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 13-904 Released: April 25, 2013 WIRELINE COMPETITION BUREAU ANNOUNCES DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF STUDY AREA BOUNDARY WAIVERS WC Docket No. 10-90 WC Docket No. 05-337 The high cost loop support (HCLS) benchmarking methodology adopted in the HCLS Benchmarks Implementation Order currently uses a commercial data source for study area boundaries that are used in the regression’s geographically-based variables.1 When it implemented the benchmarking methodology, the Wireline Competition Bureau (“Bureau”) provided for an expedited process for rate-of- return carriers to submit information to correct their study area boundaries.2 Subsequently, the Bureau adopted a procedure to collect study area boundaries,3 with that information due from incumbents no later than May 23, 2013, or from state commissions no later than June 28, 2013.4 In light of the ongoing process to revise the benchmarks to incorporate study area boundaries obtained through this data collection, the Bureau will accept expedited requests to modify study area boundaries only until August 1, 2013. The process of preparing and submitting study area boundary data this year (or reviewing any data submitted by states) should give carriers subject to the benchmarking rule the opportunity to determine if they should seek an expedited waiver to correct the boundaries used in benchmark limit calculations for 2012 and 2013. Shapefiles filed by state commissions will be available to the relevant carrier shortly after filing, so carriers whose states file on the carriers’ behalf will have sufficient time to submit a waiver request if they so choose. Any study area corrections submitted after August 1, 2013 will not be used to adjust caps for 2012 and 2013. Additional Information Additional information on the study area boundary data collection, including the orders referenced in this Public Notice, can be found on the Commission’s study area boundary webpage at http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/study-area-boundary-data-collection. Specific questions about the requirements may be sent to StudyAreaBoundaries@fcc.gov. You can also contact the study area boundary staff at the Industry Analysis and Technology Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, FCC by 1 Connect America Fund; High-Cost Universal Service Support, WC Docket Nos. 10-90, 05-337, Order, 27 FCC Rcd 4235 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2012) (HCLS Benchmarks Implementation Order). 2 Id. at 4246-47, paras. 27, 29. 3 Connect America Fund; High-Cost Universal Service Support, WC Docket Nos. 10-90, 05-337, Report and Order, 27 FCC Rcd 13528 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2012); Order on Reconsideration, 28 FCC Rcd 1489 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2013). 4 Wireline Competition Bureau Announces Procedures and Deadlines for Submissions of Study Area Boundaries, WC Docket Nos. 10-90, 05-337, Public Notice, DA 13-456 (Wireline Comp. Bur. rel. Mar. 18, 2013). 2calling (202) 418-0940, (202) 418-0484 (tty). For additional information about this Public Notice, please contact John Emmett at (202) 418-0386 or John.Emmett@fcc.gov, or Chelsea Fallon at (202) 418-7991 or Chelsea.Fallon@fcc.gov. - FCC -