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SECTION 9 INFORMATION AND ORGANIZATION The need for improved ~nformat~on transfer among carr~ers, users, and sponsors was demonat rat edvon numerous occas Lons during .t.he study. Th~s lack of Lnformat.Lon Ls felt 'by, all and will grow more ser Ious as the ;i.nter- connect;i.on area evolves~ It exhibits itself ~n the improper design of equip- ment, confusion as to rules;" rates; and procedures, and a cer t adn rigidity in the approach to mutual problems, At present, no formal organizat~onal mechanisms ex~st to prov~de the desired' information interchange. It is the opinion of the Panel that suchmechan~sms should be establ~shed in this area to cope with the problems that are sure to develop, Existing inter~ and intra-industry organizations should be encouraged to assist in improving the flow of technical information not only 'among the carriers, manufacturers, and usens , but also within. manufacturing and user organizations. It is especially important, to expedite the process of obtaining agreement among the groups through technical and standardization meetings. As discussed in the section on "Certification," certain organiza- tional steps and mechanisms should be developed if that program is to be implemented. In that connection, organizational mechanisms may be similar to others but with a major difference, i,e., that of'reSPOIisibility. Since the certification program will be reflected in tariffs, the federal regulatory agency responsible should ensure that the certification program reflects that responsibility. Such a new organizational mechanism should, therefore, be formally recognized to ensure that proper weights are attributed to its recommendations. The Panel recommends that organizational mechanisms be established to: Promote a two-way exchange concerning problems of 1. interconnection interfaces among users and suppliers and between them and the carriers. This exchange is vital to the problem of possible liberalization of interconnection and the resulting integrity of the public telephone network. 2. Promote and establish working groups that will be concerned with standards development, certification programs for equipment, licensing programs for installation and maintenance procedures,and f;i.nally, with the data gathering and analysis of technical interfacing problems. The various user groups should have a common, author~tative forum to which data are fed and reacted to in the coming decade. Other trade - 75 -
~ 76 - and industrial organizations would probably welcome anindependent,atmosphei:e for discussions-related to their specific positions. on interconnection policy from a technical standpoint, 3, Develop recOriu'nendations toa federal regulatory agency as to the timing of the elements of a phasing-in process if a certification program is established. These recOmmendations should specify specific changeover interim periods for certain classes of users to minimize the impact of the new standards and certification programs. 4. ?romotea workable atmosphere concerned with innovation problems in interconnection on a continuing basis. There are three areas of concern: (a) interchange of ideas and information before new concepts and equipment developments are implemented; (b) interchange of ideas and new approaches 'before installations are made (by the carrier or user); and (c) interchange of problems data 'after new services are installed' in which unforeseen problems sometimes arise. .., A possible structure of a possible new organization is noted in Figure 1. This 'structure is purely an examp1e,and is by no means meant to be definitive. Various standing committees on continuing problems could be organized and short~ange ad hoc groups would function on specific problems such as the phasing-in period for the proposed standards and certification program for direct-eonnection equipment. Another important area is that of coordination with the state regulatory agencies to foster a negree of uniformity on technical matters.
. ._------_._.._. ·. ., . ._- -~~--- ~------- .~--- FIGURE 1 Federal Regulatory Agency Other Government Agencies ORGANIZATION(S) Phase-in Standards Independent "Innovation" Computer Communi- State PUC Program Agency Lab and Technician Conferences cations Equipment Coordination Task ForcE Development Certification process Seminars ..... .....