Media Contact: 
Mark Wigfield, (202) 418-0253
mark.wigfield@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC Eliminates Dated Phone Industry Rules 
  --
WASHINGTON, December 17, 2015 – Moving to eliminate regulatory burdens that can stifle 
investment, while maintaining core protections for consumers and competition, the Federal 
Communications Commission today voted to no longer enforce multiple dated rules governing 
legacy local phone companies, known as incumbent local exchange carriers, or ILECs.
The FCC granted full or partial forbearance from most of the categories of rules covered by a 
petition for forbearance filed by U.S. Telecom, an industry trade association.  A number of these 
rules were pre-conditions to the ability of the former “Baby Bell” telephone companies to offer 
long distance telephone service, a process that was completed over a decade ago.  With the long 
distance service market very different today than it was then, these rules generally no longer are 
necessary to protect consumers or competition.  
However, the FCC maintained rules still needed to ensure that consumers in rural areas and low-
income consumers have access to affordable phone service. And it preserved rules that continue 
to protect competition in the market for telecommunications services to businesses and other 
enterprises.
The Order eliminates (grants forbearance from):
? 1990s-era rules that governed the entry of the Baby Bell local phone companies into the 
long-distance marketplace – rules that largely are irrelevant and duplicative in today’s 
changed marketplace
? 1980s “equal access” rules protecting stand-alone residential long-distance, a product that 
is disappearing
o Equal access “grandfathered” for remaining subscribers to stand-alone long-
distance, although ILECs may seek permission to eliminate equal access for 
these customers if they can demonstrate how the consumers will be protected 
? Outmoded requirements from the 1980s and 1990s that required ILECs to provide access 
to their networks for competitive providers of “enhanced services” such as voice mail and 
fax – subject to a discontinuance process to ensure a smooth transition.
? Costly, rarely used rule requiring ILECs to provide a voice-grade channel (64 Kbps) on 
fiber networks for use by other providers
The Order does not eliminate (denies forbearance from):
? Obligation to provide voice service to consumers living in rural areas at affordable rates
? Prohibition of using “contract tariffs” for business data services in areas not previously 
deemed to be competitive  
o FCC is engaged in business data services reform, which could result in lower 
prices and more competition
? Safeguards for enterprise stand-alone long-distance, protecting competition in this 
market, which has different characteristics than the consumer market
? The Order partially eliminates: (grants partial forbearance from):
o Required sharing of newly-deployed ILEC entrance conduits
? No sharing required for new entrance conduits in new developments
(greenfields), where competitors have equal opportunity to build
? Sharing of newly deployed entrance conduit in existing developments 
(brownfields) still required, given the advantages the incumbent LECs 
enjoy in these situations.
For more information about forbearance petitions, visit https://www.fcc.gov/wireline-
competition/competition-policy-division/forbearance/general/forbearance
Action by the Commission, December 17, 2015, by Memorandum Opinion and Order and Report 
and Order (FCC 15-166). Chairman Wheeler and Commissioner Rosenworcel approving, with 
Commissioners Clyburn, Pai, and O’Rielly approving in part and dissenting in part. Chairman 
Wheeler, Commissioners Clyburn, Rosenworcel, Pai, and O’Rielly issuing statements.
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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. Cir. 1974).