*Pages 1--3 from Microsoft Word - 34727* PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Fax- On- Demand 202 / 418- 2830 TTY 202 / 418- 2555 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov ftp. fcc. gov DA 04- 27 WIRELINE COMPETITION BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON SPRINT CORPORATION’S PETITION FOR DESIGNATION AS AN ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIER IN NORTH CAROLINA PLEADING CYCLE ESTABLISHED CC Docket No. 96- 45 Release Date: January 8, 2004 Comment Date: 10 days from publication in the Federal Register Reply Comment Date: 24 days from publication in the Federal Register In this Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on the November 5, 2003, petition filed by Sprint Corporation (Sprint), on behalf of its Wireless Division, under section 214( e)( 6) of the of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, seeking designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) in the portions of its licensed service area in North Carolina served by non- rural incumbent local exchange carriers. 1 Specifically, Sprint contends that: (1) the North Carolina Utilities Commission (North Carolina Commission) has provided an affirmative statement that it does not regulate commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) carriers; 2 (2) Sprint satisfies all the statutory and regulatory prerequisites for ETC designation; 3 and (3) designating Sprint as an ETC will serve the public interest. 4 We note that Sprint must provide a copy of its petition to the North Carolina Commission. The Commission will also send a copy of this Public Notice to the North Carolina 1 See Application of Sprint Corporation for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in the State of North Carolina, filed November 5, 2003 (Sprint Petition); 47 U. S. C. § 214( e)( 6). Sprint seeks ETC designation in partial and complete wire centers served by BellSouth Telecommunications Incorporated, Verizon South, Inc., and North State Telephone Company. See Sprint Petition at 1, 9- 10, Exhibit B, Exhibit C. 2 See Sprint Petition at 3- 4; Exhibit D, In the Matter of Designation of Carriers Eligible for Universal Carrier Support, Order, Docket No. P- 100, Sub 133c, at 2 (N. C. Util. Comm’n June. 24, 2003); In the Matter of Designation of Carriers Eligible for Universal Carrier Support, Order, Docket No. P- 100, Sub 133c, at 2 (N. C. Util. Comm’n (Aug. 28, 2003). 3 See Sprint Petition at 4- 9. 4 See id. at 10- 12. 1 2 Commission by overnight express mail to ensure that the North Carolina Commission is notified of the notice and comment period. Pursuant to sections 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C. F. R. §§ 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments as follows: comments are due 10 days after publication of the Public Notice in the Federal Register and reply comments are due 24 days after publication of the Public Notice in the Federal Register. Comments may be filed using the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) or by filing paper copies. 5 Comments filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to . Generally, only one copy of an electronic submission must be filed. If multiple docket or rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of this proceeding, however, commenters must transmit one electronic copy of the comments to each docket or rulemaking number referenced in the caption. In completing the transmittal screen, commenters should include their full name, U. S. Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking number. Parties may also submit an electronic comment by Internet e- mail. To get fling instructions for e- mail comments, commenters should send an e-mail to , and should include the following words in the body of the message, “get form .” A sample form and directions will be sent in reply. Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and four copies of each filing. If more than one docket or rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding, commenters must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or rulemaking number. 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 then 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 12 th Street, SW, Washington, D. C. 20554. All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Marlene H. Dortch, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. Parties also must send three paper copies of their filing to Sheryl Todd, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12 th Street, S. W., Room 5- B540, Washington, D. C. 20554. In addition, commenters must send diskette copies to the Commission’s copy contractor, Qualex International, Portals II, 445 12 th Street, S. W., Room CY- B402, Washington, D. C. 20054. Pursuant to section 1.1206 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C. F. R. § 1.1206, this proceeding will be conducted as a permit- but- disclose proceeding in which ex parte communications are permitted subject to disclosure. 5 See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 Fed. Reg. 24121 (1998). 2 3 For further information, contact Thomas Buckley, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau at (202) 418- 7400, TTY (202) 418- 0484. 3