*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 13613.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- 2916 December 17, 2001 LIMITED EXTENSION OF TIME FOR FILING COMMENTS AND REPLIES IN RATE- OF- RETURN ACCESS CHARGE REFORM PROCEEDING (MAG PROCEEDING) CC Docket Nos. 00- 256, 96- 45 COMMENTS DUE: February 14, 2002 REPLY COMMENTS DUE: March 18, 2002 On October 11, 2001, in response to a proposal from the Multi- Association Group (MAG), the Commission adopted the Rate- of- Return Access Charge Reform Order and Further Notice. 1 The Further Notice seeks additional comment on proposals for incentive regulation, proposed changes to the “all- or- nothing” rule, pricing flexibility for rate- of- return carriers, and merging the Long Term Support mechanism into the new Interstate Common Line Support mechanism. Comments were due December 31, 2001, and reply comments were due January 29, 2002. 2 The National Rural Telecom Association (NRTA), the Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies (OPASTCO), and the United States Telecom Association (USTA) have requested an extension of time for filing comments. 3 We agree that a limited extension is warranted due to the complexity of issues and diversity of interests involved in this proceeding. Accordingly, comments shall be due no later than February 14, 2002, and reply comments shall be due no later than March 18, 2002. When 1 Multi- Association Group (MAG) Plan for Regulation of Interstate Services of Non- Price Cap Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers and Interexchange Carriers, Federal- State Joint Board on Universal Service, Access Charge Reform for Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers Subject to Rate- of- Return Regulation, Prescribing the Authorized Rate of Return for Interstate Service for Local Exchange Carriers, Second Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in CC Docket No. 00- 256, Fifteenth Report and Order in CC Docket No. 96- 45, and Report and Order in CC Docket Nos. 98- 77 and 98- 166, FCC 01- 304 (rel. Nov. 8, 2001) (Rate- of- Return Access Charge Reform Order and Further Notice). 2 See 66 Fed. Reg. 59761 (Nov. 30, 2001). 3 NRTA, OPATSCO, USTA Motion for Extension of Time to File Comments on Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, CC Docket No. 00- 256 (filed Dec. 10, 2001). 1 filing comments and reply comments, parties should reference CC Docket Nos. 00- 256 and 96- 45, and conform to the filing procedures contained in the Rate- of- Return Access Charge Reform Order and Further Notice. 4 This proceeding shall be treated as a "permit- but- disclose" proceeding in accordance with the Commission's ex parte rules. 5 Persons making oral ex parte presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentations must contain summaries of the substance of the presentations and not merely a listing of the subjects discussed. More than a one- sentence or two- sentence description of the views and arguments presented is generally required. 6 Other rules pertaining to oral and written ex parte presentations in permit- but- disclose proceedings are set forth in section 1.1206( b) of the Commission's rules. 7 For further information, contact Marvin Sacks, Competitive Pricing Division, Common Carrier Bureau, (202) 418- 2017. - FCC - 4 Rate- of- Return Access Charge Reform Order and Further Notice, FCC 01- 304 at paras. 338- 41. 5 See 47 C. F. R. §§ 1.1200 and 1. 1206. 6 See 47 C. F. R. § 1. 1206( b). 7 Id. 2