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                            Before the
                Federal Communications Commission
                      Washington, D.C. 20554

In the Matter of                )
                                )
  Rules and Policies Regarding    )CC Docket No. 91-281
 Calling Number Identification   )
 Service--Caller ID              )


                             ORDER


    Adopted:  July 1, 1997Released:  July 2, 1997

By the Chief, Network Services Division:

      1.On November 6, 1996, Vermont Telephone Company, Inc. ("Vtel"), filed a
request for waiver until December 31, 1998, of the requirement that local exchange carriers
("LECs") without CLASS  software obtain such capability by January 1, 1997.  On December
9, 1996, Vtel filed a Motion for Leave to File Supplement to its waiver request. On December
13, 1996, Sanborn Telephone Cooperative ("Sanborn") and its subsidiary, Sancom, Inc.
("Sancom"), filed a joint Request for Waivers of the automatic call return blocking ("ACR
blocking") requirement until May 31, 1997.  For the reasons discussed below, we dismiss both
waiver requests and Vtel's motion as moot.

      2.The Caller ID rules require common carriers using Signaling System 7 ("SS7") to
transmit the calling party number ("CPN") to interconnecting carriers on an interstate call.  The
rules also require carriers to notify subscribers that their telephone numbers may be identified by
the calling party.  In addition to CPN transmission and subscriber notification requirements, the
Commission developed rules to protect the privacy of the called and the calling party.  Section
64.1601(b) of the Commission's rules requires carriers to recognize *67 as a request for privacy. 
Dialing *67 before placing a call, referred to as "per call blocking," allows subscribers to block
their numbers from transmission to the public switched network.  Carriers must also recognize
*82 as a request that the CPN be transmitted on an otherwise blocked line.  Per call unblocking
allows subscribers that have permanently blocked lines ("per line blocking") to unblock their
lines on a per call basis, thus allowing passage of the CPN.  Section 64.1601(b) also prohibits
carriers from revealing the calling party's name or number, and prohibits carriers from allowing
the called party to return automatically the call (via Automatic Call Return, or "ACR"), when the
original calling party invokes privacy.  

      3. In October 1995, the Commission stayed the application of the Caller ID rules for
call return services until January 1, 1997.  In December 23, 1996, the Commission stayed the
requirements that implement per call blocking and per call unblocking on lines equipped with
ACR until further order.   The Commission also suspended the application of Section 64.1601(a)
to LECs without CLASS software until further order.

      4.In its March 25, 1997 Order, the Commission stated that it would not require
LECs, such as Vtel, that have not implemented CLASS  software to purchase blocking and
unblocking software.  The Commission also stated that carriers, such as Sanborn and Sancom,
would have until September 25, 1997, to comply with Section 64.1601 as it applies to call return
services.  Consequently, we dismiss Vtel's waiver request and motion for leave to file
supplement, as well as the joint petition of Sanborn and Sancom, as moot.  

      5. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to the authority delegated in Sections
0.91 and 0.291 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R.  0.91, 0.291, that Vtel's petition and
motion, and the joint petition of Sanborn and Sancom, for waiver of Caller ID rules are hereby
DISMISSED AS MOOT.

     FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

     

     Geraldine A. Matise
     Chief, Network Services Division
     Common Carrier Bureau