Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C. 20554
June 9, 2017
DA 17-571
Via Electronic Mail
Thomas Jones
Mia Guizzetti Hayes
Wilikie Farr & Gallagher LLP
1875 K Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20006
Counsel for Level 3 Communications, Inc.
Yaron Don
Michael Beder
Brandon Johnson
Ani Gevorkian
Covington & Burling LLP
One City Center
850 Tenth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
Counsel for CentuiyLink, Inc.
Re: CenturyLink, Inc. and Level 3 Communications, Inc. Consolidated Applications for
Consent to the Transfer of Control of Licenses and Authorizations (WC Docket No. 16-403)
Dear Counsel:
Today, CenturyLink filed a letter stating that it intends to file additional data to supplement the
Applicants' previous responses to our requests for information. Accordingly, we are pausing the
Commission's informal 180-day shot clock as of today, June 9, 2017.
The 180-day clock represents a good-faith undertaking by the Commission to complete action on
assignment and transfer of control applications within a certain timeframe and is a means to keep
interested parties informed of the progress of those applications. The clock carries with it no procedural
or substantive rights or obligations but merely represents an informal benchmark by which to evaluate the
Commission's progress. Although the Commission seeks to meet the 180-day benchmark, its statutory
obligation under the Communications Act to determine whether an assignment or transfer serves the
public interest takes precedence over the informal timeline. Thus, the Commission retains the discretion
to determine whether, in a particular review proceeding, events beyond the Commission's control, the
need to obtain additional information, or the interests of sound analysis constitute sufficient grounds to
stop the clock.
We appreciate your cooperation in providing this material, which we believe is necessary to allow
us to complete our review of your applications, and we look forward to receiving it. Once we have had an
adequate opportunity to review the new information, including engaging in any discussions with the
Department of Justice, as permitted under our rules, and determining whether we need additional
information, we will restart the clock.
Sincerely,
Kris Monteit
Chief
Wireline Competition Bureau