[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 174 (Tuesday, September 9, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 47371]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23528]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR PART 68

[CC Docket Nos. 96-128 and 91-35; DA 97-1793]


Pay Telephone Equipment Grandfathering

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Memorandum Opinion and Order.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission (Commission) amends its 
rules concerning the connection of terminal equipment to the telephone 
network. The amendments allow certain terminal equipment presently 
connected to a central-office-implemented payphone to remain connected 
without registration. Registration is required, however, if such 
equipment is modified.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 5, 1997

ADDRESSES: This document may be viewed at the Federal Communications 
Commission, Reference Center, Room 239, 1919 M Street NW, Washington, 
DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Technical Information: William Von Alven, 202-418-2342.
    Legal Information: Alan Thomas, 202-418-2338.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The adopted rules are part of the 
Commission's efforts to ensure that competition among payphone 
providers exists by enabling independent payphone providers to use 
central-office-implemented coin pay telephones as well as instrument-
implemented payphones. The adopted rules provide that terminal 
equipment, including premises wiring, that is directly connected to a 
central-office-implemented telephone on or before October 8, 1997, does 
not have to be registered, unless subsequently modified. Modifications 
are any changes that affect the Part-68 related characteristics of that 
equipment at the network interface. Additionally, new installations of 
terminal equipment, including premises wiring, may occur until April 8, 
1999, without registration of any central-office-implemented telephone 
equipment involved, provided that the terminal equipment is of a type 
directly connected to a central-office-implemented telephone as of 
October 8, 1997.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 68

    Communications common carriers, Communications equipment, Reporting 
and recordkeeping requirements.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.

Rule Changes

    Part 68 of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended 
to read as follows:

PART 68--CONNECTION OF TERMINAL EQUIPMENT TO THE TELEPHONE NETWORK

    1. The authority citation for Part 68 continues to read:

    Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 155.

    2. Section 68.2 is amended by adding a new paragraph (l) before the 
concluding paragraph to read as follows:


Sec. 68.2  Scope.

* * * * *
    (l) Grandfathered central office implemented payphone equipment. 
(1) Terminal equipment, including its premises wiring, that is directly 
connected to a central-office-implemented telephone on or before 
October 8, 1997, may remain for service life without registration, 
unless subsequently modified. Service life means that life of the 
equipment until retired from service. Modification means changes to the 
equipment that affect the Part 68-related characteristics of that 
equipment at the network interface.
    (2) New installation of terminal equipment, including its premises 
wiring, may occur until April 8, 1999, without registration of any 
central-office-implemented telephone equipment involved, provided that 
the terminal equipment is of a type directly connected to a central-
office-implemented telephone as of October 8, 1997. This terminal 
equipment may remain connected and be reconnected to a central-office-
implemented telephone.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 97-23528 Filed 9-8-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P