*Pages 1--3 from Microsoft Word - 9695.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 01- 1458 June 20, 2001 COMMON CARRIER BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON TRANSLATION OF COST MODEL TO DELPHI COMPUTER LANGUAGE AND ANNOUNCES POSTING OF UPDATED COST MODEL CC Docket No. 96- 45 Comment Date: 45 days from publication in the Federal Register Reply Comment Date: 60 days from publication in the Federal Register In the Fifth Report and Order released on October 28, 1998, the Commission adopted a forward-looking cost model to be used in determining federal high- cost universal service support for non- rural carriers. 1 To date, the model has been in Turbo- Pascal computer language. Commission staff have translated the model from Turbo- Pascal language into Delphi computer language. This Public Notice announces the posting of the current forward- looking cost model in Delphi computer language. We seek comment on whether we should use the Delphi version for purposes of calculating support amounts for 2002. The Delphi version can be found on the Commission’s Web site (www. fcc. gov/ ccb/ apd/ hcpm). The Delphi version of the forward- looking cost model is a beta version that will continue to be refined and updated as the Commission staff and interested parties work with it. 2 In an effort to use a computer language that works best for the Commission and all interested parties, this Public Notice seeks comment on advantages of the Delphi version over the Turbo- Pascal version, and recommendations concerning improvements to the Delphi version. In this Public Notice, we also announce the posting of a separate, updated Turbo- Pascal version of the cost model on the Commission’s Web site (www. fcc. gov/ ccb/ apd/ hcpm) that contains minor programming changes to the model 3 and source codes 4 that were necessary for the purpose of using the 1 Federal- State Joint Board on Universal Service, Fifth Report and Order, CC Docket Nos. 96- 45, 97- 160, 13 FCC Rcd 21,323 (rel. Oct. 28, 1998) (Fifth Report and Order). 2 As we continue to refine the Delphi version and make necessary technical corrections, we will post these corrections on first business day of each month to the Commission’s Web site for inspection and public comment. 3 For example, the cluster interface and feeder distribution modules have been modified to correct two errors in table lookup procedures regarding soil texture and water depth. In addition, certain variable type declarations have been refined, the block divide algorithm in the cluster module has been refined, and the line count true- up procedure in the cluster module has been refined. 1 2 updated line count data. 5 On December 8, 2000, the Commission decided to use the year- end 1999 line counts filed July 31, 2000, as input values for estimating average forward- looking costs and determining support for the year 2001. 6 Because the year- end 1999 line count data in large part remains subject to a protective order, 7 the posted version of the model contains the 1998 line count data that has already been made available to the public. Parties that wish to work with the year- end 1999 line count data should contact the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) and must adhere to the procedures set forth in the Commission’s protective order. Pursuant to sections 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's rules, 47 C. F. R. §§ 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments 45 days or fewer from publication in the Federal Register, and reply comments 60 days or fewer from publication in the Federal Register. Comments may be filed using the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) or by filing paper copies. See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 Fed. Reg. 24,121 (1998). Comments filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to . Generally, only one copy of an electronic submission must be filed. In completing the transmittal screen, commenters should include their full name, Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking number. Parties may also submit electronic comments by Internet e- mail. To receive filing instructions for e- mail comments, commenters should send an e- mail to ecfs@ fcc. gov, and should include the following words in the body of the message, "get form