PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0513 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 13-156 Released: February 5, 2013 WIRELINE COMPETITION BUREAU SEEKS ADDITIONAL COMMENT IN CONNECT AMERICA COST MODEL VIRTUAL WORKSHOP WC Docket Nos. 10-90, 05-337 On Tuesday, October 9, 2012, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) announced the commencement of the Connect America Cost Model (CACM) virtual workshop to solicit input and facilitate discussion on topics related to the development and adoption of the forward-looking cost model for Connect America Phase II. 1 To date, parties have commented on 18 different topics in the virtual workshop. Today, the Bureau seeks public input on additional questions relating to modeling voice capability and Annual Charge Factors (ACFs). The follow-up questions, which appear in the comment sections of the “Voice Capability” and “Determining the Annualized Cost of Capital Investments” topics, ask: · Is it reasonable to model voice capability based on a per subscriber basis? Are there any alternative ways to model the cost? · Are the specific inputs that CACM version two uses for the cost of voice capability reasonable? If proposing an alternative method, what specific sources and values should be used? · Is the specific approach in CACM version two of calculating ACFs by taking into account the economic life of the assets using Gompertz-Makeham curves reasonable? · Are the ACFs used in CACM version two reasonable? Commenters should address these new questions focusing specifically on CACM version two.2 Responses should be submitted in the virtual workshop no later than March 7, 2013. The Bureau may continue to add discussion topics or follow-up questions, which will be announced by Public Notice. Parties can participate in the virtual workshop by visiting the Connect America Fund webpage, http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/connecting-america, and following the link to the virtual workshop. The virtual workshop will take place over a period of weeks sufficient to allow public input on all material issues. Discussion of additional topics or follow-up questions may start and end at specific times that will be announced in advance. Comments from the virtual workshop will be included in the official public record of this proceeding. The Bureau will not rely on anonymous 1 Wireline Competition Bureau Announces Commencement of Connect America Phase II Cost Model Virtual Workshop, WC Docket Nos. 10-90, 05-337, Public Notice, 27 FCC Rcd 11977 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2012). See also Wireline Competition Bureau Announces Connect America Phase II Cost Model Virtual Workshop, WC Docket Nos. 10-90, 05-337, Public Notice, 27 FCC Rcd 11056 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2012). 2 On January 17, 2013, the Bureau announced the release of CACM version two. See Wireline Competition Bureau Announces Availability of Version Two of the Connect America Fund Phase II Cost Model, WC Docket No. 10-90, Public Notice, 28 FCC Rcd 280 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2013). 2comments posted during the workshop in reaching decisions regarding the model. Participants should be aware that identifying information from parties that post material in the virtual workshop will be publicly available for inspection upon request, even though such information may not be posted in the workshop forums. Reasonable accommodations, including materials in accessible formats (Braille, large print, electronic files, and audio format) for people with disabilities are available upon request. Please include a description of the accommodation you will need, and tell us how to contact you if we need more information. Please make your request as early as possible. Last minute requests will be accepted but may be impossible to fill. Accommodation requests should be directed to Kelly Jones, at Kelly.Jones@fcc.gov, 202-418-7078 (voice), 202-418-1169 (TTY), or 845-474-0054 (video). For further information, please contact Katie King, 202-418-7491, Katie.King@fcc.gov or Ted Burmeister, 202-418-7389, Theodore.Burmeister@fcc.gov. - FCC -