Common carrier services: Effective and compliance dates,

[Federal Register: October 12, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 196)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 55163-55164]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr12oc99-18]

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 64

[CC Docket 98-170; FCC 99-72]

Truth-in-Billing and Billing Format

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final rule; establishment of effective date.

SUMMARY: This document establishes the effective and compliance dates of the Commission's rules published June 25, 1999 concerning Truth-in- Billing. The rules are intended to ensure that consumers are provided with basic information they need to make informed choices among telecommunications services and providers, to protect themselves against inaccurate and unfair billing practices, and to enhance their ability to detect cramming and slamming.

DATES: Sections 64.2000 and 64.2001 become effective November 12, 1999. However, compliance with Sec. 64.2001(a)(2)'s requirement that carriers highlight new service providers, and Sec. 64.2001(c), which requires that carriers identify deniable and nondeniable charges, is required by April 1, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David A. Konuch, Enforcement Division, Common Carrier Bureau (202) 418-0960.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 15, 1999, the Commission adopted an order establishing billing principles to ensure that consumers are provided with basic information they need to make informed choices among telecommunications services and providers, to protect themselves against inaccurate and unfair billing practices, and to enhance their ability to detect cramming and slamming. A summary of this order was published in the Federal Register. See 64 FR 34488, June 25, 1999. Because Secs. 64.2000 and 64.2001 impose new information collection requirements, they could not become effective until approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). On September 24, 1999, OMB approved the information collections contained in the rules. During this review, OMB raised concerns that certain requirements of the Order could impair the efforts of

[[Page 55164]]

some telecommunications carriers and providers, particularly small and medium-sized carriers, to ensure that their systems are Y2K compliant. The Commission recognized that ensuring that telecommunications-related computer systems are Y2K compliant is an important public concern. Accordingly, in light of the concerns raised by OMB, the Commission has agreed to delay, until April 1, 2000, the compliance date for rule 64.2001(a)(2)'s requirement that carriers highlight new service providers, and rule 64.2001(c), which requires that carriers identify deniable and nondeniable charges. Compliance with other principles and guidelines adopted in the Order, including rule 64.2001(a)(2)'s requirement that carriers separate charges on bills by service provider, is required November 12, 1999.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 64

Communications common carriers, Consumer protection, Telecommunications.

Federal Communications Commission. Magalie Roman Salas, Secretary.

[FR Doc. 99-26311Filed10-8-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6712-01-P