*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 7498.doc* PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 445 12th STREET, S. W. WASHINGTON, D. C. 20554 DA 01- 622 News media information 202/ 418- 0500 Fax- On- Demand 202/ 418- 2830 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov ftp. fcc. gov COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS REQUESTS ENHANCED LIFELINE AND EXPANDED LINK UP SUPPORT FOR LOW- INCOME CONSUMERS PLEADING CYCLE ESTABLISHED CC Docket No. 96- 45 Release Date: March 14, 2001 Comment Date: April 13, 2001 Reply Comment Date: April 30, 2001 The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (Commonwealth) has filed a request for, among other things, expanded universal service support for low- income consumers in the Commonwealth, similar to the measures adopted in the Commission's Tribal Order for low- income subscribers living on tribal lands. 1 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 on or before April 13, 2001, and reply comments on or before April 30, 2001. 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. If multiple docket or rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of this proceeding, however, commenters must transmit one electronic copy of the comments to each docket or rulemaking number referenced in the caption. 1 See Letter from Thomas K. Crowe and Tania J. Cho to Magalie R. Salas, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, dated September 11, 2000. In the Tribal Order, the Commission adopted a number of significant measures designed to promote increased subscribership levels in tribal communities, including enhanced Lifeline support, expanded Link Up support, and additional criteria for eligibility for Lifeline and Link Up support. See In the Matter of Federal- State Joint Board on Universal Service; Promoting Deployment and Subscribership in Unserved and Underserved Areas, Including Tribal and Insular Areas, Twelfth Report and Order, Memorandum Opinion and Order, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, CC Docket No. 96- 45, FCC 00- 208 (June 30, 2000) (Tribal Order). In addition, on June 23, 2000, the Commission released a Policy Statement in which it recognized its own general trust relationship with, and responsibility to, federally- recognized Indian tribes. See In the Matter of Statement of Policy on Establishing a Government- to- Government Relationship with Indian Tribes, FCC 00- 207 (June 23, 2000) (Policy Statement). 1 2 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 ." A sample form and directions will be sent in reply. Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and four copies of each filing. If more than one docket or rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding, commenters must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or rulemaking number. All filings must be sent to the Commission's Secretary, Magalie Roman Salas, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, S. W., Washington, D. C. 20554. Parties also must send three paper copies of their filing to Sheryl Todd, Accounting Policy Division, Common Carrier Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 Twelfth Street S. W., Room 5- A422, Washington, D. C. 20554. In addition, commenters must send diskette copies to the Commission's copy contractor, International Transcription Service, Inc., 1231 20th Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. 20037. Pursuant to section 1.1206 of the Commission's rules, 47 C. F. R. § 1.1206, this proceeding will be conducted as a permit- but- disclose proceeding in which ex parte communications are permitted subject to disclosure. For further information, contact the Accounting Policy Division, Common Carrier Bureau at (202) 418- 7400, TTY (202) 418- 0484. 2