Federal Communications Commission	DA 21-978


Before the
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C. 20554

In the Matter of

Rates for Interstate Inmate Calling Services
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WC Docket No. 12-375

Order

Adopted:  August 10, 2021				                                 Released: August 10, 2021

Comment date: September 27, 2021
Reply Comment Date: October 27, 2021

By the Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau:

1. By this Order, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) of the Federal Communications Commission grants an extension of time for filing comments and reply comments on the Fifth Further Notice in the above-captioned proceeding. Federal Communications Commission, Rates for Interstate Inmate Calling Services, 86 Fed. Reg. 40416 (July 28, 2021) (ICS Federal Register Summary).
  As a result, comments are now due on September 27, 2021 and reply comments are now due on October 27, 2021.  
2. On May 24, 2021, the Commission released the ICS Third Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, and Fifth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in this proceeding. See Rates for Interstate Inmate Calling Services, WC Docket No. 12-375, Third Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, and Fifth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 21-60 (2021) (Fifth Further Notice or Further Notice). 
  The Fifth Further Notice set deadlines for filing comments and reply comments at 30 and 60 days, respectively, after a summary of the item was published in the Federal Register. Fifth Further Notice, FCC 21-60, at 1.  
  The Federal Register published that summary on July 28, 2021, and established deadlines of August 27, 2021 and September 27, 2021 for filing comments and reply comments, respectively. ICS Federal Register Summary.
  
3. On August 3, 2021, Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc. (TDI), supported by the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, HEARD, the Human Rights Defense Center, the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), Public Knowledge, the United Church of Christ, OC Inc., Voqal, and Worth Rises (collectively, Movants) filed a Motion for Extension of Time seeking 30-day extensions of the comment and reply deadlines. Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc., Motion for Extension of Time to Reply, WC Docket No. 12-375, at 1 (filed Aug. 03, 2021) (Motion for Extension of Time).
  Movants explain that “the Commission’s important and numerous inquiries in the Fifth Further Notice are wide-ranging and complex, and affording additional time for organizations to develop their comments will ensure that a full record is developed.” Id. at 1.  
  Movants further explain that their ability to meet the current comment and reply comment deadlines is compromised due to staffing concerns during the month of August, a reply comment schedule condensed by two holidays, and the need for at least one of the movants to transition to new legal clinic staff between now and the filing deadlines. Id. at 1-2.
  Movants assert that “a brief extension would provide the organizations and their counsel sufficient time to finish developing a full array of comments on the broad range of important issues presented by the Fifth [Further Notice].” Id.  
  No party has filed an opposition to the Movants’ request.
4. As set forth in section 1.46 of the Commission’s rules, it is the policy of the Commission that extensions of time shall not be routinely granted. 47 CFR § 1.46.  
  Nevertheless, we find that Movants have shown good cause for an extension of the comment and reply comment deadlines and that the public interest will be served by extending the comment deadline to September 27, 2021 and extending the reply comment deadline to October 27, 2021.  
5. Under these circumstances, and in the interest of allowing all parties an opportunity to fully and meaningfully respond to the comments and expert reports filed in response to the Fifth Further Notice, we agree that an extension of the reply comment deadline is warranted.  
6. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to sections 0.204, 0.291, and 1.46 of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR §§ 0.204, 0.291, 1.46, that the Motion for Extension of Time filed by the Movants on August 2, 2021 is GRANTED. 
7. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the date for filing comments on the Fifth Further Notice is EXTENDED to September 27, 2021, and that the date for filing reply comments on the Fifth Further Notice is EXTENDED to October 27, 2021. 
8. To request materials in accessible formats (such as Braille, large print, electronic files, or audio format), send an email to: fcc504@fcc.gov, or call the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice) or (202) 418-0432 (TTY).  
9. For further information concerning this proceeding, please contact Simon Solemani of the Wireline Competition Bureau, Pricing Policy Division, at (202) 418-2270 or simon.solemani@fcc.gov. 

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION



Kris Anne Monteith
Chief
Wireline Competition Bureau

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