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 09-2598 Released: December 15, 2009 COMMENTS INVITED ON APPLICATION OF AT&T INC. ON BEHALF OF AT&T CORP. TO DISCONTINUE DOMESTIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES WC Docket No. 09-220 Comp. Pol. File No. 923 Comments Due: December 30, 2009 Section 214 Application Applicant: AT&T Inc. on behalf of AT&T Corp. On December 3, 2009, AT&T Inc. (AT&T or Applicant), filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) on behalf of its affiliate, AT&T Corp. (AT&T Corp.), located at One AT&T Way, Bedminster, NJ 07921, 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 all fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (collectively Service Areas). AT&T indicates that AT&T Corp. currently provides Directory Link service in the Service Areas. AT&T explains that when a customer dials XXX-555-1212 and receives a telephone number from AT&T Directory Assistance, AT&T Corp.’s Directory Link service allows the customer to complete the domestic or international long distance call to that number without hanging up and originating a separate call. AT&T states, however, that AT&T Corp. has decided not to pursue upgrades to the platforms that would make this service compatible with changing industry requirements, and that the functionality that performs this call completion service consequently will no longer be available. AT&T indicates that AT&T Corp. plans to discontinue its provision of Directory Link service in the Service Areas on or after January 15, 2010, subject to regulatory approval. AT&T states, however, that AT&T Corp. will continue to provide alternative call completion services to the visually and physically impaired community if the end user calls an operator by dialing “00” and requests for the call to be completed. AT&T further explains that call completion services will continue to be available for local calls from AT&T’s ILEC affiliates when dialing 411 in AT&T’s 22-state region. In addition, AT&T asserts that many wireless carriers also provide call completion services to their subscribers when they call directory assistance from their wireless device. AT&T maintains that AT&T Corp. does not generally keep records of customers who utilize pay per use services like Directory Link, but indicates that, in preparation for filing this application, it researched the billing records for this service over the three months prior to its filing. AT&T states that, on November 24, 2009, AT&T Corp. sent notice via U.S. Mail to all affected customers who used Directory Link service over the indicated three-month period. AT&T further states that AT&T Corp. also updated the Directory Link platform with a service discontinuance announcement to inform any additional customers of its plans to discontinue this service. AT&T asserts that AT&T Corp. is considered non-dominant with respect to the service to be discontinued. 2 We seek comment on AT&T Corp.’s proposed discontinuance of service including the notice provided to its customers in light 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, AT&T’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 AT&T that the grant will not be automatically effective. In its application, AT&T indicates that AT&T Corp. anticipates discontinuing service on or after January 15, 2010, subject to regulatory approval. Accordingly, pursuant to section 63.71(c) and the terms of AT&T’s application, absent further Commission action, AT&T may terminate its provision of Directory Link service in the affected Service Areas on or after January 15, 2010. 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 December 30, 2009. Such comments should refer to WC Docket No. 09-220 and Comp. Pol. File No. 923. 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 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 through December 25, 2009. However, effective December 28, 2009, the Commission’s contractor will only receive hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission’s Secretary at the FCC Headquarters building, located at 445 12th Street, S.W., Room TW-A325, Washington, D.C. 20554. The filing hours at both locations are Monday through Friday, 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 3 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 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. – FCC –