*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 23495.doc* PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th St., S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov TTY: 1- 888- 835- 5322 DA 02- 3350 Released: December 5, 2002 WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU GRANTS APPLICATIONS FOR ASSIGNMENT OF LICENSES TO WORLDCOM, INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES AS DEBTORS IN POSSESSION On July 21, 2002, WorldCom, Inc. (WorldCom) and several of its U. S. subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U. S. Bankruptcy Code. 1 WorldCom subsequently filed applications and notifications pursuant to sections 214 and 310( d) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (Act), 47 U. S. C. §§ 214, 310( d), seeking the Commission’s approval of the involuntary pro forma assignment of Commission licenses and authorizations held by WorldCom and its various subsidiaries to WorldCom and those subsidiaries as debtors in possession. 2 Pursuant to Section 310( d) of the Act, and section 0.331 of the Commission’s Rules, 3 the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (Bureau) has determined that grant of these applications will serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity. We deny the Informal Objection filed by the Office of Communication of the United Church of Christ, Inc. (UCC). 4 The assignment before us results merely in a change in the status in which the licensee holds its licenses – from WorldCom to WorldCom as Debtor- in- Possession. UCC acknowledges that “the proposed transfer is but a mere formality – a shuffling of papers – that involves no real change of control or responsibility.” 5 In addition, as the licensee is receiving no compensation as a result of the assignment, no deterrence interest would be served by denying the application. Also, the public will not be prejudiced by the change in the status of the licensee. For these reasons, this assignment application does not raise public interest concerns warranting a hearing. This denial 1 In re WorldCom, Inc., Case No. 02- 13533 (Bankr. S. D. NY). 2 Applications pertaining to involuntary license transfers and assignments generally must be submitted within a prescribed period, typically thirty days, following the event causing the involuntary assignment or transfer, e. g., the filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, in contrast to applications for voluntary transfers and assignments, which generally must be submitted and approved prior to consummation of the transaction. See, e. g., 47 C. F. R. § 1.948( c). 3 47 C. F. R. § 0.331. 4 Informal Objection to Assignment Applications, filed by the Office of Communication of the United Church of Christ, Inc. on October 15, 2002 (Informal Objection). 5 Informal Objection at 33. 1 2 is without prejudice to UCC's right to raise its objections in a more appropriate procedural context. The Bureau hereby grants the following WorldCom applications regarding the Wireless Radio Services, Multipoint Distribution Service and Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service licenses: 6 File Number Assignor Lead Call Sign 0000995974 MCI WorldCom Network Services, Inc. KNNH207 0000996769 Intermedia Communications, Inc. WHB565 0000998447 Intermedia Services LLC KTF96 0000999185 WorldCom Broadband Solutions, Inc. WPNE663 0000999425 SkyTel Communications, Inc. WPQP209 0000999137 SkyTel Corp. KNKV215 0000999015 networkMCI, Inc. WPKY899 0000999049 Express Communications, Inc. KA68598 0001001637 MCI WORLDCOM Communications, Inc. WPRW684 0001001655 MCI WORLDCOM Communications, Inc. WPRX963 0001001683 MCI WORLDCOM Communications, Inc. WPNU610 BALMD20020820AAA Intermedia Services, LLC KFK28 BALMD20020820AAB CS Wireless Systems, Inc. B303 BALMD20020820AAC WorldCom Broadband Solutions, Inc. KNSC488 BALMD20020820AAD WorldCom Broadband Solutions, Inc. KNSC529 BALMD20020820AAE WorldCom Broadband Solutions, Inc. KNSE426 PROCEDURAL MATTERS Pursuant to section 1.103 of the Commission’s Rules, 7 the consent granted herein is effective upon release of this Public Notice. Pursuant to sections 1.106( f) and 1.115( a) of the Commission’s Rules, 8 petitions for reconsideration and applications for review may be filed within thirty days of the release of this Public Notice. For further information, contact Jeffrey Tobias, Policy and Rules Branch, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, at (202) 418- 1617. Action by Deputy Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. 6 Consent to these applications is conditioned on and subject to the disposition of any and all matters raised in connection with WC Docket No. 02- 215 and any related administrative and judicial proceedings. In addition, we note that other applications to assign Commission licenses or authorizations from WorldCom or its subsidiaries to themselves as debtors in possession remain pending in other Bureaus of the Commission. Our action herein is not intended to prejudge or otherwise affect the processing and disposition of any filings that are outside the jurisdiction of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. 7 47 C. F. R. § 1.103. 8 47 C. F. R. §§ 1.106( f), 1.115( a). 2