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 10-986 Released: May 27, 2010 COMMENTS INVITED ON APPLICATION OF VERIZON LONG DISTANCE LLC TO DISCONTINUE DOMESTIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES WC Docket No. 10-115 Comp. Pol. File No. 932 Comments Due: June 11, 2010 Section 214 Application Applicant: Verizon Long Distance LLC On April 30, 2010, Verizon Long Distance LLC (Verizon or Applicant), located at One Verizon Way, Mail Code: VC22E243, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, 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 certain domestic telecommunications services throughout the United States excluding Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont (collectively Service Areas). Verizon indicates that it currently provides Personal Toll-Free, Post-Paid Calling Card, and Away From Home services in the Service Areas. Verizon explains that its Personal Toll-Free service allows residential customers to receive calls placed from any phone in the U.S. to their own personal toll-free number. Verizon further explains that its Post-Paid Calling Cards allow Verizon customers that subscribe to Verizon’s Long Distance Services to use the cards anywhere in the U.S. to place long distance calls, including international calls. Verizon indicates that its Away From Home Service provides customers with the calling capabilities available under Verizon’s Personal Toll-Free and Post-Paid Calling Card services. Verizon states that it plans to discontinue Personal Toll-Free, Post-Paid Calling Card and Away From Home services in the Service Areas on or after July 1, 2010, subject to regulatory approval.1 Verizon, however, maintains that the public convenience and necessity will not be impaired by the proposed discontinuance because there are many alternative providers of long distance services nationwide. Verizon states that it sent written notice of the proposed discontinuance to all affected customers via bill messages between April 1 and April 30, 2010. In addition, Verizon states that between May 1 and June 30, 2010, all customers placing calls using these services will hear an oral message informing them of the proposed discontinuance on July 1, 2010. Verizon indicates that it is considered non-dominant with respect to the services to be discontinued. We seek comment on Verizon’s proposed discontinuance of service, including the steps it has taken to notify customers, given the particular circumstances in this case and in light of the notification procedures prescribed in section 63.71(a) of the Commission’s rules. In accordance with section 63.71(c) 1 Discontinuance of international service is governed by 47 C.F.R. § 63.19. 2 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 its application and notice to customers, Verizon indicates that it anticipates discontinuing service on or after July 1, 2010, subject to regulatory approval. Accordingly, pursuant to section 63.71(c) and the terms of Verizon’s application and notice, absent further Commission action, Verizon may terminate its Personal Toll-Free, Post-Paid Calling Card and Away From Home services in the affected Service Areas on or after July 1, 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 June 11, 2010. Such comments should refer to WC Docket No. 10-115 and Comp. Pol. File No. 932. 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. 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 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 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 3 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 Rodney McDonald, (202) 418-7513 (voice), rodney.mcdonald@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 –