[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 7, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 20505]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-11438]



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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 1

[CC Docket No. 92-237; DA 96-678]


Carrier Identification Codes

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: On April 30, 1996, the Commission released a public notice 
seeking further comments to the Commission's Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking (Administration of the North American Numbering Plan), CC 
Docket No. 92-237 specifically on the issue of the appropriate length 
of the transition period for the expansion of carrier identification 
codes (CICs) from three to four digits. The intended effect of this 
action is to seek further comments because the record on the NPRM is 
two years old, and significant events have occurred since the record 
closed.

DATES: Comments must be filed on or before May 21, 1996, and reply 
comments must be filed on or before May 28, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M Street, N.W., 
Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Ward, (202) 418-2336, Elizabeth 
Nightingale, (202) 418-2352, or Mary DeLuca, (202) 418-2334, all of the 
Common Carrier Bureau, Network Services Division.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Released: April 30, 1996.

    1. On April 4, 1994, the Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking (CC Docket No. 92-237) addressing various issues relating to 
administration of the North American Numbering Plan and tentatively 
concluding, regarding carrier identification codes (CICs), that the 
industry's plan to expand Feature Group D (FGD) CICs from three to four 
digits, in the event of exhaust of the three digit codes, was 
reasonable to ensure that the demand for CICs could be met. 
Administration of the North American Numbering Plan, Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking, 9 FCC Rcd 2068 (1994) (NPRM)(59 FR 24103 (05/10/94)). The 
NPRM also tentatively concluded that the transition or permissive 
dialing period for the expansion, during which both three and four 
digit CICs would be recognized, should last six years. The pleading 
cycle in response to the NPRM closed on June 30, 1994.
    2. The record on the NPRM is two years old, and significant events 
have occurred since the record closed: (1) The assignment of 
exclusively four digit FGD CICs has begun, and in turn the transition 
period has begun; (2) there has been an unexpected increase in the 
demand for CICs, due to new uses for the codes recently discovered by 
the industry; (3) we now expect an even greater demand for CICs, with 
the anticipated increase in carriers entering the market as a result of 
the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Pub.L. 104-104, 110 Stat. 56 (1996) 
(1996 Act); and (4) the local exchange carriers are now obligated to 
provide dialing parity under Section 251 of the 1996 Act, see 47 U.S.C. 
251(b)(3).
    3. We seek, therefore, to refresh the record in CC Docket No. 92-
237 specifically on the issue of the appropriate length of the 
transition period. Commenters should limit their comments to updated 
factual information in light of the recent events described above. We 
ask that parties neither simply reiterate their previous comments nor 
raise any new issues, but confine their discussion to how the length of 
the transition period has been affected, if at all.
    4. Comments and reply comments in response to this Notice should be 
no more than 10 pages, and otherwise in compliance with Sections 1.415 
and 1.419 of the Commission's rules. Comments must be filed on or 
before May 21, 1996, and reply comments must be filed on or before May 
28, 1996. Comments and reply comments must be sent to the Office of the 
Secretary, FCC, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. Two copies 
should also be sent to the Network Services Division, Common Carrier 
Bureau, FCC, Room 235, 2000 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. One 
copy should also be sent to the Commission's contractor for public 
service records duplication: ITS, Inc., 2100 M Street, N.W., Suite 140, 
Washington, D.C. 20037. Comments and reply comments will be available 
for public inspection during regular business hours in the FCC 
Reference Center, Room 239, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 
20554. Copies can also be obtained from ITS at (202) 857-3800.
    5. We will continue to treat this proceeding as non-restricted for 
purposes of the Commission's ex parte rules. See generally 47 CFR 
Secs. 1.1200-1.1216. For further information contact, David Ward (202/
418-2336), Elizabeth Nightingale (202/418-2352), or Mary DeLuca (202/
418-2334) of the Network Services Division, Common Carrier Bureau.

Federal Communications Commission
Geraldine Matise,
Chief, Network Services Division, Common Carrier Bureau.
[FR Doc. 96-11438 Filed 5-6-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P