PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 08-1106 Released: May 9, 2008 COMMENTS INVITED ON APPLICATION OF MCI COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, INC. (VERIZON) TO DISCONTINUE DOMESTIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES WC Docket No. 08-64 Comp. Pol. File No. 862 Comments Due: May 27, 2008 Section 214 Application Applicant: MCI Communications Services, Inc. (Verizon) On April 9, 2008, MCI Communications Services, Inc. (Verizon or Applicant), located at 22001 Loudoun County Parkway, Ashburn, VA 20147, 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, reduce or impair the provision of certain domestic telecommunications services in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Verizon indicates that it currently provides prepaid calling card services to users that purchase Verizon’s prepaid conference calling cards in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Verizon explains that these cards allow customers to make conference calls or to call a single domestic or international terminating number. Verizon states, however, that it plans to eliminate the recharge capability on its prepaid conference calling cards on June 10, 2008. In addition, Verizon indicates that it plans to discontinue its provision of these services so that cardholders will no longer be able to use their prepaid conference calling cards to make conference calls or to place calls to domestic or international terminating numbers as of October 1, 2008.1 Verizon maintains that cardholders with a balance remaining on their cards on October 1, 2008 will be able to request a replacement access number (typically found on the back of their prepaid cards) and a replacement personal identification number (PIN) from Verizon. Verizon states that the replacement PIN will be loaded with an amount equivalent to the balance remaining on the cardholder’s prepaid conference calling card, and that the cardholder will then be able to use the replacement access number and PIN in the same manner that they use their prepaid conference calling cards to make calls to single terminating numbers. Verizon indicates that customers that use the replacement access number and PIN after October 1st will be charged a per minute domestic rate that is equal to or less than the rate the cardholder would have paid to make a domestic call to a single telephone number with their prepaid conference calling card. Verizon also maintains that there are several alternative providers of prepaid conference calling card services in the United States. Verizon asserts that it is non-dominant with respect to these affected services. 1 Discontinuance of international service is governed by 47 C.F.R. § 63.19. 2 Verizon states that, given the nature of these services, it does not know the names or mailing addresses of its prepaid conference calling card customers. Consequently, Verizon submits that it cannot provide each affected cardholder with written notice of the proposed discontinuance, reduction or impairment of service in accordance with the requirements of section 63.71(a) of the Commission’s rules. Verizon maintains, however, that it has taken measures to orally notify cardholders of the proposed changes. Verizon states that, on April 8, 2008, it initiated oral notice for all cardholders that use their prepaid conference calling card to make a conference call or to call a single terminating number. Verizon indicates that the oral notice informs cardholders that the recharge option will no longer be available on or after June 10, 2008, that the card can no longer be used on or after October 1, 2008, and that they can call customer service for further information about these changes. Verizon maintains that such oral notice will remain up through October 1, 2008, and that cardholders that attempt to use their cards after that date will automatically be transferred to a live operator. Given Verizon’s stated inability to provide conventional notification to its customers, we seek comment on Verizon’s proposed discontinuance, reduction or impairment of service and the steps it has taken to notify and protect consumers in lieu of the notification procedures prescribed in section 63.71(a) of the Commission’s rules. In accordance with section 63.71(c) of the Commission’s rules, Verizon’s application will be deemed to be granted automatically on the 31st day after the release date of this public notice, unless the Commission notifies Verizon that the grant will not be automatically effective. In Verizon’s application and oral notice to its customers, Verizon indicates that it plans to eliminate the recharge capability on its prepaid conference calling cards on June 10th, and to discontinue its provision of these services on October 1st. Accordingly, pursuant to section 63.71(c) and the terms of Verizon’s application and oral notice, absent further Commission action, Verizon may discontinue, reduce or impair service to customers in accordance with its filed representations on June 10, 2008 and October 1, 2008. The Commission normally will authorize proposed discontinuances, reductions or impairments 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 May 27, 2008. Such comments should refer to WC Docket No. 08-64 and Comp. Pol. File No. 862. 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 Web site 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 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. All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. The 3 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 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-C140, 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) 418-1413, Attention: Carmell Weathers. 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 Rodney McDonald, (202) 418-7513 (voice), rodney.mcdonald@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. – FCC –