PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, 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 07-2627 June 14, 2007 COMMENTS INVITED ON APPLICATION OF COMCAST PHONE OF CONNECTICUT, INC., D/B/A COMCAST DIGITAL PHONE, TO DISCONTINUE DOMESTIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES WC Docket No. 07-112 Comp. Pol. File No. 798 Comments Due: June 29, 2007 Section 214 Application Applicant: Comcast Phone of Connecticut, Inc., d/b/a Comcast Digital Phone On May 21, 2007, Comcast Phone of Connecticut, Inc., d/b/a Comcast Digital Phone (Comcast or Applicant), located at 1500 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) requesting authority, under section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. § 214, and section 63.71 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. § 63.71, to discontinue the provision of certain domestic telecommunications services in south-central Connecticut. By an amendment filed June 12, 2007, Comcast corrected certain deficiencies in its initial application and updated the record regarding notice to customers. Accordingly, Comcast’s application is deemed complete as of June 12, 2007. Comcast indicates that it currently provides local exchange, interexchange, and international telephone services throughout Connecticut. Comcast states, however, that it now intends to discontinue its provision of these services to approximately 370 residential customers in Branford, North Branford, North Haven, East Haven, and Wallingford, Connecticut.1 According to Comcast, the anticipated date for the proposed discontinuance is July 15, 2007, or as soon thereafter as the necessary state and federal approvals can be obtained. Comcast explains that the July 15, 2007 disconnection will be a “soft disconnect” only because end-user customers in the affected locations will continue to be able to call emergency services as well as the Comcast Phone call center until August 15, 2007. Comcast also states that it will assist affected customers during their transition to new carriers, and that customers located elsewhere in Connecticut will not be affected. Comcast indicates that it informed all affected customers of the proposed discontinuance by letters mailed on or before May 15, 2007, and that it provided notice in accordance with section 63.71 of the Commission’s rules by letters sent on June 8, 2007. Finally, Comcast asserts that it is non-dominant with respect to the services it proposes to discontinue. 1 Discontinuance of international service is governed by 47 C.F.R. § 63.19. 2 In accordance with section 63.71(c) of the Commission’s rules, Comcast’s application will be deemed to be granted automatically on the thirty-first (31st) day after the release date of this public notice, unless the Commission notifies Comcast that the grant will not be automatically effective. In Comcast’s application and notice to its customers, Comcast indicates that it anticipates discontinuing service on or after July 15, 2007. Accordingly, pursuant to section 63.71(c) and the terms of Comcast’s application and notice, absent further Commission action, Comcast may terminate service in Branford, North Branford, North Haven, East Haven, and Wallingford, Connecticut on July 15, 2007. The Commission normally will authorize proposed discontinuances of service unless it is shown that customers or other end users would be unable to receive service or a reasonable substitute from another carrier, or that the public convenience and necessity would be otherwise adversely affected. This proceeding is considered a “permit but disclose” proceeding for purposes of the Commission’s ex parte rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.1200-1.1216. Comments objecting to this application must be filed with the Commission on or before June 29, 2007. Such comments should refer to WC Docket No. 07-112 and Comp. Pol. File No. 798. Comments should include specific information about the impact of this proposed discontinuance on the commenter, including any inability to acquire reasonable substitute service. Comments may be filed using the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) or by filing paper copies. See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (1998). Comments filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/. Filers should follow the instructions provided on the website for submitting comments. Generally, only one copy of an electronic submission must be filed. 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 for e-mail comments, 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. Parties who choose to file by paper must send an original and four (4) copies of the comments to the Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room TW- A325, Washington, D.C. 20554. 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 mail, Express, and Priority mail should be addressed to 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. Two (2) copies of the comments should also be sent to the Competition Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room 5-C327, Washington, D.C. 20554, Attention: Carmell Weathers. In addition, comments should be served upon the Applicant. Commenters are also requested to fax their comments to the FCC at (202) 418-2345, Attention: Carmell Weathers. 3 The application will be available for public inspection and copying during regular business hours at the FCC Reference Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room CY-A257, Washington, D.C. 20554, (202) 418-0270. A copy of the application may also be purchased from the Commission’s duplicating contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., 445 12th Street, S.W., Room CY-B402, Washington, D.C. 20554, telephone (202) 488-5300, facsimile (202) 488-5563, or via e-mail at FCC@BCPIWEB.COM. 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). For further information, contact Carmell Weathers, (202) 418-2325 (voice), carmell.weathers@fcc.gov, or Kimberly Jackson, (202) 418-7393 (voice), kimberly.jackson@fcc.gov, of the Competition Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau. The TTY number is (202) 418-0484. For further information on procedures regarding section 214 please visit http://www.fcc.gov/wcb/cpd/other_adjud. -FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION-