§256 Coordination for Interconnectivity

Summary

Require broad, nondiscriminatory access to public telephone and data networks by encouraging carriers and other providers to plan and design networks together and to make networks and devices connect with each other. Make sure people and information providers can send and get data smoothly across different networks. The Federal Communications Commission must set up rules to watch and guide coordinated network planning so networks interconnect well. The Commission can also join industry groups to help make connection standards that improve access to public networks, services for people with disabilities, and information services for rural phone company customers, as long as it acts the same way it did before February 8, 1996. public telecommunications network interconnectivity — when two or more public telecom networks can exchange information and work together without loss of quality.