Title 47, Telegraphs, Telephones, and RadiotelegraphsRelease 119-110
§271 Bell Operating Company Entry Into Interlata Services
Title 47 › CHAPTER 5 — WIRE OR RADIO COMMUNICATION › SUBCHAPTER II — COMMON CARRIERS › Part III — Special Provisions Concerning Bell Operating Companies › § 271
Summary
Bell operating companies and their affiliates must not offer interLATA (long-distance between local regions) services unless they follow special rules. They can offer interLATA services that start in a State where they are “in‑region” only after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approves an application for that State. They can offer interLATA services that start outside their in‑region States after February 8, 1996. They may provide certain limited “incidental” interLATA services after February 8, 1996. They may also carry or terminate interLATA calls. To get FCC approval to serve in‑region States, a company must either have binding, state‑approved agreements that let independent, facilities‑based competitors plug into its network, or, if no competitor asked for access within 10 months after February 8, 1996, offer a state‑approved general access plan. The company must also give competitors many specific kinds of access (a checklist) such as interconnection, unbundled local loops, transport and switching, access to poles and ducts, emergency and directory services, telephone numbers and databases, number portability (first interim, then full), dialing parity, reciprocal payments, and resale. The FCC must consult the Attorney General and the State commission, decide within 90 days, publish a brief notice within 10 days of its decision, and may enforce, fine, suspend, or revoke approval if rules are broken. Joint marketing of local and long‑distance services is limited until FCC approval or 36 months after February 8, 1996, and special rules apply to intraLATA toll dialing parity (with a December 19, 1995 cutoff for some State orders). Certain court orders from the AT&T breakup (on or before February 8, 1996) remain exceptions. Incidental interLATA services include things like audio/video programming and interactive features, alarm monitoring, two‑way video or internet service to schools, mobile services, remote info storage/retrieval, signaling and network control signaling. Those incidental uses must be narrowly applied and must not harm telephone customers or competition. Definitions (one line each): in‑region State — a State where the company was authorized to provide wireline local service under the AT&T breakup plan as of the day before February 8, 1996. audio programming services — programming like a radio station. video programming services / other programming services — see the definitions used in section 522 of the U.S. Code.
Full Legal Text
Title 47, §271
Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)General limitation
Neither a Bell operating company, nor any affiliate of a Bell operating company, may provide interLATA services except as provided in this section.
(b)InterLATA services to which this section applies
(1)In-region services
A Bell operating company, or any affiliate of that Bell operating company, may provide interLATA services originating in any of its in-region States (as defined in subsection (i)) if the Commission approves the application of such company for such State under subsection (d)(3).
(2)Out-of-region services
A Bell operating company, or any affiliate of that Bell operating company, may provide interLATA services originating outside its in-region States after February 8, 1996, subject to subsection (j).
(3)Incidental interLATA services
A Bell operating company, or any affiliate of a Bell operating company, may provide incidental interLATA services (as defined in subsection (g)) originating in any State after February 8, 1996.
(4)Termination
Nothing in this section prohibits a Bell operating company or any of its affiliates from providing termination for interLATA services, subject to subsection (j).
(c)Requirements for providing certain in-region interLATA services
(1)Agreement or statement
A Bell operating company meets the requirements of this paragraph if it meets the requirements of subparagraph (A) or subparagraph (B) of this paragraph for each State for which the authorization is sought.
(A)Presence of a facilities-based competitor (B) Failure to request access
A Bell operating company meets the requirements of this subparagraph if it has entered into one or more binding agreements that have been approved under section 252 of this title specifying the terms and conditions under which the Bell operating company is providing access and interconnection to its network facilities for the network facilities of one or more unaffiliated competing providers of telephone exchange service (as defined in section 153(47)(A) of this title, but excluding exchange access) to residential and business subscribers. For the purpose of this subparagraph, such telephone exchange service may be offered by such competing providers either exclusively over their own telephone exchange service facilities or predominantly over their own telephone exchange service facilities in combination with the resale of the telecommunications services of another carrier. For the purpose of this subparagraph, services provided pursuant to subpart K of part 22 of the Commission’s regulations (47 C.F.R. 22.901 et seq.) shall not be considered to be telephone exchange services.
(2)Specific interconnection requirements
(A)Agreement required
A Bell operating company meets the requirements of this paragraph if, within the State for which the authorization is sought—
(i)(I)such company is providing access and interconnection pursuant to one or more agreements described in paragraph (1)(A), or
(II)such company is generally offering access and interconnection pursuant to a statement described in paragraph (1)(B), and
(ii)such access and interconnection meets the requirements of subparagraph (B) of this paragraph.
(B)Competitive checklist
Access or interconnection provided or generally offered by a Bell operating company to other telecommunications carriers meets the requirements of this subparagraph if such access and interconnection includes each of the following:
(i)Interconnection in accordance with the requirements of section 251(c)(2) and 252(d)(1) of this title.
(ii)Nondiscriminatory access to network elements in accordance with the requirements of section 251(c)(3) and 252(d)(1) of this title.
(iii)Nondiscriminatory access to the poles, ducts, conduits, and rights-of-way owned or controlled by the Bell operating company at just and reasonable rates in accordance with the requirements of section 224 of this title.
(iv)Local loop transmission from the central office to the customer’s premises, unbundled from local switching or other services.
(v)Local transport from the trunk side of a wireline local exchange carrier switch unbundled from switching or other services.
(vi)Local switching unbundled from transport, local loop transmission, or other services.
(vii)Nondiscriminatory access to—
(I)911 and E911 services;
(II)directory assistance services to allow the other carrier’s customers to obtain telephone numbers; and
(III)operator call completion services.
(viii)White pages directory listings for customers of the other carrier’s telephone exchange service.
(ix)Until the date by which telecommunications numbering administration guidelines, plan, or rules are established, nondiscriminatory access to telephone numbers for assignment to the other carrier’s telephone exchange service customers. After that date, compliance with such guidelines, plan, or rules.
(x)Nondiscriminatory access to databases and associated signaling necessary for call routing and completion.
(xi)Until the date by which the Commission issues regulations pursuant to section 251 of this title to require number portability, interim telecommunications number portability through remote call forwarding, direct inward dialing trunks, or other comparable arrangements, with as little impairment of functioning, quality, reliability, and convenience as possible. After that date, full compliance with such regulations.
(xii)Nondiscriminatory access to such services or information as are necessary to allow the requesting carrier to implement local dialing parity in accordance with the requirements of section 251(b)(3) of this title.
(xiii)Reciprocal compensation arrangements in accordance with the requirements of section 252(d)(2) of this title.
(xiv)Telecommunications services are available for resale in accordance with the requirements of section 251(c)(4) and 252(d)(3) of this title.
(d)Administrative provisions
(1)Application to Commission
On and after February 8, 1996, a Bell operating company or its affiliate may apply to the Commission for authorization to provide interLATA services originating in any in-region State. The application shall identify each State for which the authorization is sought.
(2)Consultation
(A)Consultation with the Attorney General
The Commission shall notify the Attorney General promptly of any application under paragraph (1). Before making any determination under this subsection, the Commission shall consult with the Attorney General, and if the Attorney General submits any comments in writing, such comments shall be included in the record of the Commission’s decision. In consulting with and submitting comments to the Commission under this paragraph, the Attorney General shall provide to the Commission an evaluation of the application using any standard the Attorney General considers appropriate. The Commission shall give substantial weight to the Attorney General’s evaluation, but such evaluation shall not have any preclusive effect on any Commission decision under paragraph (3).
(B)Consultation with State commissions
Before making any determination under this subsection, the Commission shall consult with the State commission of any State that is the subject of the application in order to verify the compliance of the Bell operating company with the requirements of subsection (c).
(3)Determination
Not later than 90 days after receiving an application under paragraph (1), the Commission shall issue a written determination approving or denying the authorization requested in the application for each State. The Commission shall not approve the authorization requested in an application submitted under paragraph (1) unless it finds that—
(A)the petitioning Bell operating company has met the requirements of subsection (c)(1) and—
(i)with respect to access and interconnection provided pursuant to subsection (c)(1)(A), has fully implemented the competitive checklist in subsection (c)(2)(B); or
(ii)with respect to access and interconnection generally offered pursuant to a statement under subsection (c)(1)(B), such statement offers all of the items included in the competitive checklist in subsection (c)(2)(B);
(B)the requested authorization will be carried out in accordance with the requirements of section 272 of this title; and
(C)the requested authorization is consistent with the public interest, convenience, and necessity.
The Commission shall state the basis for its approval or denial of the application.
(4)Limitation on Commission
The Commission may not, by rule or otherwise, limit or extend the terms used in the competitive checklist set forth in subsection (c)(2)(B).
(5)Publication
Not later than 10 days after issuing a determination under paragraph (3), the Commission shall publish in the Federal Register a brief description of the determination.
(6)Enforcement of conditions
(A)Commission authority
If at any time after the approval of an application under paragraph (3), the Commission determines that a Bell operating company has ceased to meet any of the conditions required for such approval, the Commission may, after notice and opportunity for a hearing—
(i)issue an order to such company to correct the deficiency;
(ii)impose a penalty on such company pursuant to subchapter V; or
(iii)suspend or revoke such approval.
(B)Receipt and review of complaints
The Commission shall establish procedures for the review of complaints concerning failures by Bell operating companies to meet conditions required for approval under paragraph (3). Unless the parties otherwise agree, the Commission shall act on such complaint within 90 days.
(e)Limitations
(1)Joint marketing of local and long distance services
Until a Bell operating company is authorized pursuant to subsection (d) to provide interLATA services in an in-region State, or until 36 months have passed since February 8, 1996, whichever is earlier, a telecommunications carrier that serves greater than 5 percent of the Nation’s presubscribed access lines may not jointly market in such State telephone exchange service obtained from such company pursuant to section 251(c)(4) of this title with interLATA services offered by that telecommunications carrier.
(2)IntraLATA toll dialing parity
(A)Provision required
A Bell operating company granted authority to provide interLATA services under subsection (d) shall provide intraLATA toll dialing parity throughout that State coincident with its exercise of that authority.
(B)Limitation
Except for single-LATA States and States that have issued an order by December 19, 1995, requiring a Bell operating company to implement intraLATA toll dialing parity, a State may not require a Bell operating company to implement intraLATA toll dialing parity in that State before a Bell operating company has been granted authority under this section to provide interLATA services originating in that State or before 3 years after February 8, 1996, whichever is earlier. Nothing in this subparagraph precludes a State from issuing an order requiring intraLATA toll dialing parity in that State prior to either such date so long as such order does not take effect until after the earlier of either such dates.
(f)Exception for previously authorized activities
Neither subsection (a) nor section 273 of this title shall prohibit a Bell operating company or affiliate from engaging, at any time after February 8, 1996, in any activity to the extent authorized by, and subject to the terms and conditions contained in, an order entered by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia pursuant to section VII or VIII(C) of the AT&T Consent Decree if such order was entered on or before February 8, 1996, to the extent such order is not reversed or vacated on appeal. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit, or to impose terms or conditions on, an activity in which a Bell operating company is otherwise authorized to engage under any other provision of this section.
(g)“Incidental interLATA services” defined
For purposes of this section, the term “incidental interLATA services” means the interLATA provision by a Bell operating company or its affiliate—
(1)(A)of audio programming, video programming, or other programming services to subscribers to such services of such company or affiliate;
(B)of the capability for interaction by such subscribers to select or respond to such audio programming, video programming, or other programming services;
(C)to distributors of audio programming or video programming that such company or affiliate owns or controls, or is licensed by the copyright owner of such programming (or by an assignee of such owner) to distribute; or
(D)of alarm monitoring services;
(2)of two-way interactive video services or Internet services over dedicated facilities to or for elementary and secondary schools as defined in section 254(h)(5) 1 of this title;
(3)of commercial mobile services in accordance with section 332(c) of this title and with the regulations prescribed by the Commission pursuant to paragraph (8) of such section;
(4)of a service that permits a customer that is located in one LATA to retrieve stored information from, or file information for storage in, information storage facilities of such company that are located in another LATA;
(5)of signaling information used in connection with the provision of telephone exchange services or exchange access by a local exchange carrier; or
(6)of network control signaling information to, and receipt of such signaling information from, common carriers offering interLATA services at any location within the area in which such Bell operating company provides telephone exchange services or exchange access.
(h)Limitations
The provisions of subsection (g) are intended to be narrowly construed. The interLATA services provided under subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of subsection (g)(1) are limited to those interLATA transmissions incidental to the provision by a Bell operating company or its affiliate of video, audio, and other programming services that the company or its affiliate is engaged in providing to the public. The Commission shall ensure that the provision of services authorized under subsection (g) by a Bell operating company or its affiliate will not adversely affect telephone exchange service ratepayers or competition in any telecommunications market.
(i)Additional definitions
As used in this section
(1) In-region State
(2)Audio programming services
The term “audio programming services” means programming provided by, or generally considered to be comparable to programming provided by, a radio broadcast station.
(3)Video programming services; other programming services
The terms “video programming service” and “other programming services” have the same meanings as such terms have under section 522 of this title.
(j)Certain service applications treated as in-region service applications
For purposes of this section, a Bell operating company application to provide 800 service, private line service, or their equivalents that—
(1)terminate in an in-region State of that Bell operating company, and
(2)allow the called party to determine the interLATA carrier,
shall be considered an in-region service subject to the requirements of subsection (b)(1).
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
section 153 of this title, referred to in subsec. (c)(1)(A), was subsequently amended and no longer contains a par. (47)(A). However, the term “telephone exchange service” is defined elsewhere in that section. section 254(h)(5) of this title, referred to in subsec. (g)(2), was redesignated section 254(h)(7) of this title by Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(4) [div. B, title XVII, § 1721(a)(1)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–343.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
47 U.S.C. § 271
Title 47, Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs
Last Updated
Sep 23, 2026
Release point: 119-110