Telecom Act of 1996

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 opened local telephone markets to competition and created the legal framework CLECs operate under.

Key sections for CLECs:

• Section 251 — incumbent LEC duties: interconnection, unbundled network elements (UNEs), resale, number portability, dialing parity, collocation.
• Section 252 — procedures for negotiating and arbitrating Interconnection Agreements, state commission approval.
• Section 253 — removal of state/local barriers to entry.
• Section 254 — Universal Service framework (USF).

The Act is why a certified CLEC can demand interconnection with the incumbent at regulated terms. Questions about your rights under 251/252? Ask ISG.