[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 68 (Monday, April 8, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15441-15442]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-8597]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 68
[CC Docket No. 96-28; FCC 96-39]
Harmonization of U.S. Network Protection Standard With Canadian
Network Protection Standard
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: On February 2, 1996, the Commission adopted a Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). The NPRM is intended to address issues
associated with ``harmonizing'' U.S. and Canadian requirements for
connection of terminal equipment to the public switched network. It
seeks comment on whether amending of the Commission's rules regarding
network protection would foster greater efficiencies in manufacturing
terminal equipment without threatening the reliability of the public
network. The Commission's network protection rules govern the terms and
conditions under which customer-provided terminal equipment may be
connected to the network.
DATES: Comments must be filed on or before April 1, 1996, and reply
comments must be filed on or before April 16, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20554.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marian Gordon, Network Services
Division, Special Counsel, Common Carrier Bureau, (202) 418-2337.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This summarizes the Commission's Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking in the Matter of Amendment of Part 68 of the
Commission's Rules. (CC Docket No. 96-28, FCC 96-39, adopted February
2, 1996, and released February 29, 1996). The file is available for
inspection and copying during the weekday hours of 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
in the Commission's Reference Center, Room 239, 1919 M St., N.W.,
Washington D.C., or copies may be purchased from the Commission's
duplicating contractor, ITS, Inc. 2100 M St., N.W., Suite 140,
Washington, D.C. 20037, phone (202) 857-3800.
Analysis of Proceeding
The Commission proposes amendments to Part 68 of its rules to
foster barrier-free trade between Canada and the United States. The
proposed rules are designed to foster greater efficiencies in
manufacturing terminal equipment without threatening the reliability of
the public switched network. Under the proposed rules, the technical
requirements of Part 68 and the Canadian network protection standard
CS-03 would be harmonized so that a manufacturer in one country could
design terminal equipment to a single, consistent set of technical
standards accepted in either the U.S. or Canada. The Commission
tentatively concludes that its proposed rules amending Part 68 will
eliminate unnecessary differences in terminal attachment requirements
between the United States and Canada. It further tentatively concludes
that this is consistent with the spirit and letter of the North
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which mandates elimination of
trade barriers through reconciliation of differences in standards and
testing procedures. The Commission also tentatively concludes that the
proposed rules will become a guide for harmonization efforts around the
world and will benefit consumers by creating a more competitive
equipment marketplace, thereby lowering
[[Page 15442]]
equipment costs. It tentatively concludes that the proposed rules are
consistent with the Commission's longstanding commitment to ensure that
no public harm results from attachment of private equipment to the
public switched network.
Ordering Clauses
Accordingly, it is ordered, pursuant to Sections 1, 4(i) and (j),
201-205, 218 of the Communications Act as amended, 47 U.S.C. 151,
154(i), 154(j), 201-205, and 218, that notice is hereby given of the
proposed changes to Part 68 to harmonize it with Canada's CS-03
certification requirements and comment is invited on this proposal.
List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 68
Registered terminal equipment, Telephone.
Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-8597 Filed 4-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P