FCC Regulation Document

Part: 
Topic: C

47 CFR Part 59 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                           47 CFR Part 59 (Feb. 20, 2024)
Infrastructure Sharing

This content is from the eCFR and is authoritative but unofficial.

Title 47 —Telecommunication
Chapter I —Federal Communications Commission
Subchapter B —Common Carrier Services

Part 59 Infrastructure Sharing
  § 59.1 General duty.
  § 59.2 Terms and conditions of infrastructure sharing.
  § 59.3 Information concerning deployment of new services and equipment.
  § 59.4 Definition of “qualifying carrier”.

PART 59—INFRASTRUCTURE SHARING
Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 154(j), 201–205, 259, 303(r), 403.

Source: 62 FR 9713, Mar. 4, 1997, unless otherwise noted.

§ 59.1 General duty.
Incumbent local exchange carriers (as defined in 47 U.S.C. section 251(h)) shall make available to any qualifying
carrier such public switched network infrastructure, technology, information, and telecommunications facilities and
functions as may be requested by such qualifying carrier for the purpose of enabling such qualifying carrier to
provide telecommunications services, or to provide access to information services, in the service area in which such
qualifying carrier has obtained designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier under section 214(e) of 47
U.S.C.

§ 59.2 Terms and conditions of infrastructure sharing.
      (a) An incumbent local exchange carrier subject to the requirements of section 59.1 shall not be required to
          take any action that is economically unreasonable or that is contrary to the public interest.

      (b) An incumbent local exchange carrier subject to the requirements of section 59.1 may, but shall not be
          required to, enter into joint ownership or operation of public switched network infrastructure, technology,
          information and telecommunications facilities and functions and services with a qualifying carrier as a
          method of fulfilling its obligations under section 59.1.

      (c) An incumbent local exchange carrier subject to the requirements of section 59.1 shall not be treated by
          the Commission or any State as a common carrier for hire or as offering common carrier services with
          respect to any public switched network infrastructure, technology, information, or telecommunications
          facilities, or functions made available to a qualifying carrier in accordance with regulations issued
          pursuant to this section.

47 CFR 59.2(c) (enhanced display)                                                                             page 1 of 2
47 CFR Part 59 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                        47 CFR 59.2(d)
Infrastructure Sharing

     (d) An incumbent local exchange carrier subject to the requirements of section 59.1 shall make such public
         switched network infrastructure, technology, information, and telecommunications facilities, or functions
         available to a qualifying carrier on just and reasonable terms and pursuant to conditions that permit such
         qualifying carrier to fully benefit from the economies of scale and scope of such local exchange carrier.
         An incumbent local exchange carrier that has entered into an infrastructure sharing agreement pursuant
         to section 59.1 must give notice to the qualifying carrier at least sixty days before terminating such
         infrastructure sharing agreement.

     (e) An incumbent local exchange carrier subject to the requirements of section 59.1 shall not be required to
         engage in any infrastructure sharing agreement for any services or access which are to be provided or
         offered to consumers by the qualifying carrier in such local exchange carrier's telephone exchange area.

     (f) An incumbent local exchange carrier subject to the requirements of section 59.1 shall file with the State,
         or, if the State has made no provision to accept such filings, with the Commission, for public inspection,
         any tariffs, contracts, or other arrangements showing the rates, terms, and conditions under which such
         carrier is making available public switched network infrastructure, technology, information and
         telecommunications facilities and functions pursuant to this part.

§ 59.3 Information concerning deployment of new services and equipment.
An incumbent local exchange carrier subject to the requirements of section 59.1 that has entered into an
infrastructure sharing agreement under section 59.1 shall provide to each party to such agreement timely
information on the planned deployment of telecommunications services and equipment, including any software or
upgrades of software integral to the use or operation of such telecommunications equipment.

§ 59.4 Definition of “qualifying carrier”.
For purposes of this part, the term “qualifying carrier” means a telecommunications carrier that:

     (a) Lacks economies of scale or scope; and

     (b) Offers telephone exchange service, exchange access, and any other service that is included in universal
         service, to all consumers without preference throughout the service area for which such carrier has been
         designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier under section 214(e) of 47 U.S.C.

47 CFR 59.4(b) (enhanced display)                                                                          page 2 of 2