[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 141 (Wednesday, July 23, 1997)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 39451-39453] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-19354] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 63 [FCC 97-243] Notification of Common Carriers of Service Disruptions AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Commission's regulations require carriers to notify Commission headquarters when certain service outages occur, but permit carriers to [[Page 39452]] notify the Commission's facility at Grand Island, Nebraska on a ``secondary basis.'' The Commission has closed the Nebraska facility and is designating as the secondary facility ``the FCC's Columbia Operations Center in Columbia, Maryland, or such other facility which the Commission may designate by regulation or (in the case of emergency) by public announcement.'' The order also clarifies that notification of the secondary facility is appropriate only when there is a telephone outage or similar emergency in Washington, DC. EFFECTIVE DATE: July 23, 1997. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andre Rausch, 202-418-7277, Network Services Division, Common Carrier Bureau. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Order in FCC 97-243, adopted July 3, 1997, and released July 11, 1997. This item is available for inspection and copying during normal business hours in the Network Services Division Reference Room (Room 220), 2000 M Street, NW., Washington DC, or a copy may be purchased from the duplicating contractor, International Transcription Service, Inc. (202) 857-3800, 1231 20th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20036. The Order will be published in the FCC Record. Regulatory Flexibility Analysis The Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq., does not apply to this proceeding because the Commission is adopting this rule without notice and comment. See 5 U.S.C. 603(a) and 604(a). Notice and comment are not required because the Commission is modifying a ``rule of agency organization, procedure, or practice.'' See 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A). Moreover, the Commission has found that notice and comment are unnecessary here. See 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). Ordering Clauses Accordingly, it is ordered, pursuant to Sections 1, 4(i), 201-205 and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. Secs. 151, 154(i), 201-205, and 303(r), that part 63 of the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR 63.100 is amended as set forth below, effective July 23, 1997. List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 63 Communications common carriers, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Federal Communications Commission. William F. Caton, Acting Secretary. Rule Changes Part 63 of title 47 is amended as follows: PART 63--EXTENSION OF LINES AND DISCONTINUANCE, REDUCTION, OUTAGE AND IMPAIRMENT OF SERVICE BY COMMON CARRIERS; AND GRANTS OF RECOGNIZED PRIVATE OPERATING AGENCY STATUS 1. The authority citation for part 63 continues to read as follows: Authority: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 201-205, 218, 403 and 533, unless otherwise noted. 2. Section 63.100 is amended as follows: a. In paragraph (b) remove the third sentence and add two sentences in its place; b. In paragraph (c) remove the third sentence and add two sentences in its place; c. In paragraph (d) remove the third sentence and add two sentences in its place; d. In paragraph (e) remove the third sentence of the introductory text and add two sentences in its place; e. In paragraph (e)(2) remove the first sentence and add two sentences in its place; and f. In paragraph (h)(2) remove the second sentence and add two sentences in its place. Sec. 63.100 Notification of service outage. * * * * * (b) * * * Notification must be served on the Commission's Duty Officer, on duty 24 hours a day in the FCC's Communications and Crisis Management Center in Washington, DC. Notification may be served on the Commission's Watch Officer on duty at the FCC's Columbia Operations Center in Columbia, MD, or at such other facility designated by the Commission by regulation or (at the time of the emergency) by public announcement only if there is a telephone outage or similar emergency in Washington, DC. * * * (c) * * * Notification must be served on the Commission's Duty Officer, on duty 24 hours a day in the FCC's Communications and Crisis Management Center in Washington, DC. Notification may be served on the Commission's Watch Officer on duty at the FCC's Columbia Operations Center in Columbia, MD, or at such other facility designated by the Commission by regulation or (at the time of the emergency) by public announcement only if there is a telephone outage or similar emergency in Washington, DC. * * * (d) * * * Notification must be served on the Commission's Duty Officer, on duty 24 hours a day in the FCC's Communications and Crisis Management Center in Washington, DC. Notification may be served on the Commission's Watch Officer on duty at the FCC's Columbia Operations Center in Columbia, MD, or at such other facility designated by the Commission by regulation or (at the time of the emergency) by public announcement only if there is a telephone outage or similar emergency in Washington, DC. * * * (e) * * * Notification must be served on the Commission's Duty Officer, on duty 24 hours a day in the FCC's Communications and Crisis Management Center in Washington, DC. Notification may be served on the Commission's Watch Officer on duty at the FCC's Columbia Operations Center in Columbia, MD, or at such other facility designated by the Commission by regulation or (at the time of the emergency) by public announcement only if there is a telephone outage or similar emergency in Washington, DC. * * * * * * * * (2) If there is to be a report to the Commission, a written or oral report will be given by the NCS within 120 minutes of an outage to the Commission's Duty Officer, on duty 24 hours a day in the FCC's Communications and Crisis Management Center in Washington, DC. Notification may be served on the Commission's Watch Officer on duty at the FCC's Columbia Operations Center in Columbia, MD, or at such other facility designated by the Commission by regulation or (at the time of the emergency) by public announcement only if there is a telephone outage or similar emergency in Washington, D.C. * * * * * * * * (h) * * * (2) * * * Notification must be served on the Commission's Duty Officer, on duty 24 hours a day in the FCC's Communications and Crisis Management Center in Washington, DC. Notification may be served on the Commission's Watch Officer on duty at the FCC's Columbia Operations Center in Columbia, MD, or at such other facility designated by the Commission by regulation or (at the time of the emergency) by public announcement [[Page 39453]] only if there is a telephone outage or similar emergency in Washington, DC. * * * [FR Doc. 97-19354 Filed 7-22-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712-01-P