Petition for Declaratory Ruling and Request for Expedited Action on the July 15, 1997 Order of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Regarding Area Codes 412, 610, 215, and 717; Implementation of the Local Competition Provisions of the Telecommunications Act
On September 28, 1998, the Commission released a Memorandum Opinion and Order and Order on Reconsideration in CC Docket 96-98, declaring that an Order issued by the Pennsylvania Commission on July 15, 1997, unlawfully exceeded state jurisdiction over telecommunications numbering administration, unlawfully discriminated against Petitioners, and constituted an unlawful barrier to entry. It also required the Pennsylvania Commission to provide area code relief in the 215, 610, and 717 area codes. The Commission also reconsidered a portion of Implementation of the Local Competition Provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, where authority was delegated to state commissions to implement area code relief. The Commission delegated additional authority to state commissions to order NXX code rationing, under certain conditions, so that state commissions may have more flexibility to assure that the area codes they have will last until implementation of relief.