*Pages 1--3 from Microsoft Word - 34783* 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 04- 40 January 9, 2004 NATIONAL EXCHANGE CARRIER ASSOCIATION, INC. 'S PROPOSED 2004 MODIFICATION OF AVERAGE SCHEDULE FORMULAS PLEADING CYCLE ESTABLISHED WC Docket No. 03- 261 Comments Due: January 30, 2004 Reply Comments Due: February 11, 2004 On December 29, 2003, the National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc. (NECA) filed with the Commission its proposed modification of average schedule formulas for interstate traffic- sensitive and common line settlements, pursuant to section 69.606 of the Commission’s rules. 1 In its filing, NECA proposes to revise the formulas for average schedule interstate settlement disbursements in connection with the provision of interstate access services for the period beginning July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005. Modifications to the average schedule formulas are based on a statistical sampling of the costs and demand of comparable cost companies. In its filing, NECA estimates that carriers can expect, on average, an overall settlement decrease of 1.42 percent as a result of the new formulas; however, any individual impact on an average schedule company will depend on its size and demand characteristics. While NECA projects that the majority of companies’ settlements will decrease by ten percent or less, it anticipates that eight study areas will experience a decrease in settlements greater than ten percent. NECA also predicts that approximately ten percent of the 489 average schedule study areas will experience an overall increase in interstate settlements. Pursuant to sections 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's rules, 2 interested parties may file comments on or before January 30, 2004, and reply comments on or before February 11, 2004. All responsive filings must reference the docket number of this proceeding, WC 1 47 C. F. R. § 69. 606. 2 47 C. F. R. §§ 1. 415, 1. 419. 1 2 Docket No. 03- 261. Comments and reply 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 . Generally, only one copy of an electronic submission must be filed. If multiple docket or rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of a 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 filing 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 appear in the caption of a 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 and the Commission advises that electronic media NOT be sent through the U. S. Postal Service). 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, DC 20554. All filings must be addressed to the Commission's Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. Parties are strongly encouraged to file comments electronically using the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS). Regardless of whether parties choose to file electronically or by paper, parties also should send two (2) copies of the comments and reply comments to Chief, Pricing Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12 th Street, SW, Room 5- A221, Washington, DC 20554. Parties shall also provide one copy with Commission’s duplicating contractor, Qualex International, Portals II, 445 12 th Street, SW, Room CY- B402, Washington, DC 20554, telephone (202) 863- 2893, facsimile (202) 863- 2898, or via e- mail to . 3 See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 Fed. Reg. 24121 (1998). 2 3 Parties are also requested to send a courtesy copy of their comments via email to . All documents filed in this proceeding will be available for public inspection during regular business hours in the Commission’s Reference Information Center, 445 12 th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554, and will be placed on the Commission’s Internet site. This matter shall be treated as a “permit- but- disclose” proceeding in accordance with the Commission’s ex parte rules. 4 Persons making oral ex parte presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentations must contain summaries of the substance of the presentations and not merely a listing of the subjects discussed. More than a one or two sentence description of the views and arguments presented generally is required. 5 Other rules pertaining to oral and written ex parte presentations in permit- but- disclose proceedings are set forth in section 1.1206( b) of the Commission’s rules. 6 For further information, contact Douglas Slotten of the Pricing Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau at (202) 418- 1572. - FCC - 4 47 C. F. R. §§ 1.1200, 1. 1206. 5 47 C. F. R. § 1. 1206( b). 6 47 C. F. R. § 1. 1206( b). 3