[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 68 (Monday, April 8, 1996)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 15441-15442] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-8597] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 68 [CC Docket No. 96-28; FCC 96-39] Harmonization of U.S. Network Protection Standard With Canadian Network Protection Standard
Agency
Federal Communications Commission.
Action
Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
On February 2, 1996, the Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). The NPRM is intended to address issues associated with ``harmonizing'' U.S. and Canadian requirements for connection of terminal equipment to the public switched network. It seeks comment on whether amending of the Commission's rules regarding network protection would foster greater efficiencies in manufacturing terminal equipment without threatening the reliability of the public network. The Commission's network protection rules govern the terms and conditions under which customer-provided terminal equipment may be connected to the network.
Dates
Comments must be filed on or before April 1, 1996, and reply comments must be filed on or before April 16, 1996.
Addresses
Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554.
For Further Information Contact
Marian Gordon, Network Services Division, Special Counsel, Common Carrier Bureau, (202) 418-2337.
Supplementary Information
This summarizes the Commission's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Matter of Amendment of Part 68 of the Commission's Rules. (CC Docket No. 96-28, FCC 96-39, adopted February 2, 1996, and released February 29, 1996). The file is available for inspection and copying during the weekday hours of 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Commission's Reference Center, Room 239, 1919 M St., N.W., Washington D.C., or copies may be purchased from the Commission's duplicating contractor, ITS, Inc. 2100 M St., N.W., Suite 140, Washington, D.C. 20037, phone (202) 857-3800.
Analysis of Proceeding
The Commission proposes amendments to Part 68 of its rules to foster barrier-free trade between Canada and the United States. The proposed rules are designed to foster greater efficiencies in manufacturing terminal equipment without threatening the reliability of the public switched network. Under the proposed rules, the technical requirements of Part 68 and the Canadian network protection standard CS-03 would be harmonized so that a manufacturer in one country could design terminal equipment to a single, consistent set of technical standards accepted in either the U.S. or Canada. The Commission tentatively concludes that its proposed rules amending Part 68 will eliminate unnecessary differences in terminal attachment requirements between the United States and Canada. It further tentatively concludes that this is consistent with the spirit and letter of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which mandates elimination of trade barriers through reconciliation of differences in standards and testing procedures. The Commission also tentatively concludes that the proposed rules will become a guide for harmonization efforts around the world and will benefit consumers by creating a more competitive equipment marketplace, thereby lowering
equipment costs. It tentatively concludes that the proposed rules are consistent with the Commission's longstanding commitment to ensure that no public harm results from attachment of private equipment to the public switched network.
Ordering Clauses
Accordingly, it is ordered, pursuant to Sections 1, 4(i) and (j), 201-205, 218 of the Communications Act as amended, 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 201-205, and 218, that notice is hereby given of the proposed changes to Part 68 to harmonize it with Canada's CS-03 certification requirements and comment is invited on this proposal.
List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 68
Registered terminal equipment, Telephone.
Federal Communications Commission. William F. Caton, Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. 96-8597 Filed 4-5-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712-01-P