*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 8447.doc* PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th 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 01- 1041 April 23, 2001 COMMON CARRIER BUREAU GRANTS MOTION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME FOR FILING COMMENTS AND REPLY COMMENTS ON BOC JOINT MOTION REGARDING UNBUNDLED NETWORK ELEMENTS CC Docket No. 96- 98 Revised Filing Dates: Comments Due: June 11, 2001 Reply Comments Due: June 25, 2001 On April 5, 2001, BellSouth Corporation and BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. (BellSouth), SBC Communications, Inc. (SBC), and Verizon Telephone Companies (Verizon) (Joint Petitioners) filed a Joint Petition asking the Commission to find that high- capacity loops and dedicated transport should not be subject to mandatory unbundling. On April 10, 2001, the Common Carrier Bureau released a public notice stating that interested parties could file comments regarding the Joint Petition by May 10, 2001 and reply comments by May 25, 2001. 1 On April 19, 2001, a group of petitioners (Movants) filed a joint motion to extend the dates for filing comments and reply comments by 30 days. 2 In their pleading, the Movants request an extension of time in order to respond to a report attached to the Joint Petition entitled, “Competition for Special Access Service, High Capacity Loops, and Interoffice Transport.” The Movants state that they require additional time to respond to information compiled in the report that was gathered from numerous sources. They argue that granting the additional time will allow the Commission to develop a more complete record regarding competition for loop and transport services, and that the Joint Petitioners will not be harmed by such a delay. 3 1 Pleading Cycle Established for Comments on Joint Petition of BellSouth, SBC and Verizon, CC Docket No. 96- 98, DA 01- 911 (Apr. 10, 2001). 2 Joint Motion for Extension of Time filed by Advanced Telecom Group, Inc., the Association of Local Telecommunications Services, BroadRiver Communications Company, Broadslate Networks, Inc., Choice One Communications, Inc., the Competitive Telecommunications Association, Covad Communications Company, e. spire Communications, Inc., Eschelon Telecom, Inc., Intermedia Communications, Inc., KMC Telecom Inc., Local Telephone and Data Services, Network Telephone Corporation, Network Access Solutions, New Edge Network, Inc., NewSouth Communications, Inc., NuVox Inc., Pac- West Telecomm, Inc., RCN Telecom Services, Inc., US LEC Communications Inc., and WorldCom, Inc., CC Docket No. 96- 98 (filed Apr. 19, 2001) (Joint Motion). 3 Joint Motion at 2- 3. 1 2 It is the policy of the Commission that extensions of time are not routinely granted. 4 In this instance, however, the Bureau finds that the Movants have 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 and the Commission’s desire to obtain accurate data, we grant a limited extension so that parties may file comments on June 11, 2001 and reply comments on June 25, 2001. This matter shall continue to be treated as a “permit- but- disclose” proceeding in accordance with the Commission’s ex parte rules. 5 All other requirements discussed in the April 10, 2001 public notice remain in effect. For further information, please contact Janice M. Myles, Common Bureau Policy and Program Planning Division, 202- 418- 1580. 4 47 C. F. R. § 1. 46( a). 5 47 C. F. R. § 1. 1206. 2