[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 241 (Friday, December 15, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64311-64314]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-27395]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Part 1755


RUS General Specification for Digital, Stored Program Controlled 
Central Office Equipment (Form 522)

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) hereby amends the RUS 
General Specification for Digital, Stored Program Controlled Central 
Office Equipment by eliminating the requirement for multiparty service 
and certain other technical aspects associated with this service. This 
amendment does not diminish public telephone service integrity.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This regulation is effective on January 16, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John J. Schell, Chief, Central Office 
Equipment Branch, Telecommunications Standards Division, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service, room 2836-S, 
Washington, DC 20250-1500, telephone (202) 720-0671.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 12866

    This final rule has been determined to be not-significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866 and therefore has not been reviewed 
by OMB.

Executive Order 12778

    This final rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12778, 
Civil Justice Reform. This final rule will not:
    (1) Preempt any State or local laws, regulations, or policies, 
unless they present an irreconcilable conflict with this rule;
    (2) Have any retroactive effect; and
    (3) Require administrative proceedings before parties may file suit 
challenging the provisions of this rule.

Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification

    RUS has determined that this final rule will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, as defined 
by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). The changes 
to the General Specification for Digital, Stored Program Controlled 
Central Office Equipment in this final rule are updates which have been 
made so that RUS telephone borrowers can continue to provide their 
subscribers with the most up-to-date and efficient telephone service.

Information Collection and Recordkeeping Requirements

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.), the information collection and recordkeeping 
requirements contained in this final rule have been approved by OMB 
under control number 0572-0059. Comments concerning these requirements 
should be directed to the United States Department of Agriculture, 
Clearance Office, OIRM, room 404-W, Washington, DC 20250 or to the 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, Attention: Desk 
Officer for USDA, room 10102, New Executive Office Building, 
Washington, DC 20503.

National Environmental Policy Act Certification

    RUS has determined that this final rule will not significantly 
affect the quality of the human environment as defined by the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). Therefore, 
this action does not require an environmental impact statement or 
assessment.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

    The program described by this final rule is listed in the Catalog 
of Federal Domestic Assistance Programs under No. 10.851, Rural 
Telephone Loans and Loan Guarantees, and 10.852, Rural Telephone Bank 
Loans. This catalog is available on a subscription basis from the 
Superintendent of Documents, the United States Government Printing 
Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325.

Executive Order 12372

    This final rule is excluded from the scope of Executive Order 
12372, Intergovernmental Consultation. A Notice of Final rule entitled 
Department Programs and Activities Excluded from Executive Order 12372 
(50 FR 47034) exempts RUS and RTB loans and loan guarantees to 
governmental and nongovernmental entities from coverage under this 
Order.

Background

    RUS makes loans and loan guarantees to telephone systems to provide 
and improve telecommunications service in rural areas, as authorized by 
the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 901 et 
seq., (RE Act). RUS issues construction standards and specifications 
for materials and equipment. In accordance with the RUS loan contract, 
these standards and specifications apply to facilities constructed by 
RUS telephone borrowers. The Rural Electrification Loan Restructuring 
Act of 1993 (RELRA) (107 Stat. 1356) contemplates elimination of 
multiparty service by telephone companies receiving RUS loans. This 
final rule eliminates the requirement in 7 CFR 1755.522 for multiparty 
service along with features which are associated with that service such 
as revertive calling and multifrequency ringing.
    Public comments regarding the proposed rule were received from AT&T 
and the United States Telephone Association. These comments were taken 
into consideration in preparing the final rule.
    1. Comment. One commenter stated that although there was no issue 
to be taken with the proposed rule as it stands, much of the remainder 
of RUS Form 522 is counter to the STMP requirements. The commenter 
recommended that all antiquated requirements be eliminated and an 
additional requirement be added which limits future funding by RUS to 
products which demonstrate available technology supporting STMP 
regulations.
    Response. RUS disagrees that the Form 522 is counter to the State 
Telecommunications Modernization Plan requirements. Form 522 is, and 
has always been, intended as a basic specification. Traditionally, RUS 
has left development of specifications for advanced telecommunication 
features to other sources within the telecommunications industry. RUS 
believes that the industry has provided, and will continue to provide, 
appropriate specifications for the necessary advanced features.
    2. Comment. One commenter commended RUS for proposing the 
elimination of the multiparty requirement and recommended that RUS 
conduct a review of all its regulations in order to identify and 
rescind all obsolete requirements.
    Response. RUS continuously reviews and updates regulations to keep 
them as technologically current as possible.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1755

    Loan programs-communications, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Rural areas, Telephone.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, chapter XVII of title 7 of 
the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows: 

[[Page 64312]]


PART 1755--TELECOMMUNICATIONS STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR 
MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION

    1. The authority citation for part 1755 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.; 1921 et seq.; Pub. L. 103-354, 
108 Stat. 3178 (7 U.S.C. 6941 et seq.).

    2. Section 1755.522 is amended by revising paragraphs (e)(5), 
(e)(6), (e)(7), (e)(11), and (e)(19)(vii), removing paragraph 
(f)(1)(ii), redesignating paragraph (f)(1)(iii) as paragraph 
(f)(1)(ii), removing paragraphs (g)(2)(ii), (g)(2)(iii) and (g)(8), 
redesignating paragraphs (g)(2)(iv) through (g)(2)(xv) as paragraphs 
(g)(2)(ii) through (g)(2)(xiii), and paragraphs (g)(9) through (g)(12) 
as paragraphs (g)(8) through (g)(11), revising paragraph (i)(2)(ix) and 
the text preceeding the table in paragraph (p)(1)(vi), amending 
paragraph (p)(3)(i) by removing the entry ``Revertive'' from the table, 
removing paragraph (r)(6), redesignating paragraphs (r)(7) and (r)(8) 
as paragraphs (r)(6) and (r)(7), and revising paragraph (s)(5)(ii)(A), 
the text preceeding the table in paragraph (s)(5)(ii)(C), and paragraph 
(s)(6)(ii) to read as follows:


Sec. 1755.522  RUS general specification for digital, stored program 
controlled central office equipment.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (5) The basic switching system shall include the provision of 
software programming and necessary hardware, including memory, for 
optional custom calling services such as call waiting, call forwarding, 
three-way calling, and abbreviated dialing. It shall be possible to 
provide these services to any individual line (single-party) 
subscriber. The addition of these services shall not reduce the 
anticipated ultimate engineered line, trunk, and traffic capacity of 
the switching system as specified in appendix A of this section.
    (6) The requirements in this specification apply only to single 
party lines. Although only single frequency ringing is required, other 
types may be requested in appendix A of this section.
    (7) Provision shall be made for local automatic message accounting 
(LAMA), and for traffic service position system (TSPS) trunks, or 
equivalent, to the operator's office when required either initially or 
in the future.
* * * * *
    (11) Provision shall be made for hotel-motel arrangements, as 
required by the owner, to permit the operation of message registers at 
the subscriber's premises to record local outdial calls by guests (see 
Item 10.5, appendix A of this section).
* * * * *
    (19) * * *
    (vii) If the 911 service bureau is holding a calling line, it shall 
be possible for the 911 line to cause the equipment to ring back the 
calling line. This is done by providing a flash of on-hook signal from 
the 911 line lasting from 200 to 1,100 milliseconds. The signal to the 
calling line shall be ringing current if the line is on-hook, or 
receiver off-hook (ROH) tone if the line is off-hook.
* * * * *
    (i) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ix) Distinctive tone, when required for alarm calls, or other 
features, shall consist of high tone interrupted at 200 IPM with tone 
on 150 ms and off 150 ms.
* * * * *
    (p) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (vi) The traffic capacity in the following table should be used for 
small trunk groups such as pay station, special service trunks, 
intercept, and PBX trunks, unless otherwise specified in appendix A of 
this section:
* * * * *
    (s) * * *
    (5) * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (A) The ringing generators shall have an output voltage which 
approximates a sine wave and, as a minimum, shall be suitable for 
ringing straight-line ringers. Although not a requirement for RUS 
listing, decimonic, synchromonic, or harmonic ringing may also be 
specified in appendix A of this section.
* * * * *
    (C) The output of each generator shall have three or more voltage 
taps or a single tap with associated variable control. Taps or control 
shall be easily accessible as installed in the field. Software control 
of ringing generator outputs via I/O devices may be provided in lieu of 
taps. The taps, or equivalent, shall be designated L, M, and H. The 
variable control shall have a locking device to prevent accidental 
readjustment. The outputs at the terminals of the generators with a 
voltage input of 52.1 volts and rated full resistive load shall be as 
follows for the ringing frequencies provided:
* * * * *
    (6) * * *
    (ii) The ringing cycle provided by the interrupter equipment shall 
not exceed 6 seconds in length. The ringing period shall be 2 seconds.
* * * * *
    3. Appendix A to 7 CFR 1755.522 is amended by revising items 6., 
7., and 10. to read as follows:

Appendix A to 7 CFR 1755.522--Specification for Digital, Stored 
Program Controlled Central Office Equipment Detailed Requirements 
(Host)

* * * * *
    6. Line Circuit Requirements (Includes all lines associated with 
RST's.)
6.1  Types of Lines

                                                                                                                                                        
                                                             No. of lines                                                                               
                                      ----------------------------------------------------------       No. of EAS areas           Total No. of lines    
                                            Local service only       both local and EAS service                                        required         
6.1.1  Individual--Flat Rate.........  ____________                 ____________                 ____________                 ____________              
6.1.2  Individual--Message Rate......  ____________                 ____________                 ____________                 ____________              
6.1.3  Pay Station...................  ____________                 ____________                 ____________                 ____________              
6.1.4  Telephone Company Official      ____________                 ____________                 ____________                 ____________              
 Lines.                                                                                                                                                 
6.1.5  Wire Chief....................  ____________                 ____________                 ____________                 ____________              
6.1.6  911 Emergency Service Bureau    ____________                 ____________                 ____________                 ____________              
 Lines.                                                                                                                                                 
6.1.7  Number Hunting PBX Groups:....  ____________                 ____________                 ____________                 ____________              


                                                                                                                                                        

[[Page 64313]]
                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                       Type                        No. of lines                                         
 No. of                   Direct in dial    Restricted   ----------------------------------------------------------------   No. of EAS     Total No. of 
lines in   No. of groups         *        service at COE                                   Local service  Both local and       areas      lines required
  group                                                    Ground start     Loop start         only         EAS service                                 
______    ______          ______          ______          ______          ______          ______          ______          ______          ______        
______    ______          ______          ______          ______          ______          ______          ______          ______          ______        
______    ______          ______          ______          ______          ______          ______          ______          ______          ______        
______    ______          ______          ______          ______          ______          ______          ______          ______          ______        
______    ______          ______          ______          ______          ______          ______          ______          ______          ______        
* Furnish translation information under Item 5.                                                                                                         


6.1.8  WATS Lines (Give details in Appendix A, Item 16)
    Number of Inward WATS Lines ________
    Number of Outward WATS Lines ________
6.1.9  Special Lines Required ________ (Explain in Item 16, Appendix 
A)
6.1.10  Total Number of Lines Required
    Host ______ (Incl. DDI Concentrator Lines)
    RST 1 ______
    RST 2 ______
    RST 3 ______
    Total ______
6.1.11  Total Director Numbers Required ______
    (Including RST's) (see Item 7.1, Appendix A)
6.1.12  Pay Station
    Type ____________
    New ____      Reused ____
    (Describe in Item 16, Appendix A)
6.1.13  Line Concentrator
6.1.13.1  Supplied by Owner (see Item 16, Appendix A, for details)
    ____ Yes      ____ No
6.1.13.2  Supplied by Bidder (If ``Yes'', attach REA Form 397g, 
Performance Specification for Line Concentrators)
    ____ Yes      ____ No
6.2.  Data on Lines Required Range Extension
6.2.1  Number of non-pay station lines having a loop resistance, 
including the telephone set, as follows:

                                                     No. of lines       
1901-3200 ohms.............................  ______                     
3201-3600 ohms.............................  ______                     
                                                                        

6.2.2  Number of pay station lines having loop resistance, excluding 
the telephone set, greater than:

                                                     No. of lines       
1200 ohms (For Prepay).....................  ______                     
1000 ohms (For Semi-Postpay Operation).....  ______                     
                                                                        

6.2.3  Range extension equipment is to be provided:
6.2.3.1  Loop Extenders: Total Quantity ______
    By Bidder--Quantity ______
    By Owner--Quantity ______
    (Explain in Item 16, Appendix A)
6.2.3.2  VF Repeaters: Total Quantity ______
    By Bidder--Quantity ______
    (Bidder must have information on loading and cable size.)
    By Owner--Quantity ______
    (Explain in Item 16, Appendix A)
6.2.3.3  Range extension may be furnished as an extended range line 
circuit at the option of the supplier. If this option is used, the 
quantities of loop extenders and VF repeaters will be different from 
the quantities listed above (see Item 6.1,a, Appendix C).
    ____ Yes      ____ No

7. Traffic Data-Line Originating and Terminating Traffic

7.1  Originating Line Traffic--Estimated per Busy Hour (Includes all 
Lines Associated With RST's):

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    (a)  CCS per Main Station     (b) No. of Main Stations           (axb) Total CCS          No. of Lines Required \1\ 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ind.--Res.......................  __________                    __________                    __________                    __________                  
Ind.--Bus.......................  __________                    __________                    __________                    __________                  
Special Lines...................  __________                    __________                    __________                    __________                  
Pay Station.....................  __________                    __________                    __________                    __________                  
Telco Official..................  __________                    __________                    __________                    __________                  
Wire Chief......................  __________                    __________                    __________                    __________                  
No. Htg. or PBX.................  __________(\2\)               __________(\3\)               __________                    __________                  
WATS............................  __________                    __________                    __________                    __________                  
Data Service....................  __________                    __________                    __________                    __________                  
911 Emerg. Service..............  __________                    __________                    __________                    __________                  
  Total.........................  ............................  __________                    __________                    __________(\4\)             
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  ............................               (c)                           (d)                           (e)            
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ See Appendix A, Item 6.1.                                                                                                                           
\2\ This figure is the CCS per PBX trunk.                                                                                                               
\3\ This figure is the number of PBX trunks.                                                                                                            
\4\ This is the total number of line equipments required. The number to be provided will be determined by the equipment design of the system of the     
  selected bidder. See Appendix C, Item 3.1.1.2.                                                                                                        

7.2  Average Originating CCS per Line per Busy Hour
    (d)/(e)=____/ ____=____ CCS/Line
    This office shall be engineered to handle an initial average 
originating busy hour traffic of ____ CCS per line. It is 
anticipated that the average originating busy hour traffic will 
increase to ____ CCS per line.
    Originating Traffic Attributed to Host Only ____ CCS/Line
7.3  Terminating Traffic--Estimated CCS per Busy Hour
    It is assumed that the total CCS for terminating traffic is the 
same as for originating traffic. Since digital switch networks are 
on a terminal per line basis, the terminating CCS per line will be 
the same as the originating CCS per line as shown in Item 7.2, 
Appendix A.
    Terminating Traffic Attributed to Host Only ____ CCS/Line
7.4  Percent of Pushbutton Lines ____
7.5  Anticipated Ultimate Capacity (20 years)

[[Page 64314]]

7.5.1  Subscriber Lines
    Host ________ (Incl. DDI Concentrator Lines)
    RST 1 ________
    RST 2 ________
    RST 3 ________
    Total ________
* * * * *

10. Miscellaneous Operating Features

10.1  Busy Verification
10.1.1  By dedicated trunk from toll operator: ____
10.1.1.1  One-Way, Inward ____
10.1.1.2  Two-Way (Busy verification inward, intercept outward) ____
10.1.2  By prefix digit over intertoll trunk ____
    (Indicate digit(s) dialed) ____
10.1.3  Access by Switchman
10.1.3.1  Dedicated Trunk ____
10.1.3.2  Multiple of Operator Trunk ____
10.2  Intercept Facilities
10.2.1  Vacant code, disconnected number, and unassigned number 
intercept shall be: (Check One)
    By recorded announcement:
    Without cut-through to operator ____
    With cut-through to operator ____
    By operator ____
10.2.2  Changed number intercept shall be: (Check One)
    By recorded announcement:
    Without cut-through to operator ____
    With cut-through to operator ____
    By operator ____
    By automatic intercept system (AIS) in distant office ____
10.2.3  Method of Reaching Operator, if required:
    Separate trunk group ____
    Regular interoffice toll trunks with idle trunk selecting over 
at least three trunks when three or more toll trunks are equipped 
____
10.2.4  Number of separate intercept trunk circuits ____
10.3  Line Load Control
10.3.1  Line load control facilities are:
    ____ Required    ____ Not Required
    (Explain in Item 16, Appendix A)
10.4  Service Observing Facilities
10.4.1  Service observing facilities are:
    ____ Required    ____ Not Required
    (Explain in Item 16, Appendix A)
10.5  Hotel-Motel Arrangements
10.5.1  Hotel-motel arrangements for operation of message registers 
at the subscriber's premises are:
    ____ Required    ____ Not Required
    (Explain in Item 16, Appendix A)
10.5.1.1  How are message registers to be activated?
    Line Reversal ____
    Third Wire ____
    Other ____
    (Explain in Item 16, Appendix A)
10.6  Nailed-Up Connections
    ____ Required    ____ Not Required
    (Explain in Item 16, Appendix A)
10.7  Vertical Services: (RST Lines are Included)

                                                                                                                
                                                     Initially                             Ultimate             
                                                                                                                
10.7.1  Call Waiting--No. of Lines....  ____________                         ____________                       
10.7.2  Call Forwarding--No. of Lines.  ____________                         ____________                       
        ____Local    ____Remote         ...................................  ...................................
        (Explain in Item 16, Appendix                                                                           
         A).                                                                                                    
10.7.3  Abbreviated Dialing No. of      ____________                         ____________                       
 Lines.                                                                                                         
        No. of Codes per Line ____for   ...................................  ...................................
         ____Lines                                                                                              
        No. of Codes per Line ____for   ...................................  ...................................
         ____Lines                                                                                              
10.7.4  Three-Way Calling--No. of       ____________                         ____________                       
 Lines.                                                                                                         
        CCS Per Line..................  ____________                         ____________                       
                                                                                                                

10.7.5  Other ____


(Explain in Item 16, Appendix A)

* * * * *

Appendix B to 7 CFR 1755.522--[Amended]

    4. Appendix B to 7 CFR 1755.522 is amended by removing items 1.2 
and 1.3 and redesignating items 1.4 through 1.9 as items 1.2 through 
1.7, respectively.
    5. Appendix C to 7 CFR 1755.522 is amended by revising item 3.1.3.1 
to read as follows:

Appendix C to 7 CFR 1755.522--Specifications for Digital, Stored 
Program Controlled Central Office Equipment Detailed Requirements--
Bidder Supplied Information

* * * * *
3.1.3.1  The number of directory numbers provided shall be based on 
the total directory numbers required (Item 6.1.11, appendix A), as 
modified by the memory increment of the proposed system.
* * * * *
    Dated: October 30, 1995.
Jill Long Thompson,
Under Secretary, Rural Economic and Community Development.
[FR Doc. 95-27395 Filed 12-14-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P--M