[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 66 (Friday, April 5, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 16322]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-8249]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 52

[CC Docket No. 99-200; CC Docket No. 96-98; CC Docket No 96-116; FCC 
02-73]


Numbering Resource Optimization

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final rule; clarification.

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SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC 
or Commission), on its own motion, reconsiders its findings in the 
Numbering Resource Optimization Third Report and Order, regarding the 
local number portability (LNP) and thousands-block number pooling 
requirements for carriers in the 100 largest Metropolitan Statistical 
Areas (MSAs). Specifically, the Commission reverses its clarification 
that the requirements extend to all carriers within the largest 100 
MSAs, regardless of whether they have received a specific request from 
another carrier to provide LNP.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pam Slipakoff, (202) 418-7705 or e-
mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Third 
Order on Reconsideration in CC Docket No. 99-200 (Third Order on 
Reconsideration), FCC 02-73, adopted on March 13, 2002 and released on 
March 14, 2002. The full text of this document is available for 
inspection and copying during normal business hours in the Commission 
Reference Center, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554. The 
complete text may also be obtained through the world wide web at http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/CommonCarrier/Orders, or may be purchased from the 
Commission's copy contractor, Qualex International, Portals II, 445 
12th Street, SW, Room CY-B402, Washington, DC, 20554, telephone 202-
863-2893, facsimile 202-863-2898, or via e-mail at [email protected].

Synopsis of the Third Order on Reconsideration in CC Docket No. 99-
200

    1. On its own motion, the Commission reconsiders its findings in 
the Numbering Resource Optimization Third Report and Order, 67 FR 6431 
(Feb. 12, 2002), regarding the local number portability (LNP) and 
thousands-block number pooling requirements for carriers in the 100 
largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs). Specifically, the 
Commission reverses its clarification that these requirements extend to 
all carriers within the largest 100 MSAs, regardless of whether they 
have received a specific request from another carrier to provide LNP.
    2. In the Numbering Resource Optimization Third Report and Order, 
the Commission extended LNP and thousands-block number pooling 
requirements to all carriers in the largest 100 MSAs, and gave non-
compliant carriers six months from the effective date of the order to 
deploy LNP. This decision was driven by questions raised when certain 
state commissions began implementing thousands-block number pooling 
trials and discovered that some LECs had not deployed LNP in some of 
the largest 100 MSAs. Apparently, some carriers and state commissions 
differed on the current status of the LNP requirements. Specifically, 
they were not sure whether LNP is required for all carriers within the 
100 largest MSAs, or only for those carriers that receive a request 
from a competing carrier. Thus, the Commission sought to clarify the 
issue.
    3. In attempting to clarify the issue, however, the Commission 
reversed the decision on LNP deployment reached by the Commission in 
the Number Portability First Order on Reconsideration, 62 FR 18280 
(April 15, 1997), without providing an adequate opportunity for comment 
on this specific issue. The Commission now reverses this clarification 
and provides interested parties an opportunity to comment on whether 
carriers should be required to deploy LNP and participate in thousands-
block number pooling in the 100 largest MSAs, regardless of whether 
they have received a specific request to provide LNP from another 
carrier.
    4. Pursuant to sections 1, 3, 4, 201-205, 251 of the Communications 
Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 151, 153, 154, 201-205, and 251, 
this Third Order on Reconsideration in CC Docket 99-200 is hereby 
adopted.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 02-8249 Filed 4-4-02; 8:45 am]
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