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

The Third Order on Reconsideration (Order) released August 18, 1997 addresses the obligation of incumbent local exchange carriers (LECs) to provide unbundled access to interoffice transport facilities on a shared basis. The Order clarifies the definition of shared transport as a network element which includes the same transport links and routing table as used by the incumbent local exchange carrier. The effect of this rule will be to allow competitive carriers to share in the scale and scope benefits of the incumbent LEC's network, thus increasing competition opportunities in the local exchange and exchange access market.