[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]
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