*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 5607.doc* PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 -- FCC -- 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- 2866 Released: December 20, 2000 COMMON CARRIER BUREAU GRANTS MOTION FOR LIMITED EXTENSION OF TIME FOR FILING COMMENTS AND REPLY COMMENTS ON ISSUES RELATING TO CLEC ACCESS CHARGE REFORM PLEADING CYCLE REVISED CC Docket No. 96- 262 Revised Filing Dates Comment Date: January 11, 2001 Reply Comment Date: January 26, 2001 1. On December 7, 2000, the Common Carrier Bureau (the Bureau) released a Public Notice in CC Docket No. 96- 262 inviting comment on issues related to CLEC access charge reform. 1 The Public Notice required parties to file comments on or before December 27, 2000 and reply comments on or before January 11, 2001. 2 2. On December 14, 2000, Allegiance Telecom, Inc. filed a Motion for Extension of Time to extend the dates for filing comments and reply comments in response to the Public Notice. 3 In its pleading, Allegiance requests that the deadlines for filing comments and reply comments be extended by fifteen (15) days. 4 Allegiance states that the extension of time is necessary to allow interested parties to provide complete and accurate information in response to the Commission's request for information. 5 In particular, Allegiance asserts that “the comment cycle is unusually short” and that “the proximity of the December 27, 2000 deadline to the year- end holidays makes the completion of this work difficult because many of the 1 Common Carrier Bureau Seeks Additional Comment on Issues Relating to CLEC Access Charge Reform, Public Notice, DA 00- 2751, CC Docket No. 96- 262 (rel. Dec. 7, 2000) (CLEC Access Charge Reform Notice). 2 Id. The Public Notice stated that comments must be filed no later than 15 days after publication in the Federal Register and that reply comments must be filed no later than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. On December 12, 2000, the Public Notice was published in the Federal Register, setting the comment deadline as December 27, 2000 and the reply comment deadline as January 11, 2001. 3 Motion for Extension of Time filed by Allegiance Telecom, Inc., CC Docket No. 96- 262 (filed Dec. 14, 2000). 4 Id. at 1. 5 Id. at 1. 1 2 relevant in- house subject matter experts will be on vacation and therefore unavailable.” 6 3. It is the policy of the Commission that extensions of time are not routinely granted. 7 In this instance, however, the Bureau finds that Allegiance has shown good cause for an extension of the deadline for filing comments and reply comments in this proceeding. Because of the complexity of the issues presented in the underlying proceeding and the Commission’s desire to obtain accurate data, a limited, 15- day extension is granted. This extension should enable parties to gather and verify the accuracy of the data submitted and enable interested parties to provide more thorough and deliberate input into the record of this proceeding. 4. Accordingly, interested parties may now file comments on or before January 11, 2001 and reply comments on or before January 26, 2001. This matter shall continue to be treated as a “permit- but-disclose” proceeding in accordance with the Commission’s ex parte rules. 8 All other requirements discussed in the CLEC Access Charge Reform Notice in this proceeding remain in effect. 5. For further information, contact Scott K. Bergmann, at (202) 418- 7102, or Jeffrey H. Dygert, at (202) 418- 1500. 6 Id. at 2. 7 See 47 C. F. R. § 1.46( a). 8 See 47 C. F. R. §§ 1.1200, 1206. 2