Joint Press Release
John Bernhards ATIS Director of Public Relations Phone: 202/434-8850 E-mail: jbernhards@atis.org	Rali Mileva TIA Director of Public Relations Phone: 703/907-7721 E-mail: rmileva@tia.eia.org

Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments (ACTA) Approves and Submits Charter to FCC

July 16, 2001, Washington, D.C. -- The Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments (ACTA) announced today that it has approved its Operational Principles and Procedures (OP&P) charter for submission to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The approval of the OP&P charter signifies the firm establishment of the Administrative Council's functions, operations, and organizational structure, as well as the processes it will follow to properly maintain certification requirements for telecommunications terminal equipment.

The ACTA is an open council that serves as the "gatekeeper" for maintaining Part 68 certification requirements for terminal equipment, as well as a database of certified equipment. The formation of the ACTA and its joint sponsorship by the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) was directed by the FCC and was published December 21, 2000, in a Report and Order (R&O) in the matter of 2000 Biennial Regulatory Review of Part 68 of the Commission's Rules and Regulations, CC Docket No. 99-216. The FCC Report & Order identifies procedures and deadlines for launching and activating ACTA, to include establishment and approval of the ACTA OP&P charter.

For more information about ACTA, or to download a copy of the OP&P charter access the ACTA web site at www.part68.org.

####

The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) is a member company organization that is the leader for standards and operating procedures for the telecommunications industry. Nearly 3,000 experts from more than 500 telecommunications companies participate in ATIS committees, whose work focus includes network interconnection standards, number portability, improved data transmission, wireless communications, Internet telephony, toll-free access, and order and billing issues. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) frequently refers operations issues to ATIS committees for recommended solutions. Members of ATIS and committee participants include, but are not limited to, telecommunications service providers, manufacturers, software developers, resellers, enhanced service providers, and providers of operations support.

Information on ATIS is available on the World Wide Web at www.atis.org, or by contacting the ATIS headquarters at 202/628-6380, or by writing to: ATIS, 1200 G Street, NW, Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20005.

####

TIA is the leading trade association servicing the communications and information technology industry, with proven strengths in market development, trade shows, domestic and international advocacy, standards development and e-commerce. Through its worldwide activities, the association facilitates business development opportunities and a competitive market environment. The association provides a market-focused forum for its more than 1,100 member companies that manufacture or supply the products and services used in global communications. TIA represents the communications sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA). Visit them at www.tiaonline.org.

-30-