*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 11106.doc* PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street, 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- 1994 Released: August 24, 2001 COMMON CARRIER BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON THE PETITION FOR WAIVER OF 711 IMPLEMENTATION RULES FILED BY CENTURYTEL, INC. CC Docket No. 92- 105 NSD File No. L- 01- 144 Pleading Cycle Established COMMENTS DUE: September 24, 2001 REPLY COMMENTS DUE: October 8, 2001 On August 9, 2000, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) released the Second Report and Order, in which it required the nationwide implementation of access to telecommunications relay services (TRS) for persons with hearing and speech disabilities via the abbreviated dialing code 711. 1 All telecommunications carriers, including wireline, wireless and payphone providers, are required to implement 711 access to all relay services on or before October 1, 2001. On June 5, 2001, CenturyTel, Inc. (CenturyTel) filed a petition for waiver of the 711 implementation rules for 15 switches that cannot be upgraded to handle 711 calls by the October 1, 2001 deadline. 2 CenturyTel states that these switches are not suitable for upgrading and proposes a plan to replace the switches by the fourth quarter of 2002. We seek comment on CenturyTel’s petition for waiver of the 711 implementation rules. A copy of the petition will be available during regular business hours at the FCC Reference Center, Portals II, 445 12 th Street, S. W., Suite CY- A257, Washington, D. C. 20554, (202) 418- 0270. A copy of the petition is also available on the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) at http:// www. fcc. gov/ e-file/ ecfs. html (insert CC Docket No. 92- 105 into the Proceeding block). Interested parties may file comments on or before September 24, 2001 and reply comments on or before October 8, 2001. All filings must reference NSD File No. L- 01- 144 and CC Docket No. 92- 105. Send an original and four copies to the Commission Secretary, Magalie Roman Salas, Portals II, 445 12 th 1 The Use of N11 Codes and Other Abbreviated Dialing Arrangements, Second Report and Order, CC Docket No. 92- 105, 15 FCC Rcd 15188 (2000). 2 CenturyTel, Inc. Petition for Waiver of 711 Implementation Rules, CC Docket No. 92- 105 (filed June 5, 2001). 1 Street, S. W., Suite TW- A325, Washington, D. C. 20554 and two copies to Carmell Weathers, Common Carrier Bureau, Network Services Division, Portals II, 445 12 th Street, S. W., Room 6- B153, Washington, D. C. 20554. In addition, parties should send one copy of their comments to International Transcription Services, Inc. (ITS), at 1231 20 th Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. 20036. Comments may also be filed using the ECFS. Comments filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to http:// www. fcc. gov/ e- file/ ecfs. html. If using this method, please reference CC Docket No. 92- 105 in the Proceeding block. 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 docket number of the proceeding. Parties may also submit electronic comments by Internet e- mail. To get filing instructions for e- mail comments, commenters should send an e- mail to ecfs@ fcc. gov, including “get form ” in the body of the message. A sample form and directions will be sent in reply. After filing your comments electronically, please send an e- mail to Carmell Weathers, cweather@ fcc. gov, indicating that comments have been filed. This is a “permit but disclose” proceeding for purposes of the Commission’s ex parte rules. 3 As a “permit but disclose” proceeding, ex parte presentations will be governed by the procedures set forth in Section 1.1206 of the Commission’s rules applicable to non- restricted proceedings. 4 Parties making oral ex parte presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentation must contain a summary of the substance of the presentation and not merely a listing of the subjects discussed. More than a one or two sentence description of the views and arguments presented is generally required. 5 Other rules pertaining to oral and written presentations are set forth in Section 1.1206( b) as well. For further information contact Tania Cho of the Common Carrier Bureau, Network Services Division, at (202) 418- 2320 or tcho@ fcc. gov. The TTY number is (202) 418- 0484. - FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION - 3 See generally 47 C. F. R. §§ 1. 1200- 1.1216. 4 47 C. F. R. § 1.1206. 5 47 C. F. R. § 1.1206( b)( 2). 2