Carrier Identification Codes

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 1

[CC Docket No. 92-237; DA 96-678]

Carrier Identification Codes

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: On April 30, 1996, the Commission released a public notice

seeking further comments to the Commission's Notice of Proposed

Rulemaking (Administration of the North American Numbering Plan), CC

Docket No. 92-237 specifically on the issue of the appropriate length

of the transition period for the expansion of carrier identification

codes (CICs) from three to four digits. The intended effect of this

action is to seek further comments because the record on the NPRM is

two years old, and significant events have occurred since the record

closed.

DATES: Comments must be filed on or before May 21, 1996, and reply

comments must be filed on or before May 28, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M Street, N.W.,

Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Ward, (202) 418-2336, Elizabeth

Nightingale, (202) 418-2352, or Mary DeLuca, (202) 418-2334, all of the

Common Carrier Bureau, Network Services Division.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Released: April 30, 1996.

1. On April 4, 1994, the Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed

Rulemaking (CC Docket No. 92-237) addressing various issues relating to

administration of the North American Numbering Plan and tentatively

concluding, regarding carrier identification codes (CICs), that the

industry's plan to expand Feature Group D (FGD) CICs from three to four

digits, in the event of exhaust of the three digit codes, was

reasonable to ensure that the demand for CICs could be met.

Administration of the North American Numbering Plan, Notice of Proposed

Rulemaking, 9 FCC Rcd 2068 (1994) (NPRM)(59 FR 24103 (05/10/94)). The

NPRM also tentatively concluded that the transition or permissive

dialing period for the expansion, during which both three and four

digit CICs would be recognized, should last six years. The pleading

cycle in response to the NPRM closed on June 30, 1994.

2. The record on the NPRM is two years old, and significant events

have occurred since the record closed: (1) The assignment of

exclusively four digit FGD CICs has begun, and in turn the transition

period has begun; (2) there has been an unexpected increase in the

demand for CICs, due to new uses for the codes recently discovered by

the industry; (3) we now expect an even greater demand for CICs, with

the anticipated increase in carriers entering the market as a result of

the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Pub.L. 104-104, 110 Stat. 56 (1996)

(1996 Act); and (4) the local exchange carriers are now obligated to

provide dialing parity under Section 251 of the 1996 Act, see 47 U.S.C.

251(b)(3).

3. We seek, therefore, to refresh the record in CC Docket No. 92-

237 specifically on the issue of the appropriate length of the

transition period. Commenters should limit their comments to updated

factual information in light of the recent events described above. We

ask that parties neither simply reiterate their previous comments nor

raise any new issues, but confine their discussion to how the length of

the transition period has been affected, if at all.

4. Comments and reply comments in response to this Notice should be

no more than 10 pages, and otherwise in compliance with Sections 1.415

and 1.419 of the Commission's rules. Comments must be filed on or

before May 21, 1996, and reply comments must be filed on or before May

28, 1996. Comments and reply comments must be sent to the Office of the

Secretary, FCC, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. Two copies

should also be sent to the Network Services Division, Common Carrier

Bureau, FCC, Room 235, 2000 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. One

copy should also be sent to the Commission's contractor for public

service records duplication: ITS, Inc., 2100 M Street, N.W., Suite 140,

Washington, D.C. 20037. Comments and reply comments will be available

for public inspection during regular business hours in the FCC

Reference Center, Room 239, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.

20554. Copies can also be obtained from ITS at (202) 857-3800.

5. We will continue to treat this proceeding as non-restricted for

purposes of the Commission's ex parte rules. See generally 47 CFR

Secs. 1.1200-1.1216. For further information contact, David Ward (202/

418-2336), Elizabeth Nightingale (202/418-2352), or Mary DeLuca (202/

418-2334) of the Network Services Division, Common Carrier Bureau.

Federal Communications Commission

Geraldine Matise,

Chief, Network Services Division, Common Carrier Bureau.

[FR Doc. 96-11438 Filed 5-6-96; 8:45 am]

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