Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 61649

1See 47 CFR part 68. For a history of part 68, see

Proposals for New or Revised Classes of Interstate

and Foreign Message Toll Telephone Service

(‘‘MTS’’) and Wide Area Telephone Service

(‘‘WATS’’); Revision of part 68 of the Commission’s

rules to Specify Standard Plugs and Jacks for the

Connection of Telephone Equipment to the

Nationwide Telephone Network; and Amendment

of Part 68 of the Commission’s rules (Telephone

Equipment Registration) to Specify Standards for

and Means of Connection of Telephone Equipment

to Lamp and/or Annunciator Functions of Systems,

Memorandum Opinion and Order, 70 FCC 2d 1800

(1979), 45 FR 20841, Mar. 31, 1980.

with no evidence of meaningful reforms

to Japanese port conditions, took no

action to prevent the rule from

becoming effective.

Over the last several months, and

particularly in recent weeks, U.S. and

Japanese Government negotiators have

worked assiduously to craft agreements

and reform plans to remedy the

unfavorable conditions that prompted

the Commission’s final rule. On October

27, 1997, it came to the Commission’s

attention that these negotiators had

come to terms on certain documents

which, upon ratification, would

constitute a comprehensive agreement

to reform Japanese port practices. Based

on this positive development, the

Commission entered into a consent

order with the Japanese shipping lines,

accepting a compromise payment of

$1.5 million in full satisfaction of the $4

million owed (and overdue) for the

month of September, and agreed to take

no further action in this matter while

the ratification of the agreements were

pending.

On November 10, 1997, Chairman

Creel received a letter from Under

Secretary of State for Economic,

Business, and Agricultural Affairs Stuart

E. Eizenstat and Acting Maritime

Administrator John Graykowski,

conveying final signed copies of

correspondence between Secretary of

State Madeleine K. Albright and

Ambassador Kunihiko Saito reflecting

the arrangements reached by the U.S.

and Japan delegations during the talks.

Mr. Eizenstat and Mr. Graykowski stated

that ‘‘this package represents a

reasonable basis to recommend that the

Commission compromise all the

remaining assessments under Docket

No. 96–20 for October and November

and suspend further assessments and

the requirement for Japanese carriers to

report further vessel calls.’’ Attached to

Ambassador Saito’s letter were copies of

two agreements among the Government

of Japan and commercial interests

regarding the system of prior

consultation.

The Commission is persuaded that the

arrangements reflected in these

documents represent a significant step

in the process of remedying unfavorable

Japanese port conditions. While the

Commission’s ultimate concern is the

improvement of actual shoreside

practices and policies, in this case—

where the issues are complex and the

affected interests are several—the

crafting and achievement of consensus

on workable reform plans is a vital and

commendable part of the process. The

agreed-upon plans address in substance

all of the unfavorable conditions

identified in the Commission’s final

rule, covering both the issues of

licensing of port transportation business

operations and the system of prior

consultation. With regard to the latter,

relevant parties have agreed on reform

of the existing system and the creation

of an alternative process of prior

consultations. We expect that these

changes, when fully implemented, will

remedy those unfavorable conditions

identified in the final rule.

Accordingly, the Commission is now

suspending the effectiveness of the final

rule. This action has the effect of

ceasing both the assessment of fees on

Japanese carriers and the requirement

that they report vessel calls.

The Commission expects that it will

collect information periodically in the

normal course to remain apprised of

changes in port conditions resulting

from implementation of the Agreements.

However, we would note that the

arrangements reached by U.S. and

Japanese negotiators include provisions

for consultation. It is our hope that,

should any disputes or problems arise

in the implementation of these

agreements, they can appropriately be

addressed through diplomatic and

consultative mechanisms. To encourage

such a process, if a complaint relating

to matters contained in this docket is

lodged with the Commission at any time

by interested persons, the Commission

immediately will notify the Secretary of

State of such complaint, and will

request the Secretary of State to seek

resolution of the outstanding matters

through diplomatic channels. At the

same time, however, the Commission

retains its authority to take further

action, should it become necessary to do

so.

Therefore, it is ordered, That 46 CFR

586.2 as published March 4, 1997 (62

FR 9696), and amended by the

Commission April 16, 1997 (62 FR

18532) is hereby suspended.

By the Commission.

Joseph C. Polking,

Secretary.

[FR Doc. 97–30277 Filed 11–18–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6730–01–M

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS

COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 68

[CC Docket No. 96–28; FCC 97–270]

Connection of Customer-Provided

Terminal Equipment to the Telephone

Network

AGENCY: Federal Communications

Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: On August 22, 1997, the

Commission released a report and order

adopting final rules to amend the

Commissions rules, which govern the

terms and conditions under which

customer-provided terminal equipment

may be connected to the telephone

network without causing harm to the

public switched network. As a result of

the amendments, manufacturers will be

able to test terminal equipment for

compliance with a single, consistent set

of technical standards accepted in both

the United States and Canada. The

harmonization of terminal attachment

rules in the United States and Canada

will be a model for our harmonization

efforts with other countries.

EFFECTIVE DATE: April 20, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Technical Information: William

VonAlven, (202) 418–2342 or email at

wvonalen@fcc.gov.

Legal Information: Marian Gordon,

(202) 418–2320 or email at

mgordon@fcc.gov. The address for both

is: Network Services Division, Common

Carrier Bureau, Federal

Communications Commission, 2000 M

Street, NW, Suite 235, Washington, DC

20054. The fax number is: (202) 418–

2345. The TTY number is: (202) 418–

0484.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

1. In this Report and Order (‘‘Order’’),

we adopt final rules to amend part 68

of the Commission’s rules, which

governs the terms and conditions under

which customer-provided terminal

equipment may be connected to the

telephone network without causing

harm to the network.1 The amendments

we adopt herein are designed to

harmonize United States and Canadian

requirements governing connection of

terminal equipment to the public

switched network (‘‘PSN’’) and to

promote barrier-free trade between

Canada and the United States, in

keeping with the spirit of the North

American Free Trade Agreement
61650 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

2 In Canada, certification means the right to attach

terminal equipment to the PSN. Certification

requires submission of an application that includes

a technical description of the equipment and a

measurement report showing compliance with CS–

03, the Canadian terminal attachment standard.

Canadian requirements for terminal attachment are

issued by Industry Canada (‘‘IC’’). Under the

direction of IC, the Terminal Attachment Program

Advisory Committee (‘‘TAPAC’’), a government and

industry advisory committee, reviews and

recommends changes to equipment certification

programs. Canada amended its terminal attachment

rules (CS–03 standards) to harmonize Canadian

standards for terminal equipment with those set

forth in part 68 on August 14, 1996. Canada

Gazette, part I, June 15, 1996, Notice No. SMSE–

003–96.

3TIA’s technical work is conducted through its

Engineering Committees, which develop, maintain,

and publish voluntary standards and technical

reports. TIA encourages these committees to work

cooperatively with members of the American

National Standards Institute (‘‘ANSI’’), as well as

international standards bodies outside the United

States, to harmonize telecommunications

equipment standards to avoid duplicating

standardization work already successfully

completed. TIA’s stated trade policy goals include

‘‘removal of barriers to market access, full

participation of United States government and

industry in the standards-setting process

worldwide, and achievement of a minimum level of

standards required to ensure interoperability and

proper function of the international network.’’ See

TIA Petition at 2.

4According to TIA, a wide range of interest

groups in the United States and Canada were

represented including carriers, manufacturers,

laboratories, consultants and government

personnel.

5See Public Notice, ‘‘Pleading Cycle Established

for Comments on TIA’s Petition for Rulemaking to

Amend part 68, Subpart D’’, 10 FCC Rcd 4548

(March 27, 1995); Amendment of Part 68 of the

Commission’s Rules, Notice of Proposed

Rulemaking, 11 FCC Rcd 13282 (1996), 61 FR

15441, Apr. 8, 1996, Erratum, (Mar. 29, 1996)

(‘‘NPRM’’). Seven parties filed comments in

response to the NPRM. On April 16, 1996, one party

filed reply comments.

6NPRM 11 FCC Rcd at 13295.

7 Id. The rules are consistent with the aims of the

World Trade Organization, which like NAFTA, seek

to reduce trade barriers in order to promote

competition.

8 Id.

9 Id.

10Nortel Comments at 1; see also VeriFone

Comments at 1.

11Lucent Comments at 2.

12NYNEX Comments at 2.

13Ameritech Comments at 1; see also Verifone

Comments at 1.

14Sprint Comments at 1; TIA Comments at 2.

15Sprint Comments at 3.

16Sprint requests that the valid tariffed data rate

of 38.4 kbps be included in § 68.308(h)(1)(i), Table

68.308(c), and Table 68.310(b). NPRM, 11 FCC Rcd

at 13241–42, 13431, 61 FR 15441, Apr. 8, 1996.

(‘‘NAFTA’’).2 As a result of these

amendments to part 68, manufacturers

in one country will be able to design

and test terminal equipment to comply

with a single, consistent set of technical

standards accepted in both the United

States and Canada.

II. Background

1. On March 9, 1995, the

Telecommunications Industry

Association (‘‘TIA’’) filed a Petition for

Rulemaking (‘‘Petition’’) to amend

§§ 68.300–68.318 and portions of § 68.2

of the Commission’s rules to harmonize

United States network protection

standards and corresponding Canadian

CS–03 certification regulations. Subpart

D of part 68, which includes §§ 68.300

through 68.318, addresses ‘‘Conditions

for Registration,’’ including

requirements for environmental

simulation (simulation ‘‘mimics’’

stresses that terminal equipment

undergoes in shipment and handling

that could potentially damage it),

leakage current limitations, hazardous

voltage limitation, signal power

limitations, longitudinal balance

limitations, on hook impedance

limitations, billing protection, and

hearing aid compatibility. Section 68.2

addresses the scope of the Commission’s

rules for terminal attachment.

2. TIA is a national trade association

with more than 570 member companies

engaged in the manufacture, sale and

distribution of telecommunications

equipment including terminal

equipment. TIA’s Petition is the

culmination of four years of technical

effort by United States and Canadian

industry. In September, 1990, TIA’s

Engineering Subcommittee TR–41,

sponsored by its User Premises

Equipment Division, proposed a project

to ‘‘address differences’’ between

Canadian and United States terminal

attachment rules.3 The Subcommittee

created a joint working group co-chaired

by representatives from the United

States and Canada to develop a

harmonized set of rules to comply with

both countries’ requirements for

terminal attachment.4

3. In February 1996, in response to

TIA’s Petition and comments received

on the petition, the Commission issued

a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

(NPRM) proposing to amend Part 68 to

harmonize United States and Canadian

requirements for connection to the

PSN.5 In the NPRM, the Commission

tentatively concluded that the amended

rules would promote barrier-free trade

between the United States and Canada

by eliminating unnecessary differences

in terminal attachment requirements.6

We tentatively concluded that the

amended rules would be consistent with

the spirit of NAFTA, and might become

a guide for harmonization efforts with

other countries.7 Furthermore, we

tentatively concluded that the amended

rules would create a more competitive

equipment marketplace, resulting in

lower costs for equipment, thereby

benefitting United States and Canadian

consumers. We also stated that the

proposed rules were consistent with our

commitment to ensure that customers

and manufacturers can connect terminal

equipment to the telephone network

without causing harm to the network.8

Finally, we tentatively concluded that

the Commission must retain ultimate

responsibility for part 68 functions, but

should rely on standards bodies

whenever possible to resolve complex

technical matters. We sought comment

on these tentative conclusions.9

III. Discussion

A. Technical Amendments

4. Positions of the Parties. There is

unanimity of opinion among

commenters that harmonization of part

68 and CS–03 will benefit terminal

equipment manufacturers as well as the

telecommunications industry. There

were no oppositions to any of the

proposed rules. Northern Telecom

(‘‘Nortel’’), for example, supports the

Commission’s proposal and suggests

that harmonization of technical

requirements for attachment of terminal

equipment to the PSN will facilitate

trade between the United States and

Canada because manufacturers will

need to design and test to only one set

of common standards.10 Lucent agrees

that the amendment of part 68 will

result in commercial advantages.11

NYNEX argues that, under the proposed

rules, a de facto barrier to trade that was

inconsistent with NAFTA will be

eliminated.12 Ameritech says that the

proposed rules are an example of how

‘‘the government and industry can

achieve agreement without the need for

additional regulation.’’ 13

5. TIA and Sprint propose editorial

corrections to the part 68 rules in

attachments to each of their

comments.14 Additionally, Sprint

argues that the Commission should add

any tariffed data rates, i.e., all speeds of

data communications that telephone

companies agree to provide to the

public for a requested service, to the

amendments to part 68.15 More

specifically, Sprint states that 38.4 kbps

is an existing T1 subrate service and as

such ‘‘qualifies for protection in

accordance with the purpose of the part

68 rules.’’ 16

6. Discussion. Based on the record, we

amend part 68 to harmonize it with

Canada’s CS–03 and summarize our

amendments as follows. Section 68.302

is designed to protect the network from

harm by ensuring that, despite being

subject to environmental stresses,

terminal equipment will continue to

comply with part 68 and not harm the
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 61651

17Message Registration (‘‘MR’’) was a specific

traffic recording system provided by certain older

types of telephone systems. Automatic

Identification of Outward Dialing (‘‘AIOD’’) was a

private branch exchange (PBX) service feature that

identified the calling line on calls directed to a

public switched telephone network for automatic

message accounting recording purposes.

18The Through Gain Table shows the maximum

net amplification permitted in multiport systems

between ports. The 4-wire Conventional

Terminating Set interface was an older technology

used for connection of customer provided

equipment to analog voiceband private line

services.

19Subrate digital channel rates previously used

by the industry ranged from 2.4 to 64 kilobits/

second (kbps).

20Keep-alive refers to constantly present direct

current voltage formally provided from the central

office. Section 68.318 previously stated that ‘‘(u)ntil

December 18, 1989, terminal equipment connecting

to 1.544 Mbps services shall contain circuitry that

assures continuity of output signal.’’

21At a February 1997 meeting of the

Telecommunications Standards Subcommittee

(‘‘TSSC’’), Mexico agreed to a ‘‘Minimal’’ set of

network protection standards pursuant to NAFTA

Article 1304–1 (with minor exceptions to

accommodate national deviations in networks)

consistent with our initiative here to harmonize

United States and Canadian network protection

standards. The TSSC was established under NAFTA

(Article 913) to creat a work plan for ‘‘making

compatible the standards-related measures for

authorized equipment.’’ It is comprised of officials

from NAFTA member countries.

network. Amended § 68.302 deletes

vibration, temperature, and humidity

stresses from part 68, and applies

mechanical shock stresses only to

equipment that might be affected by

such stress. We delete these stresses

because experience has shown, and the

record supports, that they are

unnecessary given the technological

evolution in telecom equipment from an

arrangement of discrete electronic

components to solid state circuitry.

Over the past ten years, failures during

part 68 registration testing involving

these stresses is negligible. The benefits

of streamlining our regulations in this

regard far outweigh any possible harm

to the network created by these stresses.

In addition, as the result of industry

coordination, we are including a new

Type B surge test to better assure

operability of customer premises

equipment during lightning storms.

7. Section 68.304 leakage current

limitations ensure that telephone

connections are adequately insulated

against hazards to telephone company

personnel caused by voltages within the

equipment itself or as a result of

accidental contact with commercial

power sources. Previously, § 68.304

required testing using a 60 Hertz test

voltage. Amended § 68.304 changes the

60 Hertz standard to either 50 or 60

Hertz to harmonize with international

frequencies used for this purpose and

with Underwriters Laboratories and

Canadian Standards Association

insulation standards.

8. Section 68.306 imposes ‘‘fail safe’’

requirements on hazardous voltage.

These limits are generally used

throughout the telephone industry as

voltage limitations below which special

protection of telephone craft personnel

is not required. Equipment must be

designed to avoid creating voltages

exceeding these limits under normal

operation. We amend this section to

delete hazardous voltage requirements

for Message Registration (‘‘MR’’) and

Automatic Identification of Outward

Dialing (‘‘AIOD’’) because these types of

technology are no longer in use.17 In

addition, this Order changes the current

voltage limitation from 80 to 60 volts to

harmonize it with international safety

standards.

9. The signal power limitations of

§ 68.308 are designed to protect the

network from interference caused by

excessive signal power. We update this

section by revising the ‘‘Through Gain’’

Table to reflect services such as

Integrated Services Digital Network

(‘‘ISDN’’) and to delete references to the

4-wire Conventional Termination Set

interface.18 We also expand subrate

digital channel rates to include all rates

presently used by industry, and adopt

the ANSI T1 standard to replace the

standard in the previous rules.19 Section

68.308 also protects the network from

harm by addressing crosstalk

interference. We reword this section for

clarity and rename this section

‘‘Transverse Balance Limitations’’ to

harmonize it with internationally

recognized Institute of Electrical and

Electronic Engineers’ (‘‘IEEE’’)

terminology.

10. Section 68.312 addresses the

impedance (i.e., the resistance a circuit

offers to alternating current) that must

be maintained on a telephone line. The

amended rules reorganize and reword

this section for clarity. Specifically, the

amended rules reduce the categories of

ringer types. We also delete those

sections addressing message registration

because this technology is no longer in

use.

11. Section 68.314 ensures that

transmission of signals in the network

does not interfere with proper operation

of network billing equipment. The

amendments to this section include

rewording the section for clarity and

deleting operating requirements for

AIOD because the technology has been

replaced. We also add a new section to

clarify reverse battery billing (a type of

loop signaling) requirements. Section

68.316 Hearing Aid Compatibility

requirements are not amended by this

Order. Furthermore, we delete reference

to 1.544 Mbps digital ‘‘keep-alive’’

requirements from § 68.318 because

they are no longer in effect.20 Finally,

we amend definitions in § 68.3. For

example, we delete references to MR

and AIOD equipment, but clarify that

any MR and AIOD equipment that

remains connected to the network may

continue to be used under the

provisions of § 68.2.

12. The record supports our tentative

conclusion that amendment of part 68

as described above should lower the

price consumers pay for terminal

equipment by facilitating greater

efficiencies in the manufacturing and

testing of terminal equipment. Under

the amended rules, the technical

requirements of part 68 and CS–03

would be harmonized so that a

manufacturer in one country can design

and test terminal equipment to a single,

consistent set of technical standards

accepted in both the United States or

Canada. We conclude that these

efficiencies will lead to an even more

competitive market for terminal

equipment than currently exists,

resulting in lower costs for equipment,

thus benefitting United States and

Canadian consumers.

13. Moreover, as commenters

recognize, the amendments to part 68

reconcile differences in standards and

testing consistent with NAFTA.

Currently, terminal equipment

manufactured for use in the United

States must meet the technical

requirements of part 68. Similarly,

terminal equipment manufactured for

use in Canada must comply with the

technical requirements contained in

CS–03. Each country’s respective

technical requirements have differed

sufficiently that terminal equipment

complying with one set of regulations

would not necessarily comply with the

technical requirements of the other

country. These differences, as NYNEX

correctly states, have created

unreasonable burdens on manufacturers

and are a de facto barrier to trade

inconsistent with the goals of NAFTA.

By reconciling differences in standards

and testing, harmonization promotes the

goals of NAFTA.21 Furthermore, the

record supports our tentative conclusion

that, as amended, the rules remain

consistent with the Commission’s

longstanding commitment to ensure that

no public harm results from attachment

of private equipment to the PSN. The

record is unanimous that the amended
61652 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

22Lucent Comments at 2; see also TIA Comments

at 2–3.

23We note, however, that based on past

experience, the vast majority of equipment covered

by the grandfathering rule will be phased out of

production and replaced by models that will be

subject to the new rules.

24NPRM, 11 FCC Rcd at 13294.

25 Id. at 13295.

26 Id.

27NYNEX Comments at 3.

28TIA Comments at 3; TIA Reply Comments at

3–5.

29See, e.g., National Technology Transfer and

Advancement Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104–113, sec. 12,

110 Stat. 775, 782–83 (1996).

30NPRM, 11 FCC Rcd at 13294.

31Review of §§ 68.104 and 68.213 of the

Commission’s Rules Concerning Connection of

Simple Inside Wiring to the Telephone Network,

Order on Reconsideration, Second Report and

Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed

Rulemaking, CC Docket No. 88–57, FCC 97–209

(June 17, 1997), at paras. 54–55, 62 FR 36463, Jul.

8, 1997.

rules in no way diminish network

protection.

14. Finally, we have reviewed the

editorial corrections proposed by TIA

and Sprint and find that they clarify our

rules. For this reason, our final rules

incorporate these suggested changes. In

addition, we have added the tariffed

data rate that Sprint suggests to our

rules. While we decline to require that

all tariffed rates be included, we agree

that the specific tariffed rate Sprint

suggests should be included to cover its

currently available service.

B. Grandfathering Provision

15. Positions of the Parties. Lucent

argues that the Commission should

amend § 68.2(j) to ‘‘provide

grandfathering for existing equipment,

in order to avoid any requirement to reregister all the equipment that has

already been registered under current

rules.’’ 22 Lucent argues that a

grandfathering provision is necessary to

avoid re-registration of products that are

already registered under current rules,

are in use, and do not cause harm to the

network. Several of the commenters add

that re-registration of these products

would impose substantial expense

without yielding any benefits. We note

that no party has objected to a

grandfathering provision.

16. Discussion. We are persuaded by

commenters that there would be no

benefit to requiring the re-registration of

equipment already in use and shown

not to cause harm to the network. We

therefore adopt a grandfathering

provision.23 The new rule 68.2(j) reads

as follows:

Terminal equipment and systems

registered prior to April 20, 1998, do not

have to be re-registered unless subsequently

modified. All new equipment and systems

manufactured after May 19, 1999, must

conform to the requirements.

C. Regulatory Process

17. Background. In the NPRM, we

stated that although harmonization of

technical requirements for attachment of

terminal equipment satisfies NAFTA

requirements in a manner consistent

with the interests of United States

industry in facilitating greater

efficiencies in manufacturing terminal

equipment, we recognized that the

usefulness of a harmonized standard is

jeopardized if our regulatory process

does not allow the standard to evolve at

the same pace as technology.24

Consequently, we tentatively concluded

that the Commission should rely,

whenever possible, on standards bodies

to resolve complex technical issues. We

stated our reluctance, however, to

substitute industry consensus for our

part 68 rulemaking function as such

consensus may not always promote the

public interest.25 We noted that

standards bodies often lack the

Commission’s authority to ensure

compliance with fair rules supporting

safe and direct electrical connection of

subscriber’s terminal equipment to the

PSN.26

18. Positions of the Parties. TIA and

NYNEX urge the Commission to adopt

a rule requiring manufacturers to

comply with the technical

recommendations of industry standards

bodies with appropriate Commission

oversight. NYNEX states that ‘‘(i)nstead

of specifying technical interfaces and

requirements for terminal equipment in

the rules, the Commission should

simply adopt a rule that requires

manufacturers of such equipment to

comply with the technical requirements

and technical recommendations

developed by appropriate industry

standards bodies under the

Commission’s auspices * * * .’’ 27

NYNEX contends that through its

oversight of industry standards bodies,

the Commission should be satisfied as

to the ‘‘reasonableness’’ of any resulting

technical recommendations. TIA argues

that the current regulatory rulemaking

process lags behind changes in

technology and supports NYNEX’s

proposal.28 Moreover, TIA states that

NYNEX’s suggested approach would be

consistent with recent congressional

directives.29 VeriFone contends that

industry standards bodies should

remain responsible for technical issues,

but concurs with the Commission’s

decision to retain ultimate

responsibility in matters pertaining to

part 68 rulemaking authority.

19. Discussion. We acknowledge that

efforts to harmonize our terminal

attachment rules with those of other

countries will be impeded if the

regulatory rulemaking process fails to

keep pace with technological changes.

Therefore, we conclude that the

Commission should rely, whenever

possible, on standards bodies composed

of industry experts to resolve complex

technical matters. As we stated in the

NPRM, the Consultative Committee on

Telecommunications (‘‘CCT’’) has

substantially assisted various

harmonization activities.30

Additionally, we recently sought

comment on whether standards for

enhanced wire quality and for

determining gold equivalence should be

permanent standards and, if so, what

industry body or bodies shall determine

an appropriate voluntary standard.31 We

decline, however, to substitute industry

consensus completely for our part 68

rulemaking function. While they often

may most expeditiously resolve

complex technical matters, standards

bodies lack the Commission’s authority

to ensure compliance with fair rules

supporting safe and direct electrical

connection of subscribers’ telephone

terminal equipment to the PSN. We

note, for example, that new section

273(d)(4) of the Communications Act of

1934, as amended, seeks to ensure that

voluntary standards do not become de

facto standards that operate to exclude

legitimate parties. Similarly, while it in

this proceeding has strived to

incorporate the advice and assistance of

standards bodies to resolve complex

technical matters, the Commission must

continue to ensure through its

rulemaking function that fair rules are

developed.

IV. Conclusion

20. We conclude that the rules we

adopt herein will eliminate unnecessary

differences in terminal attachment

requirements, and thereby promote

barrier-free trade, between the United

States and Canada. We find this to be

consistent with the spirit and letter of

NAFTA, which mandates elimination of

trade barriers through reconciliation of

differences in standards and testing

procedures. These rules may become a

model for our harmonization efforts

with countries around the world and

should benefit consumers by creating a

more competitive equipment

marketplace, thereby lowering the

prices they pay for equipment. We

conclude that these rules are consistent

with the Commission’s long-standing

commitment to ensure that no public

harm results from attachment of private
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 61653

32See 5 U.S.C. 603. The RFA, see 5 U.S.C. 601

et seq., has been amended by the Contract With

America Advancement Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104–

121, 110 Stat. 847 (1996) (CWAAA). Title II of the

CWAA is the Small Business Regulatory

Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA).

33See 5 U.S.C. 601(3) (incorporating by reference

the definition of ‘‘small business concern’’ in 5

U.S.C. 632).

34 15 U.S.C. 632.

35See 13 CFR 121.201.

36 13 CFR 121.201, SIC 3661.

37 1992 Economic Census, Industry and

Employment Size of Firm, Table 1D (data prepared

by U.S. Census Bureau under contract to the U.S.

Small Business Administration).

38The rule changes ameliorate potential technical

barriers to entry in both the U.S. and Canada

markets, thereby allowing manufacturers and

suppliers, including small manufacturers and

suppliers, a reasonable opportunity to conduct

business in both markets. This result in consistent

with the general purposes of section 257 of the 1996

Telecommunications Act, 47 U.S.C. 257. That

section requires, among other things, that the

Commission eliminate market entry barriers for

small businesses who may provide parts or services

to providers of telecommunications services and

information services. Id. at section 257(a). The

Commission recently issued a report in GN Docket

No. 96–113 regarding its implementation of Section

257. See Section 257 Proceeding to Identify and

Eliminate Market Entry Barriers for Small

Businesses, Report No. 97–8, 1997 WL 232120

(1997).

equipment to the public switched

network.

V. Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

21. Final Regulatory Analysis: As

required by the Regulatory Flexibility

Act (‘‘RFA’’),32 an Initial Regulatory

Flexibility Analysis (‘‘IRFA’’) was

incorporated in the Notice of Proposed

Rulemaking in this proceeding, 11 FCC

Rcd 13282 (1996); Erratum, (released

March 29, 1996) (‘‘NPRM’’). The

Commission sought written public

comments on the proposals in the

NPRM, including comment on the IRFA.

This present Final Regulatory Flexibility

Analysis (‘‘FRFA’’) in this Report and

Order (‘‘Order’’) conforms to the RFA.

Need for, and Objectives of, This Order

and the Rules Adopted Herein

22. Consistent with the intent of the

North American Free Trade Agreement

(‘‘NAFTA’’), this Order amends part 68

of the Commission’s rules to promote

barrier-free trade between the United

States and Canada. Part 68 governs the

terms and conditions under which

customer provided terminal equipment

may be connected to the telephone

network. As a result of the amendments

to part 68, manufacturers will be able to

test terminal equipment for compliance

with a single, consistent set of technical

standards accepted in both the United

States and Canada. The harmonization

of terminal attachment rules in the

United States and Canada will be a

model for our harmonization efforts

with other countries. We adopt a

grandfathering provision to cover

equipment already registered under

current rules.

Summary of Significant Issues Raised by

Public Comments in Response to the

IRFA

23. No comments were submitted

specifically in response to the IRFA. We

have reviewed the general comments to

identify issues that may have a

significant economic impact on small

businesses. All commenters addressing

the proposed amendments to part 68 of

our Rules supported the amendments.

Description and Estimate of the Number

of Small Entities To Which Rules Will

Apply

24. The RFA directs the Commission

to provide a description of and, where

feasible, an estimate of the number of

small entities that will be affected by the

proposed rules. The RFA defines the

term ‘‘small entity’’ as having the same

meaning as the terms ‘‘small business,’’

‘‘small organization,’’ and ‘‘small

business concern’’ under section 3 of

the Small Business Act.33 A small

business concern is one which: (1) Is

independently owned and operated; (2)

is not dominant in its field of operation;

and (3) satisfies any additional criteria

established by the SBA.34 SBA has

defined a small business for Standard

Industrial Classification (‘‘SIC’’)

category 4813 (Telephone

Communications), Except

Radiotelephone) to be a small entity

when it has no more than 1,500

employees.35

25. Consistent with our prior practice,

we here exclude small incumbent local

exchange carriers (LECs) from the

definition of small entity and small

business concern. While such a

company may have 1500 or fewer

employees and thus fall within the

SBA’s definition of a small

telecommunications entity, such

companies are either dominant in their

field of operations or are not

independently owned and operated. Out

of an abundance of caution, however,

for regulatory flexibility analysis

purposes, we will consider small

incumbent LECs within this present

analysis and use the term ‘‘small

incumbent LECs’’ to refer to any

incumbent LEC that arguably might be

defined by SBA as a small business

concern.

26. Manufacturers of

Telecommunications Equipment: The

Commission has not developed a

definition of small manufacturers of

terminal equipment. The closest

applicable definition under SBA rules is

for manufacturers of telephone and

telegraph apparatus (SIC 3661), which

defines a small manufacturer as one

having 1000 or fewer employees.36

According to 1992 Census Bureau data,

there were 479 such manufacturers, and

of those, 436 had 999 or fewer

employees, and 7 had between 1000 and

1499 employees.37 Consequently, we

estimate that there are fewer than 443

small manufacturers of terminal

equipment that may be affected by the

decision and rules adopted in this

Order.

Description of Projected Reporting,

Recordkeeping and Other Compliance

Requirements

27. There are no reporting or

recordkeeping requirements.

Manufacturers will be required to test

terminal equipment to a single,

consistent set of technical standards

accepted in both the United States and

Canada.

Steps Taken to Minimize Significant

Economic Impact on Small Entities, and

Significant Alternatives Considered

28. We are adopting § 68.2(j), which

states that equipment already registered

under the current rules does not need to

be re-registered under the new rules. We

believe that such a provision will save

manufacturers, some of which may be

small businesses, the expenses incurred

in re-registering equipment that is

already in use and has been shown not

to cause harm to the network.38 No

alternative to this beneficial action was

suggested.

Report to Congress

29. The Commission will send a copy

of the Order, including this FRFA, in a

report to be sent to Congress pursuant

to the Small Business Regulatory

Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, see 5

U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A). A copy of the Order

and this FRFA (or summary thereof)

will also be published in the Federal

Register, see 5 U.S.C. 604(b), and will be

sent to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy

of the Small Business Administration.

VI. Ordering Clauses

30. Accordingly, it is ordered that,

pursuant to sections 1, 4, 201–205, 218,

220, 226, 227, 255, and 710 of the

Communications Act of 1934, as

amended, 47 U.S.C. 151, 154, 201–205,

218, 220, 226, 227, 255, and 610, and 5

U.S.C. 552 and 553, this Report and

Order is adopted, and part 68 of the
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Commission’s rules are amended as set

forth below.

31. It is further ordered, that the rule

amendments set forth below shall be

effective April 20, 1997.

32. It is further ordered, that the

Commission shall send a copy of this

Order, including the Final Regulatory

Flexibility Analysis, to the Chief

Counsel for Advocacy of the Small

Business Administration.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 68

Administrative practice and

procedure, Communications common

carriers, Communications equipment,

Telephone.

Federal Communications Commission.

William F. Caton,

Acting Secretary.

47 CFR part 68 is amended as follows:

PART 68—CONNECTION OF

TERMINAL EQUIPMENT TO THE

TELEPHONE NETWORK

1. The authority citation for part 68

continues to read as follows:

Authority: Sec. 1, 4, 5, 201–5, 208, 215,

218, 226, 227, 303, 313, 314, 403, 404, 410,

522 of the Communications Act of 1934, as

amended, 47 U.S.C. 151, 154, 155, 201–5,

208, 215, 218, 226, 227, 303, 313, 314, 403,

404, 410, 522.

2. Section 68.2 is amended by revising

paragraphs (a)(3); (d), introductory text,

and paragraph (j) and adding new

paragraph (d)(4) to read as follows:

§ 68.2 Scope.

(a) * * *

(3) Of all PBX (or similar) systems to

private line services for tie trunk type

interfaces and off premises station lines.

Services may only be added to this

section as a result of rulemaking

proceedings and equipment connected

to such added services is afforded a

reasonable transition period.

* * * * *

(d) Grandfathered private branch

exchange (or similar) systems for

connection to private line type services

(tie trunk type services, off-premises

station lines automatic identified

outward dialing, and message

registration):

* * * * *

(4) PBX (or similar) systems

connected with automatic identified

outward dialing or message registration

private line services of a type that

complies with paragraphs (d)(l) and

(d)(2) of this section may remain

connected for life without registration

unless subsequently modified.

* * * * *

(j) Terminal equipment including

premises wiring and protective

apparatus (if any) directly connected to

the network on April 20, 1997, may

remain connected and be reconnected

for life without registration, unless

subsequently modified. New

installations of terminal equipment,

including premises wiring and

protective apparatus (if any) may be

installed (including additions to

existing systems) up to May 19, 1999,

without registration of any terminal

equipment involved, provided that the

terminal equipment is of a type directly

connected to the network as of April 20,

1998. This terminal equipment may

remain connected and be reconnected to

the network for life without registration,

unless subsequently modified.

* * * * *

3. Section 68.3 is amended by adding

the following definitions for Capture

Level, Dual Tone Multi Frequency

(DTMF), Overload Point, and Voiceband

in alphabetical order; by revising the

definition for ‘‘Zero Level Decoder’’;

removing the definitions for AOID Data

Channel Simulator, AIOD Leads,

Message Register Leads, Message

Register Signaling Channel Simulator;

in the definition for Tie Trunk

Transmission Interfaces, by removing

paragraph (c) 4-wire Conventional

Terminating Set (CTS); removing figures

68.3(a), 68.3(f), 68.3(g), 68.3(h), 68.3(i),

68.3(j), 68.3(k), 68.3(l) and 68.3(m) and

adding in their place Figures 68.3(a),

68.3(f), 68.3(g), 68.3(h), 68.3(i), 68.3(j)

and 68.3(k). Figure references are

corrected in the following definitions: In

Local Area Data Channel Simulator,

Figure 68.3(k) is revised to read Figure

68.3(i), and in Loop Simulator Circuit,

Figure 68.3(i) is revised to read Figure

68.3(g) and Figure 68.3(j) is revised to

read Figure 68.3(h).

§ 68.3 Definitions.

* * * * *

Capture Level: Equipment with AGC

(Automatic Gain Control) signal power

limiting has virtually no output signal

for input levels below a certain value.

At some input signal power, the output

level will become significant (usually

corresponding to the expected output

level) for the service application. The

input level at which this occurs is

defined as the ‘‘capture level.’’

* * * * *

Dual Tone Multi Frequency (DTMF)

network control signalling is a method

of signalling using the voice

transmission path. The method employs

sixteen (16) distinct signals each

composed of two (2) voiceband

frequencies, one from each of two (2)

geometrically spaced groups designated

‘‘low group’’ and ‘‘high group.’’ The

selected spacing assures that no two

frequencies of any group combination

are harmonically related.

* * * * *

Overload Point: (1) For signal power

limiting circuits incorporating

automatic gain control method, the

‘‘overload point’’ is the value of the

input signal that is 15 dB greater than

the capture level.

(2) For signal power limiting circuits

incorporating peak limiting method, the

‘‘overload point’’ is defined as the input

level at which the equipment’s through

gain decreases by 0.4 dB from its

nominal constant gain.

* * * * *

Voiceband: The voiceband for analog

interfaces is the frequency band from

200 Hz to 3995 Hz.

* * * * *

Zero Level Decoder: The zero level

decoder shall comply with the u=255

PCM encoding law as specified in ITU–

TSS (CCITT) Rec. G.711 for voiceband

encoding and decoding. See also Fig.

68.3(j).

* * * * *

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§ 68.222 [Removed]

4. Section 68.222 is removed.

5. Section 68.300 is revised to read as

follows:

§ 68.300 Labeling requirements.

(a) Registered terminal equipment and

registered protective circuitry shall have

prominently displayed on an outside

surface the following information in the

following format:

Complies With Part 68, FCC Rules

FCC Registration Number: lllll

Ringer Equivalence: llllllll

(b) Registered terminal equipment and

registered protective circuitry shall also

have the following identifying

information permanently affixed to it.

(1) Grantee’s name.

(2) Model number, as specified in the

registration application.

(3) Serial number or date of

manufacture.

(4) Country of origin of the

equipment: ‘‘Made in lllll.’’

Required if the equipment is not

manufactured in the United States.

(Country of origin shall be determined

in accordance with 19 U.S.C. 1304 and

regulations promulgated thereunder.)

(5) As used herein, permanently

affixed means that the required

nameplate data is etched, engraved,

stamped, indelibly printed or otherwise

permanently marked. Alternatively, the

required information may be

permanently marked on a nameplate of

metal, plastic, or other material fastened

to the enclosure by welding, riveting, or

with a permanent adhesive. Such a

nameplate must be able to last for the

expected lifetime of the equipment and

must not be readily detachable.

(6) When the device is so small or for

such use that it is not practical to place

the statements specified in this section

on it, the information required by

paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section

shall be placed in a prominent location

in the instruction manual or pamphlet

supplied to the user. The FCC

Registration Number and the Model

Number shall be displayed on the

device.

6. Section 68.302 is revised to read as

follows:

§ 68.302 Environmental simulation.

Unpackaged Registered Terminal

Equipment and Registered Protective

Circuitry shall comply with all the rules

specified in this subpart, both prior to

and after the application of the

mechanical and electrical stresses

specified in this section,

notwithstanding that certain of these

stresses may result in partial or total

destruction of the equipment. Both

telephone line surges, Type A and Type

B, shall be applied as specified in

paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section.

Different failure criteria apply for each

surge type.

(a) Mechanical shock. (1) Hand-Held

Items Normally Used at Head Height: 18

random drops from a height of 1.5

meters onto concrete covered with 3

millimeters asphalt tile or similar

surface.

(2) Table (Desk) Top Equipment 0–5

kilograms: Six random drops from a

height of 750 millimeters onto concrete

covered with 3 millimeters asphalt tile

or similar surface.

(3) The drop tests specified in the

mechanical shock conditioning stresses

shall be performed as follows: The unit

should be positioned prior to release to

ensure as nearly as possible that for

every six drops there is one impact on

each of the major surfaces and that the

surface to be struck is approximately

parallel to the impact surface.

(b) Telephone Line Surge—Type A.—

(1) Metallic. Apply two metallic voltage

surges (one of each polarity) between

any pair of connections on which

lightning surges may occur; this

includes:

(i) Tip to ring;

(ii) Tip 1 to ring 1; and

(iii) For a 4-wire connection that uses

simplexed pairs for signalling, tip to

ring 1 and ring to tip 1.

Note to paragraph (b)(1). The surge shall

have an open circuit voltage waveform in

accordance with Figure 68.302(b) having a

front time (tf)) of 10 μs maximum and a decay

time (td) of 560 μs minimum, and shall have

a short circuit current waveshape in

accordance with Figure 68.302(c) having a

front time (tf) of 10 ms maximum and a decay

time (td) of 560 μs minimum. The peak

voltage shall be at least 800 volts and the

peak short circuit current shall be at least 100

amperes. Surges are applied:

(A) With the equipment in all states that

can affect compliance with the requirements

of this part 68. If an equipment state cannot

be achieved by normal means of power, it

may be achieved artificially;

(B) With equipment leads not being surged

(including telephone connections, auxiliary

leads, and terminals for connection to nonregistered equipment) terminated in a

manner that occurs in normal use;

(C) Under reasonably foreseeable

disconnection of primary power sources,

with primary power cords plugged and

unplugged, if so configured.

(2) Longitudinal. Apply two

longitudinal voltage surges (one of each

polarity) from any pair of connections

on which lightning surges may occur.

This includes the tip-ring pair and the

tip 1—ring 1 pair, to earth grounding

connections, and to all leads intended

for connection to non-registered

equipment, connected together. Surges

are applied as follows:

(i) With the equipment in all states

that can affect compliance with the

requirements of this part 68. If an

equipment state cannot be achieved by

normal means of power, it may be

achieved artificially;

(ii) With equipment leads not being

surged (including telephone

connections, auxiliary leads, and

terminals for connection to nonregistered equipment) terminated in a

manner that occurs in normal use;

(iii) Under reasonably foreseeable

disconnection of primary power

sources, as for example, with primary

power cords plugged and unplugged.

Note to paragraph (b)(2): The surge shall

have an open circuit voltage waveform in

accordance with Figure 68.302(b) with a front

time (tfμ) of 10 ms (μseconds) maximum and

a decay time (td) of 160 ms minimum, and

shall have a short circuit current waveshape

in accordance with Figure 68.302(c) having a

front time (tf) of 10 ms maximum and a decay

time (td) of 160 ms minimum. The peak

voltage shall be at least 1500 volts and the

peak short circuit current shall be at least 200

amperes.

(3) Failure Modes resulting from

application of Type A telephone line

surges. Regardless of operating state,

equipment and circuitry are allowed to

be in violation of the longitudinal

balance requirements of § 68.310(b) and

(c) and, for terminal equipment

connected to Local Area Data Channels,

the longitudinal signal power

requirements of § 68.308(f)(3), if:

(i) Such failure results from an

intentional, designed failure mode that

has the effect of connecting telephone or

auxiliary connections with earth

ground; and,

(ii) If such a failure mode state is

reached, the equipment is designed so

that it would become substantially and

noticeably unusable by the user, or an

indication is given (e.g., an alarm), in

order that such equipment can be

immediately disconnected or repaired.

Note to paragraph (b)(3)(ii): The objective

of paragraph (b)(3)(ii) is to allow for safety

circuitry to either open-circuit, which would

cause a permanent on-hook condition, or to

short-circuit to ground, as a result of an

energetic lightning surge. Off-hook tests

would be unwarranted if the off-hook state

cannot be achieved. A short to ground has

the potential for causing interference

resulting from longitudinal imbalance, and

therefore designs must be adopted which will

cause the equipment either to be

disconnected or repaired rapidly after such a

state is reached, should it occur in service.

(c) Telephone Line Surge—Type B.—

(1) Metallic. Apply two metallic voltage

surges (one of each polarity) to

equipment between any pair of
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connections on which lightning surges

may occur; this includes:

(i) Tip to ring;

(ii) Tip 1 to ring 1; and

(iii) For a 4-wire connection that uses

simplexed pairs for signalling, tip to

ring 1 and ring to tip 1.

Note to paragraph (c)(1): The surge shall

have an open circuit voltage waveform in

accordance with Figure 68.302(b) having a

front time (tf) of 9 ms (±30%) and a decay

time (td) of 720 μs (±20%) and shall have a

short circuit current waveshape in

accordance with Figure 68.302(c) having a

front time (tf) of 5 ms (±30%) and a decay

time (td) of 320 μs (±20%). The peak voltage

shall be at least 1000 volts and the peak short

circuit current shall be at least 25 amperes.

The wave shapes are based on the use of

ideal components in Figure 68.302(a) with S2

in Position M. Surges are applied:

(A) With the equipment in all states that

can affect compliance with the requirements

of this part 68. If an equipment state cannot

be achieved by normal means of power, it

may be achieved artificially.

(B) With equipment leads not being surged

(including telephone connections, auxiliary

leads, and terminals for connection to nonregistered equipment) terminated in a

manner that occurs in normal use.

(C) Under reasonably foreseeable

disconnection of primary power sources, as

for example, with primary power cords

plugged and unplugged.

(2) Longitudinal. Apply two

longitudinal voltage surges (one of each

polarity) from any pair of connections

on which lightning surges may occur.

This includes the tip-ring pair and the

tip 1—ring 1 pair to earth grounding

connections and to all leads intended

for connection to non-registered

equipment, connected together. Surges

are applied as follows:

(i) With the equipment in all states

that can affect compliance with the

requirements of this part 68. If an

equipment state cannot be achieved by

normal means of power, it may be

achieved artificially.

(ii) With equipment leads not being

surged (including telephone

connections, auxiliary leads, and

terminals for connection to nonregistered equipment) terminated in a

manner that occurs in normal use.

(iii) Under reasonably foreseeable

disconnection of primary power

sources, with primary power cords

plugged and unplugged, if so

configured.

Note to paragraph (c)(2): For each output

lead of the surge generator, with the other

lead open, the surge shall have an open

circuit voltage waveform in accordance with

Figure 68.302(b) having a front time (tf) of 9

μs (±30%) and a decay time (td) of 720 μs (±

20%) and shall have a short circuit current

waveshape in accordance with Figure

68.302(c) having a front time (tf) of 5 μs

(±30%) and a decay time (td) of 320 μs

(±20%). The peak voltage shall be at least

1500 volts and the peak short circuit current

shall be at least 37.5 amperes. The wave

shapes are based on the use of ideal

components in Figure 68.302)(a) with S2 in

Position L.

(3) Failure Modes resulting from

application of Type B telephone line

surges. Registered terminal equipment

and registered protective circuitry shall

be capable of withstanding the energy of

Surge Type B without causing

permanent opening or shorting of the

interface circuit and without sustaining

damage that will affect compliance with

these rules.

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(d) Power Line Surge. (1) Apply six

power line surges (three of each

polarity) between the phase and neutral

terminals of the ac power line while the

equipment is being powered. The surge

shall have an open circuit voltage

waveform in accordance with Figure

68.302(b) having a front time (tf) of 2 μs

maximum and a decay time (td) of 10 μs

minimum and shall have a short circuit

current waveshape in accordance with

Figure 68.302(c) with a front time (tf) of

2 μs maximum and a decay time (td) of

10 μs minimum. The peak voltage shall

be at least 2500 volts and the peak short

circuit current shall be at least 1000

amperes. Surges are applied:

(i) With the equipment in all states

that can affect compliance with the

requirements of this part 68. If an

equipment state cannot be achieved by

normal means of power, it may be

achieved artificially;

(ii) With equipment leads not being

surged (including telephone

connections, auxiliary leads, and

terminals for connection to nonregistered/non-certified equipment)

terminated in a manner which occurs in

normal use.

(2) Failure Modes resulting from

application of power line surge.

Registered terminal equipment and

registered protective circuitry shall

comply with all the criteria contained in

the rules and regulations in this subpart,

both prior to and after the application of

the power line surge specified in

paragraph (d )of this section, not

withstanding that this surge may result

in partial or total destruction of the

equipment under test.

8. Section 68.304 is revised to read as

follows:

§ 68.304 Leakage current limitations.

Registered terminal equipment and

registered protective circuitry shall have

a voltage applied to the combination of

points listed in the table below. The test

voltage shall be ac of 50 or 60 Hz rms.

(a) All telephone connections;

(b) All power connections;

(c) All possible combinations of

exposed conductive surfaces on the

exterior of such equipment or circuitry

including grounding connection points,

but excluding terminals for connection

to other terminal equipment;

(d) All terminals for connection to

registered protective circuitry or nonregistered equipment;

(e) All auxiliary lead terminals;

(f) All E&M lead terminals, and

(g) All PR, PC, CY1 and CY2 leads.

TABLE 68.304(a).—VOLTAGE APPLIED

FOR VARIOUS COMBINATIONS OF

ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS

Voltage source connected between: ac

value1

(a) and (b) (see NOTES 1, 2, 3) ...... 1500

(a) and (c) (see NOTES 1, 2) ........... 1000

(a) and (d) (see NOTES 1, 2) .......... 1000

(a) and (e) (see NOTES 1, 2) .......... 1000

(a) and (f) (see NOTES 1, 2) ........... 1000

(a) and (g) (see NOTES 1, 2) .......... 1000

(b) and (c) (see NOTE 3) ................. 1500

(b) and (d) (see NOTE 3) ................. 1500

(b) and (e) (see NOTE 3) ................. 1500

(b) and (f) (see NOTE 3) .................. 1500

(b) and (g) (see NOTE 3) ................. 1500

(c) and (e) (see NOTES 1, 2) ........... 1000

(c) and (f) (see NOTES 1, 2) ............ 1000

(d) and (e) (see NOTE 2) ................. 1000

(d) and (f) (see NOTE 2) .................. 1000

(e) and (f) (see NOTE 2) .................. 1000

1Value to which test voltage is gradually increased.

Notes to Table 68.304(a):

(1) Gradually increase the voltage from

zero to the values listed in Table 68.304(a)

over a 30-second time period, then maintain

the voltage for one minute. The current in the

mesh formed by the voltage source and these

points shall not exceed 10 mA peak at any

time during this 90-second interval.

(2) Equipment states necessary for

compliance with the requirements of this

section that cannot be achieved by normal

means of power shall be achieved artificially

by appropriate means.

(3) A telephone connection, auxiliary lead,

or E&M lead that has an intentional dc

conducting path to earth ground at

operational voltages (such as a ground start

lead), may be excluded from the leakage

current test in that operational state. Leads or

connections excluded for this reason shall

comply with the requirements of

§ 68.306(e)(1).

(4) A telephone connection, auxiliary lead,

or E&M lead that has an intentional dc

conducting path to earth ground for

protection purposes at the leakage current

test voltage (such as through a surge

suppressor), may have the component

providing the conducting path removed from

the equipment for the leakage current test in

that operational state. Components removed

for this reason shall comply with the

requirements of § 68.306(e)(2).

(5) Filter paths, such as capacitors used in

EMI filters, are left in place during leakage

current testing, since these components can

be a path for excessive leakage.

(6) For multi-unit equipment

interconnected by cables, that is evaluated

and registered as an interconnected

combination or assembly, the specified 10

mA peak maximum leakage current

limitation other than between power

connection points and other points, may be

increased as described here to accommodate

cable capacitance. The leakage current

limitation may be increased to (10N+0.13L)

mA peak where L is the length of

interconnecting cable in the leakage path in

meters and N is the number of equipment

units that the combination or assembly will

place in parallel across a telephone

connection.

(7) RF filters and surge protectors on the

line side of power supplies may be

disconnected before making § 68.304 leakage

measurements. As an alternative to

disconnecting these filters and surge

protectors, this measurement may be made

using a dc voltage equal to the peak ac test

voltage.

9. Section 68.306 is revised to read as

follows:

§ 68.306 Hazardous voltage limitations.

(a) General. Under no condition of

failure of registered terminal equipment

or registered protective circuitry that

can be conceived to occur in the

handling, operation or repair of such

equipment or circuitry, shall the open

circuit voltage on telephone connections

exceed 70 volts peak after one second,

except for voltages for network control

signalling, alerting and supervision.

(1) Type I E&M Leads. Registered

terminal equipment shall comply with

the following requirements for terminal

equipment on the ‘‘A’’ or ‘‘B’’ side of the

interface as shown in Figures 68.3(e)(i):

(i) The dc current on the E lead shall

not exceed 100 mA.

(ii) The maximum dc potentials to

ground shall not exceed the following

when measured across a resistor of 20

kohms ±10%:

TABLE 68.306(a).—TYPE I E&M, DC POTENTIALS

E lead M lead

TE on ‘‘B’’ side originates signals to network

on E lead.

±5 V .................................................................. ±5 V.

TE on ‘‘A’’ side originates signals to network

on M lead.

¥56.5 V; no positive potential with respect to

ground.

¥56.5 V; no positive potential with respect to

ground.

(iii) The maximum ac potential between E&M leads and ground reference shall not exceed 5V peak.

(iv) M lead protection shall be provided so that voltages to ground do not exceed 60 volts. For relay contact

implementation, a power dissipation capability of 0.5 watt shall be provided in the shunt path.
61668 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

1The ac component should not exceed 5 volts

peak, when not otherwise controlled by § 68.308.

2The ac component shall not exceed 5 volts peak,

where not otherwise controlled by § 68.308.

(v) If the registered terminal equipment contains an inductive component in the E lead, it must assure that the

transient voltage across the contact as a result of a relay contact opening does not exceed the following voltage and

duration limitations:

(A) 300 volts peak,

(B) A rate of change of one volt per microsecond, and

(C) A 60-volt level after 20 milliseconds.

(2) Type II E&M Leads. Registered terminal equipment shall comply with the following requirements:

(i) For terminal equipment on the ‘‘A’’ side of the interface, the dc current in the E lead shall not exceed 100

mA. The maximum ac potential between the E lead and ground shall not exceed 5 V peak.

(ii) For terminal equipment on the ‘‘B’’ side of the interface, the dc current in the SB lead shall not exceed 100

mA. The maximum ac potential between the SB lead and ground shall not exceed 5 V peak.

(iii) The maximum dc potentials to ground shall not exceed the following when measured across a resistor of

20 kohms ±10%:

TABLE 68.306(b).—TYPE II E&M, DC POTENTIALS

E lead M lead SB lead SG lead

TE on ‘‘B’’ side of the interface originates signals to network on E lead.±5 V .................................................. ±5 V ¥56.5 V; no positive potential with

respect to ground.

±5 V.

TE on ‘‘A’’ side of the interface originates signals to network on M lead.¥56.5 V; no positive potential with

respect to ground.

±5 V ±5 V .................................................. ±5 V.

(iv) The maximum ac potential to

ground shall not exceed 5V peak on the

following leads, from sources in the

terminal equipment:

(A) M, SG and SB leads for terminal

equipment on the ‘‘A’’ side of the

interface.

(B) E, SG and M leads for terminal

equipment on the ‘‘B’’ side of the

interface.

(v) If the registered terminal

equipment contains an inductive

component in the (E) or (M) lead, it

must assure that the transient voltage

across the contact as a result of a relay

contact opening does not exceed the

following voltage and duration

limitations:

(A) 300 volts peak,

(B) A rate of change of one volt per

microsecond, and

(C) A 60-volt level after 20

milliseconds.

(3) Off premises station voltages. (i)

Talking battery or voltages applied by

the PBX (or similar systems) to all

classes of OPS interface leads for

supervisory purposes must be negative

with respect to ground, shall not be

more than ¥56.5 volts dc with respect

to ground, and shall not have a

significant ac component.1

(ii) Ringing signals applied by the

PBX (or similar systems) to all classes of

OPS interface leads shall comply with

requirements in paragraph (d) of this

section. Ringing voltages shall be

applied between the ring conductor and

ground.

(4) Direct Inward Dialing (DID).

Voltages applied by the PBX (or similar

systems) to DID interface leads for

supervisory purposes must be negative

with respect to ground, shall not be

more than ¥56.5 volts dc with respect

to ground, and shall not have a

significant ac component.2

(5) Local Area Data Channel

Interfaces. For Local Area Data Channel

interfaces, during normal operating

modes including terminal equipment

initiated maintenance signals, registered

terminal equipment shall ensure, except

during the application of ringing

(limitations specified in paragraph (d) of

this section), with respect to telephone

connections (tip, ring, tip 1, ring 1) that:

(i) Under normal operating

conditions, the rms current per

conductor between short-circuit

conductors, including dc and ac

components, does not exceed 350

milliamperes. For other than normal

operating conditions, the rms current

between any conductor and ground or

between short-circuited conductors,

including dc and ac components, may

exceed 350 milliamperes for no more

than 1.5 minutes;

(ii) The dc voltage between any

conductor and ground does not exceed

60 volts. Under normal operating

conditions it shall not be positive with

respect to ground (though positive

voltages up to 60 volts may be allowed

during brief maintenance states);

(iii) AC voltages are less than 42.4

volts peak between any conductor and

ground, (terminal equipment shall

comply while other interface leads are

both):

(A) Unterminated, and

(B) Individually terminated to

ground); and,

(iv) Combined ac and dc voltages

between any conductor and ground are

less than 42.4 volt peak when the

absolute value of the dc component is

less than 21.2 volts, and less than (32.8

+ 0.454 × Vdc) when the absolute value

of the dc component is between 21.2

and 60 volts.

(6) Ringdown Voiceband Private Line

and Voiceband Metallic Channel

Interface. During normal operation,

registered terminal equipment for

connection to ringdown voiceband

private line interfaces or voiceband

metallic channel interfaces shall ensure

that:

(i) Ringing voltage does not exceed

the voltage and current limits specified

in paragraph (d) of this section, and is:

(A) Applied to the ring conductor

with the tip conductor grounded for 2-

wire interfaces, or

(B) Simplexed on the tip and ring

conductors with ground simplexed on

the tip 1 and ring 1 conductors for 4-

wire interfaces.

(ii) Except during the signaling mode

or for monitoring voltage, there is no

significant positive dc voltage (not over

+5 volts) with respect to ground:

(A) For 2-wire ports between the tip

lead and ground and the ring lead and

ground and

(B) For 4-wire ports between the tip

lead and ground, the ring lead and

ground, the tip 1 lead and ground, and

the ring 1 lead and ground.

(iii) The dc current per lead, under

short circuit conditions shall not exceed

140 milliamperes.

(b) Connection of non-registered

equipment to registered terminal

equipment or registered protective

circuitry.—General. Leads to, or any

elements having a conducting path to
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 61669

telephone connections, auxiliary leads

or E&M leads shall:

(1) Be reasonably physically separated

and restrained from and be neither

routed in the same cable as nor use the

same connector as leads or metallic

paths connecting power connections;

(2) Be reasonably physically separated

and restrained from and be neither

routed in the same cable as nor use

adjacent pins on the same connector as

metallic paths to lead to nonregistered

equipment, when specification details

provided to the Commission, pursuant

to, § 68.200(g), do not show that

interface voltages are less than nonhazardous voltage source limits in

paragraph (c) of this section.

(c) Non-Hazardous Voltage Source. A

voltage source is considered a nonhazardous voltage source if it conforms

with the requirements of § 68.302,

§ 68.304 and paragraph (b) of this

section, with all connections to the

source other than primary power

connections treated as ‘‘telephone

connections,’’ and if such source

supplies voltages no greater than the

following under all modes of operation

and of failure:

(1) AC voltages less than 42.4 volts

peak;

(2) DC voltages less than 60 volts; and

(3) Combined ac and dc voltages less

than 42.4 volts peak when the absolute

value of the dc component is less than

21.2 volts and less than (32.8 + 0.454 ×

V dc) when the absolute value of the dc

component is between 21.2 and 60

volts.

(d) Ringing Sources. Except for class

A OPS interfaces, ringing sources shall

meet all of the following restrictions:

(1) Ringing Signal Frequency. The

ringing signal shall use only frequencies

whose fundamental component is equal

to or below 70 Hz.

(2) Ringing Signal Voltage. The

ringing voltage shall be less than 300 V

peak-to-peak and less than 200 V peakto-ground across a resistive termination

of at least 1 megohm.

(3) Ringing Signal Interruption Rate.

The ringing voltage shall be interrupted

to create quiet intervals of at least one

second (continuous) duration each

separated by no more than 5 seconds.

During the quiet intervals, the voltage to

ground shall not exceed the voltage

limits given in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this

section.

(4) Ringing Signal Sources. Ringing

voltage sources shall comply with the

following requirements:

(i) If the ringing current through a 500

ohm(s) (and greater) resistor does not

exceed 100 mA peak-to-peak, neither a

ring trip device nor a monitoring voltage

are required.

(ii) If the ringing current through a

1500 ohm (and greater) resistor exceeds

100 mA peak-to-peak, the ringing source

shall include a current-sensitive ring

trip device in series with the ring lead

that will trip ringing as specified in

Figure 68.306(a) in accordance with the

following conditions:

(A) If the ring trip device operates as

specified in Figure 68.306(a) with

R=500 ohm (and greater) no monitoring

voltage is required;

(B) If, however, the ring trip device

only operates as specified in Figure

68.306(a) with R=1500 ohm (and

greater) then the ringing voltage source

shall also provide a monitoring voltage

between 19 V dc and 56.5 V dc, negative

with respect to ground, on the tip or

ring conductor.

(iii) If the ringing current through a

500-ohm (and greater) resistor exceeds

100 mA (peak-to-peak) but does not

exceed 100 mA peak-to-peak with 1500-

ohm (and greater) termination, the

ringing voltage source shall include

either a ring trip device that meets the

operating characteristics specified in

Figure 68.306(a) with 500-ohm (and

greater) resistor, or a monitoring voltage

as specified in paragraph (d)(4)(ii)(B) of

this section.

Note to paragraph (d)(4)(iii): If the

operating characteristics specified in Figure

68.306(a) are not met with both the 500-ohm

and 1500-ohm terminations, then the

terminal equipment under test fails (See

Table 68.306(c)).

BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
61670 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

BILLING CODE 6712–01–C
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 61671

1The path to ground is reestablished when the

leads are replaced.

TABLE 68.306(C).—SUMMARY OF RING TRIP REQUIREMENTS

Section 68.306 (d)(4).

Ringing current (mA p.p) Function required

Ring trip device operates per figure

68.306(a) R=500

ohms and

greater

R=1500

ohms and

greater

Ring trip Monitor voltage

(i) ......................................................... <100 <100 Optional ............ Optional ............ Optional.

(ii)(A) ................................................... N/A >100 Yes ................... Optional ............ Yes for both resistances.

(ii)(B) ................................................... N/A >100 Yes ................... Yes ................... Yes for R=1500 ohms and greater.

No for R=500 ohms and greater.

(iii) ....................................................... >100 <100 Either Ring-Trip device or Monitor

Voltage required

Yes for R=500 ohms and greater, if

Ring Trip Device is used.

(e) Intentional paths to ground (as

required by § 68.304). (1) Connections

with operational paths to ground.

Registered terminal equipment and

registered protective circuitry having an

intentional dc conducting path to earth

ground at operational voltages that was

excluded during the leakage current test

of § 68.304 shall have a dc current

source applied between the following

points:

(i) Telephone connections, including

tip, ring, tip 1, ring 1, E&M leads and

auxiliary leads, and

(ii) Earth grounding connections.

Note to paragraphs (e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii):

For each test point, gradually increase the

current from zero to 1 ampere, then maintain

the current for one minute. The voltage

between (e)(2)(i) and (e)(2)(ii) of this section

shall not exceed 0.1 volt at any time.

Note to paragraphs (e)(2)(i) and (e)(2)(ii):

(1) In the event there is a component or

circuit in the path to ground, the requirement

shall be met between the grounded side of

the component or circuit and the earth

grounding connection.

(2) Connections with protection paths to

ground. Registered terminal equipment and

protective circuitry having an intentional dc

conducting path to earth ground for

protection purposes at the leakage current

test voltage that was removed 1 during the

leakage current test of § 68.304 shall, upon its

replacement, have a 50 or 60 Hz voltage

source applied between the following points:

(i) Simplexed telephone connections,

including tip and ring, tip 1 and ring 1, E&M

leads and auxiliary leads, and

(ii) Earth grounding connections.

(3) Gradually increase the voltage from

zero to 120 volts rms for registered terminal

equipment, or 300 volts rms for protective

circuitry, then maintain the voltage for one

minute. The current between

§§ 68.306(d)(4)(i) and 68.306(d)(4)(ii) shall

not exceed 10 mA peak at any time. As an

alternative to carrying out this test on the

complete equipment or device, the test may

be carried out separately on components,

subassemblies, and simulated circuits,

outside the unit, provided that the test results

would be representative of the results of

testing the complete unit.

10. Section 68.308 is revised to read

as follows:

§ 68.308 Signal power limitations.

(a) General. Limits on signal power

shall be met at the interface for all 2-

wire network ports and, where

applicable to offered services, both

transmit and receive pairs of all 4-wire

network ports. Signal power

measurements shall be made using

terminations as specified in each of the

following limitations. The transmit and

receive pairs for 4-wire network ports

shall be measured with the pair not

under test connected to a termination

equivalent to that specified for the pair

under test. Through gain limitations

apply only in the direction of

transmission toward the network.

(b) Voiceband metallic signal power.

(1) Limitations at the interface on

internal signal sources not intended for

network control signaling:

(i) The power of all signal energy, in

the 200–3995 Hz voiceband, delivered

by registered terminal equipment or

registered protective circuitry to the

appropriate loop simulator—other than

non-permissive data equipment or data

protective circuitry shall not exceed ¥9

dBm when averaged over any 3 second

interval.

(ii) For 2-wire and 4-wire lossless tie

trunk type interfaces, the maximum

power of other than live voice signals

delivered to a 600-ohm termination

shall not exceed ¥15 dBm when

averaged over any three second interval.

(iii) For OPS lines, the maximum

power of other than live voice delivered

to an OPS line simulator circuit shall

not exceed ¥9 dB with respect to one

milliwatt, when averaged over any 3-

second interval.

(iv) For registered test equipment or

registered test circuitry the maximum

signal power delivered to a loop

simulator circuit shall not exceed 0 dBm

when averaged over any 3-second

interval.

(v) For voiceband private lines using

ringdown or inband signaling the

maximum power of other than live

voice signals delivered to a 600 ohm

termination shall not exceed ¥13 dBm

when averaged over any 3-second

interval.

(vi) For voiceband private lines using

inband signaling in the band 2600 ± 150

Hz, the maximum power delivered to a

600 ohm termination shall not exceed

¥8 dBm during the signaling mode. The

maximum power delivered to a 600 ohm

termination in the on-hook steady state

supervisory condition shall not exceed

¥20 dBm. The maximum power of

other than live voice signals delivered to

a 600 ohm termination during the nonsignaling mode and for other inband

systems shall not exceed ¥13 dBm

when averaged over any 3-second

interval.

(2) Limitations on internal signal

sources primarily intended for network

control signaling, contained in voice

and data equipment.

(i) For all operating conditions of

registered terminal equipment and

registered protective circuitry, the

maximum power in the frequency band

below 3995 Hz delivered to a loop

simulator circuit shall not exceed the

following when averaged over any 3-

second interval:

(A) 0 dBm when used for network

control (DTMF);

(B) 0 dBm when DTMF is used for

manual entry end-to-end signaling.

When the device is used for this

purpose it shall not generate more than

40 DTMF digits per manual key stroke.

(C) ¥9 dBm in all other cases.

(ii) For tie trunk applications, the

maximum power delivered to a 600 ohm

termination for registered terminal

equipment and registered protective

circuitry under all operating conditions

shall not exceed ¥4 dBm over any 3

second interval.

(3) Registered one port and multiport

terminal equipment and protective

circuitry with provision for through

transmission from other terminal

equipment, excluding data equipment

and data protective circuitry that are

registered in accordance with

§ 68.308(b)(4).
61672 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

(i) Where through-transmission

equipment provides a dc electrical

signal to equipment connected

therewith (e.g., for powering of electroacoustic transducers), dc conditions

shall be provided which fall within the

range of conditions provided by a loop

simulator circuit unless the combination

of the through-transmission equipment

and equipment connected therewith is

registered as a combination which

conforms to paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2)

of this section.

(ii) Through-transmission equipment

to which remotely connected data

terminal equipment may be connected

shall not be equipped with or connected

to either a Universal or Programmed

Data Jack used in data configurations.

(See paragraph (b)(4) of this section and

§ 68.502(e)).

(4) Registered data circuit terminal

equipment shall be capable of operation

in at least one of the states discussed in

paragraphs (b)(1)(i), (b)(1)(ii) or

(b)(1)(iii) of this section. The output

power level of the data circuit terminal

equipment shall not be alterable, by the

customer, to levels which exceed the

signal power limits specified herein.

(i) Data circuit terminal equipment

intended to operate with a programming

resistor for signal level control shall not

exceed the programmed levels given in

Table 68.308(a).

(ii) Data circuit terminal equipment

intended to operate in the fixed loss

loop (FLL) state shall not transmit signal

power that exceeds ¥4 dBm, in the

200—3995 Hz voiceband, when

averaged over any and all 3 second

intervals.

(iii) Data circuit terminal equipment

shall not transmit signals from 200 to

3995 Hz that exceed ¥9 dBm, when

averaged over any and all 3 second

intervals.

TABLE 68.308(a)

Programming resistor (Rp)*

(ohms)

Programmed

data

equipment signal power

output

Short ............................................. 0 dBm.

150 ................................................ ¥1 dBm.

336 ................................................ ¥2 dBm.

569 ................................................ ¥3 dBm.

866 ................................................ ¥4 dBm.

TABLE 68.308(a)—Continued

Programming resistor (Rp)*

(ohms)

Programmed

data

equipment signal power

output

1240 .............................................. ¥5 dBm.

1780 .............................................. ¥6 dBm.

2520 .............................................. ¥7 dBm.

3610 .............................................. ¥8 dBm.

5490 .............................................. ¥9 dBm.

*Tolerance ) 1%.

(5) Registered one-port and multiport

terminal equipment and protective

circuitry with provision for throughtransmission from ports to other

equipment which is separately

registered for the public switched

network, or ports to other network

interfaces.

(i) Registered terminal equipment and

registered protective circuitry shall have

no adjustments that will allow net

amplification to occur in either

direction of transmission in the throughtransmission path within the 200–3995

Hz voiceband that will exceed the

following:

TABLE 68.308(b).—ALLOWABLE NET AMPLIFICATION BETWEEN PORTS (A)(C)(D)(E)

To Tie trunk type ports

Integrated

services

trunk

OPS ports

(2-wire)

(B)

Public

switched

network

ports

(2-wire)

HCC digital PBX–

From (E) 2⁄4-wire CO 4-wire

Subrate

1.544

Mbps satellite 4W

Subrate

1.544

Mbps tandem 4W

2⁄4-Wire Tie .............................................................. 0 dB 3 dB 3 dB 3 dB 6 dB

Subrate 1.544 Mbps Satellite 4W Tie ..................... 0 dB 3 dB 3 dB 6 dB

Subrate 1.544 Mbps Tandem 4W Tie ..................... ¥3 dB 0 dB 0 dB 0 dB 3 dB

Integrated Services Trunk ....................................... ¥3 dB 0 dB 0 dB 0 dB 3 dB

RTE Digital .............................................................. 0 dB 0 dB 0 dB 0 dB 3 dB 3 dB 0 dB.

RTE (B) PSTN/OPS ................................................ ¥3 dB ¥3 dB ¥3 dB ¥3 dB 0 dB 0 dB ¥3 dB

OPS (B) (2-Wire) ..................................................... ¥2 dB 1 dB 1 dB 1 dB 4 dB 4 dB 1 dB.

Public Switched Network (2-Wire) .......................... 3 dB 3 dB

HCC Digital PBX–CO (4-Wire) ................................ 3 dB

(A) The source impedance for all

measurements shall be 600 ohms. All

ports shall be terminated in appropriate

loop or private line channel simulator

circuits or 600 ohm terminations.

(B) These ports are for 2-wire onpremises station ports to separately

registered terminal equipment.

(C) These through gain limitations are

applicable to multiport systems where

channels are not derived by time or

frequency compression methods.

Terminal equipment employing such

compression techniques shall assure

that equivalent compensation for

through gain parameters is

demonstrated in the registration

application.

(D) Registered terminal equipment

and registered protective circuitry may

have net amplification exceeding the

limitations of this subsection provided

that, for each network interface type to

be connected, the absolute signal power

levels specified in this section are not

exceeded.

(E) The indicated gain is in the

direction that results when moving from

the horizontal entry toward the vertical

entry.

(F) Registered terminal equipment or

protective circuitry with the capability

for through transmission from

voiceband private line channels or

voiceband metallic channels to other

telephone network interfaces shall

ensure that the absolute signal power

levels specified in this section, for each

telephone network interface type to be

connected, are not exceeded.

(G) Registered terminal equipment or

protective circuitry with the capability

for through transmission from

voiceband private line channels or

voiceband metallic private line channels

to other telephone network interfaces

shall assure, for each telephone network

interface type to be connected, that

signals with energy in the 2450 to 2750

Hz band are not through transmitted

unless there is at least an equal amount

of energy in the 800 to 2450 Hz band

within 20 milliseconds of application of

signal.
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 61673

3Average magnitudes may be used for signals that

have peak-to-rms ratios of 20 dB and less. The rms

limitations must be used instead of average values

if the peak-to-rms ratio of the interfering signal

exceeds this value.

(ii) The insertion loss in through

connection paths for any frequency in

the 800 to 2450 Hz band shall not

exceed the loss at any frequency in the

2450 to 2750 Hz band by more than 1

dB (maximum loss in the 800 to 2450

Hz band minus minimum loss in the

2450 to 2750 Hz band plus 1 dB).

(6) For tie trunk interfaces—

Limitation on idle circuit stability

parameters. For idle state operating

conditions of registered terminal

equipment and registered protective

circuitry, the following limitations shall

be met:

(i) For the two-wire interface:

RL

dB

dB for f

f

≥

− ≤ ≤

≤ ≤















9 3

6 500 3200

200

2 5

log( / )

log( . ) ;

;

 for 200 Hz f 500 Hz

 Hz Hz

(ii) For the four-wire lossless interface:

t

dB

dB for f

t dB

RL RL dB

f

f

r

i o

1

10 4

6 500 3200

1 40

3

200

2 5

≥

− ≤ ≤

≤ ≤















>

≥

log( / )

log( . ) ;

;

,

 for 200 Hz f 500 Hz

 Hz Hz

Note: The following definitions apply to

return loss requirements:

RL the return loss of 2-wire terminal

equipment at the interface with respect

to 600 ohms+2.16 μF (i.e., Zref=600

ohms+2.16 μF).

RL

Z Z

Z Z

PBX ref

PBX ref

∆ 20 10 log

+

−

Rli the terminal equipment input (receive)

port return loss with respect to 600 ohms

(i.e., Zref=600 ohms).

RL

Z Z

Z Z i

PBX input ref

PBX input ref

∆ 20 10 log ( )

( )

+

−

RLo the terminal equipment output

(transmit) port return loss with respect to

600 ohms (i.e., Zref=600 ohms).

RL

Z Z

Z Z o

PBX output ref

PBX output ref

∆ 20 10 log ( )

( )

+

−

tl the transducer loss between the receive

and transmit ports of the 4-wire PBX. tlf

is the transducer loss in the forward

direction from the receive port to the

transmit port of the PBX.

t

I

I f

i

r

1 20 ∆ 10 log

Where Ii is the current sent into the receive

port and Ir is the current received at the

transmit port terminated at 600 ohms.

tlr is the transducer loss in the reverse

direction, from the transmit port to the

receive port of the PBX.

t

I

I r i

r

1 20 ∆ 10 log

Where Ii is the current sent into the transmit

port and Ir is the current received at the

receive port terminated at 600 ohms.

Note, the source impedance of Ii is 600

ohms.

(7) Registered terminal equipment and

registered protective circuitry shall

provide the following range of dc

conditions to off-premises station (OPS)

lines.

(i) DC voltages applied to the OPS

interface for supervisory purposes and

during network control signaling shall

meet the limits specified in

§ 68.306(a)(3)(i).

(ii) DC voltages applied to the OPS

interface during the talking state shall

meet the following requirements:

(A) The maximum open circuit

voltage across the tip (T(OPS)) and ring

(R(OPS)) leads for all classes shall not

exceed 56.5 volts, and

(B) Except for class A OPS interfaces,

the maximum dc current into a short

circuit across tip (T(OPS)) and ring

(R(OPS)) leads shall not exceed 140 mA.

(8) For connections to 1.544 Mbps

digital services, the permissible code

words for unequipped Mu-255 encoded

subrate channels are limited to those

corresponding to signals of either

polarity, of magnitude equal to or less

than X48, where code word, XN is

derived by:

XN = (255 – N) base 2

¥XN = (127 – N) base 2

(c) Signal power in the 3995–4005 Hz

frequency band.

(1) Power resulting from internal

signal sources contained in registered

protective circuitry and registered

terminal equipment (voice and data),

not intended for network control

signaling. For all operating conditions of

registered terminal equipment and

registered protective circuitry that

incorporate signal sources other than

sources intended for network control

signaling, the maximum power

delivered by such sources in the 3995–

4005 Hz band to an appropriate

simulator circuit, shall be 18 dB below

maximum permitted power specified in

paragraph (b) of this section for the

voiceband.

(2) Terminal equipment with

provision of through-transmission from

other equipment. The loss in any

through-transmission path of registered

terminal equipment and registered

protective circuitry at any frequency in

the 600 to 4000 Hz band shall not

exceed, by more than 3 dB, the loss at

any frequency in the 3995 to 4005 Hz

band, when measured into an

appropriate simulator circuit from a

source that appears as 600 ohms across

tip and ring.

(d) Longitudinal voltage at

frequencies below 4 kHz. The weighted

rms voltage 3 averaged over 100

milliseconds that is resultant of all of

the component longitudinal voltages in

the 100 Hz to 4 kHz band after

weighting according to the transfer
61674 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

function of f/4000 where f is the

frequency in Hertz, shall not exceed the

maximum indicated under the

conditions stated in paragraph (g) of this

section.

Frequency range

Maximum

weighted

rms voltage

Impedance

100 Hz to 4 kHz ...... ¥30 dBV 500 ohms.

(e) Voltage in the 4 kHz to 6 MHZ

frequency range-general case—2-wire

and 4-wire lossless interface (except

LADC). Except as noted, rms voltage as

averaged over 100 milliseconds at the

telephone connections of registered

terminal equipment and registered

protective circuitry in all of the possible

8 kHz bands within the indicated

frequency range and under the

conditions specified in paragraph (g) of

this section shall not exceed the

maximum indicated below. For

paragraphs(e)(1) and (e)(2)(i) of this

section, ‘‘f’’ is the center frequency in

kHz of each of the possible 8-kHz bands

beginning at 8 kHz.

(1) Metallic Voltage. 4 kHz to 270

kHz:

Center frequency (f) of 8 kHz band Max voltage in all 8 kHz bands

Metallic

terminating

impedance

8 kHz to 12 khz ............................................................................. ¥(6.4 + 12.6 log f) dBV ................................................................ 300 ohms.

12 kHz to 90 kHz ........................................................................... ........................................................................................................ 135 ohms.

90 kHz to 266 kHz ......................................................................... (23–40 log f) dBV ¥55 ................................................................. 135 ohms.

(2) Longitudinal voltage.

(i) 4 kHz to 270 kHz.

(ii) 270 kHz to 6 MHZ. The rms value of the longitudinal voltage components in the frequency range of 270

kHz to 6 MHZ, shall not exceed ¥30 dBV. This limitation applies with a longitudinal termination having an impedance

of 90 ohms.

Center frequency (f) of 8 kHz band Max voltage in all 8 kHz bands

Longitudinal terminating impedance

8 kHz to 12 kHz ............................................................................. ¥(18.4 + 20 log f) dBV ................................................................. 500 ohms

12 kHz to 42 kHz ........................................................................... ........................................................................................................ 90 ohms

42 kHz to 266 kHz (2¥40 log f) dBV ¥62 dBV ........................... ........................................................................................................ 90 ohms

(f) LADC interface. The metallic

voltage shall comply with the general

requirements in paragraph (f)(1) of this

section as well as the additional

requirements specified in paragraphs

(f)(2) and (f)(3) of this section. The

requirements apply under the

conditions specified in paragraph (g) of

this section. Terminal equipment for

which the magnitude of the source and/

or terminating impedance exceeds 300

ohms, at any frequency in the range of

100 kHz to 6 MHz, at which the signal

(transmitted and/or received) has

significant power, shall be deemed not

to comply with these requirements. A

signal is considered to have ‘‘significant

power’’ at a given frequency if that

frequency is contained in a designated

set of frequency bands that collectively

have the property that the rms voltage

of the signal components in those bands

is at least 90% of the rms voltage of the

total signal. The designated set of

frequency bands must be used in testing

all frequencies.

(1) Metallic voltages—frequencies

below 4 kHz.

(i) Weighted rms voltage in the 10 Hz

to 4 kHz frequency band. The weighted

rms metallic voltage in the frequency

band from 10 Hz to 4 kHz, averaged over

100 milliseconds that is the resultant of

all the component metallic voltages in

the band after weighting according to

the transfer function of f/4000 where f

is the frequency in Hertz, shall not

exceed the maximum indicated below

under the conditions stated in

paragraph (g) of this section.

Frequency range Maximum

voltage

10 Hz to 4 kHz ............................ +3 dBV.

(ii) RMS Voltage in 100 Hz bands in

the frequency range 0.7 kHz to 4 kHz.

The rms metallic voltage averaged over

100 milliseconds in the 100-Hz bands

having center frequencies between 750

Hz and 3950 Hz shall not exceed the

maximum indicated below.

Center freq (f) of 100-Hz bands

Max voltage in all

100-Hz

bands

750 to 3950 Hz ............................. ¥6 dBV.

(2) Metallic Voltages—frequencies

above 4 kHz—LADC interface.

(i) 100-Hz bands over frequency range

of 4 kHz to 270 kHz. The rms voltage

as averaged over 100 milliseconds in all

possible 100-Hz bands between 4 kHz

and 270 kHz for the indicated range of

center frequencies and under the

conditions specified in paragraph (g) of

this section shall not exceed the

maximum indicated below:

Center freq (f) of all 100-Hz bands

Max voltage in all

100-Hz

bands

4.05 kHz to 4.6 kHz ...................... 0.5 dBV.

4.60 kHz to 5.45 kHz .................... (59.2—90

log f)

dBV.

5.45 kHz to 59.12 kHz ................ (7.6—20

log f)

dBV.

59.12 kHz to 266.00 kHz .............. (43.1—40

log f)

dBV.

Where f = center frequency in kHz of each

of the possible 100 Hz bands.

(ii) 8-kHz bands over frequency range

of 4 kHz to 270 kHz. The rms voltage

as averaged over 100 milliseconds in all

of the possible 8-kHz bands between 4

kHz and 270 kHz for the indicated range

of center frequencies and under the

conditions specified in paragraph (g) of

this section shall not exceed the

maximum indicated below:
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 61675

4Average magnitudes may be used for signals that have peak-to-rms ratios of 20 dB and less. The rms limitations must be used instead of average

values if the peak-to-rms ratio of the interfering signal exceeds this value.

Center freq (f) of 8-

kHz bands

Max voltage in all 8-

kHz bands

8 kHz to 120 kHz ...... (17.6—20 log f) dBV.

120 kHz to 266 kHz .. (59.2—40 log f) dBV.

Where f = center frequency in kHz of each

of the possible 8-kHz bands.

(iii) RMS Voltage at frequencies above

270 kHz. The rms value of the metallic

voltage components in the frequency

range of 270 kHz to 6 MHZ, averaged

over 2 microseconds, shall not exceed

-15 dBV. This limitation applies with a

metallic termination having an

impedance of 135 ohms.

(iv) Peak Voltage. The total peak

voltage for all frequency components in

the 4 kHz to 6 MHZ band shall not

exceed 4.0 volts.

(3) Longitudinal voltage. Frequencies

below 4kHz: The weighted rms voltage

in the frequency band from 10 Hz to 4

kHz,averaged over 100 milliseconds is

the resultant of all the component

longitudinal voltages in the band after

weighing according to the transfer

function of f/4000, where f is the

frequency in Hz, shall not exceed the

maximum indicated below under the

conditions stated in paragraph (g) of this

section.

(i) Frequencies below 4 kHz. The

weighted rms voltage in the frequency

band from 10 Hz to 4 kHz,averaged over

100 milliseconds is the resultant of all

the component longitudinal voltages in

the band after weighing according to the

transfer function of f/4000, where f is

the frequency in Hz, shall not exceed

the maximum indicated below under

the conditions stated in paragraph (g) of

this section.

Frequency range Maximum

RMS voltage

10 Hz–4 kHz .......................... ¥37 dBV.

(ii) 4 kHz to 270 kHz.

Ctr freq (f) of 8 kHz bands Max voltage in all 8 kHz bands

Longitudinal terminating impedance

8 to 12 kHz .................................................................................... ¥(18.4+20 log f) dBV ................................................................... 500 ohms.

12 to 42 kHz .................................................................................. (3–40 log f) dBV ............................................................................ 90 ohms

42 to 266 kHz ................................................................................ ¥62 dBV ....................................................................................... 90 ohms.

Where f = center frequency in kHz of each of the possible 8-kHz bands.

(iii) 270 kHz to 6 MHZ. The rms value of the longitudinal voltage components in the frequency range of 270

kHz to 6 MHZ shall, averaged over 2 microseconds, not exceed ¥30 dBV. This limitation applies with a longitudinal

termination having an impedance of 90 ohms.

(d) Longitudinal voltage at frequencies below 4 kHz. The weighted rms voltage 4 averaged over 100 milliseconds

that is resultant of all of the component longitudinal voltages in the 100 Hz to 4 kHz band after weighting according

to the transfer function of f/4000 where f is the frequency in Hertz, shall not exceed the maximum indicated under

the conditions stated in § 68.308(g).

Frequency range Maximum weighted rms voltage Impedance

100 Hz to 4 kHz ............................................................................. ¥30 dBV ....................................................................................... 500 ohms.

(e) Voltage in the 4 kHz to 6 MHZ frequency range—general case—2-wire and 4-wire lossless interface (except

LADC). Except as noted, rms voltage as averaged over 100 milliseconds at the telephone connections of registered

terminal equipment and registered protective circuitry in all of the possible 8 kHz bands within the indicated frequency

range and under the conditions specified in paragraph (g) of this section shall not exceed the maximum indicated

below. For paragraph (e)(1) and paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section, ‘‘f’’ is the center frequency in kHz of each of the

possible 8-kHz bands beginning at 8 kHz.

(1) Metallic Voltage. 4 kHz to 270 kHz:

Center frequency (f) of 8 kHz band Max voltage in all 8 kHz bands

Metallic

terminating

impedance

8 kHz to 12 kHz ............................................................................. ¥(6.4 + 12.6 log f) dBV ................................................................ 300 ohms.

12 kHz to 90 kHz ........................................................................... (23–40 log f) dBV .......................................................................... 135 ohms.

90 kHz to 266 kHz ......................................................................... ¥55 dBV ....................................................................................... 135 ohms.

(2) Longitudinal voltage

(i) 4 kHz to 270 kHz.

(ii) 270 kHz to 6 MHZ. The rms value of the longitudinal voltage components in the frequency range of 270

kHz to 6 MHZ, shall not exceed ¥30 dBV. This limitation applies with a longitudinal termination having an impedance

of 90 ohms.

Center frequency (f) of 8kHz band Max voltage in all 8 kHz bands

Longitudinal terminating impedance

8 kHz to 12 kHz ............................................................................. ¥(18.4 + 20 log f) dBV ................................................................. 500 ohms.

12 kHz to 42 kHz ........................................................................... (2–40 log f) dBV ............................................................................ 90 ohms.
61676 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

Center frequency (f) of 8kHz band Max voltage in all 8 kHz bands

Longitudinal terminating impedance

42 kHz to 266 kHz ......................................................................... ¥62 dBV ....................................................................................... 90 ohms.

(f) LADC interface. The metallic

voltage shall comply with the general

requirements in paragraph (f)(1) of this

section as well as the additional

requirements specified in paragraphs

(f)(2) and (3) of this section as stated.

The requirements apply under the

conditions specified in § 68.308(g).

Terminal equipment for which the

magnitude of the source and/or

terminating impedance exceeds 300

Ohms, at any frequency in the range of

100 kHz to 6 MHz, at which the signal

(transmitted and/or received) has

significant power, shall be deemed not

to comply with these requirements. A

signal is considered to have ‘‘significant

power’’ at a given frequency if that

frequency is contained in a designated

set of frequency bands that collectively

have the property that the rms voltage

of the signal components in those bands

is at least 90% of the rms voltage of the

total signal. The designated set of

frequency bands must be used in testing

all frequencies.

(1) Metallic voltages—frequencies

below 4 kHz.

(i) Weighted rms voltage in the 10 Hz

to 4 kHz frequency band. The weighted

rms metallic voltage in the frequency

band from 10 Hz to 4 kHz, averaged over

100 milliseconds that is the resultant of

all the component metallic voltages in

the band after weighting according to

the transfer function of f/4000 where f

is the frequency in Hertz, shall not

exceed the maximum indicated below

under the conditions stated in

paragraph (g).

Frequency range Maximum

voltage

10 Hz to 4 kHz ............................. +3 dBV.

(ii) RMS Voltage in 100 Hz bands in

the frequency range 0.7 kHz to 4 kHz.

The rms metallic voltage averaged over

100 milliseconds in the 100-Hz bands

having center frequencies between 750

Hz and 3950 Hz shall not exceed the

maximum indicated below.

Center freq (f) of 100-Hz bands

Max voltage in all

100-Hz

bands

750 to 3950 Hz ............................. ¥6 dBV.

(2) Metallic Voltages—frequencies

above 4 kHz—LADC interface.

(i) 100-Hz bands over frequency range

of 4 kHz to 270 kHz. The rms voltage

as averaged over 100 milliseconds in all

possible 100-Hz bands between 4 kHz

and 270 kHz for the indicated range of

center frequencies and under the

conditions specified in § 68.308(g) shall

not exceed the maximum indicated

below:

Center freq (f) of all 100-Hz bands Max voltage in all 100-

Hz bands

4,05 kHz to 4.6 kHz ............................................................................................................................................................... 0.5 dBV.

4.60 kHz to 5.45 kHz ............................................................................................................................................................. (59.2–90 log f) dBV.

5.45 kHz to 59.12 kHz ........................................................................................................................................................... (7.6–20 log f) dBV.

59.12 kHz to 266.00 kHz ....................................................................................................................................................... (43.1–40 log f) dBV.

Where f = center frequency in kHz of each of the possible 100 Hz bands.

(ii) 8-kHz bands over frequency range of 4 kHz to 270 kHz. The rms voltage as averaged over 100 milliseconds

in all of the possible 8-kHz bands between 4 kHz and 270 kHz for the indicated range of center frequencies and

under the conditions specified in § 68.308(g) shall not exceed the maximum indicated below:

Center freq (f) of 8-kHz bands Max voltage in all 8-

kHz bands

8 kHz to 120 kHz ................................................................................................................................................................... (17.6–20 log f) dBV.

120 kHz to 266 kHz ............................................................................................................................................................... (59.2–40 log f) dBV.

Where f = center frequency in kHz of each of the possible 8-kHz bands.

(iii) RMS Voltage at frequencies above 270 kHz. The rms value of the metallic voltage components in the frequency

range of 270 kHz to 6 MHZ, averaged over 2 microseconds, shall not exceed ¥15 dBV. This limitation applies with

a metallic termination having an impedance of 135 ohms.

(iv) Peak Voltage. The total peak voltage for all frequency components in the 4 kHz to 6 MHZ band shall not

exceed 4.0 volts.

(3) Longitudinal voltage.

(i) Frequencies below 4kHz. The weighted rms voltage in the frequency band from 10 Hz to 4kHz, averaged over

100 milliseconds is the resultant of all the component longitudinal voltages in the band after weighing according to

the transfer function of f/4000, where f is the frequency in Hz, shall not exceed the maximum indicated below under

the conditions stated in § 68.308(g).

Frequency range

Maximum

RMS voltage

10 Hz–4 kHz ................................................................................................................................................................................................ ¥37

dBV.

(ii) 4 kHz to 270 kHz
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 61677

Center freq (f) of 8-kHz bands Max voltage in all 8-kHz bands

Longitudinal terminating

Voltage

8 kHz to 12 kHz ............................................................................. ¥(18.4 + 20 log f) dBV ................................................................. 500 ohms.

12 kHz to 42 kHz ........................................................................... (3–20 log f) dBV ............................................................................ 90 ohms.

42 kHz to 266 kHz ......................................................................... ¥62 dBV ....................................................................................... 90 ohms

Where f = center frequency in kHz of each of the possible 8-kHz bands.

(iii) 270 kHz to 6 MHZ. The rms value of the longitudinal voltage components in the frequency range of 270

kHz to 6 MHZ shall, averaged over 2 microseconds, not exceed -30 dBV. This limitation applies with a longitudinal

termination having an impedance of 90 ohms.

BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
61678 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

BILLING CODE 6712–01–C
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 61679

(g) Requirements in paragraphs (d),

(e) and (f) of this section apply under

the following conditions: (1) All

registered terminal equipment, except

equipment to be used on LADC, and all

registered protective circuitry must

comply with the limitations when

connected to a termination equivalent to

the circuit depicted in Figure 68.308(a)

and when placed in all operating states

of the equipment except during network

control signaling. LADC registered

terminal equipment must comply with

the metallic voltage limitations when

connected to circuits of § 68.3(i) and

must comply with the longitudinal

limitations when connected to circuits

of Figure 68.308(a), as indicated.

(2) All registered terminal equipment

and registered protective circuitry must

comply with the limitations in the offhook state over the range of loop

currents that would flow with the

equipment connected to an appropriate

simulator circuit.

(3) Registered terminal equipment and

registered protective circuitry with

provision for through-transmission from

other equipments shall comply with the

limitations with a 1000 Hz tone applied

from a 600-ohm source (or, if

appropriate a source which reflects a

600-ohm impedance across tip and ring)

at the maximum level that would be

applied during normal operation.

Registered protective circuitry for data

shall also comply with the tone level 10

dB higher than the overload point.

(4) For registered terminal equipment

or registered protective circuitry with

non-registered signal source input, such

as music on hold, the out of band signal

power requirements shall be met using

an input signal with a frequency range

of 200 Hz to 20 kHz and the level set

at the overload point.

(5) Except during the transmission of

ringing (§ 68.306(d)) and Dual Tone

Multi-frequency (DTMF) signals, LADC

registered terminal equipment shall

comply with all requirements in all

operating states and with loop current

that may be drawn for such purposes as

loop back signaling. The requirements

in paragraph (f)(1) of this section except

in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (f)(1)(ii) of

this section also apply during the

application of ringing. The requirement

in paragraph (d) and the requirements in

paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (f)(1)(ii) of this

section apply during ringing for

frequencies above 300 Hz and with the

maximum voltage limits raised by 10

dB. DTMF signals which are used for

the transmission of alphanumeric

information and which comply with the

requirements in paragraph (f)(1)(i) and

in paragraphs (f)(2) or (f)(3) of this

section as applicable, shall be deemed

to comply with the requirements in

paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of this section

provided that, for automatically

originated DTMF signals, the duty cycle

is less than 50 percent.

(6) LADC registered terminal

equipment shall comply with all

applicable requirements, except those

specified in paragraphs (f)(1) (i) and (ii)

of this section, during the transmission

of each possible data signal sequence of

any length. For compliance with

paragraph (f)(3)(i) of this section, the

limitation applies to the rms voltage

averaged as follows:

(i) For digital signals, baseband or

modulated on a carrier, for which there

are defined signal element intervals, the

rms voltage is averaged over each such

interval. Where multiple carriers are

involved, the voltage is the power sum

of the rms voltages for the signal

element intervals for each carrier.

(ii) For baseband analog signals, the

rms voltage is averaged over each period

(cycle) of the highest frequency of the

signal (3 dB point on the spectrum). For

analog signals that are modulated on a

carrier (whether or not the carrier is

suppressed), it is averaged over each

period (cycle) of the carrier. Where

multiple carriers are involved, the

voltage is the power sum of the rms

voltage for each carrier.

(iii) For signals other than the types

defined in paragraphs (g)(6)(i) and (ii) of

this section, the peak amplitude of the

signal must not exceed +1 dBV.

(7) Equipment shall comply with the

requirements in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and

(ii) of this section, during any data

sequence that may be transmitted

during normal use with a probability

greater than 0.001. If the sequences

transmitted by the equipment are

application dependent, the user

instruction material shall include a

statement of any limitations assumed in

demonstrating compliance of the

equipment.

(8) In addition to the conditions

specified in paragraph (g)(5) of this

section, LADC registered terminal

equipment which operates in one or

more modes as a receiver, shall comply

with requirements in paragraph (f)(3) of

this section with a tone at all

frequencies in the range of potential

received signals and at the maximum

power which may be received.

(h) Interference limitations for

transmission of bipolar signals over

digital services.—(1) Limitations on

Terminal Equipment Connection to

Subrate Digital Services—(i) Pulse

repetition rate. The pulse repetition rate

shall be synchronous with 2.4, 3.2, 4.8,

6.4, 9.6, 12.8, 19.2, 25.6, 38.4, 56.0, or

72 kbps per second.

(ii) Template for maximum output

pulse. When applied to a 135 Ohm

resistor, the instantaneous amplitude of

the largest isolated output pulse

obtainable from the registered terminal

equipment shall not exceed by more

than 10% the instantaneous voltage

defined by a template obtained as

follows: The limiting pulse template

shall be determined by passing an ideal

50% duty cycle rectangular pulse with

the amplitude/pulse rate characteristics

defined in Table 68.308(c) through a

single real pole low pass filter having a

cutoff frequency in Hertz equal to 1.3

times the bit rate. For bit rates of 2.4,

3.2, 4.8, 6.4, 9.6 and 12.8 kbps, the

filtered pulses shall also be passed

through a filter providing the additional

attenuation in Table 68.308(d).

TABLE 68.308(c).—DRIVING PULSE

AMPLITUDE

Line rate

(kbps)

User data rate

(R) (kbps)

Amplitude

(A) (volts)

2.4 .................. 2.4 .................... 1.66

3.2 .................. 2.4 with SC 1 .... 1.66

4.8 .................. 4.8 .................... 1.66

6.4 .................. 4.8 with SC 1 .... 1.66

9.6 .................. 9.6 .................... 0.83

12.8 ................ 9.6 with SC 1 .... 0.83

19.2 ................ 19.2 .................. 1.66

25.6 ................ 19.2 with SC 1 .. 1.66

38.4 ................ 38.4 .................. 1.66

51.2 ................ 38.4 with SC 1 .. 1.66

56 ................... 56 ..................... 1.66

72 ................... 56 with SC 1 ..... 1.66

72 ................... 64 ..................... 1.66

1SC: Secondary Channel.

TABLE 68.308(d).—MINIMUM

ADDITIONAL ATTENUATION

Line rate (R) (kbps)

Attenuation in

frequency

band 24–

32 kHz

(dB)

Attenuation in

frequency

band 72–

80 kHz

(dB)

2.4 ............................. 5 1

3.2 ............................. 5 1

4.8 ............................. 13 9

6.4 ............................. 13 9

9.6 ............................. 17 8

12.8 ........................... 17 8

Note: The attenuation indicated may be reduced at any frequency within the band by the

weighting curve of Table 68.308(e). Minimum

rejection is never less than 0 dB; i.e., the

weight does not justify gain over the system

without added attenuation.

TABLE 68.308(e).—ATTENUATION

CURVE

24–32 kHz band 72–80

kHz band

Attenuation factor dB

24 .............................. 72 ¥18
61680 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

TABLE 68.308(e).—ATTENUATION

CURVE—Continued

24–32 kHz band 72–80

kHz band

Attenuation factor dB

25 .............................. 73 ¥3

26 .............................. 74 ¥1

27 .............................. 75 0

29 .............................. 76 0

29 .............................. 77 0

30 .............................. 78 ¥1

31 .............................. 79 ¥3

32 .............................. 80 ¥18

(iii) Average power. The average

output power when a random signal

sequence, (0) or (1) equiprobable in each

pulse interval, is being produced as

measured across a 135 ohm resistance

shall not exceed 0 dBm for 9.6 and 12.8

kbps or +6 dBm for all other rates

shown in Table 68.308(b).

(iv) Encoded analog content. If

registered terminal equipment

connecting to subrate services contains

an analog-to-digital converter, or

generates signals directly in digital form

that are intended for eventual

conversion into voiceband analog

signals, the encoded analog content of

the digital signal must be limited. The

maximum equivalent power of encoded

analog signals for other than live voice

as derived by a zero level decoder test

configuration shall not exceed ¥12

dBm when averaged over any 3-second

time interval. The maximum equivalent

power of encoded analog signals as

derived by a zero level decoder test

configuration for signals intended for

network control signaling shall not

exceed ¥3 dBm when averaged over

any 3-second interval.

(2) Limitations on Terminal

Equipment Connecting to 1.544 Mbps

Digital Services.—(i) Pulse repetition

rate: The free running line rate of the

transmit signal shall be 1.544 Mbps with

a tolerance of ±32 ppm., i.e., ±50 bps.

(ii) Output pulse templates. The

registered terminal equipment shall be

capable of optionally delivering three

sizes of output pulses. The output pulse

option shall be selectable at the time of

installation.

(A) Option A output pulse. When

applied to a 100 ohm resistor, the

instantaneous amplitude of the largest

output pulse obtainable from the

registered terminal equipment shall fall

within the pulse template illustrated in

Figure 68.308b). The mask may be

positioned horizontally as needed to

encompass the pulse, and the amplitude

of the normalized mask may be

uniformity scaled to encompass the

pulse. The baseline of the mask shall

coincide with the pulse baseline.

(B) Option B output pulse. When

applied to a 100-ohm resistor, the

instantaneous amplitude of the output

from the registered terminal equipment

obtained when Option B is

implemented shall fall within the pulse

template obtained by passing the

bounding pulses permitted by Figure

68.308(b) through the following transfer

function.

V

V

n S n S n

d S d S d S d

out

in

= + +

+ + +

2

2

1 0

3

3

2

2

1 0

where:

n0=1.6049×106

n1=7.9861×10¥1

n2=9.2404×10¥8

d0=2.1612×106

d1=1.7223

d2=4.575×10¥7

d3=3.8307×10¥14

S=j 2 Π f

f=frequency (Hertz)

(C) Option C output pulse. When

applied to a 100-ohm resistor, the

instantaneous amplitude of the output

from the registered terminal equipment

obtained when Option C is

implemented shall fall within the pulse

template obtained by passing the pulses

obtained in Option B through the

transfer function in Option B a second

time.

BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 61681

BILLING CODE 6712–01–C

MAXIMUM CURVE

Nano-seconds ¥500 ¥250 ¥175 ¥175 ¥75 0 175 220 500 750

Normalized Amplitude ........................................ .05 .05 .8 1.2 1.2 1.05 1.05 ¥.05 .05 .05

MINIMUM CURVE

Nano-seconds ¥500 ¥150 ¥150 ¥100 0 100 150 150 300 396 600 750

Normalized Amplitude ........ ¥.05 ¥.05 .5 .9 .95 .9 .5 ¥.45 ¥.45 ¥.26 ¥.05 ¥.05

Figure 68.308(b) (Ref. EIA/TIA 547–1989)—Isolated Pulse Template and Corner Points for 1.544 Mbps Equipment

Note to Figure 68.308(b): The pulse amplitude is 2.4 to 3.6 V. (Use constant scaling factor to fit normalized template.)

(iii) Adjustment of signal voltage. The

signal voltage at the network interface

must be limited so that the range of

pulse amplitudes received at the first

telephone company repeater is

controlled to ±4 dB. This limitation is

achieved by implementing the

appropriate output pulse option as a

function of telephone company cable

loss as specified at time of installation.

Cable loss at 772 kHz

(dBV)

Terminal equipment

Output

pulse

Loss at

772 kHz

15 to 22 ..................... Option A .. 0

7.5 to 15 .................... Option B .. 7.5

0 to 7.5 ...................... Option C .. 15

(iv) Output power. The output power

in a 3 kHz band about 772 kHz when an

all ones signal sequence is being

produced as measured across a 100 ohm

terminating resistance shall not exceed

+19 dBm. The power in a 3 kHz band

about 1.544 MHz shall be at least 25 dB

below that in a 3 kHz band about 772

kHz.

(v) Encoded Analog Content. If

registered terminal equipment

connected to 1.544 Mbps digital service

contains an analog-to-digital converter,

or generates signals directly in digital

form that are intended for eventual

conversion into voiceband analog

signals, the encoded analog content of

the subrate channels within the 1.544

Mbps signal must be limited. The

maximum equivalent power of encoded

analog signals for other than live voice

that are not intended for network
61682 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

control signaling as derived by a zero

level decoder test configuration shall

not exceed ¥12 dBm when averaged

over any 3-second time interval. The

maximum equivalent power of encoded

analog signals as derived by a zero level

decoder test configuration for signals

intended for network control signaling

shall not exceed ¥3 dBm when

averaged over any 3-second interval.

11. Section 68.310 is revised to read

as follows:

§ 68.310 Transverse balance limitations.

(a) Technical description and

application. The Transverse

Balancem¥1, coefficient is expressed as

BALANCE e

e m M

L

−1 10 = 20 log

(1) Where eL is the longitudinal

voltage produced across a longitudinal

termination Z1 and eM is the metallic

voltage across the tip-ring or tip 1 and

ring 1 interface of the input port when

a voltage (at any frequency between f1

and <f2, see Table 68.310(a) is applied

from a balanced source with a metallic

impedance Z0 (see Table 68.310(a). The

source voltage should be set such that

eM = E volts (see Table 68.310(a) when

a termination of Z0 is substituted for the

terminal equipment.

(2) The minimum transverse balance

coefficient specified in this section (as

appropriate) shall be equalled or

exceeded for all 2-wire network ports,

OPS line ports and the transmit pair (tip

and ring) and receive pair (tip 1 and ring

1) of all 4-wire network ports at all

values of dc loop current that the port

under test is capable of drawing when

attached to the appropriate loop

simulator circuit (See § 68.3). An

illustrative test circuit that satisfies the

above conditions is shown in Figure

68.310–1(a) for analog and 68.310–1(b)

for digital and subrate; other means may

be used to determine the transverse

balance coefficient specified herein,

provided that adequate documentation

of the appropriateness, precision, and

accuracy of the alternative means is

provided by the applicant.

(3) The minimum transverse balance

requirements specified below shall be

equalled or exceeded under all

reasonable conditions of the application

of earth ground to the equipment or

protective circuitry under test.

TABLE 68.310(a)

Analog

voiceband Subrate digital 1.544 Mbpsdigital

Longitudinal Termination—Zl ......................................................................................... 500 ohms ......... See Table 310(b) ........ 90 ohms.

Metallic Source Impedance—Z0 .................................................................................... 600 ohms ......... 135 ohms .................... 100 ohms.

Lower Frequency—f1 ..................................................................................................... 200 Hz .............. 200 Hz ......................... 10 kHz.

Upper Frequency—f2 ..................................................................................................... 4 kHz ................ (1) 1.544 MHz.

Metallic Voltage for Test—E .......................................................................................... 0.775 V ............. 0.367 V ........................ 0.316 V.

1The upper frequency equals the digital line rate for the subrate service under test (See Table 68.310(b)).

(b) Analog voiceband equipment. All

registered analog voiceband equipment

shall be tested in the off-hook state. The

minimum transverse balance

requirement in the off-hook state shall

be 40 dB, throughout the range of

frequencies specified in Table 68.310(a).

For some categories of equipment,

additional requirements also apply to

the on-hook state. When both off-hook

and on-hook requirements apply, they

are:

State Frequency (f) Balance

Off-hook .... 200 Hz : f : 4000 Hz 40 dB.

On-hook .... 200 Hz : f : 1000 Hz 60 dB.

On-hook .... 1000 Hz : f : 4000

Hz.

40 dB.

(1) For analog one-port 2-wire

terminal equipment with loop-start,

ringdown, or inband signaling or for

voiceband metallic channel

applications, both off-hook and on-hook

requirements apply.

(2) For analog one port equipment

with ground-start and reverse-battery

signaling only off-hook requirements

apply.

(3) For analog registered protective

circuitry for 2-wire applications with

loop-start, ringdown, or inband

signaling; or for voiceband metallic

channel applications, both off-hook and

on-hook requirements apply. Criteria

shall be met with either terminal of the

interface to other equipment connected

to earth ground. The interface to other

equipment shall be terminated in an

impedance that will be reflected to the

telephone connection as 600 Ohms in

the off-hook state of the registered

protective circuit, and the interface

should not be terminated in the on-hook

state. Figure 68.310(b) shows the

interface of the protective circuitry

being tested and the required

arrangement at the interface to other

equipment.

(4) For analog registered protective

circuitry with ground-start and reversebattery signaling only off-hook

requirements apply. Criteria shall be

met with either terminal of the interface

to other equipment connected to earth

ground. The interface to other

equipment shall be terminated in an

impedance that will be reflected to the

telephone connection as 600 ohms in

the off-hook state of the registered

protective circuit. Figure 68.310(b)

shows the interface of the protective

circuitry under test and the required

arrangement at the interface to the other

equipment.

(5) For analog multi-port equipment

with loop-start signaling both off-hook

and on-hook requirements apply.

Criteria shall be satisfied for all ports

when all the ports not under test are

terminated in their appropriate

networks, as will be identified below,

and when interface connections other

than the ports are terminated in circuits

appropriate to that interface. The

minimum transverse balance

coefficients shall also be satisfied for all

values of dc loop current that the

registered equipment is capable of

drawing through each of its ports when

these ports are attached to the loop

simulator circuit specified in these

rules. The termination for all ports other

than the particular one whose transverse

balance coefficient is being measured

shall have a metallic impedance of 600

ohms.

(6) For analog multi-port equipment

with ground-start and reverse-battery

signaling, only off-hook requirements

apply. Criteria shall be satisfied for all

ports when all ports not under test are

terminated in their appropriate

networks as will be identified below,

and when interface connections other

than the ports are terminated in circuits

appropriate to that interface. The

minimum transverse balance

coefficients shall be satisfied for all

values of dc loop current that the

registered equipment is capable of

drawing through each of its ports when

these ports are attached to the loop

simulator circuit specified in these

rules. The terminations for all ports
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 61683

other than the particular one whose

transverse balance coefficient is being

measured shall have a metallic

impedance of 600 ohms and a

longitudinal impedance of 500 ohms.

Figure 68.310(c) shows this termination.

(7) For analog registered terminal

equipment and protective circuitry for

4-wire network ports, both the off-hook

and on-hook requirements apply. The

pair not under test shall be terminated

in a metallic impedance of 600 ohms.

Other conditions are as follows:

(i) For analog registered protective

circuitry with loop-start, ground-start,

reverse battery, ringdown, or inband

signaling; or for voiceband metallic

channel applications. Criteria shall be

met with either terminal of the interface

to other equipment connected to earth

ground. The interface to other

equipment shall be terminated in an

impedance that will result in 600 ohms

at each of the transmit and receive pairs

of the 4-wire telephone connection in

the off-hook state of the registered

protective circuit, and the interface

should not be terminated in the on-hook

state. Figure 68.310(d) shows the

interface of the protective circuitry

being tested and the required

arrangement at the interface to other

equipment.

(ii) For analog multiport equipment

with loop start, ground start, and reverse

battery, ringdown, or inband signaling;

or for voiceband metallic channel

applications. Criteria shall be satisfied

for all network ports when all the ports

not under test are terminated as defined

below, and when interface connections

other than the network ports are

terminated in circuits appropriate to the

interface. The criteria shall also be

satisfied for all values of dc loop current

that when the port is connected to the

appropriate 4-wire loop simulator

circuit. The terminations for both pairs

of all network ports not under test shall

have a metallic impedance of 600 ohms

and a longitudinal impedance of 500

ohms. Figure 68.310(c) shows this

termination.

(8) For analog PBX equipment (or

similar systems) with class B or class C

off-premises interfaces, only off-hook

requirements apply. Criteria shall be

satisfied for all off-premises station

interface ports when these ports are

terminated in their appropriate

networks for their off-hook state, and

when all other interface connections are

terminated in circuits appropriate to

that interface. The minimum transverse

balance coefficients shall also be

satisfied for all values of dc loop current

that the registered PBX is capable of

providing through off-premises station

ports when these ports are attached to

the off-premises line simulator circuit

specified in these rules.

(9) For Type Z equipment with loopstart signaling, both off-hook and onhook requirements apply. Equipment

that has on-hook impedance

characteristics which that do not

conform to the requirements of § 68.312

(e.g., Type Z), shall comply with

minimum transverse balance

requirements of 40 dB in the voiceband.

See § 68.312(h) for conditions upon

registration of ‘‘Type Z’’ equipment.

(c) Digital equipment. The minimum

transverse balance requirements for

registered terminal equipment

connected to digital services shall be

equalled or exceeded for the range of

frequencies applicable for the

equipment under test and under all

reasonable conditions of the application

of earth ground to the equipment. All

such terminal equipment shall have a

transverse balance in the acceptable

region of Figure 68.310(e) for the range

of frequencies shown in Table 68.310(b)

for the specified digital service in

question. The metallic impedance used

for the transverse balance measurements

for all subrate services shall be 135

ohms and for 1.544 Mbps shall be 100

ohms. The longitudinal termination for

1.544 Mbps and subrate services shall

be as defined in Table 68.310(b).

FREQUENCY RANGES OF TRANSVERSE BALANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR DIGITAL SERVICES

Digital service Frequency range

Longitudinal

termination

(ohms)

Metallic termination

(ohms)

2.4 ....................................................... 200 to 2.4 kHz ................................................................................................ 500 135

3.2 ....................................................... 200 to 3.2 kHz ................................................................................................ 500 135

4.8 ....................................................... 200 to 4.8 kHz ................................................................................................ 500 135

6.4 ....................................................... 200 to 6.4 kHz ................................................................................................ 500 135

9.6 ....................................................... 200 to 9.6 kHz ................................................................................................ 500 135

12.81 .................................................... 200 to 12.8 kHz .............................................................................................. 500/90 135

19.21 .................................................... 200 to 19.2 kHz .............................................................................................. 500/90 135

25.61 .................................................... 200 to 25.6 kHz .............................................................................................. 500/90 135

38.41 .................................................... 200 to 38.4 kHz .............................................................................................. 500/90 135

561 ....................................................... 200 to 56 kHz ................................................................................................. 500/90 135

721 ....................................................... 200 to 72 kHz ................................................................................................. 500/90 135

1.544 ................................................... 10 kHz to 1.544 MHz ..................................................................................... 90 100

1For 200 to 12 kHz the longitudinal termination shall be 500 ohms and above 12 kHz the longitudinal termination shall be 90 ohms.

BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
61684 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Rules and Regulations
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61686 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Rules and Regulations
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61688 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

BILLING CODE 6712–01–C
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 61689

12. Section 68.312 is revised to read

as follows:

§ 68.312 On-hook impedance limitations.

(a) General. Requirements in this

section apply to the tip and ring

conductors of 2-wire interfaces. These

requirements also apply to 4-wire loopstart or ground-start interfaces, in the

following configuration:

(1) The tip and ring conductors are

connected together and treated as one of

the conductors of a tip and ring pair.

(2) The tip 1 and ring 1 conductors are

connected together and treated as the

other conductor of a tip and ring pair.

Note to § 68.312: Throughout this section,

references will be made to simulated ringing.

Ringing voltages to be used and impedance

limitations associated with simulated ringing

are shown in Table 68.312(a).

TABLE 68.312(a)

Ringing type

Range of compatible ringing

frequencies (Hz)

Simulated ringing voltage superimposed on 56.5 volts

dc

Impedance

limitations

(ohms)

A ..................................................................................... 20±3 ................. 40 to 130 volts rms ...................................................... 1400

30±3 ................. 40 to 130 volts rms ...................................................... 1000

B ..................................................................................... 15.3 to 34 ......... 40 to 130 volts rms ...................................................... 1600

>34 to 49 .......... 62 to 130 volts rms ...................................................... 1600

>49 to 68 .......... 62 to 150 volts rms ...................................................... 1600

(b) Limitations on individual

equipment intended for operation on

loop-start telephone facilities.

Registered terminal equipment and

registered protective circuitry shall

conform to the following limitations:

(1) On-hook resistance, metallic and

longitudinal (up to 100 Vdc). The onhook dc resistance between the tip and

ring conductors of a loop start interface,

and between each of the tip and ring

conductors and earth ground, shall be

greater than 5 megohms for all dc

voltages up to and including 100 volts.

(2) On-hook resistance, metallic and

longitudinal (100 V to 200 Vdc). The onhook dc resistance between tip and ring

conductors of a loop start interface, and

between each of the tip and ring

conductors and earth ground shall be

greater than 30 kOhms for all dc

voltages between 100 and 200 volts.

(3) DC current during ringing. During

the application of simulated ringing, as

listed in Table 68.312(a), to a loop start

interface, the total dc current shall not

exceed 3.0 milliamperes. The

equipment must comply for each

ringing type which is listed as part of

the ringer equivalence.

(4) Ringing frequency impedance

(metallic). During the application of

simulated ringing, as listed in Table

68.312(a), to a loop start interface, the

impedance between the tip and ring

conductors (defined as the quotient of

applied ac voltage divided by resulting

true rms current) shall be greater than or

equal to the value specified in Table

68.312(a). The equipment must comply

for each ringing type which is listed as

part of the ringer equivalence.

(5) Ringing Frequency Impedance

(longitudinal). During the application of

simulated ringing, as listed in Table

68.312(a), to a loop start interface, the

impedance between each of the tip and

ring conductors and ground shall be

greater than 100 kohms. The equipment

must comply with each ringing type

listed in the ringer equivalence.

(c) Limitations on individual

equipment intended for operation on

ground start telephone facilities.

Registered terminal equipment and

registered protective circuitry shall

conform to the following limitations:

(1) DC current during ringing. During

the application of simulated ringing, as

listed in Table 68.312(a), to a ground

start interface, the total dc current

flowing between tip and ring conductors

shall not exceed 3.0 milliamperes. The

equipment must comply for each

ringing type listed as part of the ringer

equivalence.

(2) Ringing frequency impedance

(metallic). During the application of

simulated ringing, as listed in Table

68.312(a), to a ground start interface, the

total impedance of the parallel

combination of the ac impedance across

tip and ring conductors and the ac

impedance from the ring conductor to

ground (with ground on the tip

conductor) shall be greater than the

value specified in Table 68.312(a). The

equipment must comply for each

ringing type listed as part of the ringer

equivalence.

(d) Ringer Equivalence Definition. The

ringer equivalence number is defined to

be the value determined in paragraphs

(d)(1) or (d)(2) of this section, as

appropriate, followed by the ringer type

letter indicator representing the

frequency range for which the number

is valid. If Ringer Equivalence is to be

stated for more than one Ringing Type,

testing shall be performed at each

frequency range to which Ringer

Equivalence is to be determined in

accordance with the above, and the

largest resulting Ringer Equivalence

Number so determined will be

associated with each Ringing Type letter

designation for which it is valid.

(1) For individual equipment

intended for operation on loop-start

telephone facilities, the ringer

equivalence is five times the impedance

limitation listed in Table 68.312(a),

divided by the minimum measured ac

impedance, as defined in paragraph

(b)(1)(iv) of this section, during the

application of simulated ringing as

listed in Table 68.312(a).

(2) For individual equipment

intended for operation on ground-start

telephone facilities, the ringer

equivalence is five times the impedance

limitation listed in Table 68.312(a),

divided by the minimum measured ac

impedance, defined in paragraph (c)(2)

of this section, during the application of

simulated ringing as listed in Table

68.312(a).

(e) Ringer equivalence number

labeling. Registered terminal equipment

and registered protective circuitry shall

have at least one Ringer Equivalence

Number shown on the registration label.

Where options that will vary the Ringer

Equivalence are involved, either each

option that results in a Ringer

Equivalence Number greater than 0.1

and its corresponding Ringer

Equivalence shall be listed on the

registration label, or the largest Ringer

Equivalence Number that can result

from such options shall be stated on the

label. A trained, authorized agent of the

Grantee may disconnect ringers, bridge

ringers to another line, or execute

options affecting Ringer Equivalence

after the telephone company has been

notified in accordance with § 68.106.

(f) Maximum ringer equivalence. All

registered terminal equipment and

registered protective circuitry that can

affect the ringing frequency impedance

shall be assigned a Ringer Equivalence.

The sum of all such Ringer Equivalences
61690 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

on a given telephone line or loop shall

not exceed 5. In some cases, a system

that has a total Ringer Equivalence of 5

or less may not be usable on a given

telephone line or loop.

(g) OPS interfaces for PBX with DID

(Ring trip requirement). PBX ringing

supplies whose output appears on the

off-premises interface leads shall not

trip when connected to the following

tip-to-ring impedance that terminates

the off-premises station loop: A

terminating impedance composed of the

parallel combination of a 15 kohms

resistor and an RC series circuit (resistor

and capacitor) whose ac impedance is as

specified in Table 68.312(b) below.

TABLE 68.312(b)

Ringing freq Hz

ac impedance ohms

Class

B or C Class A

20 ± 3 ................ 7000/N 1400

30 ± 3 ................ 5000/N 1000

N—Number of ringer equivalences, as specified by the manufacturer, which can be connected to the off-premises station loop.

(h) Type Z Ringers. Equipment that

has on-hook impedance characteristics

which do not conform to the

requirements of this section may be

conditionally registered,

notwithstanding the requirements of

this section, provided that it is labeled

with a Ringing Type designation ‘‘Z’’. It

should be noted that registration of

equipment bearing the designation ‘‘Z’’

does not necessarily confer any right of

connection to the telephone network

under these rules. Any equipment

registered with the type Z designation

may only be used with the consent of

the local telephone company, provided

that the local telephone company does

not discriminate in its treatment of

equipment bearing the type Z

designation.

(i) Transitioning to the Off-Hook

State. Registered terminal equipment

and registered protective circuitry shall

not by design leave the on-hook state by

operations performed on tip and ring

leads for any other purpose than to

request service or answer an incoming

call, except that terminal equipment

that the user places in the off-hook state

for the purpose of manually placing

telephone numbers in internal memory

for subsequent automatic or repertory

dialing shall be registerable. Make-busy

indications shall be transmitted by the

use of make-busy leads only as defined

in § 68.3 and § 68.200(j).

13. Section 68.314 is revised to read

as follows:

§ 68.314 Billing protection.

(a) Call duration requirements on data

equipment connected to the public

switched network, or to tie trunks, or to

private lines that access the public

switched network. Registered data

terminal equipment and registered

protective circuitry shall comply with

the following requirements when

answering an incoming call, except in

off-hook states in which the signals are

transmitted and/or received by

electroacoustic transducers only.

Note to paragraph (a) of this section: This

paragraph is applicable to terminal

equipment and registered protective circuitry

employed with digital services where such

digital services are interconnected with the

analog telephone network.

(1) Registered protective circuitry.

Registered protective circuitry

connected to associated data equipment

shall assure that the following signal

power limitations are met for at least the

first 2 seconds after the off-hook

condition is presented to the telephone

network in response to an incoming

call:

(i) Signals that appear at the

protective circuitry/telephone network

interface for delivery to the telephone

network shall be limited to -55 dBm, (at

any frequency in the range of 200 to

3200 Hertz), as such signals are

delivered into a loop simulator circuit

or a 600 ohm termination, as

appropriate; and

(ii) Signals that appear at the

protective circuitry-associated data

equipment interface for delivery to

associated data equipment shall be

limited as follows: for any received

signal power (appearing at the

protective circuitry-telephone network

interface) up to 0 dB with respect to one

milliwatt (at any frequency in the range

of 200 to 3200 Hertz), the power of

signals delivered to associated data

equipment shall be no greater than the

signal power that would be delivered as

a result of received signal power of -55

dBm.

(2) Registered terminal equipment.

Registered terminal equipment for data

applications shall assure that, when an

incoming telephone call is answered,

the answering terminal equipment

prevents both transmission and

reception of data for at least the first two

seconds after the answering terminal

equipment transfers to the off-hook

condition. For the purpose of this

requirement, a fixed sequence of signals

that is transmitted (and originated

within) and/or received by the

registered terminal equipment each time

it answers an incoming call shall not be

considered data, provided that such

signals are for one or more of the

following purposes:

(i) Disabling echo control devices,

(ii) Adjusting automatic equalizers

and gain controls,

(iii) Establishing synchronization, or

(iv) Signaling the presence and if

required, the mode of operation, of the

data terminal at the remote end of a

connection.

(b) Voice and data equipment onhook signal requirements for equipment

connected to the public switched

network, or to tie trunks, or to private

lines that access the public switched

network. Registered protective circuitry

and registered terminal equipment shall

comply with the following:

(1) The power delivered into a 2-wire

loop simulator circuit or into the

transmit and receive pairs of a 4-wire

loop simulator or into a 600 ohm

termination (where appropriate) in the

on-hook state, by loop-start or groundstart equipment shall not exceed ¥55

dBm within the voiceband. Registered

protective circuitry shall also assure that

for any input level up to 10 dB above

the overload point, the power to a 2-

wire loop simulator circuit or the

transmit and receive pairs of a 4-wire

loop simulator circuit or into a 600 ohm

termination (where appropriate) does

not exceed the above limits.

(2) The power delivered into a 2-wire

loop simulator circuit or into the

transmit and receive pairs of a 4-wire

loop simulator circuit, in the on-hook

state, by reverse battery equipment shall

not exceed ¥55 dBm, unless the

equipment is arranged to inhibit

incoming signals.

(c) Voice and data equipment loop

current requirements for equipment

connected to the public switched

network. The loop current through

registered terminal equipment or

registered protective circuitry, when

connected to a 2-wire or 4-wire loop

simulator circuit with the 600 ohm

resistor and 500 microfarad capacitor of

the 2-wire loop simulator circuit or both

pairs of the 4-wire loop simulator circuit

disconnected shall, for at least 5

seconds after the equipment goes to the

off-hook state that would occur when

answering an incoming call:

(1) Be at least as great as the current

obtained in the same loop simulator

circuit with minimum battery voltage

and a maximum loop resistance when a

200 ohm resistance is connected across

the tip and ring of the 2-wire loop

simulator circuit or connected across

the tip/ring and tip 1/ring 1 conductors

(tip and ring connected together and tip

1 and ring 1 connected together) of the

4-wire loop simulator circuit in place of
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 61691

the registered terminal equipment or

registered protective circuitry; or

(2) Not decreased by more than 25

percent from its maximum value

attained during this 5-second interval;

unless the equipment is returned to the

on-hook state during the above 5 second

interval.

(3) The above requirements also apply

in the hold state and any off-hook state.

(d) Signaling interference

requirements. (1) The signal power

delivered to the network interface by the

registered terminal equipment and from

signal sources internal to registered

protective circuitry in the 2450 Hz to

2750 Hz band shall be less than or equal

to the power present simultaneously in

the 800 Hz to 2450 Hz band for the first

2 seconds after going to the off-hook

state.

(2) Registered terminal equipment for

connection to subrate or 1.544 Mbps

digital services shall not deliver digital

signals to the telephone network with

encoded analog content energy in the

2450 to 2750 Hertz band unless at least

an equal amount of encoded analog

energy is present in the 800 to 2450

Hertz band for the first two seconds

after going to the off-hook state.

(e) On-hook requirements for

registered terminal equipment for

connection to subrate and 1.544 Mbps

digital services. Registered terminal

equipment and registered protective

circuitry shall comply with the

following:

(1) The power delivered to the

telephone network in the on-hook state

as derived by a zero level decoder shall

not exceed ¥55 dBm equivalent power

for digital signals within the voiceband.

(2) Registered protective circuitry

shall also assure that the power to a zero

level decoder does not exceed the above

limits for any input level up to 10 dB

above the overload point.

(3) Reverse battery interface. The

power derived by a zero level decoder,

in the on-hook state, by reverse battery

equipment, shall not exceed ¥55 dBm,

unless the equipment is arranged to

inhibit incoming signals.

(f) Off hook requirements. Off-hook

signal requirements for registered

terminal equipment connecting to 1.544

Mbps digital services. Upon entering the

normal off-hook state, in response to

alerting, for subrate channels, registered

terminal equipment shall continue to

transmit the signaling bit sequence

representing the off-hook state for 5

seconds, unless the equipment is

returned to the on-hook state during the

above 5-second interval.

(g) Operating requirements for direct

inward dialing. (1) For registered

terminal equipment, the off-hook state

shall be applied within 0.5 seconds of

the time that:

(i) The terminal equipment permits

the acceptance of further digits that may

be used to route the incoming call to

another destination.

(ii) The terminal equipment transmits

signals towards the calling party, except

for the call progress tones, i.e., busy,

reorder and audible ring, and the call is:

(A) Answered by the called, or

another station;

(B) Answered by the attendant;

(C) Routed to a customer controlled or

defined recorded announcement, except

for ‘‘number invalid,’’ ‘‘not in service’’

or ‘‘not assigned;’’

(D) Routed to a dial prompt; or

(E) Routed back to the public

switched telephone network or other

destination and the call is answered. If

the status of the answered call cannot be

reliably determined by the terminal

equipment through means such as,

detection of answer supervision or voice

energy, removal of audible ring, etc., the

off-hook state shall be applied after an

interval of not more than 20 seconds

from the time of such routing. The offhook state shall be maintained for the

duration of the call.

(2) For registered protective circuitry:

(i) Registered protective circuitry shall

block transmission incoming from the

network until an off-hook signal is

received from the terminal equipment.

(ii) Registered protective circuitry

shall provide an off-hook signal within

0.5s following the receipt of an off-hook

signal from the terminal equipment and

shall maintain this off-hook signal for

the duration of the call.

14. Section 68.316 is amended by

revising the section heading to read as

follows:

§ 68.316 Hearing aid compatibility:

Technical requirements.

* * * * *

15. Section 68.317 is amended by

revising the section heading to read as

follows:

§ 68.317 Hearing aid compatibility volume

control: technical standards.

* * * * *

16. Section 68.318 is revised to read

as follows:

§ 68.318 Additional limitations.

(a) General. Registered terminal

equipment for connection to those

services discussed below must

incorporate the specified features.

(b) Registered terminal equipment

with automatic dialing capability. (1)

Automatic dialing to any individual

number is limited to two successive

attempts. Automatic dialing equipment

which employ means for detecting both

busy and reorder signals shall be

permitted an additional 13 attempts if a

busy or reorder signal is encountered on

each attempt. The dialer shall be unable

to re-attempt a call to the same number

for at least 60 minutes following either

the second or fifteenth successive

attempt, whichever applies, unless the

dialer is reactivated by either manual or

external means. This rule does not

apply to manually activated dialers that

dial a number once following each

activation.

Note to paragraph (b)(1): Emergency alarm

dialers and dialers under external computer

control are exempt from these requirements.

(2) If means are employed for detecting

both busy and reorder signals, the automatic

dialing equipment shall return to its on-hook

state within 15 seconds after detection of a

busy or reorder signal.

(3) If the called party does not answer, the

automatic dialer shall return to the on-hook

state within 60 seconds of completion of

dialing.

(4) If the called party answers, and the

calling equipment does not detect a

compatible terminal equipment at the called

end, then the automatic dialing equipment

shall be limited to one additional call which

is answered. The automatic dialing

equipment shall comply with paragraphs

(b)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(3) of this section for

additional call attempts that are not

answered.

(5) Sequential dialers shall dial only once

to any individual number before proceeding

to dial another number.

(6) Network addressing signals shall be

transmitted no earlier than:

(i) 70 ms after receipt of dial tone at the

network demarcation point; or

(ii) 600 ms after automatically going offhook (for single line equipment that does not

use dial tone detectors); or

(iii) 70 ms after receipt of CO ground start

at the network demarcation point.

(c) Line seizure by automatic

telephone dialing systems. Automatic

telephone dialing systems which deliver

a recorded message to the called party

must release the called party’s

telephone line within 5 seconds of the

time notification is transmitted to the

system that the called party has hung

up, to allow the called party’s line to be

used to make or receive other calls.

(d) Telephone facsimile machines;

Identification of the sender of the

message. It shall be unlawful for any

person within the United States to use

a computer or other electronic device to

send any message via a telephone

facsimile machine unless such message

clearly contains, in a margin at the top

or bottom of each transmitted page or on

the first page of the transmission, the

date and time it is sent and an

identification of the business, other

entity, or individual sending the
61692 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

message and the telephone number of

the sending machine or of such

business, other entity, or individual.

Telephone facsimile machines

manufactured on and after December 20,

1992, must clearly mark such

identifying information on each

transmitted message.

(e) Requirement that registered

equipment allow access to common

carriers. Any equipment or software

manufactured or imported on or after

April 17, 1992, and installed by any

aggregator shall be technologically

capable of providing consumers with

access to interstate providers of operator

services through the use of equal access

codes. The terms used in this paragraph

shall have meanings defined in § 64.708

of this chapter (47 CFR 64.708).

[FR Doc. 97–29925 Filed 11–18–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6712–01–P

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS

COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 73

[MM Docket No. 97–97, RM–9047]

Radio Broadcasting Services; Mt.

Juliet and Belle Meade, TN

AGENCY: Federal Communications

Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This document denies a

Petition for Reconsideration filed by the

Cromwell Group, Inc. directed to the

Report and Order in this proceeding

which reallotted Channel 294A from Mt.

Juliet to Belle Meade, Tennessee, and

modified the Station WNPL

construction permit to specify Belle

Meade as the community of license. See

62 FR 40949, July 31, 1997. With this

action, the proceeding is terminated.

EFFECTIVE DATE: November 19, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Robert Hayne, Mass Media Bureau (202)

418–2177.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a

synopsis of the Commission’s

Memorandum Opinion and Order

adopted October 22, 1997, and released

October 31, 1997. The full text of this

decision is available for inspection and

copying during normal business hours

in the FCC Reference Center (Room

239), 1919 M Street, NW, Washington,

D.C. The complete text of this decision

may also be purchased from the

Commission’s copy contractor,

International Transcription Service,

Inc., (202) 857–3805, 1231 M Street,

NW, Washington, DC 20036.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 73

Radio broadcasting.

Federal Communications Commission.

Douglas W. Webbink,

Chief, Policy and Rules Division, Mass Media

Bureau.

[FR Doc. 97–30281 Filed 11–18–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6712–01–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs

Administration

49 CFR Parts 191, 192 and 195

[Docket No. RSPA 97–2096; Amdt Nos. 191–

12; 192–81; 195–59]

RIN 2137–AC99

Pipeline Safety: Regulations

Implementing Memorandum of

Understanding With the Department of

the Interior

AGENCY: Research and Special Programs

Administration (RSPA), DOT.

ACTION: Direct final rule.

SUMMARY: This direct final rule (DFR)

would implement a provision of a

December 10, 1996, Memorandum of

Understanding (MOU) between the

Department of the Interior (DOI) and the

Department of Transportation (DOT)

regarding Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)

pipelines by redesignating the point at

which an OCS pipeline is subject to

RSPA regulations. Under this rule,

RSPA would establish and enforce

design, construction, operation, and

maintenance regulations and investigate

certain accidents for all pipelines

located downstream of the point at

which operating responsibility for the

pipelines transfers from a producing

operator to a transporting operator.

DATES: This direct final rule takes effect

March 19, 1998. If RSPA does not

receive any adverse comment or notice

of intent to file an adverse comment by

January 20, 1998 the rule will become

effective on the date specified. RSPA

will issue a subsequent notice in the

Federal Register by February 17, 1998,

after the close of the comment period,

to confirm that fact and reiterate the

effective date. If an adverse comment or

notice of intent to file an adverse

comment is received, RSPA will issue a

timely notice in the Federal Register to

confirm that fact and to withdraw the

DFR in whole or in part. RSPA may then

incorporate the adverse comment into a

subsequent DFR or may publish a notice

of proposed rulemaking.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the

subject of this DFR may be submitted to

the Dockets Facility, U.S. Department of

Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW,

Plaza 401, Washington, DC 20590–0001.

Comments should identify the docket

number of this DFR, RSPA–97–2096.

Persons should submit the original and

one copy. Persons wishing to receive

confirmation of receipt of their

comments must include a stamped, selfaddressed postcard. Alternatively,

comments may be submitted via e-mail

to le.herrick@rspa.dot.gov. The Dockets

facility is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00

p.m., Monday through Friday, except on

Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: L.E.

Herrick, (202) 366–5523 or e-mail

le.herrick@rspa.dot.gov regarding the

subject matter of this DFR, or the

Dockets Facility, (202) 366–5046,

regarding copies of this DFR or other

information in the docket.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Under an MOU dated May 6, 1976,

RSPA regulated hazardous liquid,

carbon dioxide, and natural gas

pipelines located downstream of the

outlet flange of each facility where

hydrocarbons are first produced or

where produced hydrocarbons are first

separated, dehydrated, or otherwise

processed, whichever facility is farther

downstream. DOI regulated those

pipelines located upstream of this point.

The Departments agreed to change this

regulatory boundary with the signing of

the December 10, 1996, MOU. The 1996

MOU was the result of negotiations that

began in the summer of 1993, which

included a high degree of participation

from the regulated industry. RSPA and

DOI’s Minerals Management Service

(MMS) solicited public comments on a

draft MOU through a joint Federal

Register notice (60 FR 27546; May 24,

1995). The notice also announced a

public meeting at the MMS Gulf of

Mexico regional office in New Orleans,

Louisiana, on August 1, 1995, to discuss

the proposal. Over 70 people attended

the meeting, which generated over 100

pages of comments from natural gas and

petroleum trade organizations; natural

gas and oil exploration and production

companies; transmission companies;

offshore construction companies; and

industry consultants. Twenty-three

individuals and organizations submitted

written comments on the Federal

Register notice. A transcript of this

meeting and copies of the comments are

available in Docket No. RSPA–97–2096.

In May 1996, RSPA and MMS met

with an industry workgroup

representing OCS oil and natural gas

producers and transmission pipeline