (CMRS) need retain such price and
service information only for their
international common carrier service
operations and only on routes on which they
have been classified as dominant under
section 63.10 of the rules due to affiliation
with a foreign telecommunications carrier
PART 43—REPORTS OF COMMUNICATION
COMMON CARRIERS AND CERTAIN
AFFILIATES
Brief Description: Part 43 includes
requirements that have been promulgated
under authority of sections 211 and 219 of
the Communications Act of 1934, as
amended, with respect to the filing by
communication common carriers and certain
of their affiliates of periodic reports and
certain other data, but do not include certain
requirements relating to the filing of
information with respect to specific services,
accounting systems, and other matters
incorporated in other parts of Chapter 47.
Need: Section 43.11(a) sets out the terms
by which providers of local exchange
telephone service, commercial mobile radio
service, and Interconnected Voice over IP
service shall complete FCC Form 477 to
report data to the Commission concerning
those services.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154;
Telecommunications Act of 1996, Public Law
104–104, secs. 402(b)(2)(B), (c), 110 Stat. 56
(1996) as amended unless otherwise noted.
47 U.S.C. 211, 219, 220 as amended.
Section Number and Title:
43.11 Reports of local exchange
competition data.
Brief Description: Section 43.51 imposes
on U.S. telecommunications carriers
identified in section 43.51(b) a general
obligation to file with the Commission,
within 30 days of execution thereof, a copy
of all contracts, agreements, concessions,
licenses, authorizations, operating
agreements, or other arrangements (including
amendments) to which it is a party with
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32.6410 Cable and wire facilities expenses.
32.6424 Submarine and deep sea cable
expense.
32.6510 Other property, plant and
equipment expenses.
32.6512 Provisioning expense.
32.6530 Network operations expense.
32.6560 Depreciation and amortization
expenses.
32.6561 Depreciation expense—
telecommunications plant in service.
32.6563 Amortization expense—tangible.
32.6564 Amortization expense—intangible.
32.6565 Amortization expense—other.
32.6610 Marketing.
32.6611 Product management and sales.
32.6620 Services.
32.6621 Call completion services.
32.6623 Customer services.
32.6720 General and administrative.
32.6790 Provision for uncollectible notes
receivable.
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respect to exchange of services, the
interchange or routing of traffic, and matters
concerning rates, accounting rates, divisions
of tolls, or the basis of settlement of traffic
balances. Section 43.51(b)(1) provides that
the general filing rule applies to domestic
dominant carriers. Section 43.51(b)(2)
provides that the filing rule applies to U.S.
international carriers that have been
classified as dominant on any route included
in the contract (other than those so classified
because of a foreign-carrier affiliation under
section 63.10.) Section 43.51(c) provides that
contracts for domestic-only service do not
need to be filed with the Commission but
need to be made available upon reasonable
request. Section 43.51(d) states that any U.S.
carrier, other than a provider of commercial
radio services, that is engaged in foreign
communications, and enters into an
agreement with a foreign carrier, is subject to
the Commission’s authority to require the
U.S. carrier providing service on any U.S.international routes to file, on an as-needed
basis, a copy of each agreement to which it
is a party.
Need: The general rule in section 43.51
that carriers must file copies of their
contracts and operating agreements is needed
to require domestic dominant carriers to file
their contracts and to address issues on the
U.S.-Cuba route and more generally allow the
Commission to obtain contracts for routes on
which there is, or has been an allegation of,
anticompetitive conduct. ISP Reform Order,
19 FCC Rcd 5709, 5736 (2009).
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 211, 219 and
220.
Section Number and Title:
43.51 Contracts and concessions.
PART 51—INTERCONNECTION
Subpart D—Additional Obligations of
Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (LECs)
Brief Description: This subsection
generally implements section 251(c) of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
Section 51.323 establishes rules addressing
how an incumbent LEC may assign and
configure physical collocation space, as well
as standards for providing virtual collocation.
Paragraph (f)(7) of this section requires
incumbent LECs to assign collocation space
to requesting carriers in a just, reasonable,
and nondiscriminatory manner, to allow each
requesting carrier to submit space
preferences prior to assigning physical
collocation space to that carrier, and to
ensure that their space assignment policies
and practices meet certain minimum
principles. Paragraphs (i)(4)(i) through (v),
(5), and (6)(i) establish parameters for certain
types of reasonable security measures that
the incumbent LEC may adopt as part of its
collocation policies to protect its equipment
and ensure network reliability. These
paragraphs include conditions the incumbent
LEC must meet if it restricts physical
collocation to space separated from that
space housing its own equipment, requires
the employees and contractors of collocating
carriers to use a central or separate entrance
to the incumbent’s building, and constructs
or requires construction of a separate
entrance to access physical collocation space.
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Need: These rules are necessary to foster a
competitive market in the
telecommunications industry, and to
promote the deployment of broadband
infrastructure and other network investment.
These rules also ensure a proper balance of
the congressional goal of promoting
competition against the need to protect an
incumbent LEC’s property interests against
unwarranted intrusion.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151,152, 202, 251(a)
and 251(c)(2).
Section Number and Title:
51.323(f)(7), (i)(4)(i) through (v), (i)(5), and
(i)(6)(i) Standards for physical
collocation and virtual collocation.
Subpart H—Reciprocal Compensation for
Transport and Termination of
Telecommunications Traffic
Brief Description: The part 51 rules are
designed to implement the provisions of
sections 251 and 252 of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended. Part 51, subpart H,
sets forth the rules regarding reciprocal
compensation for the transport and
termination of telecommunications traffic
between local exchange carriers (LECs) and
other carriers. Section 51.711 provides two
exceptions to the general rule that the rates
for reciprocal compensation must be
symmetrical.
The exception in section 51.711(c)
provides that a state commission, pending
further proceedings before the Commission,
must establish the rates that certain licensees
may assess upon other carriers for the
transport and termination of
telecommunications traffic.
Need: Section 51.711(c) was adopted to set
forth an exception to the general rule that the
rates for reciprocal compensation must be
symmetrical.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 251 and 252.
Section Number and Title:
51.711(c) Symmetrical reciprocal
compensation.
Brief Description: The part 51 rules are
designed to implement the provisions of
sections 251 and 252 of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended. Part 51, subpart H,
sets forth the rules regarding reciprocal
compensation for the transport and
termination of telecommunications traffic
between local exchange carriers (LECs) and
other carriers. Section 51.715 provides that,
upon request from a carrier without an
existing interconnection agreement with an
incumbent LEC, the incumbent LEC must
provide transport and termination of
telecommunication traffic immediately under
an interim arrangement pending resolution of
negotiation or arbitration regarding transport
and termination rates and approval of such
rates by a state commission. Section 51.715
specifies that an interim arrangement will
cease to be in effect when certain situations
outlined in the section occur with respect to
rates for transport and termination of
telecommunications traffic subject to the
interim arrangement.
Need: Section 51.715(c) was adopted to
clarify interim transport and termination
pricing under a variety of scenarios.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 251 and 252.
Section Number and Title:
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51.715 Interim transport and termination
pricing.
PART 52—NUMBERING
Subpart B—Administration
Brief Description: These rules implement
the requirements of section 251(e) of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
which gives the Commission exclusive
jurisdiction over those portions of the North
American Numbering Plan that pertain to the
United States. Section 52.15 provides the
rules governing management and
administration of U.S. Central Office code
numbering resources. Paragraph (g)(4) of this
section establishes procedures to address
carrier noncompliance with these rules.
Paragraph (g)(5) of this section establishes
procedures for state regulatory commissions
to obtain access to service providers’
applications for numbering resources.
Paragraph (h) establishes a national
utilization threshold for growth numbering
resources, and paragraph (k) sets forth rules
for numbering audits to verify carrier
compliance with Commission regulations
and applicable industry guidelines relating to
numbering administration.
Need: These rules provide a framework for
ensuring fair and impartial access to
numbering resources, which is a critical
component of encouraging a competitive
telecommunications market in the United
States.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152 and 251(e).
Section Number and Title:
52.15(g)(4)–(5), (h), and (k) Central office
code administration.
Subpart C—Number Portability
Brief Description: These rules implement
the requirements of section 251(b)(2) of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
which requires all LECs ‘‘to provide, to the
extent technically feasible, number
portability in accordance with the
requirements prescribed by the
Commission.’’ Section 52.21 provides the
definitions governing the number portability
rules. Paragraph (a) sets forth the definition
of the term 100 largest MSAs, as used in this
subpart.
Need: This subpart provides rules that are
designed to ensure that users of
telecommunications services can retain, at
the same location, their existing telephone
numbers when they switch from one local
exchange telecommunications carrier to
another. In implementing statutory
requirements for number portability, these
rules provide necessary information
regarding terms that may have different
definitions outside the number portability
context.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 251(e).
Section Number and Title:
52.21(a) Definitions 100 largest MSAs.
Brief Description: Section 52.33 permits
incumbent local exchange carriers (LECs) to
file tariffs with the Commission establishing
a monthly number-portability charge, a
number-portability query-service charge, and
a number-portability query/administration
charge, to recover carrier specific costs
directly related to providing long-term
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number portability. Section 52.33(a)(3)
specifies that incumbent local exchange
carriers serving an area outside the 100
largest MSAs that do not yet provide local
number portability (LNP) functionality but
provide Extended Area Service (EAS) may
recover their query and LNP Administration
costs through end-user charges, and that the
carrier can assess such charges for a
maximum of five years. The subsection also
allows all interconnected VoIP providers and
telecommunications carriers that are not
incumbent LECs to recover such costs in any
manner consistent with state and federal law
and regulation.
Need: In implementing the statutory
requirements for number portability and the
promotion of local exchange competition,
this rule permits telecommunications carriers
to recover the costs of providing long-term
number portability in a competitively neutral
manner, as required by section 251(e) of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 153,154, 201–205,
207–209, 218, 225–227, 251–252, 271, and
332.
Section Number and Title:
52.33(a)(3) Recovery of carrier-specific costs
directly related to providing long-term
number portability.
PART 54—UNIVERSAL SERVICE
Subpart A—General Information
Brief Description: These rules provide
general information regarding the Universal
Service Fund, including various terms and
definitions that are referenced throughout
part 54 of the Commission’s rules.
Need: In implementing statutory
requirements for the Universal Service Fund,
these rules provide necessary information
regarding terms that may have different
definitions outside the universal service
context.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 254.
Section Number and Title:
54.5 Terms and definitions.
Brief Description: Part 54 implements
section 254 of the Communications Act of
1934, as amended, which provides financial
support to four different universal service
programs. Section 54.8 provides rules for
denying support to entities that have been
convicted of fraud or other criminal activities
related to the four universal service
programs.
Need: Denying bad actors support from the
four universal service programs should deter
waste, fraud, and abuse, thus helping to
protect the integrity of the programs and to
help ensure that support is used only in
furtherance of the purposes of the four
programs.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151–154, 201–205,
214, 254, and 403.
Section Number and Title:
54.8 Prohibition on participation:
suspension and debarment. [Originally
adopted as 54.521—in 2003, addressing
only violations of the E-rate program. In
2007 it was expanded to cover all 4
universal service programs and moved to
54.8.]
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Subpart D—Universal Service Support for
High Cost Areas
Brief Description: These rules specify the
requirements for the High Cost support
mechanism. These rules provide
requirements for how High Cost support will
be calculated and distributed to eligible
telecommunications providers, as well as
reporting and certification requirements
about the use of such support and the
application process to receive such support
in certain instances.
Need: In implementing statutory
requirements for the High Cost Program of
the Universal Service support mechanism,
these rules ensure that rates in rural, insular
and high cost areas, are ‘‘reasonably
comparable’’ to rates charged for similar
services in urban areas.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 254(b).
Section Numbers and Titles:
54.305 Sale or transfer of exchanges.
54.307 Support to a competitive eligible
telecommunications carrier.
54.313 Annual reporting requirements for
high-cost recipients.
54.314 Certification of support for eligible
telecommunications carriers.
54.315 Application process for phase II
support distributed through competitive
bidding.
Subpart F—Universal Service Support for
Schools and Libraries
Brief Description: Part 54 implements
section 254 of the Communications Act of
1934, as amended, which provides financial
support to four different universal service
programs. Subpart F of the rules
implementing section 254, creates and
regulates the E-rate program, known more
formally as the schools and libraries
universal service support mechanism. It
provides discounts to schools and libraries
for access to broadband and related services.
The annual Eligible Services List and section
54.506(a) specifies what types of service are
eligible for E-rate support, which include
telecommunications services,
telecommunications, Internet access, internal
connections, basic maintenance and managed
internal broadband services internal
connections. Section 54.506(b) clarified what
basic maintenance services were eligible for
E-rate support: those that were basic and
needed to maintain the internal connections
in working order. Section 54.502(c), formerly
54.506(c), limits the frequency that an
applicant may receive funding for internal
connections (category two services) to no
more than twice in a five-year period (the ‘‘2
in 5’’ rule). Although it has not been
rescinded, the E-rate program established
five-year budgets starting in 2015 (based on
student count and library size) for applicants
requesting E-rate funding for internal
connections and, thus, the ‘‘2 in 5’’ rule is
not applicable to those applicants purchasing
internal connections (category two services)
until after applicants’ five-year budget cycles
area completed, absent further action from
the Commission.
Need: The Commission wanted to provide
guidance on what services were eligible for
E-rate support, but not to fund any extras,
given the limited size of the universal service
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fund. The Commission also seeks to prevent
applicants from wastefully replacing internal
connections more frequently than needed.
The current five-year budget cap
(54.502(b)(1)) currently replaces the ‘‘2 in 5’’
rule, but the ‘‘2 in 5’’ rule will return absent
Commission action starting in funding year
2019.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151–154, 201–205,
214, 254, and 403.
Section Numbers and Titles:
54.500 Terms and Definitions.
54.502(a)–(c) Eligible Services.
The annual E-rate Eligible Services List
(ESL) [formerly 54.506(a)–(b)].
Brief Description: Part 54 implements
section 254 of the Communications Act of
1934, as amended, which provides financial
support to four different universal service
programs. Subpart F of the rules
implementing section 254, creates and
regulates the E-rate program, known more
formally as the schools and libraries
universal service support mechanism. It
provides discounts to schools and libraries
for access to broadband and related services.
Section 54.514 requires service providers to
give applicants the choice each funding year
to pay either: (1) The discounted price; or (2)
the full price and then receive
reimbursement through the Billed Entity
Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) process. It
also directed service providers to pass any
such reimbursements back to applicants
within 20 days of receiving them.
Need: The Commission found that
providing applicants, rather than service
providers, with the right to choose which
payment method to use would help to ensure
that all schools and libraries have affordable
access to telecommunications and Internet
access services because some applicants
appeared unable to afford to pay the full
undiscounted price up front, and then wait
for a reimbursement.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151–154, 201–205,
214, 254, and 403.
Section Number and Title:
54.514 Payment for discounted services.
Brief Description: Part 54 implements
section 254 of the Communications Act of
1934, as amended, which provides financial
support to four different universal service
programs. Subpart F of the rules
implementing section 254, creates and
regulates the E-rate program, known more
formally as the schools and libraries
universal service support mechanism. It
provides discounts to schools and libraries
for access to broadband and related services.
Section 54.516 concerns program auditing
and requirements that applicants and service
providers retain all records relevant to E-rate
supported purchases for 10 years and be
available for audits and compliance
inspections.
Need: In its July 2014 E-Rate
Modernization Order, the Commission
reiterated its commitment to protecting the
universal service fund against waste, fraud,
and abuse, and extended the time period over
which applicants and service providers must
retain records associated with E-rate
supported purchases from 5 years to 10 years.
The Order explained that the 5-year
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requirement was not adequate for purposes of
litigation under the False Claims Act.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151–154, 201–205,
214, 254, and 403.
Section Number and Title:
54.516 Auditing and inspections.
Brief Description: This rule implements the
requirements for the Children’s Internet
Protection Act (CIPA) for participation in the
E-rate program, known more formally as the
schools and libraries universal service
support mechanism. Specifically, schools
and libraries with computers with Internet
access must certify that they have in place
certain Internet safety policies and
technology protection measures in order to
be eligible for certain E-rate services.
Need: Implements CIPA in a manner
consistent with Congress’s intent to ensure
that schools and libraries receive discounts
for eligible E-rate services and is crafted in
the most practical and efficacious way
possible to provide schools and libraries with
maximum flexibility in determining the best
approach to be compliant.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 254(h)(1)(B).
Section Number and Title:
54.520 Children’s Internet Protection Act
certifications required from recipients of
discounts under the federal universal
service support mechanism for schools
and libraries.
Subpart H—Administration
Brief Description: These rules specify the
requirements regarding the Universal Service
Administrative Company, as the permanent
Administrator for the Universal Service
support mechanism. These rules establish the
Administrator’s functions and
responsibilities, as well as the composition of
the Administrator’s Board of Directors and
Committees. These rules also establish
requirements regarding contributions and
contributor reporting requirements.
Need: In implementing statutory
requirements for the Universal Service
support mechanism, these rules provide the
framework and requirements for the
administration of the program.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 254.
Section Numbers and Titles:
54.701 Administrator of universal service
support mechanisms.
54.702 Administrator’s functions and
responsibilities.
54.705 Committees of the Administrator’s
Board of Directors.
54.709 Computations of required
contributions to universal service
support mechanisms.
54.711 Contributor reporting requirements.
54.715 Administrative expenses of the
Administrator.
PART 61—TARIFFS
Subpart A—General
Brief Description: The Part 61 rules are
designed to implement the provisions of
sections 201, 202, 203, and 204 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
and help ensure that rates are just,
reasonable, and not unjustly or unreasonably
discriminatory. These rules govern the filing,
form, content, public notice periods, and
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accompanying support materials for tariffs.
Section 61.1 sets out the framework that
governs tariff publications and their
revisions.
Need: Section 61.1(b) sets out provisions
for tariff publication conformance, including
the payment of statutory charges and the use
of FCC registration numbers.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j),
201–205 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
61.1(b) Purpose and application.
Brief Description: Section 61.3(z) defines
‘‘non-dominant carrier’’ as a carrier that the
Commission has not affirmatively found to be
dominant. A dominant carrier is one that the
Commission has found to have market
power—the ability to distort a market for a
particular common carrier service. The rule
also makes clear that the nondominant status
of a carrier for the purposes of Subpart A is
not affected by a carrier’s classification as
dominant under section 63.10 of the rules.
Need: The definition in the rule is used to
determine which carriers need not file tariffs
for their international and interexchange
services.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j),
201–205 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
61.3 Definitions.
Subpart C—General Rules for Nondominant
Carriers
Brief Description: Section 61.19 provides
that nondominant providers of international
and interstate, domestic interexchange
services are generally not permitted to file
tariffs for such services. Paragraphs (b)
through (e) of section 61.19 identify
particular classes of nondominant carriers
that may continue to file tariffs for their
services. Section 61.19(b) provides that
carriers that are nondomiunant in the
provisi0on of international carriers may file
tariffs for their international 1+ dialaround.
Section 61.19(c) provides that carriers that
are nondominant in the provision of
international and domestic, interexchange
service may file a tariff for services
applicable to customers who contact the local
exchange carrier to designate an
interexchange carrier or to change a carrier
and provide service to such customers for up
to 45 days while the nondominant carrier
and the customers conclude a written
agreement covering the service. Section
61.19(d) provides that carriers that are
nondominant in the provision of
international telephone calls to the United
States may file a tariff for such services.
Section 61.19(e) provides that carriers that
are nondominant in the provision of ‘‘on
demand’’ mobile satellite services may file a
tariff for customers who have not entered
into preexisting service contracts designating
a specific provider for such services.
Need: The rule is necessary to implement
the Commission’s policy to rely upon
competition among carriers, providing
telecommunications services through
individual contracts, to assure just and
reasonable rates for such services, rather than
upon a regulated tariff. The use of such
contracts gives the carriers greater flexibility
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to meet specific customer needs, while open
competition ensures that carriers do not
unjustly favor one customer over another.
The exceptions to the general rule listed in
paragraphs (b) through (e) of section 61.19
are needed to deal with specific, largely
short-term situations where reliance upon a
contract could delay the initiation of service
to a particular user.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j),
201–205 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
61.19 Detariffing of international and
interstate, domestic interexchange
services.
Subpart D—General Tariff Rules for
International Dominant Carriers
Brief Description: The part 61 rules are
designed to implement the provisions of
sections 201, 202, 203, and 204 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
and help ensure that rates are just,
reasonable, and not unjustly or unreasonably
discriminatory. These rules govern the filing,
form, content, public notice periods, and
accompanying support materials for tariffs.
Section 61.28 provides general tariff rules for
carriers classified as dominant for the
provision of particular international
communication services on a particular route
for any reason other than a foreign carrier
affiliation. The section specifies that the
provisions under which these carriers must
file tariffs for these services.
Need: Section 61.28 was adopted to
provide the appropriate tariff regulations for
carriers classified as dominant for the
provision of particular international
communication services on a particular route
for any reason other than a foreign carrier
affiliation
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j),
201–205 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
61.28 International dominant carrier tariff
filing requirements.
Subpart E—General Rules for Dominant
Carriers
Brief Description: The part 61 rules are
designed to implement the provisions of
sections 201, 202, 203, and 204 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
and help ensure that carriers’ rates are just,
reasonable, and not unjustly or unreasonably
discriminatory. These rules govern the filing,
form, content, public notice periods, and
accompanying support materials for tariffs.
Section 61.41(e) modifies the all-or-nothing
rule applicable to incumbent local exchange
carriers to permit a limited exception when
a rate-of-return carrier acquires lines from a
price cap carrier and elects to bring the
acquired lines into rate-of-return regulation.
The rule, as amended, will permit the
acquiring carrier to convert the price cap
lines back to rate-of-return regulation.
Need: Section 61.41(e) was adopted to
address the situation when a rate-of-return
carrier seeks to return acquired price cap
lines to rate-of-return regulation, the
problems that the all-or-nothing rule sought
to prevent do not exist, or can be addressed
in a less burdensome way. Because the
carrier wishes to have all of its lines be
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subject to rate-of-return regulation, there can
be no danger of cost shifting between price
cap and non-price cap affiliates. Similarly, a
rate-of-return carrier in this position is not
necessarily seeking to game the system by
moving back and forth between different
regulatory regimes. However, because of the
possibility that the acquiring rate-of-return
carrier could later seek to return to price cap
regulation, thereby potentially gaming the
system, the rule provides that once a rate-ofreturn carrier brings acquired price cap lines
into rate-of-return regulation, it may not for
five years elect price cap regulation for itself,
or by any means cause the acquired lines to
become subject to price cap regulation,
without first obtaining a waiver. This
restriction addresses concerns underlying the
adoption of the all-or-nothing rule, while not
requiring that the election be unnecessarily
irreversible.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j),
201–205, and 403.
Section Number and Title:
61.41(e) Price cap requirements generally.
Subpart G—Specific Rules for Tariff
Publications of Dominant and Nondominant
Carriers
Brief Description: The part 61 rules are
designed to implement the provisions of
sections 201, 202, 203, and 204 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
and help ensure that rates are just,
reasonable, and not unjustly or unreasonably
discriminatory. These rules govern the filing,
form, content, public notice periods, and
accompanying support materials for tariffs.
Section 61.74 provides for two exceptions to
the general rule that tariff publications filed
with the Commission are not permitted to
reference other tariffs or documents. The
exception in section 61.74(d) permits tariffs
to ‘‘reference other FCC tariffs . . . for
purposes of determining mileage, or
specifying the operating centers at which a
specific service is available.’’ The exception
in section 61.74(e) permits tariffs to reference
technical publications that describe
engineering or other technical aspects of a
service under certain conditions.
Need: Sections 61.74(d) and (e) were
adopted to assist carriers by detailing the
limited instances when a tariff filing entity
may make reference to any other tariff
document or instrument in a tariff
publication.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j),
201–205 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
61.74(d) and (e) References to other
instruments.
PART 63—EXTENSION OF LINES, NEW
LINES, AND DISCONTINUANCE,
REDUCTION, OUTAGE AND IMPAIRMENT
OF SERVICE BY COMMON CARRIERS; AND
GRANTS OF RECOGNIZED PRIVATE
OPERATING AGENCY STATUS
EXTENSIONS AND SUPPLEMENTS
Brief Description: The part 63 rules
establish streamlining procedures for
processing domestic common carrier
applications to transfer control of lines or
authorization to operate.
Need: Section 63.03 informs licensees of
the process for requesting streamlined
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processing for applications for domestic
common carriers to transfer control of lines
or authorization to operate.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j),
201–205, 214, 218, 403, and 571.
Section Number and Title:
63.03 Streamlining procedures for domestic
transfer of control applications.
Brief Description: The part 63 rules
establish content requirements for domestic
common carrier applications to transfer
control of lines or authorization to operate.
Need: Establishes procedures for
submitting the correct information necessary
to process domestic common carrier
applications to transfer control of lines or
authorization to operate.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j),
201–205, 214, 218, 403, and 571.
Section Number and Title:
63.04 Filing procedures for domestic
transfer of control applications.
Brief Description: The part 63 rules below
set forth definitions, requirements, and
conditions applicable to international section
214 applications and authorizations to
provide global facilities-based and global
resale services, as well as provisions
regarding requests for designation as a
recognized private operating agency. The
rules pertain to the regulatory classification
of U.S. international carriers; notification and
prior approval requirements for U.S.
international carriers that are or propose to
become affiliated with a foreign carrier;
procedures for processing international
section 214 applications; special provisions
for U.S. international common carriers;
contents of applications for international
common carriers; special procedures for
discontinuances of international services;
special provisions relating to temporary or
emergency service by international carriers;
and related issues. The rules also require
carriers to file all notifications and other
filings electronically through the
International Bureau Filing System (IBFS).
Need: These rules are needed to provide
the framework applicable to international
section 214 authorizations and establish the
general applications, procedures, conditions
and restrictions to ensure that carriers and
affiliates providing services on international
routes meet statutory requirements for
designated global facilities-based and global
resale telecommunication services.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j),
160, 201–205, 214, 218, 403, and 571, unless
otherwise noted.
Section Numbers and Titles:
63.09, Note 2 Definitions applicable to
international Section 214 authorizations.
63.10(d), (e) Regulatory classification of
U.S. international carriers.
63.11(d), (g)–(j) Notification by and prior
approval for U.S. international arriers
that are or propose to become affiliated
with a foreign carrier.
63.12(c)(3) Processing of international
Section 214 applications.
63.14(c) Prohibition on agreeing to accept
special concessions.
63.17(b) introductory text, (b)(1)–(2), (b)(4)
Special provisions for U.S. international
common carriers.
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63.18 introductory text, (e)(3), (g), Note to
paragraph (h) Contents of applications
for international common carriers.
63.19 Special procedures for
discontinuances of international
services.
63.20(a) Electronic filing, copies required;
fees; and filing periods for international
service providers.
63.21(h)–(i) Conditions applicable to all
international Section 214 authorizations.
63.22(a)–(c), (e)–(f) Facilities-based
international common carriers.
63.23(a)–(b), (d) Resale-based international
common carriers.
63.24 Assignments and transfers of control.
63.25(b), (d)(2) Special provisions relating
to temporary or emergency service by
international carriers.
63.51 Additional information.
63.53(a)(1)–(2), (b)–(c) Form.
63.60(d) (currently (g)) Definitions.
63.701 introductory text Contents of
application.
PART 64—MISCELLANEOUS RULES
RELATING TO COMMON CARRIERS
Subpart F—Telecommunications Relay
Services and Related Customer Premises
Equipment for Persons With Disabilities
Brief Description: Under Title IV of the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990,
codified as section 225 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
Congress requires that the Commission
ensure that Telecommunications Relay
Service (TRS) is available, to the extent
possible and in the most efficient manner, to
individuals with hearing and speech
disabilities in the United States. Section 225
defines TRS to be a telephone transmission
service that provides the ability for an
individual with a hearing or speech disability
to engage in communication by wire or radio
with a hearing individual in a manner
functionally equivalent to someone without
such a disability. To fulfill this mandate, the
Commission first issued rules in 1991. TRS
has been available on a uniform, nationwide
basis since July 26, 1993. In 1997, the
Commission adopted use of the 711 dialing
code for nationwide access to TRS that uses
the public switched telephone network, so as
to facilitate greater and universal access to
TRS for individuals with hearing and speech
disabilities. In 2000, the Commission added
‘‘711’’ to the definitions set forth in its TRS
rules, found at 47 CFR 64.601 et. seq.
Need: Section 64.601 enables individuals
with hearing and speech disabilities greater
access to telecommunications service by
allowing TRS users to dial 711 anywhere in
the United States without the need to dial a
dedicated TRS access number for each state
TRS program.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154, 201–205,
218, 225, 251(e)(1) and 303(r).
Section Number and Title:
64.601(a)(1) Definitions and provisions of
general applicability.
Subpart I—Allocation of Costs
Brief Description: The part 64, subpart I
rules describe obligations of carriers to
allocate their regulated and unregulated costs
and of certain incumbent local exchange
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carriers (LECs) to file cost allocation manuals
and perform audits. Section 64.905 requires
mid-size LECs to file annually a certification
with the Commission stating that they are
complying with the allocation of cost
requirements in section 64.901 of the
Commission’s rules.
Need: Section 64.905 eliminates the
requirement that the mid-sized LECs incur
the expense of an attest audit every two years
for their cost allocation manuals. Instead, the
mid-sized LECs are required to file an annual
certification of compliance.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 254(k),
403(b)(2)(B) and (c).
Section Number and Title:
64.905 Annual certification.
Subpart K—Changes in Preferred
Telecommunications Service Providers
Brief Description: These rules implement
section 258 of the Communications Act of
1934 (Act), as amended, which prohibits any
telecommunications carrier from submitting
or executing an unauthorized change in a
subscriber’s selection of a provider of
telephone exchange service or telephone toll
service (‘‘slamming’’). Section 64.1100
defines terms as used in this subpart, and
paragraph (h) specifically defines the term
‘‘subscriber’’ as the party identified in the
account records as responsible for payment
of the bill; any adult person authorized by
such party to change telecommunications
services or to charge services to the account;
or any person contractually or otherwise
lawfully authorized to represent such party.
Need: Slamming enables those companies
who engage in fraudulent activity to increase
their customer and revenue bases at the
expense of consumers and law-abiding
companies. The rules in subpart K improve
the carrier change process for consumers and
carriers alike, while making it more difficult
for unscrupulous carriers to perpetrate slams.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152 and 258.
Section Number and Title:
64.1100 Definitions.
Brief Description: This rule governs the
unauthorized switching of subscribers’
preferred telecommunications carriers,
commonly known as ‘‘slamming.’’ Section
64.1110 sets forth the procedures a state must
use to notify the Commission of the state’s
intention to administer the Commission’s
slamming rules.
Need: This rule seeks to protect consumers
and authorized carriers from the confusion,
inconvenience, and lost revenue associated
with a slam, and to ensure that unauthorized
carriers do not profit from slamming
activities.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154, 201–205,
258 and 303(r).
Section Number and Title:
64.1110 State notification of election to
administer FCC rules.
Brief Description: These rules govern the
unauthorized switching of subscribers’
preferred telecommunications carriers, an
activity more commonly known as
‘‘slamming.’’ These rules are designed to take
the profit out of slamming, and to protect
consumers and authorized carriers from
unauthorized carrier changes by ensuring
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that consumers have verified their intent to
switch providers when authorizing a carrier
change. The rules require all interexchange
carriers to institute verification procedures
before submitting a carrier change request on
behalf of a customer. Section 64.1120 sets
forth procedures for verifying orders for
telecommunication service. Section 64.1130,
originally promulgated as 64.1160, details the
use of letters of agency as a form of
authorizing and/or verifying a subscriber’s
request to change his or her preferred carrier
selection. Section 64.1140 sets forth carrier
and subscriber liability for charges resulting
from slamming. Section 64.1150 sets forth
procedures for resolving unauthorized
changes in a preferred carrier. Section
64.1160 sets forth absolution procedures
where the subscriber has not paid charges to
the unauthorized carrier. Section 64.1170
sets forth procedures for reimbursing
subscribers who have already paid charges to
an unauthorized carrier. The Commission
removed Section 64.1180. Section 64.1195
requires carriers that provide interstate
telecommunications service to file certain
business information, including business
names, addresses, contact persons, and the
states in which the carrier provides service,
with the Commission in accordance with the
procedures described in this section and the
instructions to FCC Form 499–A.
Need: These rules are intended to deter
and ultimately eliminate unauthorized
changes in subscribers telecommunications
carriers. The rules absolve subscribers of
liability for slamming charges in order to
ensure that carriers do not profit from
slamming activities, and seek to protect
consumers from the confusion and
inconvenience they would experience as a
result of being slammed. Maintaining the
registration information required in this
section facilitates enforcement of the
slamming rules.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 154, 201–
205, 218, 258 and 303(r).
Section Numbers and Titles:
64.1120 Verification of orders for
telecommunication service.
64.1130 Letter of agency form and content.
64.1140 Carrier liability for slamming.
64.1150 Procedures for resolution of
unauthorized changes in preferred
carriers.
64.1160 Absolution procedures where the
subscriber has not paid charges.
64.1170 Reimbursement procedures where
the subscriber has paid charges.
64.1195 Registration requirement.
Subpart L—Restrictions on Telemarketing,
Telephone Solicitation, and Facsimile
Advertising
Brief Description: The Telephone
Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) was
enacted to address certain telemarketing
practices, including calls to wireless
telephone numbers, which Congress found to
be an invasion of consumer privacy and even
a risk to public safety. In the TCPA, Congress
created a balance between individual privacy
rights and legitimate telemarketing practices.
The Commission crafted rules in 1992 to
achieve this balance. Subsequently, the
Commission has revised and amended the
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rules that it adopted in 1992 pursuant to the
TCPA, including the establishment of a
national do-not-call list to carry out Congress’
TCPA directives.
Need: These rules are consistent with the
requirements under the TCPA and provide
consumers with additional options for
avoiding unwanted telephone solicitations.
These additional options include, among
other things, prohibiting telephone calls to a
telephone number registered on the national
do-not-call registry of persons who do not
wish to receive telephone solicitations. These
rules strike an appropriate balance between
maximizing consumer privacy protections
and avoiding imposing undue burdens on
telemarketers.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151–154, 222, 227,
and 303(r).
Section Numbers and Titles:
64.1200 Delivery restrictions.
64.1201 Restrictions on billing name and
address disclosure.
Subpart M—Provision of Payphone Service
Brief Description: The part 64, subpart M
rules describe payphone compensation
obligations between carriers and payphone
service providers in the provision of
payphone services.
Section 64.1300(a) defines a ‘‘Completing
Carrier’’ for purposes of determining
payphone service compensation
requirements and methodology under
subpart M rules.
Need: The section 64.1300(a) definition of
‘‘Completing Carrier’’ was adopted to help
ensure that payphone service providers are
fairly compensated for payphone-originated
calls that are completed, as required under
section 276 of the Communications Act.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 276.
Section Number and Title:
64.1300(a) Payphone compensation
obligation.
Brief Description: The part 64, subpart M
rules describe payphone compensation
obligations between carriers and payphone
service providers in the provision of
payphone services. Section 64.1301
establishes a default compensation amount
per payphone per month for access code and
subscriber toll-free calls, allocates this
monthly amount among the designated
payors of per-payphone compensation, sets
forth certain compensation offset issues, and
provides for the valuation of payphone assets
transferred by local exchange carriers to a
separate affiliate or division.
Need: Section 64.1301 was adopted to help
ensure that payphone service providers are
fairly compensated for payphone-originated
calls that are completed, as required under
section 276 of the Communications Act of
1934, as amended.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 254(k),
403(b)(2)(B) and (c).
Section Number and Title:
64.1301 Per-payphone compensation.
Subpart P—Calling Party Telephone
Number; Privacy
Brief Description: This rule requires
telemarketers to transmit caller identification
information and prohibits telemarketers from
blocking the transmission of caller
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identification information. Under this rule,
caller identification information must
include either Automated Number
Identification (ANI) or Calling Party Number
(CPN) and, when available by the
telemarketer’s carrier, the name of the
telemarketer.
Need: This rule requiring telemarketers to
transmit caller identification information
permits consumers to screen out unwanted
calls and to identify companies that they
wish to ask not to call again. Additionally,
knowing the identity of the caller is also
helpful to consumers who feel frightened or
threatened by hang-up and ‘‘dead air’’ calls.
Caller identification information also should
increase accountability and provide an
important resource for use in pursuing
enforcement actions.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151–154, 227, and
303(r).
Section Number and Title:
64.1601(e) Delivery requirements and
privacy restrictions.
Subpart U—Customer Proprietary Network
Information
Brief Description: Subpart U implements
the provisions of section 222 of the Act
concerning customer proprietary network
information (CPNI). Section 64.2008
establishes the notification procedures and
requirements carriers must adhere to in
providing notice of customers’ rights to
restrict the use of, disclosure of, and access
to that customer’s CPNI.
Need: The CPNI regulations in section 222
are largely consumer protection provisions
that establish restrictions on carrier use and
disclosure of personal customer information.
The statutory design expressly recognizes the
duty of all carriers to protect customer
information and embodies the principle that
customers must be able to control
information they view as sensitive and
personal from use, disclosure, and access by
carriers. These rules further Congress’ goals
of fostering competition in
telecommunications markets and ensuring
the privacy of customer information.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 222.
Section Number and Title:
64.2008 Notice required for use of customer
proprietary network information.
Brief Description: Subpart U implements
the provisions of section 222 of the Act
concerning customer proprietary network
information (CPNI). Section 64.2009
generally establishes safeguards carriers must
implement to protect their customers from
the carriers’ use of customer CPNI. Paragraph
(f) sets forth the notification procedures
carriers must follow to notify the
Commission in any instance where the
carrier’s CPNI opt-out approval mechanism
for customers does not work properly.
Need: The CPNI regulations in section 222
are largely consumer protection provisions
that establish restrictions on carrier use and
disclosure of personal customer information.
The statutory design expressly recognizes the
duty of all carriers to protect customer
information and embodies the principle that
customers must be able to control
information they view as sensitive and
personal from use, disclosure, and access by
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carriers. These rules further Congress’ goals
of fostering competition in
telecommunications markets and ensuring
the privacy of customer information.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 222.
Section Number and Title:
64.2009(f) Safeguards required for use of
customer proprietary network
information.
Subpart Y—Truth-in-Billing Requirements
for Common Carriers; Billing for
Unauthorized Charges
Brief Description: These rules govern the
billing practices of telecommunications
service providers. The rules provide that
consumer telephone bills must be clearly
organized, clearly identify the service
provider, and highlight any new providers. In
addition, the rules require that bills contain
full and non-misleading descriptions of
charges that appear therein. Where a bill
contains charges for basic local service in
addition to other charges, the rules require
that the bill distinguish between charges for
which non-payment will result in
disconnection of basic, local service, and
charges for which non-payment will not
result in such disconnection. Bills must also
contain clear and conspicuous disclosure of
any information the consumer may need to
make inquiries about, or contest charges, on
the bill, including a toll-free number by
which subscribers may inquire or dispute
any charges on the bill.
Need: These rules are intended to reduce
slamming and other telecommunications
fraud by setting standards for bills for
telecommunications service. They are
designed to ensure that consumers are
provided with the basic information they
need to understand their telecommunications
bills. They are also intended to provide
consumers with the tools they need to make
informed choices in a competitive
telecommunications marketplace.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i) and (j),
201–209, 254, 258 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
64.2400(b) Purpose and scope.
Brief Description: In 1999, the Commission
adopted rules to govern the billing practices
of telecommunications service providers. In
2000, the Commission amended and
renumbered certain of those rules, and in so
doing created a new section 64.2401(e) from
text previously existing in those rules.
Among other requirements, the rules provide
that bills must contain clear and conspicuous
disclosure of any information the consumer
may need to make inquiries about, or contest,
charges on the bill, and section 64.2401(e)
defines ‘‘clear and conspicuous’’ as ‘‘notice
that would be apparent to the reasonable
consumer.’’
Need: These rules are intended to reduce
‘‘slamming’’ and other telecommunications
fraud by setting standards for bills for
telecommunications service. They are
designed to ensure that consumers are
provided with the basic information they
need to understand their telecommunications
bills. They are also intended to provide
consumers with the tools they need to make
informed choices in a competitive
telecommunications marketplace.
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Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i) and (j),
201–209, 254, 258 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
64.2401(e) Truth-in-Billing Requirements.
Subpart Z—Prohibition on Exclusive
Telecommunications Contracts
Brief Description: Subpart Z is intended to
further competition in local communications
markets by ensuring that competing
telecommunications providers are able to
provide services to customers in multiple
tenant environments (MTEs). Section 64.2500
prohibits carriers from entering into contracts
that would in any way restrict the right of
any commercial or residential multiunit
premises owner to permit any other common
carrier to access and serve commercial
tenants on that premises.
Need: These rules reduce the likelihood
that incumbent LECs can obstruct their
competitors’ access to MTEs, as well as
address particular potentially
anticompetitive actions by premises owners
and other third parties.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152 and 202.
Section Number and Title:
64.2500 Prohibited agreements.
Brief Description: Subpart Z is intended to
further competition in local communications
markets by ensuring that competing
telecommunications providers are able to
provide services to customers in multiple
tenant environments (MTEs). Section 64.2501
defines the terms ‘‘multiunit premises’’ and
sets forth the distinction between commercial
and residential multiunit premises for the
purposes of this subpart.
Need: These rules reduce the likelihood
that incumbent LECs can obstruct their
competitors’ access to MTEs, as well as
address particular potentially
anticompetitive actions by premises owners
and other third parties.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152 and 202.
Section Number and Title:
64.2501 Scope of limitation.
Brief Description: Subpart Z is intended to
further competition in local communications
markets by ensuring that competing
telecommunications providers are able to
provide services to customers in multiple
tenant environments (MTEs). Section 64.2502
clarifies that the rules in subpart Z do not
preempt state regulations that require a
governmental entity to enter into a contract
with a carrier which would restrict the
governmental entity’s right to obtain
telecommunications service from another
carrier.
Need: These rules reduce the likelihood
that incumbent LECs can obstruct their
competitors’ access to MTEs, as well as
address particular potentially
anticompetitive actions by premises owners
and other third parties.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 202 and
218.
Section Number and Title:
64.2502 Effect of state law or regulation.
Subpart BB—Restrictions on Unwanted
Mobile Service Commercial Messages
Brief Description: These rules implement
the Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited
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Pornography and Marketing Act of 2003, or
the CAN–SPAM Act. The rules protect
wireless subscribers from receiving
unwanted commercial electronic mail
messages. Specifically, the rules prohibit the
transmission of commercial messages to any
address referencing an Internet domain name
associated with a wireless subscriber
messaging service, unless the individual
addressee has given the sender express prior
authorization. To assist the senders of such
messages in identifying wireless subscribers,
the rules also require that Commercial
Mobile Radio Service (CMRS) providers file
with the Commission the names of all
electronic domain names used for wireless
service.
Need: These rules are consistent with the
requirements of the CAN–SPAM Act. In
promulgating these rules, the Commission
determined that the establishment of a list of
domain names was the most effective method
to allow wireless subscribers to avoid
unwanted electronic messages. The rules
impose minimal burdens on CMRS
providers, and provide a variety of ways to
obtain authorizations from those wireless
subscribers who want to receive messages
from specific senders.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151–154, 222, 227,
and 303(r); and the Controlling the Assault of
Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing
Act of 2003, Pub. L. 108–187, 117 Stat. 2699;
15 U.S.C. Sections 7701–7712.
Section Number and Title:
64.3100 Restrictions on mobile service
commercial messages.
PART 68—CONNECTION OF TERMINAL
EQUIPMENT TO THE TELEPHONE
NETWORK
Subpart A—General
Brief Description: Part 68 sets forth rules
concerning the connection of terminal
equipment and associated premises wiring to
the public telephone network. Subpart A
identifies the purpose and scope of part 68
and defines key terms. Section 68.2, in
particular, establishes that part 68 rules
apply to the direct connection of all terminal
equipment to the public switched telephone
network for use in conjunction with all
services other than party line services, but
allows exemptions to part 68 rules in the
interest of national defense and security,
provided certain conditions are met. Section
68.7 requires that terminal equipment shall
not cause harm, as defined in section 68.3,
to the public switched telephone network.
Section 68.7 also establishes that technical
criteria published by the Administrative
Council for Terminal Attachments (ACTA), a
private industry organization, are
presumptively valid for protecting the public
switched telephone network from harms
caused by the connection of terminal
equipment, subject to the appeal procedures
identified in part 68 subpart G.
Need: The rules in subpart A provide the
foundation for uniform standards, set forth
generally in part 68 and industry standards
published by ACTA, to protect the public
switched telephone network from harms
caused by connection of terminal equipment
and the associated wiring thereto. These
standards enable terminal equipment and
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premises wiring to be provided
competitively.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151–154, 201–205
and 303(r).
Section Numbers and Titles:
68.2 Scope.
68.3 Definitions.
68.7 Technical criteria for terminal
equipment.
Subpart B—Conditions on Use of Terminal
Equipment
Brief Description: Section 68.100
establishes that terminal equipment may be
directly connected to the public switched
telephone network, including private line
services that are provided over wireline
facilities that are owned by providers of
wireline telecommunications, in accordance
with the rules and regulations in part 68.
Section 68.102 sets forth a requirement for
terminal equipment approval in accordance
with regulations in part 68 subpart C;
otherwise, terminal equipment must be
connected through protective circuitry that is
approved. Section 68.106 requires customers
who connect terminal equipment or
protective circuitry to the public switched
telephone network to provide certain
information to the wireline service provider,
upon request; this is information ACTA
requires to be placed on the equipment under
section 68.354. Section 68.110 obligates
wireline telecommunications service
providers to make available, upon request,
technical interface requirements that are not
published by ACTA if compliance with these
requirements is needed for terminal
equipment to operate compatibly with the
communications facilities of the service
provider. Subpart B section 68.105 sets forth
rules regarding the demarcation point,
including a requirement for carrier-provided
facilities at the demarcation point to consist
of a wire or jack conforming to ACTA
requirements. Section 68.105 also sets forth
specific requirements for the location of
demarcation point(s) in single and multiunit
installations. In the case of multiunit
installations where wiring is being installed,
section 68.105 establishes the right of the
premises owner to determine whether there
will be a single demarcation point location
for all customers, or separate locations for
each customer. In the case of existing multiunit installations where the demarcation
point is not already at the minimum point of
entry, section 68.105 requires the service
provider to negotiate terms in good faith and
complete negotiations for moving the
demarcation point to the minimum point of
entry within 45 days after receiving a request
from the premises owner. Section 68.105 also
requires wireline communications providers
to make information available about the
location(s) of demarcation points to premises
owners and establishes the right of premises
owners to file complaints with the
Commission to resolve allegations of bad
faith bargaining by the provider of wireline
telecommunications.
Need: These rules establish uniform
conditions under which terminal equipment
may be directly connected to the public
switched telephone network, regardless of
the supplier of the terminal equipment, thus
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protecting the network from harms caused by
connection of terminal equipment while
enabling terminal equipment to be provided
competitively. These rules also establish the
rights and obligations of both customers who
connect terminal equipment to the network
and wireline service providers whose
network may be harmed by attached terminal
equipment. Similarly, the demarcation point
requirements in this subpart enable premises
(or ‘‘inside’’) wiring to be provided and
maintained competitively, while establishing
the rights and obligations of both premises
owners and wireline service providers.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151–154, 201–205
and 303(r).
Section Numbers and Titles:
68.100 General.
68.102 Terminal equipment approval
requirement.
68.105 Minimum point of entry (MPOE)
and demarcation point.
68.106 Notification to provider of wireline
telecommunications.
68.110 Compatibility of the public switched
telephone network and terminal.
Subpart C—Terminal Equipment Approval
Procedures
Brief Description: Section 68.201
designates two methods by which
responsible parties may obtain approval (or
‘‘authorization’’) for terminal equipment to
connect to the public switched telephone
network: (1) Obtaining certification from a
Telecommunications Certification Body
(TCB) and (2) following all the procedures set
forth in part 68 subpart D for a Supplier’s
Declaration of Conformity. Section 68.211
permits the Commission to revoke the
interconnection authorization of terminal
equipment for causes identified in this
section, regardless of the method (TCB
certification or SDoC) that was used to obtain
the authorization. Section 68.211 also
establishes procedures for reauthorization of
terminal equipment after its approval has
been revoked, and for reconsideration or
appeal in the case where authorization has
been revoked or a forfeiture established.
Section 68.218 establishes the
responsibilities of parties that obtain terminal
equipment approvals.
Need: These rules largely privatize the
terminal equipment approval process, except
for enforcement. By adopting two effective
methods of terminal equipment approval,
these rules allow suppliers to bring to market
products incorporating new features and
technology with reduced delays and lower
costs, while still providing sufficient
assurance that the terminal equipment
complies with technical criteria for
preventing harms to the public switched
telephone network.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151–154, 201–205
and 303(r)
Section Numbers and Titles:
68.201 Connection to the public switched
telephone network.
68.211 Terminal equipment approval
revocation procedures.
68.218 Responsibility of the party acquiring
equipment authorization.
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Subpart D—Conditions for Terminal
Equipment Approval
Brief Description: These rule sections
generally define and establish the process
under which responsible parties, as defined
in subpart A, section 68.3, acquire terminal
equipment approval using a supplier’s
declaration of conformity (SDoC); and set
forth the obligations of responsible parties for
SDoCs.
Need: Labeling of terminal equipment
enables consumers and others to recognize
compliant equipment, which promotes its
use, and to identify the responsible party
when necessary, which assists in the
Commission’s enforcement of part 68 rules.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151–154, 201–205
and 303(r).
Section Numbers and Title:
68.300 Labeling requirements.
Brief Description: These rules require any
fax broadcaster that uses a computer or other
electronic device to send any message via a
telephone facsimile machine and
demonstrates a high degree of involvement in
the transmission of such facsimile message to
be identified on the facsimile, along with the
identification of the sender and the telephone
number of the sending machine or of the
business, other entity or individual. Under
these rules, senders of fax advertisements are
required to use the name under which they
are officially registered to conduct business.
Need: These rules are consistent with the
requirements of the Telephone Consumer
Protection Act (TCPA), and permit
consumers to hold fax broadcasters
accountable for unlawful fax advertisements
when there is a high degree of involvement
on the part of the fax broadcaster.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. Sections 151–154,
227, and 303(r).
Section Number and Title:
68.318(d) Additional limitations.
Brief Description: These rule sections
generally define and establish the process
under which responsible parties, as defined
in subpart A, section 68.3, acquire terminal
equipment approval using a supplier’s
declaration of conformity (SDoC); and set
forth the obligations of responsible parties for
SDoCs. Among these are obligations to
ensure compliance of terminal equipment,
which are subject to an SDoC, with
appropriate standards; to make no changes to
terminal equipment that would materially
change the information provided on the
SDoC; to retain certain records of terminal
equipment compliance testing; to compile
and retain a description of the testing
facilities; and to file the SDoC and other
required information with Administrative
Council for Terminal Attachments (ACTA).
These rules specify that in those cases where
the responsible party licenses a second party
to manufacture terminal equipment that is
subject to an SDoC, the responsible party
remains responsible for terminal equipment
compliance; however, in the event of a
change in ownership or control of the
responsible party, the successor entity
becomes the responsible party. These rules
also set forth conditions, in addition to those
specified in subpart C, under which the
Commission may revoke an SDoC. Subpart D
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also establishes rules concerning the
numbering and labeling of terminal
equipment, and in particular, requires
numbering and labeling of all approved
terminal equipment in accordance with
labeling requirements developed and
published by ACTA.
Need: These rules permit suppliers to
select SDoC as an alternative to
Telecommunication Certification Body (TCB)
certification of terminal equipment. The
SDoC procedure reduces the complexity, cost
and delays associated with premarket
approval for some suppliers, while still
providing sufficient assurance that the
terminal equipment complies with technical
criteria for preventing harms to the public
switched telephone network.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151–154, 201–205
and 303(r).
Section Numbers and Titles:
68.320 Supplier’s Declaration of
Conformity.
68.322 Changes in name, address,
ownership or control of responsible
party.
68.324 Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity
requirements.
68.326 Retention of records.
68.346 Description of testing facilities.
68.348 Changes in equipment and circuitry
subject to a Supplier’s Declaration of
Conformity.
68.350 Revocation of Supplier’s Declaration
of Conformity.
68.354 Numbering and labeling
requirements for terminal equipment.
Subpart G—Administrative Council for
Terminal Attachments
Brief Description: These rule sections
establish the Administrative Council for
Terminal Attachments (ACTA) under the
joint sponsorship of the Telecommunications
Industry Association (TIA) and the Alliance
for Telecommunications Industry Solutions
(ATIS) with responsibilities to (1) administer
the industry review and publication of
technical criteria for protecting the public
switched telephone network from harms
caused by terminal equipment; (2) maintain
and operate a publicly available database of
all approved terminal equipment; and (3)
establish labeling requirements for approved
terminal equipment. These rule sections also
authorize ANSI- accredited standards
development organizations (SDOs) to
develop and maintain terminal equipment
technical criteria, and to submit them to
ACTA for publication, provided they use an
open process, similar to a Commission
rulemaking proceeding. Technical criteria
submitted to ACTA for review must be
limited to protecting the public switched
telephone network from harms, as described
in section 68.3, and must not conflict with
terminal equipment technical criteria that are
already published or under review. These
rules permit several methods of opposing
proposed terminal equipment technical
criteria, including direct appeal to the
Commission for de novo review.
Need: These rules largely privatize the
development of terminal equipment
technical criteria, except for certain appeals.
Industry, rather than Commission,
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development of technical criteria decreases
the time to availability of published criteria
and allows suppliers to bring innovative and
compliant consumer products, especially for
the provision of advanced services, to the
market on an expedited basis. The
availability of a uniform, nationwide
database of approved terminal equipment
permits the Commission, providers of
telecommunications and consumers to
identify responsible parties for terminal
equipment and to verify compliance of
terminal equipment against the database.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151–154, 201–205
and 303(r).
Section Numbers and Titles:
68.602 Sponsor of the Administrative
Council for Terminal Attachments.
68.604 Requirements for submitting
technical criteria.
68.608 Publication of technical criteria.
68.610 Database of terminal equipment.
68.612 Labels on terminal equipment.
68.614 Oppositions and appeals.
PART 69—ACCESS CHARGES
Subpart A—General
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are
designed to implement the provisions of
sections 201, 202, and 203 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local
exchange carriers. These rules help ensure
that rates are just, reasonable, and not
unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory.
Section 69.2 sets out definitions for terms
used in this part. Specifically, section
69.2(ww) defines ‘‘Interstate common line
support’’ (ICLS) as the ‘‘funds that are
provided pursuant to section 54.901 of this
chapter.’’
Need: Section 69.2(ww) was adopted to
define ICLS for purposes of the rules
regarding the calculation of access charges.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j),
201–203, 205, 218, 220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Titles:
69.2(ww) Definitions.
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are
designed to implement the provisions of
sections 201, 202, and 203 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local
exchange carriers (LECs). These rules help
ensure that rates are just, reasonable and not
unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory.
Section 69.4 sets forth the charges to be
included in the carrier’s tariffs for access
services that are filed by incumbent LECs. In
particular, section 69.4(b) provides that, with
some exceptions, those charges must include
charges for enumerated rate elements.
Section 69.4(b)(2) specifies that one of these
rate elements is ‘‘Carrier common line,
provided that after June 30, 2003, non-price
cap local exchange carriers may not assess a
carrier common line charge.’’ Section 69.4(d)
provides for the recovery of contributions to
the universal service support mechanisms.
Section 69.4(g) specifies that local exchange
carriers may establish appropriate rate
elements for a new service. Section 69.4(j)
provides that a non-price cap LEC may
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include charges for enumerated rate elements
in its charges for access service filed with the
Commission.
Need: Section 69.4 lists charges for access
services that are to be included in tariffs filed
by incumbent LECs necessary to foster
competition, move access charges over time
to economically efficient levels and rate
structures, preserve universal service, and
lower rates.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j),
201–203, 205, 218, 220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Titles:
69.4 (b)(2), (d), (g), (j) Charges to be filed.
Subpart B—Computation of Charges
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are
designed to implement the provisions of
sections 201, 202, and 203 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local
exchange carriers (LECs). These rules help
ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and not
unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory.
Section 69.104(a), (c)–(f), and (n)–(r) provide
for the computation of end user common line
charges by non-price cap incumbent LECs.
Need: Section 69.104(a), (c)–(f), and (n)–(r)
were adopted to provide the methodology for
the computation of end user common line
charges by non-price cap incumbent LECs
under the Commission’s access charge
regime.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 201–203, 205,
218, 220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Titles:
69.104(a), (c) through (f), (n) through (r) End
user common line for non-price cap
incumbent local exchange carriers.
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are
designed to implement the provisions of
sections 201, 202, and 203 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local
exchange carriers (LECs). These rules help
ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and not
unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory.
Section 69.105(a) and (d) provide for the
computation of carrier common line charges
by non-price cap incumbent LECs through
June 30, 2003, when they were eliminated.
Need: Section 69.105(a) and (d) were
adopted to provide the methodology until
June 30, 2003 for the computation of carrier
common line charges by non-price cap
incumbent LECs under the Commission’s
access charge regime.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 201–203, 205,
218, 220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Titles:
69.105(a), (d) Carrier common line for nonprice cap local exchange carriers.
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are
designed to implement the provisions of
sections 201, 202, and 203 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local
exchange carriers (LECs). These rules help
ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and not
unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory.
Section 69.106 sets forth requirements that
non-price cap LECs must follow in setting
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their per-minute access charges for local
switching. In particular, subsection 106(g)
provides that a LEC may recover signaling
costs associated with call setup through a
per-minute charge imposed on all
interexchange carriers. Section 69.106(h)
specifies rate elements that non-price cap
LECs may establish, with certain exceptions.
Need: Section 69.106(g) and (h) were
adopted to permit incumbent LECs to assess
a call setup charge and allow non-price cap
incumbent LECs to establish trunk port
charges at the local switch, respectively.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j),
201–203, 205, 218, 220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Titles:
69.106(g) through (h) Local switching.
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are
designed to implement the provisions of
sections 201, 202, and 203 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local
exchange carriers (LECs). These rules help
ensure that rates are just, reasonable and not
unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory.
Section 69.111 sets forth provisions
governing tandem-switched transport and
tandem charges. In particular, section
69.111(m) specifies the means by which nonprice cap LECs may establish separate
charges for multiplexers and dedicated trunk
ports used in conjunction with the tandem
switch.
Need: Section 69.111(m) permits non-price
cap LECs to establish separate multiplexing
and port charges at the tandem switch to
facilitate cost-based recovery.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j),
201–203, 205, 218, 220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Titles:
69.111(m) Tandem-switched transport and
tandem charge.
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are
designed to implement the provisions of
sections 201, 202, and 203 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local
exchange carriers (LECs). These rules help
ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and not
unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory.
Section 69.124 provides for the computation
of interconnection charges by non-price cap
incumbent LECs.
Need: Section 69.124(a) was adopted to
provide the methodology until December 31,
2001 for the computation of interconnection
charges by non-price cap incumbent LECs
under the Commission’s access charge
regime.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 201–203, 205,
218, 220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Titles:
69.124(a) Interconnection charge.
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are
designed to implement the provisions of
sections 201, 202, and 203 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local
exchange carriers (LECs). These rules help
ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and not
unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory.
Section 69.130 allows non-price cap
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incumbent LECs to recover those line port
costs for a service that exceeds the costs of
a line port used for basic, analog service
through a separate monthly end user charge.
Need: Section 69.130 was adopted to
provide for the recovery of certain line port
costs by non-price cap incumbent LECs of
certain higher line port costs from services
benefiting from the higher line port costs.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 201–203, 205,
218, 220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
69.130 Line port costs in excess of basic
analog service.
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are
designed to implement the provisions of
sections 201, 202, and 203 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local
exchange carriers (LECs). These rules help
ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and not
unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory.
Section 69.131 provides the means by which
non-price cap LECs may recover universal
service contribution costs from customers.
Need: Section 69.131 was adopted to
promote the Commission’s universal service
goals by providing a non-price cap LEC a
means to recover its universal service
contribution from end user customers other
than Lifeline customers.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j),
201–203, 205, 218, 220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
69.131 Universal service end user charges.
Subpart C—Computation of Charges for
Price Cap Local Exchange Carriers
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are
designed to implement the provisions of
sections 201, 202, and 203 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local
exchange carriers (LECs). These rules help
ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and not
unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory.
Section 69.153(f) provides that payphone
lines are not subject to the Presubscribed
Interexchange Carrier Charge (PICC).
Need: The elimination of the PICC for
payphone lines in section 69.153(f) was
adopted to comply with the antisubsidization and anti-discrimination
provisions of section 276 of the Act,
specifically the determination that payphone
line rates should be set according to the costbased new services test.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 201–203, 205,
218, 220, 254, and 403.
Section Number and Title:
69.153(f) Presubscribed interexchange
carrier charge (PICC).
Subpart D—Apportionment of Net
Investment
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are
designed to implement the provisions of
sections 201, 202, and 203 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local
exchange carriers (LECs). These rules help
ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and not
unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory.
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Section 69.302(a) provides the methods to be
used for purposes of apportioning investment
in telecommunications plant in service,
inventories, and telephone bank stock among
the various access categories.
Need: Section 69.302(a) was adopted as a
result of the Commission’s efforts to reduce
regulatory burdens on incumbent LECs.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 201–203, 205,
218, 220, 254, and 403.
Section Number and Title:
69.302(a) Net investment.
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are
designed to implement the provisions of
sections 201, 202, and 203 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local
exchange carriers (LECs). These rules help
ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and not
unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory.
Section 69.306 provides the methods to be
used for purposes of apportioning investment
in central office equipment (COE) among the
various access categories. Section 69.306(d)
was revised to reallocate line port costs to the
common line category.
Need: Section 69.306(d) was adopted to
implement the decision that non-price cap
LECs should recover line port costs through
common line charges.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j),
201–203, 205, 218, 220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
69.306(d) Central office equipment (COE).
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are
designed to implement the provisions of
sections 201, 202, and 203 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local
exchange carriers (LECs). These rules help
ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and not
unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory.
Section 69.307(c) and (e) apportion general
purpose computer investment and other
general support facilities investments of nonprice cap LECs among various access
categories to establish rates.
Need: These rules were adopted to help
ensure that rates are just and reasonable by
preventing cross-subsidization of a non-price
cap LEC’s non-regulated services by its
regulated services, thereby creating a more
economically rational, cost-based access rate
structure.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 201–203, 205,
218, 220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
69.307(c), (e) General support facilities.
Subpart E—Apportionment of Expenses
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are
designed to implement the provisions of
sections 201, 202, and 203 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local
exchange carriers (LECs). These rules help
ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and not
unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory.
Section 69.415 reallocates costs of non-price
cap LECs that had been recovered through
the transport interconnection charge to other
access charge rate elements.
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Need: Section 69.415 was adopted as part
of access rate structure reforms for rate-ofreturn LECs to promote competition under
the 1996 Act and helps ensure that rates are
just and reasonable. By eliminating the
transport interconnection charge as a
separate rate element, the rule was designed
to make the access rate structure more
economically rational for rate-of-return
carriers and drive their traffic sensitive rates
toward lower, more cost-based levels.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 201–203, 205,
218, 220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
69.415 Reallocation of certain transport
expenses.
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Subpart F—Segregation of Common Line
Element Revenue Requirement
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are
designed to implement the provisions of
sections 201, 202, and 203 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local
exchange carriers (LECs). These rules help
ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and not
unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory.
Section 69.501 sets forth general rules for
isolating the Common Line element revenue
requirement. This section was revised to
conform the rule to revisions to other rules
as part of revising the access rates and rate
structure for non-price cap LECs.
Need: Section 69.501 was adopted to
conform the rule to other revisions to part 69.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j),
201–203, 205, 218, 220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
69.501(b); (c); (e); (f) General.
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are
designed to implement the provisions of
sections 201, 202, and 203 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local
exchange carriers (LECs). These rules help
ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and not
unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory.
Section 69.502 delineates how carriers
should deduct projected revenues from a
number of sources from the base factor
portion to determine the amount that is
assigned to the Carrier Common Line rate
element. These revisions were made to
conform the rule to other revisions to part 69
as part of reforming access charges for nonprice cap LECs.
Need: Sections 69.502(d) and (e) were
added to conform the rule to other revisions
to part 69.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j),
201–203, 205, 218, 220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
69.502(d); (e) Base factor allocation.
Subpart G—Exchange Carrier Association
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are
designed to implement the provisions of
sections 201, 202, and 203 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local
exchange carriers. These rules help ensure
that rates are just, reasonable, and not
unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory.
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Subpart G provides for the establishment and
operation of the National Exchange Carrier
Association (NECA), which files tariffs on
behalf of all telephone companies that do not
file separate tariffs or concur in a joint access
tariff of another telephone company. Section
69.603(g) and (h)(5) were revised to include
interstate common line support in the
methodology by which NECA allocates its
expenses among its functions and how it
recovers those expenses.
Need: Section 69.603(g) and (h)(5) were
added to include interstate common line
support amounts in the processes for
allocating and recovering NECA expenses
from its various functions.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 201–203, 205,
218 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
69.603(g), (h)(5) Association functions.
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are
designed to implement the provisions of
sections 201, 202, and 203 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local
exchange carriers (LECs). These rules help
ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and not
unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory.
Section 69.609(b) was revised to ensure that
the formula process for determining
hypothetical net balances that are used in
distributing pool common line revenues
reflected any forgone revenues as a result of
a carrier electing to voluntarily reduce its
subscriber line charge.
Need: Section 69.609(b) was revised to
prevent a LEC from gaming the pooling
process by taking a voluntary reduction in its
subscriber line charges.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j),
201–203, 205, 218, 220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
69.609(b) End User Common Line
hypothetical net balances.
PART 73—RADIO BROADCAST SERVICES
Subpart A—AM Broadcast Stations
Brief Description: This rule allows AM
licensees to file Forms 301–AM and 302–AM
if a partial proof of performance test indicates
that radiation exceeds the standard pattern.
Need: This rule is required to limit
interference between AM broadcast stations.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336
and 339.
Section Number and Title:
73.152(b) Modification of directional
antenna data.
Subpart E—Television Broadcast Stations
Brief Description: This rule specifies that
applications to construct broadcast TV
stations must be for channels and
communities designated in the Table of
Allotments, and applications for channels or
communities not listed in the Table of
Allotments can be filed if consistent with the
rules and policies established in the Third
Report and Order in WT Docket 99–168 (FCC
01–25).
Need: This rule is necessary to inform
applicants of the requirements for filing an
application to construct a broadcast TV
station.
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Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, and
336.
Section Number and Title:
73.607(b) Availability of channels.
Brief Description: This rule requires that
noncommercial educational television station
licensees primarily provide a nonprofit,
noncommercial educational service over
their entire digital bit stream, including
ancillary or supplementary services.
Need: The rule is needed to clarify
applicability of the requirement that public
television stations furnish primarily an
educational, as well as a nonprofit and
noncommercial broadcast service to the
digital environment.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336
and 399.
Section Number and Title:
73.621(i) Noncommercial educational TV
stations.
Brief Description: This rule specifies that
applications to construct DTV broadcast
stations must be for channels and
communities designated in the DTV Table of
Allotments, and applications for channels or
communities not listed in the DTV Table of
Allotments can be filed if consistent with the
rules and policies established in the Third
Report and Order in WT Docket 99–168 (FCC
01–25).
Need: This rule is necessary to inform
applicants of the requirements for filing an
application to construct a DTV broadcast
station.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336,
and 339.
Section Number and Title:
73.622(c)(2) Digital television table of
allotments.
Brief Description: This rule sets forth DTV
application processing procedures.
Need: This rule is necessary to establish a
fair, certain, and orderly processes for
resolving conflicts with respect to mutually
exclusive DTV applications.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336
and 339.
Section Number and Title:
73.623(h) DTV applications and changes to
DTV allotments.
Subpart G—Low Power FM Broadcast
Stations (LPFM)
Brief Description: This rule defines the
scope of permissible amendments to pending
LPFM station applications.
Need: This rule is necessary to provide
applicants for LPFM stations some flexibility
to make technical changes to their new and
major change applications after the close of
a filing window.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336
and 339.
Section Number and Title:
73.871 Amendment of LPFM broadcast
station applications.
Subpart H—Rules Applicable to All
Broadcast Stations
Brief Description: This rule crossreferences subpart W to part 1 of the
Commission’s rules, 47 CFR part 1, which
requires persons and entities doing business
with the Commission to acquire an FRN and
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to provide it on all applications or feeable
filings as well as other transactions involving
the payment of money.
Need: This rule is required to facilitate
compliance with the Debt Collection
Improvement Act of 1996 and to enable the
Commission to manage its collection and
revenue systems.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336
and 339.
Section Number and Title:
73.1010(a)(9) Cross reference to rules in
other parts.
Brief Description: This rule requires
applicants, permittees or licensees to provide
truthful written statements to the
Commission regarding matters within the
jurisdiction of the Commission.
Need: This rule ensures that the entities
the Commission regulates provide truthful
information.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336
and 339.
Section Number and Title:
73.1015 Truthful written statements and
responses to Commission inquiries and
correspondence.
Brief Description: This rule requires
licensees or permittees of commercially or
non-commercially operated AM, FM, TV,
Class A TV or international broadcast
stations to comply with rules regarding equal
employment opportunity.
Need: This rule is needed because it
ensures television broadcast station licensees
and permittees’ compliance with equal
employment opportunity rules.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336
and 339.
Section Number and Title:
73.2080 Equal employment opportunities
(EEO).
Subpart J—Class A Television Broadcast
Stations
Brief Description: These rules establish
requirements delineating how Digital Class A
TV stations must protect other authorized
broadcast TV services.
Need: These rules are necessary to provide
interference protection to other TV facilities
and to commence the digital television
conversion process for Class A stations.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336
and 339.
Section Number and Titles:
73.6016 Digital Class A TV station
protection of TV broadcast stations.
73.6017 Digital Class A TV station
protection of Class A TV and digital
Class A TV stations.
73.6018 Digital Class A TV station
protection of DTV stations.
73.6027 Class A TV notifications
concerning interference to radio
astronomy, research and receiving
installations.
Subpart K—Application and Selection
Procedures for Reserved Noncommercial
Educational Channels, and for Certain
Applications for Noncommercial
Educational Stations on Non-Reserved
Channels
Brief Description: This rule sets forth a
point system to select among mutually
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exclusive proposals to build FM, TV, and FM
translator stations on channels reserved for
noncommercial educational use.
Need: This rule is needed to provide
selection procedures for choosing among
competing applications to build
noncommercial educational broadcast
stations.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336
and 339.
Section Number and Title:
73.7003(e) through (f) Point system
selection procedures.
PART 74—EXPERIMENTAL RADIO,
AUXILIARY, SPECIAL BROADCAST AND
OTHER PROGRAM DISTRIBUTIONAL
SERVICES
Subpart—General; Rules Applicable to All
Services in Part 74
Brief Description: This rule crossreferences subpart W to part 1 of the
Commission’s rules, 47 CFR part 1, which
requires persons and entities doing business
with the Commission to acquire an FRN and
to provide it with all applications or feeable
filings as well as other transactions involving
the payment of money.
Need: This rule is required to facilitate
compliance with the Debt Collection
Improvement Act of 1996 and to enable the
Commission to manage its collection and
revenue systems.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 302a, 303, 307,
309, 336 and 554.
Section Number and Title:
74.5(a)(8) Cross reference to rules in other
parts.
Subpart G—Low Power TV, TV Translator,
and TV Booster Stations
Brief Description: This rule subjects low
power television stations participating in the
digital data service pilot project to the
provisions of the Commission Order
implementing the LPTV Pilot Project Digital
Data Services Act.
Need: This rule is necessary to provide the
general requirements for the pilot program
required under the LPTV Pilot Project Digital
Data Services Act.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 302a, 303, 307,
336 and 554.
Section Number and Title:
74.785 Low power TV digital data service
pilot project.
PART 76—MULTICHANNEL VIDEO AND
CABLE TELEVISION SERVICE
Subpart D—Carriage of Television
Broadcast Signals
Brief Description: This rule specifies the
cable system channel positioning
requirements for television signals carried in
fulfillment of must-carry obligations.
Need: This rule is necessary to spell out
where television signals carried pursuant to
the mandatory carriage provision are entitled
to be carried on a cable system.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 153, 154,
301, 302, 302a, 303, 303a, 307, 308, 309, 312,
315, 317, 325, 338, 339, 340, 341, 503, 521,
522, 531, 532, 534, 535, 536, 537, 543, 544,
544a, 545, 548, 549, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560,
561, 571, 572 and 573.
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Section Number and Title:
76.57 (c) Channel positioning.
Brief Description: This rule specifies the
content of television signals that is subject to
the mandatory carriage obligations.
Need: This rule is necessary to make clear
which material in a television signal is
entitled to must-carry rights.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 153, 154,
301, 302, 302a, 303, 303a, 307, 308, 309, 312,
315, 317, 325, 336, 338, 339, 340, 341, 503,
521, 522, 531, 532, 534, 535, 536, 537, 543,
544, 544a, 545, 548, 549, 552, 554, 556, 558,
560, 561, 571, 572 and 573.
Section Number and Title:
76.62 (g) Manner of carriage.
Brief Description: This rule specifies the
signal carriage obligations of satellite carriers
carrying local television signals, and the
relevant carriage procedures.
Need: This rule is necessary to implement
to provisions of section 338 of the
Communications Act, which requires
satellite carriers to carry local television
broadcast stations’ signals if specified
circumstances are met.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 153, 154,
301, 302, 302a, 303, 303a, 307, 308, 309, 312,
315, 317, 325, 338, 339, 340, 341, 503, 521,
522, 531, 532, 534, 535, 536, 537, 543, 544,
544a, 545, 548, 549, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560,
561, 571, 572 and 573.
Section Number and Title:
76.66 Satellite broadcast signal carriage.
Subpart K—Technical Standards
Brief Description: These rules cover
operations of cable television services and
multichannel video service.
Need: These rules are required to establish
the technical standards needed for these
services to successfully operate in specific
frequency bands, without causing
interference.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 153, 154,
301, 302, 302a, 303, 303a, 307, 308, 309, 312,
315, 317, 325, 338, 339, 340, 341, 503, 521,
522, 531, 532, 534, 535, 536, 537, 543, 544,
544a, 545, 548, 549, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560,
561, 571, 572, and 573.
Section Numbers and Titles:
76.610 Operation in the frequency bands
108–137 and 225–400 MHz—scope of
application.
76.616 Operation near certain aeronautical
and marine emergency radio frequencies.
76.640 Support for unidirectional digital
cable products on digital cable systems.
Subpart N—Cable Rate Regulation
Brief Description: This rule adds headend
equipment costs required to carry digital
broadcast signals to the definition of
‘‘external cost’’ as used to calculate permitted
charges for tiers of cable service subject to
rate regulation.
Need: This rule is necessary to resolve the
consequences for the cable television rate
regulation process of the carriage of digital
broadcast signals.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 153, 154,
301, 302, 302a, 303, 303a, 307, 308, 309, 312,
315, 317, 325, 338, 339, 340, 341, 503, 521,
522, 531, 532, 534, 535, 536, 537, 543, 544,
544a, 545, 548, 549, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560,
561, 571, 572 and 573.
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Section Number and Title:
76.922(f)(1)(vii) Rates for the basic service
tier and cable programming service tiers.
Subpart S—Open Video Systems
Brief Description: This rule applies Equal
Employment Opportunity requirements,
ownership restrictions, negative option
billing, regulation of carriage agreements,
signal leakage restrictions, and signal leakage
monitoring and aeronautical frequency
notifications to open video systems.
Need: This rule is needed because it
ensures employer compliance with the
above-mentioned rules.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 153, 154,
301, 302, 302a, 303, 303a, 307, 308, 309, 312,
315, 317, 325, 338, 339, 340, 341, 503, 521,
522, 531, 532, 534, 535, 536, 537, 543, 544,
544a, 545, 548, 549, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560,
561, 571, 572 and 573.
Section Number and Title:
76.1510 Application of certain Title VI
provisions.
Subpart T—Notices
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Brief Description: This rule crossreferences subpart W to part 1 of the
Commission’s rules, 47 CFR part 1, which
requires persons and entities doing business
with the Commission to acquire an FRN and
to provide it with all applications or feeable
filings as well as other transactions involving
the payment of money.
Need: This rule is required to facilitate
compliance with the Debt Collection
Improvement Act of 1996 and to enable the
Commission to manage its collection and
revenue systems.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 153, 154,
301, 302, 302a, 303, 303a, 307, 308, 309, 312,
315, 317, 325, 338, 339, 340, 341, 503, 521,
522, 531, 532, 534, 535, 536, 537, 543, 544,
544a, 545, 548, 549, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560,
561, 571, 572 and 573.
Section Number and Title:
76.1610(f) Change of operational
information.
Subpart U—Documents To Be Maintained
for Inspection
Brief Description: This rule requires
employers with six or more full-time
employees to maintain an Equal Employment
Opportunity (EEO) program file for public
inspection with all annual reports filed with
the Commission.
Need: This rule is needed because it
ensures employer compliance with equal
employment opportunity rules.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 153, 154,
301, 302, 302a, 303, 303a, 307, 308, 309, 312,
315, 317, 325, 338, 339, 340, 341, 503, 521,
522, 531, 532, 534, 535, 536, 537, 543, 544,
544a, 545, 548, 549, 552, 554, 556, 560, 561,
571, 572 and 573.
Section Number and Title:
76.1702 Equal employment opportunity.
Subpart V—Reports and Filings
Brief Description: These rules allow for
electronic filing of forms by Multichannel
Video Programming Distributors (MVPDS)
via the Cable Operations and Licensing
System (COALS).
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Need: These rules are needed to reduce the
effort for MVPDs to file applications, reports,
and other documents.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 153, 154,
301, 302, 302a, 303, 303a, 307, 308, 309, 312,
315, 317, 325, 338, 339, 340, 341, 503, 521,
522, 531, 532, 534, 535, 536, 537, 543, 544,
544a, 545, 548, 549, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560,
561, 571, 572, and 573.
Section Number and Titles:
76.1801 Registration statement.
76.1802 Annual employment report.
76.1803 Signal leakage monitoring.
76.1804 Aeronautical frequencies: Leakage
monitoring (CLI).
PART 78—CABLE TELEVISION RELAY
SERVICE
Subpart A—General
Brief Description: This rule sets forth the
purpose of the licensing and operation of
fixed or mobile cable television relay service
stations.
Need: This rule is needed to assist the
Commission in furthering its goal of
providing all Americans with access to
ubiquitous wireless broadband connections,
regardless of their location.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 152, 153, 154, 301,
303, 307, 308, 309.
Section Number and Title:
78.1 Purpose.
Subpart B—Applications and Licenses
Brief Description: These rules apply to the
application processes for Cable Television
Relay Services (CARS) that Commissionregulated entities may take to amend,
terminate their station authorizations or
coordinate their frequency assignments in
certain bands.
Need: These rules ensure that Cable
Television Relay Services are properly
authorized with the Commission.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 152, 153, 154, 301,
303, 307, 308, 309.
Section Numbers and Titles:
78.17 Amendment of applications.
78.30 Forfeiture and termination of station
authorizations.
78.36 Frequency coordination.
Subpart D—Technical Regulations
Brief Description: These rules were
amended permit Broadcast Auxiliary
Services (BAS) stations to introduce new
technologies and create a more efficient BAS
that can more readily adapt as the broadcast
industry converts to the use of digital
technology, such as digital television (DTV).
Need: These rules are needed to permit
CARS to operate with BAS and Fixed
Services under consistent regulatory
guidelines. These services share frequency
bands and have technically and operationally
similar stations.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 152, 153, 154, 301,
303, 307, 308, 309.
Section Number and Titles:
78.106 Interference to geostationary
satellites.
78.109 Major and minor modifications to
stations.
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PART 79—ACCESSIBILITY OF VIDEO
PROGRAMMING
Brief Description: In 1996, Congress added
section 713 to the Communications Act of
1934, as amended (the Act), requiring the
Commission to adopt rules and
implementation schedules for the closed
captioning of video programming. The
Commission’s closed captioning rules require
video programming distributors to increase
gradually the amount of captioned
programming offered over a period of years,
subject to certain exceptions. The rules allow
video programming distributors to exercise
discretion with respect to what types of
closed captioned programming to provide
first. A video programming distributor could
use this discretion during the
implementation period and choose to not
close caption programming providing
emergency information. To ensure the
accessibility of emergency information on
television, in 2000 the Commission
established rules requiring that the critical
details of emergency information be made
accessible to persons with hearing
disabilities through closed captioning or by
a method of visual presentation. The
Commission’s rules also require that the
critical details of emergency information on
television be made accessible to persons with
visual disabilities. Section 713 of the Act also
instructed the Commission to examine the
use of video descriptions on video
programming and to report to Congress its
findings, including an assessment of
appropriate methods and phase-in schedules
and a definition of programming for which
video descriptions would apply. In 2000, the
Commission adopted video description rules.
The United States Court of Appeals for the
District of Columbia Circuit subsequently
vacated these video description rules, stating
that section 713 did not authorize the
Commission to adopt regulations
implementing video descriptions. The
Twenty-First Century Communications and
Video Accessibility Act of 2010, however,
requires the Commission to reinstate its
video description regulations, with some
modifications.
Need: Emergency information is
information about a current emergency that
is intended to further the protection of life,
health, safety, and property, i.e., critical
details regarding the emergency and how to
respond to the emergency. Significant health
and safety issues are inherent in emergency
information making it necessary to make this
information accessible to all persons. Video
description is the description of key visual
elements in programming inserted into
natural pauses in the audio of the
programming. It is designed to make
television programming more accessible to
the many Americans who have visual
disabilities.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152(a), 154(i),
303, 307, 309, 310 and 613.
Section Number and Title:
79.2 Accessibility of programming
providing emergency information.
Brief Description: In 1996, Congress added
section 713 to the Communications Act of
1934, as amended (the Act), which, among
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other things, instructed the Commission to
examine the use of video descriptions in
order to enhance the accessibility of video
programming to people with visual
disabilities. Section 713 also required the
Commission to report to Congress its
findings, including an assessment of
appropriate methods and phase-in schedules
and a definition of programming for which
video descriptions would apply. In 2000, the
Commission adopted video description rules.
The United States Court of Appeals for the
District of Columbia Circuit subsequently
vacated these video description rules, stating
that section 713 did not authorize the
Commission to adopt regulations
implementing video descriptions. The
Twenty-First Century Communications and
Video Accessibility Act of 2010, however,
required the Commission to reinstate its
video description regulations, with some
modifications. In August 2011, the
Commission adopted an order doing so.
Among the video description regulations
reinstated in this action were two added in
2001, section 79.3(c)(4) (establishing
standards for compliance with video
description requirements) and (e)(1)(vi)
(requiring that a complainant of a video
description rules violation first attempt to
resolve the dispute with the video
programming distributor against whom the
complaint is alleged).
Need: Video description is the description
of key visual elements in programming
inserted into natural pauses in the audio of
the programming. It is designed to make
television programming more accessible to
the many Americans who have visual
disabilities.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152(a), 154(i),
303, 307, 309, 310 and 613.
Section Number and Title:
79.3 Video description of video
programming.
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PART 80—STATIONS IN THE MARITIME
SERVICES
Subpart D—Operator Requirements
Brief Description: The part 80 rules set
forth the conditions under which radio may
be licensed and used in the maritime
services. Subpart D rules prescribe coast
station operator requirements, ship station
operator requirements, minimum operator
license requirements, and general operator
requirements.
Need: Consistent with ITU regulations
permitting a restricted operator’s certificate
for GMDSS operators on ships sailing
exclusively within Sea Area A1, section
80.159(d) requires that a passenger ship
equipped with a GMDSS installation and
operating exclusively within twenty nautical
miles of shore carries at least two persons
holding either a GMDSS Radio Operator
License or a Restricted GMDSS Radio
Operator License.
Legal Basis: Secs. 4, 303, 307(e), 309, and
332, 48 Stat. 1066, 1082, as amended; 47
U.S.C. 154, 303, 307(e), 309, and 332, unless
otherwise noted. Interpret or apply 48 Stat.
1064–1068, 1081–1105, as amended; 47
U.S.C. 151–155, 301–609; 3 UST 3450, 3 UST
4726, 12 UST 2377.
Section Number and Title:
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80.159(d) Operator requirements of Title III
of the Communications Act and the
Safety Convention.
Subpart E—General Technical Standards
Brief Description: The part 80 rules set
forth the conditions under which radio may
be licensed and used in the maritime
services. Subpart E rules prescribe the
general technical requirements for the use of
frequencies and equipment in the maritime
services.
Need: As proposed by the Coast Guard,
section 80.203(m)(6) prohibits ship stations
from including any device capable of
transmitting on a distress frequency without
regulatory authorization.
Legal Basis: Secs. 4, 303, 307(e), 309, and
332, 48 Stat. 1066, 1082, as amended; 47
U.S.C. 154, 303, 307(e), 309, and 332, unless
otherwise noted. Interpret or apply 48 Stat.
1064–1068, 1081–1105, as amended; 47
U.S.C. 151–155, 301–609; 3 UST 3450, 3 UST
4726, 12 UST 2377.
Section Number and Title:
80.203(m)(6) Authorization of transmitters
for licensing.
Subpart F—Equipment Authorization for
Compulsory Ships
Brief Description: The part 80 rules set
forth the conditions under which radio may
be licensed and used in the maritime
services. Subpart F rules prescribe the
general technical requirements for
certification of equipment used on
compulsory ships.
Need: As requested by the Coast Guard,
section 80.275 governs the implementation of
Automatic Identification Systems (‘‘AIS’’)
and specifies what information must be
submitted to the Coast Guard and the
Commission prior to submitting a
certification application for a Class A AIS
device.
Legal Basis: Secs. 4, 303, 307(e), 309, and
332, 48 Stat. 1066, 1082, as amended; 47
U.S.C. 154, 303, 307(e), 309, and 332, unless
otherwise noted. Interpret or apply 48 Stat.
1064–1068, 1081–1105, as amended; 47
U.S.C. 151–155, 301–609; 3 UST 3450, 3 UST
4726, 12 UST 2377.
Section Number and Title:
80.275 Technical Requirements for Class A
Automatic Identification System (AIS)
equipment.
Subpart J—Public Coast Stations
Brief Description: The part 80 rules set
forth the conditions under which radio may
be licensed and used in the maritime
services. Section 80.475 (a)(1)–(2) requires
licensees seeking to locate public coast
stations within a specified distance of
channel 13 and channel 10 TV stations to
submit an engineering study to the
Commission and the TV stations clearly
showing the means of avoiding interference
with television reception.
Need: These requirements ensure
interference with television reception is
prevented.
Legal Basis: Secs. 4, 303, 307(e), 309, and
332, 48 Stat. 1066, 1082, as amended; 47
U.S.C. 154, 303, 307(e), 309, and 332, unless
otherwise noted. Interpret or apply 48 Stat.
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1064–1068, 1081–1105, as amended; 47
U.S.C. 151–155, 301–609; 3 UST 3450, 3 UST
4726, 12 UST 2377.
Section Number and Title:
80.475(a)(1)–(2) Scope of service of the
Automated Maritime
Telecommunications System (AMTS).
Subpart R—Technical Equipment
Requirements for Cargo Vessels Not
Subject to Subpart W
Brief Description: The part 80 rules set
forth the conditions under which radio may
be licensed and used in the maritime
services. Subpart R rules provide the
radiotelephone requirements for cargo ships
of 300 to 1600 gross tons. Sections 80.880
and 80.881 specify equipment requirements
for ship stations between 300 to 1600 gross
tons operating within 20 and 100 nautical
miles of shore.
Need: These equipment requirements are
needed to ensure that the Commission’s ship
radar rules are fully compatible with
internationally-agreed performance and
certification testing standards required to
meet international shipboard carriage
requirements.
Legal Basis: Secs. 4, 303, 307(e), 309, and
332, 48 Stat. 1066, 1082, as amended; 47
U.S.C. 154, 303, 307(e), 309, and 332, unless
otherwise noted. Interpret or apply 48 Stat.
1064–1068, 1081–1105, as amended; 47
U.S.C. 151–155, 301–609; 3 UST 3450, 3 UST
4726, 12 UST 2377.
Section Numbers and Titles:
80.880 Vessel radio equipment.
80.881 Equipment requirements for ship
stations.
Subpart W—Global Maritime Distress and
Safety System (GMDSS)
Brief Description: The part 80 rules set
forth the conditions under which radio may
be licensed and used in the maritime
services. Subpart W rules apply to all
passenger ships regardless of size and cargo
ships of 300 tons gross tonnage and upwards,
mostly fishing vessels, with some exceptions.
Need: The rules in this subpart require that
all compulsory vessels, including fishing
vessels of 300 gross tons or more, must
comply with all the GMDSS requirements
appropriate to their area of operation. A
separate safety system for fishing vessels
would be expensive, difficult to administer,
and would cause confusion during a distress
incident.
Legal Basis: Secs. 4, 303, 307(e), 309, and
332, 48 Stat. 1066, 1082, as amended; 47
U.S.C. 154, 303, 307(e), 309, and 332, unless
otherwise noted. Interpret or apply 48 Stat.
1064–1068, 1081–1105, as amended; 47
U.S.C. 151–155, 301–609; 3 UST 3450, 3 UST
4726, 12 UST 2377.
Section Numbers and Titles:
80.1071(c) Exemptions.
80.1083(d)–(g) Ship radio installations.
80.1085(a)(6)(iii), (c), (d) Ship radio
equipment-General.
80.1101(c)(11)–(12) Performance standards.
80.1105(k) Maintenance requirements.
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PART 87—AVIATION SERVICES
PART 90—PRIVATE LAND MOBILE RADIO
SERVICES
Subpart D—Technical Requirements
Brief Description: The part 87 rules set
forth the conditions under which radio
stations may be licensed and used in the
aviation services. Subpart R rules provide the
technical requirements for such radio
stations.
Need: The technical requirements are
needed to protect the safety of life and
property in air navigation and must be
periodically updated to reflect technological
advancements in the aviation industry and
maximize spectral efficiency while
maintaining important safeguards against
interference.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303 and 307(e),
unless otherwise noted.
Section Numbers and Titles:
87.147(f) Authorization of equipment.
87.151 Special requirements for differential
GPS receivers.
Subpart F—Aircraft Stations
Brief Description: Part 87 contains the
Commission rules governing aviation
services. Subpart F sets forth the rules
governing assignment of frequencies in those
services.
Need: This rule is needed as it designates
certain frequencies for flight information
services-broadcast (FIS–B) that may not be
used by aircraft for transmission.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303 and 307(e).
Section Number and Title:
87.187(dd) Frequencies.
Subpart G—Aeronautical Advisory Stations
(UNICOMS)
Brief Description: The part 87 rules set
forth the conditions under which radio
stations may be licensed and used in the
aviation services. Subpart G rules provide the
eligibility, frequencies, and automatic
operations requirements for unicoms.
Need: Unicoms are important air-ground
communication facilities employed at
airports with a low volume of general
aviation traffic and where no control tower
is active. These rules govern their operations
at uncontrolled aerodromes and airports.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303 and 307(e),
unless otherwise noted.
Section Number and Title:
87.215(c)–(e) Supplemental eligibility.
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Subpart I—Aeronautical Enroute Stations,
Aeronautical Fixed Stations, and Aircraft
Data Link Land Test Stations
Brief Description: Part 87 contains the
Commission rules governing aviation
services. Subpart I sets forth the rule
governing assignment of frequencies in those
services.
Need: This rule is needed as it designates
certain frequencies for aeronautical enroute
stations, which provide operational control
communications to aircraft along domestic or
international air routes.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303 and 307(e).
Section Number and Title:
87.263(a)(1)(5) Frequencies.
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Subpart B—Public Safety Pool
Brief Description: The Public Safety Radio
Pool covers the licensing of the radio
communications of governmental entities
and the following Medical services, rescue
organizations, veterinarians, persons with
disabilities, disaster relief organizations,
school buses, beach patrols, establishments
in isolated places, communications standby
facilities, and emergency repair of public
communications facilities.
Need: Modifies the Public Safety Pool
Frequency Table in 47 CFR 90.20(c)(3) to
provide that operation on specified is subject
to the low power provisions of 90.267. These
frequencies are assigned to the Public Safety
Group in the low power pool.
Section Number and Title:
90.20 Public Safety Pool.
Subpart C—Industrial/Business Radio Pool
Brief Description: Part 90 states the
conditions under which radio
communications systems may be licensed
and used in the Public Safety, Industrial/
Business Radio Pool, Radiolocations Radio
Services, and Commercial Mobile Radio
Services. Subpart C covers the licensing of
the radio communications of entities engaged
in commercial activities, engaged in clergy
activities, operating educational,
philanthropic, or ecclesiastical institutions,
or operating hospitals, clinics, or medical
associations. Rules as to eligibility for
licensing, frequencies available, permissible
communications and classes and number of
stations, and any special requirements are set
forth in this subpart.
Need: These rules are needed as they
designate certain frequencies for Industrial/
Business Pool services.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303 and 307(e).
Section Number and Title:
90.35(b)(2)(ii)(iii) Industrial/Business Pool.
Subpart H—Policies Governing the
Assignment of Frequencies
Brief Description: The part 90 rules set
forth the conditions under which radio
communications systems may be licensed
and used in the Public Safety, Industrial/
Business Radio Pool, and Radiolocation
Radio Services. Subpart H rules inform about
the policies under which the Commission
assigns frequencies for the use of licensees
under this part, frequency coordination
procedures, and procedures under which
licensees may cooperatively share radio
facilities.
Need: These rules are needed as they
designate certain frequencies for Private Land
Mobile Radio Services (PLMRS) and
authorize licensees to share use of their
facilities and given that the Universal
Licensing System (ULS) now provides
frequency coordinators with immediate
access to frequency and site information, it
is necessary to clarify that a part 90
frequency or site deletion request need not be
accompanied by a frequency coordination. It
would be inconsistent to require
coordination for a deletion of a site or a
frequency when it is not required for a
request to cancel an entire authorization.
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Legal Basis: Sections 4(i), 11, 303(g), 303(r),
and 332(c)(7) of the Communications Act of
1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 161,
303(g), 303(r), and 332(c)(7), and Title VI of
the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation
Act of 2012, Public Law 112–96, 126 Stat.
156.
Section Numbers and Titles:
90.175(b)(1)–(3), (j)(17) Frequency
coordinator requirements.
90.179(j) Shared use of radio stations.
Subpart I—General Technical Standards
Brief Description: These rules set out the
certification standards for part 90
transmitters, including the maximum
bandwidth per voice or data channel.
Need: To ensure efficient use of spectrum
by enabling the maximum number of users
within a given spectrum band, the
Commission has established maximum
bandwidths for different applications.
Manufacturers of transmission equipment
must demonstrate, as a prerequisite to
certification or verification, that their
equipment meets the maximum bandwidth
restrictions in the rules.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 303(g), 303(r), 332(a),
332(c), and 332(d).
Section Number and Title:
90.203(j), (l) Certification required.
Subpart I—General Technical Standards
Brief Description: The part 90 rules set
forth the conditions under which radio
communications systems may be licensed
and used in the Public Safety, Industrial/
Business Radio Pool, and Radiolocation
Radio Services. Subpart I rules set forth the
general technical requirements for use of
frequencies and equipment in the radio
services governed by this part. Such
requirements include standards for
acceptability of equipment, frequency
tolerance, modulation, emissions, power, and
bandwidths.
Need: These technical standards are
needed to ensure that public safety
communications devices are interoperable
and do not cause harmful interference to
other authorized communications.
Legal Basis: Sections 4(i), 11, 303(g), 303(r),
and 332(c)(7) of the Communications Act of
1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 161,
303(g), 303(r), and 332(c)(7), and Title VI of
the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation
Act of 2012, Public Law 112–96, 126 Stat.
156.
Section Number and Title:
90.209(b)(6) Bandwidth limitations.
Subpart N—Operating Requirements
Brief Description: Part 90 provides general
operating requirements for stations licensed
under part 90 and used in the Public Safety,
Industrial/Business Radio Pool,
Radiolocations Radio Services, and
Commercial Mobile Radio Services. Subpart
N sets forth the rules for station operating
procedures, points of communications,
methods of station identification, control
requirements, and station record-keeping
requirements.
Need: This rule allows hand-held and
vehicular transmitters in private land mobile
radio services to be operated by any licensee
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holding a license in the 700 MHz Public
Safety Band or by any licensee holding a
license for any other public safety frequency
pursuant to part 90.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 161, 303(g),
303(r) and 332(c)(7).
Section Number and Title:
90.421(a)(3) Operation of mobile station
units not under the control of the
licensee.
Subpart R—Regulations Governing the
Licensing and Use of Frequencies in the
763–775 and 793–805 MHz Bands
Brief Description: These rules set out the
eligibility, operational, planning and
licensing requirements, and technical
standards for stations licensed in these
bands, including interoperability
requirements.
Need: Nationwide interoperability
channels in the 700 MHz narrowband public
safety spectrum are essential to provide firstresponders with multiple communications
channels using a common technology.
Interoperability channels allow users to
integrate their communications into other
700 MHz systems other than their ‘‘home’’
systems during emergency response
operations.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 157, 301,
302, 303, 337.
Section Number and Title:
90.531(b)(1) Narrowband Interoperability
Channels.
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Subpart R—Regulations Governing the
Licensing and Use of Frequencies in the
763–775 and 793–805 MHz Bands
Brief Description: These rules set out the
eligibility, operational, planning and
licensing requirements, and technical
standards for stations licensed in these
bands, including interoperability
requirements.
Need: Limits on the maximum power
allowed for certain devices are necessary to
limit interference while still allowing
sufficient power for a communications
device to perform its functions. Thus, for
example, transmitters operating on the 700
MHz Nationwide Interoperability Low Power
Channels are limited to an effective radiated
power (ERP) of two watts.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j),
303(f), 303(r), 309, 332, 337, 403 and 405.
Section Number and Title:
90.541(d) Transmitting power and antenna
height limits.
Subpart R—Regulations Governing the
Licensing and Use of Frequencies in the
763–775 and 793–805 MHz Bands
Brief Description: These rules set out the
eligibility, operational, planning and
licensing requirements, and technical
standards for stations licensed in these
bands, including interoperability
requirements.
Need: Ensuring interoperability on the 700
MHz nationwide narrowband interoperability
channels requires the use of a common
technology. Otherwise, first responders using
a given proprietary technology would be
unable to communicate with first responders
in a different jurisdiction using a different
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technology. Accordingly the Commission
adopted the mandatory use of ANSI/TIA/EIA
(Project 25) technology for the 700 MHz
nationwide narrowband interoperability
channels.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 154(j), 157(a),
302, 303(b), 303(f), 303(g), 303(r), 307(e),
332(a), 332(c).
Section Number and Title:
90.548 Interoperability Technical
Standards.
Brief Description: These rules set out the
eligibility, operational, planning and
licensing requirements, and technical
standards for stations licensed in these
bands, including interoperability
requirements.
Need: Encryption ensures that public
safety communications cannot be
intercepted. Requiring a common encryption
protocol ensures that first responders
‘‘roaming’’ into another jurisdiction to
provide assistance will have their
transmissions encrypted using the same
protocol as in their home jurisdiction. The
rules require that licensees employing
encryption use the DES encryption protocol,
ANSI/TIA/EIA–102 AAAA–A–2001.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 154(j), 157(a),
302, 303(b), 303(f), 303(g), 303(r), 307(e),
332(a), 332(c).
Section Number and Title:
90.553 Encryption.
Subpart S—Regulations Governing
Licensing and Use of Frequencies in the
806–824, 851–869, 896–901, and 935–940
MHz Bands
Brief Description: Part 90 states the
conditions under which radio
communications systems may be licensed
and used in the Public Safety, Industrial/
Business Radio Pool, Radiolocations Radio
Services, and Commercial Mobile Radio
Services. Subpart S sets forth the rules
governing the licensing and use of
frequencies in the 806–824 MHz, 851–869
MHz, 896–901 MHz, and 935–940 MHz
Bands.
Need: This rule sets forth the procedures
for applicants with respect to selection and
assignment of licenses of channels in the
Business/Industrial/Land Transportation
category.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 161, 303(g),
303(r) and 332(c)(7).
Section Number and Title:
90.621 Selection and assignment of
frequencies.
Brief Description: These rules set out the
eligibility, operational, planning and
licensing requirements, and technical
standards for stations licensed in these
bands.
Need: Where a large-scale or complex
communications system cannot be
constructed and placed into operation within
the required one-year period, the
Commission’s rules, provide an extended
implementation period (5 years) when the
licensees provide adequate justification.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 303(r) and
331(a).
Section Number and Title:
90.629 Extended implementation period.
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9303
Brief Description: This subpart regulates
licensing and operations of all systems
operating in the 806–824/851–869 MHz and
896–901/935–940 MHz bands. These rules
permit 800 MHz high density cellular system
operations on channels 551–830 in nonborder areas and on channels 411–830 in
specific counties and parishes. Also, these
rules impose a strict responsibility to abate
unacceptable interference to non-cellular
licensees and establish interference
resolution procedures to be followed before,
during, and after band reconfiguration.
Need: These rules result in efficient use of
the spectrum regardless of the
reconfiguration status of the band while
preventing interference along the border and
protecting operations by non-cellular
licensees.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 161, 303(g),
303(r), 332(c)(7); Title VI of the Middle Class
Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012,
Public Law 112–96, 126 Stat. 156.
Section Numbers and Titles:
90.614 Segments of the 806–824/851–869
MHz band for non-border areas.
90.673–77 Obligation to abate unacceptable
interference; Interference resolution
procedures before, during, and after band
reconfiguration; Information exchange;
Transition administrator for
reconfiguration of the 806–824/8512–869
MHz band in order to separate cellular
systems from non-cellular systems;
Reconfiguration of the 806–824/851–869
MHz band in order to separate cellular
systems from non-cellular systems.
PART 95—PERSONAL RADIO SERVICES
Subpart B—Family Radio Services (FRS)
Brief Description: Part 95 contains the
Commission rules relating to personal radio
services. Subpart B sets forth the rules
governing Family Radio Service (FRS).
Need: FRS provide a high-quality low-cost
communications service to hunters, campers,
hikers, bicyclists and other outdoor activity
enthusiasts who need to communicate with
other members of their party who are out of
speaking range or sight but still in the same
general area.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302(a), 303,
and 307(e).
Section Number and Title:
95.194(d) (FRS Rule 4) FRS units.
Subpart D—Citizens Band (CB) Radio
Service
Brief Description: Part 95 contains the
Commission rules relating to personal radio
services. Subpart D sets forth the rules
governing the various citizens band services,
including the Citizens Band (CB) Radio
Service; Family Radio Service (FRS); Low
Power Radio Service (LPRS); Medical Device
Radiocommunication Service (MedRadio);
Wireless Medical Telemetry Service (WMTS);
Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS); and
Dedicated Short-Range Communications
Service On-Board Units (DSRCS–OBUs).
Need: The rule lists Dedicated Short-Range
Communications Service On-Board Units
(DSRCS–OBUs) among citizens band
services.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302(a), 303,
and 307(e).
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Section Number and Title:
95.401(g) (CB Rule 1) What are the Citizens
Band Radio Services?
Subpart E—Technical Regulations
Brief Description: Part 95 contains the
Commission rules relating to personal radio
services. Subpart E sets forth the technical
standards under which part 95 licensees may
operate.
Need: The rules specify technical
standards for Dedicated Short-Range
Communications Service On-Board Units
(DSRCS–OBU).
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302(a), 303,
and 307(e).
Section Numbers and Titles:
95.603(h) Certification required.
95.631(k) Emission types.
95.633(g) Emission bandwidth.
95.635(f) Unwanted radiation.
95.637(f) Modulation standards.
95.639(i) Maximum transmitter power.
95.643 DSRCS-OBU certification.
95.655(d) Frequency capability.
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Subpart F—218–219 MHz Service
Brief Description: Part 95 contains the
Commission rules relating to personal radio
services. Subpart F sets forth the rules
governing the 218–219 MHz service.
Need: These rules are needed to set forth
the various regulations governing the
operation of Personal Radio Service in the
218–219 MHz band.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154 and 303.
Section Numbers and Titles:
95.803 218–219 MHz service description.
95.807(a), (1), (4) Requesting regulatory
status.
95.811(b), (e) License requirements.
95.812(a) License term.
95.816(b) Competitive bidding proceedings.
95.819 License transferability.
95.861(c) Interference.
Subpart K—Personal Locator Beacons
(PLB)
Brief Description: Part 95 contains the
Commission rules relating to personal radio
services. Rules in subpart K provide
individuals in remote areas a means to alert
others of an emergency situation and to aid
search and rescue personnel locate those in
distress.
Need: These rules provide individuals in
remote areas a means to alert others of an
emergency situation and to aid search and
rescue personnel locate those in distress.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302(a), 303,
and 307(e).
Section Numbers and Titles:
95.1400 Basis and purpose.
95.1401 Frequency.
95.1402 Special requirements for 406 MHz
PLBs.
Subpart L—Dedicated Short-Range
Communications Service On-Board Units
(DSRCS–OBUS)
Brief Description: Part 95 contains the
Commission rules relating to personal radio
services. Subpart L sets out the regulations
governing Dedicated Short-Range
Communications Service On-Board Units
(DSRCS–OBUs) in the 5850–5925 MHz band.
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Need: DSRC provides the critical
communications link for intelligent
transportation systems, which according to
the Secretary of Transportation, are the key
to achieving the United States Department of
Transportation’s number one priority,
reducing highway fatalities. The rules in
subpart L pertain to licensing of On-Board
Units, in-vehicle communications units.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302(a), 303,
and 307(e).
Section Numbers and Titles:
95.1501 Scope.
95.1503 Eligibility.
95.1505 Authorized locations.
95.1507 Station identification.
95.1509 ASTM E2213–03 DSRC Standards.
95.1511 Frequencies available.
PART 97—AMATEUR RADIO SERVICES
Subpart A—General Provisions
Brief Description: Part 97 contains the
Commission rules relating to amateur radio
services. Subpart A sets forth the general
provisions pertaining to Commission’s scope
and authority and definitions related to
amateur radio services.
Need: These rules are needed to define
‘‘question pool,’’ which is the set of current
examination questions for the written
element of the examination required to
receive an amateur radio license as it pertains
to amateur radio services. The rules also
provide the definitions of technical symbols
used in this part.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151–155 and 301–
609.
Section Number and Title:
97.3(a)(35), (b) Definitions.
Subpart B—Station Operation Standards
Brief Description: Part 97 contains the
Commission rules relating to amateur radio
services. Subpart B sets forth station
operation standards for amateur radio
services.
Need: These rules describe how amateur
radio license operators must indicate their
license class (Novice, Technician, General,
Advanced, and Amateur Extra) using the
license call sign.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303. 47 U.S.C.
151–155 and 301–609.
Section Number and Title:
97.119(f)(2)(3) Station identification.
Subpart F—Qualifying Examination
Systems
Brief Description: Part 97 contains the
Commission rules relating to amateur radio
services. Subpart F sets forth rules for the
examination required for new amateur
operator license grants.
Need: This rule allows Volunteer
Examiners (VEs) and Volunteer ExaminerCoordinators (VECs) to be reimbursed by
examinees for out-of-pocket expenses related
to the amateur operator license exam.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 47 U.S.C.
151–155 and 301–609.
Section Number and Title:
97.527 Reimbursement for expenses.
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PART 101—FIXED MICROWAVE SERVICES
Subpart B—Applications and Licenses
Brief Description: Part 101 contains service
and licensing rules for Fixed Microwave
Services. Subpart B establishes application
and licensing requirements for a number of
different fixed microwave services.
Need: The revised rules govern the
relocation of fixed microwave licensees in
the 1850–1990 MHz, 2110–2150 MHz and
2160–2200 MHz bands by mobile satellite
service licensees (101.69(e)) and the
relocation of fixed microwave licensees in
the 1910–1920 MHz and 2175–2180 MHz
bands by Advanced Wireless Service (AWS)
licensees (101.69(f)).
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154 and 303.
Section Number and Title:
101.69 Transition of the 1850–1990 MHz,
2110–2150 MHz, and 2160–2200 MHz
bands from the fixed microwave services
to personal communications services and
emerging technologies.
Brief Description: Part 101 of the
Commission’s rules prescribes the manner in
which spectrum may be made available for
private operational, common carrier, 24 GHz
Service, and Local Multipoint Distribution
Service fixed, microwave operations that
require transmitting facilities on land or in
specified offshore coastal areas within the
continental shelf. Subpart B sets forth the
general filing requirements for applications
and licenses in the Fixed Microwave
Services.
Need: The revised rules update frequency
assignments to reflect the reallocation of
frequencies in the 18 GHz band from
terrestrial Fixed Service to the Fixed Satellite
Service, as well as the grandfathering of
existing Fixed Service facilities.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154 and 303.
Section Numbers and Titles:
101.85 Transition of the 18.3–19.3 GHz
band from the terrestrial fixed services to
the fixed-satellite service (FSS).
101.91 Involuntary relocation procedures.
101.95 Sunset provisions for licensees in
the 18.30–19.30 GHz band.
101.97 Future licensing in the 18.30–19.30
GHz band.
Subpart C—Technical Standards
Brief Description: Part 101 of the
Commission’s rules prescribes the manner in
which spectrum may be made available for
private operational, common carrier, 24 GHz
Service, and Local Multipoint Distribution
Service fixed, microwave operations that
require transmitting facilities on land or in
specified offshore coastal areas within the
continental shelf. Subpart C sets forth
technical standards for applications, service
and licensing rules for Fixed Microwave
Services.
Need: The revised rules establish revised
technical standards for Multiple Address
Systems and Operational Fixed Stations and
establish the emissions mask for the 71–76
GHz, 81–86 GHz, 92–94 GHz, and 94.1–95
GHz bands (101.111(a)(2)(v)); establish
requirements for existing private operational
fixed wireless licensees applying to become
common carrier licensees (101.133(e)); and
establish frequency assignments for the 71–
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76 GHz, 81–86 GHz, 92–94 GHz, and 94.1–
95 GHz bands (101.147(z)). The need for
these rules is ongoing.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154 and 303.
Section Numbers and Titles:
101.105 Interference protection criteria.
101.107 Frequency tolerance.
101.111 Emission limitations.
101.113 Transmitter power limitations.
101.133(e) Limitations on use of
transmitters.
101.135 Shared use of radio stations and
the offering of private carrier service.
101.147 Frequency assignments.
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Subpart O—Multiple Address Systems
Brief Description: Part 101 of the
Commission’s rules prescribes the manner in
which spectrum may be made available for
private operational, common carrier, 24 GHz
Service, and Local Multipoint Distribution
Service fixed, microwave operations that
require transmitting facilities on land or in
specified offshore coastal areas within the
continental shelf. Subpart O sets forth the
general provisions, system license
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requirements, and system requirements for
Multiple Address Systems as well as the
provisions implementing section 309(j) of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
authorizing the Commission to employ
competitive bidding procedures to resolve
mutually exclusive applications for certain
initial licenses.
Need: The subpart O rules establish service
and technical rules applicable to Multiple
Address Systems and implement the
Commission’s competitive bidding authority
under 47 U.S.C. 309(j).
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 303 and 309.
Section Numbers and Titles:
101.1307 Permissible communications.
101.1315 Service areas.
101.1331 Treatment of incumbents.
Subpart Q—Service and Technical Rules for
the 70/80/90 GHz Bands
Brief Description: Part 101 contains service
and licensing rules for Fixed Microwave
Services. Subpart Q sets forth the service,
licensing and technical rules for the 71–76
GHz, 81–86 GHz, 92–94 GHz, and 94.1–95
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9305
GHz bands (known colloquially as the 70/80/
90 GHz bands).
Need: These rules establish service,
licensing and technical rules for the 70/80/
90 GHz bands. The need for these rules is
ongoing.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303.
Section Numbers and Titles:
101.1501 Service areas.
101.1505 Segmentation plan.
101.1507 Permissible operations.
101.1511 Regulatory status and eligibility.
101.1513 License term and renewal
expectancy.
101.1523 Sharing and coordination among
non-government licensees and between
non-government and government
services.
101.1525 RF safety.
101.1527 Canadian and Mexican
coordination.
[FR Doc. 2017–02221 Filed 2–2–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 22 (Friday, February 3, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9282-9305]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-02221]
[[Page 9281]]
Vol. 82
Friday,
No. 22
February 3, 2017
Part II
Federal Communications Commission
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47 CFR Chapter I
Possible Revision or Elimination of Rules; Proposed Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 82 , No. 22 / Friday, February 3, 2017 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 9282]]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Chapter I
[OCBO: CB Docket No. BO 16-251; DA 16-792]
Possible Revision or Elimination of Rules
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Review of regulations; comments requested.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document invites members of the public to comment on the
Federal Communication Commission's (FCC's or Commission's) rules to be
reviewed pursuant to section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act of
1980, as amended (RFA). The purpose of the review is to determine
whether Commission rules whose ten-year anniversary dates are in the
years 2011-2014, as contained in the Appendix, should be continued
without change, amended, or rescinded in order to minimize any
significant impact the rules may have on a substantial number of small
entities. Upon receipt of comments from the public, the Commission will
evaluate those comments and consider whether action should be taken to
rescind or amend the relevant rule(s).
DATES: Comments may be filed on or before May 4, 2017.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chana S. Wilkerson, Attorney-Advisor,
Office of Communications Business Opportunities (OCBO), Federal
Communications Commission, (202) 418-0990. People with disabilities may
contact the FCC to request reasonable accommodations (accessible format
documents, sign language interpreters, CART, etc.) by email:
FCC504@fcc.gov or phone: 202-418-0530 or TTY: 202-418-0432.
ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, Office of the Secretary,
445 12th Street SW., Washington, DC 20554.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Each year the Commission will publish a list
of ten-year old rules for review and comment by interested parties
pursuant to the requirements of section 610 of the RFA.
FCC Seeks Comment Regarding Possible Revision or Elimination of Rules
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. Section 610
[CB Docket No. BO 16-251]
Comment Period Closes: May 4, 2017.
1. Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), see 5 U.S.C.
610, the FCC hereby publishes a plan for the review of rules adopted by
the agency in calendar years 2001-2004 which have, or might have, a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
The purpose of the review is to determine whether such rules should be
continued without change, or should be amended or rescinded, consistent
with the stated objective of section 610 of the RFA, to minimize any
significant economic impact of such rules upon a substantial number of
small entities.
2. This document lists the FCC regulations to be reviewed during
the next twelve months. The Commission will issue separately plans for
the review of rules adopted in succeeding years.
3. In reviewing each rule in a manner consistent with the
requirements of section 610 the FCC will consider the following
factors:
(a) The continued need for the rule;
(b) The nature of complaints or comments received concerning the
rule from the public;
(c) The complexity of the rule;
(d) The extent to which the rule overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts
with other federal rules and, to the extent feasible, with state and
local governmental rules; and
(e) The length of time since the rule has been evaluated or the
degree to which technology, economic conditions, or other factors have
changed in the area affected by the rule.
4. Appropriate information has been provided for each rule,
including a Brief Description of the rule and the need for, and Legal
Basis of, the rule. The public is invited to comment on the rules
chosen for review by the FCC according to the requirements of section
610 of the RFA. All relevant and timely comments will be considered by
the FCC before final action is taken in this proceeding.
Comments may be filed using the Commission's Electronic Comment
Filing System (``ECFS'') or by filing paper copies. Comments filed
through the ECFS may be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to
https://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/. Generally, only one copy of an electronic
submission must be filed. In completing the transmittal screen,
commenters should include their full name, U.S. Postal Service mailing
address, and the applicable docket (proceeding) and ``DA'' number.
Parties may also submit an electronic comment by Internet email. To
obtain filing instructions for email comments, commenters should send
an email to ecfs@fcc.gov, and should include the following words in the
body of the message: ``get form.'' A sample form and directions will be
sent in reply. Parties who choose to file by paper must file an
original and one copy of each filing. Again, please include the docket
(proceeding) and ``DA'' number.
Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial
overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service
mail. All hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the
Commission's Secretary must be delivered to FCC Headquarters at 445
12th St. SW., Room TW-A325, Washington, DC 20554. Again, please include
the docket (proceeding) and ``DA'' number.
The filing hours at this location are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or
fasteners.
Any envelopes must be disposed of before entering the
building.
Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service
Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton
Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743.
U.S. Postal Service first-class mail, Express Mail, and
Priority Mail should be addressed to 445 12th Street SW., Washington,
DC 20554.
All filings must be addressed to the Commission's
Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.
Comments in this proceeding will be available for public inspection
and copying during regular business hours at the FCC Reference
Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street SW., Room CY-A257,
Washington, DC 20554. They may also be purchased from the Commission's
duplicating contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., 445 12th Street
SW., Room CY-B402, Washington, DC 20554, telephone 202-488-5300 or 800-
378-3160, facsimile 202-488-5563, or via email at fcc@bcniweb.com. To
request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities
(Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an email
to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at
202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (TTY).
The proceeding this Notice initiates shall be treated as a
``permit-but-disclose'' proceeding in accordance with the Commission's
ex parte rules.\1\ Persons making ex parte presentations must file a
copy of any written presentation or a memorandum summarizing any oral
presentation
[[Page 9283]]
within two business days after the presentation (unless a different
deadline applicable to the Sunshine period applies). Persons making
oral ex parte presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing the
presentation must (1) list all persons attending or otherwise
participating in the meeting at which the ex parte presentation was
made, and (2) summarize all data presented and arguments made during
the presentation. If the presentation consisted in whole or in part of
the presentation of data or arguments already reflected in the
presenter's written comments, memoranda or other filings in the
proceeding, the presenter may provide citations to such data or
arguments in his or her prior comments, memoranda, or other filings
(specifying the relevant page and/or paragraph numbers where such data
or arguments can be found) in lieu of summarizing them in the
memorandum. Documents shown or given to Commission staff during ex
parte meetings are deemed to be written ex parte presentations and must
be filed consistent with rule 1.1206(b). In proceedings governed by
rule 1.49(f) or for which the Commission has made available a method of
electronic filing, written ex parte presentations and memoranda
summarizing oral ex parte presentations, and all attachments thereto,
must be filed through the electronic comment filing system available
for that proceeding, and must be filed in their native format (e.g.,
.doc, .xml, .ppt, searchable .pdf). Participants in this proceeding
should familiarize themselves with the Commission's ex parte rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 47 CFR 1.1200 et seq.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
For information on the requirements of the RFA, the public may
contact Chana S. Wilkerson, Attorney-Advisor, Office of Communications
Business Opportunities, 202-418-0990 or visit www.fcc.gov/ocbo.
Federal Communications Commission.
Lisa Fowlkes,
Acting Director, Office of Communications Business Opportunities.
Appendix
List of rules for review pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility
Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. Section 610, for the ten-year period beginning
in the year 2001 and ending in the year 2004. All listed rules are
in Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
PART 1--PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
Subpart E--Complaints, Applications, Tariffs, and Reports Involving
Common Carriers
Brief Description: Section 1.767 sets forth the application
filing requirements for submarine cable landing licenses. Section
1.768 sets forth the notification and prior approval requirements
for submarine cable landing licensees that are or propose to become
affiliated with a foreign carrier.
Need: The rules are needed to implement the Commission's
policies that facilitate the expansion of capacity and facilities-
based competition in the submarine cable market. These measures are
designed to enable international carriers to respond to the demands
of the market with minimal regulatory oversight and delay, saving
time and resources for both the industry and government, while
preserving the Commission's ability to guard against anti-
competitive behavior.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 155, 225, 303(r),
309 and 325(e).
Section Numbers and Titles:
1.767(a), (a)(5), (a)(7)-(11), (g)-(m) Cable landing licenses.
1.768 Notification by and prior approval for submarine cable landing
licensees that are or propose to become affiliated with a foreign
carrier.
Subpart F--Wireless Radio Services Applications and Proceedings
Brief Description: Part 1 rules state the general rules of
practice and procedure before the Federal Communications Commission.
Subpart F sets forth the requirements and conditions under which
entities may be licensed in the Wireless Radio Services as described
in parts 1, 13, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 74, 80, 87, 90, 95, 97 and 101.
Need: These rules are needed to implement the Commission's
policies with regard to the processing of applications, like
applications to provide public safety services, for licenses under
the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and to update the rules
to comply with Federal Registration Number (``FRN'') requirements.
Legal Basis: 15 U.S.C 79 et seq.; 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j),
155, 157, 225, 227, 303(r) and 309.
Section Numbers and Titles:
1.913(g) Application and notification forms; electronic and manual
filing.
1.934(d)(2) through (4) Defective applications and dismissal.
Subpart V--Implementation of Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act
of 1996; Commission Collection of Advanced Telecommunications
Capability Data
Brief Description: Subpart V sets out the terms by which certain
entities shall complete FCC Form 477 to report data to the
Commission concerning the deployment of advanced telecommunications
capability, defined pursuant to 47 U.S.C. 157 as ``high-speed,
switched, broadband telecommunications capability that enables users
to originate and receive high-quality voice, data, graphics, and
video telecommunications using any technology,'' and the deployment
of services that are competitive with advanced telecommunications
capability.
Need: Subpart V implements the Commission's data collection
authority pursuant to section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of
1996.
Legal Basis: 15 U.S.C. 79 et seq.; 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i),
154(j), 155, 157, 225, and 303(r).
Section Number and Title:
1.7001 Scope and content of filed reports.
Subpart W--FCC Registration Number
Brief Description: Anyone doing business with the Commission is
required to first obtain a unique identifying number called an FCC
Registration Number, or ``FRN,'' which must be referenced when
submitting or filing applications and remitting payments to the
Commission. These rules describe the use of FRNs, identify the
individuals and entities required to obtain FRNs and how they can be
obtained, and set forth penalties for noncompliance.
Need: To ensure compliance with the Debt Collection Improvement
Act of 1996 (``DCIA''), these rules establish individual
identification numbers (FRNs) used by individuals and entities when
doing business with the FCC. FRNs are utilized by all Commission
systems that handle financial, authorization of service, and
enforcement activities, and enable our customers to be more easily
identified as the filers of applications, reports, remittance
payments and other documents with the FCC, thereby improving the
Commission's ability to effectively forecast, assess and collect
regulatory fees; track enforcement of fines and forfeiture actions;
monitor and collect penalties; and manage the grant of waivers and
exemptions.
Legal Basis: 31 U.S.C. 3512(b) (mandating the establishment and
maintenance of systems of accounting and internal controls); 31 CFR
901.1 (requiring agencies to aggressively collect all debts arising
out of the agency's activities).
Section Numbers and Titles:
1.8001 FCC Registration Number (FRN).
1.8002 Obtaining an FRN.
1.8003 Providing the FRN in Commission filings.
1.8004 Penalty for Failure to Provide the FRN.
Subpart X--Spectrum Leasing
Brief Description: This subpart covers the rules regarding
spectrum leasing. These rules specify which services are subject to
the general policies and procedures imposed by this subpart. In
addition to providing the policies and requirements that govern the
spectrum leasing process, these rules also make special provisions
which apply to educational broadband, the Public Safety Radio
Service, and the ancillary terrestrial component of Mobile Satellite
Services.
Need: By providing thorough guidance to any licensee seeking to
lease its spectrum, these rules regulate and stimulate a robust
secondary market.
Legal Basis: 15 U.S.C. 79, et seq.; 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i),
154(j), 155, 157, 160, 201, 225, 227, 303, 309, 332, 1403, 1404,
1451, 1452, 1455.
Section Numbers and Titles:
1.9001 Purpose and scope.
1.9003 Definitions.
1.9005 Included services.
1.9010 De facto control standard for spectrum leasing arrangements.
[[Page 9284]]
1.9020 Spectrum manager leasing arrangements.
1.9030 Long-term de facto transfer leasing arrangements.
1.9035 Short-term de facto transfer leasing arrangements.
1.9040 Contractual requirements applicable to spectrum leasing
arrangements.
1.9045 Requirements for spectrum leasing arrangements entered into
by licensees participating in the installment payment program.
1.9046 Special provisions related to spectrum manager leasing in the
Citizens Broadband Radio Service.
1.9047 Special provisions relating to leases of educational
broadband service spectrum.
1.9048 Special provisions relating to spectrum leasing arrangements
involving licensees in the Public Safety Radio Services.
1.9049 Special provisions relating to spectrum leasing arrangements
involving the ancillary terrestrial component of Mobile Satellite
Services.
1.9050 Who may sign spectrum leasing notifications and applications.
1.9055 Assignment of file numbers to spectrum leasing notifications
and applications.
1.9060 Amendments, waivers, and dismissals affecting spectrum
leasing notifications and applications.
1.9080 Private commons.
Subpart Y--International Bureau Filing System
Brief Description: Subpart Y describes the procedures for
electronic filing of international and satellite services
applications using the International Bureau Filing System (IBFS).
Need: Subpart Y is necessary as it codifies the use of the
International Bureau Filing System (IBFS) as an official method of
filing applications related to satellite and international
telecommunications services with the Commission. Electronic filing
improves the speed and efficiency of application processing and also
expedites the availability of application information for public use
and inspection.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 155, 225, 303(r),
309 and 325(e).
Section Numbers and Titles: (originally codified at 1.9000-9018)
1.10000 What is the purpose of these rules?
1.10001 Definitions.
1.10002 What happens if the rules conflict?
1.10003 When can I start operating?
1.10004 What am I allowed to do if I am approved?
1.10005 What is IBFS?
1.10006 Is electronic filing mandatory?
1.10007, (b) What applications can I file electronically?
1.10008 What are IBFS file numbers?
1.10009 What are the steps for electronic filing?
1.10010 Do I need to send paper copies with my electronic
applications?
1.10011 Who may sign applications?
1.10012 When can I file on IBFS?
1.10013 How do I check the status of my application after I file it?
1.10014 What happens after officially filing my application?
1.10015 Are there exceptions for emergency filings?
1.10016 How do I apply for special temporary authority?
1.10017 How can I submit additional information?
1.10018 May I amend my application?
PART 2--FREQUENCY ALLOCATIONS AND RADIO TREATY MATTERS; GENERAL RULES
AND REGULATIONS
Subpart C--Emissions
Brief Description: These rules specify the frequency bandwidth
limits and a given class of emission. The emissions are useful for
the functioning of the receiving equipment.
Need: The rules provide the frequency bandwidths limits and the
given class of emission.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 302a, 303, and 336, unless otherwise
noted.
Section Number and Title:
2.202 Bandwidths.
Subpart D--Call Signs and Other Forms of Identifying Radio
Transmissions
Brief Description: These rules require stations using radio
frequencies that identify transmissions according to the procedures
prescribed by the rules governing the class of station to which it
belongs.
Need: Call signs are required for each station to identify
transmission governing the class of each station.
Section Numbers and Titles:
2.301 Station identification requirement.
2.302 Call signs.
2.303 Other forms of identification of stations.
Subpart K--Importation of Causing Harmful Interference
Brief Description: These rules update current rules to better
accomplish interference prevention from radiofrequency devices and
facilitate the filing of FCC Form 740 (Importation) information.
Need: These rules are promulgated to control criteria thereby
reducing filing and handling burden on both importers and the
government and facilitates conversion to a method of electronic
filing of importation information in cooperation with the U.S.
Customs Service.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 302, 303(r).
Section Numbers and Titles:
2.1203 General requirement for entry into the U.S.A.
2.1207 Examination of imported equipment.
PART 11--EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM (EAS)
Subpart B--Equipment Requirements
Brief Description: These rules ensure that EAS decoders,
encoders and combined units are compliant with the certification
requirements and are capable of implementing the new EAS codes
specified in section 11.31 and the logging features in section
11.34(a)(4).
Need: Ensuring that EAS decoders, encoders, and combined are
properly certified and capable of meeting specific EAS requirements
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i) and (o), 303(r), 544(g), 606.
Section Number and Title:
11.34(f) and (g) Acceptability of equipment.
PART 13--COMMERCIAL RADIO OPERATORS
Brief Description: Part 13 rules set forth the manner and
conditions under which commercial radio operators are licensed by
the Commission pursuant to the Communications Act of 1934, as
amended.
Need: These rules are needed to define the application process
for licensing commercial radio operators and to ensure the
telegraphy requirements for commercial radio operator licenses
remain unchanged.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154 and 303.
Section Numbers and Titles:
13.9(d)(2) Eligibility and application for new license or
endorsement.
13.13(d)(2) Application for a renewed or modified license.
PART 15--RADIO FREQUENCY DEVICES
Subpart A--General
Brief Description: These rules sets out the regulations under
which an intentional, unintentional, or incidental radiator may be
operated without an individual license. These rules contain the
technical specifications, administrative requirements and other
conditions relating to the marketing of part 15 devices.
Need: These rules are necessary to promote the efficient use of
the radio spectrum by preventing harmful interference to licensed
radio services that share the same spectrum or nearby spectrum as
unlicensed devices.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 302a, 303, 304, 307, 336, and 544a.
Section Numbers and Titles:
Subpart B--Unintentional Radiators
15.107 Conducted limits.
15.121 Scanning receivers and frequency converters used with
scanning receivers.
Subpart C--Intentional Radiators
15.207 Conducted limits.
15.213 Cable locating equipment.
15.214 Cordless telephones.
Subpart F--Ultra-Wideband Operation
15.509 Technical requirements for ground penetrating radars and wall
imaging systems.
15.510 Technical requirements for through D-wall imaging systems.
15.511 Technical requirements for surveillance systems.
15.517 Technical requirements for indoor UWB systems.
15.519 Technical requirements for hand held UWB systems.
PART 20--COMMERCIAL MOBILE SERVICES
Brief Description: Part 20 rules set forth the Commission's
requirements and conditions for commercial mobile radio service
providers under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
[[Page 9285]]
Need: The amended rules are needed to update subsections which
referred to services by previous names and subpart designations and
it defines which mobile services will be treated as common carriage
services pursuant to section 332 of the Communications Act.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 160, 201, 251-254, 301, 303, 316 and
332. Section 20.12 is also issued under 47 U.S.C. 1302.
Section Number and Title:
20.9(a)(6) through (9) Commercial mobile radio service.
Brief Description: Section 20.15(c) provides that providers of
commercial radio services (CMRS) shall not file tariffs for
international and interstate service to their customers, interstate
access service, or international operator services. The section
further provides that sections 1.771 through 1.773 of part 61 of the
rules do not apply to international and interstate services provided
by commercial mobile radio service. Finally, the section further
provides that providers of commercial mobile radio services must
cancel their tariffs for international and interstate service to
their customers, interstate access service, and international
operator service. Section 20.15(d) provides that, except as provided
in paragraphs (d)(1) and (d)(2), nothing in section 20.15(d) shall
be construed to modify the Commission's rules and policies on the
provision of international service under part 63 of the rules.
Paragraph (d)(1) provides that, notwithstanding the provisions of
section 63.21(c) of the rules (requiring carriers regulated dominant
for a particular service on a particular route to file tariffs), a
provider of commercial mobile radio service is not required to
comply with section 42.10 of the rules. Section 20.15(d)(2) provides
that a provider of commercial mobile radio service that is
classified as dominant under section 63.10 of the rules because it
is affiliated with a foreign carrier must comply with section 42.11
of the rules if its affiliated foreign carrier collects settlement
payments from U.S. carriers for terminating U.S.-originated
international switched traffic at the foreign end of the route. Such
a CMRS carrier is not required to comply with section 42.11 of the
rules if it provides services on affiliated routes solely through
the resale of an unaffiliated facilities-based provider's
international switched traffic. Section 20.15(d)(3) provides that,
for purposes of paragraphs (d)(1) and (d)(2) of section 20.15, the
terms ``affiliated'' and ``foreign carrier'' are defined in section
63.09 of the rules.
Need: Section 20.15 is necessary to provide that providers of
CMRS are not required under section 203 of the Communications Act,
47 U.S.C. 203, to file a tariff for the international and interstate
CMRS they provide to their customers or for interstate access
service they provide to other carriers or their offer of
international operator service. The rule is also needed to ensure
that providers of CMRS do not voluntarily file tariffs for such
services, as the Commission has concluded that competition among
CMRS providers is the best way to ensure that rates, terms and
conditions for CMRS are just and reasonable. Paragraphs (d)(1) and
(d)(2) of section 20.15 are necessary to ensure that the
Commission's decision to require the detariffing of CMRS is not
frustrated by tariffing requirements in other services.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 160, 201, 251-254, 303, 316 and 332.
Section Number and Title:
20.15 Requirements under Title II of the Communications Act.
Brief Description: The note to rule 20.18(c) provided that
operators of digital wireless systems must begin complying with the
provisions of the rule paragraph on or before June 30, 2002. The
rules in sections 20.18(g)(1), (2) and (i) make adjustments to the
deployment schedule for wireless carriers that choose to implement
enhanced 911 Phase II service using a handset-based technology. The
rules defer the date for initial distribution of Automatic Location
Identification (ALI)-capable handsets by seven months, adjust the
timetable for carriers to meet certain interim benchmarks for
activating new ALI-capable handsets, defer the date by which a
carrier must achieve full penetration of ALI-capable handsets until
December 31, 2005, modify the manner in which the Commission defines
full penetration by adopting a requirement that carriers achieve 95
percent penetration of ALI-capable handsets by the December 31, 2005
date, eliminate the separate handset phase-in schedule triggered by
a request from a Public Safety Answering Point, and extend the
deadline for carriers to file Phase II enhanced 911 implementation
reports.
Need: The Commission established December 31, 2001, as the
deadline for carriers operating digital wireless systems to have
obtained all software upgrades and equipment necessary to make their
systems capable of transmitting 911 calls from TTY devices, but
allowed wireless carriers an additional six-month period (until June
30, 2002) to integrate, test, and deploy the technology in their
systems in conjunction with the public safety community. The rules
in sections 20.18(g)(1), (2) and (i) are needed to establish a
practical, understandable, and workable schedule for implementation
of handset-based ALI solutions for enhanced 911 Phase II service.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 160, 251-254, 303, and 332 unless
otherwise noted.
Section Numbers and Titles:
20.18(c) 911 Service.
20.18(g)(1), (2), and (i) Phase-in for handset-based location
technologies.
Brief Description: Section 20.19 requires providers of covered
mobile services and the manufacturers of handsets used with these
services to offer a selection of hearing aid-compatible handsets.
Providers and manufacturers must ensure that a certain minimum
percentage or number of the handsets that they offer meet a
specified rating for compatibility with hearing aids in acoustic
coupling mode (coupling via the hearing aid microphone) and
inductive coupling mode (coupling via a telecoil), as measured under
Commission-approved technical standards.
Need: Section 20.19 implements, for wireless handsets, the
statutory requirement under 47 U.S.C. 610(b) that telephones and
devices used for advanced communications services provide internal
means for effective use with compatible hearing aids. The rule is
also necessary to ensure reasonable access to commercial mobile
services by persons with impaired hearing, as required under 47
U.S.C. 610(a).
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 157, 160, 201, 202, 208,
214, 301, 303, 308, 309(j), 310, and 610.
Section Number and Title:
20.19 Hearing aid-compatible mobile handsets.
PART 24--PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
Subpart D--Narrowband PCS
Brief Description: Part 24 sets forth rules relating to Personal
Communications Services (PCS), specifically, the rules establishing
the requirements and conditions under which radio stations may be
licensed and used in those services. Subpart D sets forth the rules
governing the licensing and operation of narrowband PCS systems
authorized in the 901-902, 930-931, and 940-941 MHz bands (900 MHz
band).
Need: These rules are needed to set forth which frequencies are
available for narrowband PCS and to revise an erroneous reference to
another rule section.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302, 303, 309 and 332.
Section Numbers and Titles:
24.129 Frequencies.
24.133(a) Emission limits.
Subpart E--Broadband PCS
Brief Description: This subpart covers the technical
requirements for broadband Personal Communications Services
operations in the 1850-1910 and 1930-1990 MHz bands. These rules
require licensees to make a substantial service showing in their
license area within ten years of the date of the initial grant or
license renewal in order to avoid forfeiture of the license, and
specify that the 1910-1915 MHz frequency block is to be used for
mobile station transmissions while the 1990-1995 MHz block shall be
used for base station transmissions.
Need: By imposing a substantial service standard on the Personal
Communications Services construction requirement and designating the
types of transmissions authorized on the paired frequency blocks
1910-1915 and 1990-1995 MHz, these rules incentivize the active use
of spectrum.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302, 303, 309, 332.
Section Numbers and Titles:
24.203(d) Construction requirements.
24.229(c) Frequencies.
PART 25--SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS
Subpart A--General
Brief Description: Part 25 contains the Commission's rules
governing the licensing and operation of space stations and earth
stations. It includes application requirements, technical
requirements, operational requirements, and coordination
requirements for various satellite services. The rules also define
the Commission's processing of applications.
Need: The part 25 rules are needed to ensure that satellite
services may be provided
[[Page 9286]]
without harmful interference and consistent with the public
interest.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302, 303, 307, 309, 310, 319,
332, 605, 721.
Section Numbers and Titles:
25.103 Definitions.
Subpart B--Applications and Licenses
25.110 Filing of applications, fees, and number of copies.
25.111(b), (c) Additional information, ITU filings, and ITU cost
recovery.
25.112(a)(3), (b) introductory text Dismissal and return of
applications.
25.113(b) [formerly partially in 25.136, 25.143(i), (j), (k)], (g),
(h) Station construction, deployment approval, and operation of
spare satellites.
25.114 Applications for space station authorizations.
25.115(a), (c)(2), (e), (f) Applications for earth station
authorizations.
25.116(b)(5), (c) introductory text, (d), (e) Amendments to
applications.
25.117(a), (c), (d)(1), (2), (3), (f) Modification of station
license.
25.118(a), (b), (e) Modifications not requiring prior authorization.
25.119(a), (c), (d), (g) Assignment or transfer of control of
station authorization.
25.120(b) Application for special temporary authorization.
25.121 License term and renewals.
25.129 Equipment authorization for portable earth-station
transceivers.
25.130(a) Filing requirements for transmitting earth stations.
25.131(a), (b), (h), (i), (j) Filing requirements and registration
for receive-only earth stations.
25.132(a) Verification of earth station antenna performance.
25.135(c), (d) Licensing provisions for earth station networks in
the non-voice, non-geostationary Mobile-Satellite Service.
25.287 [formerly partially in 25.136] Requirements pertaining to
operation of mobile stations in the NVNG, 1.5/1.6 GHz, 1.6/2.4 GHz,
and 2 GHz Mobile-Satellite Service bands.
25.137 Requests for U.S. market access through non-U.S.-licensed
space stations.
25.138(a) introductory text, (a)(6), (f) Licensing requirements for
GSO FSS earth stations in the conventional Ka-band.
25.139 NGSO FSS coordination and information sharing between MVDDS
licensees in the 12.2 GHz to 12.7 GHz band.
25.140(a) [formerly generally in 25.140(b)] Further requirements for
license applications for GSO space station operation in the FSS and
the 17/24 GHz BSS.
25.142(a)(1) Licensing provisions for the non-voice, non-
geostationary Mobile-Satellite Service.
25.144(b) Licensing provisions for the 2.3 GHz satellite digital
audio radio service.
25.145 Licensing provisions for the FSS in the 18.3-20.2 GHz and
28.35-30.0 GHz bands.
25.146 Licensing and operating rules for the NGSO FSS in the 10.7-
14.5 GHz bands.
25.148 Licensing provisions for the Direct Broadcast Satellite
Service.
25.149 Application requirements for ancillary terrestrial components
in Mobile-Satellite Service networks operating in the 1.5/1.6 GHz
and 1.6/2.4 GHz Mobile-Satellite Service.
25.154(a)(3), (c), (d) Opposition to applications and other
pleadings.
25.155 Mutually exclusive applications.
25.156(d) Consideration of applications.
25.157 Consideration of applications for NGSO-like satellite
operation.
25.158 Consideration of applications for GSO-like satellite
operation.
25.159 Limits on pending applications and unbuilt satellite systems.
25.161(a) Automatic termination of station authorization.
25.164 Milestones.
25.165 Surety bonds.
Subpart C--Technical Standards
25.202(a) Frequencies, frequency tolerance, and emission limits.
25.208(c), (d), (l), (m), (o), (p)-(t) Power flux density limits.
25.209(h)(1) Antenna performance standards.
25.210(c) [formerly in 25.215], (f), (j) Technical requirements for
space stations.
25.216 Limits on emissions from mobile earth stations for protection
of aeronautical radionavigation-satellite service.
25.217 Default service rules.
25.253 Special requirements for ancillary terrestrial components
operating in the 1626.5-1660.5 MHz/1525-1559 MHz bands.
25.254 Special requirements for ancillary terrestrial components
operating in the 1610-1626.5 MHz/2483.5-2500 MHz bands.
25.255 Procedures for resolving harmful interference related to
operation of ancillary terrestrial components operating in the 1.5/
1.6 GHz and 1.6/2.4 GHz bands.
25.258 Sharing between NGSO MSS feeder-link stations and GSO FSS
services in the 29.25-29.5 GHz band.
25.261 Procedures for avoidance of in-line interference events for
Non Geostationary Satellite Orbit (NGSO) Satellite Network
Operations in the Fixed-Satellite Service (FSS) Bands.
Subpart D--Technical Operations
25.271(e) Control of transmitting stations.
25.280 Inclined orbit operations.
25.282 Orbit raising maneuvers.
25.283 End-of-life disposal.
25.284 Emergency Call Center Service.
25.285 [formerly generally in 25.143(i), (j), (k)] Operation of MSS
and ATC transmitters or transceivers on board civil aircraft.
Subpart F--Competitive Bidding Procedures for DARS
25.401 Satellite DARS applications subject to competitive bidding.
25.404 Submission of down payment and filing of long-form
applications.
25.601 Equal employment opportunities.
25.701 Other DBS Public interest obligations.
PART 27--MISCELLANEOUS WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
Subpart B--Applications and Licenses
Brief Description: Part 27 contains service and licensing rules
for Miscellaneous Wireless Communications Services. Subpart B
establishes application and licensing requirements applicable to a
number of spectrum bands, including AWS-1 (Advance Wireless
Services) stations operating in the 1710-1755/2110-2155 MHz band.
Need: The revised rules specify channel blocks for AWS-1
(27.11(i)) and establish the term for licenses to operate in these
frequencies (27.13(g)). The need for these rules is ongoing.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302, 303, 307, 309, 332, 336,
337, 1403, 1404 and 1451.
Section Numbers and Titles:
27.11(i) Initial authorization.
27.13(g) License period.
Subpart C--Technical Standards
Brief Description: This subpart contains the rules for the
miscellaneous wireless communications services. These rules specify
power and antenna height requirements for stations transmitting in
the 1695-1710 MHz, 1710-1755 MHz, 1755-1780 MHz, 1915-1920 MHz,
1995-2000 MHz, 2000-2020 MHz, 2110-2155 MHz, 2155-2180 MHz, and
2180-2200 MHz bands; additionally, under these rules, all operation
in the above bands is subject to international agreements with
Mexico and Canada. These rules also impose separate power limit
restrictions on stations operating in the Broadband Radio Service
and Educational Broadband Service, in addition to specifying the
attenuation requirement relating to out-of-band emissions for
stations operating in the 600 MHz band and the 698-746 MHz band.
Need: In providing protection for adjacent operators, these
rules protect television stations from interference and ensure that
consumers continue to benefit from television broadcasts.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302(a), 303, 307, 309, 332,
336, 337, 1403, 1404, 1451, 1452.
Section Numbers and Titles:
27.50(d), (h) Power limits and duty cycle.
27.53(g), (l) Emission limits.
27.55(a)(4) Power strength limits.
27.57(c) International coordination.
Subpart L--1695-1710 MHz, 1710-1755 MHz, 1755-1780 MHz, 2110-2155 MHz,
2155-2180 MHz, 2180-2200 MHz Bands
Brief Description: Part 27 contains service and licensing rules
for Miscellaneous Wireless Communications Services. Subpart L
contains specific rules applicable to AWS-1 (Advanced Wireless
Service) stations operating in the 1710-1755/2110-2155 MHz band, and
rules applicable to AWS-3 stations operating in the 1695-1710 and
1755-1780/2155-2180 MHz bands and to AWS-4 stations operating in the
2000-2020/2180-2200 MHz bands.
Need: The revised rules establish licensing and competitive
bidding rules for the AWS-1, AWS-3 and AWS-4 bands, as well as rules
[[Page 9287]]
regarding protection and relocation of incumbent operations in these
frequency bands. The need for these rules is ongoing.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302, 303, 307, 309, 332, 336,
337, 1403, 1404 and 1451.
Section Numbers and Titles:
27.1101 1710-1755 MHz and 2110-2155 MHz bands subject to competitive
bidding.
27.1102 Designated Entities in the 1710-1755 MHz and 2110-2155 MHz
bands.
27.1111 Relocation of fixed microwave service licensees in the 2110-
2150 and 2160-2200 MHz bands.
27.1131 Protection of part 101 operations.
27.1132 Protection of incumbent operations in the 2150-2160/62 MHz
band.
27.1133 Protection of part 74 and part 78 operations.
27.1134 Protection of Federal Government operations.
27.1135 Protection of non-Federal Government Meteorological-
Satellite operations.
Subpart M--Broadband Radio Service and Educational Broadband Service
Brief Description: Part 27 contains service and licensing rules
for Miscellaneous Wireless Communications Services. Subpart M
contains specific rules applicable to the Broadband Radio Service
(BRS) and Educational Broadband Service (EBS) that operate in the
2500-2690 MHz band.
Need: The rules establish service, licensing, competitive
bidding and technical rules for BRS and EBS. The rules also
establish policies governing transition of 2500-2690 MHz band to use
by BRS and EBS. Prior to January 10, 2005 these frequencies had been
assigned to the Multipoint Distribution Service (MDS) and the
Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service (MMDS) and the
Instructional Television Fixed Service (ITFS). The need for these
rules is ongoing.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302, 303, 307, 309, 332, 336,
337, 1403, 1404 and 1451.
Section Numbers and Titles:
27.1200 Change to BRS and EBS.
27.1201 EBS eligibility.
27.1202 Cable/BRS cross-ownership.
27.1203 EBS programming requirements.
27.1206 Geographic Service Area.
27.1207 BTA license authorization.
27.1208 BTA service areas.
27.1209 Conversion of incumbent EBS and BRS stations to geographic
area licensing.
27.1210 Remote control operation.
27.1211 Unattended operation.
27.1212 License term.
27.1213 Designated entity provisions for BRS in Commission auctions
commencing prior to January 1, 2004.
27.1214 EBS spectrum leasing arrangements and grandfathered leases.
27.1215 BRS grandfathered leases.
27.1216 Grandfathered E and F group EBS licenses.
27.1217 Competitive bidding procedures for the Broadband Radio
Service.
27.1218 Designated entities.
27.1220 Transmission standards.
27.1221 Interference protection.
27.1222 Operations in the 2568-2572 and 2614-2618 bands.
27.1230 Conversion of the 2500-2690 MHz band.
27.1231 Initiating the transition.
27.1232 Planning the transition.
27.1233 Reimbursement costs of transitioning.
27.1234 Terminating existing operations in transitioned markets.
27.1235 Post-transition notification.
PART 32--UNIFORM SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES
Brief Description: Part 32 implements section 220 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, which requires the
Commission to ``prescribe a uniform system of accounts for use by
telephone companies.'' The part 32 rules contain the current Uniform
System of Accounts that apply to regulated telephone companies,
which were amended in 1986 to respond to the introduction of
competition and new products and services in the telecommunications
market. Part 32 specifies the asset, revenue and expense accounts
that must be maintained.
Need: The Commission initiated a rulemaking on August 18, 2014
to determine whether part 32 rules could be streamlined to reduce
regulatory burdens while maintaining access to the data the
Commission needs to fulfill its statutory and regulatory
obligations. Comprehensive Review of the Part 32 Uniform System of
Accounts, 29 FCC Rcd 10638 (2014).
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154(i) and (j), and 220.
Section Numbers and Titles:
Subpart B--General Instructions
32.16(a) Changes in accounting standards.
32.17 Interpretation of accounts.
32.19 Address for reports and correspondence.
32.24(b) Compensated absences.
32.27(a) Transactions with affiliates.
Subpart C--Instructions for Balance Sheet Accounts
32.101 Structure of the balance sheet accounts.
32.103 Balance sheet accounts for other than regulated-fixed assets
to be maintained.
32.1120 Cash and equivalents.
32.1170 Receivables.
32.1171 Allowance for doubtful accounts.
32.1220(g), (h) Inventories.
32.1280 Prepayments.
32.1350 Other current assets.
32.1410 Other noncurrent assets.
32.1438(a) Deferred maintenance and retirements.
32.2000(a)(2), (4), (b)(2)(i), (iii), (iv), (c)(2)(x), (xiii),
(d)(2)(i), (4), (5), (f)(3)(i), (g)(3), (5), (h)(3), (j)
Instructions for telecommunications plant accounts.
32.2003(c) Telecommunications plant under construction.
32.2005(b) Telecommunications plant adjustment.
32.2007(a) Goodwill.
32.2111(f), (g) Land.
32.2210 Central office--switching.
32.2211(a) Non-digital switching.
32.2212(b), (c), (d) Digital electronic switching.
32.2231 Radio systems.
32.2232(b), (c), (d) Circuit equipment.
32.2311(f) Station apparatus.
32.2424(a) Submarine & deep sea cable.
32.2682(c) Leasehold improvements.
32.2690 Intangibles.
32.3000(a)(2), (b) Instructions for balance sheet accounts--
Depreciation and amortization.
32.3100(b), (d) Accumulated depreciation.
32.3200(b) Accumulated depreciation--held for future
telecommunications use.
32.3300(b), (c) Accumulated depreciation--nonoperating.
32.3410(b), (c) Accumulated amortization--capitalized leases.
32.3999 Instructions for balance sheet accounts--liabilities and
stockholders' equity.
32.4000 Current accounts and notes payable.
32.4040(b) Customers' deposits.
32.4070 Income taxes--accrued.
32.4080 Other taxes--accrued.
32.4110(c), (f) Net current deferred nonoperating income taxes.
32.4130 Other current liabilities.
32.4200 Long term debt and funded debt.
32.4300 Other long-term liabilities and deferred credits.
32.4330 Unamortized nonoperating investment tax credits--net.
32.4341(a), (b)(2) Net deferred tax liability adjustments.
32.4350(b), (e) Net noncurrent deferred nonoperating income taxes.
32.4361 Deferred tax regulatory adjustments--net.
32.4540 Other capital.
Subpart D--Instructions for Revenue Accounts
32.5000 Basic local service revenue.
32.5001 Basic area revenue.
32.5060 Other basic area revenue.
32.5081 End user revenue.
32.5082 Switched access revenue.
32.5083 Special access revenue.
32.5100 Long distance message revenue.
32.5200 Miscellaneous revenue.
32.5230 Directory revenue.
32.5280(c) Nonregulated operating revenue.
32.5300 Uncollectible revenue.
Subpart E--Instructions for Expense Accounts
32.5999(b)(4), (c), (g) General.
32.6110 Network support expenses.
32.6112(b) Motor vehicle expense.
32.6113(b) Aircraft expense.
32.6114(b) Tools and other work equipment expense.
32.6120 General support expenses.
32.6124 General purpose computers expense.
32.6210 Central office switching expenses.
32.6211 Non-digital switching expense.
32.6212 Digital electronic switching expense.
32.6230 Central office transmission expense.
32.6232 Circuit equipment expense.
32.6310 Information origination/termination expenses.
[[Page 9288]]
32.6410 Cable and wire facilities expenses.
32.6424 Submarine and deep sea cable expense.
32.6510 Other property, plant and equipment expenses.
32.6512 Provisioning expense.
32.6530 Network operations expense.
32.6560 Depreciation and amortization expenses.
32.6561 Depreciation expense--telecommunications plant in service.
32.6563 Amortization expense--tangible.
32.6564 Amortization expense--intangible.
32.6565 Amortization expense--other.
32.6610 Marketing.
32.6611 Product management and sales.
32.6620 Services.
32.6621 Call completion services.
32.6623 Customer services.
32.6720 General and administrative.
32.6790 Provision for uncollectible notes receivable.
Subpart F--Instructions for Other Income Accounts
32.6999 General.
32.7100 Other operating income and expenses.
32.7200 Operating taxes.
32.7210(b) Operating investment tax credits--net.
32.7240(d), (e), (g) Operating other taxes.
32.7300 Nonoperating income and expense.
32.7400 Nonoperating taxes.
32.7500 Interest and related items.
32.7600 Extraordinary items.
PART 42--PRESERVATION OF RECORDS OF COMMUNICATIONS COMMON CARRIERS
Brief Description: Section 42.10 provides that non-dominant
interexchange carriers (IXCs), which category includes providers of
commercial mobile radio services (CMRS), must make available to the
public, in an easily understood format, and during regular business
hours, information on the rates, terms and conditions for all of its
international, interstate, domestic, interexchange services.
Need: Section 42.10 is needed to ensure that the information
that was formerly contained in the carriers' tariffs and publicly
available will continue to be available to users once the carriers
have detariffed their services.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 219 and 220.
Section Number and Title:
42.10 Public availability of information concerning interexchange
services.
Brief Description: Section 42.11(a) requires non-dominant
interexchange carriers (IXCs) to retain price and service
information for all their domestic and international interexchange
services, and to make such information available to the Commission
and state regulators upon request. The section, however, clarifies
that one class of IXC, providers of commercial mobile radio services
(CMRS) need retain such price and service information only for their
international common carrier service operations and only on routes
on which they have been classified as dominant under section 63.10
of the rules due to affiliation with a foreign telecommunications
carrier that collects settlement payments from U.S. carriers for
terminating U.S. international switched traffic at the foreign end
of the route. The rule also makes clear that CMRS providers are not
required to retain price and service information on affiliated
routes (i.e., routed on which they are affiliated with a foreign
carrier at the foreign end) if they provide service on that route
solely through the resale of international switched
telecommunications services that they purchase from an unaffiliated
facilities-based provider. Finally the rule states that the price
and service information the rule requires subject carriers to retain
includes documents supporting the rates terms and conditions of
covered services and requires carriers to retain the records in such
a way that they can produce such records within 10 days of a
request.
Need: Section 42.11 is needed to ensure that a CMRS carrier that
is dominant on a particular route because is affiliated with a
foreign carrier that collects settlement payments from U.S. carriers
for terminating switched international services at the foreign end
of the call does not abuse its affiliated position by unfairly
routing return traffic to the United States through the affiliated
CMRS carrier and thereby to reduce the amount of return traffic and
settlement payments other U.S. carriers receive.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 219 and 220.
Section Number and Title:
42.11 Retention of information concerning detariffed interexchange
services.
PART 43--REPORTS OF COMMUNICATION COMMON CARRIERS AND CERTAIN
AFFILIATES
Brief Description: Part 43 includes requirements that have been
promulgated under authority of sections 211 and 219 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, with respect to the filing
by communication common carriers and certain of their affiliates of
periodic reports and certain other data, but do not include certain
requirements relating to the filing of information with respect to
specific services, accounting systems, and other matters
incorporated in other parts of Chapter 47.
Need: Section 43.11(a) sets out the terms by which providers of
local exchange telephone service, commercial mobile radio service,
and Interconnected Voice over IP service shall complete FCC Form 477
to report data to the Commission concerning those services.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154; Telecommunications Act of 1996,
Public Law 104-104, secs. 402(b)(2)(B), (c), 110 Stat. 56 (1996) as
amended unless otherwise noted. 47 U.S.C. 211, 219, 220 as amended.
Section Number and Title:
43.11 Reports of local exchange competition data.
Brief Description: Section 43.51 imposes on U.S.
telecommunications carriers identified in section 43.51(b) a general
obligation to file with the Commission, within 30 days of execution
thereof, a copy of all contracts, agreements, concessions, licenses,
authorizations, operating agreements, or other arrangements
(including amendments) to which it is a party with respect to
exchange of services, the interchange or routing of traffic, and
matters concerning rates, accounting rates, divisions of tolls, or
the basis of settlement of traffic balances. Section 43.51(b)(1)
provides that the general filing rule applies to domestic dominant
carriers. Section 43.51(b)(2) provides that the filing rule applies
to U.S. international carriers that have been classified as dominant
on any route included in the contract (other than those so
classified because of a foreign-carrier affiliation under section
63.10.) Section 43.51(c) provides that contracts for domestic-only
service do not need to be filed with the Commission but need to be
made available upon reasonable request. Section 43.51(d) states that
any U.S. carrier, other than a provider of commercial radio
services, that is engaged in foreign communications, and enters into
an agreement with a foreign carrier, is subject to the Commission's
authority to require the U.S. carrier providing service on any U.S.-
international routes to file, on an as-needed basis, a copy of each
agreement to which it is a party.
Need: The general rule in section 43.51 that carriers must file
copies of their contracts and operating agreements is needed to
require domestic dominant carriers to file their contracts and to
address issues on the U.S.-Cuba route and more generally allow the
Commission to obtain contracts for routes on which there is, or has
been an allegation of, anticompetitive conduct. ISP Reform Order, 19
FCC Rcd 5709, 5736 (2009).
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 211, 219 and 220.
Section Number and Title:
43.51 Contracts and concessions.
PART 51--INTERCONNECTION
Subpart D--Additional Obligations of Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers
(LECs)
Brief Description: This subsection generally implements section
251(c) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. Section 51.323
establishes rules addressing how an incumbent LEC may assign and
configure physical collocation space, as well as standards for
providing virtual collocation. Paragraph (f)(7) of this section
requires incumbent LECs to assign collocation space to requesting
carriers in a just, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory manner, to
allow each requesting carrier to submit space preferences prior to
assigning physical collocation space to that carrier, and to ensure
that their space assignment policies and practices meet certain
minimum principles. Paragraphs (i)(4)(i) through (v), (5), and
(6)(i) establish parameters for certain types of reasonable security
measures that the incumbent LEC may adopt as part of its collocation
policies to protect its equipment and ensure network reliability.
These paragraphs include conditions the incumbent LEC must meet if
it restricts physical collocation to space separated from that space
housing its own equipment, requires the employees and contractors of
collocating carriers to use a central or separate entrance to the
incumbent's building, and constructs or requires construction of a
separate entrance to access physical collocation space.
[[Page 9289]]
Need: These rules are necessary to foster a competitive market
in the telecommunications industry, and to promote the deployment of
broadband infrastructure and other network investment. These rules
also ensure a proper balance of the congressional goal of promoting
competition against the need to protect an incumbent LEC's property
interests against unwarranted intrusion.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151,152, 202, 251(a) and 251(c)(2).
Section Number and Title:
51.323(f)(7), (i)(4)(i) through (v), (i)(5), and (i)(6)(i) Standards
for physical collocation and virtual collocation.
Subpart H--Reciprocal Compensation for Transport and Termination of
Telecommunications Traffic
Brief Description: The part 51 rules are designed to implement
the provisions of sections 251 and 252 of the Communications Act of
1934, as amended. Part 51, subpart H, sets forth the rules regarding
reciprocal compensation for the transport and termination of
telecommunications traffic between local exchange carriers (LECs)
and other carriers. Section 51.711 provides two exceptions to the
general rule that the rates for reciprocal compensation must be
symmetrical.
The exception in section 51.711(c) provides that a state
commission, pending further proceedings before the Commission, must
establish the rates that certain licensees may assess upon other
carriers for the transport and termination of telecommunications
traffic.
Need: Section 51.711(c) was adopted to set forth an exception to
the general rule that the rates for reciprocal compensation must be
symmetrical.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 251 and 252.
Section Number and Title:
51.711(c) Symmetrical reciprocal compensation.
Brief Description: The part 51 rules are designed to implement
the provisions of sections 251 and 252 of the Communications Act of
1934, as amended. Part 51, subpart H, sets forth the rules regarding
reciprocal compensation for the transport and termination of
telecommunications traffic between local exchange carriers (LECs)
and other carriers. Section 51.715 provides that, upon request from
a carrier without an existing interconnection agreement with an
incumbent LEC, the incumbent LEC must provide transport and
termination of telecommunication traffic immediately under an
interim arrangement pending resolution of negotiation or arbitration
regarding transport and termination rates and approval of such rates
by a state commission. Section 51.715 specifies that an interim
arrangement will cease to be in effect when certain situations
outlined in the section occur with respect to rates for transport
and termination of telecommunications traffic subject to the interim
arrangement.
Need: Section 51.715(c) was adopted to clarify interim transport
and termination pricing under a variety of scenarios.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 251 and 252.
Section Number and Title:
51.715 Interim transport and termination pricing.
PART 52--NUMBERING
Subpart B--Administration
Brief Description: These rules implement the requirements of
section 251(e) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, which
gives the Commission exclusive jurisdiction over those portions of
the North American Numbering Plan that pertain to the United States.
Section 52.15 provides the rules governing management and
administration of U.S. Central Office code numbering resources.
Paragraph (g)(4) of this section establishes procedures to address
carrier noncompliance with these rules. Paragraph (g)(5) of this
section establishes procedures for state regulatory commissions to
obtain access to service providers' applications for numbering
resources. Paragraph (h) establishes a national utilization
threshold for growth numbering resources, and paragraph (k) sets
forth rules for numbering audits to verify carrier compliance with
Commission regulations and applicable industry guidelines relating
to numbering administration.
Need: These rules provide a framework for ensuring fair and
impartial access to numbering resources, which is a critical
component of encouraging a competitive telecommunications market in
the United States.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152 and 251(e).
Section Number and Title:
52.15(g)(4)-(5), (h), and (k) Central office code administration.
Subpart C--Number Portability
Brief Description: These rules implement the requirements of
section 251(b)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
which requires all LECs ``to provide, to the extent technically
feasible, number portability in accordance with the requirements
prescribed by the Commission.'' Section 52.21 provides the
definitions governing the number portability rules. Paragraph (a)
sets forth the definition of the term 100 largest MSAs, as used in
this subpart.
Need: This subpart provides rules that are designed to ensure
that users of telecommunications services can retain, at the same
location, their existing telephone numbers when they switch from one
local exchange telecommunications carrier to another. In
implementing statutory requirements for number portability, these
rules provide necessary information regarding terms that may have
different definitions outside the number portability context.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 251(e).
Section Number and Title:
52.21(a) Definitions 100 largest MSAs.
Brief Description: Section 52.33 permits incumbent local
exchange carriers (LECs) to file tariffs with the Commission
establishing a monthly number-portability charge, a number-
portability query-service charge, and a number-portability query/
administration charge, to recover carrier specific costs directly
related to providing long-term number portability. Section
52.33(a)(3) specifies that incumbent local exchange carriers serving
an area outside the 100 largest MSAs that do not yet provide local
number portability (LNP) functionality but provide Extended Area
Service (EAS) may recover their query and LNP Administration costs
through end-user charges, and that the carrier can assess such
charges for a maximum of five years. The subsection also allows all
interconnected VoIP providers and telecommunications carriers that
are not incumbent LECs to recover such costs in any manner
consistent with state and federal law and regulation.
Need: In implementing the statutory requirements for number
portability and the promotion of local exchange competition, this
rule permits telecommunications carriers to recover the costs of
providing long-term number portability in a competitively neutral
manner, as required by section 251(e) of the Communications Act of
1934, as amended.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 153,154, 201-205, 207-209, 218, 225-227,
251-252, 271, and 332.
Section Number and Title:
52.33(a)(3) Recovery of carrier-specific costs directly related to
providing long-term number portability.
PART 54--UNIVERSAL SERVICE
Subpart A--General Information
Brief Description: These rules provide general information
regarding the Universal Service Fund, including various terms and
definitions that are referenced throughout part 54 of the
Commission's rules.
Need: In implementing statutory requirements for the Universal
Service Fund, these rules provide necessary information regarding
terms that may have different definitions outside the universal
service context.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 254.
Section Number and Title:
54.5 Terms and definitions.
Brief Description: Part 54 implements section 254 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, which provides financial
support to four different universal service programs. Section 54.8
provides rules for denying support to entities that have been
convicted of fraud or other criminal activities related to the four
universal service programs.
Need: Denying bad actors support from the four universal service
programs should deter waste, fraud, and abuse, thus helping to
protect the integrity of the programs and to help ensure that
support is used only in furtherance of the purposes of the four
programs.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151-154, 201-205, 214, 254, and 403.
Section Number and Title:
54.8 Prohibition on participation: suspension and debarment.
[Originally adopted as 54.521--in 2003, addressing only violations
of the E-rate program. In 2007 it was expanded to cover all 4
universal service programs and moved to 54.8.]
[[Page 9290]]
Subpart D--Universal Service Support for High Cost Areas
Brief Description: These rules specify the requirements for the
High Cost support mechanism. These rules provide requirements for
how High Cost support will be calculated and distributed to eligible
telecommunications providers, as well as reporting and certification
requirements about the use of such support and the application
process to receive such support in certain instances.
Need: In implementing statutory requirements for the High Cost
Program of the Universal Service support mechanism, these rules
ensure that rates in rural, insular and high cost areas, are
``reasonably comparable'' to rates charged for similar services in
urban areas.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 254(b).
Section Numbers and Titles:
54.305 Sale or transfer of exchanges.
54.307 Support to a competitive eligible telecommunications carrier.
54.313 Annual reporting requirements for high-cost recipients.
54.314 Certification of support for eligible telecommunications
carriers.
54.315 Application process for phase II support distributed through
competitive bidding.
Subpart F--Universal Service Support for Schools and Libraries
Brief Description: Part 54 implements section 254 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, which provides financial
support to four different universal service programs. Subpart F of
the rules implementing section 254, creates and regulates the E-rate
program, known more formally as the schools and libraries universal
service support mechanism. It provides discounts to schools and
libraries for access to broadband and related services. The annual
Eligible Services List and section 54.506(a) specifies what types of
service are eligible for E-rate support, which include
telecommunications services, telecommunications, Internet access,
internal connections, basic maintenance and managed internal
broadband services internal connections. Section 54.506(b) clarified
what basic maintenance services were eligible for E-rate support:
those that were basic and needed to maintain the internal
connections in working order. Section 54.502(c), formerly 54.506(c),
limits the frequency that an applicant may receive funding for
internal connections (category two services) to no more than twice
in a five-year period (the ``2 in 5'' rule). Although it has not
been rescinded, the E-rate program established five-year budgets
starting in 2015 (based on student count and library size) for
applicants requesting E-rate funding for internal connections and,
thus, the ``2 in 5'' rule is not applicable to those applicants
purchasing internal connections (category two services) until after
applicants' five-year budget cycles area completed, absent further
action from the Commission.
Need: The Commission wanted to provide guidance on what services
were eligible for E-rate support, but not to fund any extras, given
the limited size of the universal service fund. The Commission also
seeks to prevent applicants from wastefully replacing internal
connections more frequently than needed. The current five-year
budget cap (54.502(b)(1)) currently replaces the ``2 in 5'' rule,
but the ``2 in 5'' rule will return absent Commission action
starting in funding year 2019.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151-154, 201-205, 214, 254, and 403.
Section Numbers and Titles:
54.500 Terms and Definitions.
54.502(a)-(c) Eligible Services.
The annual E-rate Eligible Services List (ESL) [formerly
54.506(a)-(b)].
Brief Description: Part 54 implements section 254 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, which provides financial
support to four different universal service programs. Subpart F of
the rules implementing section 254, creates and regulates the E-rate
program, known more formally as the schools and libraries universal
service support mechanism. It provides discounts to schools and
libraries for access to broadband and related services. Section
54.514 requires service providers to give applicants the choice each
funding year to pay either: (1) The discounted price; or (2) the
full price and then receive reimbursement through the Billed Entity
Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) process. It also directed service
providers to pass any such reimbursements back to applicants within
20 days of receiving them.
Need: The Commission found that providing applicants, rather
than service providers, with the right to choose which payment
method to use would help to ensure that all schools and libraries
have affordable access to telecommunications and Internet access
services because some applicants appeared unable to afford to pay
the full undiscounted price up front, and then wait for a
reimbursement.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151-154, 201-205, 214, 254, and 403.
Section Number and Title:
54.514 Payment for discounted services.
Brief Description: Part 54 implements section 254 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, which provides financial
support to four different universal service programs. Subpart F of
the rules implementing section 254, creates and regulates the E-rate
program, known more formally as the schools and libraries universal
service support mechanism. It provides discounts to schools and
libraries for access to broadband and related services. Section
54.516 concerns program auditing and requirements that applicants
and service providers retain all records relevant to E-rate
supported purchases for 10 years and be available for audits and
compliance inspections.
Need: In its July 2014 E-Rate Modernization Order, the
Commission reiterated its commitment to protecting the universal
service fund against waste, fraud, and abuse, and extended the time
period over which applicants and service providers must retain
records associated with E-rate supported purchases from 5 years to
10 years. The Order explained that the 5-year requirement was not
adequate for purposes of litigation under the False Claims Act.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151-154, 201-205, 214, 254, and 403.
Section Number and Title:
54.516 Auditing and inspections.
Brief Description: This rule implements the requirements for the
Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) for participation in the
E-rate program, known more formally as the schools and libraries
universal service support mechanism. Specifically, schools and
libraries with computers with Internet access must certify that they
have in place certain Internet safety policies and technology
protection measures in order to be eligible for certain E-rate
services.
Need: Implements CIPA in a manner consistent with Congress's
intent to ensure that schools and libraries receive discounts for
eligible E-rate services and is crafted in the most practical and
efficacious way possible to provide schools and libraries with
maximum flexibility in determining the best approach to be
compliant.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 254(h)(1)(B).
Section Number and Title:
54.520 Children's Internet Protection Act certifications required
from recipients of discounts under the federal universal service
support mechanism for schools and libraries.
Subpart H--Administration
Brief Description: These rules specify the requirements
regarding the Universal Service Administrative Company, as the
permanent Administrator for the Universal Service support mechanism.
These rules establish the Administrator's functions and
responsibilities, as well as the composition of the Administrator's
Board of Directors and Committees. These rules also establish
requirements regarding contributions and contributor reporting
requirements.
Need: In implementing statutory requirements for the Universal
Service support mechanism, these rules provide the framework and
requirements for the administration of the program.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 254.
Section Numbers and Titles:
54.701 Administrator of universal service support mechanisms.
54.702 Administrator's functions and responsibilities.
54.705 Committees of the Administrator's Board of Directors.
54.709 Computations of required contributions to universal service
support mechanisms.
54.711 Contributor reporting requirements.
54.715 Administrative expenses of the Administrator.
PART 61--TARIFFS
Subpart A--General
Brief Description: The Part 61 rules are designed to implement
the provisions of sections 201, 202, 203, and 204 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and help ensure that rates
are just, reasonable, and not unjustly or unreasonably
discriminatory. These rules govern the filing, form, content, public
notice periods, and
[[Page 9291]]
accompanying support materials for tariffs. Section 61.1 sets out
the framework that governs tariff publications and their revisions.
Need: Section 61.1(b) sets out provisions for tariff publication
conformance, including the payment of statutory charges and the use
of FCC registration numbers.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 201-205 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
61.1(b) Purpose and application.
Brief Description: Section 61.3(z) defines ``non-dominant
carrier'' as a carrier that the Commission has not affirmatively
found to be dominant. A dominant carrier is one that the Commission
has found to have market power--the ability to distort a market for
a particular common carrier service. The rule also makes clear that
the nondominant status of a carrier for the purposes of Subpart A is
not affected by a carrier's classification as dominant under section
63.10 of the rules.
Need: The definition in the rule is used to determine which
carriers need not file tariffs for their international and
interexchange services.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 201-205 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
61.3 Definitions.
Subpart C--General Rules for Nondominant Carriers
Brief Description: Section 61.19 provides that nondominant
providers of international and interstate, domestic interexchange
services are generally not permitted to file tariffs for such
services. Paragraphs (b) through (e) of section 61.19 identify
particular classes of nondominant carriers that may continue to file
tariffs for their services. Section 61.19(b) provides that carriers
that are nondomiunant in the provisi0on of international carriers
may file tariffs for their international 1+ dialaround. Section
61.19(c) provides that carriers that are nondominant in the
provision of international and domestic, interexchange service may
file a tariff for services applicable to customers who contact the
local exchange carrier to designate an interexchange carrier or to
change a carrier and provide service to such customers for up to 45
days while the nondominant carrier and the customers conclude a
written agreement covering the service. Section 61.19(d) provides
that carriers that are nondominant in the provision of international
telephone calls to the United States may file a tariff for such
services. Section 61.19(e) provides that carriers that are
nondominant in the provision of ``on demand'' mobile satellite
services may file a tariff for customers who have not entered into
preexisting service contracts designating a specific provider for
such services.
Need: The rule is necessary to implement the Commission's policy
to rely upon competition among carriers, providing
telecommunications services through individual contracts, to assure
just and reasonable rates for such services, rather than upon a
regulated tariff. The use of such contracts gives the carriers
greater flexibility to meet specific customer needs, while open
competition ensures that carriers do not unjustly favor one customer
over another. The exceptions to the general rule listed in
paragraphs (b) through (e) of section 61.19 are needed to deal with
specific, largely short-term situations where reliance upon a
contract could delay the initiation of service to a particular user.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 201-205 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
61.19 Detariffing of international and interstate, domestic
interexchange services.
Subpart D--General Tariff Rules for International Dominant Carriers
Brief Description: The part 61 rules are designed to implement
the provisions of sections 201, 202, 203, and 204 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and help ensure that rates
are just, reasonable, and not unjustly or unreasonably
discriminatory. These rules govern the filing, form, content, public
notice periods, and accompanying support materials for tariffs.
Section 61.28 provides general tariff rules for carriers classified
as dominant for the provision of particular international
communication services on a particular route for any reason other
than a foreign carrier affiliation. The section specifies that the
provisions under which these carriers must file tariffs for these
services.
Need: Section 61.28 was adopted to provide the appropriate
tariff regulations for carriers classified as dominant for the
provision of particular international communication services on a
particular route for any reason other than a foreign carrier
affiliation
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 201-205 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
61.28 International dominant carrier tariff filing requirements.
Subpart E--General Rules for Dominant Carriers
Brief Description: The part 61 rules are designed to implement
the provisions of sections 201, 202, 203, and 204 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and help ensure that
carriers' rates are just, reasonable, and not unjustly or
unreasonably discriminatory. These rules govern the filing, form,
content, public notice periods, and accompanying support materials
for tariffs. Section 61.41(e) modifies the all-or-nothing rule
applicable to incumbent local exchange carriers to permit a limited
exception when a rate-of-return carrier acquires lines from a price
cap carrier and elects to bring the acquired lines into rate-of-
return regulation. The rule, as amended, will permit the acquiring
carrier to convert the price cap lines back to rate-of-return
regulation.
Need: Section 61.41(e) was adopted to address the situation when
a rate-of-return carrier seeks to return acquired price cap lines to
rate-of-return regulation, the problems that the all-or-nothing rule
sought to prevent do not exist, or can be addressed in a less
burdensome way. Because the carrier wishes to have all of its lines
be subject to rate-of-return regulation, there can be no danger of
cost shifting between price cap and non-price cap affiliates.
Similarly, a rate-of-return carrier in this position is not
necessarily seeking to game the system by moving back and forth
between different regulatory regimes. However, because of the
possibility that the acquiring rate-of-return carrier could later
seek to return to price cap regulation, thereby potentially gaming
the system, the rule provides that once a rate-of-return carrier
brings acquired price cap lines into rate-of-return regulation, it
may not for five years elect price cap regulation for itself, or by
any means cause the acquired lines to become subject to price cap
regulation, without first obtaining a waiver. This restriction
addresses concerns underlying the adoption of the all-or-nothing
rule, while not requiring that the election be unnecessarily
irreversible.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 201-205, and 403.
Section Number and Title:
61.41(e) Price cap requirements generally.
Subpart G--Specific Rules for Tariff Publications of Dominant and
Nondominant Carriers
Brief Description: The part 61 rules are designed to implement
the provisions of sections 201, 202, 203, and 204 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and help ensure that rates
are just, reasonable, and not unjustly or unreasonably
discriminatory. These rules govern the filing, form, content, public
notice periods, and accompanying support materials for tariffs.
Section 61.74 provides for two exceptions to the general rule that
tariff publications filed with the Commission are not permitted to
reference other tariffs or documents. The exception in section
61.74(d) permits tariffs to ``reference other FCC tariffs . . . for
purposes of determining mileage, or specifying the operating centers
at which a specific service is available.'' The exception in section
61.74(e) permits tariffs to reference technical publications that
describe engineering or other technical aspects of a service under
certain conditions.
Need: Sections 61.74(d) and (e) were adopted to assist carriers
by detailing the limited instances when a tariff filing entity may
make reference to any other tariff document or instrument in a
tariff publication.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 201-205 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
61.74(d) and (e) References to other instruments.
PART 63--EXTENSION OF LINES, NEW LINES, AND DISCONTINUANCE, REDUCTION,
OUTAGE AND IMPAIRMENT OF SERVICE BY COMMON CARRIERS; AND GRANTS OF
RECOGNIZED PRIVATE OPERATING AGENCY STATUS EXTENSIONS AND SUPPLEMENTS
Brief Description: The part 63 rules establish streamlining
procedures for processing domestic common carrier applications to
transfer control of lines or authorization to operate.
Need: Section 63.03 informs licensees of the process for
requesting streamlined
[[Page 9292]]
processing for applications for domestic common carriers to transfer
control of lines or authorization to operate.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 201-205, 214, 218,
403, and 571.
Section Number and Title:
63.03 Streamlining procedures for domestic transfer of control
applications.
Brief Description: The part 63 rules establish content
requirements for domestic common carrier applications to transfer
control of lines or authorization to operate.
Need: Establishes procedures for submitting the correct
information necessary to process domestic common carrier
applications to transfer control of lines or authorization to
operate.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 201-205, 214, 218,
403, and 571.
Section Number and Title:
63.04 Filing procedures for domestic transfer of control
applications.
Brief Description: The part 63 rules below set forth
definitions, requirements, and conditions applicable to
international section 214 applications and authorizations to provide
global facilities-based and global resale services, as well as
provisions regarding requests for designation as a recognized
private operating agency. The rules pertain to the regulatory
classification of U.S. international carriers; notification and
prior approval requirements for U.S. international carriers that are
or propose to become affiliated with a foreign carrier; procedures
for processing international section 214 applications; special
provisions for U.S. international common carriers; contents of
applications for international common carriers; special procedures
for discontinuances of international services; special provisions
relating to temporary or emergency service by international
carriers; and related issues. The rules also require carriers to
file all notifications and other filings electronically through the
International Bureau Filing System (IBFS).
Need: These rules are needed to provide the framework applicable
to international section 214 authorizations and establish the
general applications, procedures, conditions and restrictions to
ensure that carriers and affiliates providing services on
international routes meet statutory requirements for designated
global facilities-based and global resale telecommunication
services.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 160, 201-205, 214,
218, 403, and 571, unless otherwise noted.
Section Numbers and Titles:
63.09, Note 2 Definitions applicable to international Section 214
authorizations.
63.10(d), (e) Regulatory classification of U.S. international
carriers.
63.11(d), (g)-(j) Notification by and prior approval for U.S.
international arriers that are or propose to become affiliated with
a foreign carrier.
63.12(c)(3) Processing of international Section 214 applications.
63.14(c) Prohibition on agreeing to accept special concessions.
63.17(b) introductory text, (b)(1)-(2), (b)(4) Special provisions
for U.S. international common carriers.
63.18 introductory text, (e)(3), (g), Note to paragraph (h) Contents
of applications for international common carriers.
63.19 Special procedures for discontinuances of international
services.
63.20(a) Electronic filing, copies required; fees; and filing
periods for international service providers.
63.21(h)-(i) Conditions applicable to all international Section 214
authorizations.
63.22(a)-(c), (e)-(f) Facilities-based international common
carriers.
63.23(a)-(b), (d) Resale-based international common carriers.
63.24 Assignments and transfers of control.
63.25(b), (d)(2) Special provisions relating to temporary or
emergency service by international carriers.
63.51 Additional information.
63.53(a)(1)-(2), (b)-(c) Form.
63.60(d) (currently (g)) Definitions.
63.701 introductory text Contents of application.
PART 64--MISCELLANEOUS RULES RELATING TO COMMON CARRIERS
Subpart F--Telecommunications Relay Services and Related Customer
Premises Equipment for Persons With Disabilities
Brief Description: Under Title IV of the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990, codified as section 225 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, Congress requires that the
Commission ensure that Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) is
available, to the extent possible and in the most efficient manner,
to individuals with hearing and speech disabilities in the United
States. Section 225 defines TRS to be a telephone transmission
service that provides the ability for an individual with a hearing
or speech disability to engage in communication by wire or radio
with a hearing individual in a manner functionally equivalent to
someone without such a disability. To fulfill this mandate, the
Commission first issued rules in 1991. TRS has been available on a
uniform, nationwide basis since July 26, 1993. In 1997, the
Commission adopted use of the 711 dialing code for nationwide access
to TRS that uses the public switched telephone network, so as to
facilitate greater and universal access to TRS for individuals with
hearing and speech disabilities. In 2000, the Commission added
``711'' to the definitions set forth in its TRS rules, found at 47
CFR 64.601 et. seq.
Need: Section 64.601 enables individuals with hearing and speech
disabilities greater access to telecommunications service by
allowing TRS users to dial 711 anywhere in the United States without
the need to dial a dedicated TRS access number for each state TRS
program.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154, 201-205, 218, 225, 251(e)(1)
and 303(r).
Section Number and Title:
64.601(a)(1) Definitions and provisions of general applicability.
Subpart I--Allocation of Costs
Brief Description: The part 64, subpart I rules describe
obligations of carriers to allocate their regulated and unregulated
costs and of certain incumbent local exchange carriers (LECs) to
file cost allocation manuals and perform audits. Section 64.905
requires mid-size LECs to file annually a certification with the
Commission stating that they are complying with the allocation of
cost requirements in section 64.901 of the Commission's rules.
Need: Section 64.905 eliminates the requirement that the mid-
sized LECs incur the expense of an attest audit every two years for
their cost allocation manuals. Instead, the mid-sized LECs are
required to file an annual certification of compliance.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 254(k), 403(b)(2)(B) and (c).
Section Number and Title:
64.905 Annual certification.
Subpart K--Changes in Preferred Telecommunications Service Providers
Brief Description: These rules implement section 258 of the
Communications Act of 1934 (Act), as amended, which prohibits any
telecommunications carrier from submitting or executing an
unauthorized change in a subscriber's selection of a provider of
telephone exchange service or telephone toll service (``slamming'').
Section 64.1100 defines terms as used in this subpart, and paragraph
(h) specifically defines the term ``subscriber'' as the party
identified in the account records as responsible for payment of the
bill; any adult person authorized by such party to change
telecommunications services or to charge services to the account; or
any person contractually or otherwise lawfully authorized to
represent such party.
Need: Slamming enables those companies who engage in fraudulent
activity to increase their customer and revenue bases at the expense
of consumers and law-abiding companies. The rules in subpart K
improve the carrier change process for consumers and carriers alike,
while making it more difficult for unscrupulous carriers to
perpetrate slams.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152 and 258.
Section Number and Title:
64.1100 Definitions.
Brief Description: This rule governs the unauthorized switching
of subscribers' preferred telecommunications carriers, commonly
known as ``slamming.'' Section 64.1110 sets forth the procedures a
state must use to notify the Commission of the state's intention to
administer the Commission's slamming rules.
Need: This rule seeks to protect consumers and authorized
carriers from the confusion, inconvenience, and lost revenue
associated with a slam, and to ensure that unauthorized carriers do
not profit from slamming activities.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154, 201-205, 258 and 303(r).
Section Number and Title:
64.1110 State notification of election to administer FCC rules.
Brief Description: These rules govern the unauthorized switching
of subscribers' preferred telecommunications carriers, an activity
more commonly known as ``slamming.'' These rules are designed to
take the profit out of slamming, and to protect consumers and
authorized carriers from unauthorized carrier changes by ensuring
[[Page 9293]]
that consumers have verified their intent to switch providers when
authorizing a carrier change. The rules require all interexchange
carriers to institute verification procedures before submitting a
carrier change request on behalf of a customer. Section 64.1120 sets
forth procedures for verifying orders for telecommunication service.
Section 64.1130, originally promulgated as 64.1160, details the use
of letters of agency as a form of authorizing and/or verifying a
subscriber's request to change his or her preferred carrier
selection. Section 64.1140 sets forth carrier and subscriber
liability for charges resulting from slamming. Section 64.1150 sets
forth procedures for resolving unauthorized changes in a preferred
carrier. Section 64.1160 sets forth absolution procedures where the
subscriber has not paid charges to the unauthorized carrier. Section
64.1170 sets forth procedures for reimbursing subscribers who have
already paid charges to an unauthorized carrier. The Commission
removed Section 64.1180. Section 64.1195 requires carriers that
provide interstate telecommunications service to file certain
business information, including business names, addresses, contact
persons, and the states in which the carrier provides service, with
the Commission in accordance with the procedures described in this
section and the instructions to FCC Form 499-A.
Need: These rules are intended to deter and ultimately eliminate
unauthorized changes in subscribers telecommunications carriers. The
rules absolve subscribers of liability for slamming charges in order
to ensure that carriers do not profit from slamming activities, and
seek to protect consumers from the confusion and inconvenience they
would experience as a result of being slammed. Maintaining the
registration information required in this section facilitates
enforcement of the slamming rules.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 154, 201-205, 218, 258 and
303(r).
Section Numbers and Titles:
64.1120 Verification of orders for telecommunication service.
64.1130 Letter of agency form and content.
64.1140 Carrier liability for slamming.
64.1150 Procedures for resolution of unauthorized changes in
preferred carriers.
64.1160 Absolution procedures where the subscriber has not paid
charges.
64.1170 Reimbursement procedures where the subscriber has paid
charges.
64.1195 Registration requirement.
Subpart L--Restrictions on Telemarketing, Telephone Solicitation, and
Facsimile Advertising
Brief Description: The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA)
was enacted to address certain telemarketing practices, including
calls to wireless telephone numbers, which Congress found to be an
invasion of consumer privacy and even a risk to public safety. In
the TCPA, Congress created a balance between individual privacy
rights and legitimate telemarketing practices. The Commission
crafted rules in 1992 to achieve this balance. Subsequently, the
Commission has revised and amended the rules that it adopted in 1992
pursuant to the TCPA, including the establishment of a national do-
not-call list to carry out Congress' TCPA directives.
Need: These rules are consistent with the requirements under the
TCPA and provide consumers with additional options for avoiding
unwanted telephone solicitations. These additional options include,
among other things, prohibiting telephone calls to a telephone
number registered on the national do-not-call registry of persons
who do not wish to receive telephone solicitations. These rules
strike an appropriate balance between maximizing consumer privacy
protections and avoiding imposing undue burdens on telemarketers.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151-154, 222, 227, and 303(r).
Section Numbers and Titles:
64.1200 Delivery restrictions.
64.1201 Restrictions on billing name and address disclosure.
Subpart M--Provision of Payphone Service
Brief Description: The part 64, subpart M rules describe
payphone compensation obligations between carriers and payphone
service providers in the provision of payphone services.
Section 64.1300(a) defines a ``Completing Carrier'' for purposes
of determining payphone service compensation requirements and
methodology under subpart M rules.
Need: The section 64.1300(a) definition of ``Completing
Carrier'' was adopted to help ensure that payphone service providers
are fairly compensated for payphone-originated calls that are
completed, as required under section 276 of the Communications Act.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 276.
Section Number and Title:
64.1300(a) Payphone compensation obligation.
Brief Description: The part 64, subpart M rules describe
payphone compensation obligations between carriers and payphone
service providers in the provision of payphone services. Section
64.1301 establishes a default compensation amount per payphone per
month for access code and subscriber toll-free calls, allocates this
monthly amount among the designated payors of per-payphone
compensation, sets forth certain compensation offset issues, and
provides for the valuation of payphone assets transferred by local
exchange carriers to a separate affiliate or division.
Need: Section 64.1301 was adopted to help ensure that payphone
service providers are fairly compensated for payphone-originated
calls that are completed, as required under section 276 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 254(k), 403(b)(2)(B) and (c).
Section Number and Title:
64.1301 Per-payphone compensation.
Subpart P--Calling Party Telephone Number; Privacy
Brief Description: This rule requires telemarketers to transmit
caller identification information and prohibits telemarketers from
blocking the transmission of caller identification information.
Under this rule, caller identification information must include
either Automated Number Identification (ANI) or Calling Party Number
(CPN) and, when available by the telemarketer's carrier, the name of
the telemarketer.
Need: This rule requiring telemarketers to transmit caller
identification information permits consumers to screen out unwanted
calls and to identify companies that they wish to ask not to call
again. Additionally, knowing the identity of the caller is also
helpful to consumers who feel frightened or threatened by hang-up
and ``dead air'' calls. Caller identification information also
should increase accountability and provide an important resource for
use in pursuing enforcement actions.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151-154, 227, and 303(r).
Section Number and Title:
64.1601(e) Delivery requirements and privacy restrictions.
Subpart U--Customer Proprietary Network Information
Brief Description: Subpart U implements the provisions of
section 222 of the Act concerning customer proprietary network
information (CPNI). Section 64.2008 establishes the notification
procedures and requirements carriers must adhere to in providing
notice of customers' rights to restrict the use of, disclosure of,
and access to that customer's CPNI.
Need: The CPNI regulations in section 222 are largely consumer
protection provisions that establish restrictions on carrier use and
disclosure of personal customer information. The statutory design
expressly recognizes the duty of all carriers to protect customer
information and embodies the principle that customers must be able
to control information they view as sensitive and personal from use,
disclosure, and access by carriers. These rules further Congress'
goals of fostering competition in telecommunications markets and
ensuring the privacy of customer information.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 222.
Section Number and Title:
64.2008 Notice required for use of customer proprietary network
information.
Brief Description: Subpart U implements the provisions of
section 222 of the Act concerning customer proprietary network
information (CPNI). Section 64.2009 generally establishes safeguards
carriers must implement to protect their customers from the
carriers' use of customer CPNI. Paragraph (f) sets forth the
notification procedures carriers must follow to notify the
Commission in any instance where the carrier's CPNI opt-out approval
mechanism for customers does not work properly.
Need: The CPNI regulations in section 222 are largely consumer
protection provisions that establish restrictions on carrier use and
disclosure of personal customer information. The statutory design
expressly recognizes the duty of all carriers to protect customer
information and embodies the principle that customers must be able
to control information they view as sensitive and personal from use,
disclosure, and access by
[[Page 9294]]
carriers. These rules further Congress' goals of fostering
competition in telecommunications markets and ensuring the privacy
of customer information.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 222.
Section Number and Title:
64.2009(f) Safeguards required for use of customer proprietary
network information.
Subpart Y--Truth-in-Billing Requirements for Common Carriers; Billing
for Unauthorized Charges
Brief Description: These rules govern the billing practices of
telecommunications service providers. The rules provide that
consumer telephone bills must be clearly organized, clearly identify
the service provider, and highlight any new providers. In addition,
the rules require that bills contain full and non-misleading
descriptions of charges that appear therein. Where a bill contains
charges for basic local service in addition to other charges, the
rules require that the bill distinguish between charges for which
non-payment will result in disconnection of basic, local service,
and charges for which non-payment will not result in such
disconnection. Bills must also contain clear and conspicuous
disclosure of any information the consumer may need to make
inquiries about, or contest charges, on the bill, including a toll-
free number by which subscribers may inquire or dispute any charges
on the bill.
Need: These rules are intended to reduce slamming and other
telecommunications fraud by setting standards for bills for
telecommunications service. They are designed to ensure that
consumers are provided with the basic information they need to
understand their telecommunications bills. They are also intended to
provide consumers with the tools they need to make informed choices
in a competitive telecommunications marketplace.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i) and (j), 201-209, 254, 258
and 403.
Section Number and Title:
64.2400(b) Purpose and scope.
Brief Description: In 1999, the Commission adopted rules to
govern the billing practices of telecommunications service
providers. In 2000, the Commission amended and renumbered certain of
those rules, and in so doing created a new section 64.2401(e) from
text previously existing in those rules. Among other requirements,
the rules provide that bills must contain clear and conspicuous
disclosure of any information the consumer may need to make
inquiries about, or contest, charges on the bill, and section
64.2401(e) defines ``clear and conspicuous'' as ``notice that would
be apparent to the reasonable consumer.''
Need: These rules are intended to reduce ``slamming'' and other
telecommunications fraud by setting standards for bills for
telecommunications service. They are designed to ensure that
consumers are provided with the basic information they need to
understand their telecommunications bills. They are also intended to
provide consumers with the tools they need to make informed choices
in a competitive telecommunications marketplace.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i) and (j), 201-209, 254, 258
and 403.
Section Number and Title:
64.2401(e) Truth-in-Billing Requirements.
Subpart Z--Prohibition on Exclusive Telecommunications Contracts
Brief Description: Subpart Z is intended to further competition
in local communications markets by ensuring that competing
telecommunications providers are able to provide services to
customers in multiple tenant environments (MTEs). Section 64.2500
prohibits carriers from entering into contracts that would in any
way restrict the right of any commercial or residential multiunit
premises owner to permit any other common carrier to access and
serve commercial tenants on that premises.
Need: These rules reduce the likelihood that incumbent LECs can
obstruct their competitors' access to MTEs, as well as address
particular potentially anticompetitive actions by premises owners
and other third parties.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152 and 202.
Section Number and Title:
64.2500 Prohibited agreements.
Brief Description: Subpart Z is intended to further competition
in local communications markets by ensuring that competing
telecommunications providers are able to provide services to
customers in multiple tenant environments (MTEs). Section 64.2501
defines the terms ``multiunit premises'' and sets forth the
distinction between commercial and residential multiunit premises
for the purposes of this subpart.
Need: These rules reduce the likelihood that incumbent LECs can
obstruct their competitors' access to MTEs, as well as address
particular potentially anticompetitive actions by premises owners
and other third parties.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152 and 202.
Section Number and Title:
64.2501 Scope of limitation.
Brief Description: Subpart Z is intended to further competition
in local communications markets by ensuring that competing
telecommunications providers are able to provide services to
customers in multiple tenant environments (MTEs). Section 64.2502
clarifies that the rules in subpart Z do not preempt state
regulations that require a governmental entity to enter into a
contract with a carrier which would restrict the governmental
entity's right to obtain telecommunications service from another
carrier.
Need: These rules reduce the likelihood that incumbent LECs can
obstruct their competitors' access to MTEs, as well as address
particular potentially anticompetitive actions by premises owners
and other third parties.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 202 and 218.
Section Number and Title:
64.2502 Effect of state law or regulation.
Subpart BB--Restrictions on Unwanted Mobile Service Commercial Messages
Brief Description: These rules implement the Controlling the
Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act of 2003, or
the CAN-SPAM Act. The rules protect wireless subscribers from
receiving unwanted commercial electronic mail messages.
Specifically, the rules prohibit the transmission of commercial
messages to any address referencing an Internet domain name
associated with a wireless subscriber messaging service, unless the
individual addressee has given the sender express prior
authorization. To assist the senders of such messages in identifying
wireless subscribers, the rules also require that Commercial Mobile
Radio Service (CMRS) providers file with the Commission the names of
all electronic domain names used for wireless service.
Need: These rules are consistent with the requirements of the
CAN-SPAM Act. In promulgating these rules, the Commission determined
that the establishment of a list of domain names was the most
effective method to allow wireless subscribers to avoid unwanted
electronic messages. The rules impose minimal burdens on CMRS
providers, and provide a variety of ways to obtain authorizations
from those wireless subscribers who want to receive messages from
specific senders.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151-154, 222, 227, and 303(r); and the
Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing
Act of 2003, Pub. L. 108-187, 117 Stat. 2699; 15 U.S.C. Sections
7701-7712.
Section Number and Title:
64.3100 Restrictions on mobile service commercial messages.
PART 68--CONNECTION OF TERMINAL EQUIPMENT TO THE TELEPHONE NETWORK
Subpart A--General
Brief Description: Part 68 sets forth rules concerning the
connection of terminal equipment and associated premises wiring to
the public telephone network. Subpart A identifies the purpose and
scope of part 68 and defines key terms. Section 68.2, in particular,
establishes that part 68 rules apply to the direct connection of all
terminal equipment to the public switched telephone network for use
in conjunction with all services other than party line services, but
allows exemptions to part 68 rules in the interest of national
defense and security, provided certain conditions are met. Section
68.7 requires that terminal equipment shall not cause harm, as
defined in section 68.3, to the public switched telephone network.
Section 68.7 also establishes that technical criteria published by
the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments (ACTA), a
private industry organization, are presumptively valid for
protecting the public switched telephone network from harms caused
by the connection of terminal equipment, subject to the appeal
procedures identified in part 68 subpart G.
Need: The rules in subpart A provide the foundation for uniform
standards, set forth generally in part 68 and industry standards
published by ACTA, to protect the public switched telephone network
from harms caused by connection of terminal equipment and the
associated wiring thereto. These standards enable terminal equipment
and
[[Page 9295]]
premises wiring to be provided competitively.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151-154, 201-205 and 303(r).
Section Numbers and Titles:
68.2 Scope.
68.3 Definitions.
68.7 Technical criteria for terminal equipment.
Subpart B--Conditions on Use of Terminal Equipment
Brief Description: Section 68.100 establishes that terminal
equipment may be directly connected to the public switched telephone
network, including private line services that are provided over
wireline facilities that are owned by providers of wireline
telecommunications, in accordance with the rules and regulations in
part 68. Section 68.102 sets forth a requirement for terminal
equipment approval in accordance with regulations in part 68 subpart
C; otherwise, terminal equipment must be connected through
protective circuitry that is approved. Section 68.106 requires
customers who connect terminal equipment or protective circuitry to
the public switched telephone network to provide certain information
to the wireline service provider, upon request; this is information
ACTA requires to be placed on the equipment under section 68.354.
Section 68.110 obligates wireline telecommunications service
providers to make available, upon request, technical interface
requirements that are not published by ACTA if compliance with these
requirements is needed for terminal equipment to operate compatibly
with the communications facilities of the service provider. Subpart
B section 68.105 sets forth rules regarding the demarcation point,
including a requirement for carrier-provided facilities at the
demarcation point to consist of a wire or jack conforming to ACTA
requirements. Section 68.105 also sets forth specific requirements
for the location of demarcation point(s) in single and multiunit
installations. In the case of multiunit installations where wiring
is being installed, section 68.105 establishes the right of the
premises owner to determine whether there will be a single
demarcation point location for all customers, or separate locations
for each customer. In the case of existing multi-unit installations
where the demarcation point is not already at the minimum point of
entry, section 68.105 requires the service provider to negotiate
terms in good faith and complete negotiations for moving the
demarcation point to the minimum point of entry within 45 days after
receiving a request from the premises owner. Section 68.105 also
requires wireline communications providers to make information
available about the location(s) of demarcation points to premises
owners and establishes the right of premises owners to file
complaints with the Commission to resolve allegations of bad faith
bargaining by the provider of wireline telecommunications.
Need: These rules establish uniform conditions under which
terminal equipment may be directly connected to the public switched
telephone network, regardless of the supplier of the terminal
equipment, thus protecting the network from harms caused by
connection of terminal equipment while enabling terminal equipment
to be provided competitively. These rules also establish the rights
and obligations of both customers who connect terminal equipment to
the network and wireline service providers whose network may be
harmed by attached terminal equipment. Similarly, the demarcation
point requirements in this subpart enable premises (or ``inside'')
wiring to be provided and maintained competitively, while
establishing the rights and obligations of both premises owners and
wireline service providers.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151-154, 201-205 and 303(r).
Section Numbers and Titles:
68.100 General.
68.102 Terminal equipment approval requirement.
68.105 Minimum point of entry (MPOE) and demarcation point.
68.106 Notification to provider of wireline telecommunications.
68.110 Compatibility of the public switched telephone network and
terminal.
Subpart C--Terminal Equipment Approval Procedures
Brief Description: Section 68.201 designates two methods by
which responsible parties may obtain approval (or ``authorization'')
for terminal equipment to connect to the public switched telephone
network: (1) Obtaining certification from a Telecommunications
Certification Body (TCB) and (2) following all the procedures set
forth in part 68 subpart D for a Supplier's Declaration of
Conformity. Section 68.211 permits the Commission to revoke the
interconnection authorization of terminal equipment for causes
identified in this section, regardless of the method (TCB
certification or SDoC) that was used to obtain the authorization.
Section 68.211 also establishes procedures for reauthorization of
terminal equipment after its approval has been revoked, and for
reconsideration or appeal in the case where authorization has been
revoked or a forfeiture established. Section 68.218 establishes the
responsibilities of parties that obtain terminal equipment
approvals.
Need: These rules largely privatize the terminal equipment
approval process, except for enforcement. By adopting two effective
methods of terminal equipment approval, these rules allow suppliers
to bring to market products incorporating new features and
technology with reduced delays and lower costs, while still
providing sufficient assurance that the terminal equipment complies
with technical criteria for preventing harms to the public switched
telephone network.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151-154, 201-205 and 303(r)
Section Numbers and Titles:
68.201 Connection to the public switched telephone network.
68.211 Terminal equipment approval revocation procedures.
68.218 Responsibility of the party acquiring equipment
authorization.
Subpart D--Conditions for Terminal Equipment Approval
Brief Description: These rule sections generally define and
establish the process under which responsible parties, as defined in
subpart A, section 68.3, acquire terminal equipment approval using a
supplier's declaration of conformity (SDoC); and set forth the
obligations of responsible parties for SDoCs.
Need: Labeling of terminal equipment enables consumers and
others to recognize compliant equipment, which promotes its use, and
to identify the responsible party when necessary, which assists in
the Commission's enforcement of part 68 rules.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151-154, 201-205 and 303(r).
Section Numbers and Title:
68.300 Labeling requirements.
Brief Description: These rules require any fax broadcaster that
uses a computer or other electronic device to send any message via a
telephone facsimile machine and demonstrates a high degree of
involvement in the transmission of such facsimile message to be
identified on the facsimile, along with the identification of the
sender and the telephone number of the sending machine or of the
business, other entity or individual. Under these rules, senders of
fax advertisements are required to use the name under which they are
officially registered to conduct business.
Need: These rules are consistent with the requirements of the
Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), and permit consumers to
hold fax broadcasters accountable for unlawful fax advertisements
when there is a high degree of involvement on the part of the fax
broadcaster.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. Sections 151-154, 227, and 303(r).
Section Number and Title:
68.318(d) Additional limitations.
Brief Description: These rule sections generally define and
establish the process under which responsible parties, as defined in
subpart A, section 68.3, acquire terminal equipment approval using a
supplier's declaration of conformity (SDoC); and set forth the
obligations of responsible parties for SDoCs. Among these are
obligations to ensure compliance of terminal equipment, which are
subject to an SDoC, with appropriate standards; to make no changes
to terminal equipment that would materially change the information
provided on the SDoC; to retain certain records of terminal
equipment compliance testing; to compile and retain a description of
the testing facilities; and to file the SDoC and other required
information with Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments
(ACTA). These rules specify that in those cases where the
responsible party licenses a second party to manufacture terminal
equipment that is subject to an SDoC, the responsible party remains
responsible for terminal equipment compliance; however, in the event
of a change in ownership or control of the responsible party, the
successor entity becomes the responsible party. These rules also set
forth conditions, in addition to those specified in subpart C, under
which the Commission may revoke an SDoC. Subpart D
[[Page 9296]]
also establishes rules concerning the numbering and labeling of
terminal equipment, and in particular, requires numbering and
labeling of all approved terminal equipment in accordance with
labeling requirements developed and published by ACTA.
Need: These rules permit suppliers to select SDoC as an
alternative to Telecommunication Certification Body (TCB)
certification of terminal equipment. The SDoC procedure reduces the
complexity, cost and delays associated with premarket approval for
some suppliers, while still providing sufficient assurance that the
terminal equipment complies with technical criteria for preventing
harms to the public switched telephone network.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151-154, 201-205 and 303(r).
Section Numbers and Titles:
68.320 Supplier's Declaration of Conformity.
68.322 Changes in name, address, ownership or control of responsible
party.
68.324 Supplier's Declaration of Conformity requirements.
68.326 Retention of records.
68.346 Description of testing facilities.
68.348 Changes in equipment and circuitry subject to a Supplier's
Declaration of Conformity.
68.350 Revocation of Supplier's Declaration of Conformity.
68.354 Numbering and labeling requirements for terminal equipment.
Subpart G--Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments
Brief Description: These rule sections establish the
Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments (ACTA) under the
joint sponsorship of the Telecommunications Industry Association
(TIA) and the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions
(ATIS) with responsibilities to (1) administer the industry review
and publication of technical criteria for protecting the public
switched telephone network from harms caused by terminal equipment;
(2) maintain and operate a publicly available database of all
approved terminal equipment; and (3) establish labeling requirements
for approved terminal equipment. These rule sections also authorize
ANSI- accredited standards development organizations (SDOs) to
develop and maintain terminal equipment technical criteria, and to
submit them to ACTA for publication, provided they use an open
process, similar to a Commission rulemaking proceeding. Technical
criteria submitted to ACTA for review must be limited to protecting
the public switched telephone network from harms, as described in
section 68.3, and must not conflict with terminal equipment
technical criteria that are already published or under review. These
rules permit several methods of opposing proposed terminal equipment
technical criteria, including direct appeal to the Commission for de
novo review.
Need: These rules largely privatize the development of terminal
equipment technical criteria, except for certain appeals. Industry,
rather than Commission, development of technical criteria decreases
the time to availability of published criteria and allows suppliers
to bring innovative and compliant consumer products, especially for
the provision of advanced services, to the market on an expedited
basis. The availability of a uniform, nationwide database of
approved terminal equipment permits the Commission, providers of
telecommunications and consumers to identify responsible parties for
terminal equipment and to verify compliance of terminal equipment
against the database.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151-154, 201-205 and 303(r).
Section Numbers and Titles:
68.602 Sponsor of the Administrative Council for Terminal
Attachments.
68.604 Requirements for submitting technical criteria.
68.608 Publication of technical criteria.
68.610 Database of terminal equipment.
68.612 Labels on terminal equipment.
68.614 Oppositions and appeals.
PART 69--ACCESS CHARGES
Subpart A--General
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are designed to implement
the provisions of sections 201, 202, and 203 of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended, and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local exchange carriers. These
rules help ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and not unjustly
or unreasonably discriminatory. Section 69.2 sets out definitions
for terms used in this part. Specifically, section 69.2(ww) defines
``Interstate common line support'' (ICLS) as the ``funds that are
provided pursuant to section 54.901 of this chapter.''
Need: Section 69.2(ww) was adopted to define ICLS for purposes
of the rules regarding the calculation of access charges.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 201-203, 205, 218,
220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Titles:
69.2(ww) Definitions.
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are designed to implement
the provisions of sections 201, 202, and 203 of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended, and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local exchange carriers
(LECs). These rules help ensure that rates are just, reasonable and
not unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory. Section 69.4 sets forth
the charges to be included in the carrier's tariffs for access
services that are filed by incumbent LECs. In particular, section
69.4(b) provides that, with some exceptions, those charges must
include charges for enumerated rate elements. Section 69.4(b)(2)
specifies that one of these rate elements is ``Carrier common line,
provided that after June 30, 2003, non-price cap local exchange
carriers may not assess a carrier common line charge.'' Section
69.4(d) provides for the recovery of contributions to the universal
service support mechanisms. Section 69.4(g) specifies that local
exchange carriers may establish appropriate rate elements for a new
service. Section 69.4(j) provides that a non-price cap LEC may
include charges for enumerated rate elements in its charges for
access service filed with the Commission.
Need: Section 69.4 lists charges for access services that are to
be included in tariffs filed by incumbent LECs necessary to foster
competition, move access charges over time to economically efficient
levels and rate structures, preserve universal service, and lower
rates.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 201-203, 205, 218,
220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Titles:
69.4 (b)(2), (d), (g), (j) Charges to be filed.
Subpart B--Computation of Charges
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are designed to implement
the provisions of sections 201, 202, and 203 of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended, and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local exchange carriers
(LECs). These rules help ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and
not unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory. Section 69.104(a), (c)-
(f), and (n)-(r) provide for the computation of end user common line
charges by non-price cap incumbent LECs.
Need: Section 69.104(a), (c)-(f), and (n)-(r) were adopted to
provide the methodology for the computation of end user common line
charges by non-price cap incumbent LECs under the Commission's
access charge regime.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 201-203, 205, 218, 220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Titles:
69.104(a), (c) through (f), (n) through (r) End user common line for
non-price cap incumbent local exchange carriers.
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are designed to implement
the provisions of sections 201, 202, and 203 of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended, and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local exchange carriers
(LECs). These rules help ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and
not unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory. Section 69.105(a) and
(d) provide for the computation of carrier common line charges by
non-price cap incumbent LECs through June 30, 2003, when they were
eliminated.
Need: Section 69.105(a) and (d) were adopted to provide the
methodology until June 30, 2003 for the computation of carrier
common line charges by non-price cap incumbent LECs under the
Commission's access charge regime.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 201-203, 205, 218, 220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Titles:
69.105(a), (d) Carrier common line for non-price cap local exchange
carriers.
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are designed to implement
the provisions of sections 201, 202, and 203 of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended, and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local exchange carriers
(LECs). These rules help ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and
not unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory. Section 69.106 sets
forth requirements that non-price cap LECs must follow in setting
[[Page 9297]]
their per-minute access charges for local switching. In particular,
subsection 106(g) provides that a LEC may recover signaling costs
associated with call setup through a per-minute charge imposed on
all interexchange carriers. Section 69.106(h) specifies rate
elements that non-price cap LECs may establish, with certain
exceptions.
Need: Section 69.106(g) and (h) were adopted to permit incumbent
LECs to assess a call setup charge and allow non-price cap incumbent
LECs to establish trunk port charges at the local switch,
respectively.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 201-203, 205, 218,
220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Titles:
69.106(g) through (h) Local switching.
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are designed to implement
the provisions of sections 201, 202, and 203 of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended, and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local exchange carriers
(LECs). These rules help ensure that rates are just, reasonable and
not unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory. Section 69.111 sets
forth provisions governing tandem-switched transport and tandem
charges. In particular, section 69.111(m) specifies the means by
which non-price cap LECs may establish separate charges for
multiplexers and dedicated trunk ports used in conjunction with the
tandem switch.
Need: Section 69.111(m) permits non-price cap LECs to establish
separate multiplexing and port charges at the tandem switch to
facilitate cost-based recovery.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 201-203, 205, 218,
220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Titles:
69.111(m) Tandem-switched transport and tandem charge.
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are designed to implement
the provisions of sections 201, 202, and 203 of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended, and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local exchange carriers
(LECs). These rules help ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and
not unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory. Section 69.124 provides
for the computation of interconnection charges by non-price cap
incumbent LECs.
Need: Section 69.124(a) was adopted to provide the methodology
until December 31, 2001 for the computation of interconnection
charges by non-price cap incumbent LECs under the Commission's
access charge regime.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 201-203, 205, 218, 220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Titles:
69.124(a) Interconnection charge.
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are designed to implement
the provisions of sections 201, 202, and 203 of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended, and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local exchange carriers
(LECs). These rules help ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and
not unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory. Section 69.130 allows
non-price cap incumbent LECs to recover those line port costs for a
service that exceeds the costs of a line port used for basic, analog
service through a separate monthly end user charge.
Need: Section 69.130 was adopted to provide for the recovery of
certain line port costs by non-price cap incumbent LECs of certain
higher line port costs from services benefiting from the higher line
port costs.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 201-203, 205, 218, 220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
69.130 Line port costs in excess of basic analog service.
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are designed to implement
the provisions of sections 201, 202, and 203 of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended, and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local exchange carriers
(LECs). These rules help ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and
not unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory. Section 69.131 provides
the means by which non-price cap LECs may recover universal service
contribution costs from customers.
Need: Section 69.131 was adopted to promote the Commission's
universal service goals by providing a non-price cap LEC a means to
recover its universal service contribution from end user customers
other than Lifeline customers.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 201-203, 205, 218,
220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
69.131 Universal service end user charges.
Subpart C--Computation of Charges for Price Cap Local Exchange Carriers
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are designed to implement
the provisions of sections 201, 202, and 203 of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended, and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local exchange carriers
(LECs). These rules help ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and
not unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory. Section 69.153(f)
provides that payphone lines are not subject to the Presubscribed
Interexchange Carrier Charge (PICC).
Need: The elimination of the PICC for payphone lines in section
69.153(f) was adopted to comply with the anti-subsidization and
anti-discrimination provisions of section 276 of the Act,
specifically the determination that payphone line rates should be
set according to the cost-based new services test.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 201-203, 205, 218, 220, 254, and
403.
Section Number and Title:
69.153(f) Presubscribed interexchange carrier charge (PICC).
Subpart D--Apportionment of Net Investment
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are designed to implement
the provisions of sections 201, 202, and 203 of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended, and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local exchange carriers
(LECs). These rules help ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and
not unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory. Section 69.302(a)
provides the methods to be used for purposes of apportioning
investment in telecommunications plant in service, inventories, and
telephone bank stock among the various access categories.
Need: Section 69.302(a) was adopted as a result of the
Commission's efforts to reduce regulatory burdens on incumbent LECs.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 201-203, 205, 218, 220, 254, and
403.
Section Number and Title:
69.302(a) Net investment.
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are designed to implement
the provisions of sections 201, 202, and 203 of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended, and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local exchange carriers
(LECs). These rules help ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and
not unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory. Section 69.306 provides
the methods to be used for purposes of apportioning investment in
central office equipment (COE) among the various access categories.
Section 69.306(d) was revised to reallocate line port costs to the
common line category.
Need: Section 69.306(d) was adopted to implement the decision
that non-price cap LECs should recover line port costs through
common line charges.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 201-203, 205, 218,
220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
69.306(d) Central office equipment (COE).
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are designed to implement
the provisions of sections 201, 202, and 203 of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended, and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local exchange carriers
(LECs). These rules help ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and
not unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory. Section 69.307(c) and
(e) apportion general purpose computer investment and other general
support facilities investments of non-price cap LECs among various
access categories to establish rates.
Need: These rules were adopted to help ensure that rates are
just and reasonable by preventing cross-subsidization of a non-price
cap LEC's non-regulated services by its regulated services, thereby
creating a more economically rational, cost-based access rate
structure.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 201-203, 205, 218, 220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
69.307(c), (e) General support facilities.
Subpart E--Apportionment of Expenses
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are designed to implement
the provisions of sections 201, 202, and 203 of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended, and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local exchange carriers
(LECs). These rules help ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and
not unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory. Section 69.415
reallocates costs of non-price cap LECs that had been recovered
through the transport interconnection charge to other access charge
rate elements.
[[Page 9298]]
Need: Section 69.415 was adopted as part of access rate
structure reforms for rate-of-return LECs to promote competition
under the 1996 Act and helps ensure that rates are just and
reasonable. By eliminating the transport interconnection charge as a
separate rate element, the rule was designed to make the access rate
structure more economically rational for rate-of-return carriers and
drive their traffic sensitive rates toward lower, more cost-based
levels.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 201-203, 205, 218, 220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
69.415 Reallocation of certain transport expenses.
Subpart F--Segregation of Common Line Element Revenue Requirement
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are designed to implement
the provisions of sections 201, 202, and 203 of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended, and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local exchange carriers
(LECs). These rules help ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and
not unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory. Section 69.501 sets
forth general rules for isolating the Common Line element revenue
requirement. This section was revised to conform the rule to
revisions to other rules as part of revising the access rates and
rate structure for non-price cap LECs.
Need: Section 69.501 was adopted to conform the rule to other
revisions to part 69.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 201-203, 205, 218,
220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
69.501(b); (c); (e); (f) General.
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are designed to implement
the provisions of sections 201, 202, and 203 of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended, and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local exchange carriers
(LECs). These rules help ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and
not unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory. Section 69.502
delineates how carriers should deduct projected revenues from a
number of sources from the base factor portion to determine the
amount that is assigned to the Carrier Common Line rate element.
These revisions were made to conform the rule to other revisions to
part 69 as part of reforming access charges for non-price cap LECs.
Need: Sections 69.502(d) and (e) were added to conform the rule
to other revisions to part 69.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 201-203, 205, 218,
220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
69.502(d); (e) Base factor allocation.
Subpart G--Exchange Carrier Association
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are designed to implement
the provisions of sections 201, 202, and 203 of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended, and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local exchange carriers. These
rules help ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and not unjustly
or unreasonably discriminatory. Subpart G provides for the
establishment and operation of the National Exchange Carrier
Association (NECA), which files tariffs on behalf of all telephone
companies that do not file separate tariffs or concur in a joint
access tariff of another telephone company. Section 69.603(g) and
(h)(5) were revised to include interstate common line support in the
methodology by which NECA allocates its expenses among its functions
and how it recovers those expenses.
Need: Section 69.603(g) and (h)(5) were added to include
interstate common line support amounts in the processes for
allocating and recovering NECA expenses from its various functions.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 201-203, 205, 218 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
69.603(g), (h)(5) Association functions.
Brief Description: The part 69 rules are designed to implement
the provisions of sections 201, 202, and 203 of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended, and protect consumers by preventing the
exercise of market power by incumbent local exchange carriers
(LECs). These rules help ensure that rates are just, reasonable, and
not unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory. Section 69.609(b) was
revised to ensure that the formula process for determining
hypothetical net balances that are used in distributing pool common
line revenues reflected any forgone revenues as a result of a
carrier electing to voluntarily reduce its subscriber line charge.
Need: Section 69.609(b) was revised to prevent a LEC from gaming
the pooling process by taking a voluntary reduction in its
subscriber line charges.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 201-203, 205, 218,
220, 254 and 403.
Section Number and Title:
69.609(b) End User Common Line hypothetical net balances.
PART 73--RADIO BROADCAST SERVICES
Subpart A--AM Broadcast Stations
Brief Description: This rule allows AM licensees to file Forms
301-AM and 302-AM if a partial proof of performance test indicates
that radiation exceeds the standard pattern.
Need: This rule is required to limit interference between AM
broadcast stations.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336 and 339.
Section Number and Title:
73.152(b) Modification of directional antenna data.
Subpart E--Television Broadcast Stations
Brief Description: This rule specifies that applications to
construct broadcast TV stations must be for channels and communities
designated in the Table of Allotments, and applications for channels
or communities not listed in the Table of Allotments can be filed if
consistent with the rules and policies established in the Third
Report and Order in WT Docket 99-168 (FCC 01-25).
Need: This rule is necessary to inform applicants of the
requirements for filing an application to construct a broadcast TV
station.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, and 336.
Section Number and Title:
73.607(b) Availability of channels.
Brief Description: This rule requires that noncommercial
educational television station licensees primarily provide a
nonprofit, noncommercial educational service over their entire
digital bit stream, including ancillary or supplementary services.
Need: The rule is needed to clarify applicability of the
requirement that public television stations furnish primarily an
educational, as well as a nonprofit and noncommercial broadcast
service to the digital environment.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336 and 399.
Section Number and Title:
73.621(i) Noncommercial educational TV stations.
Brief Description: This rule specifies that applications to
construct DTV broadcast stations must be for channels and
communities designated in the DTV Table of Allotments, and
applications for channels or communities not listed in the DTV Table
of Allotments can be filed if consistent with the rules and policies
established in the Third Report and Order in WT Docket 99-168 (FCC
01-25).
Need: This rule is necessary to inform applicants of the
requirements for filing an application to construct a DTV broadcast
station.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336, and 339.
Section Number and Title:
73.622(c)(2) Digital television table of allotments.
Brief Description: This rule sets forth DTV application
processing procedures.
Need: This rule is necessary to establish a fair, certain, and
orderly processes for resolving conflicts with respect to mutually
exclusive DTV applications.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336 and 339.
Section Number and Title:
73.623(h) DTV applications and changes to DTV allotments.
Subpart G--Low Power FM Broadcast Stations (LPFM)
Brief Description: This rule defines the scope of permissible
amendments to pending LPFM station applications.
Need: This rule is necessary to provide applicants for LPFM
stations some flexibility to make technical changes to their new and
major change applications after the close of a filing window.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336 and 339.
Section Number and Title:
73.871 Amendment of LPFM broadcast station applications.
Subpart H--Rules Applicable to All Broadcast Stations
Brief Description: This rule cross-references subpart W to part
1 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR part 1, which requires persons
and entities doing business with the Commission to acquire an FRN
and
[[Page 9299]]
to provide it on all applications or feeable filings as well as
other transactions involving the payment of money.
Need: This rule is required to facilitate compliance with the
Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 and to enable the Commission
to manage its collection and revenue systems.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336 and 339.
Section Number and Title:
73.1010(a)(9) Cross reference to rules in other parts.
Brief Description: This rule requires applicants, permittees or
licensees to provide truthful written statements to the Commission
regarding matters within the jurisdiction of the Commission.
Need: This rule ensures that the entities the Commission
regulates provide truthful information.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336 and 339.
Section Number and Title:
73.1015 Truthful written statements and responses to Commission
inquiries and correspondence.
Brief Description: This rule requires licensees or permittees of
commercially or non-commercially operated AM, FM, TV, Class A TV or
international broadcast stations to comply with rules regarding
equal employment opportunity.
Need: This rule is needed because it ensures television
broadcast station licensees and permittees' compliance with equal
employment opportunity rules.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336 and 339.
Section Number and Title:
73.2080 Equal employment opportunities (EEO).
Subpart J--Class A Television Broadcast Stations
Brief Description: These rules establish requirements
delineating how Digital Class A TV stations must protect other
authorized broadcast TV services.
Need: These rules are necessary to provide interference
protection to other TV facilities and to commence the digital
television conversion process for Class A stations.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336 and 339.
Section Number and Titles:
73.6016 Digital Class A TV station protection of TV broadcast
stations.
73.6017 Digital Class A TV station protection of Class A TV and
digital Class A TV stations.
73.6018 Digital Class A TV station protection of DTV stations.
73.6027 Class A TV notifications concerning interference to radio
astronomy, research and receiving installations.
Subpart K--Application and Selection Procedures for Reserved
Noncommercial Educational Channels, and for Certain Applications for
Noncommercial Educational Stations on Non-Reserved Channels
Brief Description: This rule sets forth a point system to select
among mutually exclusive proposals to build FM, TV, and FM
translator stations on channels reserved for noncommercial
educational use.
Need: This rule is needed to provide selection procedures for
choosing among competing applications to build noncommercial
educational broadcast stations.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336 and 339.
Section Number and Title:
73.7003(e) through (f) Point system selection procedures.
PART 74--EXPERIMENTAL RADIO, AUXILIARY, SPECIAL BROADCAST AND OTHER
PROGRAM DISTRIBUTIONAL SERVICES
Subpart--General; Rules Applicable to All Services in Part 74
Brief Description: This rule cross-references subpart W to part
1 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR part 1, which requires persons
and entities doing business with the Commission to acquire an FRN
and to provide it with all applications or feeable filings as well
as other transactions involving the payment of money.
Need: This rule is required to facilitate compliance with the
Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 and to enable the Commission
to manage its collection and revenue systems.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 302a, 303, 307, 309, 336 and 554.
Section Number and Title:
74.5(a)(8) Cross reference to rules in other parts.
Subpart G--Low Power TV, TV Translator, and TV Booster Stations
Brief Description: This rule subjects low power television
stations participating in the digital data service pilot project to
the provisions of the Commission Order implementing the LPTV Pilot
Project Digital Data Services Act.
Need: This rule is necessary to provide the general requirements
for the pilot program required under the LPTV Pilot Project Digital
Data Services Act.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 302a, 303, 307, 336 and 554.
Section Number and Title:
74.785 Low power TV digital data service pilot project.
PART 76--MULTICHANNEL VIDEO AND CABLE TELEVISION SERVICE
Subpart D--Carriage of Television Broadcast Signals
Brief Description: This rule specifies the cable system channel
positioning requirements for television signals carried in
fulfillment of must-carry obligations.
Need: This rule is necessary to spell out where television
signals carried pursuant to the mandatory carriage provision are
entitled to be carried on a cable system.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 153, 154, 301, 302, 302a, 303,
303a, 307, 308, 309, 312, 315, 317, 325, 338, 339, 340, 341, 503,
521, 522, 531, 532, 534, 535, 536, 537, 543, 544, 544a, 545, 548,
549, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560, 561, 571, 572 and 573.
Section Number and Title:
76.57 (c) Channel positioning.
Brief Description: This rule specifies the content of television
signals that is subject to the mandatory carriage obligations.
Need: This rule is necessary to make clear which material in a
television signal is entitled to must-carry rights.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 153, 154, 301, 302, 302a, 303,
303a, 307, 308, 309, 312, 315, 317, 325, 336, 338, 339, 340, 341,
503, 521, 522, 531, 532, 534, 535, 536, 537, 543, 544, 544a, 545,
548, 549, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560, 561, 571, 572 and 573.
Section Number and Title:
76.62 (g) Manner of carriage.
Brief Description: This rule specifies the signal carriage
obligations of satellite carriers carrying local television signals,
and the relevant carriage procedures.
Need: This rule is necessary to implement to provisions of
section 338 of the Communications Act, which requires satellite
carriers to carry local television broadcast stations' signals if
specified circumstances are met.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 153, 154, 301, 302, 302a, 303,
303a, 307, 308, 309, 312, 315, 317, 325, 338, 339, 340, 341, 503,
521, 522, 531, 532, 534, 535, 536, 537, 543, 544, 544a, 545, 548,
549, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560, 561, 571, 572 and 573.
Section Number and Title:
76.66 Satellite broadcast signal carriage.
Subpart K--Technical Standards
Brief Description: These rules cover operations of cable
television services and multichannel video service.
Need: These rules are required to establish the technical
standards needed for these services to successfully operate in
specific frequency bands, without causing interference.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 153, 154, 301, 302, 302a, 303,
303a, 307, 308, 309, 312, 315, 317, 325, 338, 339, 340, 341, 503,
521, 522, 531, 532, 534, 535, 536, 537, 543, 544, 544a, 545, 548,
549, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560, 561, 571, 572, and 573.
Section Numbers and Titles:
76.610 Operation in the frequency bands 108-137 and 225-400 MHz--
scope of application.
76.616 Operation near certain aeronautical and marine emergency
radio frequencies.
76.640 Support for unidirectional digital cable products on digital
cable systems.
Subpart N--Cable Rate Regulation
Brief Description: This rule adds headend equipment costs
required to carry digital broadcast signals to the definition of
``external cost'' as used to calculate permitted charges for tiers
of cable service subject to rate regulation.
Need: This rule is necessary to resolve the consequences for the
cable television rate regulation process of the carriage of digital
broadcast signals.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 153, 154, 301, 302, 302a, 303,
303a, 307, 308, 309, 312, 315, 317, 325, 338, 339, 340, 341, 503,
521, 522, 531, 532, 534, 535, 536, 537, 543, 544, 544a, 545, 548,
549, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560, 561, 571, 572 and 573.
[[Page 9300]]
Section Number and Title:
76.922(f)(1)(vii) Rates for the basic service tier and cable
programming service tiers.
Subpart S--Open Video Systems
Brief Description: This rule applies Equal Employment
Opportunity requirements, ownership restrictions, negative option
billing, regulation of carriage agreements, signal leakage
restrictions, and signal leakage monitoring and aeronautical
frequency notifications to open video systems.
Need: This rule is needed because it ensures employer compliance
with the above-mentioned rules.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 153, 154, 301, 302, 302a, 303,
303a, 307, 308, 309, 312, 315, 317, 325, 338, 339, 340, 341, 503,
521, 522, 531, 532, 534, 535, 536, 537, 543, 544, 544a, 545, 548,
549, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560, 561, 571, 572 and 573.
Section Number and Title:
76.1510 Application of certain Title VI provisions.
Subpart T--Notices
Brief Description: This rule cross-references subpart W to part
1 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR part 1, which requires persons
and entities doing business with the Commission to acquire an FRN
and to provide it with all applications or feeable filings as well
as other transactions involving the payment of money.
Need: This rule is required to facilitate compliance with the
Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 and to enable the Commission
to manage its collection and revenue systems.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 153, 154, 301, 302, 302a, 303,
303a, 307, 308, 309, 312, 315, 317, 325, 338, 339, 340, 341, 503,
521, 522, 531, 532, 534, 535, 536, 537, 543, 544, 544a, 545, 548,
549, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560, 561, 571, 572 and 573.
Section Number and Title:
76.1610(f) Change of operational information.
Subpart U--Documents To Be Maintained for Inspection
Brief Description: This rule requires employers with six or more
full-time employees to maintain an Equal Employment Opportunity
(EEO) program file for public inspection with all annual reports
filed with the Commission.
Need: This rule is needed because it ensures employer compliance
with equal employment opportunity rules.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 153, 154, 301, 302, 302a, 303,
303a, 307, 308, 309, 312, 315, 317, 325, 338, 339, 340, 341, 503,
521, 522, 531, 532, 534, 535, 536, 537, 543, 544, 544a, 545, 548,
549, 552, 554, 556, 560, 561, 571, 572 and 573.
Section Number and Title:
76.1702 Equal employment opportunity.
Subpart V--Reports and Filings
Brief Description: These rules allow for electronic filing of
forms by Multichannel Video Programming Distributors (MVPDS) via the
Cable Operations and Licensing System (COALS).
Need: These rules are needed to reduce the effort for MVPDs to
file applications, reports, and other documents.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 153, 154, 301, 302, 302a, 303,
303a, 307, 308, 309, 312, 315, 317, 325, 338, 339, 340, 341, 503,
521, 522, 531, 532, 534, 535, 536, 537, 543, 544, 544a, 545, 548,
549, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560, 561, 571, 572, and 573.
Section Number and Titles:
76.1801 Registration statement.
76.1802 Annual employment report.
76.1803 Signal leakage monitoring.
76.1804 Aeronautical frequencies: Leakage monitoring (CLI).
PART 78--CABLE TELEVISION RELAY SERVICE
Subpart A--General
Brief Description: This rule sets forth the purpose of the
licensing and operation of fixed or mobile cable television relay
service stations.
Need: This rule is needed to assist the Commission in furthering
its goal of providing all Americans with access to ubiquitous
wireless broadband connections, regardless of their location.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 152, 153, 154, 301, 303, 307, 308, 309.
Section Number and Title:
78.1 Purpose.
Subpart B--Applications and Licenses
Brief Description: These rules apply to the application
processes for Cable Television Relay Services (CARS) that
Commission-regulated entities may take to amend, terminate their
station authorizations or coordinate their frequency assignments in
certain bands.
Need: These rules ensure that Cable Television Relay Services
are properly authorized with the Commission.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 152, 153, 154, 301, 303, 307, 308, 309.
Section Numbers and Titles:
78.17 Amendment of applications.
78.30 Forfeiture and termination of station authorizations.
78.36 Frequency coordination.
Subpart D--Technical Regulations
Brief Description: These rules were amended permit Broadcast
Auxiliary Services (BAS) stations to introduce new technologies and
create a more efficient BAS that can more readily adapt as the
broadcast industry converts to the use of digital technology, such
as digital television (DTV).
Need: These rules are needed to permit CARS to operate with BAS
and Fixed Services under consistent regulatory guidelines. These
services share frequency bands and have technically and
operationally similar stations.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 152, 153, 154, 301, 303, 307, 308, 309.
Section Number and Titles:
78.106 Interference to geostationary satellites.
78.109 Major and minor modifications to stations.
PART 79--ACCESSIBILITY OF VIDEO PROGRAMMING
Brief Description: In 1996, Congress added section 713 to the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Act), requiring the
Commission to adopt rules and implementation schedules for the
closed captioning of video programming. The Commission's closed
captioning rules require video programming distributors to increase
gradually the amount of captioned programming offered over a period
of years, subject to certain exceptions. The rules allow video
programming distributors to exercise discretion with respect to what
types of closed captioned programming to provide first. A video
programming distributor could use this discretion during the
implementation period and choose to not close caption programming
providing emergency information. To ensure the accessibility of
emergency information on television, in 2000 the Commission
established rules requiring that the critical details of emergency
information be made accessible to persons with hearing disabilities
through closed captioning or by a method of visual presentation. The
Commission's rules also require that the critical details of
emergency information on television be made accessible to persons
with visual disabilities. Section 713 of the Act also instructed the
Commission to examine the use of video descriptions on video
programming and to report to Congress its findings, including an
assessment of appropriate methods and phase-in schedules and a
definition of programming for which video descriptions would apply.
In 2000, the Commission adopted video description rules. The United
States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
subsequently vacated these video description rules, stating that
section 713 did not authorize the Commission to adopt regulations
implementing video descriptions. The Twenty-First Century
Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010, however,
requires the Commission to reinstate its video description
regulations, with some modifications.
Need: Emergency information is information about a current
emergency that is intended to further the protection of life,
health, safety, and property, i.e., critical details regarding the
emergency and how to respond to the emergency. Significant health
and safety issues are inherent in emergency information making it
necessary to make this information accessible to all persons. Video
description is the description of key visual elements in programming
inserted into natural pauses in the audio of the programming. It is
designed to make television programming more accessible to the many
Americans who have visual disabilities.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152(a), 154(i), 303, 307, 309, 310
and 613.
Section Number and Title:
79.2 Accessibility of programming providing emergency information.
Brief Description: In 1996, Congress added section 713 to the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Act), which, among
[[Page 9301]]
other things, instructed the Commission to examine the use of video
descriptions in order to enhance the accessibility of video
programming to people with visual disabilities. Section 713 also
required the Commission to report to Congress its findings,
including an assessment of appropriate methods and phase-in
schedules and a definition of programming for which video
descriptions would apply. In 2000, the Commission adopted video
description rules. The United States Court of Appeals for the
District of Columbia Circuit subsequently vacated these video
description rules, stating that section 713 did not authorize the
Commission to adopt regulations implementing video descriptions. The
Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of
2010, however, required the Commission to reinstate its video
description regulations, with some modifications. In August 2011,
the Commission adopted an order doing so. Among the video
description regulations reinstated in this action were two added in
2001, section 79.3(c)(4) (establishing standards for compliance with
video description requirements) and (e)(1)(vi) (requiring that a
complainant of a video description rules violation first attempt to
resolve the dispute with the video programming distributor against
whom the complaint is alleged).
Need: Video description is the description of key visual
elements in programming inserted into natural pauses in the audio of
the programming. It is designed to make television programming more
accessible to the many Americans who have visual disabilities.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152(a), 154(i), 303, 307, 309, 310
and 613.
Section Number and Title:
79.3 Video description of video programming.
PART 80--STATIONS IN THE MARITIME SERVICES
Subpart D--Operator Requirements
Brief Description: The part 80 rules set forth the conditions
under which radio may be licensed and used in the maritime services.
Subpart D rules prescribe coast station operator requirements, ship
station operator requirements, minimum operator license
requirements, and general operator requirements.
Need: Consistent with ITU regulations permitting a restricted
operator's certificate for GMDSS operators on ships sailing
exclusively within Sea Area A1, section 80.159(d) requires that a
passenger ship equipped with a GMDSS installation and operating
exclusively within twenty nautical miles of shore carries at least
two persons holding either a GMDSS Radio Operator License or a
Restricted GMDSS Radio Operator License.
Legal Basis: Secs. 4, 303, 307(e), 309, and 332, 48 Stat. 1066,
1082, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 307(e), 309, and 332, unless
otherwise noted. Interpret or apply 48 Stat. 1064-1068, 1081-1105,
as amended; 47 U.S.C. 151-155, 301-609; 3 UST 3450, 3 UST 4726, 12
UST 2377.
Section Number and Title:
80.159(d) Operator requirements of Title III of the Communications
Act and the Safety Convention.
Subpart E--General Technical Standards
Brief Description: The part 80 rules set forth the conditions
under which radio may be licensed and used in the maritime services.
Subpart E rules prescribe the general technical requirements for the
use of frequencies and equipment in the maritime services.
Need: As proposed by the Coast Guard, section 80.203(m)(6)
prohibits ship stations from including any device capable of
transmitting on a distress frequency without regulatory
authorization.
Legal Basis: Secs. 4, 303, 307(e), 309, and 332, 48 Stat. 1066,
1082, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 307(e), 309, and 332, unless
otherwise noted. Interpret or apply 48 Stat. 1064-1068, 1081-1105,
as amended; 47 U.S.C. 151-155, 301-609; 3 UST 3450, 3 UST 4726, 12
UST 2377.
Section Number and Title:
80.203(m)(6) Authorization of transmitters for licensing.
Subpart F--Equipment Authorization for Compulsory Ships
Brief Description: The part 80 rules set forth the conditions
under which radio may be licensed and used in the maritime services.
Subpart F rules prescribe the general technical requirements for
certification of equipment used on compulsory ships.
Need: As requested by the Coast Guard, section 80.275 governs
the implementation of Automatic Identification Systems (``AIS'') and
specifies what information must be submitted to the Coast Guard and
the Commission prior to submitting a certification application for a
Class A AIS device.
Legal Basis: Secs. 4, 303, 307(e), 309, and 332, 48 Stat. 1066,
1082, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 307(e), 309, and 332, unless
otherwise noted. Interpret or apply 48 Stat. 1064-1068, 1081-1105,
as amended; 47 U.S.C. 151-155, 301-609; 3 UST 3450, 3 UST 4726, 12
UST 2377.
Section Number and Title:
80.275 Technical Requirements for Class A Automatic Identification
System (AIS) equipment.
Subpart J--Public Coast Stations
Brief Description: The part 80 rules set forth the conditions
under which radio may be licensed and used in the maritime services.
Section 80.475 (a)(1)-(2) requires licensees seeking to locate
public coast stations within a specified distance of channel 13 and
channel 10 TV stations to submit an engineering study to the
Commission and the TV stations clearly showing the means of avoiding
interference with television reception.
Need: These requirements ensure interference with television
reception is prevented.
Legal Basis: Secs. 4, 303, 307(e), 309, and 332, 48 Stat. 1066,
1082, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 307(e), 309, and 332, unless
otherwise noted. Interpret or apply 48 Stat. 1064-1068, 1081-1105,
as amended; 47 U.S.C. 151-155, 301-609; 3 UST 3450, 3 UST 4726, 12
UST 2377.
Section Number and Title:
80.475(a)(1)-(2) Scope of service of the Automated Maritime
Telecommunications System (AMTS).
Subpart R--Technical Equipment Requirements for Cargo Vessels Not
Subject to Subpart W
Brief Description: The part 80 rules set forth the conditions
under which radio may be licensed and used in the maritime services.
Subpart R rules provide the radiotelephone requirements for cargo
ships of 300 to 1600 gross tons. Sections 80.880 and 80.881 specify
equipment requirements for ship stations between 300 to 1600 gross
tons operating within 20 and 100 nautical miles of shore.
Need: These equipment requirements are needed to ensure that the
Commission's ship radar rules are fully compatible with
internationally-agreed performance and certification testing
standards required to meet international shipboard carriage
requirements.
Legal Basis: Secs. 4, 303, 307(e), 309, and 332, 48 Stat. 1066,
1082, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 307(e), 309, and 332, unless
otherwise noted. Interpret or apply 48 Stat. 1064-1068, 1081-1105,
as amended; 47 U.S.C. 151-155, 301-609; 3 UST 3450, 3 UST 4726, 12
UST 2377.
Section Numbers and Titles:
80.880 Vessel radio equipment.
80.881 Equipment requirements for ship stations.
Subpart W--Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
Brief Description: The part 80 rules set forth the conditions
under which radio may be licensed and used in the maritime services.
Subpart W rules apply to all passenger ships regardless of size and
cargo ships of 300 tons gross tonnage and upwards, mostly fishing
vessels, with some exceptions.
Need: The rules in this subpart require that all compulsory
vessels, including fishing vessels of 300 gross tons or more, must
comply with all the GMDSS requirements appropriate to their area of
operation. A separate safety system for fishing vessels would be
expensive, difficult to administer, and would cause confusion during
a distress incident.
Legal Basis: Secs. 4, 303, 307(e), 309, and 332, 48 Stat. 1066,
1082, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 307(e), 309, and 332, unless
otherwise noted. Interpret or apply 48 Stat. 1064-1068, 1081-1105,
as amended; 47 U.S.C. 151-155, 301-609; 3 UST 3450, 3 UST 4726, 12
UST 2377.
Section Numbers and Titles:
80.1071(c) Exemptions.
80.1083(d)-(g) Ship radio installations.
80.1085(a)(6)(iii), (c), (d) Ship radio equipment-General.
80.1101(c)(11)-(12) Performance standards.
80.1105(k) Maintenance requirements.
[[Page 9302]]
PART 87--AVIATION SERVICES
Subpart D--Technical Requirements
Brief Description: The part 87 rules set forth the conditions
under which radio stations may be licensed and used in the aviation
services. Subpart R rules provide the technical requirements for
such radio stations.
Need: The technical requirements are needed to protect the
safety of life and property in air navigation and must be
periodically updated to reflect technological advancements in the
aviation industry and maximize spectral efficiency while maintaining
important safeguards against interference.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303 and 307(e), unless otherwise
noted.
Section Numbers and Titles:
87.147(f) Authorization of equipment.
87.151 Special requirements for differential GPS receivers.
Subpart F--Aircraft Stations
Brief Description: Part 87 contains the Commission rules
governing aviation services. Subpart F sets forth the rules
governing assignment of frequencies in those services.
Need: This rule is needed as it designates certain frequencies
for flight information services-broadcast (FIS-B) that may not be
used by aircraft for transmission.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303 and 307(e).
Section Number and Title:
87.187(dd) Frequencies.
Subpart G--Aeronautical Advisory Stations (UNICOMS)
Brief Description: The part 87 rules set forth the conditions
under which radio stations may be licensed and used in the aviation
services. Subpart G rules provide the eligibility, frequencies, and
automatic operations requirements for unicoms.
Need: Unicoms are important air-ground communication facilities
employed at airports with a low volume of general aviation traffic
and where no control tower is active. These rules govern their
operations at uncontrolled aerodromes and airports.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303 and 307(e), unless otherwise
noted.
Section Number and Title:
87.215(c)-(e) Supplemental eligibility.
Subpart I--Aeronautical Enroute Stations, Aeronautical Fixed Stations,
and Aircraft Data Link Land Test Stations
Brief Description: Part 87 contains the Commission rules
governing aviation services. Subpart I sets forth the rule governing
assignment of frequencies in those services.
Need: This rule is needed as it designates certain frequencies
for aeronautical enroute stations, which provide operational control
communications to aircraft along domestic or international air
routes.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303 and 307(e).
Section Number and Title:
87.263(a)(1)(5) Frequencies.
PART 90--PRIVATE LAND MOBILE RADIO SERVICES
Subpart B--Public Safety Pool
Brief Description: The Public Safety Radio Pool covers the
licensing of the radio communications of governmental entities and
the following Medical services, rescue organizations, veterinarians,
persons with disabilities, disaster relief organizations, school
buses, beach patrols, establishments in isolated places,
communications standby facilities, and emergency repair of public
communications facilities.
Need: Modifies the Public Safety Pool Frequency Table in 47 CFR
90.20(c)(3) to provide that operation on specified is subject to the
low power provisions of 90.267. These frequencies are assigned to
the Public Safety Group in the low power pool.
Section Number and Title:
90.20 Public Safety Pool.
Subpart C--Industrial/Business Radio Pool
Brief Description: Part 90 states the conditions under which
radio communications systems may be licensed and used in the Public
Safety, Industrial/Business Radio Pool, Radiolocations Radio
Services, and Commercial Mobile Radio Services. Subpart C covers the
licensing of the radio communications of entities engaged in
commercial activities, engaged in clergy activities, operating
educational, philanthropic, or ecclesiastical institutions, or
operating hospitals, clinics, or medical associations. Rules as to
eligibility for licensing, frequencies available, permissible
communications and classes and number of stations, and any special
requirements are set forth in this subpart.
Need: These rules are needed as they designate certain
frequencies for Industrial/Business Pool services.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303 and 307(e).
Section Number and Title:
90.35(b)(2)(ii)(iii) Industrial/Business Pool.
Subpart H--Policies Governing the Assignment of Frequencies
Brief Description: The part 90 rules set forth the conditions
under which radio communications systems may be licensed and used in
the Public Safety, Industrial/Business Radio Pool, and Radiolocation
Radio Services. Subpart H rules inform about the policies under
which the Commission assigns frequencies for the use of licensees
under this part, frequency coordination procedures, and procedures
under which licensees may cooperatively share radio facilities.
Need: These rules are needed as they designate certain
frequencies for Private Land Mobile Radio Services (PLMRS) and
authorize licensees to share use of their facilities and given that
the Universal Licensing System (ULS) now provides frequency
coordinators with immediate access to frequency and site
information, it is necessary to clarify that a part 90 frequency or
site deletion request need not be accompanied by a frequency
coordination. It would be inconsistent to require coordination for a
deletion of a site or a frequency when it is not required for a
request to cancel an entire authorization.
Legal Basis: Sections 4(i), 11, 303(g), 303(r), and 332(c)(7) of
the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 161,
303(g), 303(r), and 332(c)(7), and Title VI of the Middle Class Tax
Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, Public Law 112-96, 126 Stat.
156.
Section Numbers and Titles:
90.175(b)(1)-(3), (j)(17) Frequency coordinator requirements.
90.179(j) Shared use of radio stations.
Subpart I--General Technical Standards
Brief Description: These rules set out the certification
standards for part 90 transmitters, including the maximum bandwidth
per voice or data channel.
Need: To ensure efficient use of spectrum by enabling the
maximum number of users within a given spectrum band, the Commission
has established maximum bandwidths for different applications.
Manufacturers of transmission equipment must demonstrate, as a
prerequisite to certification or verification, that their equipment
meets the maximum bandwidth restrictions in the rules.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 303(g), 303(r), 332(a), 332(c), and
332(d).
Section Number and Title:
90.203(j), (l) Certification required.
Subpart I--General Technical Standards
Brief Description: The part 90 rules set forth the conditions
under which radio communications systems may be licensed and used in
the Public Safety, Industrial/Business Radio Pool, and Radiolocation
Radio Services. Subpart I rules set forth the general technical
requirements for use of frequencies and equipment in the radio
services governed by this part. Such requirements include standards
for acceptability of equipment, frequency tolerance, modulation,
emissions, power, and bandwidths.
Need: These technical standards are needed to ensure that public
safety communications devices are interoperable and do not cause
harmful interference to other authorized communications.
Legal Basis: Sections 4(i), 11, 303(g), 303(r), and 332(c)(7) of
the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 161,
303(g), 303(r), and 332(c)(7), and Title VI of the Middle Class Tax
Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, Public Law 112-96, 126 Stat.
156.
Section Number and Title:
90.209(b)(6) Bandwidth limitations.
Subpart N--Operating Requirements
Brief Description: Part 90 provides general operating
requirements for stations licensed under part 90 and used in the
Public Safety, Industrial/Business Radio Pool, Radiolocations Radio
Services, and Commercial Mobile Radio Services. Subpart N sets forth
the rules for station operating procedures, points of
communications, methods of station identification, control
requirements, and station record-keeping requirements.
Need: This rule allows hand-held and vehicular transmitters in
private land mobile radio services to be operated by any licensee
[[Page 9303]]
holding a license in the 700 MHz Public Safety Band or by any
licensee holding a license for any other public safety frequency
pursuant to part 90.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 161, 303(g), 303(r) and
332(c)(7).
Section Number and Title:
90.421(a)(3) Operation of mobile station units not under the control
of the licensee.
Subpart R--Regulations Governing the Licensing and Use of Frequencies
in the 763-775 and 793-805 MHz Bands
Brief Description: These rules set out the eligibility,
operational, planning and licensing requirements, and technical
standards for stations licensed in these bands, including
interoperability requirements.
Need: Nationwide interoperability channels in the 700 MHz
narrowband public safety spectrum are essential to provide first-
responders with multiple communications channels using a common
technology. Interoperability channels allow users to integrate their
communications into other 700 MHz systems other than their ``home''
systems during emergency response operations.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 157, 301, 302, 303, 337.
Section Number and Title:
90.531(b)(1) Narrowband Interoperability Channels.
Subpart R--Regulations Governing the Licensing and Use of Frequencies
in the 763-775 and 793-805 MHz Bands
Brief Description: These rules set out the eligibility,
operational, planning and licensing requirements, and technical
standards for stations licensed in these bands, including
interoperability requirements.
Need: Limits on the maximum power allowed for certain devices
are necessary to limit interference while still allowing sufficient
power for a communications device to perform its functions. Thus,
for example, transmitters operating on the 700 MHz Nationwide
Interoperability Low Power Channels are limited to an effective
radiated power (ERP) of two watts.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 303(f), 303(r), 309,
332, 337, 403 and 405.
Section Number and Title:
90.541(d) Transmitting power and antenna height limits.
Subpart R--Regulations Governing the Licensing and Use of Frequencies
in the 763-775 and 793-805 MHz Bands
Brief Description: These rules set out the eligibility,
operational, planning and licensing requirements, and technical
standards for stations licensed in these bands, including
interoperability requirements.
Need: Ensuring interoperability on the 700 MHz nationwide
narrowband interoperability channels requires the use of a common
technology. Otherwise, first responders using a given proprietary
technology would be unable to communicate with first responders in a
different jurisdiction using a different technology. Accordingly the
Commission adopted the mandatory use of ANSI/TIA/EIA (Project 25)
technology for the 700 MHz nationwide narrowband interoperability
channels.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 154(j), 157(a), 302, 303(b),
303(f), 303(g), 303(r), 307(e), 332(a), 332(c).
Section Number and Title:
90.548 Interoperability Technical Standards.
Brief Description: These rules set out the eligibility,
operational, planning and licensing requirements, and technical
standards for stations licensed in these bands, including
interoperability requirements.
Need: Encryption ensures that public safety communications
cannot be intercepted. Requiring a common encryption protocol
ensures that first responders ``roaming'' into another jurisdiction
to provide assistance will have their transmissions encrypted using
the same protocol as in their home jurisdiction. The rules require
that licensees employing encryption use the DES encryption protocol,
ANSI/TIA/EIA-102 AAAA-A-2001.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 154(j), 157(a), 302, 303(b),
303(f), 303(g), 303(r), 307(e), 332(a), 332(c).
Section Number and Title:
90.553 Encryption.
Subpart S--Regulations Governing Licensing and Use of Frequencies in
the 806-824, 851-869, 896-901, and 935-940 MHz Bands
Brief Description: Part 90 states the conditions under which
radio communications systems may be licensed and used in the Public
Safety, Industrial/Business Radio Pool, Radiolocations Radio
Services, and Commercial Mobile Radio Services. Subpart S sets forth
the rules governing the licensing and use of frequencies in the 806-
824 MHz, 851-869 MHz, 896-901 MHz, and 935-940 MHz Bands.
Need: This rule sets forth the procedures for applicants with
respect to selection and assignment of licenses of channels in the
Business/Industrial/Land Transportation category.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 161, 303(g), 303(r) and
332(c)(7).
Section Number and Title:
90.621 Selection and assignment of frequencies.
Brief Description: These rules set out the eligibility,
operational, planning and licensing requirements, and technical
standards for stations licensed in these bands.
Need: Where a large-scale or complex communications system
cannot be constructed and placed into operation within the required
one-year period, the Commission's rules, provide an extended
implementation period (5 years) when the licensees provide adequate
justification.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 303(r) and 331(a).
Section Number and Title:
90.629 Extended implementation period.
Brief Description: This subpart regulates licensing and
operations of all systems operating in the 806-824/851-869 MHz and
896-901/935-940 MHz bands. These rules permit 800 MHz high density
cellular system operations on channels 551-830 in non-border areas
and on channels 411-830 in specific counties and parishes. Also,
these rules impose a strict responsibility to abate unacceptable
interference to non-cellular licensees and establish interference
resolution procedures to be followed before, during, and after band
reconfiguration.
Need: These rules result in efficient use of the spectrum
regardless of the reconfiguration status of the band while
preventing interference along the border and protecting operations
by non-cellular licensees.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 161, 303(g), 303(r), 332(c)(7);
Title VI of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of
2012, Public Law 112-96, 126 Stat. 156.
Section Numbers and Titles:
90.614 Segments of the 806-824/851-869 MHz band for non-border
areas.
90.673-77 Obligation to abate unacceptable interference;
Interference resolution procedures before, during, and after band
reconfiguration; Information exchange; Transition administrator for
reconfiguration of the 806-824/8512-869 MHz band in order to
separate cellular systems from non-cellular systems; Reconfiguration
of the 806-824/851-869 MHz band in order to separate cellular
systems from non-cellular systems.
PART 95--PERSONAL RADIO SERVICES
Subpart B--Family Radio Services (FRS)
Brief Description: Part 95 contains the Commission rules
relating to personal radio services. Subpart B sets forth the rules
governing Family Radio Service (FRS).
Need: FRS provide a high-quality low-cost communications service
to hunters, campers, hikers, bicyclists and other outdoor activity
enthusiasts who need to communicate with other members of their
party who are out of speaking range or sight but still in the same
general area.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302(a), 303, and 307(e).
Section Number and Title:
95.194(d) (FRS Rule 4) FRS units.
Subpart D--Citizens Band (CB) Radio Service
Brief Description: Part 95 contains the Commission rules
relating to personal radio services. Subpart D sets forth the rules
governing the various citizens band services, including the Citizens
Band (CB) Radio Service; Family Radio Service (FRS); Low Power Radio
Service (LPRS); Medical Device Radiocommunication Service
(MedRadio); Wireless Medical Telemetry Service (WMTS); Multi-Use
Radio Service (MURS); and Dedicated Short-Range Communications
Service On-Board Units (DSRCS-OBUs).
Need: The rule lists Dedicated Short-Range Communications
Service On-Board Units (DSRCS-OBUs) among citizens band services.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302(a), 303, and 307(e).
[[Page 9304]]
Section Number and Title:
95.401(g) (CB Rule 1) What are the Citizens Band Radio Services?
Subpart E--Technical Regulations
Brief Description: Part 95 contains the Commission rules
relating to personal radio services. Subpart E sets forth the
technical standards under which part 95 licensees may operate.
Need: The rules specify technical standards for Dedicated Short-
Range Communications Service On-Board Units (DSRCS-OBU).
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302(a), 303, and 307(e).
Section Numbers and Titles:
95.603(h) Certification required.
95.631(k) Emission types.
95.633(g) Emission bandwidth.
95.635(f) Unwanted radiation.
95.637(f) Modulation standards.
95.639(i) Maximum transmitter power.
95.643 DSRCS-OBU certification.
95.655(d) Frequency capability.
Subpart F--218-219 MHz Service
Brief Description: Part 95 contains the Commission rules
relating to personal radio services. Subpart F sets forth the rules
governing the 218-219 MHz service.
Need: These rules are needed to set forth the various
regulations governing the operation of Personal Radio Service in the
218-219 MHz band.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154 and 303.
Section Numbers and Titles:
95.803 218-219 MHz service description.
95.807(a), (1), (4) Requesting regulatory status.
95.811(b), (e) License requirements.
95.812(a) License term.
95.816(b) Competitive bidding proceedings.
95.819 License transferability.
95.861(c) Interference.
Subpart K--Personal Locator Beacons (PLB)
Brief Description: Part 95 contains the Commission rules
relating to personal radio services. Rules in subpart K provide
individuals in remote areas a means to alert others of an emergency
situation and to aid search and rescue personnel locate those in
distress.
Need: These rules provide individuals in remote areas a means to
alert others of an emergency situation and to aid search and rescue
personnel locate those in distress.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302(a), 303, and 307(e).
Section Numbers and Titles:
95.1400 Basis and purpose.
95.1401 Frequency.
95.1402 Special requirements for 406 MHz PLBs.
Subpart L--Dedicated Short-Range Communications Service On-Board Units
(DSRCS-OBUS)
Brief Description: Part 95 contains the Commission rules
relating to personal radio services. Subpart L sets out the
regulations governing Dedicated Short-Range Communications Service
On-Board Units (DSRCS-OBUs) in the 5850-5925 MHz band.
Need: DSRC provides the critical communications link for
intelligent transportation systems, which according to the Secretary
of Transportation, are the key to achieving the United States
Department of Transportation's number one priority, reducing highway
fatalities. The rules in subpart L pertain to licensing of On-Board
Units, in-vehicle communications units.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302(a), 303, and 307(e).
Section Numbers and Titles:
95.1501 Scope.
95.1503 Eligibility.
95.1505 Authorized locations.
95.1507 Station identification.
95.1509 ASTM E2213-03 DSRC Standards.
95.1511 Frequencies available.
PART 97--AMATEUR RADIO SERVICES
Subpart A--General Provisions
Brief Description: Part 97 contains the Commission rules
relating to amateur radio services. Subpart A sets forth the general
provisions pertaining to Commission's scope and authority and
definitions related to amateur radio services.
Need: These rules are needed to define ``question pool,'' which
is the set of current examination questions for the written element
of the examination required to receive an amateur radio license as
it pertains to amateur radio services. The rules also provide the
definitions of technical symbols used in this part.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 151-155 and 301-609.
Section Number and Title:
97.3(a)(35), (b) Definitions.
Subpart B--Station Operation Standards
Brief Description: Part 97 contains the Commission rules
relating to amateur radio services. Subpart B sets forth station
operation standards for amateur radio services.
Need: These rules describe how amateur radio license operators
must indicate their license class (Novice, Technician, General,
Advanced, and Amateur Extra) using the license call sign.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303. 47 U.S.C. 151-155 and 301-609.
Section Number and Title:
97.119(f)(2)(3) Station identification.
Subpart F--Qualifying Examination Systems
Brief Description: Part 97 contains the Commission rules
relating to amateur radio services. Subpart F sets forth rules for
the examination required for new amateur operator license grants.
Need: This rule allows Volunteer Examiners (VEs) and Volunteer
Examiner-Coordinators (VECs) to be reimbursed by examinees for out-
of-pocket expenses related to the amateur operator license exam.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 47 U.S.C. 151-155 and 301-609.
Section Number and Title:
97.527 Reimbursement for expenses.
PART 101--FIXED MICROWAVE SERVICES
Subpart B--Applications and Licenses
Brief Description: Part 101 contains service and licensing rules
for Fixed Microwave Services. Subpart B establishes application and
licensing requirements for a number of different fixed microwave
services.
Need: The revised rules govern the relocation of fixed microwave
licensees in the 1850-1990 MHz, 2110-2150 MHz and 2160-2200 MHz
bands by mobile satellite service licensees (101.69(e)) and the
relocation of fixed microwave licensees in the 1910-1920 MHz and
2175-2180 MHz bands by Advanced Wireless Service (AWS) licensees
(101.69(f)).
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154 and 303.
Section Number and Title:
101.69 Transition of the 1850-1990 MHz, 2110-2150 MHz, and 2160-2200
MHz bands from the fixed microwave services to personal
communications services and emerging technologies.
Brief Description: Part 101 of the Commission's rules prescribes
the manner in which spectrum may be made available for private
operational, common carrier, 24 GHz Service, and Local Multipoint
Distribution Service fixed, microwave operations that require
transmitting facilities on land or in specified offshore coastal
areas within the continental shelf. Subpart B sets forth the general
filing requirements for applications and licenses in the Fixed
Microwave Services.
Need: The revised rules update frequency assignments to reflect
the reallocation of frequencies in the 18 GHz band from terrestrial
Fixed Service to the Fixed Satellite Service, as well as the
grandfathering of existing Fixed Service facilities.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154 and 303.
Section Numbers and Titles:
101.85 Transition of the 18.3-19.3 GHz band from the terrestrial
fixed services to the fixed-satellite service (FSS).
101.91 Involuntary relocation procedures.
101.95 Sunset provisions for licensees in the 18.30-19.30 GHz band.
101.97 Future licensing in the 18.30-19.30 GHz band.
Subpart C--Technical Standards
Brief Description: Part 101 of the Commission's rules prescribes
the manner in which spectrum may be made available for private
operational, common carrier, 24 GHz Service, and Local Multipoint
Distribution Service fixed, microwave operations that require
transmitting facilities on land or in specified offshore coastal
areas within the continental shelf. Subpart C sets forth technical
standards for applications, service and licensing rules for Fixed
Microwave Services.
Need: The revised rules establish revised technical standards
for Multiple Address Systems and Operational Fixed Stations and
establish the emissions mask for the 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz, 92-94
GHz, and 94.1-95 GHz bands (101.111(a)(2)(v)); establish
requirements for existing private operational fixed wireless
licensees applying to become common carrier licensees (101.133(e));
and establish frequency assignments for the 71-
[[Page 9305]]
76 GHz, 81-86 GHz, 92-94 GHz, and 94.1-95 GHz bands (101.147(z)).
The need for these rules is ongoing.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154 and 303.
Section Numbers and Titles:
101.105 Interference protection criteria.
101.107 Frequency tolerance.
101.111 Emission limitations.
101.113 Transmitter power limitations.
101.133(e) Limitations on use of transmitters.
101.135 Shared use of radio stations and the offering of private
carrier service.
101.147 Frequency assignments.
Subpart O--Multiple Address Systems
Brief Description: Part 101 of the Commission's rules prescribes
the manner in which spectrum may be made available for private
operational, common carrier, 24 GHz Service, and Local Multipoint
Distribution Service fixed, microwave operations that require
transmitting facilities on land or in specified offshore coastal
areas within the continental shelf. Subpart O sets forth the general
provisions, system license requirements, and system requirements for
Multiple Address Systems as well as the provisions implementing
section 309(j) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
authorizing the Commission to employ competitive bidding procedures
to resolve mutually exclusive applications for certain initial
licenses.
Need: The subpart O rules establish service and technical rules
applicable to Multiple Address Systems and implement the
Commission's competitive bidding authority under 47 U.S.C. 309(j).
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 303 and 309.
Section Numbers and Titles:
101.1307 Permissible communications.
101.1315 Service areas.
101.1331 Treatment of incumbents.
Subpart Q--Service and Technical Rules for the 70/80/90 GHz Bands
Brief Description: Part 101 contains service and licensing rules
for Fixed Microwave Services. Subpart Q sets forth the service,
licensing and technical rules for the 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz, 92-94
GHz, and 94.1-95 GHz bands (known colloquially as the 70/80/90 GHz
bands).
Need: These rules establish service, licensing and technical
rules for the 70/80/90 GHz bands. The need for these rules is
ongoing.
Legal Basis: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303.
Section Numbers and Titles:
101.1501 Service areas.
101.1505 Segmentation plan.
101.1507 Permissible operations.
101.1511 Regulatory status and eligibility.
101.1513 License term and renewal expectancy.
101.1523 Sharing and coordination among non-government licensees and
between non-government and government services.
101.1525 RF safety.
101.1527 Canadian and Mexican coordination.
[FR Doc. 2017-02221 Filed 2-2-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P