[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 29, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52506-52507]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25408]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[CC Docket No. 92-237; DA 99-1864]


GSA Approves Renewal of North American Numbering Council Charter 
Through October 4, 2001

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: On September 13, 1999, the Commission released a public notice 
announcing the General Services Administration (GSA) approval of the 
amended charter for the Federal Communications Commission's federal 
advisory committee, the North American Numbering Council (NANC). The 
intended effect of this action is to make the public aware of the GSA 
authorization for the continuation of the NANC's activities through 
October 4, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Griffin Harmon, Designated 
Federal Officer (DFO) or Jared Carlson, Alternate DFO or Jeannie Grimes 
at (202) 418-2320. The address is: Network Services Division, Common 
Carrier Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, The Portals, 445 
Twelfth Street, S.W., Suite 6A320, Washington, DC 20554. The fax number 
is: (202) 418-2345. The TTY number is: (202) 418-0484. Information 
regarding the NANC's activities are posted on the NANC web page located 
at www.fcc.gov/ccb/Nanc.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Released: September 13, 1999.
    The North American Numbering Council (Council) charter has been 
renewed through October 4, 2001, by the General Services Administration 
(GSA) to allow the Council to continue advising the Federal 
Communications Commission on rapidly evolving and competitively 
significant numbering issues facing the telecommunications industry.
    In October 1995, the Commission established the North American 
Numbering Council, a federal advisory committee created pursuant to the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C., App. 2 (1988), to advise the 
Commission and other North American Numbering Plan (NANP) member 
countries on issues related to NANP administration, and to advise the 
Commission on local number portability administration issues in the 
United States. The original charter of the Council was filed on October 
5, 1995, establishing an initial two-year term. The first amended 
charter was filed on October 5, 1997, renewing the term of the Council 
for an additional two years.
    Since its original charter was renewed, the Council has provided 
the Commission with critically important recommendations regarding 
numbering issues. During the term of the current amended charter, the 
Council issued recommendations which included: (1) The neutrality of 
toll free database administration by Database Service Management, Inc.; 
(2) wireline/wireless integration for local number portability; (3) the 
feasibility of additional abbreviated dialing code arrangements (N11 Ad 
Hoc report); (4) selection of a thousands block pooling administrator; 
(5) Lockheed Martin's request to transfer the NANPA functions to 
Warburg Pincus; (6) methods for optimizing the use of numbering 
resources; (7) the feasibility of local number portability for 500/900 
numbers; and (8) a replacement tool for COCUS, used to collect forecast 
and utilization data. The Council also provided in April 1999 a 
detailed evaluation of the North American Numbering Plan 
Administrator's (NANPA) performance during its first year, and will 
continue to evaluate NANPA's performance annually.
    The Council is currently considering and formulating 
recommendations on other important numbering-related issues that will 
require work beyond the term of the present charter. The term of the 
Council's second amended charter begins October 5, 1999, and runs 
through October 4, 2001. The second amended charter is attached hereto.
    The value of this federal advisory committee to the 
telecommunications industry and to the American public cannot be 
overstated. Numbers are the means by which businesses and consumers 
gain access to, and reap the benefits of, the public switched network. 
The Council's recommendations to the Commission will facilitate fair 
and efficient numbering administration in North America, and will 
ensure that numbering resources are available to all telecommunications 
service providers, consistent with the requirements of the 
Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Amended Charter for the North American Numbering Council

A. The Committee's Official Designation

    The official designation of the advisory committee will be the 
``North American Numbering Council'' (NANC or Council).

B. The Committee's Objectives and Scope of its Activity

    The purpose of the Council is to advise the Federal Communications 
Commission (FCC or Commission) and to make recommendations, reached 
through a consensus of its members, that foster efficient and impartial 
number administration. The Council will continue to develop 
recommendations on numbering policy issues, initially resolve disputes, 
provide oversight guidance to the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) 
Administrator and the Local Number Portability Administrator(s) (LNPAs) 
to ensure fair and equitable access to numbering resources, and 
facilitate number conservation including identification of technical 
solutions to numbering exhaust. The Council will further provide 
recommendations to the Commission on toll free database administration. 
The Council will prioritize its activities in accordance with the 
policies and objectives, and within the requested time frames, set 
forth by the Commission.
    In carrying out its responsibilities, the Council shall assure that 
NANP administration supports the following policy objectives: (1) that 
NANP administration facilitates entry into the communications 
marketplace by making numbering resources available on an efficient, 
timely basis to communications service providers; (2) that NANP 
administration does not unduly favor or disfavor any particular 
industry segment or group of consumers; (3) that NANP administration 
does not unduly favor one technology over another; (4) that NANP 
administration gives consumers easy access to the public switched 
telephone network; and (5) that NANP administration ensures that the 
interests of all NANP member countries are addressed fairly and 
efficiently, fostering continued integration of the NANP across NANP 
member countries.

[[Page 52507]]

C. Period of Time Necessary for the Committee to Carry Out its Purposes

    The Commission will review the accomplishments and activities of 
the Council to determine whether, after two years, this charter should 
again be renewed and the Council should continue as a Federal Advisory 
Committee.

D. Agency or Official to Whom the Committee Reports

    The Council will report to the Chief, Common Carrier Bureau, 
Federal Communications Commission.

E. Agency Responsible for Providing Necessary Support

    The Commission will provide the necessary staff support for the 
Council. The Commission will provide facilities needed to conduct 
meetings, if the Commission has meeting facilities available. 
Otherwise, private sector members will provide facilities. Private 
sector members of the Council will serve without any government 
compensation, and will not be entitled to travel expenses or per diem 
subsistence allowances from the government.

F. Description of the Duties for Which the Committee is Responsible

    The general duties of the Council are to gather and discuss 
information necessary to develop recommendations to the Commission 
related to the attainment of the objectives stated under (B). Under the 
direction of the Commission, the Council will provide oversight of all 
matters relating to numbering administration, including the development 
of industry guidelines. Specific duties will include developing and 
recommending a process for the selection of a thousands block pooling 
administrator, and an effective audit process for service providers and 
the NANP administrator. The Council will also prepare for the 
Commission periodic and final reports to aid the Commission in its 
oversight responsibilities.

G. Estimated Annual Operating Costs in Dollars and Staff Years

    Estimated staff years that will be expended by the Council are 3 
for the Commission's staff and 5 for private sector and other 
governmental representatives. The estimated annual cost to the 
Commission of operating the Committee is $205,000. The Commission will 
not pay for private sector staff.

H. Estimated Number and Frequency of Committee Meetings

    We expect that there will be no more than 10 Council meetings per 
year.

I. Charter's Termination Date

    This charter will terminate on October 4, 2001, prior to which the 
Commission may seek its renewal.

J. Date Original Charter Filed

    October 5, 1995.

Federal Communications Commission.
Diane Griffin Harmon,
Assistant Chief, Network Services Division, Common Carrier Bureau.
[FR Doc. 99-25408 Filed 9-28-99; 8:45 am]
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