Telecommunications Act of 1996:

Timeline for Implementation

The following pages highlight coming activity at the Federal Communications Commission to implement the Telecommunications Act of 1996. For a more detailed discussion of the issues raised by these proceedings, please visit Benton's Telecommunications Act homepage at www.benton.org/Policy/96act/. At any point where the timeline mentions "FCC seeks comment" or "the FCC will release a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)," this denotes a chance for you to voice your opinion to the FCC. See Benton's Guide to the Paper Chase at the FCC for information on how you can file comments on these proceedings. Also, feel free to contact Benton's Communications Policy Project for information about filing or adding your support to other organizations' filings.

February 1996

FCC Releases Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Baby Bells providing out-of-region, interstate long-distance service. ( CC Docket No. 96-21)

March 1996

On March 8 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Hundt named the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service. The FCC initiated a proceeding to recommend changes to universal service regulations. By May 8, 1997, the FCC will complete proceedings on universal service allowing for public input.

Also on March 8 FCC Chairman Hundt appointed Solomon Trujillo, president and chief executive officer of US WEST Communications Group, as Interim Chairman of the Telecommunications Development Fund. (Additional private sector board members were named October 1, 1996).

The FCC revised the National Multiple Radio Ownership Rule and Local Radio Ownership Rule in accordance with the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

The Commission implemented television ownership and dual networking provisions.

April 1996

Universal service comments were filed to the Joint Board on Universal Service and the FCC by over 200 organizations. For comment summaries, see Benton's Universal Service site at www.benton.org/Policy/Uniserv/Summaries/summaries.html.

The Joint Board on Universal Service convened for the first time.

FCC released NPRM on Implementation of Local Competition Provisions in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, ( CC Docket No. 96-98)

The FCC accepted nominations for Telecommunications and Health Care Advisory Committee.

The FCC sought comment on broadcast license terms. ( MM Docket No. 96-90)

The FCC issued an order on broadcast license renewal procedures.

May 1996

Reply comments were filed in the universal service proceeding.

Comments were filed on local competition.

June 1996

On June 5 the Joint Board on Universal Service heard testimony about universal service in the emerging competitive marketplace.

The Telecommunications and Health Care Advisory Committee was named.

Transcript of Proceedings from the FCC Telemedical Advisory Committee meeting.

On June 6 the FCC issued regulations relating to cable operators aggregating equipment costs.

The FCC issued two Report and Orders on open video systems #1 and #2

On June 19 the Joint Board on Universal Service heard testimony on wiring schools.

July 1996

FCC released Public Notice seeking futher comment on specific questions concerning the NPRM on universal service.

Transcript of Proceedings from the FCC Telemedical Advisory Committee meeting on July 11, 1996.

The FCC released an Order on Reconsideration on open video systems.

August 1996

Report & Order In the Matter of Implementation of the Local Competition Provisions in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Telecommunications Carrier's Use of Customer Proprietary Network Information; Use of Data Regarding Alarm Monitoring Service Providers

The FCC releases Report and Order on interconnection.

Open video systems rules completed.

September 1996

FCC released Order In the Matter of Implementation of the Local Competition Provisions in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Interconnection between Local Exchange Carriers and Commercial Mobile Radio Service Providers. ( CC Docket No. 96-98, CC Docket No. 95-185)

FCC released Report & Order on Pay Phones ( CC Docket No. 96-128, CC Docket. No. 91-35)

Order on Reconsideration In the Matter of Implementation of the Local Competition Provisions in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Interconnection between Local Exchange Carriers and Commercial Mobile Radio Service Providers ( CC Docket No. 96-98, CC Docket No. 95-185)

November 1996

The Federal-State Joint Board made its recommendations to the FCC on changes to universal service regulations. [Large file. See Benton summaries on general recomendations and special provisions for schools and libraries]

FCC releases Public Notice asking for comment on Joint Board recommendations.

FCC released Order on Reconsideration on Pay Phones (CC Docket No. 96-128, CC Docket No. 91-35).

December 1996

FCC released Order In the Matter of Implementation of the Local Competition Provisions, Interconnection between Local Exchange Carriers and CMRS Providers ( CC Docket No. 96-98, 95-185)

January 1997

FCC releases NPRM on Closed Captioning and Video Description of Video Programming and Video Programming Accessibility (MM Docket No. 95-176)

Notice of Inquiry In the Matter of Telecommunications Relay Services ( CC Docket No. 90-571)

FCC released Report & Order In the Matter of MM Docket No. 96-90 Implementation of Section 203 of The Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Broadcast License Terms) Sections 73.1020 and 74.15 (MM Docket 97-2)

FCC released Report & Order In the Matter of Amendment of the Commission's Rules to Provide for Operation of Unlicensed NII Devices in the 5 GHz Frequency Range ( ET Docket No. 96-102, RM-8648, RM-8653)

Television broadcasters began using a voluntary ratings system to rate the content of television programming.

February 1997

The FCC released a Public Notice askinhg for comment on broadcasters' rating system. File comments by email at vchip@fcc.gov

March 1997

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.

April 1997

FCC Report & Order on Universal Service due.

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.

By August 8, 1998

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.

By February 8, 2000

By rule or order, the FCC may extend the sunset of separate affiliate safeguards on Bell operating company (BOC) interLATA (local access and transport area) information services.

By February 8, 2001

The Commission must report to Congress on the implementation of the broadcasters' ancillary or supplementary services fee (under a program to be established by FCC -- no time frame has been set).

Regulations governing charges for pole attachments become effective.

Variable

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 Commission will report to Congress every three years starting May 8, 2000 on any regulations prescribed to eliminate small business market entry barriers and identify for Congress the statutory barriers to be eliminated.

The FCC will act on any application of a company to become an "exempt telecommunications company" within 60 days of receipt.

The FCC will review and act on complaints concerning failures by BOCs to meet conditions for interLATA approval within 90 days.

The FCC may extend the sunset of safeguards on BOC manufacturing services or interLATA telecommunications services three years from interLATA authorization by the FCC.

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 carrier, or class of carriers, may petition the FCC to forbear from regulating the carrier(s) or any service offered by the carrier(s). Any such petition will be deemed granted if the FCC does not act on it within one year.

www.benton.org/Policy/96act/timeline.html
Last updated: 6 March 1997 kjt