Implementation of Section 402(b)(1)(a) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Tariff Streamlining Provisions for Local Exchange Carriers)

In light of the passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (1996 Act), which provides for streamlined tariff filings by local exchange carriers (LECs), the Commission is issuing this Report and Order to implement the specific streamlining requirements of the Act. The Report and Order determines that the statutory effect of LEC tariffs subject to streamlined regulation being ``deemed lawful'' is that a LEC tariff will be lawful upon its effective date unless it is supended by the Commission prior to that time. In addition, the Report and Order finds that all LEC tariff filings, not just those proposing a rate decrease or increase, are eligible for streamlined treatment. Finally, the Report and Order adopted additional measures to streamline the administration of the LEC tariff review process.