*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 35542* Federal Communications Commission DA 04- 324 Before the Federal Communications Commission Washington, D. C. 20554 In the Matter of Petition of WorldCom, Inc. Pursuant to Section 252( e)( 5) of the Communications Act for Preemption of the Jurisdiction of the Virginia State Corporation Commission Regarding Interconnection Disputes with Verizon Virginia Inc., and for Expedited Arbitration Petition of AT& T Communications of Virginia Inc., Pursuant to Section 252( e)( 5) of the Communications Act for Preemption of the Jurisdiction of the Virginia Corporation Commission Regarding Interconnection Disputes With Verizon Virginia Inc. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) CC Docket No. 00- 218 CC Docket No. 00- 251 ORDER Adopted: February 6, 2003 Released: February 9, 2003 By the Chief, Pricing Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau: I. INTRODUCTION 1. On January 29, 2004, the Wireline Competition Bureau released a Memorandum Opinion and Order in the above- captioned matters that set forth the rates that Verizon Virginia, Inc. (Verizon) may charge AT& T Communications of Virginia, Inc. (AT& T) and WorldCom, Inc. (WorldCom) for access to unbundled network elements, interconnection, and resale. 1 These rates became effective upon the release of the order on January 29, 2004. 2 The Virginia Arbitration Compliance Order further required that Verizon and AT& T, and Verizon and WorldCom, amend their respective interconnection agreements to incorporate the rates set forth therein by February 9, 2004. 3 2. On February 5, 2004, Verizon submitted a motion for an extension of time, requesting an additional 30 days (until March 10, 2004) for the parties to file their interconnection agreement 1 Petition of WorldCom, Inc. Pursuant to Section 252( e)( 5) of the Communications Act for Preemption of the Jurisdiction of the Virginia State Corporation Commission Regarding Interconnection Disputes with Verizon Virginia Inc., and for Expedited Arbitration, CC Docket Nos. 00- 218, 00- 251, Memorandum Opinion and Order, DA 04- 181 (WCB rel. Jan. 29, 2004) (Virginia Arbitration Compliance Order), as corrected by Petition of WorldCom, Inc. Pursuant to Section 252( e)( 5) of the Communications Act for Preemption of the Jurisdiction of the Virginia State Corporation Commission Regarding Interconnection Disputes with Verizon Virginia Inc., and for Expedited Arbitration, CC Docket Nos. 00- 218, 00- 251, Erratum, DA 04- 281 (WCB rel. Feb. 5, 2004). 2 Virginia Arbitration Compliance Order, at para. 42. Switching rates became effective as of August 1, 2002. Id. 3 Id. at paras. 41, 45- 46; see also 47 C. F. R. § 1. 4. 1 Federal Communications Commission DA 04- 324 2 amendments. 4 Verizon claims that this extension is necessary for the parties to “determine, and agree on, how to apply the ordered rates in the context of the rate structures and other terms in their agreements and whether those related terms themselves require some changes.” 5 Verizon states that it is not seeking to alter the effective dates of the ordered rates. 6 Finally, Verizon indicates that AT& T and WorldCom both “consent to the relief sought in [Verizon’s] motion.” 7 II. DISCUSSION 3. Verizon’s Motion for an extension of time until March 10, 2004 for the parties to submit amendments to their interconnection agreements to incorporate the rates ordered in the Virginia Arbitration Compliance Order is granted. It is the policy of the Commission that extensions of time are not routinely granted. 8 We find, however, that there is good cause to extend the due date for filing interconnection agreement amendments. Verizon explains that ten days is not sufficient time for the parties to analyze the rates set forth in the Virginia Arbitration Compliance Order and to agree upon the amendments necessary to incorporate those rates. Further, Verizon confirms that, if granted a brief extension of time, “[ t] he parties will . . . submit the resulting amendments . . . by March 10, 2004.” 9 Finally, because neither AT& T nor WorldCom opposes the Motion, granting the extension will not prejudice any party. 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, and 1.46 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C. F. R. §§ 0. 91, 0.291, 1.46, the request for an extension of time filed by Verizon Virginia, Inc. IS GRANTED. By Order of the Pricing Policy Division, __________________________ Tamara L. Preiss Chief, Pricing Policy Division Wireline Competition Bureau 4 Petition of WorldCom, Inc. Pursuant to Section 252( e)( 5) of the Communications Act for Preemption of the Jurisdiction of the Virginia State Corporation Commission Regarding Interconnection Disputes with Verizon Virginia Inc., and for Expedited Arbitration, CC Docket Nos. 00- 218, 00- 251, Verizon Virginia Inc. ’s Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to File Amendments to Interconnection Agreements at 1- 2 (filed Feb. 5, 2004) (Motion). 5 Id. at 2. 6 Id. 7 Id. 8 47 C. F. R. § 1.46( a) 9 Motion at 2 (emphasis added). 2