[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 128 (Tuesday, July 3, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35241-35242]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-16652]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[CC Docket No. 99-216; DA 01-1485]


The Commission Will No Longer Accept Applications for 
Certification and Petitions for Waiver of Technical Criteria

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: On June 22, 2001, the Commission released a public notice 
announcing that after July 23, 2001, the Commission will no longer 
accept applications for certification of terminal equipment and 
petitions for waiver of technical criteria. The intended effect of this 
action is to make the public aware of the changes to the rules.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Howden at (202) 418-2343, 
[email protected] or Susan Magnotti, at (202) 418-0871, 
[email protected]. The address is: Network Services Division, Common 
Carrier Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, The Portals, 445 
12th Street, SW, Suite 6A207, Washington, DC 20554. The fax number is: 
(202) 418-2345. The TTY number is: (202) 418-0484.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to In the Matter of 2000 Biennial 
Regulatory Review of Part 68 of the Commission's Rules and Regulations, 
CC Docket 99-216, Report and Order, FCC 00-400, 66 FR 7579 (January 24, 
2001) (Order), the Commission will no longer accept applications for 
certification of terminal equipment under 47 CFR part 68 as of July 23, 
2001. Also, petitions for waiver of the part 68 rules that were 
eliminated in the Order, including those pertaining to the Commission's 
streamlined waiver process for stutter dial tone (section 68.312(i)) 
and ADSL/RADSL terminal equipment (section 68.308(e)(1)), should

[[Page 35242]]

no longer be filed with the Commission after July 23, 2001. As of July 
23, 2001, parties seeking to request exceptions or interim criteria for 
their terminal equipment that does not meet the published technical 
criteria should contact the Administrative Council for Terminal 
Attachments (ACTA). The Commission's rules pertaining to hearing aid 
compatibility and volume control are not affected by this action.
    The ACTA, established by the Commission in the Order, is 
responsible for establishing and maintaining a database of equipment 
found to be compliant with industry-established technical criteria, 
establishing numbering and labeling requirements, and establishing 
filing requirements for certification.
    The Order requires certification of terminal equipment by one of 
two methods. The first method, which is currently available to 
applicants, is certification by a Telecommunication Certification Body 
(TCB). Once ACTA establishes filing requirements for TCBs and so 
notifies them, TCBs must send their certificates to ACTA's designated 
receiver. Until that time, TCBs may continue to send their certificates 
to the Commission.
    Once ACTA establishes the supporting database, numbering and 
labeling requirements, and data filing requirements, the second method, 
self-declaration of conformity (SDoC) certification, will be available 
to terminal equipment suppliers. At that time, suppliers declaring 
conformity may send required data to ACTA's designated receiver. 
Parties seeking information on the SDoC certification method may 
contact Tim Jeffries, (202) 662-8669, email: [email protected].

Federal Communications Commission.
Diane Griffin Harmon,
Deputy Chief, Network Services Division, Common Carrier Bureau.
[FR Doc. 01-16652 Filed 7-2-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P