Network Reliability and Interoperability
Council - IV Charter

Charter IV Focus Groups

A. The Committee's Official Designation

The official designation of the advisory committee is the "Network Reliability and Interoperability Council."

B. The Committee's Objective and Scope of its Activity

The purpose of the committee is to provide recommendations both for the Federal Communications Commission and for the telecommunications industry that, when implemented, will assure optimal reliability, interoperability and interconnectivity of, and accessibility to, public telecommunications networks. In particular, the committee will address:

1. How the "Year 2000" problem could adversely affect the reliability, interconnectivity and interoperability of public telecommunications networks. The committee will assess the magnitude of risks and review efforts taken to address those risks, and determine what additional steps should be taken to mitigate risks. In particular, the Committee will assure that appropriate inter-network testing and network monitoring have been arranged. The Committee will consider, and make recommendations to a) telecommunications carriers, b) telecommunications network users, c) the Federal Communications Commission and d) others, as appropriate.

2. How the "Year 2000" problem could adversely affect private telecommunications networks and services for network users and their equipment. The committee will assess the magnitude of risks and review efforts taken to address those risks, and determine what additional steps should be taken to mitigate risks. The Committee will consider, and make appropriate recommendations to a) telecommunications carriers, b) telecommunications network users, c) the Federal Communications Commission, and d) others, as appropriate.

3. National Network Reliability. The committee will report on the reliability of public telecommunications network services in the United States and will determine whether "best practices" previously recommended should be modified or supplemented. It will also develop a proposal for future consideration relative to extending these best practices to other industry segments not presently included in current practices.

The committee will assemble data and information and perform analyses in order to provide the recommendations mentioned herein.

C. Period of Time Necessary for the Committee to Carry Out its Purpose

The committee will require approximately sixteen months to carry out its purpose.

D. Official to Whom the Committee Reports

Chairman and Defense Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission.

E. Agency Responsible for Providing Necessary Support

The Federal Communications Commission will provide the necessary support for the committee, including the facilities needed for the conduct of the meetings of the committee. Private sector members of the committee will serve without any government compensation, and will not be entitled to travel expenses, per diem or subsistence allowances.

F. Description of the Duties for Which the Committee is Responsible

The duties of the committee will be to gather the data and information necessary to form reports and recommendations to the industry and to the FCC for assuring optimal network access, interconnectivity, interoperability, and reliability within the parameters set forth in Section B., above.

G. Estimated Annual Operating Costs in Dollars and Staff Years

Estimated staff years that will be expended by the committee are 2 for the FCC staff and 12 for private sector and other governmental representatives. The estimated annual cost to the FCC of operating the committee is $100,000.

H. Estimated Number and Frequency of Committee Meetings

The Council will meet at least semi-annually with possible more frequent meetings of informal subcommittees.

I. Committee's Termination Date

The Committee will terminate January 6, 2000.

J. Date Original Charter Filed

January 6, 1992.