*Pages 1--1 from Microsoft Word - 9802.doc* NEWS News media Information 202 / 418- 0500 TTY 202 / 418- 2555 Fax- On- Demand 202 / 418- 2830 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov ftp. fcc. gov Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street, S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D. C. Circ 1974). FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: June 25, 2001 Michael Balmoris 202- 418- 0253 Email: mbalmori@ fcc. gov FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION’S ROLE IN TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT CERTIFICATION PROCESS TO BE PRIVATIZED NEXT MONTH Part 68 Certification of Telephone Equipment Expires on July 23, 2001 Washington, D. C. – Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a Public Notice reminding parties that its rules governing the development of technical standards and certification procedures for telecommunications equipment, such as telephones, fax machines, or modems, will be privatized next month, on July 23, 2001. The FCC, in its ongoing effort to streamline unnecessary rules as competition increases across the telecommunications marketplace, issued an Order in November 2000, which privatized the processes for establishing technical criteria for customer premises equipment (CPE) and for certifying that the equipment complies with the technical criteria. The Commission’s Order from last November requires certification of terminal equipment by one of two methods. The first method, which is currently available to applicants, is certification by a Telecommunications Certification Body (TCB). Once the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments (ACTA) establishes filing requirements for TCBs, TCBs must send their certificates to ACTA's designated receiver. Until that time, TCBs may continue to send their certificates to the Commission. Additionally, beginning on July 23, 2001, parties seeking to request exceptions or interim criteria for their terminal equipment that does not meet the ACTA- published technical criteria should contact ACTA. The Commission’s rules pertaining to hearing aid compatibility and volume control are not affected by this action. - FCC -Common Carrier Bureau Staff Contact: Bill Howden at 202- 418- 2320 News about the Federal Communications Commission can also be found on the Commission’s web site www. fcc. gov. 1