*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 12376.doc* PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 DA 01- 2375 October 15, 2001 AT& T COMMUNICATIONS APPLICATION TO DISCONTINUE INTERSTATE SENT- PAID COIN SERVICE GRANTED NSD File No. W- P- D- 497 On May 21, 2001, AT& T Communications (AT& T or Applicant), located at 55 Corporate Drive, Bridgewater, NJ 08807, filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) requesting authority pursuant to section 214( a) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 1 and section 63.71 of the Commission’s rules, 2 to discontinue providing AT& T Sent- Paid Coin Service (Service) 3 from “dumb” coin telephones that require network signaling to handle coin- related functions. 4 By public notice dated July 6, 2001, the Bureau notified the public that in accordance with 47 C. F. R. § 63.71( c), the original application would be deemed to be automatically granted on the thirty- first (31 st ) day after the release date of the notice, unless Applicant was notified that the grant would not be automatically effective. 5 By public notice dated August 3, 2001, the Bureau announced that AT& T’s application would not be automatically granted, given that significant concerns had been raised by commenters. 6 The Commission requested that AT& T submit a transition plan for discontinuing the Service that addressed the commenters’ concerns. On August 10, 2001, AT& T submitted its proposed transition plan, and by August 24, 2001, 1 47 U. S. C. § 214( a). 2 47 C. F. R. § 63.71. 3 The Service is referenced in sections 3.8.6, 4.1.1, 5.1, and 24.1 of AT& T Tariff FCC No. 27. 4 According to AT& T, it seeks to retire network- controlled coin calling from “dumb” coin phones that require Feature Group C- based network signaling to: (a) determine the rates for a dialed call; (b) track the deposit of coins into the phone; (c) time the call to require deposit of additional coins for additional periods; (d) terminate calls when the usage the customer has paid for has expired; and (e) return coins when appropriate. 5 See Comments Invited on AT& T Communications Application to Discontinue Interstate Sent- Paid Coin Service, NSD File No. W- P- D- 497, DA 01- 1613 (rel. July 6, 2001). 6 See AT& T Communications Application to Discontinue Interstate Sent- Paid Coin Service Not Automatically Granted, Public Notice, NSD File No. W- P- D- 497, DA 01- 1870 (rel. Aug. 2, 2001). News media information 202 / 418- 0500 Fax- On- Demand 202 / 418- 2830 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov TTY 202 / 418- 2555 1 several parties filed comments. In response to the comments filed and discussions held with the Bureau, AT& T submitted a revised transition plan on September 17, 2001, 7 and filed a supplement on September 25, 2001. 8 On October 9, 2001, AT& T filed its proposed final transition plan. 9 We find that AT& T’s final proposal adequately addresses the concerns raised by commenters regarding the adequacy of notice to affected customers and the probable hardship that immediate discontinuance would have caused to some users of the Service. We also find that AT& T’s proposed final transition plan is reasonable and that discontinuance in accordance with its terms will not create an unreasonable degree of customer hardship. Accordingly, by this public notice, Applicant’s request to discontinue providing its sent- paid coin service in accordance with the terms of its proposed final transition plan is granted. The terms of this transition plan, attached hereto, 10 are incorporated by reference. For further information, contact Carmell Weathers, (202) 418- 2325 (voice), cweather@ fcc. gov, or Jon Minkoff (202) 418- 2353 (voice), jminkoff@ fcc. gov, of the Network Services Division, Common Carrier Bureau. The TTY number is (202) 418- 0484. For further information on procedures regarding Section 214 please visit the Network Services Division web site at: http:// www. fcc. gov/ ccb/ nsd/ documents/ 214.html. -FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION- 7 Letter from Robert W. Quinn, Jr., AT& T Vice President, Federal Government Affairs, to Ms. Diane Harmon, Acting Chief, Network Services Division, Common Carrier Bureau re: AT& T’s Proposed Revised Transition Plan for the Discontinuance of Payphone Coin Service (September 17, 2001). 8 Letter from Michael F. Del Casino, AT& T Regulatory Division Manager, to Ms. Magalie Roman Salas, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission re: ex parte Section 214 and 47 CFR 63.71 Application with Respect to Impairment of Sent- Paid Coin Service (September 25, 2001). 9 Letter from Michael F. Del Casino, AT& T Regulatory Division Manager, to Ms. Magalie Roman Salas, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission re: AT& T’s Proposed Final Transition Plan for the Discontinuance of Payphone Coin Service (October 9, 2001). 10 The six appendices to AT& T’s final transition plan are not attached to this public notice. They are available for public review and copying during regular business hours at the FCC Reference Center, Portals II, 445 12 th Street, SW, Room CY- A257, Washington, DC 20554, (202) 418- 0270. A copy of the plan and appendices may also be purchased from the Commission’s copy contractor, Qualex International, Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW, Room CY- B402, Washington, DC, 20554, telephone 202- 863- 2893, facsimile 202- 863- 2898, or via e- mail at qualexint@ aol. com. 2