PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 14-498 Released: April 14, 2014 COMMENTS INVITED ON APPLICATION OF AT&T SERVICES, INC. ON BEHALF OF SNET AMERICA, INC. D/B/A AT&T LONG DISTANCE EAST TO DISCONTINUE DOMESTIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES WC Docket No. 14-62 Comp. Pol. File No. 1150 Comments Due: April 29, 2014 Section 214 Application Applicant: AT&T Services, Inc. on behalf of SNET America, Inc. d/b/a AT&T Long Distance East On March 31, 2014, AT&T Services, Inc. (AT&T or Applicant) filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) on behalf of its affiliate, SNET America, Inc. d/b/a AT&T Long Distance East (SAI or Applicant), located at 84 Deerfield Lane, Room C2C, Meriden, CT 06450, 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 certain domestic telecommunications services in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Wisconsin and Wyoming (Service Areas). AT&T indicates that SAI currently offers Switched Access Interstate voice service, Switched Access International voice service, Operator Services and Directory Assistance in the Service Areas. AT&T explains that Switched Access Interstate voice service allows a subscriber to place interstate voice calls between locations within the United States. According to AT&T, Switched Access International voice service allows a subscriber to place voice calls between locations in the United States and applicable international points, and between applicable international points. AT&T describes SAI’s Operator Services as services that allow subscribers to complete a call using alternative billing options such as Collect, Third-Party and Person-to-Person with operator assistance. AT&T states that SAI’s Directory Assistance allows subscribers to request the telephone number or area code of a party located in another state or United States territory. AT&T asserts, however, that SAI does not have any current customers subscribing to these services in the affected markets. Accordingly, AT&T states that SAI plans to discontinue these services and no longer offer them in the Service Areas on or after May 15, 2014, subject to Commission authorization. 1 AT&T maintains that the public convenience and necessity will not be impaired by the proposed discontinuance because SAI currently does not have any customers and there are other providers of these services in the affected markets. AT&T asserts that SAI is considered a non-dominant carrier with respect to these services. 1 Discontinuance of international service is governed by section 63.19 of the Commission’s rules. See 47 C.F.R. § 63.19. 2In accordance with section 63.71(c) of the Commission’s rules, AT&T’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 AT&T that the grant will not be automatically effective. In the application, AT&T indicates that SAI plans to discontinue these services and no longer offer them in the Service Areas on or after May 15, 2014, subject to Commission authorization. Accordingly, pursuant to section 63.71(c) and the terms of the application as applicable, absent further Commission action, SAI may discontinue offering its Switched Access Interstate voice service, Operator Services and Directory Assistance in the Service Areas on or after May 15, 2014. 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 29, 2014. Such comments should refer to WC Docket No. 14-62 and Comp. Pol. File No. 1150. 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. This 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, 2 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.1200 et seq. 3and (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 –