The purpose of the rules and regulations in this part is to provide for uniform standards for the protection of
the telephone network from harms caused by the connection of terminal equipment and associated wiring thereto,
and for the compatibility of hearing aids and telephones so as to ensure that persons with hearing aids have
reasonable access to the telephone network.
(47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 201–205, 218, 220,
313, 403, 412, and 5 U.S.C. 553)
[49 FR 21733, May 23, 1984]
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs
(b) and (c) of this section, the rules and
regulations apply to direct connection of all terminal equipment to the public switched telephone network for use in conjunction with all services other than party line services.
(b) 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 criteria pertaining thereto or
will not cause harm to the nationwide telephone network or to employees of any provider of wireline telecommunications; and
(3) The installation is performed by well trained, qualified employees under the responsible supervision and control of a person who is a licensed professional
engineer in the jurisdiction in which the installation is performed.
(c) 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 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. [66 FR 7580, Jan. 24, 2001]