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 08-1159 Released: May 15, 2008 PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU ANNOUNCES COMMENT FILING DATES FOR THE NOTICE OF INQUIRY REGARDING 911 CALL-FORWARDING REQUIREMENTS AND CARRIERS’ BLOCKING OPTIONS FOR NON-INITIALIZED PHONES PS Docket No. 08-51 On April 11, 2008, the Federal Communications Commission released a Notice of Inquiry seeking comment, analysis, and information on three specific areas: (1) the nature and extent of fraudulent 911 calls made from non-service initialized (NSI) devices; (2) concerns with blocking NSI phones used to make fraudulent 911 calls, and suggestions for making this a more viable option for carriers; and (3) other possible solutions to the problem of fraudulent 911 calls from NSI handsets.1 The Notice of Inquiry was published in the Federal Register on May 15, 2008. Accordingly, interested parties may file comments on the Notice of Inquiry on or before June 30, 2008.2 Parties interested in submitting reply comments must do so on or before July 29, 2008.3 All comment and reply comment filings should reference PS Docket No. 08-51. Comments and reply comments may be filed by using (1) the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS), (2) the Federal Government’s eRulemaking Portal, or (3) by filing paper copies. See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (1998). § Electronic Filers: Comments and reply comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the ECFS: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs or the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Filers should follow the instructions provided on the website for submitting comments. § For ECFS filers, in completing the transmittal screen, filers should include their full name, U.S. Postal Service mailing address, and the rulemaking number, PS Docket No. 08-51. 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 1 Petition for Notice of Inquiry Regarding 911 Call-Forwarding Requirements and Carriers’ Blocking Options for Non-Initialized Phones, PS Docket No. 08-51, Notice of Inquiry, 23 FCC Rcd 6097 10 (2008). 2 Use of Non-service Initialized Phones to Make Fraudulent 911 Calls, 73 Fed. Reg. 28116 (May 15, 2008). 3 Id. 2 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. 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 the Commission continues to experience delays in receiving U.S. Postal Service mail). All filings must be addressed to: 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, NE, 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, M.D. 20743. § U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority mail should be addressed to 445 12th Street, SW, 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). All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Marlene H. Dortch, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20554. Parties must also serve one copy with the Commission’s copy contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc. (BCPI), Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW, Room CY-B402, Washington, D.C. 20554, (202) 488-5300, or via e-mail to fcc@bcpiweb.com. Documents in PS Docket No. 08-51 are available for public inspection and copying during business hours at the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th St. SW, Room CY-A257, Washington, D.C. 20554. The documents may also be purchased from BCPI, telephone (202) 488-5300, facsimile (202) 488-5563, TTY (202) 488-5562, e-mail fcc@bcpiweb.com. Because of the policy implications and potential impact of this proceeding on persons not party to the waiver request, we believe that it would be in the public interest to treat this case as a permit-but- disclose proceeding under the ex parte rules. See Sections 1.1200(a), 1.1206 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.1200(a), 1.1206. Therefore, subsequent to the release of this Public Notice, ex parte presentations that are made with respect to the issues involved in the subject waiver request will be allowed but must be disclosed in accordance with the requirements of Section 1.1206(b) of the Commission’s Rules, 47 C.F.R. § 1.1206(b) and must reference PS Docket No. 08-51 . 3 For further information regarding this proceeding, contact Eric Ehrenreich, Attorney Advisor, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, (202) 418-1726.