*Pages 1--3 from Microsoft Word - 60405.doc* PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th St., S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov TTY: 1- 888- 835- 5322 FCC 06- 158 Released: October 19, 2006 RELEASE OF FUNDING YEAR 2007 ELIGIBLE SERVICES LIST FOR SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES UNIVERSAL SERVICE MECHANISM CC Docket No. 02- 6 On December 23, 2003, the Commission adopted section 54.522 that formalizes the process for updating the Eligible Services List (ESL) for the schools and libraries universal service support mechanism. 1 Specifically, section 54.522 requires the Commission to seek comment on the Universal Service Administrative Company’s (USAC) proposed eligible services list and issue a Public Notice attaching the final ESL for the upcoming funding year at least 60 days prior to the opening of the funding window for the schools and libraries program. 2 Accordingly, on July 21, 2006, pursuant to the Commission’s rules, the Commission released a Public Notice (FCC 06- 109) seeking comment on USAC’s proposed ESL for Funding Year 2007, pursuant to the Commission’s rules. 3 The Commission now releases the attached Funding Year 2007 ESL for the schools and libraries universal service support mechanism. Section 54.522 requires the Commission to issue a public notice attaching the final eligible services list for the upcoming funding year at least 60 days prior to the opening of the funding window for the schools and libraries program. 4 Under this timeframe, the Administrator of the schools and libraries universal service support mechanism (the Universal Service Administrative Company or USAC) would need to wait 60 days after the Commission releases a final ESL for funding year 2007, before it could open the funding window for funding year 2007. To facilitate the application process for funding year 2007, we authorize USAC to open the annual application filing window on November 14, 2006. We therefore waive on our own motion section 54.522 of the Commission's rules requiring publication of the ESL at least 60 days prior to the commencement of the filing window. 5 We conclude that this action will facilitate the application process for E- rate beneficiaries applying for monies for funding year 2007. 1 See 47 C. F. R. § 54. 522. The rule was intended to promote greater transparency for what is eligible for support under the schools and libraries support mechanism. See Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism, CC Docket No. 02- 6, Third Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 18 FCC Rcd 26912, 26929, para. 40 (2003). 2 47 C. F. R. § 54.522. 3 See Pleading Cycle Established for Eligible Services List for Universal Service Mechanism for Schools and Libraries, CC Docket No. 96- 45, FCC 06- 109, Public Notice (rel. Jul. 21, 2006) (July 21 st Public Notice). 4 See 47 C. F. R. § 54. 522. 5 See 47 C. F. R. § 1.3 (providing that the Commission’s rules may be waived for good cause). 1 3 the Commission take action that was not permitted by the short time frame allotted for this proceeding by section 54.522. For further information, contact Gina Spade, Regina Brown, Cara Voth, or James Bachtell in the Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau at (202) 418- 7400, TTY (202) 418- 0484. Action taken by the Commission on October 19, 2006: Chairman Kevin J. Martin and Commissioners Michael J. Copps, Jonathan S. Adelstein, Deborah Taylor Tate and Robert M. McDowell. -FCC- 3