*Pages 1--1 from Microsoft Word - 56445.doc* PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 445 TWELFTH STREET, S. W. WASHINGTON, D. C. 20554 DA 06- 858 News media information 202/ 418- 0500 Fax- On- Demand 202/ 418- 2830 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov ftp. fcc. gov Released: April 17, 2006 SECTION 272 SUNSETS FOR QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC. IN THE STATES OF NEW MEXICO, OREGON, AND SOUTH DAKOTA BY OPERATION OF LAW ON APRIL 15, 2006 PURSUANT TO SECTION 272( f)( 1) WC Docket No. 03- 11 The provisions of section 272 (other than section 272( e)) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Act), applicable to Bell Operating Company (BOC) provision of in- region, interLATA telecommunications services sunset for the operations of Qwest Communications International Inc. (Qwest) in the states of New Mexico, Oregon, and South Dakota by operation of law as provided in section 272( f)( 1), effective April 15, 2006. Section 272 of the Act requires BOCs to provide in- region, interLATA telecommunications services through separate corporate affiliates, subject to certain safeguards. 47 U. S. C. § 272( a)( 2). Section 272( f)( 1) provides that the provisions in section 272 (other than section 272( e)) expire three years after a BOC or BOC affiliate is authorized under section 271 to provide in- region, interLATA services, unless the Commission extends such 3- year period by rule or order. 47 U. S. C. § 272( f)( 1). The Commission granted Qwest section 271 authorization for the provision of in- region, interLATA services in the states of New Mexico, Oregon, and South Dakota in an order released on April 15, 2003. 1 Pursuant to section 272( f)( 1), the provisions of section 272 (other than section 272( e)) sunset by operation of law for Qwest in the states of New Mexico, Oregon, and South Dakota effective April 15, 2006. 2 For further information, please contact Cecilia Seppings, Competition Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, at (202) 418- 1580. – FCC – 1 See Application by Qwest Communications International Inc. for Authority to Provide In- Region, InterLATA Services in New Mexico, Oregon, and South Dakota, WC Docket No. 03- 11, Memorandum Opinion and Order, 18 FCC Rcd. 7325 (2003). 2 See Section 272( f)( 1) Sunset of the BOC Separate Affiliate and Related Requirements, WC Docket No. 02- 112, Memorandum Opinion and Order, 17 FCC Rcd 26869 (2002) (finding that section 272( f)( 1) is best interpreted as providing for a state- by- state sunset). 1