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 11-1910 Released: November 16, 2011 COMMENTS INVITED ON APPLICATION OF CENTURYLINK TO DISCONTINUE DOMESTIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES WC Docket No. 11-191 Comp. Pol. File No. 1021 Comments Due: December 16, 2011 Section 214 Application Applicant: CenturyLink On October 28, 2011, CenturyLink (CenturyLink or Applicant), located at 100 CenturyLink Drive, Monroe, Louisiana 71203, 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 certain domestic telecommunications services in Alabama and Missouri (collectively Service Areas). CenturyLink indicates that it currently offers Express Connect and Flex Express Connect service in the Service Areas.1 CenturyLink explains that these services are interstate services that provide a connection to CenturyLink’s optical network via ring technology, and that they are offered at capacities ranging from OC3 to OC192. CenturyLink states, however, that there is no demand for the services and that it currently does not have any customers for either service. CenturyLink indicates that it plans to discontinue these services in the Service Areas on January 15, 2012 or as soon thereafter as the necessary regulatory approvals can be obtained. CenturyLink maintains that it will continue to offer Custom Connect service and that this service is functionally equivalent to the services it plans to discontinue.2 CenturyLink asserts that it is a dominant carrier with regard to the services to be discontinued. In accordance with section 63.71(c) of the Commission’s rules, CenturyLink’s application will be deemed to be granted automatically on the 60th day after the release date of this public notice, unless the Commission notifies CenturyLink that the grant will not be automatically effective. In the application, 1 CenturyLink specifies that Express Connect service is offered in the Service Areas pursuant to Section 20(D)(1)(h) of CenturyLink’s Operating Companies FCC Tariff No. 2 at page 20-5 and in Section 20.4(A)(8) of CenturyLink’s Operating Companies FCC Tariff No. 3 at page 20-7. CenturyLink further specifies that its Flex Express Connect service is listed in Section 20(D)(1)(i) of CenturyLink’s Operating Companies FCC Tariff No. 2 at page 20-6 and in Section 20.4(A)(9) of CenturyLink’s Operating Companies FCC Tariff No. 3 at page 20-8. 2 CenturyLink indicates that Custom Connect service is listed in Section 20(D)(1)(j) of CenturyLink’s Operating Companies FCC Tariff No. 2 at page 20-7 and in Section 20.4(A)(10) of CenturyLink’s Operating Companies FCC Tariff No. 3 at page 20-9. 2 CenturyLink indicates that it plans to discontinue Express Connect and Flex Express Connect services in the Service Areas on January 15, 2012 or as soon thereafter as the necessary regulatory approvals can be obtained. Accordingly, pursuant to section 63.71(c) and the terms of CenturyLink’s application, absent further Commission action, CenturyLink may terminate its Express Connect and Flex Express Connect services in the Service Areas on or after January 15, 2012. 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 16, 2011. Such comments should refer to WC Docket No. 11-191 and Comp. Pol. File No. 1021. 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://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs2/. 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 who choose to file by paper must file an original and one copy of each filing. 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. All hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission’s Secretary must be delivered to FCC Headquarters 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 and boxes 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, Express, and Priority mail must 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 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 3 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 –