[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 69 (Friday, April 10, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 17738]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9199]


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 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 69 / Friday, April 10, 1998 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 17738]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Part 1755


Form 552, RUS General Specification for Digital, Stored Program 
Controlled Central Office Equipment

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is proposing to amend its 
regulations on Telecommunications Standards and Specifications for 
Materials, Equipment and Construction to change RUS General 
Specification for Digital, Stored Program Controlled Central Office 
Equipment, RUS Form 522, Part I through Part VI. This will enable RUS 
to incorporate technological advances, remove requirements that are no 
longer necessary, and generally update the specification to reflect 
current technology.

DATES: Written comments must be received by RUS, or bear a postmark or 
equivalent, no later than June 9, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be mailed to John J. Schell, Chief, Central 
Office Equipment Branch, Telecommunications Standards Division, Rural 
Utilities Service, STOP 1598, United States Department of Agriculture, 
1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC, 20250-1598. RUS requests an 
original and three copies of all comments (7 CFR part 1700). All 
comments received will be available for public inspection at Room 2838 
South Building (address as above) during regular business hours (7 CFR 
1.27(b)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
John J. Schell, Chief, Central Office Equipment Branch, 
Telecommunications Standards Division, Rural Utilities Service, STOP 
1598, United States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., 
SW, Washington, DC, 20250-1598, telephone number (202) 720-0671. E-
Mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    RUS Form 522 provides a performance specification for digital 
switching equipment and gives RUS borrowers assistance in ordering 
digital switches. Significant changes have been made in the 
telecommunications industry over the last several years. Notable 
advances in central office switching equipment and technology have made 
many new services available.
    Because the existing Form 522 does not address many of these 
changes, RUS is requesting comments on all parts of Form 522. 
Technological advances have caused many of the Form 522 requirements to 
be outdated and many new requirements have not been addressed. To 
address new technology as well as remove outdated or irrelevant 
requirements, RUS feels that it is important to have input from many 
borrowers, consultants, and manufacturers, to make the Form 522 as 
technologically up-to-date as possible.

    Dated: March 31, 1998.
Wally Beyer,
Administrator, RUS.
[FR Doc. 98-9199 Filed 4-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-M