1. (a) General information.

   1. (1)

      1. (A) Both the objectives and the limits for transmission values are presented in this part.
      2. (B) However, values that are between an objective and the respective maximum or minimum limit are not violations, though surveillance and possibly corrections are indicated.

   2. (2)

      1. (A) This part does not address transmission quality standards of all circuit parameters, for example, return loss, crosstalk, impulse noise, etc.
      2. (B) However, BOC Notes on the LEC Networks 1990 Special Report SR-TSV-002275, Issue 1, March 1991, published by Bellcore, is adopted as the minimum transmission standard for circuits that originate and terminate in Arkansas.

   3. (3) The following transmission loss and noise value requirements do not include the attenuation from devices such as:

      1. (A) Impedance matching transformers; or
      2. (B) Two-decibel test pads.

2. (b) Quality of service requirements.

   1. (1) Values above the maximum or below the minimum limits in subsections (c) – (e) of this section require immediate attention and correction.

   2. (2) For purposes of evaluating the quality of service:

      1. (A) Each type of circuit shall be evaluated separately; and
      2. (B) At least ninety-five percent (95%) must comply with the respective maximum or minimum limits.

3. (c) Subscriber loop standards.

   1. (1) Loop current, terminated in a two hundred (200) ohms resistance or an equivalent test instrument:

      1. (A) Objective twenty-three milliamperes (23.0 mA); and
      2. (B) Minimum twenty milliamperes (20.0 mA).

   2. (2) Transmission loss at one thousand four hertz (1004 Hz), excluding central office loss:

      1. (A) Objective eight decibels (8.0 dB); and
      2. (B) Maximum ten and five-tenths decibels (10.5 dB).

   3. (3) Metallic (message circuit) noise:

      1. (A) Objective twenty decibels above reference noise with C-message weighting (20.0 dBrnC); and
      2. (B) Maximum thirty decibels above reference noise with C-message weighting (30.0 dBrnC).

4. (d) Interoffice or extended area service (EAS) trunk standards.

   1. (1) Transmission loss at one thousand four hertz (1004 Hz):

      1. (A) Objective four decibels (4.0 dB); and
      2. (B) Maximum/minimum plus or minus four decibels (± 4.0 dB).

   2. (2) Message circuit noise for electronically derived (carrier) circuits:

      1. (A) Objective twenty-one decibels above reference noise with C-message weighting (21.0 dBrnC); and
      2. (B) Maximum twenty-eight decibels above reference noise with C-message weighting (28.0 dBrnC).

   3. (3) Message circuit noise for metallic (copper) circuits:

      1. (A) Objective twenty-five decibels above reference noise with C-message weighting (25.0 dBrnC); and
      2. (B) Maximum thirty-six decibels above reference noise with C-message weighting (36.0 dBrnC).

5. (e) Toll connecting trunk standards.

   1. (1) Transmission loss at one thousand four hertz (1004 Hz):

      1. (A) Objective three decibels (3.0 dB); and
      2. (B) Maximum/minimum plus or minus three decibels (± 3.0 dB).

   2. (2) Message circuit noise:

      1. (A) Objective twenty-three decibels above reference noise with C-message weighting (23.0 dBrnC); and
      2. (B) Maximum thirty-two decibels above reference noise with C-message weighting (32.0 dBrnC).
6. (f) “dBrnC” means decibels above reference noise with C-message weighting.

Codification Notes: This section was promulgated as Rule 11.07 of the Telecommunications Providers Rules prior to codification in the Code of Arkansas Rules.