Waivers Get More Attention, No Promises, in Adopted 988 Order

The FCC's 988 suicide prevention hotline order approved 5-0 last week (see 2007160030) gives more attention to the idea of waivers, though it makes no promises that any will be given, according to our side-by-side comparison of the draft and the approved order released Friday. The draft mentioned in one sentence that parties could seek waiver for good cause. The approved order spends multiple sentences discussing waivers, plus a separate reference in a footnote. The adopted order acknowledges some parties argued exemptions might be needed (see 2007100016) and says nothing in the order impedes their right to seek one, though cautioning leeway isn't routinely granted. Anyone seeking waiver of the 10-digit dialing mandate will need to show how its circumstances warrant a deviation from the commission's policy of nationwide implementation, the FCC said, saying a requested waiver of the two-year implementation deadline must show the applicant "put forward best efforts to comply ... and detail the specific circumstances that have prevented such compliance." The order also said the Wireline Bureau might use information from its ongoing monitoring in coordination with the North American numbering plan administrator to evaluate the merits of the waiver request. The adopted order gives the NANPA a 30-day deadline for promulgating a 10-digit dialing transition plan and directs the Wireline Bureau to monitor progress in the 87 area codes transitioning to 10-digit dialing.