*Pages 1--3 from Microsoft Word - 14242.doc* PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 DA 02- 135 January 17, 2002 COMMENTS INVITED ON CABLE & WIRELESS USA, INC. APPLICATION TO DISCONTINUE DOMESTIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES NSD File No. W- P- D- 556 Comments Due: February 1, 2002 Section 214 Application Applicant: Cable & Wireless USA, Inc. On December 17, 2001, Cable & Wireless USA, Inc. (CWUSA or Applicant), located at 8219 Leesburg Pike, 6 th Floor, Vienna, VA 22182, 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 domestic telecommunications services. The application indicates that CWUSA seeks authority to discontinue providing its Global Card postpaid travel card services (GCS) to approximately fifteen thousand (15,000) customers. CWUSA explains that GCS is an optional, stand- alone, postpaid travel service allowing end users to complete outbound domestic long- distance telephone calls via access codes and Personal Identification Numbers (PINs). Applicant also explains that GCS allows customers to originate outbound long- distance calls to domestic interstate and intrastate locations in all fifty (50) states, Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands, as well as applicable international locations. CWUSA states that it has reevaluated its business plan, concluding that it is presently in its best interests to streamline its service offerings. Applicant states that it has sold GCS service to ILD Communications (ILD), located at 16200 Addison Road, Suite 100, Austin, TX 75001. Applicant clarifies that it will continue to offer domestic interstate and intrastate long distance services to both existing and new customers, and will focus its attention and financial strength on the provision of enhanced IP and data services to business customers. News media information 202 / 418- 0500 Fax- On- Demand 202 / 418- 2830 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov TTY 202 / 418- 2555 1 Applicant states that it has developed a comprehensive customer notification plan that ensures a seamless transition for its affected customers, and attaches a sample letter that contains the language required by Commission rules. 1 Generally, the letter explains that CWUSA has sold the GCS service to ILD, and that if customers do not wish to receive service from the new provider, they must either select another travel card service provider or opt out prior to discontinuance. CWUSA states that non- responsive customers will keep their PIN and access numbers, and that Applicant will bill them on behalf of ILD through March 2002, after which time ILD will begin its own billing. 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. 2 Comment s object ing t o this applicat ion must be filed wit h the Commission by February 1, 2002. Such comments should refer to application file number W- P- D- 556. 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. Commenters are also requested to fax their comments to the FCC at (202) 418- 2345, Attention: Jon Minkoff. Interested parties who wish to file comments via messenger- delivery or hand-delivery are also notified that effective December 18, 2001, the Commission will only receive such deliveries weekdays from 8: 00 a. m. to 7: 00 p. m., via its contractor, Vistronix, Inc., located at 236 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Suite 110, Washington, DC 20002. The Commission no longer accepts these filings at 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. Please note that all hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners, and envelopes must be disposed of before entering the building. In addition, this is a reminder that as of October 18, 2001, the Commission no longer accepts hand- delivered or messenger- delivered filings at its headquarters at 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554. Other messenger- delivered documents, including documents sent by overnight mail (other than United States Postal Service (USPS) Express and Priority Mail), must be addressed to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. This location is open weekdays from 8: 00 a. m. to 1 See 47 C. F. R. § 63.71( a)( 5)( i). 2 See generally 47 C. F. R. §§ 1.1200 - 1.1216. 2 5: 30 p. m. USPS First- Class, Express, and Priority Mail should be addressed to the Commission’s headquarters at 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554. The following chart summarizes this information: TYPE OF DELIVERY PROPER DELIVERY ADDRESS Hand- delivered or messenger- delivered paper filings 236 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Suite 110, Washington, DC 20002 (Weekdays - 8: 00 a. m. to 7: 00 p. m.) Other messenger- delivered documents, including documents sent by overnight mail (this type excludes USPS Express and Priority Mail) 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743 (Weekdays - 8: 00 a. m. to 5: 30 p. m.) USPS First- Class, Express, and Priority Mail 445 12 th Street, SW Washington, DC 20554 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- 3