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 13-1256 Released: May 30, 2013 COMMENTS INVITED ON APPLICATION OF MCI COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, INC. D/B/A VERIZON BUSINESS SERVICES TO DISCONTINUE DOMESTIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES WC Docket No. 13-139 Comp. Pol. File No. 1104 Comments Due: June 14, 2013 Section 214 Application Applicant: MCI Communications Services, Inc. d/b/a Verizon Business Services On April 29, 2013, MCI Communications Services, Inc. d/b/a Verizon Business Services (MCI or Applicant), located at One Verizon Way, 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 a certain domestic telecommunications service in all fifty states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (Affected Areas). With an amendment filed on May 20, 2013, MCI clarified certain details regarding the proposed discontinuance date and the service of notice to officials within the Affected Areas.1 Accordingly, MCI’s application is deemed complete as of May 20, 2013. MCI indicates that it currently offers 900 number transport service (MCI 900 Service) to a total of only two customers in the Service Areas. MCI explains that its MCI 900 Service is an inbound, long distance transport service used to support third party pay-per-call services. MCI specifies that the service allows customers to charge end users on a per-call basis (per minute, flat-fee, or both) when they call a pre-determined 900 number. According to MCI, 900 numbers were once popular for obtaining information, or for entertainment as well as other uses, but 900 number usage has dropped substantially over time with overall call volumes dropping by more than 80% in the past year. MCI suggests that some consumers using mobile phones now may use pay-per-use pound codes to obtain the same types of information, and others may use the internet, social media or 800 numbers with services billed to the user via the caller’s credit card at the time of the call. MCI asserts that, due to the decline in usage of these services and the availability of ready alternatives, it now plans to discontinue its provision of MCI 900 Service in the Service Areas on or after June 30, 2013, subject to regulatory authorization and expiration of current customer contracts. According to MCI, all remaining customers are already receiving service on a month-to-month basis. MCI states that it sent notices to its two remaining customers by overnight 1 See Letter from Frederick E. Moacdieh, Executive Director, Federal Regulatory Affairs, to Ms. Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission (filed May 20, 2013). 2delivery on or before April 29, 2013. MCI maintains that the public convenience and necessity will not be impaired by the proposed discontinuance because the number of customers has declined as end users shift to alternative services and providers. MCI further submits that 900 number blocks have been assigned to other entities such as North County Communications; Fastrack Global Billing Networks, Inc.; PrimeTel Communications and ACI Communications Holdings. MCI represents that it is considered non-dominant with respect to the service to be discontinued. In accordance with section 63.71(c) of the Commission’s rules, MCI’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 MCI that the grant will not be automatically effective. In its amended application, MCI indicates that it plans to discontinue its provision of MCI 900 Service in the Service Areas on or after June 30, 2013, subject to regulatory authorization and expiration of current customer contracts. Accordingly, pursuant to section 63.71(c) and the terms of MCI’s amended application, absent further Commission action, MCI may discontinue MCI 900 Service in the Service Areas on or after June 30, 2013, in accordance with MCI’s filed representations. 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. Comments objecting to this application must be filed with the Commission on or before June 14, 2013. Such comments should refer to WC Docket No. 13-139 and Comp. Pol. File No. 1104. 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 may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the ECFS: 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. 3This proceeding is considered a “permit but disclose” proceeding for purposes of the Commission’s ex parte rules.2 Persons making ex parte presentations must file a copy of any written presentation or a memorandum summarizing any oral presentation within two business days after the presentation (unless a different deadline applicable to the Sunshine period applies). Persons making oral ex parte presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentation must (1) list all persons attending or otherwise participating in the meeting at which the ex parte presentation was made, and (2) summarize all data presented and arguments made during the presentation. If the presentation consisted in whole or in part of the presentation of data or arguments already reflected in the presenter’s written comments, memoranda or other filings in the proceeding, the presenter may provide citations to such data or arguments in his or her prior comments, memoranda, or other filings (specifying the relevant page and/or paragraph numbers where such data or arguments can be found) in lieu of summarizing them in the memorandum. Documents shown or given to Commission staff during ex parte meetings are deemed to be written ex parte presentations and must be filed consistent with rule 1.1206(b). In proceedings governed by rule 1.49(f) or for which the Commission has made available a method of electronic filing, written ex parte presentations and memoranda summarizing oral ex parte presentations, and all attachments thereto, must be filed through the electronic comment filing system available for that proceeding, and must be filed in their native format (e.g., .doc, .xml, .ppt, searchable .pdf). Participants in this proceeding should familiarize themselves with the Commission’s ex parte rules. 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 – 2 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.1200 et seq.