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 11-256 Release Date: February 10, 2011 WIRELINE COMPETITION BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON SOUTHWEST TELEHEALTH ACCESS GRID REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING UNDER THE RURAL HEALTH CARE PILOT PROGRAM WC Docket No. 02-60 Comment Date: March 14, 2011 Reply Comment Date: March 29, 2011 The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on a request filed by the Southwest Telehealth Access Grid (SWTAG) for additional funding under the Rural Health Care Pilot Program (Pilot Program).1 SWTAG states that their project requires funds in excess of its maximum allotment due to increased interest from eligible stakeholders and bids from prospective vendors that exceed its initial best estimates.2 SWTAG requests that the Bureau increase SWTAG’s maximum support amount using any unused or relinquished Pilot Program funds.3 Interested parties may file comments on or before March 14, 2011, and reply comments on or before March 29, 2011. All pleadings are to reference WC Docket No. 02-60. Comments may be filed using the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS), or by filing paper copies.4 § Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the ECFS: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/. Filers should follow the instructions provided on the website for submitting comments. 1 Letter from Dale C. Alerson, MD, Project Coordinator, Southwest Telehealth Access Grid, to Sharon Gillett, Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, WC Docket No. 02-60 (dated Jan. 14, 2011) (SWTAG Letter). 2 SWTAG Letter at 1. SWTAG also provides comments in support of Oregon Health Network’s request for additional Pilot Program funding and an extension of time to obtain funding commitments and submit invoices. See Letter from Kim Lamb, Executive Director, Oregon Health Network, to Sharon Gillett, Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, WC Docket No. 02-60 (dated Dec. 17, 2010). 3 Id. 4 See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, GC Docket No. 97-113, Report and Order, 13 FCC Rcd 11322 (1998). 2 § For ECFS filers, if multiple docket or rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of this proceeding, filers must transmit one electronic copy of the comments for each docket or rulemaking number referenced in the caption. 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, 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. § Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and four copies of each filing. If more than one docket or rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding, filers must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or rulemaking number. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first- class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail (although we continue to experience delays in receiving 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 St., SW, Room TW-A325, Washington, D.C. 20554. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes must be disposed of before entering the building. The filing hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 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 should be addressed to 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington D.C. 20554. 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). In addition, one copy of each pleading must be sent to each of the following: (1) The Commission’s duplicating contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., 445 12th Street, S.W., Room CY-B402, Washington, D.C. 20554, www.bcpiweb.com; phone: (202) 488-5300 fax: (202) 488- 5563; (2) Erica Myers, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room 5-B432, Washington, D.C. 20554; e-mail: Erica.Myers@fcc.gov and (3) Charles Tyler, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room 5-B521, Washington, D.C. 20554; e-mail: Charles.Tylermailto:@fcc.gov. Filings and comments are also available for public inspection and copying during regular business hours at the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room CY- A257, Washington, D.C. 20554. They may also be purchased from the Commission’s duplicating contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., Portals II, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room CY-B402, Washington, D.C. 20554, telephone: (202) 488-5300, fax: (202) 488-5563, or via e-mail www.bcpiweb.com. 3 This matter shall be treated as a “permit-but-disclose” proceeding in accordance with the Commission’s ex parte rules.5 Persons making oral ex parte presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentations must contain summaries of the substance of the presentation and not merely a listing of the subjects discussed. More than a one or two sentence description of the views and arguments presented generally is required.6 Other rules pertaining to oral and written ex parte presentations in permit-but-disclose proceedings are set forth in section 1.1206(b) of the Commission’s rules.7 For further information, please contact Erica Myers, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau at (202) 418-2429 or TTY (202) 418-0484. - FCC - 5 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.1200 et seq. 6 See 47 C.F.R. § 1.1206(b)(2). 7 47 C.F.R. § 1.1206(b).