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 07-2066 WIRELINE COMPETITION BUREAU INITIATES PROCEEDING TO CONSIDER A PETITION TO REDEFINE CERTAIN RURAL TELEPHONE COMPANY SERVICE AREAS IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA CC Docket No. 96-45 Release Date: May 14, 2007 Comment Date: June 13, 2007 Reply Comment Date: June 28, 2007 The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) provides notice that it is initiating a proceeding to consider a petition filed by Dobson Cellular Systems, Inc. (Dobson) and American Cellular Corporation (ACC)1 pursuant to section 54.207 of the Commission’s rules.2 Dobson and ACC request the Commission’s agreement with a decision by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to redefine the service area of certain rural telephone companies in Oklahoma. The Bureau released a Public Notice seeking comments on Dobson and ACC’s petition on February 12, 2007.3 Pursuant to section 54.207(c)(3) of the Commission’s rules, the Bureau has 90 days from the release date of a Public Notice to initiate a proceeding to consider petitions to redefine the service areas of rural telephone companies.4 This notice constitutes initiation of that proceeding for Dobson and ACC’s petition. Interested parties may file comments on or before June 13, 2007, and reply comments on or before June 28, 2007. All pleadings are to reference CC Docket No. 96-45. Comments may be filed 1 See Dobson Cellular Systems, Inc. and American Cellular Corporation Petition for Agreement with Redefinition of the Service Areas of Certain Rural Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers in the State of Oklahoma, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed Jan. 29, 2007). 2 47 C.F.R. § 54.207. 3 The Wireline Competition Bureau Seeks Comment on a Petition by Dobson Cellular Systems, Inc. and American Cellular Corporation to Redefine the Service Area of Certain Rural Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers in the State of Oklahoma, CC Docket No. 96-45, Public Notice, DA 07-642 (Wireline Comp. Bur. rel. Feb. 12, 2007). 4 47 C.F.R. § 54.207(c)(3). If the Commission does not initiate a proceeding within 90 days of the release of the Public Notice, the definitions proposed by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission will be deemed approved by the Commission and would take effect in accordance with state procedures. 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 Wireline Competition Bureau. 47 C.F.R. § 54.207(e). 2 using the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS), or by filing paper copies.5 § Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the ECFS: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/. Filers should follow the instructions provided on the website for submitting comments. § For ECFS filers, if multiple docket or rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of this proceeding, filers must transmit one electronic copy of the comments for each docket or rulemaking number referenced in the caption. In completing the transmittal screen, filers 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, filers should send an e-mail to ecfs@fcc.gov, and include the following words in the body of the message, “get form.” A sample form and directions will be sent in response. § Paper Filers: 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, filers 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). All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. The Commission’s contractor 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, Express, and Priority mail should be addressed to 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington D.C. 20554. People with Disabilities: To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 (tty). In addition, one copy of each pleading must be sent to each of the following: (1) The Commission’s duplicating contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., 445 12th Street, S.W., Room CY-B402, Washington, D.C. 20554, www.bcpiweb.com; phone: (202) 488-5300 fax: (202) 488- 5563; (2) Jennifer McKee, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room 5-B550, Washington, D.C. 20554; e-mail: Jennifer.McKee@fcc.gov; and 5 See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, CC Docket No. 97-113, Report and Order, 13 FCC Rcd 11322 (1998). 3 (3) David Duarte, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room 5B-441, Washington, D.C. 20554; e-mail: David.Duarte@fcc.gov. Filings and comments are also available for public inspection and copying during regular business hours at the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room CY- A257, Washington, D.C. 20554. They may also be purchased from the Commission’s duplicating contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., Portals II, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room CYB402, Washington, D.C. 20554, telephone: (202) 488-5300, fax: (202) 488-5563, or via e-mail www.bcpiweb.com. This matter shall be treated as a “permit-but-disclose” proceeding in accordance with the Commission’s ex parte rules.6 Persons making oral ex parte presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentations must contain summaries of the substance of the presentation 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.7 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.8 For further information, please contact Jennifer McKee, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau at (202) 418-7400 or TTY (202) 418-0484. - FCC - 647 C.F.R. §§ 1.1200 et seq. 7See 47 C.F.R. § 1.1206(b)(2). 847 C.F.R. § 1.1206(b).