FCC TO GIVE VOIP, BROADBAND PROVIDERS GUIDANCE ON IMPLEMENTING CALEA WIRETAPS

摘要

The FCC next week is expected to give VoIP and broadband access providers guidance on implementing Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) wiretap obligations the Commission imposed last fall. In an order set for action at its agenda meeting Wed., the FCC is expected to tie up various loose ends. For example, the Commission is expected to rely on industry standards bodies to develop compliance rules rather than the FCC initiating them. Such rules would guide carriers on what capabilities they must develop and standardize so law enforcement agencies have access. An example, said an industry official, is which call identification data to make available for possible FBI access -- in other words, whether carriers provide phone numbers, IP addresses or something else. Standards bodies are working on the project but haven抰 finished the difficult task, said sources. nnThe FCC promised a follow-up implementation order in a Sept. 23 order concluding that CALEA applies to facilities-based broadband Internet access providers and providers of interconnected VoIP. At that time, the agency said the 2nd order would be released 搃n the coming months?to 揳ddress separate questions regarding the assistance capabilities required of the carriers.?The FCC said the 2nd order would include such things as 揷ompliance extensions and exemptions, cost recovery, identification of future services and entities subject to CALEA and enforcement.?The FCC said this ?-step approach?would enable parties to focus separately on implementation once the FCC voted to apply CALEA to providers. The new order isn抰 expected to extend an 18-month deadline for CALEA compliance by broadband and VoIP providers, as USTelecom sought. The group asked the FCC to restart the clock when the 2nd order was released, since carriers wouldn抰 have directions on what capabilities to standardize until then.