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 09-534 Released: February 27, 2009 COMMENTS INVITED ON APPLICATION OF VERIZON ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS LLC AND VERIZON LONG DISTANCE LLC TO DISCONTINUE DOMESTIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES WC Docket No. 09-24 Comp. Pol. File No. 893 Comments Due: March 16, 2009 Section 214 Application Applicants: Verizon Enterprise Solutions LLC and Verizon Long Distance LLC On December 12, 2008, Verizon Enterprise Solutions LLC and Verizon Long Distance LLC1 (collectively Verizon or Applicants), located at 1320 North Courthouse Road, Arlington, VA 22201, 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 a certain domestic telecommunications service in Arizona. On February 26, 2009, Verizon filed an amendment to its application in order to provide requested supplemental information. Accordingly, Verizon’s application is deemed complete as of February 26, 2009. Verizon indicates that it currently provides stand alone, long distance service (including international, interLATA toll, and intraLATA toll) to mass market customers in Arizona. Verizon asserts however that it has made a business decision to discontinue long distance service throughout its service territory in Arizona.2 According to Verizon, the anticipated date for the proposed discontinuance is on or after April 1, 2009, subject to Commission authorization. Verizon asserts that customers should be able to receive long distance service from several alternative providers in Arizona. Verizon also specifically states that four former MCI entities (MCImetro Access Transmissions Services LLC, MCI Communications Services, Inc., Teleconnect Long Distance Services & Systems Company, and TTI National, Inc.) will continue to provide local service and stand alone long distance service to enterprise and mass market customers in Arizona. Verizon indicates that it informed all affected customers of the proposed discontinuance by letters sent via U.S. Mail on December 1, 2008, in accordance with section 63.71 of the Commission’s rules. Verizon asserts that it is considered non-dominant with respect to the service to be discontinued. 1 Verizon states that, on December 1, 2008, NYNEX Long Distance Company (d/b/a Verizon Enterprise Solutions) was converted to the limited liability company named Verizon Enterprise Solutions LLC, and Bell Atlantic Communications, Inc. (d/b/a Verizon Long Distance) was converted to the limited liability company named Verizon Long Distance LLC. 2 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, 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, Verizon indicates that it anticipates discontinuing service on or after April 1, 2009, subject to Commission authorization. Accordingly, pursuant to section 63.71(c) and the terms of Verizon’s application, absent further Commission action, Verizon may terminate its domestic long distance telephone service in Arizona on or after April 1, 2009. 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 March 16, 2009. Such comments should refer to WC Docket No. 09-24 and Comp. Pol. File No. 893. 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. 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 Applicants. 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 3 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 Heather Hendrickson, (202) 418-7295 (voice), heather.hendrickson@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 –