[Federal Communications Commission: Installation of Integrated Services Digital Network Lines]

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requested an advance decision on whether the prohibition in 31 U.S.C. 1348(a)(1) applies to the installation of dedicated Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) lines in the residences of FCC Commissioners. GAO held that 31 U.S.C. 1348 has not been applied where the telephone use is one of restricted use or involves adequate safeguards and the separate service is essential. FCC has imposed adequate safeguards to prevent private use of separate ISDN lines and to protect communications to and from the FCC Commissioners. Accordingly, GAO would not object to FCC's installation of ISDN lines to transmit data from computers in the private residences of the FCC Commissioners to the agency's local area network.