[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 80 (Friday, April 25, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20147-20148]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-10489]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Parts 52

[CC Docket No. 95-155; FCC 97-123]


Toll Free Service Access Codes

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: On April 11, 1997, the Commission released a Further Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) addressing administration of the database 
for toll free numbers. The FNPRM is intended to obtain comment on the 
issue of what entity should administer the toll free database.

DATES: Comments must be filed on or before May 22, 1997, and reply 
comments must be filed on or before June 23, 1997.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin Duffy, Attorney, Network Services 
Division, Common Carrier Bureau, (202) 418-2340.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This summarizes the Commission's Further 
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the matter of Toll Free Service Access 
Codes, FCC 97-123, adopted April 4, 1997, and released April 11, 1997. 
The Commission concurrently released a Second Report and Order in the 
same docket. 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

    1. The FNPRM asks for comment on what further action the 
Telecommunications Act of 1996 (1996 Act) requires that the Commission 
take to ensure that there is an impartial number administrator for toll 
free administration. The Commission seeks comment on what role, if any, 
the North American Numbering Council (NANC) should have in determining 
what entity should assume the responsibility of toll free database 
administration. The Commission seeks comment on whether the toll free 
database administrator should be the same entity that ultimately is 
chosen as the NANP administrator or the number portability 
administrator, or whether another administrator should be chosen 
strictly for the toll free database.
    2. The Commission seeks comment on what effect the selection of a 
new administrator for the toll free database would have on the 
Commission's prior conclusion that, under the Regional Bell Operating 
Companies' plans for providing SMS access, such SMS access is a Title 
II common carrier service and must be provided under tariff. 
Specifically, the Commission seeks comment on whether access to the 
database should still be provided pursuant to tariff if there is 
ultimately a new administrator of the database and if so, what party or 
entity should file the tariff.

[[Page 20148]]

    3. The Commission seeks comment on how, if a new toll free number 
administrator is chosen, that administrator will obtain access to the 
information currently found in the toll free database and how that 
administrator will obtain access to the necessary software, equipment, 
and other items essential to administration of the toll free database. 
The Commission seeks comment on how the transition to a new 
administrator could be accomplished without disruption in toll free 
service. The Commission seeks comment on the Commission's authority to 
impose a requirement that the RBOCs and Bellcore license to any third 
party administrator the software that is required to continue operation 
of the SMS and the Number Administration Service Center, and seeks 
comment on how the Commission should use such authority.
    4. The Commission seeks comment on several other issues. 
Specifically, the Commission seeks comment on whether: (1) DSMI, as the 
SMS administrator, should report to the Commission; (2) any services 
that DSMI subcontracts must be subcontracted to an entity neutral and 
apart from the industry; (3) the selection of an administrator should 
be by competitive bidding; (4) costs for toll free number 
administration should be reimbursed through fees to the industry; and 
(5) the new administrator should be responsible for network planning of 
future toll free codes. The Commission seeks comment on, if DSMI is to 
report to the Commission, what information it should include in 
reports. The Commission seeks comment on what specific costs should be 
reimbursed through fees to the industry, and what specific members of 
the industry should be required to bear the costs of toll free number 
administration. The Commission seeks comment on whether it should 
direct DSMI to withhold access to, and treat as proprietary, 
competitively sensitive information, such as information on vanity 
numbers and RespOrg replication lists.
    5. It is further ordered, pursuant to Sections 1, 4(i), 201-205, 
218, and 251 of the Communications Act, as amended, 47 U.S.C. Sections 
151, 154(i), 201-205, 218, and 251, that the Further Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking is hereby adopted.

List of Subjects

47 CFR Part 52

    Local exchange carrier, Numbering, Telecommunications.

47 CFR Part 64

    Communications common carriers, Telephone.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-10489 Filed 4-24-97; 8:45 am]
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