Sec.  0.91   Functions of the Bureau.

   The Wireline Competition Bureau advises and makes recommendations to the
   Commission, or acts for the Commission under delegated authority, in all
   matters pertaining to the regulation and licensing of communications common
   carriers and ancillary operations (other than matters pertaining exclusively
   to the regulation and licensing of wireless telecommunications services and
   facilities). The Bureau will, among other things:

   (a) Develop and recommend policy goals, objectives, programs and plans for
   the Commission in rulemaking and adjudicatory matters concerning wireline
   telecommunications,   drawing  on  relevant  economic,  technological,
   legislative, regulatory and judicial information and developments. Overall
   objectives   include   meeting   the   present   and  future  wireline
   telecommunications needs of the Nation; fostering economic growth; ensuring
   choice,  opportunity,  and  fairness  in  the  development of wireline
   telecommunications; promoting economically efficient investment in wireline
   telecommunications infrastructure; promoting the development and widespread
   availability  of  wireline telecommunications services; and developing
   deregulatory initiatives where appropriate.

   (b) Act on requests for interpretation or waiver of rules.

   (c) Administer the provisions of the Communications Act requiring that the
   charges, practices, classifications, and regulations of communications
   common carriers providing interstate and foreign services are just and
   reasonable.

   (d) Act on applications for service and facility authorizations, including
   applications  from  Bell  operating companies for authority to provide
   in-region interLATA services and applications from wireline carriers for
   transfers of licenses and discontinuance of service.

   (e) Develop and administer rules and policies relating to incumbent local
   exchange carrier accounting.

   (f) Develop and administer recordkeeping and reporting requirements for
   telecommunications carriers.

   (g) Provide federal staff support for the Federal-State Joint Board on
   Universal  Service and the Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional
   Separations.

   (h) Review the deployment of advanced telecommunications capability to
   ensure  that such deployment is reasonable and timely, consistent with
   section  706  of  the Act, and, where appropriate, recommend action to
   encourage such deployment.

   (i)   Provide   economic,   financial,   and   technical  analyses  of
   telecommunications markets and carrier performance.

   (j) Act on petitions for de novo review of decisions of the Administrative
   Council for Terminal Attachments regarding technical criteria pursuant to
    Sec. 68.614.

   (k) Interact with the public, local, state, and other governmental agencies
   and industry groups on wireline telecommunications regulation and related
   matters. Assist the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau on issues
   involving  informal consumer complaints and other general inquiries by
   consumers.

   (l) Review and coordinate orders, programs and actions initiated by other
   Bureaus and Offices in matters affecting wireline telecommunications to
   ensure consistency with overall Commission policy.

   (m) Carry out the functions of the Commission under the Communications Act
   of 1934, as amended, except as reserved to the Commission under  Sec. 0.331.

   (n) Address audit findings relating to the schools and libraries support
   mechanism, subject to the overall authority of the Managing Director as the
   Commission's audit follow-up official.

   [ 67 FR 13218 , Mar. 21, 2002, as amended at  68 FR 13850 , Mar. 21, 2003;  69 FR 55109 , Sept. 13, 2004]

Office of Communications Business Opportunities