
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: 47USC260]

 
          TITLE 47--TELEGRAPHS, TELEPHONES, AND RADIOTELEGRAPHS
 
                 CHAPTER 5--WIRE OR RADIO COMMUNICATION
 
                     SUBCHAPTER II--COMMON CARRIERS
 
               Part II--Development of Competitive Markets
 
Sec. 260. Provision of telemessaging service


(a) Nondiscrimination safeguards

    Any local exchange carrier subject to the requirements of section 
251(c) of this title that provides telemessaging service--
        (1) shall not subsidize its telemessaging service directly or 
    indirectly from its telephone exchange service or its exchange 
    access; and
        (2) shall not prefer or discriminate in favor of its 
    telemessaging service operations in its provision of 
    telecommunications services.

(b) Expedited consideration of complaints

    The Commission shall establish procedures for the receipt and review 
of complaints concerning violations of subsection (a) of this section or 
the regulations thereunder that result in material financial harm to a 
provider of telemessaging service. Such procedures shall ensure that the 
Commission will make a final determination with respect to any such 
complaint within 120 days after receipt of the complaint. If the 
complaint contains an appropriate showing that the alleged violation 
occurred, the Commission shall, within 60 days after receipt of the 
complaint, order the local exchange carrier and any affiliates to cease 
engaging in such violation pending such final determination.

(c) ``Telemessaging service'' defined

    As used in this section, the term ``telemessaging service'' means 
voice mail and voice storage and retrieval services, any live operator 
services used to record, transcribe, or relay messages (other than 
telecommunications relay services), and any ancillary services offered 
in combination with these services.

(June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title II, Sec. 260, as added Pub. L. 104-104, 
title I, Sec. 101(a), Feb. 8, 1996, 110 Stat. 79.)
