Sec. 68.2  Scope.

    (a) General. Except as provided for in paragraphs (b), (c), (d), 
(e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j) and (k) of this section, the rules and 
regulations apply to direct connection:
    (1) Of all terminal equipment to the public switched telephone 
network, for use in conjunction with all services other than party line 
service;
    (2) Of all terminal equipment to channels furnished in connection 
with foreign exchange lines (customer-premises end), the station end of 
off-premises stations associated with PBX and Centrex services, trunk-
to-station tie lines (trunk end only) and switched service network 
station lines (CCSA and EPSCS); and
    (3) Of all of PBX (or similar) systems to private line services for 
tie trunk type interfaces, off-premises station lines, automatic 
identified outward dialing, and message registration. Services may only 
be added to this section as a result of rulemaking proceedings and the 
equipment connected to such added services is afforded a reasonable 
transition period.
    (4) Of all customer premises wiring associated with one and two-line 
(non-system) residential and business telephone service.
    (5) Of all terminal equipment to subrate and 1.544 Mbps digital 
services.
    (6) Of registered terminal equipment or registered protective 
circuitry to Local Area Data Channels and to channels which are similar 
to Local Area Data Channels that are obtained as special assemblies.
    (7) Of all terminal equipment or systems to voiceband private line 
channels for 2-point and multipoint private line services (excluding 
those identified in Category II, AT&T Tariff F.C.C. No. 260 or 
subsequent revisions) that utilize loop start, ringdown or inband 
signaling; or voiceband metallic channels.
    (8) Of the types of test equipment specified in Sec. 68.3, 
Definitions.
    (9) Of all terminal equipment to Public Switched Digital Service 
(PSDS) Type I, II or III.
    (10) Of all terminal equipment to the Integrated Services Digital 
Network (ISDN) Basic Rate Access (BRA) or Primary Rate Access (PRA).
    (b) Grandfathered terminal equipment (other than PBX and key 
telephone systems) and protective circuitry. All terminal equipment 
(other than PBX and key telephone systems) and protective circuitry of a 
type directly connected to the public switched telephone network and 
services identified in Sec. 68.2(a)(2) as of October 17, 1977, may be 
connected thereafter up to July 1, 1979--and may remain connected for 
life--without registration unless subsequently modified.
    (c) Grandfathered systems (including, but not limited to, PBX and 
key telephone systems). (1) Entire systems, including their equipment, 
premises wiring, and protective apparatus (if any) directly connected to 
the public switched telephone network and services identified in 
Sec. 68.2(a)(2) on June 1, 1978, may remain connected to the public 
switched telephone network and services identified in Sec. 68.2(a)(2) 
for life without registration, unless subsequently modified, except for 
modifications allowed under Sec. 68.2(c)(3).

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    (2) New installations of equipments may be performed (including 
additions to existing systems) up to January 1, 1980, without 
registration of any equipments involved, provided that these equipments 
are of a type directly connected to the public switched telephone 
network or services identified in Sec. 68.2(a)(2) as of June 1, 1978. 
These equipments may remain connected to the public switched telephone 
network or services identified in Sec. 68.2(a)(2) for life without 
registration, unless subsequently modified, except for modifications 
allowed under Sec. 68.2(c)(3).
    (3) Modifications to systems and installations involving 
unregistered equipment:
    (i) Use of other than fully-protected premises wiring is a 
modification under Sec. 68.2. As an exception to the general requirement 
that no modification is permitted to unregistered equipment whose use is 
permitted under Sec. 68.2, certain modifications are authorized herein.
    (ii) Other than fully-protected premises wiring may be used if it is 
qualified in accordance with the procedures and requirements of 
Sec. 68.215. Since there is no ``registrant'' of unregistered equipment, 
the training and authority required by Sec. 68.215(c) will have to be 
received from the equipment's manufacturer.
    (iii) Existing separate, identifiable and discrete protective 
apparatus may be removed, or replaced with apparatus of lesser 
protective function, provided that any premises wiring to which the 
public switched telephone network or service identified in 
Sec. 68.2(a)(2) is thereby exposed conforms to Sec. 68.2(c)(2) above. 
Minor modifications to existing unregistered equipments are authorized 
to facilitate installation or premises wiring, so long as they are 
performed under the responsible supervision and control of a person who 
complies with Sec. 68.215(c). Since there is no ``registrant'' of 
unregistered equipment, the training and authority required by 
Sec. 68.215(c) will have to be received from the manufacturer of the 
equipment so modified.
    (d) Grandfathered private branch exchange (or similar) systems for 
connection to private line type services (tie trunk type interfaces, 
off-premises station lines, automatic identified outward dialing, and 
message registration). (1) PBX (or similar) systems, including their 
equipments, premises wiring, and protective apparatus (if any) directly 
connected to a private line type service on April 30, 1980 may remain 
connected to the private line type service for life without registration 
unless subsequently modified, except for modifications allowed under 
Sec. 68.2(d)(3).
    (2) New installations of equipments may be performed (including 
additions to existing systems) up to May 1, 1983 without registration of 
any equipments involved, provided that these equipments are of a type 
directly connected to a private line type service as of April 30, 1980. 
These equipments may remain connected to the private line type service 
for life without registration, unless subsequently modified, except for 
modifications allowed under Sec. 68.2(d)(3).
    (3) Modifications to systems and installations involving 
unregistered equipment:
    (i) Use of other than fully-protected premises wiring is a 
modification under Sec. 68.2. As an exception to the general requirement 
that no modification is permitted to unregistered equipment whose use is 
permitted under Sec. 68.2, certain modifications are authorized herein.
    (ii) Other than fully-protected premises wiring may be used if it is 
qualified in accordance with the procedures and requirements of 
Sec. 68.215. Since there is no ``registrant'' of unregistered equipment, 
the training and authority required by Sec. 68.215(c) will have to be 
received from the equipment's manufacturer.
    (iii) Existing separate, identifiable and discrete protective 
apparatus may be removed, or replaced with apparatus of lesser 
protective function, provided that any premises wiring to which the 
private line type service is thereby exposed conforms to 
Sec. 68.2(d)(ii) above. Minor modifications to existing unregistered 
equipments are authorized to facilitate installation or premises wiring, 
so long as they are performed under the responsible supervision and 
control of a person who complies with Sec. 68.215(c). Since there is no 
``registrant'' of unregistered equipment, the

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training and authority required by Sec. 68.215(c) will have to be 
received from the manufacturer of the equipment so modified.
    (e) Grandfathered terminal equipment for connection to local area 
data channels. All terminal equipment of a type directly connected to 
Local Area Data Channels or directly connected under special assembly 
tariff provisions to telephone company-supplied, non-loaded, metallic, 
greater-than-voiceband circuits for the purpose of providing limited 
distance data transmission as of February 10, 1986, may be connected 
thereafter up to August, 10, 1987, and may remain connected for life, 
without registration unless subsequently modified.
    (f) Grandfathered terminal equipment for connection to subrate and 
1.544 Mbps digital services. (1) Terminal equipment including premises 
wiring and protective apparatus (if any) directly connected to subrate 
or to 1.544 Mbps digital services on January 2, 1986, may remain 
connected and be reconnected to such digital services for life without 
registration, unless subsequently modified.
    (2) New installations of terminal equipments, including premises 
wiring and protective apparatus (if any) may be installed (including 
additions to existing systems) up to June 30, 1987, without registration 
of any terminal equipment involved, provided that these terminal 
equipments are of a type directly connected to subrate or 1.544 Mbps 
digital services as of January 2, 1986. These terminal equipments may 
remain connected and be reconnected to such digital services for life 
without registration, unless subsequently modified.
    (g) Grandfathered test equipment. (1) Test equipment directly 
connected to the telephone network on February 10, 1986, is considered 
to be grandfathered and may remain connected to the telephone network 
for life without registration unless subsequently modified.
    (2) New installations of test equipment may be performed up to 
August 10, 1987 without registration, provided that the test equipment 
is of a type directly connected to the public switched network or 
services identified in Sec. 68.2(a)(1), (2), (3), (5), (6), and (7) for 
life without registration unless subsequently modified.
    (h) Grandfathered terminal equipment or systems for connection to 
voiceband private line channels for 2-point and multipoint private line 
services that utilize loop start, ringdown, or inband signaling; or 
voiceband metallic channels. (1) Terminal equipment or systems, 
including premises wiring and protective apparatus (if any), directly 
connected to voiceband private lines for 2-point or multipoint service 
on February 10, 1986, may remain connected to that private line type 
service for life without registration unless subsequently modified, 
except for modifications allowed under Sec. 68.2(h)(3).
    (2) New installations of equipments may be installed (including 
additions to existing systems) up to August 10, 1987 without 
registration of any equipments involved, provided that these equipments 
are of a type directly connected to voiceband private lines for 2-point 
or multipoint services. These equipments may remain connected to the 
private line-type service for life without registration, unless 
subsequently modified, except for modifications allowed under 
Sec. 68.2(h)(3).
    (3) Modification to systems and installations involving unregistered 
equipment:
    (i) Use of other than fully-protected premises wiring is a 
modification under Sec. 68.2. As an exception to the general 
requirements that no modification is permitted to unregistered equipment 
whose use is permitted under Sec. 68.2, certain modifications are 
authorized herein.
    (ii) Other than fully-protected premises wiring may be used if it is 
qualified in accordance with procedures and requirements of Sec. 68.215. 
Since there is no ``registrant'' of unregistered equipment, the training 
and authority required by Sec. 68.215(c) will have to be received from 
the equipment's manufacturer.
    (iii) Existing separate, identifiable, and discrete protective 
apparatus may be removed or replaced with apparatus of lesser protective 
function, provided that any premises wiring to which the private line 
service is thereby exposed conforms to Sec. 68.2(h)(3)(ii) of this 
section. Minor modifications to existing

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unregistered equipments are authorized to facilitate installation of 
premises wiring, so long as they are performed under the responsible 
supervision and control of a person who complies with Sec. 68.215(c). 
Since there is no ``registrant'' of unregistered equipment, the training 
and authority required by Sec. 68.215(c) will have to be received from 
the manufacturer of the equipment so modified.
    (i) National defense and security. Where the Secretary of Defense or 
authorized agent or the head of any other governmental department, 
agency, or administration (approved in writing by the Commission to act 
pursuant to this rule) or authorized representative, certifies in 
writing to the appropriate common carrier that compliance with the 
provisions of part 68 could result in the disclosure of communications 
equipment or security devices, locations, uses, personnel, or activity 
which would adversely affect the national defense and security, such 
equipment or security devices may be connected to the telephone company 
provided communications network without compliance with this part, 
provided that each written certification states that:
    (1) The connection is required in the interest of national defense 
and security;
    (2) The equipment or device to be connected either complies with the 
technical requirement of this part or will not cause harm to the 
nationwide telephone network or telephone company employees; and
    (3) The installation is performed by well-trained, qualified 
employees under the responsible supervision and control of a person who 
meets the qualifications stated in Sec. 68.215(c).
    (j)(1) Terminal equipment, including its premises wiring directly 
connected to PSDS (Type I, II or III) on or before November 13, 1996, 
may remain for service life without registration, unless subsequently 
modified. Service life means the life of the equipment until retired 
from service. Modification means changes to the equipment that affect 
compliance with part 68 rules.
    (2) New installation of terminal equipment, including its premises 
wiring, may occur until May 13, 1998, without registration of any 
terminal equipment involved, provided that the terminal equipment is of 
a type directly connected to PSDS (Type I, II or III) as of November 13, 
1996. This terminal equipment may remain connected and be reconnected to 
PSDS (Type I, II or III) for service life without registration unless 
subsequently modified.
    (k)(1) Terminal equipment, including premises wiring directly 
connected to ISDN BRA or PRA on November 13, 1996, may remain connected 
to ISDN BRA or PRA for service life without registration, unless 
subsequently modified.
    (2) New installation of terminal equipment, including premises 
wiring, may occur until May 13, 1998, without registration of any 
terminal equipment involved, provided that the terminal equipment is of 
a type directly connected to ISDN BRA or PRA as of November 13, 1996. 
This terminal equipment may remain connected and be reconnected to ISDN 
BRA or PRA for service life without registration unless subsequently 
modified.
    (l) Grandfathered centeral office implemented payphone equipment. 
(1) Terminal equipment, including its premises wiring, that is directly 
connected to a central-office-implemented telephone on or before October 
8, 1997, may remain for service life without registration, unless 
subsequently modified. Service life means that life of the equipment 
until retired from service. Modification means changes to the equipment 
that affect the part 68-related characteristics of that equipment at the 
network interface.
    (2) New installation of terminal equipment, including its premises 
wiring, may occur until April 8, 1999, without registration of any 
central-office-implemented telephone equipment involved, provided that 
the terminal equipment is of a type directly connected to a central-
office-implemented telephone as of October 8,1997. This terminal 
equipment may remain connected and be reconnected to a central-office-
implemented telephone.

Governmental departments, agencies, or administrations that wish to 
qualify for interconnection of equipment or security devices pursuant to 
this section shall file a request with the Secretary

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of this Commission stating the reasons why the exemption is requested. A 
list of these departments, agencies, or administrations that have filed 
requests shall be published in the Federal Register. The Commission may 
take action with respect to those requests 30 days after publication. 
The Commission action shall be published in the Federal Register. 
However, the Commission may grant, on less than the normal notice period 
or without notice, special temporary authority, not to exceed 90 days, 
for governmental departments, agencies, or administrations that wish to 
qualify for interconnection of equipment or security devices pursuant to 
this section. Requests for such authority shall state the particular 
fact and circumstances why authority should be granted on less than the 
normal notice period or without notice. In such cases, the Commission 
shall endeavor to publish its disposition as promptly as possible in the 
Federal Register.

(Secs. 4, 5, 303, 48 Stat. 1066, 1068, 1082, as amended (47 U.S.C. 154, 
155, 303) (47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 201-205, 218, 220, 313, 403, 
412, and 5 U.S.C. )

[40 553 FR 20841 , Mar. 31, 1980, as amended at  49 FR 21734 , May 23, 1984;  49 FR 48719 , Dec. 14, 1984;  50 FR 48208 , Nov. 22, 1985;  51 FR 937 , Jan. 9, 
1986;  51 FR 16689 , May 6, 1986;  61 FR 42387 , Aug. 15, 1996;  61 FR 52324 , 
Oct. 7, 1996;  62 FR 24587 , May 6, 1997;  62 FR 47371 , Sept. 9, 1997]

    Effective Date Note: At  62 FR 47371 , Sept. 9, 1997, Sec. 68.2 was 
amended by adding paragraph (l), effective Oct. 5, 1997.