The FCC must complete a proceeding to identify and eliminate market entry barriers for entrepreneurs and other small businesses in the provision and ownership of telecommunications services and information services, or in the provision of parts or services to providers of telecommunications services and information services. August 1997 Guidelines will be developed in conjunction with the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board for accessibility of telecommunications and customer premises equipment to persons with disabilities. The FCC will prescribe regulations on closed captioning and video programming. The FCC must initiate a notice of inquiry on the availability of advanced telecommunications capability to all Americans. The Commission will conduct regular proceedings on this issue thereafter.
Regulations governing charges for pole attachments become effective.
The FCC will evaluate the advanced television services program. The Commission must complete any proceeding to implement Joint Board universal service recommendations subsequent to the initial proceeding within one year of receiving them. The FCC will review and act on complaints concerning failures by BOCs to meet conditions for interLATA approval within 90 days. Following an initial report to Congress on the broadcasters' ancillary or supplementary services fee, the FCC must advise Congress annually on the amounts collected pursuant to such program. Any such petition will be deemed granted if the FCC does not act on it within one year.