*Pages 1--1 from Microsoft Word - 5391.doc* PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Fax- On- Demand 202 / 418- 2830 TTY 202 / 418- 2555 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov ftp. fcc. gov DA 00- 2746 December 8, 2000 COMMON CARRIER BUREAU RELEASES ESTIMATED STATE- BY- STATE HIGH- COST UNIVERSAL SERVICE SUPPORT AMOUNTS FOR NON- RURAL CARRIERS FOR 2001 CC Docket No. 96- 45 Today the Bureau released an order adopting updated line count input values for the new high- cost universal service support mechanism for non- rural carriers for purposes of calculating and targeting support amounts for the year 2001. 1 Specifically, the Bureau adopted updated line count data for use in the universal service cost model to estimate non- rural carriers’ forward- looking economic costs of providing the services supported by the federal high- cost mechanism, consistent with the framework established in the Twentieth Reconsideration Order. 2 In addition, the Bureau clarified that non- rural support amounts will continue to be adjusted each quarter to account for line growth based on the wire center line count data reported quarterly by non- rural carriers. 3 The spreadsheet attached to this Public Notice shows estimated state- by- state support amounts based on the revised cost estimates generated by the model using as input values year- end 1999 line count data filed by non- rural carriers on July 31, 2000. The non- rural support estimates were adjusted to reflect the quarterly line counts filed by non- rural carriers on September 30, 2000. The spreadsheet also shows annualized interim hold- harmless and rural support amounts based on projections for the first quarter of the year 2001 filed by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) on November 2, 2000. 4 For further information regarding this Public Notice, please contact Katie King at (202) 418- 7400. 1 Federal- State Joint Board on Universal Service, Order, CC Docket No. 96- 45, DA 00- 2729 (rel. December 8, 2000) (Updated Line Counts Order). 2 See Federal- State Joint Board on Universal Service, Twentieth Order on Reconsideration, CC Docket No. 96-45, FCC 00- 126 (rel. April 7, 2000) (Twentieth Reconsideration Order). 3 Updated Line Counts Order at para. 10. 4 USAC files quarterly projections with the Commission for the high- cost and other universal service programs, which the Bureau then makes available on the Commission’s Web site at http:// www. fcc. gov/ ccb/ universal_ service/ quarter. html. The interim hold- harmless amounts on the attached spreadsheet have been adjusted to reflect the phase- down adopted by the Commission. See Federal- State Joint Board on Universal Service, Thirteenth Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, CC Docket No. 96- 45, FCC 00- 428 (rel. December 8, 2000). 1