[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 188 (Tuesday, September 29, 1998)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 51888-51889] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-25978] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 68 [CC Docket No. 98-163; FCC 98-221] 1998 Biennial Regulatory Review--Modifications to Signal Power Limitations AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This NPRM proposes increasing the signal power limitations in order to improve the transmission rates experienced by persons using high speed digital information products, such as 56 kilobits per second (kbps) modems, to download data from the Internet. Current rules limiting the signal power that can be transmitted over telephone lines can prohibit such products from operating at their full potential. We believe that these signal power limitations may be increased without causing interference or other technical problems. We propose increasing the signal power limitations and request comment on the benefits and harms, if any, that may result from this change. Specifically, this change will allow Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) modems, used by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other online information service providers to utilize higher signal power levels to transmit data at moderately higher speeds. DATES: Comments are due on or before October 29, 1998, and reply comments are due on or before November 13, 1998. ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, Room 222, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. In addition to filing comments with the Secretary, an electronic and a paper copy of any comments, reply comments, and supporting documents should be submitted to Vincent M. Paladini, Federal Communications Commission, Common Carrier Bureau, Network Services Division, Room 235, 2000 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554 or via the Internet to [email protected]. Electronic submissions must be in WordPerfect 5.1 for Windows format. Comments may be filed using the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) or by filing paper copies. See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (May 1, 1998). Comments filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to <http://www.fcc.gov/e-file/ecfs.html>. Generally, only one copy of an electronic submission must be filed. If multiple docket or rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of this proceeding, however, commenters must transmit one electronic copy of the comments to each docket or rulemaking number referenced in the caption. In completing the transmittal screen, commenters should include their full name, Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking number. Parties may also submit an electronic comment by Internet e-mail. To get filing instructions for e-mail comments, commenters should send an e-mail to [email protected], and should include the following words in the body of the message, ``get form[email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This summarizes the Commission's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the matter of 1998 Biennial Regulatory Review-- Modifications to Signal Power Limitations Contained in Part 68 of the Commission's Rules. The technical parameters of Part 68 fall into three broad categories: signal power limitations, transverse balance requirements, and billing protection provisions. The signal power limitations of section 68.308 are designed to protect the network from crosstalk and other interference caused by excessive signal power. Theoretically, PCM modems operating over the Public Switched Telecommunications Network (PSTN) are capable of data transmission rates of up to 56 kbps. The signal power limitations found in section 63.308 of our rules appear to limit the transmission rate of PCM modems to 54 kbps. This is due to the way PCM is decoded within the PSTN. Digital signals transmitted by a PCM modem may be converted into analog signals by decoders within the network that translate digital signals into analog signals. Decoders operate by converting each discrete eight-bit digital input signal, or ``word,'' into a specific analog output signal strength, or voltage. PCM technique utilizes 256 decoder output voltages, one for each of the 256 possible eight-bit input combinations, or ``words.'' Each voltage corresponds with a specific signal power level. The signal power limitations contained in Part 68 may curtail the acceptable range of signal strengths used by PCM modems connected to the PSTN, potentially limiting transmission speeds. In response to this situation, we propose increasing the encoded analog content power limitations specified in sections 68.308(h)(1)(iv) and 68.308(h)(2)(v) from -12 dBm to -6 dBm. We understand that an increase of this magnitude may be sufficient to broaden the range of acceptable signal strengths to enable PCM modems to approach their theoretical maximum speed. We seek comment on the effect of this proposed rule change. In particular, we seek comment on whether this rule change will discernibly improve the performance of PCM modems, whether increasing the signal power risks harm to the network, whether a signal power limit other than -6 dBm but greater than -12 dBm, or another modification to Part 68 of our rules, would be more beneficial and entail less risk. We request that all comments be accompanied by a thorough analysis of the likely effect of the proposed rule change, both the positive, in terms of increased transmission rates and other tangible benefits, and the negative, in terms of additional signal interference, crosstalk, or other network detriment. In particular, we seek comment on the potential detrimental effects of the proposed power increase on advanced communications services, such as asymmetric digital subscriber loop (ADSL), and other digital subscriber line (e.g., xDSL) services. We seek comment on whether the proposed rule change will allow consumers who access the Internet or other online services to experience faster transmission rates. We also seek comment identifying other factors limiting transmission rates, such as available network capacity, line noise, and the quality of the local loop, and discussing how these factors may be affected by increased signal power limitations. Finally, we seek comment on what rule modifications would be necessary to implement the revised signal power limitation. We recognize that the modifications proposed in this Notice may produce only moderate improvements in the actual performance of 56 kbps PCM modems. We propose these modifications, however, because we desire to remove impediments to data transmission over the PSTN where we find that the public interest will be served by doing so. We ask parties to identify other provisions of Part 68 that may be affected by this proposed rule change. List of Subjects in 47 CFR 68 Communications common carriers, Communications equipment. Federal Communications Commission. Magalie Roman Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. 98-25978 Filed 9-28-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712-01-P