DA 19-49
Released:  February 6, 2019

SECTION 214 DISCONTINUANCE AUTHORIZATIONS AFTER PERIOD OF LIMITED GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

WC Docket No(s). 18-324, 18-351, 18-354 & 18-367

Re: Section 63.71 Discontinuance Applications of Big Bend Telephone Company (Comp. Pol. File No. 1493); Windstream Services, LLC, et al. (Comp. Pol. File No. 1503); Worldwide Telecommunications, Inc. (Comp. Pol. File No. 1504); and Verizon Delaware LLC, et al. (Comp. Pol. File No. 1505)

On January 3, 2019, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) released a Public Notice See Notice Regarding Status of Pending Section 214 Applications Due to Lapse in Funding, WC Docket Nos. 18-324, 18-351, 18-354, 18-356, 18-367, Public Notice, DA 19-14 (WCB Jan. 3, 2019).
 announcing that, due to the lapse in appropriations related to federal agency spending authorizations, the above referenced domestic section 214 discontinuance applications would not be automatically granted, pursuant to section 63.71 of the Federal Communications Commission’s  (Commission) rules. 47 C.F.R. § 63.71.
  The Bureau hereby announces that, in the absence of further Commission action, the following comment deadlines and automatic grant dates shall apply to the applications referenced below, pursuant to sections 1, 4(i), and 214 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. §§ 151, 154(i), 214, and sections 0.91, 0.291, and 63.71 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 0.91, 0.291, 63.71.

1. Comments Invited on Section 214 Application(s) to Discontinue Domestic Dominant Carrier Telecommunications Services, WC Docket No. 18-324, Public Notice, DA 18-1144 (rel. Nov. 8, 2018) (Big Bend Telephone Company (Big Bend), Comp. Pol. File No. 1493).  Comments were due on December 10, 2018 and the application is now automatically granted on February 6, 2019.  Accordingly, pursuant to section 63.71(f) and the terms of Big Bend’s application, absent further Commission action, Big Bend may discontinue Voice Grade 4-Wire Analog service, switched and special access circuits in the areas specified in its application on or after February 6, 2019.  

2. Comments Invited on Section 214 Application(s) to Discontinue Domestic Non-Dominant Carrier Telecommunications Services, WC Docket No. 18-351, Public Notice, DA 18-1269 (rel. Dec. 19, 2018) (Windstream Services, LLC, et al. (Windstream), Comp. Pol. File No. 1503).  Comments were originally due on January 3, 2019, during the period of limited government operations, but the deadline changed to January 30, 2019, pursuant to the January 29, 2019 Public Notice. See Revisions to Filing and Other Deadlines Following Resumption of Normal Commission Operations, Public Notice, DA 19-26 (CGB, EB, IB, MB, PSHSB, WTB, WCB, OEA OET, OGC, and OMD Jan. 29, 2019).
  The application is now automatically granted on February 6, 2019.  Accordingly, pursuant to section 63.71(f) and the terms of Windstream’s application, absent further Commission action, Windstream may discontinue Integrated T-1 voice and data service via TDM in the areas specified in its application on or after February 6, 2019.

3. Comments Invited on Section 214 Application(s) To Discontinue Domestic Non-Dominant Carrier Telecommunications Services, WC Docket No. 18-354, Public Notice, DA 18-1244 (rel. Dec. 12, 2018) (Worldwide Telecommunications, Inc. (Worldwide), Comp. Pol. File No. 1504).  Comments were due on December 27, 2018 and the application is now automatically granted on February 6, 2019.  Accordingly, pursuant to section 63.71(f) and the terms of Worldwide’s application and notice, absent further Commission action, Worldwide may discontinue interstate long distance and toll-free termination services in the areas specified in its application on or after February 6, 2019.

4.	Comments Invited on Section 214 Application(s) To Discontinue Domestic Dominant Carrier Telecommunications Services, WC Docket No. 18-367, Public Notice, DA 18-1268 (rel. Dec. 19, 2018) (Verizon Deleware, LLC, et al. (Verizon), Comp. Pol. File No. 1505).  Comments were originally due on January 18, 2019, during the period of limited government operations, and are now due on February 8, 2019, pursuant to the January 29, 2019 Public Notice. Id.
  The application is scheduled to be automatically granted on February 17, 2019, unless the Commission notifies Verizon that the grant will not be automatically effective.  Accordingly, pursuant to section 63.71(f) and the terms of Verizon’s application, absent further Commission action, Verizon may discontinue Feature Group A service (also known as “Pagepath”) in the areas specified in its application on or after February 28, 2019.

For further information, please contact Kimberly Jackson, Competition Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, at (202) 418-7393.







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