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 13-540 Released: March 22, 2013 COMMENTS INVITED ON APPLICATION OF VERIZON SELECT SERVICES INC. TO DISCONTINUE DOMESTIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES WC Docket No. 13-80 Comp. Pol. File No. 1089 Comments Due: April 8, 2013 Section 214 Application Applicant: Verizon Select Services Inc. On February 19, 2013, Verizon Select Services Inc. (VSSI 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, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (collectively Service Areas). VSSI indicates that it currently offers outbound long distance voice service (VSSI long distance) to approximately 10,000 retail customers and fifty wholesale customers in the Service Areas. VSSI describes VSSI long distance as a long distance outbound voice grade service that includes standard feature-rich international, interstate, and intrastate long distance access and transport services. VSSI adds that VSSI long distance is offered under various pricing plans, including Education Connections Service, Enterprise Connections Service, Long Distance Message Telecommunications Service and Simple Connections Services. VSSI indicates, however, that more than sixty percent of the retail customers for this service are currently not billing any usage, and that most of these customers have not billed to the service in more than six months. VSSI states that in the course of rationalizing its product portfolio and minimizing duplicative offerings, it plans to grandfather and eventually discontinue VSSI long distance in the Service Areas.1 VSSI specifies that, on or after April 22, 2013 and subject to Commission authorization, it plans to no longer accept new customers for VSSI long distance in the Service Areas. VSSI explains that, on or after that date, existing customers will be able to retain VSSI long distance in accordance with the terms and conditions of their existing contracts, and that VSSI will continue to fill orders for moves, adds, or changes for such customers. VSSI states that it will work to transition customers to alternative services, and will eventually discontinue VSSI long distance completely. VSSI maintains, however, that the public convenience and necessity will not be impaired by the proposed discontinuance because other Verizon affiliates such as Verizon Business Services will continue to offer comparable long distance voice services including IP Integrated Access Service, IP Trunking Service, Outbound Long Distance and 1 Discontinuance of international service is governed by 47 C.F.R. § 63.19. 2Verizon Communications Express. VSSI adds that the market for these services remains competitive because other providers, including AT&T, CenturyLink, Level 3, Sprint and numerous other wireless and wireline providers also offer reasonable substitute long distance voice services. VSSI asserts that affected customers were notified of the proposed discontinuance by letters sent via U.S. mail and overnight courier on or before February 19, 2013. VSSI states 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, VSSI’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 VSSI that the grant will not be automatically effective. In the application and notices to customers, VSSI indicates that on or after April 22, 2013 and subject to Commission authorization, VSSI plans to grandfather and eventually discontinue VSSI long distance in the Service Areas. Accordingly, pursuant to section 63.71(c) and the terms of VSSI’s application and notices, absent further Commission action, VSSI may cease to offer and may discontinue VSSI long distance in the Service Areas on or after April 22, 2013, in accordance with VSSI’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 April 8, 2013. Such comments should refer to WC Docket No. 13-80 and Comp. Pol. File No. 1089. 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 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 – 2 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.1200 et seq.