$//PN Part 68 DA 95-618//$
$///DA 95-618  Record only 4-12-95///$
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Public Notice  DA 95-618
RM-8621                                 Released: March 27, 1995


          PLEADING CYCLE ESTABLISHED FOR COMMENTS ON
                TIA'S PETITION FOR RULEMAKING
                TO AMEND PART 68, SUBPART D 
                         RM-8621  


Comments Due:            May 1, 1995
Reply Comments Due:      June 1, 1995


     On March 9, 1995, the Telecommunications Industry Association
(TIA), a national trade organization representing companies engaged
in the manufacture, sale and distribution of telecommunications
equipment, filed a petition for rulemaking to amend Subpart D of
Part 68, 47 C.F.R. Sections 68.300-68.318, and portions of 47 CFR
Section 68.2 to harmonize them with corresponding sections of
Canada's CS-03 certification requirements.  In its petition, TIA
asserts that in the spirit of the North American Free Trade
Agreement ("NAFTA"), its proposed amendments will promote barrier-
free trade between Canada and the United States by the introduction
of similar technical requirements for registration and
certification of terminal equipment in both countries.     

     In September, 1990, TIA, through its TR-41.9 Engineering
Committee involved in standards development for user premises
equipment, sought to address differences between Canada's CS-03
certification requirements and Part 68.  It established a joint
working group co-chaired by Canada and the United States to examine
the technical requirements for terminal attachment in each country
with the aim of harmonizing them so that equipment in both
countries could be designed to the harmonized requirements and
tested one time to show compliance to them.  TIA states that its
proposed amendments to Part 68 reflect the results of the working
group's effort.

     Interested parties may file comments or reply comments
concerning the petition.  Comments should be filed by May 1, 1995,
and reply comments should be filed by June 1, 1995.  All filings
should refer to RM-8621.

     An original and four copies of all comments and replies should
be filed with the Federal Communications Commission in accordance
with Section 1.419(b) of the Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R. Section
1.419(b).  As required by that section, the distribution of the
filings should be as follows: the original and one copy should be
filed with the Secretary of the FCC, 1919 M Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20554; two copies should be filed with Marian
Gordon, Common Carrier Bureau, FCC Room 6008, 2025 M Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20554; and one copy should be filed with the
International Transcription Service (ITS), the Commission's
contractor for public service records duplication, at its office at
2100 M Street, N.W., Suite 140, Washington, D.C. 20037.  Copies of
the petition can be obtained from ITS at (202) 857-3800.  The
petition is available for review and photocopying at the FCC
Reference Center, Rm 239, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.,
from 9:00-4:30, Monday through Friday.

     This proceeding is non-restricted for purposes of the
Commission's ex parte rules.  See generally 47 C.F.R. Sections
1.1200-1.1216.  For further information contact Bill von Alven
(202/634-1833) or Marian Gordon (202/634-4215), Domestic Facilities
Division of the Common Carrier Bureau.

                    - FCC -