
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 47USC256]

 
          TITLE 47--TELEGRAPHS, TELEPHONES, AND RADIOTELEGRAPHS
 
                 CHAPTER 5--WIRE OR RADIO COMMUNICATION
 
                     SUBCHAPTER II--COMMON CARRIERS
 
               Part II--Development of Competitive Markets
 
Sec. 256. Coordination for interconnectivity


(a) Purpose

    It is the purpose of this section--
        (1) to promote nondiscriminatory accessibility by the broadest 
    number of users and vendors of communications products and services 
    to public telecommunications networks used to provide 
    telecommunications service through--
            (A) coordinated public telecommunications network planning 
        and design by telecommunications carriers and other providers of 
        telecommunications service; and
            (B) public telecommunications network interconnectivity, and 
        interconnectivity of devices with such networks used to provide 
        telecommunications service; and

        (2) to ensure the ability of users and information providers to 
    seamlessly and transparently transmit and receive information 
    between and across telecommunications networks.

(b) Commission functions

    In carrying out the purposes of this section, the Commission--
        (1) shall establish procedures for Commission oversight of 
    coordinated network planning by telecommunications carriers and 
    other providers of telecommunications service for the effective and 
    efficient interconnection of public telecommunications networks used 
    to provide telecommunications service; and
        (2) may participate, in a manner consistent with its authority 
    and practice prior to February 8, 1996, in the development by 
    appropriate industry standards-setting organizations of public 
    telecommunications network interconnectivity standards that promote 
    access to--
            (A) public telecommunications networks used to provide 
        telecommunications service;
            (B) network capabilities and services by individuals with 
        disabilities; and
            (C) information services by subscribers of rural telephone 
        companies.

(c) Commission's authority

    Nothing in this section shall be construed as expanding or limiting 
any authority that the Commission may have under law in effect before 
February 8, 1996.

(d) ``Public telecommunications network interconnectivity'' defined

    As used in this section, the term ``public telecommunications 
network interconnectivity'' means the ability of two or more public 
telecommunications networks used to provide telecommunications service 
to communicate and exchange information without degeneration, and to 
interact in concert with one another.

(June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title II, Sec. 256, as added Pub. L. 104-104, 
title I, Sec. 101(a), Feb. 8, 1996, 110 Stat. 76.)

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in section 251 of this title.
