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 13-276 Released: February 22, 2013 WIRELINE COMPETITION BUREAU RELEASES FURTHER DISCUSSION TOPICS AND SEEKS ADDITIONAL COMMENT IN CONNECT AMERICA COST MODEL VIRTUAL WORKSHOP WC Docket No. 10-90 On Tuesday, October 9, 2012, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) announced the commencement of a 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. On January 17, 2013, the Bureau announced the release of version two of the Connect America Cost Model.2 Today, the Bureau seeks public input on three newly added virtual workshop discussion topics: · Income and Property Tax · Fiber-to-the-Premises Capital Cost Inputs · Determining the Fraction of Supported Locations that will Receive Speeds of 6 Mbps/1.5 Mbps or Greater In addition, the Bureau seeks public input on additional questions relating to plant mix input values and the busy hour demand for residential and business. As a comment under the existing “Plant Mix” topic, the Bureau seeks comment on updated plant mix data recently submitted by the ABC Coalition and asks whether it should use that plant mix data when it adopts the final version of the model. As a comment under the “Sizing of Network Facilities” topic, the Bureau asks whether it should use 440 kbps as the busy hour offered load value when it adopts the final version of the model. Responses should be submitted in the virtual workshop no later than March 25, 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. Comments from the virtual workshop will be included in the official public record of this proceeding. The Bureau will not rely on anonymous comments posted during the workshop in reaching decisions regarding the model. Participants should be aware that identifying information 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 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). 2from 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 -