Implementation of Section 273 of the Communications Act of 1934, as Amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996

Résumé

This document terminates the pending Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to implement provisions of section 273 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the Act) that pertain to manufacturing by the Bell Operating Companies (BOCs). (In the Matter of Implementation of Section 273 of the Communications Act of 1934, as Amended in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, CC Docket No. 96-254, 62 FR 3638, January 24, 1997 (BOC Manufacturing NPRM)). The statute, as written, is sufficiently detailed and clear as to cover most circumstances at this time. Adopting rules to implement the provisions of section 273 would not serve the public interest and would impose unnecessary regulatory burdens inconsistent with the pro-competitive, deregulatory goals of the Act. Accordingly, for the reasons indicated below, the Commission concludes that it is unnecessary to adopt rules to implement section 273 at this juncture and terminates this proceeding.