*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 19190.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). FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: June 24, 2002 Michael Balmoris 202- 418- 0253 Email: mbalmori@ fcc. gov FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION AUTHORIZES VERIZON TO PROVIDE LONG DISTANCE SERVICE IN NEW JERSEY Washington, D. C. – Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that it voted to approve Verizon’s application to provide in- region, interLATA service originating in New Jersey. Approval of Verizon’s application promises substantial benefits for the state’s consumers in the form of enhanced competition in both the local and long distance markets. This is Verizon’s second application for section 271 approval in New Jersey. Verizon’s initial New Jersey application was filed with the Commission on December 20, 2001, but was withdrawn on March 19, 2002. Competing carriers have approximately 610,000 lines in New Jersey. Approximately 57,000 of these lines are residential. Roughly 361,000 of the lines are served solely over their own facilities; approximately 40,000 lines are served through unbundled network element platforms; and approximately 182,000 lines are served through resale. With the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (1996 Act), Congress envisioned fundamental, pro- competitive changes in the telecommunications markets by making a Bell Operating Company’s (BOC) entry into the long distance market subject to the BOC first opening its local service monopoly to competition. A BOC satisfies this contingency by demonstrating compliance with section 271 of the 1996 Act. After a BOC files a section 271 long distance application with the FCC, the FCC has 90 days to determine whether a BOC has taken the statutorily required steps to open its local telecommunications markets to competition, including compliance with the 1996 Act’s section 271 14- point “competitive checklist.” Since the passage of the 1996 Act, the FCC has denied five long distance applications, and now has approved applications to provide in- region, long distance service in 15 states. Additionally, applications for seven states have been withdrawn. Currently, there are section 271 applications for 10 states – Qwest’s joint application for Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska and North Dakota; and BellSouth’s joint application for Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina – pending before the Commission. A summary of all section 271 applications can be accessed at the following FCC web page: www. fcc. gov/ Bureaus/ Common_ Carrier/ in- region_ applications/ 1 -- more -- The FCC emphasizes that Verizon must continue to comply with the section 271 checklist requirements, and the Commission has a number of enforcement tools at its disposal, including imposing penalties or suspension of approval. -FCC- Docket No.: WC 02- 67 Action by the Commission June 24, 2002, by Report and Order (FCC 02- 189). Chairman Powell and Commissioners Abernathy, Copps, and Martin; with Commissioner Copps issuing a statement. Wireline Competition Bureau Staff Contact: Alex Johns at 202- 418- 1580 News about the Federal Communications Commission can also be found on the Commission’s web site www. fcc. gov. 2