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 11-963 Released: May 27, 2011 COMMENTS INVITED ON APPLICATION OF AT&T SERVICES, INC. ON BEHALF OF TCG KANSAS CITY, INC. AND TCG OHIO TO DISCONTINUE DOMESTIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES WC Docket No. 11-81 Comp. Pol. File No. 988 Comments Due: June 13, 2011 Section 214 Application Applicant: AT&T Services, Inc. on behalf of TCG Kansas City, Inc. and TCG Ohio On May 3, 2011, AT&T Services, Inc. (AT&T or Applicant) filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) on behalf of its affiliates, TCG Kansas City, Inc. and TCG Ohio (collectively AT&T Affiliates), located at 208 South Akard Street, Dallas, TX 75202, 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 Arkansas, Kansas and Kentucky (collectively Service Areas). AT&T states that TCG Kansas City, Inc. does business in both Arkansas and Kansas and TCG Ohio does business in Kentucky. AT&T specifically indicates that the AT&T Affiliates currently offer TCG PrimePath NBX and TCG PrimeNBX in the Service Areas. AT&T explains that TCG PrimePath NBX is a central office-based analog communications service that provides direct inward dialing capability without the requirement of customer premises equipment (CPE) such as a key system or PBX, as well as outward calling capabilities. AT&T explains that TCG PrimeNBX is a central office-based service providing functionalities in addition to access to the Public Switched Network. According to AT&T, TCG PrimeNBX lines are available in analog or digital formats depending on the CPE, and TCG PrimeNBX allows intercommunication service on a 4-digit basis in addition to access to and from the exchange network without customer attendant assistance. AT&T indicates that, as a result of AT&T Inc.’s acquisition of BellSouth Corporation and its affiliated companies, the combined entity is streamlining its portfolio. AT&T states that the AT&T Affiliates, therefore, plan to discontinue offering these services on or after July 1, 2011, subject to Commission authorization. AT&T maintains that the public convenience and necessity will not be impaired by the proposed discontinuance because currently no customers are subscribing to these services. AT&T also asserts that there are reasonable alternatives to these services including basic business access lines and calling features, as well as Voice Dynamic Network Applications that provide similar functionality. AT&T states that the AT&T Affiliates are considered non-dominant with respect to the services to be discontinued. In accordance with section 63.71(c) of the Commission’s rules, AT&T’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 AT&T that the grant will not be automatically effective. In its application, AT&T 2 indicates that the AT&T Affiliates plan to discontinue offering TCG PrimePath NBX and TCG PrimeNBX in the Service Areas on or after July 1, 2011, subject to Commission approval of this application. Accordingly, pursuant to section 63.71(c) and the terms of AT&T’s application, absent further Commission action, the AT&T Affiliates may cease to offer TCG PrimePath NBX and TCG PrimeNBX in the Service Areas on or after July 1, 2011. 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 13, 2011. Such comments should refer to WC Docket No. 11-81 and Comp. Pol. File No. 988. 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 file an original and four copies 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 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). 3 For further information, contact Carmell Weathers, (202) 418-2325 (voice), carmell.weathers@fcc.gov, or Kimberly Jackson, (202) 418-7393 (voice), kimberly.jackson@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 –