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 15-935 Released: August 19, 2015 COMMENTS INVITED ON APPLICATION OF SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P. TO DISCONTINUE DOMESTIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES WC Docket No. 15-186 Comp. Pol. File No. 1230 Comments Due: September 3, 2015 Section 214 Application Applicant: Sprint Communications Company L.P. On June 19, 2015, Sprint Communications Company L.P. (Sprint or Applicant), located at 6200 Sprint Parkway, Overland Park, Kansas 66251, 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 certain domestic telecommunications services in each of the United States, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (collectively, Service Areas). 1 Sprint indicates that it currently offers certain wireline consumer long-distance services and associated features including Message Telecommunications Services (MTS) (i.e., 1+ long distance), FONCARD, Directory Assistance, and Operator Services (Affected Services), along with associated consumer pricing plans, in the Service Areas. The Applicant states, however, that in response to changing market conditions, it has decided to terminate its provision of the Affected Services in the Service Areas. 2 Sprint submits that, on January 5, 2015, it received authority to cease offering the Affected Services to new customers 3 and that it now plans to discontinue its provision of the Affected Services to remaining customers effective September 19, 2015, or as soon thereafter as the necessary regulatory approvals are 1 See Section 63.71 Application of Sprint Communications Company L.P., WC Docket No. 15-186 (filed June 19, 2015), http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/comment/view?id=60001073072 (Application). 2 Sprint asserts that it is the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) contractor in 35 states and territories and that it is bound under these contracts to offer Sprint Casual Caller TRS interexchange service to TRS users that are not pre-subscribed to a carrier. The Applicant clarifies that it is not seeking to discontinue Casual Caller service to TRS system users and that it will continue to provide Casual Caller service to TRS system users in states where Sprint is the TRS service provider. 3 See Comments Invited on Application of Sprint Communications Company L.P. to Discontinue Domestic Telecommunications Services, WC Docket No. 14-243, Public Notice, 29 FCC Rcd 14711 (rel. Dec. 5, 2014). Sprint explains that, in its previous application, it sought authority to grandfather the Affected Services along with certain other services offered to business customers. 2obtained. 4 Sprint maintains that the proposed discontinuance will not result in material harm to the affected customers because they can easily obtain alternative services from other wireline interexchange carriers. According to Sprint, customers also may purchase substitute long distance services and features from wireless carriers such as Sprint or from a host of other alternative providers such as interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol providers. Sprint states that it mailed notice to all affected customers between June 15, 2015 and June 19, 2015. Sprint asserts that it is considered non-dominant with respect to the services to be discontinued. In accordance with section 63.71(d) of the Commission’s rules, Sprint’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 Sprint that the grant will not be automatically effective. In the Application and notice to customers, Sprint indicates that it intends to discontinue its provision of the Affected Services in the Service Areas effective September 19, 2015, or as soon thereafter as the necessary regulatory approvals are obtained. Accordingly, pursuant to section 63.71(d) and the terms of the Application and notice to customers, absent further Commission action, Sprint may discontinue the Affected Services in the Service Areas on or after September 19, 2015, in accordance with Sprint’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 September 3, 2015. Such comments should refer to WC Docket No. 15-186 and Comp. Pol. File No. 1230. 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://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs. 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 4 Sprint states that it also plans to cease providing its outbound international services and features. The discontinuance of international service is governed by section 63.19 of the Commission’s rules. See 47 C.F.R. § 63.19. 3the 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. 5 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), (888) 835-5322 (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 (888) 835-5322. For further information on procedures regarding section 214 please visit http://www.fcc.gov/wcb/cpd/other_adjud. – FCC – 5 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.1200 et seq.