[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 208 (Tuesday, October 28, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55762-55763]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28555]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Parts 52 and 64

[CC Docket No. 92-237; FCC 97-386]


Administration of the North American Numbering Plan, Carrier 
Identification Codes (CICs)

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: On October 22, 1997, the Commission released an Order on 
Reconsideration addressing carrier identification codes (CICs). The 
Order on Reconsideration determines that by January 1, 1998 all local 
exchange carriers (LECs) that provide equal access must have completed 
switch changes to recognize four-digit CICs. The transition during 
which three and four-digit CICs co-exist will end on June 30, 1998. The 
Order on Reconsideration is intended to modify in part the decision in 
the CICs Second Report and Order (62 FR 19056, published April 18, 
1997) regarding the length of the transition. The Commission 
concurrently released an Order on Application for Review and a second 
further notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the same docket.

DATES: Effective November 28, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, Secretary, Room 222, 1919 
M Street, NW., Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Nightingale, Attorney, 
Network Services Division, Common Carrier Bureau, (202) 418-2352.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This summarizes the Commission's Order on 
Reconsideration in the matter of Administration of the North American 
Numbering Plan, Carrier Identification Codes (CICs), CC Docket 92-237, 
adopted October 20, 1997, and released October 22, 1997. 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., 1231 20th Street, N.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20036, phone (202) 857-3800.

Analysis of Proceeding

    The Order on Reconsideration modifies the Commission's decision in 
the CICs Second Report and Order regarding the length of the transition 
during which three and four-digit Feature Group D CICs co-exist, and 
creates a ``two-step'' end to the transition. By January 1, 1998, the 
end of the first phase, all LECs that provide equal access must have 
completed switch changes to recognize four-digit CICs. The second 
phase, which ends on June 30, 1998, is intended to allow IXCs time to 
prepare their networks for, and educate their customers about, the 
replacement of three-digit CICs by four-digit CICs. After that date, 
only four-digit CICs and seven-digit carrier access codes (CACs) will 
be recognized. The Commission also affirms its decision in the CICs 
Second Report and Order not to grandfather the use of three-digit CICs 
and five-digit CACs that are in use during the transition. The 
Commission rejects arguments that the CICs Second Report and Order: (1) 
Is arbitrary and capricious in violation of the Administrative 
Procedure Act; (2) violates Fifth Amendment rights; (3) violates First 
Amendment rights; and (4) violates Section 257 of the Communications 
Act and the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The Commission's decisions in 
the Order on Reconsideration are intended to advance the pro-
competitive objectives of the Communications Act, as amended.

Ordering Clauses

    2. Accordingly, it is ordered, pursuant to sections 1, 4(i), 201-
205, and 251(e)(1) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 
U.S.C. Secs. 151, 154(i), 201-205, and 251(e)(1), that the Petition for 
Reconsideration of VarTec Telecom, Inc., is denied.
    3. It is further ordered, that the Petitions for Reconsideration of 
the Competitive Telecommunications Association and Telecommunications 
Group, Inc., are granted to the extent stated herein, and, in all other 
respects, are denied.
    4. It is further ordered, that the Order on Reconsideration and the

[[Page 55763]]

requirements contained herein will become effective November 28, 1997. 
The collection of information contained within is contingent upon 
approval by the Office of Management and Budget.

List of Subjects

47 CFR Part 52

    Local exchange carrier, Numbering, Telecommunications.

47 CFR Part 64

    Communications common carriers, Telephone.

    Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-28555 Filed 10-27-97; 8:45 am]
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