Federal Communications Commission DA 10-2226 Before the Federal Communications Commission Washington, D.C. 20554 In the Matter of Lightyear Network Solutions, LLC ) ) ) ) ) File No. EB-09-SE-180 NAL/Acct. No. 201132100010 FRN 0010045128 ORDER AND NOTICE OF APPARENT LIABILITY FOR FORFEITURE Adopted: November 22, 2010 Released: November 22, 2010 By the Chief, Spectrum Enforcement Division, Enforcement Bureau: I. INTRODUCTION 1. In this Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (“NAL”), we find that Lightyear Network Solutions, LLC (“Lightyear”), a reseller of mobile wireless services,1 apparently willfully violated the wireless handset hearing aid compatibility status report filing requirements set forth in Section 20.19(i)(1) of the Commission’s Rules (“Rules”)2 and apparently willfully and repeatedly violated the public web site posting requirements set forth in Section 20.19(h) of the Rules.3 For these apparent violations, we propose a forfeiture in the amount of twelve thousand dollars ($12,000). We also direct Lightyear to file the required wireless handset hearing aid compatibility status report within thirty (30) days of the release of this NAL. II. BACKGROUND 2. In the 2003 Hearing Aid Compatibility Order, the Commission adopted several measures to enhance the ability of consumers with hearing loss to access digital wireless telecommunications.4 The Commission established technical standards that digital wireless handsets must meet to be considered compatible with hearing aids operating in acoustic coupling and inductive coupling (telecoil) modes.5 The Commission further established, for each standard, deadlines by which manufacturers and service providers were required to offer specified numbers or percentages of digital wireless handsets per air interface6 that are compliant with the relevant standard if they did not come under the de minimis 1 Lightyear Network Solutions, LLC also holds both domestic and international Section 214 authorizations. 2 47 C.F.R. § 20.19(i)(1). 3 47 C.F.R. § 20.19(h). 4 The Commission adopted these requirements for digital wireless telephones under the authority of the Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1988, codified at Section 710(b)(2)(C) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. § 610(b)(2)(C). See Section 68.4(a) of the Commission’s Rules Governing Hearing Aid-Compatible Telephones, Report and Order, 18 FCC Rcd 16753, 16787 ¶ 89 (2003); Erratum, 18 FCC Rcd 18047 (2003) (“Hearing Aid Compatibility Order”); Order on Reconsideration and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 20 FCC Rcd 11221 (2005). 5 See Hearing Aid Compatibility Order, 18 FCC Rcd at 16777 ¶ 56; 47 C.F.R. § 20.19(b)(1), (2). 6 The term “air interface” refers to the technical protocol that ensures compatibility between mobile radio service equipment, such as handsets, and the service provider’s base stations. Currently, the leading air Federal Communications Commission DA 10-2226 2 exception.7 In February 2008, as part of a comprehensive reconsideration of the effectiveness of the hearing aid compatibility rules, the Commission released an order that, among other things, adopted new compatible handset deployment benchmarks beginning in 2008.8 3. Of primary relevance, the Commission also adopted reporting requirements to ensure that it could monitor the availability of these handsets and to provide valuable information to the public concerning the technical testing and commercial availability of hearing aid-compatible handsets, including on the Internet.9 The Commission initially required manufacturers and digital wireless service providers to report every six months on efforts toward compliance with the hearing aid compatibility requirements for the first three years of implementation (May 17, 2004, November 17, 2004, May 17, 2005, November 17, 2005, May 17, 2006 and November 17, 2006), and then annually thereafter through the fifth year of implementation (November 19, 2007 and November 17, 2008).10 In its 2008 Hearing Aid Compatibility First Report and Order, the Commission extended these reporting requirements with certain modifications on an open ended basis, beginning January 15, 2009.11 The Commission also made clear that these reporting requirements apply to manufacturers and service providers that fit within the de minimis exception.12 In addition, the Commission instituted a requirement that manufacturers and service providers with publicly-accessible web sites maintain a list of hearing aid-compatible handset models and provide certain information regarding those models on their web sites.13 The web site postings, which must be updated within 30 days of a change in a manufacturer’s or service provider’s offerings, enable consumers to obtain up-to-date hearing aid compatibility information from their service providers.14 4. Lightyear failed to file the required hearing aid compatibility status report for the period from July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008 (due January 15, 2009). It also appeared that Lightyear did not meet all the information posting requirements for its publicly accessible web site. The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (“WTB”) referred Lightyear’s apparent violation of the reporting requirements to the Enforcement Bureau for possible enforcement action. 5. On November 23, 2009, the Enforcement Bureau’s Spectrum Enforcement Division interfaces include Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN) and Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) a/k/a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). 7 See Hearing Aid Compatibility Order, 18 FCC Rcd at 16780 ¶ 65; 47 C.F.R. §§ 20.19(c) and (d). The de minimis exception provides that manufacturers or mobile service providers that offer two or fewer digital wireless handset models per air interface are exempt from the hearing aid compatibility deployment requirements, and manufacturers or mobile service providers that offer three digital wireless handset models per air interface must offer at least one compliant model. 47 C.F.R. § 20.19(e). 8 See Amendment of the Commission’s Rules Governing Hearing Aid-Compatible Mobile Handsets, First Report and Order, 23 FCC Rcd 3406 (2008) (“Hearing Aid Compatibility First Report and Order”), Order on Reconsideration and Erratum, 23 FCC Rcd 7249 (2008). 9 See Hearing Aid Compatibility First Report and Order, 23 FCC Rcd at 3443 ¶ 91. 10 Hearing Aid Compatibility Order, 18 FCC Rcd at 16787 ¶ 89; see also Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Announces Hearing Aid Compatibility Reporting Dates for Wireless Carriers and Handset Manufacturers, Public Notice, 19 FCC Rcd 4097 (Wireless Tel. Bur. 2004). 11 See Hearing Aid Compatibility First Report and Order, 23 FCC Rcd at 3445-46 ¶¶ 97-99. 12 Id. at 3446 ¶ 99. 13 Id. at 3450 ¶ 112. 14 Id. Federal Communications Commission DA 10-2226 3 (“Division”) issued Lightyear a Letter of Inquiry (“LOI”).15 Lightyear responded to the LOI on December 7, 2009.16 In its response, Lightyear states that for its wireless services, it has a contract with Zefcom LLC d.b.a. Telispire PCS (“Telispire”),17 and further states that on January 15, 2009, Telispire filed a hearing aid compatibility status report on Lightyear’s behalf. Lightyear encloses a copy of the Telispire January 15, 2009, hearing aid compatibility status report,18 and a January 7, 2009, letter from Telispire stating that it would file the hearing aid compatibility report on Lightyear’s behalf, provided Lightyear certifies in response to the letter that it carries the requisite number of hearing aid-compatible handsets in accordance with FCC Rules.19 Lightyear also states in its response that it has always had a publicly accessible web site that provides a complete list of hearing aid-compatible models offered and the ratings of those models. It further states that it recently upgraded its web site to include a rating system explanation for its rated hearing aid-compatible handset models.20 III. DISCUSSION A. Failure to File Timely Hearing Aid Compatibility Status Report 6. Section 20.19(i)(1) of the Rules requires service providers to submit hearing aid compatibility status reports on January 15, 2009 (covering the six-month period ending December 31, 2008) and then annually thereafter.21 These reports are necessary to enable the Commission to perform its enforcement function and evaluate whether Lightyear is in compliance with Commission mandates that were adopted to facilitate the accessibility of hearing aid-compatible wireless handsets. These reports also provide valuable information to the public concerning the technical testing and commercial availability of hearing aid-compatible handsets. To date, Commission records show no January 15, 2009 status report on file for Lightyear. While Commission records do confirm that Telispire filed a hearing aid compatibility status report on January 15, 2009, Telispire’s report fails to satisfy Lightyear’s filing requirements. The report makes no reference to Lightyear and therefore does not provide a discernible way for the Commission or consumers to determine the number, model, or technical standards of the wireless hearing aid-compatible handsets that Lightyear offered – thus frustrating the main objectives of the filing requirement.22 Regardless of any contractual arrangement between Telispire and Lightyear, the 15 See Letter from Kathryn S. Berthot, Chief, Spectrum Enforcement Division, Enforcement Bureau to J. Sherman Henderson III, President & CEO, Lightyear Network Solutions, LLC (November 23, 2009) (“LOI”). 16 See Letter from John Grieve, Vice President and General Counsel, Lightyear Network Solutions, LLC, to Spectrum Enforcement Division, Enforcement Bureau (December 4, 2009) (received December 7, 2009) (“LOI Response”). 17 Zefcom LLC doing business as Telispire PCS provides wireless service solutions for independent and competitive local exchange companies. 18See Telispire’s Hearing Aid Compatibility Status Report (filed January 15, 2009)(“2009 Report”) at http:// fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?id=6520193653. 19 See Letter from David Cook, Telispire, to Steve Ray, Lightyear (January 7, 2009)(January 7, 2009 letter). The January 7, 2009, letter includes a countersignature by Steve Ray, on behalf of Lightyear Network Solutions, LLC, certifying that Lightyear meets the hearing aid compatibility requirements. 20 See LOI Response. 21 47 C.F.R. § 20.19(i)(1). 22 The 2009 Report filed by Telispire via ECFS lists only Zefcom LLC d/b/a Telispire under the Section I. Company Information. See 2009 Report. The report lists handset models and the months in which the models were offered, but provides no information or indicia that any company other than Telispire offered the listed handsets during the months reported. Furthermore, the cover letter accompanying the 2009 report states that Zefcon LLC d/b/a/ Telispire PCS submits “its” Hearing Aid Compatibility Status report for Hearing Aid Compatibility Status Federal Communications Commission DA 10-2226 4 relevant Commission rules and orders make it clear that the filing obligation ultimately rests with Lightyear. Moreover, Lightyear is responsible for the acts or omissions of its employees or third party contractors. 23 Accordingly, we find that Lightyear failed to timely file the hearing aid compatibility status report due on January 15, 2009 in apparent willful24 violation of the requirements set forth in Section 20.19(i)(1) of the Rules. 25 B. Failure to Post Required Information Concerning Hearing Aid-Compatible Handset Models on its Web Site 7. Section 20.19(h) of the Rules requires that, beginning January 15, 2009, each manufacturer and service provider that operates a publicly-accessible web site make available on its web site a list of all hearing aid-compatible handset models currently offered, the ratings of those models, and an explanation of the rating system. Section 20.19(h) also requires service providers to post on their web sites the level of functionality of each model and an explanation of the service provider’s methodology for designating levels of functionality.26 In addition, the Commission has stated that any changes to a manufacturer’s or service provider’s offerings must be reflected on its public web site listing within 30 days of the change.27 These web site postings provide consumers up-to-date hearing aid compatibility information. 8. Lightyear offers a number of wireless phones and plans which are advertised on its publicly accessible website. Although Lightyear included a list of hearing aid-compatible handsets and their ratings on its website, it admitted that it did not include an explanation of the hearing aid compatibility rating system on its web site.28 An explanation of the rating system is essential to enable consumers to fully understand the available choices and make informed decisions. In light of Lightyear’s admissions, we find that Lightyear failed to timely meet the web site information posting requirements in apparent willful and repeated29 violation of Section 20.19(h) of the Rules.30 Report. See Letter from Kenneth C. Johnson, Esquire, to Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission (January 15, 2009). 23 See, e.g., Eure Family Limited Partnership, Memorandum Opinion and Order, 17 FCC Rcd 21861, 21863-64 (2002); MTD, Inc., Memorandum Opinion and Order, 6 FCC Rcd 34, 35 (1991); Wagenvoord Broadcasting Co., Memorandum Opinion and Order, 35 FCC 2d 361 (1972). 24 Section 312(f)(1) of the Act defines “willful” as “the conscious and deliberate commission or omission of [any] act, irrespective of any intent to violate” the law. 47 U.S.C. § 312(f)(1). The legislative history of Section 312(f)(1) of the Act clarifies that this definition of willful applies to both Sections 312 and 503(b) of the Act, H.R. Rep. No. 97-765, 97th Cong. 2d Sess. 51 (1982), and the Commission has so interpreted the term in the Section 503(b) context. See Southern California Broadcasting Co., Memorandum Opinion and Order, 6 FCC Rcd 4387, 4388 ¶ 5 (1991), recon. denied, 7 FCC Rcd 3454 (1992) (“Southern California”); see also Telrite Corporation, Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, 23 FCC Rcd 7231, 7237 ¶ 12 (2008) (“Telrite”); Regent USA, Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, 22 FCC Rcd 10520, 10523 ¶ 9 (2007); San Jose Navigation, Inc., Forfeiture Order 22 FCC Rcd 1040, 1042 ¶ 9 (2007). 25 47 C.F.R. § 20.19(i)(1). 26 See 47 C.F.R. § 20.19(h). 27 See Hearing Aid Compatibility First Report and Order, 23 FCC Rcd at 3450 ¶ 112. 28 See 47 C.F.R. § 20.19(h). 29 Section 312(f)(2) of the Act provides that “[t]he term ‘repeated’, … means the commission or omission of such act more than once or, if such commission or omission is continuous, for more than one day.” 47 U.S.C. § 312(f)(2). As with the definition of “willful,” the Commission has interpreted the term to apply to forfeiture proceedings. See Southern California, supra. 30 47 C.F.R. § 20.19(h). Federal Communications Commission DA 10-2226 5 C. Proposed Forfeiture 9. Under Section 503(b)(1)(B) of the Act, any person who is determined by the Commission to have willfully or repeatedly failed to comply with any provision of the Act or any rule, regulation, or order issued by the Commission shall be liable to the United States for a forfeiture penalty.31 To impose such a forfeiture penalty, the Commission must issue a notice of apparent liability and the person against whom such notice has been issued must have an opportunity to show, in writing, why no such forfeiture penalty should be imposed.32 The Commission will then issue a forfeiture if it finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the person has violated the Act or a Commission rule.33 Under this standard, we conclude that Lightyear is apparently liable for forfeiture for its failure to timely file the required hearing aid compatibility status report in apparent willful violation of Section 20.19(i)(1) of the Rules, and for its failure to timely post the required information regarding its hearing aid-compatible handsets on its web site in apparent willful and repeated violation of Section 20.19(h) of the Rules. 10. The Commission’s Forfeiture Policy Statement and Section 1.80(b) of the Rules set a base forfeiture amount of $3,000 for the failure to file required forms or information.34 While the base forfeiture guidelines lend some predictability to the forfeiture process, the Commission retains the discretion to depart from these guidelines and issue forfeitures on a case-by-case basis under its general forfeiture authority contained in Section 503 of the Act.35 In exercising such discretion, we are required to take into account “the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violation and, with respect to the violator, the degree of culpability, any history of prior offenses, ability to pay, and such other matters as justice may require.”36 11. We have exercised our discretion to set a higher base forfeiture amount for violations of the wireless hearing aid compatibility reporting requirements. In the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority NAL, we found that status reports are essential to the implementation and enforcement of the hearing aid compatibility rules.37 The Commission relies on these reports to provide consumers with information regarding the technical specifications and commercial availability of hearing aid-compatible digital wireless handsets and to hold the digital wireless industry accountable to the increasing number of hearing-impaired individuals.38 We noted that when setting an $8,000 base forfeiture for violations of the hearing aid-compatible handset labeling requirements, the Commission emphasized that individuals with hearing loss could only take advantage of critically important public safety benefits of digital wireless 31 47 U.S.C. § 503(b)(1)(B); 47 C.F.R. § 1.80(a)(1). 32 47 U.S.C. § 503(b); 47 C.F.R. § 1.80(f). 33 See, e.g., SBC Communications, Inc., Forfeiture Order, 17 FCC Rcd 7589, 7591 ¶ 4 (2002). 34 The Commission’s Forfeiture Policy Statement and Amendment of Section 1.80 of the Rules to Incorporate the Forfeiture Guidelines, Report and Order, 12 FCC Rcd 17087, 17114, recon. denied, 15 FCC Rcd 303 (1999) (“Forfeiture Policy Statement”); 47 C.F.R. § 1.80(b), Note to paragraph (b)(4): Section I. Base Amounts for Section 503 Forfeitures. 35 See Forfeiture Policy Statement, 12 FCC Rcd at 17099 ¶ 22, 17101 ¶ 29. See also 47 C.F.R. § 1.80(b)(4) (“The Commission and its staff may use these guidelines in particular cases [and] retain the discretion to issue a higher or lower forfeiture than provided in the guidelines, to issue no forfeiture at all, or to apply alternative or additional sanctions as permitted by the statute.”) (emphasis added). 36 47 U.S.C. § 503(b)(2)(E). See also 47 C.F.R. § 1.80(b)(4), Note to paragraph (b)(4): Section II. Adjustment Criteria for Section 503 Forfeitures. 37 See American Samoa Telecommunications Authority, Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, 23 FCC Rcd 16432 (Enf. Bur., Spectrum Enf. Div. 2008), response pending (“ASTCA NAL”). 38 See ASTCA NAL, 23 FCC Rcd at 16436-47 ¶ 10. Federal Communications Commission DA 10-2226 6 services if they had access to accurate information regarding hearing aid compatibility features of handsets.39 We also noted that the Commission has adjusted the base forfeiture upward when noncompliance with filing requirements interferes with the accurate administration and enforcement of Commission rules.40 Because the failure to file hearing aid compatibility status reports implicates similar public safety and enforcement concerns, we exercised our discretionary authority and established a base forfeiture amount of $6,000 for failure to file hearing aid compatibility reports.41 Consistent with ASTCA, we believe the established $6,000 base forfeiture for each hearing aid compatibility reporting violation should apply here. 12. Failure to file these reports, as is the case here, can have an adverse impact on the Commission’s ability to ensure the commercial availability of hearing aid-compatible digital wireless handsets, to the detriment of consumers. Furthermore, in ASTCA, we made clear that failure to file a hearing aid compatibility status report constitutes a continuing violation that continues until the violation is cured.42 Lightyear’s failure to file the 2009 report on time had an adverse impact on the Commission’s ability to monitor and ensure the commercial availability of hearing aid-compatible digital wireless handsets. We do not believe that the circumstances presented warrant any downward adjustment of the proposed forfeiture amount. Accordingly, we propose a forfeiture of $6,000 against Lightyear for apparently willfully failing to timely file its January 15, 2009 hearing aid compatibility status report in violation of Section 20.19(i)(1) of the Rules.43 13. We have also recently exercised our discretion to set a higher base forfeiture amount for violation of the web posting requirements set forth in Section 20.19(h) of the Rules. In determining the appropriate forfeiture amount for violation of the web site information posting requirements, we noted that these requirements are “essential to the proper functioning of our hearing aid compatibility rules” and serve to increase the availability of up-to-date hearing aid compatibility information to consumers and service providers.44 In particular, we found that the web site may be the primary means through which consumers obtain information, and that the updated information between status reports is likely to be critical to both consumers and service providers.45 We further found that the web site postings, which must be updated within 30 days of a change in a manufacturer’s or service provider’s offerings, will enable consumers to obtain up-to-date hearing aid compatibility information from their service providers and will also enable service providers to readily obtain up-to-date information from their manufacturer suppliers.46 Accordingly, we concluded that the same considerations that led us to increase the base forfeitures for hearing aid compatibility status reporting violations also apply to the requirement for web 39 Id. 40 Id. 41 Id. 42 Id. at 16437 ¶ 11. See also Telrite, 23 FCC Rcd at 7244-45 ¶ 30 (determining that the failure to file Telecommunications Reporting Worksheets was a continuing violation); Compass Global, Inc., Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, 23 FCC Rcd 6125, 6138 ¶ 29 (2008) (same); VCI Company, Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture and Order, 22 FCC Rcd 15933, 15940 ¶ 20 (2007) (determining that the failure to file Lifeline and Linkup Worksheets was a continuing violation). 43 47 C.F.R. § 20.19(i)(1). 44 See e.g., Locus Telecommunications, Inc., Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, 25 FCC Rcd 330, 335 ¶ 13 (Enf. Bur., Spectrum Enf. Div. 2010) (“Locus”) (quoting Hearing Aid Compatibility First Report and Order, 23 FCC Rcd at 3450 ¶ 112). 45 Locus, 25 FCC Rcd at 335 ¶ 14. 46 Id. Federal Communications Commission DA 10-2226 7 posting.47 We therefore established $6,000 as the base forfeiture for violation of Section 20.19(h).48 14. As noted above, Lightyear states that on its publicly accessible web site, it provides a list of hearing aid-compatible models offered and the ratings of those models; however, Lightyear admits that until recently, it failed to provide an explanation of the rating system on its web site – information that the Commission deemed important for consumers with hearing loss. Lightyear presents no mitigating factors in its LOI Response justifying a downward adjustment to the $6,000 base forfeiture. Accordingly, we propose a forfeiture of $6,000 against Lightyear for apparently willfully and repeatedly failing to provide required information concerning its hearing aid-compatible handset models on its public web site in violation of Section 20.19(h) of the Rules.49 15. Finally, it appears that Lightyear still has not filed its hearing aid compatibility status report for the six-month period ending December 31, 2008, which was due on January 15, 2009. This report is necessary to enable the Commission to monitor the commercial availability of hearing aid-compatible handsets and to assess Lightyear’s compliance with the hearing aid compatibility handset requirements during that period. We accordingly direct Lightyear to submit the report within thirty (30) days of the release of this NAL. IV. ORDERING CLAUSES 16. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 503(b) of the Act, and Section 1.80 of the Rules, Lightyear Network Solutions, LLC, is NOTIFIED of its APPARENT LIABILITY FOR A FORFEITURE in the amount of twelve thousand dollars ($12,000) for its failure to file the required hearing aid compatibility status report in apparent willful violation of the requirements set forth in Section 20.19(i)(1) of the Rules, and for failing to post required information concerning its hearing aid- compatible handset models on its public web site in apparent willful and repeated violation of Section 20.19(h) of the Rules. 17. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 1.80 of the Rules, within thirty (30) days of the release date of this Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, Lightyear SHALL PAY the full amount of the proposed forfeiture or SHALL FILE a written statement seeking reduction or cancellation of the proposed forfeiture. 18. Payment of the forfeiture must be made by check or similar instrument, payable to the order of the Federal Communications Commission. The payment must include the NAL/Account Number and FRN Number referenced above. Payment by check or money order may be mailed to Federal Communications Commission, P.O. Box 979088, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000. Payment by overnight mail may be sent to U.S. Bank – Government Lockbox #979088, SL-MO-C2-GL, 1005 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63101. Payment by wire transfer may be made to ABA Number 021030004, receiving bank TREAS/NYC, and account number 27000001. For payment by credit card, an FCC Form 159 (Remittance Advice) must be submitted. When completing the FCC Form 159, enter the NAL/Account number in block number 23A (call sign/other ID), and enter the letters “FORF” in block number 24A (payment type code). Requests for full payment under an installment plan should be sent to: Chief Financial Officer -- Financial Operations, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room 1-A625, Washington, D.C. 20554. Please contact the Financial Operations Group Help Desk at 1-877-480-3201 47 Id. 48 Id. 49 47 C.F.R. § 20.19(h). In this regard, we note that each manufacturer and service provider is required to continuously maintain the required information concerning its hearing aid-compatible handset models on its web site and to update the web sites within 30 days of a change in its handset offerings. Federal Communications Commission DA 10-2226 8 or Email: ARINQUIRIES@fcc.gov with any questions regarding payment procedures. Lightyear also shall send electronic notification to JoAnn Lucanik at JoAnn.Lucanik@fcc.gov and to Jacqueline Johnson at Jacqui.Johnson@fcc.gov on the date said payment is made. 19. The written statement seeking reduction or cancellation of the proposed forfeiture, if any, must include a detailed factual statement supported by appropriate documentation and affidavits pursuant to Sections 1.80 (f)(3) and 1.16 of the Rules. The written statement must be mailed to the Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554, ATTN: Enforcement Bureau – Spectrum Enforcement Division, and must include the NAL/Acct. No. referenced in the caption. The statement should also be e-mailed to JoAnn.Lucanik@fcc.gov and to Jacqui.Johnson@fcc.gov. 20. The Commission will not consider reducing or canceling a forfeiture in response to a claim of inability to pay unless the petitioner submits: (1) federal tax returns for the most recent three-year period; (2) financial statements prepared according to generally accepted accounting practices; or (3) some other reliable and objective documentation that accurately reflects the petitioner’s current financial status. Any claim of inability to pay must specifically identify the basis for the claim by reference to the financial documentation submitted. 21. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to Sections 4(i) and 4(j) of the Act and Section 20.19(i) of the Rules, Lightyear SHALL SUBMIT the report described in paragraph 15 within thirty (30) days of the release of this NAL. The report must be mailed to the Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554, ATTN: Enforcement Bureau – Spectrum Enforcement Division, and must include the NAL/Acct. No. referenced in the caption. A copy of the report must also be emailed to JoAnn Lucanik at JoAnn.Lucanik@fcc.gov, Jacqueline Johnson at Jacqui.Johnson@fcc.gov and Winsel Black at Winsel.Black@fcc.gov and James Swartz at James.Swartz@fcc.gov. 22. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a copy of this Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture shall be sent by first class mail and certified mail return receipt requested to John J. Greive, Esq., Vice President and General Counsel, Lightyear Network Solutions, LLC, 1901 Eastpoint Parkway, Louisville, Kentucky 40223. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Kathryn S. Berthot Chief, Spectrum Enforcement Division Enforcement Bureau