*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 44795.doc* 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- 3948 THE WIRELINE COMPETITION BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON APPEAL OF NEW FLORENCE TELEPHONE COMPANY CONCERNING A DECISION OF THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR TO SUSPEND ITS HIGH- COST UNIVERSAL SERVICE PAYMENTS CC Docket No. 96- 45 Release Date: December 17, 2004 Comment Date: January 7, 2005 Reply Comment Date: January 18, 2005 The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on an appeal filed by New Florence Telephone Company (New Florence), pursuant to sections 54.719( c) and 54.720( a) of the Commission’s rules, of a November 5, 2004 decision issued by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) that suspends and withholds high- cost support payments to New Florence. 1 Among other things, New Florence contends that suspension of high- cost support violates its due process and property rights, and restricts the ability of New Florence to provide telecommunications service to its customers. 2 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 on or before January 7, 2005, and reply comments on or before January 18, 2005. Comments may be filed using the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) or by filing paper copies. 3 Comments filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to http:// www. fcc. gov/ cgb/ ecfs/. 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 1 See Letter from Michael K. Kurtis, Counsel for New Florence Telephone Company, to Jeffrey J. Carlisle, Federal Communications Commission, filed Dec. 1, 2004 (Request for Review); Letter from Irene M. Flannery, Universal Service Administrative Company, to Robert Williams, New Florence Telephone Company, dated November 5, 2004; 47 C. F. R. §§ 54.719( c) & 54.720( a). 2 See Request for Review at 3- 6. 3 See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 Fed. Reg. 24121 (1998). 1 2 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 filing instructions for e- mail comments, commenters should send an e- mail to ecfs@ fcc. gov, 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, Natek, 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. 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. For further information, contact Thomas Buckley, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau at (202) 418- 7400, TTY (202) 418- 0484. 2