The Telecommunications Act of 96

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The TelecommunicationsAct of 96

• Based on Information from
• Phyllis Bernt
• Trevor Roycroft
• Americas NETWORK, March 1, 1996

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Pre-96 Industry Structure
CATV
IXCs
Customers
LEC
ALT/CAP
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Interconnection
CATV
IXCs
Customers
LEC
ALT/CAP
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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

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Further Requirements

• LECs must also provide
• Number portability
• Database access
• Operator Service access
• White page listings
• 911/E911 access
• Resale

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Further Requirements

• LECs must also provide
• Number portability
• Database access
• Operator Service access
• White page listings
• 911/E911 access
• Resale

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Local Number Portability
Source North American Numbering Council
ARCHITECTURE ADMINISTRATIVE PLAN FOR LOCAL
NUMBER PORTABILITY
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Calling into Ported Areas
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Issues

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

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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

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The Act does

• Allow LECs into the long distance market
• Allow everyone into the local market
• Allow everyone to provide content

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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