RUS General Specification for Digital, Stored Program Controlled Central Office Equipment (Form 522)

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Part 1755

RUS General Specification for Digital, Stored Program Controlled

Central Office Equipment (Form 522)

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) hereby amends the RUS

General Specification for Digital, Stored Program Controlled Central

Office Equipment by eliminating the requirement for multiparty service

and certain other technical aspects associated with this service. This

amendment does not diminish public telephone service integrity.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This regulation is effective on January 16, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John J. Schell, Chief, Central Office

Equipment Branch, Telecommunications Standards Division, U.S.

Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service, room 2836-S,

Washington, DC 20250-1500, telephone (202) 720-0671.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 12866

This final rule has been determined to be not-significant for

purposes of Executive Order 12866 and therefore has not been reviewed

by OMB.

Executive Order 12778

This final rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12778,

Civil Justice Reform. This final rule will not:

(1) Preempt any State or local laws, regulations, or policies,

unless they present an irreconcilable conflict with this rule;

(2) Have any retroactive effect; and

(3) Require administrative proceedings before parties may file suit

challenging the provisions of this rule.

Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification

RUS has determined that this final rule will not have a significant

economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, as defined

by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). The changes

to the General Specification for Digital, Stored Program Controlled

Central Office Equipment in this final rule are updates which have been

made so that RUS telephone borrowers can continue to provide their

subscribers with the most up-to-date and efficient telephone service.

Information Collection and Recordkeeping Requirements

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.

3501 et seq.), the information collection and recordkeeping

requirements contained in this final rule have been approved by OMB

under control number 0572-0059. Comments concerning these requirements

should be directed to the United States Department of Agriculture,

Clearance Office, OIRM, room 404-W, Washington, DC 20250 or to the

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, Attention: Desk

Officer for USDA, room 10102, New Executive Office Building,

Washington, DC 20503.

National Environmental Policy Act Certification

RUS has determined that this final rule will not significantly

affect the quality of the human environment as defined by the National

Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). Therefore,

this action does not require an environmental impact statement or

assessment.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

The program described by this final rule is listed in the Catalog

of Federal Domestic Assistance Programs under No. 10.851, Rural

Telephone Loans and Loan Guarantees, and 10.852, Rural Telephone Bank

Loans. This catalog is available on a subscription basis from the

Superintendent of Documents, the United States Government Printing

Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325.

Executive Order 12372

This final rule is excluded from the scope of Executive Order

12372, Intergovernmental Consultation. A Notice of Final rule entitled

Department Programs and Activities Excluded from Executive Order 12372

(50 FR 47034) exempts RUS and RTB loans and loan guarantees to

governmental and nongovernmental entities from coverage under this

Order.

Background

RUS makes loans and loan guarantees to telephone systems to provide

and improve telecommunications service in rural areas, as authorized by

the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 901 et

seq., (RE Act). RUS issues construction standards and specifications

for materials and equipment. In accordance with the RUS loan contract,

these standards and specifications apply to facilities constructed by

RUS telephone borrowers. The Rural Electrification Loan Restructuring

Act of 1993 (RELRA) (107 Stat. 1356) contemplates elimination of

multiparty service by telephone companies receiving RUS loans. This

final rule eliminates the requirement in 7 CFR 1755.522 for multiparty

service along with features which are associated with that service such

as revertive calling and multifrequency ringing.

Public comments regarding the proposed rule were received from AT&T

and the United States Telephone Association. These comments were taken

into consideration in preparing the final rule.

1. Comment. One commenter stated that although there was no issue

to be taken with the proposed rule as it stands, much of the remainder

of RUS Form 522 is counter to the STMP requirements. The commenter

recommended that all antiquated requirements be eliminated and an

additional requirement be added which limits future funding by RUS to

products which demonstrate available technology supporting STMP

regulations.

Response. RUS disagrees that the Form 522 is counter to the State

Telecommunications Modernization Plan requirements. Form 522 is, and

has always been, intended as a basic specification. Traditionally, RUS

has left development of specifications for advanced telecommunication

features to other sources within the telecommunications industry. RUS

believes that the industry has provided, and will continue to provide,

appropriate specifications for the necessary advanced features.

2. Comment. One commenter commended RUS for proposing the

elimination of the multiparty requirement and recommended that RUS

conduct a review of all its regulations in order to identify and

rescind all obsolete requirements.

Response. RUS continuously reviews and updates regulations to keep

them as technologically current as possible.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1755

Loan programs-communications, Reporting and recordkeeping

requirements, Rural areas, Telephone.

For the reasons set out in the preamble, chapter XVII of title 7 of

the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:

[[Page 64312]]

PART 1755--TELECOMMUNICATIONS STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR

MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION

1. The authority citation for part 1755 continues to read as

follows:

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.; 1921 et seq.; Pub. L. 103-354,

108 Stat. 3178 (7 U.S.C. 6941 et seq.).

2. Section 1755.522 is amended by revising paragraphs (e)(5),

(e)(6), (e)(7), (e)(11), and (e)(19)(vii), removing paragraph

(f)(1)(ii), redesignating paragraph (f)(1)(iii) as paragraph

(f)(1)(ii), removing paragraphs (g)(2)(ii), (g)(2)(iii) and (g)(8),

redesignating paragraphs (g)(2)(iv) through (g)(2)(xv) as paragraphs

(g)(2)(ii) through (g)(2)(xiii), and paragraphs (g)(9) through (g)(12)

as paragraphs (g)(8) through (g)(11), revising paragraph (i)(2)(ix) and

the text preceeding the table in paragraph (p)(1)(vi), amending

paragraph (p)(3)(i) by removing the entry ``Revertive'' from the table,

removing paragraph (r)(6), redesignating paragraphs (r)(7) and (r)(8)

as paragraphs (r)(6) and (r)(7), and revising paragraph (s)(5)(ii)(A),

the text preceeding the table in paragraph (s)(5)(ii)(C), and paragraph

(s)(6)(ii) to read as follows:

Sec. 1755.522 RUS general specification for digital, stored program

controlled central office equipment.

* * * * *

(e) * * *

(5) The basic switching system shall include the provision of

software programming and necessary hardware, including memory, for

optional custom calling services such as call waiting, call forwarding,

three-way calling, and abbreviated dialing. It shall be possible to

provide these services to any individual line (single-party)

subscriber. The addition of these services shall not reduce the

anticipated ultimate engineered line, trunk, and traffic capacity of

the switching system as specified in appendix A of this section.

(6) The requirements in this specification apply only to single

party lines. Although only single frequency ringing is required, other

types may be requested in appendix A of this section.

(7) Provision shall be made for local automatic message accounting

(LAMA), and for traffic service position system (TSPS) trunks, or

equivalent, to the operator's office when required either initially or

in the future.

* * * * *

(11) Provision shall be made for hotel-motel arrangements, as

required by the owner, to permit the operation of message registers at

the subscriber's premises to record local outdial calls by guests (see

Item 10.5, appendix A of this section).

* * * * *

(19) * * *

(vii) If the 911 service bureau is holding a calling line, it shall

be possible for the 911 line to cause the equipment to ring back the

calling line. This is done by providing a flash of on-hook signal from

the 911 line lasting from 200 to 1,100 milliseconds. The signal to the

calling line shall be ringing current if the line is on-hook, or

receiver off-hook (ROH) tone if the line is off-hook.

* * * * *

(i) * * *

(2) * * *

(ix) Distinctive tone, when required for alarm calls, or other

features, shall consist of high tone interrupted at 200 IPM with tone

on 150 ms and off 150 ms.

* * * * *

(p) * * *

(1) * * *

(vi) The traffic capacity in the following table should be used for

small trunk groups such as pay station, special service trunks,

intercept, and PBX trunks, unless otherwise specified in appendix A of

this section:

* * * * *

(s) * * *

(5) * * *

(ii) * * *

(A) The ringing generators shall have an output voltage which

approximates a sine wave and, as a minimum, shall be suitable for

ringing straight-line ringers. Although not a requirement for RUS

listing, decimonic, synchromonic, or harmonic ringing may also be

specified in appendix A of this section.

* * * * *

(C) The output of each generator shall have three or more voltage

taps or a single tap with associated variable control. Taps or control

shall be easily accessible as installed in the field. Software control

of ringing generator outputs via I/O devices may be provided in lieu of

taps. The taps, or equivalent, shall be designated L, M, and H. The

variable control shall have a locking device to prevent accidental

readjustment. The outputs at the terminals of the generators with a

voltage input of 52.1 volts and rated full resistive load shall be as

follows for the ringing frequencies provided:

* * * * *

(6) * * *

(ii) The ringing cycle provided by the interrupter equipment shall

not exceed 6 seconds in length. The ringing period shall be 2 seconds.

* * * * *

3. Appendix A to 7 CFR 1755.522 is amended by revising items 6.,

7., and 10. to read as follows:

Appendix A to 7 CFR 1755.522--Specification for Digital, Stored

Program Controlled Central Office Equipment Detailed Requirements

(Host)

* * * * *

6. Line Circuit Requirements (Includes all lines associated with

RST's.)

6.1 Types of Lines

No. of lines

---------------------------------------------------------- No. of EAS areas Total No. of lines

Local service only both local and EAS service required

6.1.1 Individual--Flat Rate......... ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________

6.1.2 Individual--Message Rate...... ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________

6.1.3 Pay Station................... ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________

6.1.4 Telephone Company Official ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________

Lines.

6.1.5 Wire Chief.................... ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________

6.1.6 911 Emergency Service Bureau ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________

Lines.

6.1.7 Number Hunting PBX Groups:.... ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________

[[Page 64313]]

Type No. of lines

No. of Direct in dial Restricted ---------------------------------------------------------------- No. of EAS Total No. of

lines in No. of groups * service at COE Local service Both local and areas lines required

group Ground start Loop start only EAS service

______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______

______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______

______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______

______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______

______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______

* Furnish translation information under Item 5.

6.1.8 WATS Lines (Give details in Appendix A, Item 16)

Number of Inward WATS Lines ________

Number of Outward WATS Lines ________

6.1.9 Special Lines Required ________ (Explain in Item 16, Appendix

A)

6.1.10 Total Number of Lines Required

Host ______ (Incl. DDI Concentrator Lines)

RST 1 ______

RST 2 ______

RST 3 ______

Total ______

6.1.11 Total Director Numbers Required ______

(Including RST's) (see Item 7.1, Appendix A)

6.1.12 Pay Station

Type ____________

New ____ Reused ____

(Describe in Item 16, Appendix A)

6.1.13 Line Concentrator

6.1.13.1 Supplied by Owner (see Item 16, Appendix A, for details)

____ Yes ____ No

6.1.13.2 Supplied by Bidder (If ``Yes'', attach REA Form 397g,

Performance Specification for Line Concentrators)

____ Yes ____ No

6.2. Data on Lines Required Range Extension

6.2.1 Number of non-pay station lines having a loop resistance,

including the telephone set, as follows:

No. of lines

1901-3200 ohms............................. ______

3201-3600 ohms............................. ______

6.2.2 Number of pay station lines having loop resistance, excluding

the telephone set, greater than:

No. of lines

1200 ohms (For Prepay)..................... ______

1000 ohms (For Semi-Postpay Operation)..... ______

6.2.3 Range extension equipment is to be provided:

6.2.3.1 Loop Extenders: Total Quantity ______

By Bidder--Quantity ______

By Owner--Quantity ______

(Explain in Item 16, Appendix A)

6.2.3.2 VF Repeaters: Total Quantity ______

By Bidder--Quantity ______

(Bidder must have information on loading and cable size.)

By Owner--Quantity ______

(Explain in Item 16, Appendix A)

6.2.3.3 Range extension may be furnished as an extended range line

circuit at the option of the supplier. If this option is used, the

quantities of loop extenders and VF repeaters will be different from

the quantities listed above (see Item 6.1,a, Appendix C).

____ Yes ____ No

7. Traffic Data-Line Originating and Terminating Traffic

7.1 Originating Line Traffic--Estimated per Busy Hour (Includes all

Lines Associated With RST's):

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(a) CCS per Main Station (b) No. of Main Stations (axb) Total CCS No. of Lines Required \1\

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Ind.--Res....................... __________ __________ __________ __________

Ind.--Bus....................... __________ __________ __________ __________

Special Lines................... __________ __________ __________ __________

Pay Station..................... __________ __________ __________ __________

Telco Official.................. __________ __________ __________ __________

Wire Chief...................... __________ __________ __________ __________

No. Htg. or PBX................. __________(\2\) __________(\3\) __________ __________

WATS............................ __________ __________ __________ __________

Data Service.................... __________ __________ __________ __________

911 Emerg. Service.............. __________ __________ __________ __________

Total......................... ............................ __________ __________ __________(\4\)

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............................ (c) (d) (e)

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\1\ See Appendix A, Item 6.1.

\2\ This figure is the CCS per PBX trunk.

\3\ This figure is the number of PBX trunks.

\4\ This is the total number of line equipments required. The number to be provided will be determined by the equipment design of the system of the

selected bidder. See Appendix C, Item 3.1.1.2.

7.2 Average Originating CCS per Line per Busy Hour

(d)/(e)=____/ ____=____ CCS/Line

This office shall be engineered to handle an initial average

originating busy hour traffic of ____ CCS per line. It is

anticipated that the average originating busy hour traffic will

increase to ____ CCS per line.

Originating Traffic Attributed to Host Only ____ CCS/Line

7.3 Terminating Traffic--Estimated CCS per Busy Hour

It is assumed that the total CCS for terminating traffic is the

same as for originating traffic. Since digital switch networks are

on a terminal per line basis, the terminating CCS per line will be

the same as the originating CCS per line as shown in Item 7.2,

Appendix A.

Terminating Traffic Attributed to Host Only ____ CCS/Line

7.4 Percent of Pushbutton Lines ____

7.5 Anticipated Ultimate Capacity (20 years)

[[Page 64314]]

7.5.1 Subscriber Lines

Host ________ (Incl. DDI Concentrator Lines)

RST 1 ________

RST 2 ________

RST 3 ________

Total ________

* * * * *

10. Miscellaneous Operating Features

10.1 Busy Verification

10.1.1 By dedicated trunk from toll operator: ____

10.1.1.1 One-Way, Inward ____

10.1.1.2 Two-Way (Busy verification inward, intercept outward) ____

10.1.2 By prefix digit over intertoll trunk ____

(Indicate digit(s) dialed) ____

10.1.3 Access by Switchman

10.1.3.1 Dedicated Trunk ____

10.1.3.2 Multiple of Operator Trunk ____

10.2 Intercept Facilities

10.2.1 Vacant code, disconnected number, and unassigned number

intercept shall be: (Check One)

By recorded announcement:

Without cut-through to operator ____

With cut-through to operator ____

By operator ____

10.2.2 Changed number intercept shall be: (Check One)

By recorded announcement:

Without cut-through to operator ____

With cut-through to operator ____

By operator ____

By automatic intercept system (AIS) in distant office ____

10.2.3 Method of Reaching Operator, if required:

Separate trunk group ____

Regular interoffice toll trunks with idle trunk selecting over

at least three trunks when three or more toll trunks are equipped

____

10.2.4 Number of separate intercept trunk circuits ____

10.3 Line Load Control

10.3.1 Line load control facilities are:

____ Required ____ Not Required

(Explain in Item 16, Appendix A)

10.4 Service Observing Facilities

10.4.1 Service observing facilities are:

____ Required ____ Not Required

(Explain in Item 16, Appendix A)

10.5 Hotel-Motel Arrangements

10.5.1 Hotel-motel arrangements for operation of message registers

at the subscriber's premises are:

____ Required ____ Not Required

(Explain in Item 16, Appendix A)

10.5.1.1 How are message registers to be activated?

Line Reversal ____

Third Wire ____

Other ____

(Explain in Item 16, Appendix A)

10.6 Nailed-Up Connections

____ Required ____ Not Required

(Explain in Item 16, Appendix A)

10.7 Vertical Services: (RST Lines are Included)

Initially Ultimate

10.7.1 Call Waiting--No. of Lines.... ____________ ____________

10.7.2 Call Forwarding--No. of Lines. ____________ ____________

____Local ____Remote ................................... ...................................

(Explain in Item 16, Appendix

A).

10.7.3 Abbreviated Dialing No. of ____________ ____________

Lines.

No. of Codes per Line ____for ................................... ...................................

____Lines

No. of Codes per Line ____for ................................... ...................................

____Lines

10.7.4 Three-Way Calling--No. of ____________ ____________

Lines.

CCS Per Line.................. ____________ ____________

10.7.5 Other ____

(Explain in Item 16, Appendix A)

* * * * *

Appendix B to 7 CFR 1755.522--[Amended]

4. Appendix B to 7 CFR 1755.522 is amended by removing items 1.2

and 1.3 and redesignating items 1.4 through 1.9 as items 1.2 through

1.7, respectively.

5. Appendix C to 7 CFR 1755.522 is amended by revising item 3.1.3.1

to read as follows:

Appendix C to 7 CFR 1755.522--Specifications for Digital, Stored

Program Controlled Central Office Equipment Detailed Requirements--

Bidder Supplied Information

* * * * *

3.1.3.1 The number of directory numbers provided shall be based on

the total directory numbers required (Item 6.1.11, appendix A), as

modified by the memory increment of the proposed system.

* * * * *

Dated: October 30, 1995.

Jill Long Thompson,

Under Secretary, Rural Economic and Community Development.

[FR Doc. 95-27395 Filed 12-14-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-15-P--M