Connection of Simple Inside Wiring to the Telephone Network and Petition for Modification

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 68

[CC Docket No. 88-57; FCC 97-209]

Connection of Simple Inside Wiring to the Telephone Network and

Petition for Modification

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: On June 17, 1997, the Commission released a Second Further

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SFNPRM) addressing the connection of

inside wiring to the telephone network. The SFNPRM is intended to

obtain comment on several issues related to the demarcation point.

DATES: Comments must be filed on or before July 17, 1997, and reply

comments must be filed on or before August 1, 1997.

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

Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill von Alven, Senior Engineer (202)

418-2342, or Marian Gordon, Special

[[Page 36477]]

Counsel, Network Services Division, Common Carrier Bureau, (202) 418-

2337.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This summarizes the Commission's Second

Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the matter of Review of

Secs. 68.104 and 68.213 of the Commission's Rules Concerning Connection

of Simple Inside Wiring to the Telephone Network and Petition for

Modification of Sec. 68.213 of the Commission's Rules filed by

Electronic Industries Association, FCC 97-209, adopted June 12, 1997,

and released June 17, 1997. The Commission concurrently released an

Order on Reconsideration and Second Report and Order in the same

docket. 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

1. The SFNPRM asks for comment on the application of the revised

demarcation point definition to complex wiring. The Commission seeks

comment on whether it should continue to allow the telephone company

demarcation point to be placed away from a building, at the property

line. The Commission seeks comment on whether the use of poor quality

inside wiring in one building affects service in other buildings. It

also asks for comment on an enhanced wire quality standard designed to

address the problem of cross-talk. The Commission seeks comment on

whether the enhanced wire quality standard should be adopted as a two-

year interim standard, and what industry body or bodies should be the

entity through which members work to develop a permanent standard to

solve the problems created by poor quality inside wiring. It asks

whether the enhanced wire quality standard is overly restrictive. The

Commission also requests comment on a proposal that wire meeting the

proposed interim standard be marked at specific intervals. The

Commission asks for comment on whether the standard for determining

whether a material meets the requirements for gold or gold equivalence,

should also be an interim standard effective for two years, until

industry develops a permanent standard. It seeks comment concerning

through which industry body or bodies a permanent standard should be

developed if the standard becomes only an interim standard.

2. It is further ordered that, pursuant to Sections 1, 4, 201-205,

218, and 220, of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C.

Secs. 151, 154, 201-205, 218, and 220, and 5 U.S.C. Secs. 552 and 553,

Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is provided to amend part

68 of the Commission's rules, as described herein.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 68

Telephone.

Federal Communications Commission.

William F. Caton,

Acting Secretary.

Accordingly part 68 of title 47 is proposed to be amended as

follows:

PART 68--CONNECTION OF TERMINAL EQUIPMENT TO THE NETWORK

1. The authority citation for part 68 continues to read as follows:

Authority: Secs. 1, 4, 5, 201-5, 208, 215, 218, 226, 227, 303,

313, 314, 403, 404, 410, 602 of the Communications Act of 1934, as

amended, 47 U.S.C. 151, 154, 155, 201-5, 208, 215, 218, 226, 227,

303, 313, 314, 403, 404, 410, 602.

2. Section 68.213 is proposed to be amended by revising paragraph

(c) to read as follows:

Sec. 68.213 Installation of other than ``fully protected'' non-system

simple customer premises wiring.

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(c) Material requirements.

(1) For new installations and modifications to existing

installations, conductors shall be solid, 24 gauge or larger, twisted

copper pairs which comply with the electrical specifications for

Category 3 or higher as defined in the ANSI EIA/TIA Building Wiring

Standards.

(2) Conductors shall have insulation with a 1500 Volt rms minimum

breakdown rating. This rating shall be established by covering the

jacket or sheath with at least 15 cm (6 in) (measured linearly on the

cable) of conductive foil, and establishing a potential difference

between the foil and all of the individual conductors connected

together, such potential difference gradually increased over a 30

second time period to 1500 Volts rms, 60 Hertz, then applied

continuously for one minute. At no time during this 90 second time

interval shall the current between these points exceed 10 milliamperes

peak.

(3) All wire and connectors meeting the requirements set forth in

paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this section shall be marked in a manner

visible to the consumer, as recommended in the ANSI EIA/TIA premises

cabling standards.

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[FR Doc. 97-17714 Filed 7-7-97; 8:45 am]

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