*Pages 1--3 from Microsoft Word - 52335.doc* 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 05- 2711 THE WIRELINE COMPETITION BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON PETITION TO REDEFINE CERTAIN SERVICE AREAS OF RURAL TELEPHONE COMPANIES IN THE STATE OF IOWA CC Docket No. 96- 45 Released Date: October 14, 2005 Comment Date: October 28, 2005 Reply Comment Date: November 14, 2005 The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by RSA 7 Limited Partnership, Iowa 8 – Monona Limited Partnership, and Iowa RSA 10 General Partnership (collectively, the RSA 7 Companies) pursuant to section 54.207 of the Federal Communications Commission’s rules, requesting the Commission’s agreement with the decisions of the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) specifying the service areas of the RSA 7 Companies. 1 Section 54.207 of the Commission’s rules, which implements section 214( e)( 5) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, provides that a rural incumbent local exchange company’s service area will be its study area “unless and until the Commission and the states, after taking into account the recommendations of a Federal- State Joint Board instituted under section 410( c), establish a different definition of service area for such company.” 2 In each order designating a wireless telecommunications carrier as an eligible telecommunications carrier, the IUB specifies that the “service area” of the wireless telecommunications carrier, for universal service purposes, is “the area where [the wireless telecommunications carrier] is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to provide service.” 3 1 Petition of RSA 7 Limited Partnership, Iowa 8 – Monona Limited Partnership, and Iowa RSA 10 General Partnership, CC Docket 96- 45, filed Sept. 30, 2005 (Petition). 2 47 C. F. R. § 54.207( b); see also 47 U. S. C. § 214( e)( 5). 3 See Petition at Exhibits 1- 3; see also 199 IAC 39. 2( 5)( c); Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Designation for Wireless Carriers, Order Adopting Rule, Docket No. RMU- 03- 13 (IUB 2004). 1 2 This is the Public Notice required by section 54. 207( c)( 2) of the Commission’s rules. 4 If the Commission initiates a proceeding to consider the Petition, it must do so by January 12, 2006, pursuant to our rules. 5 If the Commission does not act on the Petition by January 12, 2006, the definition proposed by the IUB will be deemed approved by the Commission and shall take effect in accordance with state procedures. 6 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 October 28, 2005, and reply comments on or before November 14, 2005. All pleadings are to reference CC Docket No. 96- 45. Comments may be filed by using the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) or by using paper copies. 7 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 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, S. W., Washington, D. C. 20554. 4 47 C. F. R. § 54.207( c)( 2). 5 47 C. F. R. § 54.207( c)( 3). 6 See 47 C. F. R. § 54. 207( c)( 3)( ii). The Commission delegated its authority to act on petitions to redefine rural service areas to the Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau. 47 C. F. R. § 54. 207( e). 7 See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 Fed. Reg. 24121 (1998). 2 3 -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 Amy Bender, Office of the Bureau Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau at (202) 418- 1500, TTY (202) 418- 0484. 3