[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 241 (Friday, December 15, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64311-64314]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-27395]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
7 CFR Part 1755
RUS General Specification for Digital, Stored Program Controlled
Central Office Equipment (Form 522)
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) hereby amends the RUS
General Specification for Digital, Stored Program Controlled Central
Office Equipment by eliminating the requirement for multiparty service
and certain other technical aspects associated with this service. This
amendment does not diminish public telephone service integrity.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This regulation is effective on January 16, 1996.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John J. Schell, Chief, Central Office
Equipment Branch, Telecommunications Standards Division, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service, room 2836-S,
Washington, DC 20250-1500, telephone (202) 720-0671.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Executive Order 12866
This final rule has been determined to be not-significant for
purposes of Executive Order 12866 and therefore has not been reviewed
by OMB.
Executive Order 12778
This final rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12778,
Civil Justice Reform. This final rule will not:
(1) Preempt any State or local laws, regulations, or policies,
unless they present an irreconcilable conflict with this rule;
(2) Have any retroactive effect; and
(3) Require administrative proceedings before parties may file suit
challenging the provisions of this rule.
Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification
RUS has determined that this final rule will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, as defined
by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). The changes
to the General Specification for Digital, Stored Program Controlled
Central Office Equipment in this final rule are updates which have been
made so that RUS telephone borrowers can continue to provide their
subscribers with the most up-to-date and efficient telephone service.
Information Collection and Recordkeeping Requirements
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
3501 et seq.), the information collection and recordkeeping
requirements contained in this final rule have been approved by OMB
under control number 0572-0059. Comments concerning these requirements
should be directed to the United States Department of Agriculture,
Clearance Office, OIRM, room 404-W, Washington, DC 20250 or to the
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, Attention: Desk
Officer for USDA, room 10102, New Executive Office Building,
Washington, DC 20503.
National Environmental Policy Act Certification
RUS has determined that this final rule will not significantly
affect the quality of the human environment as defined by the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). Therefore,
this action does not require an environmental impact statement or
assessment.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
The program described by this final rule is listed in the Catalog
of Federal Domestic Assistance Programs under No. 10.851, Rural
Telephone Loans and Loan Guarantees, and 10.852, Rural Telephone Bank
Loans. This catalog is available on a subscription basis from the
Superintendent of Documents, the United States Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325.
Executive Order 12372
This final rule is excluded from the scope of Executive Order
12372, Intergovernmental Consultation. A Notice of Final rule entitled
Department Programs and Activities Excluded from Executive Order 12372
(50 FR 47034) exempts RUS and RTB loans and loan guarantees to
governmental and nongovernmental entities from coverage under this
Order.
Background
RUS makes loans and loan guarantees to telephone systems to provide
and improve telecommunications service in rural areas, as authorized by
the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 901 et
seq., (RE Act). RUS issues construction standards and specifications
for materials and equipment. In accordance with the RUS loan contract,
these standards and specifications apply to facilities constructed by
RUS telephone borrowers. The Rural Electrification Loan Restructuring
Act of 1993 (RELRA) (107 Stat. 1356) contemplates elimination of
multiparty service by telephone companies receiving RUS loans. This
final rule eliminates the requirement in 7 CFR 1755.522 for multiparty
service along with features which are associated with that service such
as revertive calling and multifrequency ringing.
Public comments regarding the proposed rule were received from AT&T
and the United States Telephone Association. These comments were taken
into consideration in preparing the final rule.
1. Comment. One commenter stated that although there was no issue
to be taken with the proposed rule as it stands, much of the remainder
of RUS Form 522 is counter to the STMP requirements. The commenter
recommended that all antiquated requirements be eliminated and an
additional requirement be added which limits future funding by RUS to
products which demonstrate available technology supporting STMP
regulations.
Response. RUS disagrees that the Form 522 is counter to the State
Telecommunications Modernization Plan requirements. Form 522 is, and
has always been, intended as a basic specification. Traditionally, RUS
has left development of specifications for advanced telecommunication
features to other sources within the telecommunications industry. RUS
believes that the industry has provided, and will continue to provide,
appropriate specifications for the necessary advanced features.
2. Comment. One commenter commended RUS for proposing the
elimination of the multiparty requirement and recommended that RUS
conduct a review of all its regulations in order to identify and
rescind all obsolete requirements.
Response. RUS continuously reviews and updates regulations to keep
them as technologically current as possible.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1755
Loan programs-communications, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Rural areas, Telephone.
For the reasons set out in the preamble, chapter XVII of title 7 of
the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:
[[Page 64312]]
PART 1755--TELECOMMUNICATIONS STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR
MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION
1. The authority citation for part 1755 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.; 1921 et seq.; Pub. L. 103-354,
108 Stat. 3178 (7 U.S.C. 6941 et seq.).
2. Section 1755.522 is amended by revising paragraphs (e)(5),
(e)(6), (e)(7), (e)(11), and (e)(19)(vii), removing paragraph
(f)(1)(ii), redesignating paragraph (f)(1)(iii) as paragraph
(f)(1)(ii), removing paragraphs (g)(2)(ii), (g)(2)(iii) and (g)(8),
redesignating paragraphs (g)(2)(iv) through (g)(2)(xv) as paragraphs
(g)(2)(ii) through (g)(2)(xiii), and paragraphs (g)(9) through (g)(12)
as paragraphs (g)(8) through (g)(11), revising paragraph (i)(2)(ix) and
the text preceeding the table in paragraph (p)(1)(vi), amending
paragraph (p)(3)(i) by removing the entry ``Revertive'' from the table,
removing paragraph (r)(6), redesignating paragraphs (r)(7) and (r)(8)
as paragraphs (r)(6) and (r)(7), and revising paragraph (s)(5)(ii)(A),
the text preceeding the table in paragraph (s)(5)(ii)(C), and paragraph
(s)(6)(ii) to read as follows:
Sec. 1755.522 RUS general specification for digital, stored program
controlled central office equipment.
* * * * *
(e) * * *
(5) The basic switching system shall include the provision of
software programming and necessary hardware, including memory, for
optional custom calling services such as call waiting, call forwarding,
three-way calling, and abbreviated dialing. It shall be possible to
provide these services to any individual line (single-party)
subscriber. The addition of these services shall not reduce the
anticipated ultimate engineered line, trunk, and traffic capacity of
the switching system as specified in appendix A of this section.
(6) The requirements in this specification apply only to single
party lines. Although only single frequency ringing is required, other
types may be requested in appendix A of this section.
(7) Provision shall be made for local automatic message accounting
(LAMA), and for traffic service position system (TSPS) trunks, or
equivalent, to the operator's office when required either initially or
in the future.
* * * * *
(11) Provision shall be made for hotel-motel arrangements, as
required by the owner, to permit the operation of message registers at
the subscriber's premises to record local outdial calls by guests (see
Item 10.5, appendix A of this section).
* * * * *
(19) * * *
(vii) If the 911 service bureau is holding a calling line, it shall
be possible for the 911 line to cause the equipment to ring back the
calling line. This is done by providing a flash of on-hook signal from
the 911 line lasting from 200 to 1,100 milliseconds. The signal to the
calling line shall be ringing current if the line is on-hook, or
receiver off-hook (ROH) tone if the line is off-hook.
* * * * *
(i) * * *
(2) * * *
(ix) Distinctive tone, when required for alarm calls, or other
features, shall consist of high tone interrupted at 200 IPM with tone
on 150 ms and off 150 ms.
* * * * *
(p) * * *
(1) * * *
(vi) The traffic capacity in the following table should be used for
small trunk groups such as pay station, special service trunks,
intercept, and PBX trunks, unless otherwise specified in appendix A of
this section:
* * * * *
(s) * * *
(5) * * *
(ii) * * *
(A) The ringing generators shall have an output voltage which
approximates a sine wave and, as a minimum, shall be suitable for
ringing straight-line ringers. Although not a requirement for RUS
listing, decimonic, synchromonic, or harmonic ringing may also be
specified in appendix A of this section.
* * * * *
(C) The output of each generator shall have three or more voltage
taps or a single tap with associated variable control. Taps or control
shall be easily accessible as installed in the field. Software control
of ringing generator outputs via I/O devices may be provided in lieu of
taps. The taps, or equivalent, shall be designated L, M, and H. The
variable control shall have a locking device to prevent accidental
readjustment. The outputs at the terminals of the generators with a
voltage input of 52.1 volts and rated full resistive load shall be as
follows for the ringing frequencies provided:
* * * * *
(6) * * *
(ii) The ringing cycle provided by the interrupter equipment shall
not exceed 6 seconds in length. The ringing period shall be 2 seconds.
* * * * *
3. Appendix A to 7 CFR 1755.522 is amended by revising items 6.,
7., and 10. to read as follows:
Appendix A to 7 CFR 1755.522--Specification for Digital, Stored
Program Controlled Central Office Equipment Detailed Requirements
(Host)
* * * * *
6. Line Circuit Requirements (Includes all lines associated with
RST's.)
6.1 Types of Lines
No. of lines
---------------------------------------------------------- No. of EAS areas Total No. of lines
Local service only both local and EAS service required
6.1.1 Individual--Flat Rate......... ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________
6.1.2 Individual--Message Rate...... ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________
6.1.3 Pay Station................... ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________
6.1.4 Telephone Company Official ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________
Lines.
6.1.5 Wire Chief.................... ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________
6.1.6 911 Emergency Service Bureau ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________
Lines.
6.1.7 Number Hunting PBX Groups:.... ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________
[[Page 64313]]
Type No. of lines
No. of Direct in dial Restricted ---------------------------------------------------------------- No. of EAS Total No. of
lines in No. of groups * service at COE Local service Both local and areas lines required
group Ground start Loop start only EAS service
______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______
______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______
______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______
______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______
______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______
* Furnish translation information under Item 5.
6.1.8 WATS Lines (Give details in Appendix A, Item 16)
Number of Inward WATS Lines ________
Number of Outward WATS Lines ________
6.1.9 Special Lines Required ________ (Explain in Item 16, Appendix
A)
6.1.10 Total Number of Lines Required
Host ______ (Incl. DDI Concentrator Lines)
RST 1 ______
RST 2 ______
RST 3 ______
Total ______
6.1.11 Total Director Numbers Required ______
(Including RST's) (see Item 7.1, Appendix A)
6.1.12 Pay Station
Type ____________
New ____ Reused ____
(Describe in Item 16, Appendix A)
6.1.13 Line Concentrator
6.1.13.1 Supplied by Owner (see Item 16, Appendix A, for details)
____ Yes ____ No
6.1.13.2 Supplied by Bidder (If ``Yes'', attach REA Form 397g,
Performance Specification for Line Concentrators)
____ Yes ____ No
6.2. Data on Lines Required Range Extension
6.2.1 Number of non-pay station lines having a loop resistance,
including the telephone set, as follows:
No. of lines
1901-3200 ohms............................. ______
3201-3600 ohms............................. ______
6.2.2 Number of pay station lines having loop resistance, excluding
the telephone set, greater than:
No. of lines
1200 ohms (For Prepay)..................... ______
1000 ohms (For Semi-Postpay Operation)..... ______
6.2.3 Range extension equipment is to be provided:
6.2.3.1 Loop Extenders: Total Quantity ______
By Bidder--Quantity ______
By Owner--Quantity ______
(Explain in Item 16, Appendix A)
6.2.3.2 VF Repeaters: Total Quantity ______
By Bidder--Quantity ______
(Bidder must have information on loading and cable size.)
By Owner--Quantity ______
(Explain in Item 16, Appendix A)
6.2.3.3 Range extension may be furnished as an extended range line
circuit at the option of the supplier. If this option is used, the
quantities of loop extenders and VF repeaters will be different from
the quantities listed above (see Item 6.1,a, Appendix C).
____ Yes ____ No
7. Traffic Data-Line Originating and Terminating Traffic
7.1 Originating Line Traffic--Estimated per Busy Hour (Includes all
Lines Associated With RST's):
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(a) CCS per Main Station (b) No. of Main Stations (axb) Total CCS No. of Lines Required \1\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ind.--Res....................... __________ __________ __________ __________
Ind.--Bus....................... __________ __________ __________ __________
Special Lines................... __________ __________ __________ __________
Pay Station..................... __________ __________ __________ __________
Telco Official.................. __________ __________ __________ __________
Wire Chief...................... __________ __________ __________ __________
No. Htg. or PBX................. __________(\2\) __________(\3\) __________ __________
WATS............................ __________ __________ __________ __________
Data Service.................... __________ __________ __________ __________
911 Emerg. Service.............. __________ __________ __________ __________
Total......................... ............................ __________ __________ __________(\4\)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............................ (c) (d) (e)
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\1\ See Appendix A, Item 6.1.
\2\ This figure is the CCS per PBX trunk.
\3\ This figure is the number of PBX trunks.
\4\ This is the total number of line equipments required. The number to be provided will be determined by the equipment design of the system of the
selected bidder. See Appendix C, Item 3.1.1.2.
7.2 Average Originating CCS per Line per Busy Hour
(d)/(e)=____/ ____=____ CCS/Line
This office shall be engineered to handle an initial average
originating busy hour traffic of ____ CCS per line. It is
anticipated that the average originating busy hour traffic will
increase to ____ CCS per line.
Originating Traffic Attributed to Host Only ____ CCS/Line
7.3 Terminating Traffic--Estimated CCS per Busy Hour
It is assumed that the total CCS for terminating traffic is the
same as for originating traffic. Since digital switch networks are
on a terminal per line basis, the terminating CCS per line will be
the same as the originating CCS per line as shown in Item 7.2,
Appendix A.
Terminating Traffic Attributed to Host Only ____ CCS/Line
7.4 Percent of Pushbutton Lines ____
7.5 Anticipated Ultimate Capacity (20 years)
[[Page 64314]]
7.5.1 Subscriber Lines
Host ________ (Incl. DDI Concentrator Lines)
RST 1 ________
RST 2 ________
RST 3 ________
Total ________
* * * * *
10. Miscellaneous Operating Features
10.1 Busy Verification
10.1.1 By dedicated trunk from toll operator: ____
10.1.1.1 One-Way, Inward ____
10.1.1.2 Two-Way (Busy verification inward, intercept outward) ____
10.1.2 By prefix digit over intertoll trunk ____
(Indicate digit(s) dialed) ____
10.1.3 Access by Switchman
10.1.3.1 Dedicated Trunk ____
10.1.3.2 Multiple of Operator Trunk ____
10.2 Intercept Facilities
10.2.1 Vacant code, disconnected number, and unassigned number
intercept shall be: (Check One)
By recorded announcement:
Without cut-through to operator ____
With cut-through to operator ____
By operator ____
10.2.2 Changed number intercept shall be: (Check One)
By recorded announcement:
Without cut-through to operator ____
With cut-through to operator ____
By operator ____
By automatic intercept system (AIS) in distant office ____
10.2.3 Method of Reaching Operator, if required:
Separate trunk group ____
Regular interoffice toll trunks with idle trunk selecting over
at least three trunks when three or more toll trunks are equipped
____
10.2.4 Number of separate intercept trunk circuits ____
10.3 Line Load Control
10.3.1 Line load control facilities are:
____ Required ____ Not Required
(Explain in Item 16, Appendix A)
10.4 Service Observing Facilities
10.4.1 Service observing facilities are:
____ Required ____ Not Required
(Explain in Item 16, Appendix A)
10.5 Hotel-Motel Arrangements
10.5.1 Hotel-motel arrangements for operation of message registers
at the subscriber's premises are:
____ Required ____ Not Required
(Explain in Item 16, Appendix A)
10.5.1.1 How are message registers to be activated?
Line Reversal ____
Third Wire ____
Other ____
(Explain in Item 16, Appendix A)
10.6 Nailed-Up Connections
____ Required ____ Not Required
(Explain in Item 16, Appendix A)
10.7 Vertical Services: (RST Lines are Included)
Initially Ultimate
10.7.1 Call Waiting--No. of Lines.... ____________ ____________
10.7.2 Call Forwarding--No. of Lines. ____________ ____________
____Local ____Remote ................................... ...................................
(Explain in Item 16, Appendix
A).
10.7.3 Abbreviated Dialing No. of ____________ ____________
Lines.
No. of Codes per Line ____for ................................... ...................................
____Lines
No. of Codes per Line ____for ................................... ...................................
____Lines
10.7.4 Three-Way Calling--No. of ____________ ____________
Lines.
CCS Per Line.................. ____________ ____________
10.7.5 Other ____
(Explain in Item 16, Appendix A)
* * * * *
Appendix B to 7 CFR 1755.522--[Amended]
4. Appendix B to 7 CFR 1755.522 is amended by removing items 1.2
and 1.3 and redesignating items 1.4 through 1.9 as items 1.2 through
1.7, respectively.
5. Appendix C to 7 CFR 1755.522 is amended by revising item 3.1.3.1
to read as follows:
Appendix C to 7 CFR 1755.522--Specifications for Digital, Stored
Program Controlled Central Office Equipment Detailed Requirements--
Bidder Supplied Information
* * * * *
3.1.3.1 The number of directory numbers provided shall be based on
the total directory numbers required (Item 6.1.11, appendix A), as
modified by the memory increment of the proposed system.
* * * * *
Dated: October 30, 1995.
Jill Long Thompson,
Under Secretary, Rural Economic and Community Development.
[FR Doc. 95-27395 Filed 12-14-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P--M
