FOR FCC RECORD ONLY BEFORE THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION FCC 94-59 WASHINGTON, D.C. IN THE MATTER OF ) ) Rules and Policies Regarding ) CC Docket No. 91-281 Calling Number Identification ) Service - Caller ID ) Due to technical difficulties, footnotes, tables & charts may be dropped from this document. Entire document is available in Word Perfect also. REPORT AND ORDER AND FURTHER NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING Comments due: May 18, 1994 Replies due: June 21, 1994 Adopted: March 8, 1994 Released: March 29, 1994 By the Commission: Commissioner Barrett issuing a statement. TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Paragraph I. INTRODUCTION 1 II. DISCUSSION A. Calling Party Number Services Should be Available to Interstate Subscribers Nationally 1. Risks and Benefits 4 2. Deployment by Carriers 10 B. Transmission of the Calling Party Number throughout the Network 12 C. Costs of Interstate Transmission of Calling Party Number 18 D. Privacy Issues 24 1. Constitutional Issues 25 2. Public Policy and Privacy Mechanisms 31 3. Private Networks, Emergency Services and Law Enforcement 35 E. Privacy Protection Mechanisms, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 38 1. Per Line Blocking for Specific Groups 39 2. Per Line Blocking Available to All Subscribers 41 3. Operator Assisted Per Call Blocking 44 4. Automatic Per Call Blocking 45 5. Applicability to Additional Services 50 F. ANI and Caller Privacy 51 G. Subscriber Education, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 59 H. CPNI and Subscriber Privacy 61 I. Wiretap Statutes and Caller ID 62 J. Relationship between Interstate and Intrastate Caller ID 64 III. CONCLUSION 71 IV. PROCEDURAL MATTERS 73 V. ORDERING CLAUSES 77 APPENDICES I. INTRODUCTION. 1. On October 23, 1991, the Commission issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in this docket. More than 100 parties filed comments, including local exchange carriers (LECs), interexchange carriers (IXCs), state governments, public interest organizations, trade associations, and private citizens. 2. In the NPRM, the Commission sought to develop the most effective policies to govern interstate calling party number based services such as caller ID. The NPRM sought comment on carriers' progress in deploying interstate caller ID service, and the technical and public policy implications of dual federal and state regulatory policies. We tentatively concluded that a federal model for the interstate delivery of the calling party's number is in the public interest, and necessary for the introduction of many valuable services, including interstate caller ID. 3. In this Order, we find that a federal model for interstate delivery of calling party number is in the public interest, that calling party privacy must be protected, and that certain state regulation of interstate calling party number (CPN) based services, including interstate caller ID, must be preempted. We amend Part 64 of the rules to require that common carriers using Common Channel Signalling System 7 (SS7) and subscribing to or offering any service based on SS7 functionality must transmit the calling party number parameter and its associated privacy indicator on an interstate call to connecting carriers. We also require that carriers offering CPN delivery services provide, at no charge to the caller, an automatic per call blocking mechanism for interstate callers. The rules require that terminating carriers providing calling party based services, including caller ID, honor the privacy indicator. We find that the costs of interstate transmission of CPN are de minimis, and that the CPN should be transmitted among carriers without additional charge. We also require that carriers participating in the offering of any service that delivers CPN on interstate calls inform telephone subscribers that the subscriber's number may be revealed to called parties and describe what steps subscribers can take to avoid revealing their numbers. Further, we adopt rules to restrict the reuse or sale of information generated by automatic number identification (ANI) or charge number services, absent affirmative subscriber consent. Finally, we note that additional comments are sought through a separate public notice in the Computer III Remand Proceeding on whether residential and small business customers' privacy concerns warrant revision of the Commission's rules governing reuse and sale of customer proprietary network information (CPNI). In the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, we seek comment on whether more detailed customer education rules should be adopted. We also seek comment on extending the policies adopted herein to other services that might identify the calling party. II. DISCUSSION. A. Calling Party Number Services Should be Available to Interstate Subscribers Nationally. 4. Risks and Benefits. In the NPRM, the Commission stated its tentative view that the availability of interstate caller ID would enhance the value of the service to intrastate subscribers and augment the available choices of existing interstate services for all subscribers. The Commission noted that the ability to choose caller ID and other services that rely on access to the calling party's number should be available to interstate subscribers nationally. The majority of commenters supported this view and described in detail the potential benefits to the public of services based on the calling party's number. 5. In its comments, AT&T identified potential uses of interstate calling party number for such services as pay-per-view television, order entry/verification, voice message storage, secure computer access, customized customer service, business fraud reduction, call routing, emergency dispatch, health care services, telephone banking, home shopping, dealer locator, and selective call message forwarding. McCaw states that caller information will significantly improve cellular and other service offerings because cellular subscribers pay for incoming calls. Moreover, McCaw notes that ubiquitous caller ID will facilitate cellular enhancements including conventional caller ID, more responsive customer service, new cellular CPE voice synthesizers, and service for roaming subscribers. SNET states that its studies show that caller ID aids persons with hearing impairments in answering calls; law enforcement in determining crank, threatening, false alarm calls and emergency dispatches; and hospital crisis centers in identifying and deterring nuisance calls. 6. In contrast, Colorado DVC asserts that caller ID is not in the public interest because of the threat it poses to the privacy and safety interests of the calling party. Colorado Consumer contends that call trace is the preferable service to stop obscene and harassing calls. Bell Atlantic replies that call trace will not work if another call is received before tracing is attempted, and that customers who have used both caller ID and call trace prefer the former. Consumer Action, Washington UTC, and NYS Law agree with Colorado DVC that caller ID has little merit and may threaten public health and safety as well as jeopardize important privacy interests. 7. While we agree that passage of the calling party number does create risks of lost privacy, we must weigh these risks against the potential benefits brought by interstate services that passage of the calling party's number makes possible. Other services available to protect subscriber privacy, such as Call Trace, are limited in scope and do not permit either the public or service providers to take advantage of beneficial services. The commenters briefly discuss some of these benefits. For example, computer systems could limit remote access only to previously approved calling numbers, with calling party number based services like caller ID making verification for access nearly instantaneous. Service providers who respond to telephone orders, such as stock brokers or parts and equipment dealers, could use the calling party's number to direct the call immediately to the appropriate department for service. Banks could program data sources to have customer profile information available as a call is answered. With interstate delivery of calling party number, calls to national service centers could be routed automatically to local service centers closest to the calling party. Consumers making orders could have their name, address and billing information verified instantaneously. Indeed, a significant number and kind of customized national services can develop as a result of instant recognition of the calling party. 8. Many of these potential services would permit transactions to occur more efficiently. In an economy that averages more than one billion interstate calling minutes a day, even small efficiencies on individual calls could become significant in the aggregate. Providing the public with rapid and efficient interstate telecommunications services is at the heart of our responsibilities, particularly if they can be provided at very little additional cost. As illustrated above, passage of the calling party number can promote technological innovation and new applications that will foster economic efficiency and provide new employment, manufacturing and investment opportunities. 9. None of these services and benefits are possible, however, unless the calling party number is passed freely among carrier networks. It is significant that the categories of those benefiting from these new opportunities are very broad. For example, consumers and individuals benefit by having additional options for meeting their customer service needs and by having transactions completed more quickly and more accurately. As workers and entrepreneurs, they benefit by having new employment opportunities. Businesses benefit because they can complete transactions more quickly, which can lower incremental costs of transactions, potentially leading to savings for consumers. Telephone companies benefit by revenues from new services, and by greater use of their networks. Greater use of CPN based services by consumers and service providers will create incentives for carriers who do not have SS7 networks to install them. This will enhance the nation's telecommunications infrastructure, to the benefit of all who use it. Most of the comments directed against our proposal in the NPRM are based on legitimate concerns that individuals have access to a means of protecting their privacy where doing so is important. We believe technology can address these concerns regarding protections for individual privacy. Accordingly, we find that the potential benefits of services based on calling party number serve the public interest and affirm the NPRM's tentative conclusion that CPN-based interstate services such as caller ID should be available to interstate subscribers nationwide. 10. Deployment by Carriers. In the NPRM, the Commission sought detailed comments on carriers' progress toward establishing joint offerings of CPN-based services, and any impediments that have been identified. The record does not reflect extensive response to that inquiry. It appears that although the deployment of the necessary technology for interstate calling party number based services is well underway, other factors have impeded progress. In particular, varying state regulatory responses to privacy issues appear to be impeding the development of interstate services. Moreover, commenters express concern that this lack of national uniformity in regulating interstate SS7 calling party number based services may eliminate a source of the revenues expected from such services. In their comments, Rochester, Ameritech, BellSouth, GTE, McCaw, and US West support a national policy for caller ID because federal standards are essential to achieve the goals of nationwide availability of calling party number based services. McCaw states that it supports a federal policy for caller ID and ANI that accommodates both state concerns and industry diversification and experimentation. In contrast, Allnet contends that there is no compelling federal interest to promote nationwide availability of caller ID and that if there is a demand for interstate caller ID, market forces will assure its availability. 11. The record reflects that national policies on interstate CPN-based services such as caller ID are needed to reduce risks of stranded investment and to remove impediments to development of services consumers are likely to find beneficial. In addition to providing additional choices for consumers, such services offer significant efficiency dividends for all users of interstate telephone services. These efficiency gains promise to lower incremental costs of interstate calling party number based services, including caller ID, and increase national productivity. Carriers may be wary to invest in technology or delivery systems that may later become incompatible with the varying state requirements or incapable of satisfying federal policy. Resolution of privacy, blocking, and preemption issues is necessary to enable the benefits of these services to occur. By removing impediments created by administrative uncertainty, we seek only to resolve those issues necessary for the efficient introduction of the services. The effective date of the rules adopted here will be April 12, 1995, which should allow sufficient time for completion of any coordination or other arrangements, discussed infra, necessary for full compliance with the rules. B. Transmission of the Calling Party Number throughout the Network. 12. In the NPRM, we tentatively concluded that the transmission of the CPN by the LEC to the IXC is an essential element of interstate CPN-based services such as caller ID. The Commission proposed that LECs should be required to provide CPN to IXCs as soon as technologically feasible and, similarly, that IXCs should be required to transmit CPN to terminating LECs. 13. AT&T states that requiring IXCs to transmit interstate CPN to LECs is unnecessary because the competitive market already gives IXCs incentive to offer innovative interstate caller ID services to end users. Moreover, AT&T contends that such a requirement would deprive IXCs of the ability to earn revenues from their substantial investments in SS7 technology. Allnet argues that the requirement would compel all IXCs to participate in SS7 interconnection, thus compromising network integrity. 14. Ameritech, Nynex, Pacific, Centel, and NTIA concur that the Commission should facilitate the provision of interstate caller ID by requiring passage of the calling party's number between carrier networks without modification. MCI agrees that the Commission should require LECs to provide the CPN to IXCs, but it opposes any requirement that IXCs be required to transmit the CPN to the terminating LEC because it states the LEC would then be the lone provider of caller ID. In opposition, BellSouth contends that the transmission of the CPN is essential, and as part of SS7 does not require additional network processing by the IXC nor impose significant cost. Further, BellSouth argues that free delivery of the CPN to terminating LECs would not establish LECs as monopoly providers; rather, IXCs could develop competing CPN-based interstate services that bypass LECs as terminating carriers. NTIA and USTA assert that an IXC's offering of the calling party number should be available through all means of interconnection to end users, including LECs, alternative local service providers, or the IXC itself. 15. Nynex proposes that mandatory delivery of the calling party number parameter among all networks is in the public interest. Further, Nynex supports McCaw's proposal that technical standards for transmission of caller ID and ANI between cellular and landline carriers be developed. However, it notes that cellular carriers do not receive ANI from Nynex because transmission of ANI to cellular carriers is not technologically feasible. 16. We affirm our tentative finding that interstate CPN- based services such as caller ID will not be possible unless the calling party number is transmitted from the originating carrier to the terminating carrier. In our 800 number portability proceeding, major LECs filed access tariffs providing for 800 number portability using SS7 technology. Many Bell Operating Companies (BOCs) have filed access tariffs with CPN as a nonchargeable option. Calling party number is an element of access service in virtually all SS7 access tariffs filed at the Commission and these tariffs follow industry standards for SS7 interconnection. The American National Standard for Telecommunications - Signalling System Number 7 (SS7) - Integrated Services Digital Network, ANSI T1.113, 1988, includes calling party number as an optional parameter of an SS7 network. Similarly, the subsequent BellCore guidelines for SS7 interconnection with a BOC include CPN as an optional parameter. 17. We conclude that carriers should pass calling party number information where capable of doing so. In view of the foregoing, we amend Part 64 of the rules to require that not later than April 12, 1995, common carriers using Signalling System 7 and subscribing to or offering any service based on SS7 functionality must transmit the calling party number parameter and its associated privacy indicator to connecting carriers on an interstate call. Further, we amend the rules to prohibit common carriers from modifying or overriding the privacy indicator on an interstate call. We emphasize that carriers are .......................................................................... Jonah Seiger, Project Coordinator