*Pages 1--8 from Microsoft Word - 13192.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). December 3, 2001 OPEN PROCEEDINGS The following is a listing of current FCC Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRMs) and Notices of Inquiry (NOIs) open for public comment; however, routine petitions to amend the Table of Allotments are not included. This listing also includes pertinent Public Notices (PNs) announcing comment subjects and dates. For additional information, contact Marilyn Abraham (202) 418- 2374 in the Consumer Information Bureau. Please note: as comment and reply comment periods expire, they are deleted from this listing. An asterisk (*) indicates that the comment period deadline has past, but the reply comment period is still open. CABLE SERVICES BUREAU CS 98- 82, 96- 85; MM 92- 264, 94- 150, 92- 51, 87- 154; PN 10/ 12/ 01; DA 01- 2374 Commission Seeks Comment on the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Regarding the Cable Horizontal and Vertical Ownership Limits and Aspects of the Cable, Broadcast and MDS Attribution Rules. The Commission seeks comment on the above- captioned proceeding. Comments due December 26, 2001; replies due January 25, 2002. Contact: Daniel Hodes, Kiran Duwadi, Ava Holly Berland or Andrew Wise at (202) 418- 7200, (202) 418- 7365 TTY. CS 96- 85, 98- 82; ORDER 10/ 15/ 01 (adopted 10/ 12/ 01); DA 01- 2390 Implementation of Section 11 of the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992. The Commission extended the time period for filing comments in the above- captioned proceeding until January 4, 2002; replies due February 4, 2002. CS 01- 290; NPRM 10/ 18/ 01( adopted 10/ 11/ 01); FCC 01- 307 Implementation of the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992. The Commission initiated proceedings to examine whether or not to extend the prohibition on exclusive contracts for satellite- delivered cable or satellite- delivered broadcast programming 1 2 between vertically integrated programming vendors and cable operators. Comments due December 3, 2001; replies due January 7, 2002. COMMON CARRIER BUREAU CC 96- 45; PN 08/ 21/ 01; FCC 01J- 1 Federal- State Joint Board on Universal Service (Joint Board) Seeks Comment on Review of the Definition of Universal Service. The Joint Board invites comment on what services should be added to or removed from the list of core services eligible for federal universal service support and how those core service should be defined. Comments due 60 days from publication in the Federal Register; replies due 120 days from publication in the Federal Register. Contact: Greg Guice at (202) 418- 7400 (voice), (202) 418- 0484 TTY. CC 96- 262, 94- 1; PN 10/ 05/ 01; DA 01- 2327 Limited Extension of Time to File Cost Submissions, Comments, and Reply Comments in the Cost Review Proceeding for Residential and Single- Line Business Subscriber Line Charge (SLC) Caps. On September 17, 2001, the Commission initiated a cost review proceeding to determine the appropriate residential and single- line business subscriber line charge caps for price cap local exchange carriers. Cost submissions due: November 16*; comments due December 17; replies due January 9, 2002. Contact: Jennifer McKee, at (202) 418- 1530. CC 96- 45; PN 10/ 12/ 01; FCC 01J- 2 Federal- State Joint Board on Universal Service Seeks Comment on Review of Lifeline and Link- Up Service for All Low- Income Consumers. The Joint Board seeks comment regarding its review of Lifeline/ Link- Up, two federal support programs that are used to preserve and advance universal service and to ensure that quality telecommunications and information services are available to low- income consumers at just, reasonable and affordable rates, as required by the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Comments due 60 days from publication in the Federal Register; replies due 120 days from publication in the Federal Register. Contact: Anita Cheng or Dana Bradford at (202) 418- 7400 (voice), (202) 418- 0484 TTY. CC 01- 300; PN 10/ 30/ 01; DA 01- 2417 Commission Seeks Comment on Application Filed by Vartec Telecom Holding Company and Teleglobe Holdings (U. S.) Corporation for Consent to Transfer Control of Excel Communications, Inc. and its Wholly- Owned Subsidiaries, Excel, Telecommunications, 2 3 Inc., Emeritus Communications, Inc. d/ b/ a Dial and Save Corporation, and Long Distance Wholesale Club, Inc. On October 3, 2001, VarTec Telecom Holding Company (“ VarTec”) and Teleglobe Holdings (U. S.) Corporation (“ Teleglobe Holdings”) filed an application requesting authority pursuant to § 214 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, (“ the Act”), 47 U. S. C. § 214, and Section 63.01 of the Commission’s Rules, 47 C. F. R. § 63. 01, to transfer control of the domestic, interstate operation of Excel Communications, Inc. (“ Excel U. S.”) and its wholly- owned subsidiaries. Petitions to deny are due 30 days following the release of the Public Notice; final action will be taken 31 days following the date of the Public Notice. Contact: Tracey Wilson at (202) 418- 1394 (voice) or Bill Dever at (202) 418- 1578 (voice). CC 96- 262, 94- 1; PN 11/ 01/ 01; DA 01- 2547 Limited Extension of Time to File Comments and Reply Comments in the Cost Review Proceeding for Residential and Single- Line Business Subscriber Line Charge (SLC) Caps. The Commission granted The National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates an extension of time for filing comments in response to their cost submissions. Cost Submissions due November 16, 2001*; comments due January 24, 2002; replies due February 14, 2002. Contact: Jennifer McKee at (202) 418- 1530 (voice). PN 11/ 02/ 01 Comments Sought on SBC Telecom petition Requesting Approval of Certain LATA Boundary Adjustments to Offer Competitive Local Exchange Service in Ohio. The FCC seeks comment on SBC Telecom’s September 6, 2001 petition as well as its proposal for expedited LATA review. Comments due November 22*; replies due December 6. Contact: Alan Thomas at (202) 418- 2320 (voice), (202) 418- 0484 TTY. CC 01- 312; PN 11/ 08/ 01; DA 01- 2571 Commission Seeks Comment on Domestic 214 Application Filed by Southwestern Bell Telephone Company (" SBTC" or Applicant") to Transfer Control to Southwestern Bell Telephone, L. P., as part of Pro Forma Transfer Corporate Control, Pleading Cycle Established. The Commission seeks comment on the above- captioned proceeding. Comments due 31 days after the date of the Public Notice. Contact: Tracey Wilson at (202) 418- 1394 (voice) or Bill Dever at (202) 418- 1578 (voice). 3 4 CC 96- 98; PN 11/ 08/ 01; DA 01- 2602 Common Carrier Bureau Seeks Comment on Joint Petition for Expedited Temporary Waiver of 10- Digit Dialing Implementation Filed by New York State Public Service Commission, New York State Consumer Protection Board and City of New York. The Commission seeks comment on Petitioners’ request for a temporary waiver of the 10- digit dialing implementation plan. Comments due November 23*; replies due December 3. Contact: Tania Cho at (202) 418- 2320 (voice), (202) 418- 0484 TTY. CC 96- 45, 96- 98; PN 11/ 14/ 01; DA 01- 2636 Common Carrier Bureau Announces Final Opportunity for Parties to Refresh Record Regarding Reconsideration of Rules Adopted in the Universal Service First Report & Order, Local Competition First Report & Order, and Local Competition Second Report & Order. The Commission seeks comment on the above- captioned proceeding. Comments due 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. Contact: Sheryl Todd at (202) 418- 7400 (voice), (202) 418- 0484 TTY. CC 96- 149, 96- 98, 98- 141, 98- 147, 00- 51, 00- 229, 01- 3, NPRM 11/ 19/ 01 (adopted 11/ 16/ 01); FCC 01- 339 Performance Measurements and Standards for Interstate Special Access Services; 00- 51 Petition of U. S. West, 98- 147, 96- 98,98- 141 Petition of Association For Local Telecommunications Serves 96- 149 Sec. 271& 272, 00- 229 2000 Biennial Review; RM 10329 AT& T Corp. Petition. The Commission seeks comment on performance measurements and standards for evaluating incumbent local exchange carrier (incumbent LEC) performance in the provisioning of special access services. Comments due 30 days after the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is published in the Federal Register; replies due 21 days after the comment date. CC 96- 141, 96- 98, 98- 56, 98- 147, 01- 318; NPRM 11/ 19/ 01 (adopted 11/ 08/ 01); FCC 01- 331 Performance Measurements & Standards CC Dkt. Nos. 01- 318, 98- 56, Deployment of Wireline Srvs. Offeromg Advanced Telecommunications Capability 98- 147, and Petition of Assoc. for Local Telecommunications Srvs. CC 98- 147, 96- 96, 98- 141. The Commission seeks comment on performance measurements and standards for evaluating incumbent local exchange carrier performance in the provisioning of facilities used by their carrier- customers to compete for end- user customers. Comments due 30 days after the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is published the Federal Register; replies due 21 days after the comment date. 4 5 CCB/ CPD 01- 22; PN 11/ 20/ 01; DA 01- 2665 Pleading Cycle Established for Sprint Petition for Pricing Flexibility for Special Access and Dedicated Transport Services. On November 16, 2001, Sprint local telephone companies filed a petition for pricing flexibility for special access and dedicated transport services pursuant to sections 1.774 and 69.701 et seq. of the Commission’s rules, 47 C. F. R. § 1. 774 and 69.701 et seq. Comments due December 3; replies due December 13. Contact: Julie Saulnier, at (202) 418- 1530 (voice). PN 11/ 21/ 2001; DA 01- 2724 Comments Sought on Verizon’s Revised Cost Allocation Manual. The Commission seeks comment on the above- captioned proceeding. Comments due December 21; reply due January 7, 2002. Contact: Ed Dashkin at (202) 418- 0806 (voice), (202) 418- 0484 TTY. CC 96- 150; ORDER 11/ 15/ 01 (adopted 11/ 15/ 01); DA 01- 2670 Accounting Safeguards Under the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The Commission granted a limited extension of time until January 24, 2002 for submitting comments on Verizon's section 272( d) biennial audit report. CC 01- 324; PN 11/ 26/ 01; DA 01- 2746 Comments Requested on the Application by Verizon for Authorization Under Section 271 of the Communications Act to Provide In- Region, InterLATA Service in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. On November 26, 2001, Verizon New England Inc., Bell Atlantic Communications, Inc. (d/ b/ a Verizon Long Distance), NYNEX Long Distance Company (d/ b/ a Verizon Enterprise Solutions), Verizon Global Networks Inc., and Verizon Select Services Inc. (collectively, Verizon) filed an application for authorization to provide in- region, interLATA service in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, pursuant to section 271 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Act), 47 U. S. C. § 271. Comments due December 17, 2001; replies due January 10, 2002. Contact: Julie Veach at (202) 418- 1558 (voice). INTERNATIONAL BUREAU IB 95- 91; PN 11/ 01/ 01; DA 01- 2570 Request for Further Comment on Selected Issues Regarding the Authorization of Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service Terrestrial Repeater Networks. 5 6 The Commission seeks comment on the proposals described for the resolution of issues identified in the record that have not been addressed by commenters. Comments due 21 days after the Public Notice appears in the Federal Register; replies due 28 days after the Public Notice appears in the Federal Register. MASS MEDIA BUREAU PN 11/ 05/ 01; DA 01- 2565 Mass Media Bureau Action Comment Sought on Motion for Declaratory Ruling. On October 1, 2001, Lorillard Tobacco Company filed a Motion for Declaratory Ruling with the Commission pursuant to Section 1. 2 of the Commission’s Rules. Comments due December 5; replies due December 20. Contact: Roger Holberg at (202) 418- 2130 (voice). PN 11/ 09/ 01; DA 01- 2605 Auction of Construction Permits for New Analog Television Stations Scheduled for February 5, 2002. Comment Sought on Reserve Prices or Minimum Opening Bids and other Auction Procedural Issues. The Commission seeks comment on the above- captioned proceeding. Comments due November 26*; replies due December 3. Contact: Kenneth Burnley at (202 418- 0660 (voice) or Linda Sanderson at (717) 338- 2888 (voice). OFFICE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY ET 01- 278; NPRM 10/ 15/ 01 (adopted 10/ 02/ 01); FCC 01- 290 Review of Part 15 and other Parts of the Commission’s Rules. The Commission seeks comment on the above- captioned proceeding. Comments due 75 days from date of publication in the Federal Register; replies due 105 days from date of publication in the Federal Register. WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU WT 01- 289; NPRM 10/ 16/ 01 (adopted 10/ 10/ 01) FCC 01- 303 Review of Part 87 of the Commission’s Rules Concerning the Aviation Radio Service. The Commission proposed consolidating, revising and streamlining the rules in the above captioned- proceeding. Comments due 90 days after publication in the Federal Register; replies due 120 days after publication in the Federal Register. 6 7 WT 01- 135; PN 11/ 08/ 01; DA 01- 2608 TeleCorp PCS, Inc. and AT& T Wireless, Inc. Seek FCC Consent to Transfer Control of Licenses. The Commission seeks comments on the above- captioned proceeding. Petitions/ Comments due December 10; Oppositions due December 20, 2001; Replies due December 28. Contact: Lauren Kravetz Patrich Lauren or Erin McGrath at (202) 418- 7240 (voice) (Part 24 only); Jeff Tobias at (202) 418- 1617 (voice) (Part 10l only) or Imani Ellis- Cheek at (202) 418- 1028 (voice) (International Section 214 authorization only). WT 01- 316; PN 11/ 08/ 01; DA 01- 2618 Sprint PCS and AT& T File Petitions for Declaratory Ruling on CMRS Access Charge Issues. The Commission seeks comment on the issues identified in the above- captioned proceeding. Comments due November 30*; replies due December 12. Contact: Gregory Vadas at (202) 418-1310 (voice) or Steve Morris at (202) 418- 1520 (voice). PN 11/ 13/ 01; DA 01- 2635 Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Seeks Comment on Request for Waiver by Fort Lee, New Jersey, Police Department to Obtain a Public Safety License for Twelve UHF Paging Control Frequencies. On October 5, 2001, Fort Lee, New Jersey filed an application and a request for waiver to use, for public safety purposes, six Part 22 UHF control channels, 470.0375 MHz, 470.1125 MHz, 470.2625 MHz, 476. 375 MHz, 476.0875 MHz and 476.2625 MHz paired with six Part 90 UHF control channels, 473.1875 MHz, 473, 1625 MHz, 473.2625 MHz, 479.0375 MHz, 479. 0875 MHz and 479.2625 MHz in the New York Metropolitan area. Comments due November 26*; replies due December 3. Contact: Karen Franklin at (202) 418- 0680 (voice), (202) 418- 7233 TTY. WT 01- 309; NPRM 11/ 14/ 01 (adopted 10/ 29/ 01); FCC 01- 320 In the Matter of Section 68.4( a) of the Commission’s Rules Governing Hearing Aid-Compatible Telephones. The Commission seeks comment on whether public mobile service telephones should be required to be hearing aid compatible. Comments due January 11, 2002; replies due February 11, 2002. 7 8 PN 11/ 15/ 01; DA 01- 2662 WTB Seeks Comment on Request for Waiver by Briar Tek, Inc., for Type Certification of Personal 121.5 MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). On October 31, 2001, Briar Teck Inc. filed a request for waiver of Section 80.1055( a)( 3) of the Commission’s Rules to permit the type certification for a new 121.5 MHz Personal FPIRB. Comments due November 26*; replies due December 3. Contact: Jim Shaffer at (202) 418- 0687 (voice), (202) 418- 7233 TTY. CC 94- 102; PN 11/ 20/ 01; DA 01- 2722 Cingular, Nextel, and Verizon File Petitions for Reconsideration of Commission Orders on Wireless E911 Phase II Waiver Requests. The Commission seeks comment on the above- captioned proceeding. Oppositions and Comments due December 19, 2001; replies due January 4, 2002. Contact: Dan Grosh, Andra Cunningham or Steve Rangel at (202) 418- 1310 (voice). WT 01- 319; NPRM 11/ 21/ 01 (adopted 11/ 09/ 01); FCC 01- 333 Review of Quiet Zones Application Procedures. The Commission seeks comment on its proposal to revise and streamline the current requirements for applications affecting areas know as “Quiet Zones”. Comment due January 22, 2002; replies due February 6, 2002. 8