*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 12915.doc* PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 DA 01- 2687 November 16, 2001 COMMENTS INVITED ON SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L. P. APPLICATION TO DISCONTINUE DOMESTIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES NSD File No. W- P- D- 534 Comments Due: November 30, 2001 Section 214 Application Applicant: Sprint Communications Company L. P. On November 2, 2001, Sprint Communications Company L. P. (Sprint or Applicant), located at 6360 Sprint Parkway, Overland Park, KS 66251, filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission), requesting authority under section 214( a) of the Communications Act of 1934, 47 U. S. C. § 214( a), and section 63.71 of the Commission's rules, 47 C. F. R. § 63.71, to discontinue its domestic telecommunications services. The application indicates that Sprint seeks to discontinue providing of its ION service to both residential and business customers. Applicant explains that ION is an integrated service consisting of both common carrier local and long distance telecommunications services, as well as Internet access data service. Sprint states that ION is currently being provided commercially to end users in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Texas, and Washington. Applicant also states that it will continue to offer long distance services, both intraLATA toll and interLATA, to its customers in these states. Sprint explains, however, that it will no longer provide the local service capabilities offered via ION, and that consequently, its ION customers in the affected states will have to select a new local service provider. 1 The application states that Sprint plans to cease providing ION service on December 31, 1 Applicant notes that its affected customers will also have to make new arrangements for Internet access or data service. News media information 202 / 418- 0500 Fax- On- Demand 202 / 418- 2830 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov TTY 202 / 418- 2555 1 2001, 2 subject to receiving the required authority from state public utilit y commissions, as well as from the Commission. Applicant states that it is conducting a comprehensive, multiple- step approach for notifying each of its affected customers, which includes providing the notice language as required by Commission rules. 3 The application also states that Sprint will continue to remind customers of the pending termination of their service and the need to make alternative arrangements for their local voice and data services in a series of follow- up letters. In accordance with 47 C. F. R. § 63.71( c), the application will be deemed to be automatically granted on the thirty- first (31 st ) day after the release date of this notice, unless the Commission has notified Applicant that the grant will not be automatically effective. The FCC will normally authorize proposed discontinuances of service unless it is shown that customers or other end users would be unable to receive service or a reasonable substitute from another carrier, or that the public convenience and necessity is otherwise adversely affected. This proceeding is considered a "permit but disclose" proceeding for purposes of the Commission's ex parte rules. 4 Comment s object ing t o this applicat ion must be filed wit h the Commission by November 30, 2001. Such comments should refer to application file number W- P- D- 534. Comments should include specific information about the impact of this proposed discont inuance on t he comment er, including any inabilit y to acquire reasonable subst it ut e service. Comments should be sent to the Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12 th Street, SW, Room TW- A325, Washington, DC 20554. Two (2) copies of the comments should also be sent to the Network Services Division, Common Carrier Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12 th Street, SW, Room 6- A207, Washington, DC 20554, Attention: Carmell Weathers. Comments should also be served upon Applicant. The application will be available for 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 application may also be purchased from the Commission’s copy contractor, Qualex International, Portals II, 445 12 th Street, SW, Room CY- B402, Washington, DC, 20554, telephone 202- 863- 2893, facsimile 202- 863- 2898, or via e- mail at qualexint@ aol. com. 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- 2 The application clarifies that service to its California customers is anticipated to be discontinued on January 31, 2002. 3 See 47 CFR § 63.71( a)( 5)( i). 4 See generally 47 C. F. R. §§ 1.1200 - 1.1216. 2