Implementation of the Local Competition Provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996

In enacting the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (1996 Act) Congress sought to establish a pro-competitive, deregulatory national policy framework for the telecommunications industry. In adding a new Section 251 to the Communications Act of 1934, Congress set forth a blueprint for ending monopolies in local telecommunications markets. In this Second Report and Order the Commission adopts rules implementing certain provisions of Section 251. Specifically, this order adopts rules requiring local exchange carriers to provide dialing parity and nondiscriminatory access to their competitors; and requiring incumbent local exchange carriers to give public notice of certain network changes. In addition, this order adopts rules regarding number administration and addresses various petitions concerning numbering issues. These actions will serve to implement the statute, eliminate operational barriers to competition, and provide for effective use of numbering resources.