[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 159 (Thursday, August 15, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42386-42394]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-18480]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Parts 2 and 68

[CC Docket No. 93-268; FCC 96-1]


Inclusion of Terminal Equipment Connected to Basic Rate Access 
Service Provided via Integrated Services Digital Network Access 
Technology and Terminal Equipment Connected to Public Switched Digital 
Service

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: On January 11, 1996, the Commission adopted a Report and Order 
regarding network protection to include terminal equipment connected to 
the two-wire Basic Rate Access (BRA) interface and the Integrated 
Services Digital Network (ISDN) access technology. The Order further 
addresses petitions for amendment of its network protection rules to 
include terminal equipment for Public Switched Digital Service (PSDS) 
and adopts rules to govern revocation of equipment registration. This 
action will promote end-to-end digital connectivity for consumers.

EFFECTIVE DATE: November 13, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill von Alven, Senior Engineer (202) 
418-2342 or Marian Gordon, Special Counsel, Network Services Division, 
Common Carrier Bureau, (202) 418-2337.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This summarizes the Commission's Order in 
the matter of Petition to Amend part 68 of the Commission's Rules to 
Include Terminal Equipment Connected to Basic Rate Access Service 
Provided via Integrated Services Digital Network Access Technology and 
Petition to Amend part 68 of the Commission's Rules to Include Terminal 
Equipment Connected to Public Switched Digital Services, file is 
available for inspection and copying during the weekday hours of 9 a.m. 
to 4:30 p.m. in the Commission's duplicating contractor, ITS, Inc. 2100 
M St., NW., Suite 140, Washington, DC. 20037, phone (202)857-2800.

Analysis of Proceeding

    1. In the Order, the Commission adopts final rules to amend part 68 
of the Commission's rules which governs the terms and conditions under 
which customer-provided terminal equipment may be connected to the 
telephone network. Part 68 is designed to ensure that customers and 
manufacturers can connect terminal equipment to the telephone network 
without causing harm to the network.
    2. The Commission amends part 68 to include terminal equipment 
connected to the two-wire Basic Rate Access (BRA) interface and the 
four-wire Primary Rate Access (PRA) interface associated with the 
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) access technology. In this 
Order, the Commission further amends part 68 to include terminal 
equipment for Public Switched Digital Service (PSDS) in the 
Commission's equipment registration program and adopts rules to govern 
revocation of part 68 registration and clarify other aspects of its 
rules.

Ordering Clauses

    3. Accordingly, it is ordered, pursuant to authority contained in 
Sections 1, 4(i), 4(j), 201-205 and 403 of the Communications Act of 
1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 201-205, 225, and 403, 
part 2 and part 68 of the Commission's rules are amended as set fourth 
below.
    4. It is further ordered that the rules and requirements set forth 
below to include terminal equipment for ISDN and PSDS into part 58, and 
the rules for part 68 registration revocation are adopted.

List of Subjects

47 CFR Part 2

    Certification, Equipment authorization, Federal Commmunications 
Commission.

47 CFR Part 68

    Federal Communications Commission, Registered terminal equipment, 
Telephone.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.

Rule Changes

    Parts 2 and 68 of chapter I of title 47 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations are amended as follows:

PART 2--FREQUENCY ALLOCATIONS AND RADIO TREATY MATTERS; GENERAL 
RULES AND REGULATIONS

    1. The authority citation for part 2 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 202, 203, 204, 205, 208, 215, 218, 
313, 314, 404, 410, 602 unless otherwise noted.


Sec. 2.1302   [Amended]

    2. Section 2.1302 is amended by removing the words ``two copies'' 
and adding in their place the words ``one copy.''

[[Page 42387]]

PART 68--CONNECTION OF TERMINAL EQUIPMENT TO THE TELEPHONE NETWORK

    3. The authority citation for part 68 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154, 155, 201-205, 208, 215, 218, 220, 
226, 227, 303, 313, 314, 403, 404, 410, 412, 522.

    4. Section 68.2 is amended by revising paragraph (a) introductory 
text, and adding paragraphs (a)(9), (a)(10), (j) and (k) to read as 
follows:


Sec. 68.2   Scope.

    (a) General. Except as provided for in paragraphs (b), (c), (d), 
(e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j) and (k) of this section, the rules and 
regulations apply to direct connection:
* * * * *
    (9) Of all terminal equipment to Public Switched Digital Service 
(PSDS) Type I, II or III.
    (10) Of all terminal equipment to the Integrated Services Digital 
Network (ISDN) Basic Rate Access (BRA) or Primary Rate Access (PRA).
* * * * *
    (j) Grandfathered equipment for connection to PSDS (Type I, II or 
III). (1) Terminal equipment, including its premises wiring directly 
connected to PSDS (Type I, II or III) on or before January 1, 1996, may 
remain for service life without registration, unless subsequently 
modified. Service life means the life of the equipment until retired 
from service. Modification means changes to the equipment that affect 
compliance with Part 68.
    (2) New installation of terminal equipment, including its premises 
wiring, may occur until July 1, 1997, without registration of any 
terminal equipment involved, provided that the terminal equipment is of 
a type directly connected to PSDS (Type I, II or III) as of January 1, 
1996. This to PSDS (Type I, II or III) for service life without 
registration unless subsequently modified.
    (k) Grandfathered equipment for connection to ISDN BRA or PRA: (1) 
Terminal equipment, including premises wiring directly connected to 
ISDN BRA or PRA on January 1, 1996, may remain connected to ISDN BRA or 
PRA for service life without registration, unless subsequently 
modified.
    (2) New installation of terminal equipment, including premises 
wiring, may occur until July 1, 1997, without registration of any 
terminal equipment involved, provided that the terminal equipment is of 
a type directly connected to ISDN BRA or PRA as of January 1, 1996. 
This terminal equipment may remain connected and be reconnected to ISDN 
BRA or PRA for service life without registration unless subsequently 
modified.
    5. Section 68.3 is amended by revising the definition of ``Test 
equipment'', by removing in the definition of Zero level decoder the 
words ``See Figure 68.3(j)'' and adding in their place ``See Figure 
68.3(l)'', adding the remaining definitions in alphabetical order, 
adding Figure 68.3(m) and revising Figures 68.3(a), 68.3(b), and 
68.3(l) to read as follows:


Sec. 68.3   Definitions.

* * * * *
    ISDN Basic Rate Interface: A two-wire interface between the 
terminal equipment and ISDN BRA. The tip and ring leads shall be 
treated as telephone connections for the purpose of fulfilling 
registration conditions.
    ISDN Primary Rate Interface: A four-wire interface between the 
terminal equipment and 1.544 Mbps ISDN PRA. The tip, ring, tip-1, and 
ring-1 leads shall be treated as telephone connections for the purpose 
of fulfilling registration conditions.
* * * * *
    PSDS Type II Analog Mode Loop Simulator Circuit: A circuit 
simulating the network side of the two-wire telephone connection that 
is used for testing terminal equipment to be connected to the PSDS Type 
II loops. Figure 68.3(m) shows the type of circuit required. Other test 
circuit configurations may be used provided they operate at the same DC 
voltage and current characteristics and AC impedance characteristics 
presented in the illustrated circuit. When utilized, the simulator 
should be operated over the entire range of loop resistances, and with 
the indicated voltage limits and polarities. Whenever the loop current 
is changed, sufficient time shall be allowed for the current to reach a 
steady-state condition before continuing testing.
    Public Switched Digital Service Type I (PSDS Type I): This service 
functions only in a digital mode. It employs a transmission rate of 56 
Kbps on both the transmit and receive pairs to provide a four-wire full 
duplex digital channel. Signaling is accomplished using bipolar 
patterns which include bipolar violations.
    Public Switched Digital Service Type II (PSDS Type II): This 
service functions in two modes, analog and digital. Analog signaling 
procedures are used to perform supervisory and address signaling over 
the network. After an end-to-end connection is established, the 
Switched Circuit Data Service Unit (SCDSU) is switched to the digital 
mode. The time compression multiplexing (TCM) transmission operated at 
a digital transmission speed of 144 Kbps to provide full-duplex 56 Kbps 
on the two-wire access line.
    Public Switched Digital Service Type III (PSDS Type III): This 
service functions only in a digital mode. It uses a time compression 
multiplexing (TCM) rate of 160 Kbps, over one pair, to provide two 
full-duplex channels--an 8 Kbps signaling channel for supervisory and 
address signaling, and a 64 Kbps user data channel on a two-wire access 
line.
    Switched Circuit Data Service Unit (SCDSU): A CPE device, with PSDS 
functionality, located between the Network Interface and the data 
terminal equipment. (It also is sometimes referred to as Network 
Channel Terminating Equipment).
* * * * *
    Test Equipment: Equipment connected at the customer's premises that 
is used on the customer's side of the network interfaces to measure 
characteristics of the telephone network, or to detect and isolate a 
communications fault between a terminal equipment entity and the 
telephone network. Registration is required for test equipment capable 
of functioning as portable traffic recorded or equipment capable of 
transmitting or receiving test tones; except registration is not 
required for devices used by telephone companies solely for network 
installation and maintenance activities such as hand-held data 
terminals, linesmen's handsets, and subscriber line diagnostic devices.
* * * * *

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Sec. 68.104   [Amended]

    6. Section 68.104(b), is amended by removing ``..68.308(a)(4)(i) or 
(ii)'', and adding in its place ``..68.308(b)(4)(i) or (ii)''.


Sec. 68.112   [Amended]

    7. Section 68.112(b)(2), is amended by removing the word 
``policy'', and adding in its place the word ``police''.
    8. Section 68.200, is amended removing the words ``two copies'', 
and adding in their place the words ``one copy'' in the introductory 
text; and revising paragraph (d) to read as follows:


Sec. 68.200   Application for equipment registration.

* * * * *
    (d) A statement that the terminal equipment or protective circuitry 
complies with and will continue to comply with the rules and 
regulations in subpart D of this part, accompanied by such test 
results, description of test procedures, analyses, evaluations, quality 
control standards and quality assurance standards as are necessary to 
demonstrate that such terminal equipment or protective circuitry 
complies with and will continue to comply with all the applicable rules 
and regulations in subpart D of this part. The Common Carrier Bureau 
will publish a Registration Application Guide referencing acceptable 
test procedures; but other test methods may be employed provided they 
are fully described in the application and are found acceptable by the 
Commission.
* * * * *


Sec. 68.208   [Amended]

    9. Section 68.208(a) is amended by removing the words ``of this 
part of which'', and adding in their place ``of this part or which''.
    10. Section 68.211 is added to subpart C to read as follows:


Sec. 68.211   Registration revocation procedures.

    (a) Cause for revocation. The Commission may revoke the Part 68 
registration of a registrant:
    (1) Who has obtained the equipment registration by 
misrepresentation;
    (2) Whose registered equipment is shown to cause harm to the 
network;
    (3) Who willfully or repeatedly fails to comply with the terms and 
conditions of its Part 68 registration; or
    (4) Who willfully or repeatedly fails to comply with any rule, 
regulation or order issued by the Commission under the Communications 
Act of 1934 relating to equipment registration.
    (b) Notice of Intent to Revoke Part 68 Registration. Before 
revoking a Part 68 registration under the provisions of this section, 
the Commission, or the Common Carrier Bureau under delegated authority, 
will issue a written Notice of Intent to Revoke Part 68 Registration, 
or Joint Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture and Intent to 
Revoke Part 68 Registration pursuant to Secs. 1.80 and 1.89 of this 
chapter.
    (1) Contents of the Notice. The Notice will:
    (i) Identify the registration date(s) and registration number(s) of 
the equipment, and the rule or federal law apparently violated;
    (ii) Set forth the nature of the act or omission charged against 
the registrant, and the facts upon which such charge is based;
    (iii) Specify that in the event of revocation, the registrant may 
not reapply for registration of the same product for a period of six 
months; and
    (iv) Specify that revocation of the registration may be in addition 
to, or in lieu of, an amount in forfeiture levied pursuant to Sec. 1.80 
of this chapter.
    (c) Delivery. The Notice will be sent via certified mail to the 
registrant at the address certified in the Part 68 application 
associated with the registration at issue.
    (d) Response. The registrant will be given a reasonable period of 
time (usually 30 days from the date of the Notice) to show, in writing, 
why its part 68 registration should not be revoked or why the 
forfeiture penalty should not be imposed or should be reduced.
    (e) Reapplication. A registrant whose registration has been revoked 
may not apply for registration of the same product for a period of six 
months from the date of revocation of the registration.
    (f) Reconsideration or appeal. A registrant who is issued a 
revocation of equipment registration and/or forfeiture assessment may 
request reconsideration or make administrative appeal of the decision 
pursuant to Part 1 of the Commission's rules--Practice and Procedure, 
Part 1 of this chapter.
    11. Section 68.300(c) is added to read as follows:


Sec. 68.300  Labelling requirements.

* * * * *
    (c) When the device is so small or for such use that it is not 
practical to place the labelling information specified in paragraphs 
(a) and (b) of this section, the information required by these 
paragraphs shall be placed in a prominent place in user instructions. 
The FCC Registration Number and the device Model Number, however, must 
be displayed on the device. All lettering on the label must be 
discernible without magnification.
    12. Section 68.308 is amended by revising paragraph (a), adding 
paragraphs (b)(1)(viii) and (b)(2)(iii), revising paragraph 
(b)(7)(ii)(C), removing from the table in paragraph (f)(2)(ii) the 
words ``20 kHz'' and inserting in their place the words ``120 kHz'', 
revising paragraph (h)(2) introductory text, Table III in paragraph 
(h)(2)(ii), the first sentence of paragraph (h)(2)(v), and adding 
paragraph (h)(3) to read as follows:


Sec. 68.308  Signal power limitations.

    (a) General. Limitation on signal power shall be met at the 
interface for all 2-wire network ports, tip and ring conductors to PSDS 
Types II and III, and, where applicable to services, both transmit and 
receive pairs of all 4-wire network ports. Signal power measurements 
will be made using terminations as specified in each of the following 
limitations. The transmit and receive pairs of 4-wire network ports 
shall be measured with the pair not under test connected to a 
termination equivalent to that specified for the pair under test. 
Through-gain limitations apply only in the direction of transmission to 
the network.
    (b) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (viii) For PSDS (Types I, II and III) terminal equipment when in 
the digital mode of transmission, the maximum equivalent power of any 
encoded analog signal (other than live voice) shall not exceed -12dBm 
when averaged over any 3-second interval. The equivalent analog power 
shall be derived by a zero-level decoder at the network interface to 
PSDS (Type II or III) facilities.
    (2) * * *
    (iii) For PSDS (Types I, II and III) terminal equipment, when in 
the digital mode of transmission, the maximum equivalent power of any 
encoded analog signal shall not exceed -3dBm when averaged over any 3-
second time interval. The equivalent analog signal shall be derived by 
a zero-level decoder located at the network interface to PSDS (Type II 
or III) facilities.
* * * * *
    (7) * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (C) Except for class A OPS interfaces, the dc current into the OPS 
line simulator circuit must be at least 20 mA for the following 
conditions (see Fig. 68.3(f)):

                                 R2 + RL                                
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Condition                        Class B  Class C
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.....................................................      600     1300

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2.....................................................     1800     2500
------------------------------------------------------------------------


* * * * *
    (h) * * *
    (2) Limitations on Terminal Equipment Connecting to 1.544 Mbps 
Digital Services and ISDN PRA Services--
    (i) * * *
    (ii) * * *

                                Table III                               
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pulse Height (volts)......................  2.4 to 3.6.                 
Pulse Width (half amplitude) (nsec).......  324 +/-45.                  
Maximum rise or fall time; from 10% to 90%  100.                        
 points (nsec).                                                         
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    (v) Encoded analog content. If registered terminal equipment 
connected to 1.544 Mbps digital service or to ISDN PRA service contains 
an analog-to-digital converter, or generates signals in digital form 
which are intended for eventual conversion to voiceband analog signals, 
the encoded analog content of the subrate channels of the ISDN 
information bearing channels within the 1.544 Mbps signal must be 
limited. * * *
* * * * *
    (3) Pulse Repetition Rate. For PSDS (Type II) the pulse repetition 
rate shall be a maximum of 144,000 pulses per second +/-5 pulses per 
second; for PSDS (Type III) the pulse repetition rate shall be a 
maximum of 160,000 pulses per +/-5 pulses per second.
    (i) Template for maximum output pulse. When applied to a 135 ohm 
resistor the instantaneous amplitude of the largest isolated output 
pulse obtainable from the registered terminal equipment shall fall 
within the template of Table IV(A) for PSDS Type II or Table IV(B) for 
PSDS Type III. The limiting pulse template shall be defined by passing 
an ideal 50% duty cycle rectangular pulse within he amplitude/pulse 
rate characteristics of Table IV(A) or Table IV(B) through a 1-pole 
low-pass filter with a 3dB frequency of 260 kHz.
    (ii) Below is the template for maximum output pulse:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Pulse characteristics                            Table IV(A)                         Table IV(B)      
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pulse Height +/-5%......................  2.6 volts +/-5%.............................  2.4. volts              
Pulse Width--100ns......................  3472.2 +/-150ns.............................  3125 +/-.               
Max Rise or Fall Time--microsecond......   100ns......................................  1.2.                    
    (From 10% to 90% points) microsecond  ............................................  +/- 0.2.                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    13. Section 68.310 is amended by revising the table in paragraph 
(a), the introductory text of paragraph (i), and paragraph (l) to read 
as follows:


Sec. 68.310   Longitudinal balance limitations.

    (a) * * *

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       Minimum       Frequency  
                   Paragraph                               Equipment state             balance         range    
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b)............................................  On-hook...........................           60        200-1000
                                                 On-hook...........................           40       1000-4000
                                                 Off-hook..........................           40        200-4000
(c)............................................  On-hook...........................           60        200-1000
                                                 On-hook...........................           40       1000-4000
                                                 Off-hook..........................           40        200-4000
(d)............................................  Off-hook..........................           40        200-4000
(e)............................................  On-hook...........................           60        200-1000
Voice Equipment................................  On-hook...........................           40       1000-4000
                                                 Off-hook..........................           40        200-4000
(e)............................................  On-hook...........................           60        200-1000
Data Equipment.................................  On-hook...........................           40       1000-4000
                                                 Off-hook..........................           40        200-4000
(f)............................................  Off-hook..........................           40        200-4000
(g)............................................  On-hook...........................           60        200-1000
                                                 On-hook...........................           40       1000-4000
                                                 Off-hook..........................           40        200-4000
(h)............................................  Off-hook..........................           40        200-1000
(i)............................................  On-hook...........................           60        200-1000
                                                 On-hook...........................           40       1000-4000
                                                 Off-hook..........................           40        200-4000
(j)............................................  Off-hook..........................           40        200-4000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    (i) Registered terminal equipment and registered protective 
circuitry for 4-wire network ports. The pair under test shall be driven 
from a 600-ohm metallic source having a 500-ohm longitudinal impedance. 
The pair not under test shall be terminated in a metallic impedance of 
600-ohms.
* * * * *
    (l) The maximum balance requirement for registered terminal 
equipment connected to digital services specified in Figure 68.310(k) 
shall be equaled or exceeded for the range of frequencies applicable 
for the equipment under test and under all reasonable conditions of the 
application of earth ground to the equipment. All such terminal

[[Page 42394]]

equipment shall have a longitudinal balance in the acceptable region of 
Figure 68.310(k). The metallic termination used for the longitudinal 
balance measurements for 2.4, 4.8, 9.6, and 56 Kbps shall be 135 Ohms 
plus or minus one percent. The metallic termination used for the 
longitudinal balance measurements (M-L balance) for subrate, ISDN (BRA) 
and PSDS shall be 135 ohms +/- 1% and for 1.544 Mbps and ISDA (PRA) 
shall be 100 ohms +/- 1%. The longitudinal termination for these 
measurements (L-M balance) shall be 90 ohms in all cases.
* * * * *
    14. Section 68.312 is amended by revising paragraph (b) 
introductory text, and paragraph (b)(2), removing from paragraph (c)(2) 
the words ``paragraph (a)(2)'' and adding in their place the words 
``paragraph (b)(2)'', and by revising paragraph (h), introductory text, 
to read as follows:


Sec. 68.312   On-hook impedance limitations.

* * * * *
    (b) Limitations on individual equipment intended for operation on 
loop-start telephone facilities, including PSDS Type II in the analog 
mode:
* * * * *
    (2) Registered terminal equipment and registered protective 
circuitry intended for use on facilities which will always have ringing 
detection circuitry in use at the same time such registered terminal 
equipment and registered protective circuitry is connected need not 
comply with the 40 kilohms maximum impedance specification of paragraph 
(b)(1)(iv) of this section.
* * * * *
    (h) Limitations on PBX equipment with an off-premises interface and 
direct inward dialing (DID). PBX ringing supplies whose output appears 
on the off-premises interface leads shall not trip when connected to 
the following tip-to-ring impedance which terminates the off-premises 
station loop:
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 96-18480 Filed 8-14-96; 8:45 am]
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