(a) An incumbent local exchange carrier (``LEC'') must provide public notice regarding any network change that:
(1) Will affect a competing service provider's performance or ability to provide service;
(2) Will affect the incumbent LEC's interoperability with other service providers; or
(3) Will affect the manner in which customer premises equipment is attached to the interstate network.
(4) Will result in the retirement of copper loops or copper subloops, and the replacement of such loops with fiber-to-the-home loops or fiber-to-the-curb loops, as those terms are defined in Sec. 51.319(a)(3).
(b) For purposes of this section, interoperability means the ability of two or more facilities, or networks, to be connected, to exchange information, and to use the information that has been exchanged.
(c) Until public notice has been given in accordance with Sec. Sec. 51.325 through 51.335, an incumbent LEC may not disclose to separate affiliates, separated affiliates, or unaffiliated entities (including actual or potential competing service providers or competitors), information about planned network changes that are subject to this section.
(d) For the purposes of Sec. Sec. 51.325 through 51.335, the term services means telecommunications services or information services. [61 FR 47351, Sept. 6, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 14148, Mar. 24, 1999; 68 FR 52305, Sept. 2, 2003; 69 FR 77954, Dec. 29, 2004]