*Pages 1--3 from Microsoft Word - 21836.doc* PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 DA 02- 2555 October 4, 2002 COMMENTS INVITED ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVE NETWORK, INC. APPLICATION TO DISCONTINUE DOMESTIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES Comp. Pol. File No. 607 Comments Due: October 21, 2002 Section 214 Application Applicant: Telecommunications Cooperative Network, Inc. Telecommunications Cooperative Network, Inc. (TCN or Applicant), located at 359 Boylston Street, 5 th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission), requesting authority under section 214( a) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 1 to discontinue offering resale services in the United States to customers who have presubscribed to TCN or its underlying carrier. The application indicates that TCN currently provides intrastate and interstate long distance services to less than 1000 business and individual customers who are presubscribed to TCN or its underlying carrier in approximately 35 states, utilizing the facilities of the underlying incumbent local exchange carrier in each of the relevant regions. TCN also provides switchless interstate long distance service incidental to other telecommunication services provided to customers who are not presubscribed to TCN or its underlying carrier. TCN seeks to discontinue services only to its presubscribed intrastate and interstate long distance customers. The application states that TCN requests authority to withdraw from the long distance resale markets it currently serves nationwide. TCN asserts that reasonable alternatives are available to its customers either from other competitive long distance carriers or, where they possess authority to provide such service, the underlying incumbent local exchange carriers in the relevant regions. TCN states that it sent customers a letter notifying them of its intent to discontinue service. A copy of that letter is attached to the application. TCN’s application states 1 47 U. S. C. § 214( a). See also 47 C. F. R. § 63.71. News media information 202 / 418- 0500 Fax- On- Demand 202 / 418- 2830 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov TTY 202 / 418- 2555 1 2 that it will provide customers with a toll- free customer assistance number for purposes of addressing any questions or concerns that may arise during the discontinuance of service transition period. In accordance with 47 C. F. R. § 63.71( c), the application will be deemed 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 Commission 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 would be otherwise adversely affected. This proceeding is considered a “permit but disclose” proceeding for purposes of the Commission's ex parte rules. 2 Pursuant to sections 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's rules, 3 interested parties may file comments on or before October 21, 2002. Such comments should refer to Comp. Pol. File No. 607. Comments should include specific information about the impact of this proposed discontinuance on the commenter, including any inability to acquire reasonable substitute service. The original and four (4) copies of the 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 Competition Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12 th Street, SW, Room 6- A207, Washington, DC 20554, Attention: Carmell Weathers. In addition, Comments should be served upon Applicant. Commenters are also requested to fax their comments to the FCC at (202) 418- 2345, Attention: Carmell Weathers. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first- class or overnight U. S. Postal Service mail (although we continue to experience delays in receiving U. S. Postal Service mail). The Commission's contractor, Vistronix, Inc., will receive hand- delivered or messenger- delivered paper filings for the Commission's Secretary at 236 Massachusetts Avenue, N. E., Suite 110, Washington, D. C. 20002. The filing hours at this location are 8: 00 a. m. to 7: 00 p. m. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes must be disposed of before entering the building. Commercial overnight mail (other than U. S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. U. S. Postal Service first- class mail, Express Mail, and Priority Mail should be addressed to 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, D. C. 20554. All filings must be addressed to the Commission's Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. 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. 2 See generally 47 C. F. R. §§ 1.1200 - 1.1216. 3 47 C. F. R. §§ 1.415, 1.419. 2 3 For further information, contact Carmell Weathers, (202) 418- 2325 (voice), cweather@ fcc. gov, or John Adams (202) 418- 0394 (voice), jkadams@ fcc. gov , of the Competition Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau. The TTY number is (202) 418- 0484. For further information on procedures regarding Section 214 please visit http:// www. fcc. gov/ wcb/ cpd/ other_ adjud. -FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION- 3