*Pages 1--11 from Microsoft Word - 8751.doc* NEWS News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 TTY 202 / 418- 2555 Fax- On- Demand 202 / 418- 2830 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov ftp. fcc. gov Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street, S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D. C. Circ 1974). May 7, 2001 OPEN PROCEEDINGS The following is a listing of current FCC Notices of Proposed Rulemaking and Notices of Inquiry open for public comment, except routine petitions to amend the Table of Allotments. This listing also includes pertinent Public Notices announcing comment subjects and dates. For additional information, contact Marilyn Abraham, Consumer Information Bureau at (202) 418- 2374. Please note: as comment and reply comment periods expire, they are deleted from this listing. *Asterisk indicates comment period deadline is past, but reply comment period still is open. CABLE SERVICES BUREAU PN 03/ 28/ 01; DA 01- 780 Carriage of Digital Television Broadcast Signals, Amendments to Part 76 of the Commission's Rules, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Published in the Federal Register, March 26, 2001. Carriage of Digital Television Broadcast Signals, Amendments of Part 76 of the Commission's Rules, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 01- 22 (CS Docket Nos. 98- 120, 00- 96, 00- 2) regarding cable carriage of broadcast digital television pursuant to mandatory carriage and retransmission consent has been published in the Federal Register, 66 Fed. Reg. 16523, 16532 (March 26. 2001). Comments due May 10; replies due June 25. Contact: Michelle Russo at 418- 2358. TTY: (202) 418- 7172. CS 01- 7; ORDER 04/ 10/ 01 (adopted 04/ 09/ 01); DA 01- 905 Nondiscrimination in the Distribution of Interactive Television Services Over Cable. The Commission granted in part an extension of time to file reply comments filed by the Media Access Project and extended the deadline for filing reply comments until May 11, 2001. 1 2 CS 98- 120, 00- 96, 00- 2; ORDER 04/ 25/ 01 (adopted 04/ 24/ 01); FCC 01- 22 Carriage of Digital Television Broadcast Signals and Implementation of the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act of 1999. Order issued to extend the period for filing comments on the Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making for the above caption proceeding. Comments due June 11; replies due July 26. Contact: Eloise Gore at (202) 418- 7200. PN 04/ 18/ 01; DA 01- 913 Commission Seeks Public Comment on AT& T Mediaone License Transfer Conditions and Establishes Pleading Cycle on Petition for Reconsideration in CS Docket No. 99- 251. The Commission seeks comment on the court’s ruling on the condition imposed in the June 6 Order. In particular, the Commission seeks comment on whether to proceed with the conditions in light of the court’s decision. In addition, to provide for a consolidated pleading cycle on the issues raised in this public notice and those raised by the Consumers Union’s petition for reconsideration, including the contingent petition for reconsideration. The Commission has extended the pleading cycle established by section 1.106 of the rules. Comments due May 11; replies due May 25. Contact: Linda Senecal at (202) 418- 7044, Royce Dickens Sherlock at (202) 418- 7030, TTY (202) 418- 7172 or (888) 835- 5322. New Media Contact: Michelle Russo at (202) 418- 2358. ORDER 04/ 24/ 01 (adopted 04/ 20/ 01); DA 01- 1038 Communications Workers of America. The Commission granted AT& T's Motion for Extension of Time for thirty (30) days until May 9, 2001 in which to file its opposition to the Communications Workers of America's (" CWA") complaint. COMMON CARRIER BUREAU CC 95- 20, 98- 10; PN 03/ 07/ 01; DA 01- 620 Further Comment Requested to Update and Refresh Record on Computer III Requirements. The Commission seeks comment on whether ISPs can obtain, under the ONA framework, the telecommunications service inputs that they require from the BOCs, including Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) service. Comments due 30 days after publication in the Federal Register; replies due 45 days after publication in the Federal Register. Contact: Jodie Donovan- May or Jessica Rosenworcel at (202) 418- 1580. 2 3 CC 01- 77, PN 03/ 22/ 01; DA 01- 728 Pleading Cycle Established for Comments on Petition of Coalition of Competitive Fiber Providers for Declaratory Ruling of Sections 251( B)( 4) and 224( F)( 1). On March 15, 2001, the Coalition of Competitive Fiber Providers filed a petitionrequesting a declaratory ruling pursuant to sections 25 (b)( 4) and 224( f)( 1) of the Communications Act, that incumbert local exchange carriers (ILEC's) must provide to telecommunications carriers nondiscriminatory access to any "duct, conduit, or right- of- way" owned or controlled by an ILEC leading to or located in, ILEC central offices. Comments due April 23*; replies due May 8. Contact: Janice M. Myles at (202) 418- 1577. CC 98- 141, 98- 184; PN 03/ 26/ 01; DA 01- 764 Pleading Cycle Established for Comments on Worldnet Telecommunications, Inc. Ex Parte Letter Concerning Bell Atlantic/ GTE Merger Conditions. On February 12, 2001, WorldNew Telecommunications, Inc. filed an Ex Parte Letter requesting that the Commission reopen the above referenced docket. Comments due April 25*; replies due May 10. Contact: Janice M. Myles 202- 418- 1577. CC 96- 45; PN 03/ 27/ 01; DA 01- 757 Petition of Genesis Communications International, Inc. for Declaratory Ruling Regarding Lifeline Assistance Revenues. Pleading Cycle Established. On November 17, 2000, Genesis Communications International, Inc. filed a Petition for Declaratory Ruling. Genesis requests declaratory rulings regarding: (1) Whether Commission certification of Genesis' eligibility was a prerequisite to obtaining reimbursement from the National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc. for Lifeline discounts given to eligible end users under California's Universal Lifeline Telephone Service program; and (2) whether Genesis was entitled to submit claims and receive reimbursement from NECA on a retroactive basis. Comments due April 26*; replies due May 11. Contact: Sheryl Todd at (202) 418- 7400, TTY (202) 418- 0484. CC 98- 141, CC 98- 184; PN 03/ 30/ 01; DA 01- 722 CCB Seeks Comment on Letters Filed by Verizon and Birch Re: Most- Favored Nation Condition of SBC/ Ameritech and Bell Atlantic/ GTE Orders. The Commission seeks comment on both letters and as to whether there are grounds to waive or modify the relevant MFN conditions. Comments due April 30*; replies due May 14. Contact: Mark Stone at (202) 418- 0816. CC 96- 45, PN 04/ 02/ 01; DA 01- 814 3 4 Smith Bagley, Inc. Petitions to Redefine the Service Area of Table Top Telephone Company on Tribal Lands Within the State of Arizona. The Common Carrier Bureau provides notice that Smith Bagley, Inc. has filed a petition, pursuant to section 54.207 of the Commission's rules, requesting the Commission's consent to the Arizona Corporation Commission's proposed "service area" definition for areas served by Table Top Telephone Company within Arizona. Comments due April 30*; replies due May 14. Contact: Richard D. Smith or Anita Cheng at (202) 418- 7400, TTY (202) 418- 0484. CC 96- 45; ORDER 04/ 05/ 01 (adopted 04/ 04/ 01); DA 01- 835 St Jean Vianney School, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Cleveland Municipal School District, Cleveland, Ohio, Total Com USA, Ltd., Doolittle West School, Chicago, Illinois, Seventh Day Adventist School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Commission extended the time period for taking action in the above captioned Requests for Review of decisions by the Schools and Libraries Division is extended by 30 days to April 19, 2001, for the Request for Review filed by St. Jean Vianney School, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; to May 10, 2001 for the Requests for Review filed by Cleveland Municipal School District, Cleveland, Ohio, for Funding Request Numbers 418921 and 421840; to May 10, 2001, for the Request for Review filed by Total Com USA, Ltd.; to May 14, 2001 for the Request for Review filed by Doolittle West School, Chicago, Illinois, and; to May 16, 2001 for Request for Review filed by Seventh Day Advantist School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. PN 04/ 05/ 01; DA 01- 864 Comments Sought on Century Tel of Washington Cost Allocation Manual. On April 2, 2001, Century Tel of Washington, Inc. filed revisions to its cost allocation manual, in accordance with Section 64.903 of the Commission's rules. Comments due May 7*; replies due May 22. Contact: Debbie Weber at (202) 418- 0812, TTY (202) 418- 0484. CC 96- 98, PN 04/ 10/ 01; DA 01- 911 Pleading Cycle Established for Comments on Joint Petition of BellSouth , SBC and Verizon. On April 5, 2001, BellSouth Corporation and BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. and Verizon Telephone Companies filed a Joint Petition asking the Commission to find that high- capacity loops and dedicated not be subject to mandatory unbundling. Comments due May 10; oppositions or replies due May 25. Contact: Janice M. Myles at (202) 418- 1577. ORDER 04/ 03/ 01 (adopted 04/ 02/ 01); DA 01- 772 ComSat Communications. 4 5 The Commission granted COMSAT's request for an extension of time from April 1 until June 1, 2001, to file its annual Joint Cost Report and independent audit report on its Cost Allocation Manual. CC 96- 98, CC 99- 200; PN 04/ 19/ 01; DA 01- 984 Common Carrier Bureau Seeks Comment on the Iowa Utilities Board Petition for Delegation of Additional Authority and the Supplement to the North Carolina Utilities Commission’s Petition for Additional Delegated Authority to Implement Number Conservation Measures. Pleading Cycle Established. The Commission seeks comment on the Iowa and North Carolina Commissions’ requests for delegated authority to implement the number conservation measures in the above caption proceeding. Comments due May 9; replies due May 18. Contact: Jennifer Gorny at (202) 418- 2320, TTY (202) 418- 0484. CC 96- 98, PN 04/ 23/ 01; DA 01- 1041 Common Carrier Bureau Grants Motion for Extension of Time for Filing Comments and Reply Comments on BOC Joint Motion Regarding Unbundled Network Elements. On April 5, 2001, BellSouth Corporation and BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc., BellSouth Commissions, Inc., and Verizon Telephone Companies filed a Joint Petition asking the Commission to find that high- capacity loops and dedicate not be subject to mandatory unbundling. Comments due June 11; replies due June 25. Contact: Janice Myles at (202) 418- 1580. PN 04/ 24/ 01; DA 01- 1059 Comments Invited on Gallatin River Communications, LLC Applications to Discontinue Domestic Services in Staunton and Livingston, Illinois. On March 8, 2001, Gallatin River Communications, LLC filed an application requesting authority under section 214( a) of the Communications Act of 1934 , 47 U. S. C. § 214( a), and section 63.71 of the Federal Communications Commission’s rules, 47 C. F. R. § 53.71, to discontinue service to certain local exchange facilities in connection with a proposed sale of such facilities to Madison Telephone Company, LLC. Comments due May 8. Contact: Marty Schwimmer at (202) 418- 2320 or Carmell Weathers at ( 202) 418- 2325. PN 04/ 24/ 01; DA 01- 1060 Comments Invited on Viatel, Inc. and Viatel Services, Inc. Application to Discontinue Providing Domestic Services. 5 6 On March 15, 2001, Viatel, Inc. and Viatel Services, Inc. filed an application requesting authority under section 214( a) of the Communications Act of 1934, 47 U. S. C. § 214( a), and section 63.71 of the Federal Communications Commission’s rules, 47 C. F. R. § 63.71, to discontinue certain U. S. domestic telecommunications services. Comments due May 8. Contact: Marty Schwimmer at (202) 418- 2320 or Carmell Weathers at (202) 418- 2325. PN 04/ 24/ 01; DA 01- 1061 Comments Invited on GST Telecommunications, Inc. Application to Discontinue Domestic Services in New Mexico. On March 20, 2001, GST Telecommunications, Inc. and its subsidiaries filed an application requesting authority under section 214( a) of the Communications Act of 1934, 47 U. S. C. § 214( a), and section 63.71 of the Federal Communications rules, 47 C. F. R. § 63. 71, to discontinue the provision of certain U. S. domestic telecommunications services with respect to its customers and assets acquired by Comcast Cablevision of New Mexico, Inc. Comments due May 8. Contact: Marty Schwimmer at (202) 418- 2320 or Carmell Weathers at (202) 418- 2325. CC 01- 100, PN 04/ 23/ 01; DA 01- 1063 Comments Requested on the Application by Verizon New York, Inc. for Authorization Under Section 271 of the Communication Act to Provide In- Region, Region, InterLATA Service in the State of Connecticut. On April 23, 2001, Verizon New York, Inc., Verizon Long Distance, Verizon Enterprise Solutions, Verizon Global Networks Inc., and Verizon Selection, Inc. filed an application for authorization to provide in- region, interLATA service in the State of Connecticut, pursuant to section 271 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended , 47 U. S. C. §271. Comment or opposition due May 14, 2001. Contact: Michael Balmoris at (202) 418- 1500, Claudia Pabo at (202) 418- 1595 or Alex Johns at (202) 418- 1167. CC 99- 1, PN 04/ 24/ 01; DA 01- 1067 ALLTEL Files Petition to Extend Current Interim Waiver of Section 61. 41 to Allow Aliant to Continue Under Price Cap Regulation. On April 18, 2001, ALLTEL Corporation, which acquired Aliant Communications, Inc. in 1999, filed a petition to extend the interim waiver of section 61. 41 of the Commission's rules to allow Aliant exchanges to continue operating under price cap regulation for another year, effective July 1, 2001. Comments due May 8; replies due May 15. Contact: Marvin Sacks at (202) 418- 2017. PN 04/ 27/ 01 Comment Sought on Verizon's Request for Limited Modification of LATA Boundaries to Provide Expanded Local Calling Service Between Certain Exchanges in Pennsylvania. 6 7 On March 26, 2001,Verizon Pennsylvania, Inc. filed a petition requesting access and transport area boundaries to provide one- way expanded local calling between the Lehighton and Palmerton Exchanges in Pennsylvania. Comments due May 11; replies due May 18. Contact: Alan Thomas at (202) 418- 2338. PN 04/ 27/ 01 Comment Sought on Ameritech's Request for Limited Modification of LATA Boundaries to Provide Expanded Local Calling Service Between Certain Exchanges in Ohio. On July 21, 2001, Ameritech filed a petition requesting modification of local access and transport area boundaries to provide two- way, non- optional, measured rate expanded local calling service between the Ripley exchange of Ameritech Ohio, and the Clermont and Cincinnati Exchanges of Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company in Ohio. Comments due May 11; replies due May18. Contact: Alan Thomas at (202) 418- 2338. PN 04/ 27/ 01 Comment Sought on BellSouth's Request for Limited Modification of LATA Boundaries to Provide Expanded Local Calling Service Between Various Exchanges in Alabama. BellSouth Telecom Inc filed a petition requesting limited modification of local access and transport area boundaries to provide two- way flat- rated, non- optional expanded local calling service. Comments due May 11; replies due May 18. Contact: Alan Thomas at (202) 418- 2338. PN 04/ 30/ 01; DA 01- 1112 Comments Invited on Cable & Wireless, USA, Inc. Application to Discontinue Domestic Services. On March 30, 2001, Cable & Wireless, USA, Inc. filed an application requesting authority under section 214( a) of the Communications Act of 1934, 47 U. S. C. § 214( a), and section 63.71 of the Federal Communications Commission's rules, 47 C. F. R. § 63. 71, to discontinue C& W's provision of United Telnet service, an inbound and outbound, switched and dedicated access long distance toll service. Comments due May 18. Contact: Carmell Weathers at (202) 418- 2325 or Marty Schwimmer at (202) 418- 2320, TTY: (202) 418- 0484. PN 04/ 30/ 01; DA 01- 1113 Comments Invited on Cincinnati Bell Application to Discontinue Domestic Interstate Services. On February 15, 2001, Cincinnati Bell Long Distance (CBLD) filed an application requesting authority under section 214( a) of the Communications Act of 1934, 47 U. S. C. § 214( a), and 7 8 section 63.71 of the Federal Communications Commission's rules, 47 CF. R. § 63.71, to discontinue CBLD's resale and facilities- based interstate domestic long distance services. Comments due March 18. Contact: Carmell Weathers at (202) 418- 2325 or Marty Schwimmer at (202) 418- 2320, TTY: (202) 418- 0484. PN 04/ 30/ 01; DA 01- 1114 SmartSynch, Inc. Seeks Commission Determination of "Exempt Telecommunications Company" Status Under The Public Utility Holding Company Act. Pleading Cycle Established. On March 23, 2001, SmartSynch, Inc. pursuant to section 34( a)( 1) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, 15 U. S. C. § 79, et seq., as added by section 103 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Pub. L. No. 104- 104, filed and application requesting a determination by the Federal Communications Commission that it is an exempt telecommunications company. Comments due May 8; replies due May 15. Contact: Carmell Weathers at (202) 418- 2325 or Marty Schwimmer at (202) 418- 2320, TTY: (202) 418- 0484. CC 96- 45; FNPRM 04/ 30/ 01 (adopted 04/ 26/ 01); FCC 01- 143 In the Matter of Federal -State Joint Board on Universal Service. The Commission seeks comment on a proposed rule change to give funding priority to requests for internal connections made by individual schools and libraries that did not receive funding commitments for internal connections during the previous funding year. The Commission also seeks comment on proposed administrative modifications to its rules to provide additional time for recipients under the schools and libraries universal service support mechanism to implement contracts or agreements with service providers for non- recurring services. Comments due 15 days after publication in the Federal Register; replies due 22 days after publication in the Federal Register. ENFORCEMENT BUREAU EB 01- 66; NPRM 03/ 20/ 01 (adopted 03/ 13/ 01); FCC 01- 88 Amendment of Part 11 of the Commission's Rules Regarding the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The Commission seeks comment on requested revisions to the Part 11 rules governing the Emergency Alert System (EAS) set forth in petitions for rulemaking filed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service and the Society of Broadcast Engineers. In addition, the Commission propose to revise Part 11 of the Rules to eliminate references to the now- defunct Emergency Action Notification network and its participants. Further, the Commission propose to amend Part 11 to delete the requirement that international High Frequency broadcast stations purchase and install EAS Equipment. 8 9 Comments due 75 days after publication in the Federal Register; replies due 105 days after publication in the Federal Register. INTERNATIONAL BUREAU PN 04/ 30/ 01; DA 01- 1092 The FCC's Advisory Committee for the 2003 World Radiocommunication Conference Proposes Preliminary Views on WRC- 03 Issues. The Commission seeks comment on the recommendations that appear in all of the WRC- 03 Advisory Committee documents and on the Commission's initial impressions of which preliminary views it can support. Comments due May 9. MASS MEDIA BUREAU PN 04/ 25/ 01; DA 01- 1072 In The Matter of Extension of the Five- Year Build- Out Period for BTA Authorization Holders in the Multipoint Distribution Service. Pursuant to Section 1.3 of the commission's rules, 47 C. F. R. § 1.3, the Mass Media Bureau seeks comment on a proposal to extend the current five- year build- out requirement imposed upon Basic Trading Area authorization holders in the Multipoint Distribution Service by two years. Comments due May 9; reply due May 16. Contact: Brad Lerner at (202) 418- 7066. 1072A1.txt OFFICE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY ET 98- 153, PN 03/ 26/ 01; DA 01- 753 Revised - Comments Requested on Reports Addressing Potential Interference from Ultra-Wideband Transmission Systems. The Commission is requesting comments on five reports it has received regarding the potential for ultra- wideband transmission systems to cause harmful interference to other radio operations. Comments due April 25*; replies due May 10. Contact: John A. Reed at (202) 418- 2455. GN 01- 74; NPRM 03/ 28/ 01 (adopted 03/ 16/ 01); FCC 01- 91 Reallocation and Service Rules for the 698- 746 MHz Spectrum Band (Television Channels 52- 59). The Commission proposed to reallocate the 698- 746 MHz spectrum band, currently comprising television (" TV") Channels 52- 59. Comments due May 14; replies due June 4. 9 10 ET 98- 206, PN 04/ 23/ 01; DA 01- 933 Comments Requested on the MITRE Corporation Report on Technical Analysis of Potential Harmful Interference to DBS from Proposed Terrestrial Services in the 12.2- 12.7 GHZ Band. The Commission seeks comment on the MITRE Corporation's report on Prevention of Interference to Direct Broadcast Satellite Services, of the Commerce, Justice, State and Judiciary Appropriations Act, H. R. 5548. Comments due May 15; replies due May 23. Contact: Michael Marcus at (202 418- 2418 or Tom Derenge at (202) 418- 2451. WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU CC 94- 102, PN 04/ 06/ 01; DA 01- 894 WTB Seeks Comment on Wireless E911 Phase 2 Waiver Request Filed by AT& T Wireless Services, Inc. On April 4, 2001, AT& T Wireless Services, Inc. requests a waiver of the Phase II rules to permit it to deploy a hybrid network and handset- based technology called Enhanced Observed Time Difference of Arrival throughout its planned Global System for Mobil Communications air interface network and a technology called Mobile- Assisted Network Location System for its current Time Division Multiple Access network. Comments due May 7*; replies due May 21. Contact: Dan Grosh or Patrick Forster at (202) 418- 1310. ORDER 04/ 13/ 01 (adopted 04/ 12/ 01); DA 01- 932 Intelligent Transportation System Applications Using Dedicated Short Range Communications. The Commission extended the comment period in the above referenced proceeding to May 16, 2001 and the reply period to May 31, 2001. PN 04/ 19/ 01; DA 01- 970 Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Seeks Comment on Space Data Research, LLC'S Request for Declaratory Ruling or Waiver Regarding the Narrowband PCS Rules. On April 10, 2001, Space Data Research, LLC, (Space Data) filed with the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau a Request for Declaratory Ruling or, in the Alternative for a Waiver, regarding three Commission rules that affect Space Data operations. The Bureau seeks comment on the Request. Comments due May 21; replies due May 31. Contact: Melvin Spann at (202) 418- 1333. WT 94- 102, PN 04/ 23/ 01; DA 01- 1042 10 11 Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Seeks Comment on Wireless E911 Phase II Waiver Request Filed by Carolina PCS I, LP. On February 6, 2001, Carolina PCS I, LP requested a waiver rules to permit it to deploy a hybrid ALI approach for its Global System for Mobile Co. network that would include both network and handset upgrades. Comments due May 23; replies due June 7. Contact: Jennifer Tomchin at (202) 418- 1310. 11