[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 237 (Monday, December 11, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63491-63492]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30051]



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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 64

[CC Docket No. 91-281; FCC 95-480]


Calling Number Identification Service--Caller ID

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: On November 30, 1995, the Commission adopted a Fourth Notice 
of Proposed Rulemaking (Fourth NPRM) addressing numerous petitions for 
waiver of its Caller ID rules. The Fourth NPRM is intended to address 
issues associated with requiring carriers to deploy blocking 
capabilities. It seeks comment on whether local exchange carriers 
(LECs) must pass calling party number (CPN) if they use particular 
switches that do not have CLASS software installed.

DATES: Comments must be filed on or before December 27, 1995, and reply 
comments must be filed on or before January 10, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M Street, N.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20554.


[[Page 63492]]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael Specht, Senior Engineer, Network Services Division, Common 
Carrier Bureau, (202) 418-2378 or Elizabeth Nightingale, Attorney, 
Network Services Division, Common Carrier Bureau, (202) 418-2352.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This summarizes the Commission's Fourth 
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the matter of Calling Number 
Identification Service--Caller ID, (CC Docket No. 91-281, FCC 95-480, 
adopted November 30, 1995 and released December 1, 1995). The file is 
available for inspection and copying during the weekday hours of 9 a.m. 
to 4:30 p.m. in the Commission's Reference Center, room 239, 1919 M 
St., N.W., Washington, D.C., or copies may be purchased from the 
Commission's duplicating contractor, ITS, Inc. 2100 M St., N.W., Suite 
140, Washington, D.C. 20037, phone (202) 857-3800.

Analysis of Proceeding

    On May 5, 1995, the Commission affirmed its finding that interstate 
delivery of a calling party's number is in the public interest. The 
Commission noted that widespread availability of CPN promotes new 
services, consistent with Commission responsibilities under Section 1 
and 7 of the Communications Act and benefits the public by enabling 
consumers to conduct telephone transactions more efficiently. The 
Commission also continued to recognize the importance of balancing the 
benefits of such widespread availability with the privacy interests of 
calling and called parties and the need for reasonable consumer 
education. The Commission affirmed rules that require carriers with 
Signalling System 7 (SS7) call set up capability to transport CPN to 
interconnecting carriers without additional charge. The Commission also 
affirmed rules that require originating carriers to recognize *67 as 
the first three digits of a call as a caller's request for privacy. The 
Commission permitted per line blocking where state policy allows and 
established rules that carriers providing per line blocking services 
recognize *82 as a caller's request that privacy not be provided. 
Additionally, the Commission affirmed rules that require carriers to 
notify customers with respect to *67 and *82 capabilities.
    Over the past several months, the Commission has received numerous 
requests from petitioners seeking waivers, stays or declaratory rulings 
of the Commission's caller ID rules. On October 30, 1995, the 
Commission released an Order that addressed some of these requests for 
relief. See Rules and Policies Regarding Calling Numbering 
Identification Service--Caller ID, Order, CC Docket No. 91-281, FCC 95-
446, released October 30, 1995. On November 30, 1995, the Common 
Carrier Bureau, pursuant to delegated authority, adopted an Order that 
addressed the remaining petitions for relief. See Rules and Policies 
Regarding Calling Number Identification Service--Caller ID, Order, CC 
Docket No. 91-281, DA 95-2415 (Com. Car. Bur. adopted November 30, 
1995).
    The Fourth NPRM tentatively concludes that LEC switches not 
equipped with CLASS software should not be required to pass CPN and 
that they should be permitted to pass it only if they can provide the 
blocking and unblocking capabilities specified in Section 64.1601(b) of 
the Commission's rules. The Fourth NPRM seeks comment on its tentative 
conclusions, and specifically on the economic feasibility of adding 
blocking and unblocking capabilities to switches already able to pass 
CPN.

Ordering Clauses

    It is further ordered, pursuant to Sections 1, 4(i) and (j), 201-
205, 218 of the Communications Act as amended, 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 
154(j), 201-205, and 218, that notice is hereby given of the proposed 
changes in policies regarding the application of caller ID rules to 
switches without CLASS software, and comment is invited on this 
proposal.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 64

    Calling party telephone number, Communications common carriers, 
Telephone.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 95-30051 Filed 12-8-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-M