COMT 220 The Telecommunications Act of 96 Based on Information from: Phyllis Bernt Trevor Roycroft America’s NETWORK, March 1, 1996

COMT 220 Current Industry Structure Customers CATV ALT/CAP IXCs LEC

COMT 220 Interconnection Customers CATV ALT/CAP IXCs LEC

COMT 220 The Rules Pubic Service Commissions must enforce the rules, arbitrate, and approve agreements Encumbent LECs must provide – Access to their network at reasonable rates – Unbundling – Interconnection at all technically feasible points – Physical co-location agreements

COMT 220 Further Requirements LECs must also provide – Number portability – Database access – Operator Service access – White page listings – 911/E911 access – Resale

COMT 220 Further Requirements LECs must also provide – Number portability – Database access – Operator Service access – White page listings – 911/E911 access – Resale

COMT 220 Local Number Portability Source: North American Numbering Council: ARCHITECTURE & ADMINISTRATIVE PLAN FOR LOCAL NUMBER PORTABILITY

COMT 220 Calling into “Ported” Areas

COMT 220 Issues Long Distance (InterLATA) – LEC want to provide this Local Competition – ALT/CAPs – IXCs (Long Distance Carriers) – Cable Companies – Utilities

COMT 220 Issues cont… Interconnection – If two competing providers offer similar services, how do I call from one network to the other? Content – LECs and others want to provide it

COMT 220 The Act does Allow LECs into the long distance market Allow everyone into the local market Allow everyone to provide content

COMT 220 Long Distance Entry LECs can provide LD immediately outside their own service area LECs can provide in-area LD once local service competition has been proven LECs are allowed into LD if no competitor comes forward