FCC 98-55

In the Matter of	)
	)
Implementation of Section 255 of the	)
Telecommunications Act of 1996	)
	)	WT Docket No. 96-198
Access to Telecommunications Services,	)
Telecommunications Equipment, and	)
Customer Premises Equipment	)
by Persons with Disabilities	)

I. INTRODUCTION; SUMMARY 1

II. BACKGROUND 8

A. Legislation 8

B. Commission Notice of Inquiry 11

C. Telecommunications Access Advisory Committee Report 12

D. Access Board Equipment Guidelines 16

III. STATUTORY AUTHORITY 21

A. Introduction 21

B. Scope of Rulemaking Authority 24

C. Access Board Equipment Guidelines 29

D. Enforcement Authority 31

IV. STATUTORY DEFINITIONS 35

A. Scope of Statutory Coverage 35

1. "Telecommunications" and "Telecommunications Service" 35

2. "Provider of Telecommunications Service" 44

3. "Manufacturer of Telecommunications Equipment or Customer Premises Equipment" 47

a. Equipment 48

b. Manufacturer 57

4. "Network Features, Functions, or Capabilities" 62

B. Nature of Statutory Requirements 67

1. Introduction 67

2. "Disability" 68

3. "Accessible to and Usable by" 71

4. "Compatible with" 81

a. "Peripheral Devices or CPE" 81

b. "Commonly Used" 87

c. Compatibility 91

d. Other Matters 93

5. "Readily Achievable" 94

a. General 94

b. Telecommunications Factors 100

(1) Feasibility 101

(2) Expense 103

(3) Practicality 106

(a) Resources 107

(b) Market Considerations 111

(c) Cost Recovery 115

(d) Timing 118

(4) Other Considerations 122

V. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESSES 124

A. Introduction 124

B. Fast-Track Problem-Solving Phase 126

1. In General 126

2. Initial Contact with Commission 128

3. Provider Contact 132

4. Solution Period; Report 135

5. Commission Evaluation 140

C. Use of Traditional Dispute Resolution Processes 144

1. Generally; Informal Dispute Resolution Process 144

2. Formal Dispute Resolution Process 154

3. Alternative Dispute Resolution Process 157

4. Defenses to Complaints 162

D. Penalties for Non-Compliance 172

E. Additional Implementation Measures 173

VI. INTERIM TREATMENT OF COMPLAINTS 175

VII. PROCEDURAL MATTERS 178

A. Regulatory Flexibility Analysis 178

B. Paperwork Reduction Analysis 180

C. Ex Parte Presentations 182

D. Pleading Dates 183

E. Further Information 188

VIII. ORDERING CLAUSES 189

APPENDIX A (Text of Section 251(a) and Section 255 of the Communications Act)

APPENDIX B (Pertinent Commission Rules)

APPENDIX C (Access Board Guidelines)

APPENDIX D (List of Pleadings)

APPENDIX E (Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis)

Statement of Commissioner Furchtgott-Roth

Statement of Commissioner Powell

Statement of Commissioner Tristani