Federal Communications Commission DA 08-1869 Before the Federal Communications Commission Washington, D.C. 20554 In the Matter of Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service Virgin Mobile USA, L.P. Petition for Limited Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) CC Docket No. 96-45 ORDER Adopted: August 7, 2008 Released: August 7, 2008 Revised Filing Dates: Comments Due: August 21, 2008 Reply Comments Due: September 5, 2008 By the Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau: 1. On July 1, 2008, the Wireline Competition Bureau released a public notice seeking comment on Virgin Mobile USA, L.P.’s (Virgin Mobile) petition seeking limited designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.1 On July 31, 2008, the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Cable (MDTC) filed a request to extend by 21 days the comment and reply comment deadlines.2 2. We note that it is the policy of the Commission that extensions of time shall not be routinely granted.3 The MDTC asserts, however, that the extension is necessary in this case because Virgin Mobile did not provide the MDTC with a copy of the Petition, and the MDTC only recently became aware of the Petition.4 The MDTC further asserts that any decision on the Petition will directly affect telecommunications customers in Massachusetts, and, as the exclusive state regulator of telecommunications services, the MDTC has a statutory obligation to safeguard the public interest in Massachusetts.5 The MDTC argues that it, therefore, has a strong interest in the outcome of the proceeding, but requires a short period of additional time in which to prepare and file its comments.6 1 Comment Sought on a Petition Filed By Virgin Mobile USA, L.P. for Limited Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in Massachusetts, CC Docket No. 96-45, Public Notice, DA 08-1570 (Wireline Comp. Bur., rel. July 1, 2008) (Public Notice); Virgin Mobile USA, L.P. Petition for Limited Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed June 3, 2008) (Petition). 2 Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Cable’s Motion for Extension of Time, CC Docket No. 96- 45 (filed July 31, 2008) (MDTC Motion). 3 47 C.F.R. § 1.46(a). 4 MDTC Motion at 1-2. 5 Id. at 2. 6 Id. Federal Communications Commission DA 08-1869 2 Finally, the MDTC alleges that grant of its requested extension will not unduly prejudice Virgin Mobile, because its request for forbearance remains pending with the Commission, and the Petition cannot be granted absent Commission action on the forbearance request.7 3. We find that good cause exists to provide an extension of time. We find that an extension of the comment and reply comment deadlines in this proceeding is appropriate under the circumstances. The deadline for filing comments and reply comments in response to the Public Notice is extended from July 31, 2008 and August 15, 2008 to August 21, 2008 and September 5, 2008, respectively. 4. ACCORDINGLY, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to sections 4(i), 4(j), and 5(c) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. §§ 154(i), 154(j), 155(c), and sections 0.91, 0.291, and 1.46 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 0.91, 0.291, 1.46, the pleading cycle established in this matter shall be modified as follows: Comments Due: August 21, 2008 Reply Comments Due: September 5, 2008 FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Marcus Maher Associate Chief Wireline Competition Bureau 7 Id.