*Pages 1--3 from Microsoft Word - 16567* Federal Communications Commission DA 02- 783 Before the Federal Communications Commission Washington, D. C. 20554 In the Matter of Federal- State Joint Board on Universal Service 1998 Biennial Regulatory Review – Streamlined Contributor Reporting Requirements Associated with Administration of Telecommunications Relay Service, North American Numbering Plan, Local Number Portability, and Universal Service Support Mechanisms Telecommunications Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 Administration of the North American Numbering Plan and North American Numbering Plan Cost Recovery Contribution Factor and Fund Size Number Resource Optimization Telephone Number Portability Truth- in- Billing and Billing Format ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) CC Docket No. 96- 45 CC Docket No. 98- 171 CC Docket No. 90- 571 CC Docket No. 92- 237 NSD File No. L- 00- 72 CC Docket No. 99- 200 CC Docket No. 95- 116 CC Docket No. 98- 170 ORDER Adopted: April 8, 2002 Released: April 8, 2002 By the Deputy Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau: Revised Filing Dates: Comments Due: April 22, 2002 Reply Comments Due: May 13, 2002 1 Federal Communications Commission DA 02- 783 2 1. In May 2001, the Commission began a proceeding to revisit its universal service contribution methodology. 1 Seeking to further develop the record regarding various proposals submitted in response to the 2001 Notice, on February 26, 2002, the Commission released a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Report and Order. 2 The Further Notice stated that interested parties could file comments 30 days after Federal Register publication of the Further Notice and reply comments 45 days after such publication. Thirty days after Federal Register publication of the Further Notice is April 12, 2002, and 45 days after Federal Register publication is April 29, 2002. 3 On April 2, 2002, Verizon telephone companies (Verizon) filed a petition to extend the deadlines for filing comments and reply comments in this proceeding to May 3, 2002, and June 3, 2002, respectively. 4 Specifically, Verizon requests an extension of time in order to give the parties additional time to consider and evaluate the complex issues involved in this proceeding, and to align the due dates with the comment period in the related Wireline Broadband NPRM. 5 2. We hereby grant in part and deny in part Verizon’s request for extension of time to file comments and reply comments. It is the policy of the Commission that extensions of time 1 See Federal- State Joint Board on Universal Service, 1998 Biennial Regulatory Review – Streamlined Contributor Reporting Requirements Associated with Administration of Telecommunications Relay Service, North American Numbering Plan, Local Number Portability, and Universal Service Support Mechanisms, Telecommunications Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, Administration of the North American Numbering Plan and North American Numbering Plan Cost Recovery Contribution Factor and Fund Size, Number Resource Optimization, Telephone Number Portability, CC Docket Nos. 96- 45, 98- 171, 90- 571, 92- 237, 99- 200, 95- 116, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 16 FCC Rcd 9892 (2001) (2001 Notice). 2 See Federal- State Joint Board on Universal Service, 1998 Biennial Regulatory Review – Streamlined Contributor Reporting Requirements Associated with Administration of Telecommunications Relay Service, North American Numbering Plan, Local Number Portability, and Universal Service Support Mechanisms, Telecommunications Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, Administration of the North American Numbering Plan and North American Numbering Plan Cost Recovery Contribution Factor and Fund Size, Number Resource Optimization, Telephone Number Portability, Truth- in-Billing and Billing Format, CC Docket Nos. 96- 45, 98- 171, 90- 571, 92- 237, 99- 200, 95- 116, 98- 170, Universal Service Contribution Methodology, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Report and Order, FCC 02- 43 (rel. February 26, 2002) (Further Notice). 3 67 Fed Reg. 11268 (March 13, 2002). 4 Federal- State Joint Board on Universal Service, 1998 Biennial Regulatory Review – Streamlined Contributor Reporting Requirements Associated with Administration of Telecommunications Relay Service, North American Numbering Plan, Local Number Portability, and Universal Service Support Mechanisms, Telecommunications Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, Administration of the North American Numbering Plan and North American Numbering Plan Cost Recovery Contribution Factor and Fund Size, Number Resource Optimization, Telephone Number Portability, Truth- in-Billing and Billing Format, CC Docket Nos. 96- 45, 98- 171, 90- 571, 92- 237, 99- 200, 95- 116, 98- 170, Request for Extension of Comment Period (filed April 2, 2002). The Verizon telephone companies are the local exchange carriers affiliated with Verizon Communications, Inc., as listed in Appendix A of Verizon’s request. Id., Appendix A. 5 See Appropriate Framework for Broadband Access to the Internet over Wireline Facilities, Universal Service Obligations of Broadband Providers, Computer III Further Remand Proceedings: Bell Operating Company Provision of Enhanced Services; 1998 Biennial Regulatory Review – Review of Computer III and ONA Safeguards and Requirements, CC Docket Nos. 02- 33, 95- 20, 98- 10, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 02- 42 (rel. Feb. 15, 2002) (Wireline Broadband NPRM). 2 Federal Communications Commission DA 02- 783 3 are not routinely granted. 6 Although we find that there is good cause for some additional amount of time in light of the complexity of the issues, we are not persuaded to extend the due dates such that they match the dates set in the Wireline Broadband NPRM. Accordingly we grant a more limited extension than requested by Verizon. Parties may file comments by April 22, 2002 and reply comments by May 13, 2002. This will enable commenters additional time to develop the record without unduly delaying the proceeding. This matter shall continue to be treated as a “permit- but- disclose” proceeding in accordance with the Commission’s ex parte rules. 7 All other requirements discussed in the Further Notice remain in effect. 3. For further information, please contact Sheryl Todd, Wireline Competition Bureau, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, 202- 418- 7400. 4. ACCORDINGLY, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to sections 4( i), 4( j), and 5( c) of the Communications Act, 47 U. S. C. §§ 154( i), 154( j), 155( c), and sections 0.91, 0.291, 1.46 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C. F. R. §§ 0.91, 0.291, 1.46, the request for extension of time filed by Verizon IS GRANTED as modified herein. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Carol E. Mattey Deputy Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau 6 47 C. F. R. § 1.46( a). 7 47 C. F. R. § 1.1206. 3