*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 19929.doc* Federal Communications Commission DA 02- 1741 Before the Federal Communications Commission Washington, D. C. 20554 In the Matter of Section 272( f)( 1) Sunset of the BOC Separate Affiliate and Related Requirements ) ) ) ) WC Docket No. 02- 112 ORDER Adopted: July 18, 2002 Released: July 18, 2002 By the Deputy Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau: Revised Filing Dates: Comments Due: August 5, 2002 Reply Comments Due: August 26, 2002 1. On May 24, 2002, the Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking initiating an inquiry regarding the sunset of the statutory requirements under section 272 imposed on Bell Operating Companies (BOCs) when they provide in- region, interLATA services. Comments are due July 22, 2002, and replies are due August 12, 2002. On July 15, 2002, the Competitive Telecommunications Association (“ CompTel”), filed a motion for an extension of the deadline for filing comments and a corresponding extension of the deadline to file reply comments. In its pleading, CompTel argues that such an extension is in the public interest because CompTel and its members are materially impaired in their ability to file comments in this proceeding without access to an unredacted version of the Report of Independent Accountants on Applying Agreed- Upon Procedures, prepared by Ernst & Young, LLP and filed on December 17, 2001 (“ SBC § 272( d) Audit Report”). Comptel requests that the Commission extend the comment deadline in this proceeding until two weeks after an unredacted SBC § 272( d) Audit Report is filed with the Commission. 2. It is the policy of the Commission that extensions of time are not routinely granted. 1 We find, however, that a two- week extension is warranted in light of the proximity of comment and reply dates in other proceedings. Specifically, we note that potential parties to this proceeding may be participating in the Triennial UNE Review and the numerous pending section 271 proceedings. 2 As a result of the proximity of comment and reply dates in these various 1 47 C. F. R. § 1.46( a). 2 Review of Section 251 Unbundling Obligations of Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers, CC Docket No. 01- 338; Implementation of the Local Competition Provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, CC Docket No. (continued….) 1 Federal Communications Commission DA 02- 1741 2 proceedings, commenters might find it difficult to participate in this docket under the current deadline. At the same time, we cannot grant an open- ended extension of time, given the need to develop a record in this proceeding sufficiently in advance of the statutory sunset date. A two week extension would assist parties that chose to participate in multiple dockets without causing undue delay. Therefore, we find it appropriate to extend the deadline for filing comments to August 5, 2002, and the deadline for filing reply comments to August 26, 2002. This matter shall continue to be treated as a “permit- but- disclose” proceeding in accordance with the Commission’s ex parte rules. 3 All other requirements previously established in this proceeding remain in effect. 3. Accordingly, it is ORDERED, pursuant to sections 4( i) and 5( c) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U. S. C. §§ 154( j) and 155( c), and authority delegated thereunder pursuant to §§ 0.91 and 0.291 of the Commission's Rules, 47 C. F. R. §§ 0.91 and 0.291, that the deadline for filing comments in this proceeding is extended until August 5, 2002, and the deadline for filing reply comments in this proceeding is extended until August 26, 2002. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Carol E. Mattey Deputy Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau (Continued from previous page) 96- 98; Deployment of Wireline Services Offering Advanced Telecommunications Capability, CC Docket No. 98- 147, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 01- 361, 16 FCC Rcd 22781 (rel. Dec. 20, 2001) (Reply Comments due July 17, 2002). See Comments Requested on the Application by Qwest Communications Internationa, Inc. for Authorization Under Section 271 of the Communications Act to Provide in- region InterLata Service in the States of Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska & North Dakoda, Public Notice, DA 02- 1390 (WCB rel. June 13, 2002) (Reply Comments due July 29, 2002); Comments Requested on the Joint Application by BellSouth Corporation for Authorization Under Section 271 of the Communications Act to Provide in- region InterLata Service in the States of Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina, Public Notice, DA 02- 1453 (WCB rel. June 20, 2002) (Reply Comments due August 8, 2002); Comments Requested on the Application by Verizon’s Joint Application for Authorization to Provide in- region, InterLata Service in Delaware and New Hampshire, Public Notice, DA 02- 1497 (WCB rel. June 27, 2002) (Reply Comments due August 12, 2002); Comments Requested on the Application by Qwest Communications Internationa, Inc. for Authorization Under Section 271 of the Communications Act to Provide in- region, InterLata Service in the States of Montana, Utah, Washington and Wyoming, Public Notice, DA 02- 1666 (WCB rel. July 12, 2002) (Comments due August 1, 2002; Reply Comments due August 26, 2002). 3 Id. § 1.1206. 2