NEWS Federal Communications Commission 445 12th 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). News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: December 28, 2006 Mark Wigfield, 202-418-0253 Email: mark.wigfield@fcc.gov FCC GRANTS ACS OF ANCHORAGE, INC. FORBEARANCE RELIEF IN THE ANCHORAGE, ALASKA STUDY AREA Commission Relies on Substantial Evidence of Intermodal Competition Washington, D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission (Commission) today grants in part, subject to specific conditions, a petition for forbearance filed by ACS of Anchorage, Inc. (ACS) seeking relief from section 251(c)(3) unbundling obligations and section 252(d)(1) pricing obligations that apply to it as the incumbent telephone company in the Anchorage, Alaska local exchange carrier study area (Anchorage study area). Because of the particular market characteristics of the Anchorage study area, including the substantial infrastructure investment made by General Communication Inc. (GCI) in its competitive network, the Commission has determined to relieve ACS of certain legacy monopoly regulations. The Commission grants ACS relief in targeted areas where intermodal deployment is extensive. First, the Commission grants ACS relief from section 251(c)(3) unbundling obligations and section 252(d)(1) pricing obligations in 5 of the 11 wire centers in the Anchorage study area, where the level of facilities-based competition by GCI ensures that market forces will protect the interests of consumers and that such regulation, therefore, is unnecessary. Second, as a condition of today’s Order, the Commission requires ACS to make loops and certain subloops available in those wire centers where we grant relief, by no later than the end of the transition period, at the same rates, terms and conditions as those negotiated between GCI and ACS in Fairbanks, Alaska until commercially negotiated rates are reached. Third, the Commission creates a one-year transition period before the forbearance grant takes effect. Action by the Commission, December 28, 2006, by Memorandum Opinion and Order. Chairman Martin and Commissioner Tate, with Commissioners Copps and Adelstein concurring, and Commissioner McDowell not participating. WC Docket No. 05-281 Wireline Competition Bureau Staff Contact: Tim Stelzig, tim.stelzig@fcc.gov, 202-418-0942. -FCC- News about the Federal Communications Commission can also be found on the Commission’s web site www.fcc.gov.