[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 9, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15724-15733]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-8757]



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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Parts 1, 61, and 63

[IB Docket No. 95-118, FCC 96-79]


Streamlining the International Section 214 Authorization Process 
and Tariff Requirements

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: On February 29, 1996, the Federal Communications Commission 
adopted rules to streamline the international Section 214 authorization 
process and tariff requirements. The Commission anticipates that the 
elimination of unnecessary and outdated administrative obligations on 
carriers will enable them to compete in an evolving global 
telecommunications market with greater speed and flexibility. These 
rules will lower the barriers to entry, which will encourage more 
applicants to enter the international market, ensuring more competition 
and lower prices for international services to consumers.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Sec. 61.23(c) will become effective May 9, 1996. All 
other regulations take effect either May 9, 1996 or upon approval by 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), whichever occurs later. When 
approval is received, the agency will publish a document announcing the 
effective date.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For further information on the Report and Order contact: Helene T. 
Schrier, Attorney-Advisor, Policy and Facilities Branch, 
Telecommunications Division, International Bureau, (202) 418-1470.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Report 
and Order adopted February 29, 1996, and released March 13, 1996 (FCC 
96-79). The full text of this Report and Order is available for 
inspection and copying during normal business hours in the FCC 
Reference Center (Room 239), 1919 M Street NW., Washington, DC 20554. 
The complete text of this Report and Order also may be purchased from 
the Commission's copy contractor, International Transcription Service, 
Inc., 2100 M Street NW., Suite 140, Washington, DC 20037, (202) 857-
3800.

Summary of Report and Order

    1. In response to a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (60 FR 37980 
(July 25, 1995)), the Commission adopted new rules to streamline the 
international Section 214 authorization process and tariff 
requirements. The new rules will facilitate international carriers 
entrance, expansion and exit from the market.
    2. The Commission anticipates that the new rules will make entry to 
the U.S. telecommunications market easier as a facilities-based 
applicant will need only one authorization to serve virtually all 
points in the world using U.S.-licensed facilities. A facilities-based 
applicant with a foreign carrier affiliation, however, may obtain only 
a limited global Section 214 authorization to provide service to 
destination markets where the carrier's affiliate does not possess 
market power.

[[Page 15725]]

    3. Global authorizations will be streamlined processed. That is, 
once the Commission reviews the applications to determine eligibility 
for streamlined processing, the Commission will place them on public 
notice as accepted for filing, and state whether they will be 
streamlined or not. Petitions to deny streamlined applications must be 
filed within 21 days. If streamlined applications are unopposed, they 
will be deemed granted 35 days after the date of the initial public 
notice of acceptance for filing, and the applicants may commence 
operations on the 36th day. Shortly after the streamlined application 
has been granted, we will issue a second public notice that will be 
published in the FCC Record and will serve as the applicants' Section 
214 authorization. The second public notice will list the applications 
granted and restrictions, if any, on providing service to particular 
countries and on the use of certain facilities. Applications that are 
contested or require the International Bureau to make a determination 
as to the degree of market power possessed by a foreign carrier 
affiliate will not be eligible for streamlined processing. Such 
applications will be acted upon by written order.
    4. This global Section 214 authorization will be subject to an 
exclusion list that the International Bureau will maintain identifying 
countries or facilities for which there are restrictions. The 
International Bureau will include the exclusion list as part of each 
public notice listing granted streamlined applications, or in the case 
of non-streamlined grants, in the granting order. And, the 
International Bureau's Reference Center will maintain a copy of the 
exclusion list.
    5. To further ease entry into the U.S. international services 
market, the Commission's new rules simplify and accelerate the Section 
214 and cable landing license application process. The rules reduce the 
amount of information previously required in applications for Section 
214 authorization and cable landing licenses. Applicants will have the 
option of filing international Section 214 applications on computer 
diskettes but must still file a paper copy of their application. 
Applications in foreign languages must be accompanied with a certified 
translation in English. And, the Commission instructs the International 
Bureau to determine the practicality of creating a standardized form 
for filing Section 214 applications. In addition, the Commission will 
make available to the public through the Internet and other sources 
filing aids such as checklists, instruction sheets or sample Section 
214 applications.
    6. The new rules will eliminate several regulatory requirements 
that delay carriers from expanding their services. First, authorized 
resellers no longer will need to obtain additional authorizations to 
resell services of carriers not identified in their initial 
authorization. Resellers may resell services of any authorized carrier 
except U.S. facilities-based affiliates that are regulated as dominant 
on routes the reseller seeks to serve. If a reseller desires to resell 
service of an affiliated underlying carrier that is regulated as 
dominant on some routes and not on others, the reseller is now 
authorized to resell that carrier's services on those routes on which 
the underlying carrier is non-dominant. The reseller should file a 
separate Section 214 application, however, to provide resale service on 
routes where the underlying carrier is deemed dominant. Second, 
carriers that are authorized to resell interconnected private lines for 
switched services to a designated ``equivalent'' country no longer will 
need to obtain separate Section 214 authority to serve additional 
equivalent countries. Once that carrier receives the initial 
authorization, the carrier automatically may resell private lines to 
provide switched service to all countries that are determined by the 
Commission, currently or subsequently, to provide equivalent resale 
opportunities for U.S.-based carriers. This procedure also will be 
available to facilities-based carriers that wish to provide switched 
service over their authorized facilities-based private lines. The only 
limit on this flexibility is for those facilities-based carriers or 
resellers that have an affiliation with a dominant carrier in the 
equivalent country. In such a case, carriers will file a separate 
Section 214 application. Third, non-dominant U.S. international 
carriers, and U.S. international carriers regulated as dominant for 
reasons other than having foreign affiliations, may add circuits on 
U.S.-licensed non-common carrier satellite or submarine cable systems 
without obtaining additional authority. Dominant carriers will still 
file a Section 214 application if they seek to add circuits on a non-
common carrier system to a point where they have an affiliate that 
possesses market power.
    7. The new rules also are designed to ease carriers' exit from the 
market. Dominant carriers are now authorized to simply notify the 
Commission when they convey submarine cable capacity to other carriers 
instead of obtaining prior Section 214 authority. And, non-dominant 
carriers will be allowed to provide 60, as opposed to 120, days' notice 
to their customers before discontinuing service or retiring facilities.
    8. The Report and Order streamlines the tariff requirements for 
non-dominant international carriers by permitting them to file their 
international tariffed rates on one day's notice instead of the current 
14 days' notice. The Commission will apply the same relaxed form and 
content requirements used for non-dominant domestic carriers, including 
the filing of the tariffs on computer diskettes and the inclusion of a 
brief cover letter.
    9. Finally, the Commission invites the public to make suggestions 
regarding what, if any, Section 214 authorization requirements it 
should forbear from applying.

Administrative Matters

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce 
paperwork burdens, will publish a separate document inviting the 
general public and OMB to comment on the proposed information 
collections contained in this Report and Order.

Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    Pursuant to section 603 of Title 5, United States Code, 5 U.S.C. 
603, an initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis was incorporated in the 
Notice of Proposed Rule Making in IB Docket No. 95-118. Written 
comments on the proposals in the Notice, including the Regulatory 
Flexibility Analysis, were requested.
A. Need and Purpose of Rules
    This Report and Order streamlines the international Section 214 
authorization process and tariff requirements in order to greatly 
lessen the regulatory burdens on applicants, authorized carriers, and 
the Commission to enable them to operate more efficiently and respond 
better to customers' needs in a timely manner. These rules allow 
international carriers to enter and exit the market more quickly with 
greater flexibility to meet the evolving needs of the global 
telecommunications market.
B. Issues Raised by the Public in Response to the Initial Analysis
    We received one comment in response to the Initial Regulatory 
Flexibility Analysis. The America's Carriers Telecommunications 
Association (ACTA) completely supported the initiatives of the 
Commission in seeking to reduce unnecessary regulation and to 
streamline the regulation required to serve the interests of the 
public. ACTA

[[Page 15726]]
raised one area of concern as the Commission replaces traditional 
regulatory controls in favor of competition to regulate the 
marketplace. ACTA states that effective enforcement of the remaining 
regulations, which is both prompt and effective, is critical to 
survival of the smaller competitors in the industry. ACTA states that 
present complaint and tariff processes favor the established carriers, 
as does commercial arbitration and/or the Alternative Dispute 
Resolution proceedings of the Commission. ACTA states that the 
Commission should provide small competitors a fair, unbiased and 
competent forum to air their grievances and to obtain justice.
C. Significant Alternatives Considered
    We have attempted to balance all the commenters' concerns with our 
public interest mandate under the Act in order to adopt a clear and 
administratively feasible approach to processing international Section 
214 applications and tariffs. Where we have removed regulations, we 
have been careful to consider the implications on small businesses and 
the industry in general. We have considered and addressed all of the 
alternatives offered. We rejected proposals to streamline dominant 
carrier regulations where we believed such action would hinder our 
ability to regulate dominant carriers, and safeguard against market 
power abuses.

Ordering Clauses

    1. Accordingly, it is ordered, that Sec. 61.23(c) will become 
effective May 9, 1996. All other regulations take effect either May 9, 
1996 or upon approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), 
whichever occurs later. When approval is received, the agency will 
publish a document announcing the effective date.
    2. This action is taken pursuant to sections 4, 214, 219, 303(r) 
and 403 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154, 
214, 219, 303(r) and 403.
    3. It is further ordered that this proceeding is hereby terminated.

List of Subjects

47 CFR Part 1

    Administrative practice and procedure.

47 CFR Part 61

    Communications common carriers.

47 CFR Part 63

    Communications common carriers.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.

Rule Changes

    Parts 1, 61 and 63 of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
are amended as follows:

PART 1--PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE

    1. The authority citation for part 1 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154, 303, and 309(j) unless otherwise 
noted.

    2. Section 1.767 is amended by revising paragraph (a) and adding 
new paragraphs (e) and (f) to read as follows:


Sec. 1.767  Cable landing licenses.

    (a) Applications for cable landing licenses under 47 U.S.C. 34-39 
and Executive Order No. 10530, dated May 10, 1954, should be filed in 
duplicate and in accordance with the provisions of that Executive 
Order. These applications should contain:
    (1) The name, address and telephone number(s) of the applicant;
    (2) The Government, State, or Territory under the laws of which 
each corporate or partnership applicant is organized;
    (3) The name, title, post office address, and telephone number of 
the officer and any other contact point, such as legal counsel, to whom 
correspondence concerning the application is to be addressed;
    (4) A description of the submarine cable, including the type and 
number of channels and the capacity thereof;
    (5) A specific description of the cable landing location on the 
shore of the United States and in foreign countries where the cable 
will land (including a map). Applicants initially may file a general 
geographic description of the landing points; however, grant of the 
application will be conditioned on the Commission's final approval of a 
more specific description of the landing points to be filed by the 
applicant no later than 90 days prior to construction. The Commission 
will give public notice of the filing of this description, and grant of 
the license will be considered final if the Commission does not notify 
the applicant otherwise in writing no later than 60 days after receipt 
of the specific description of the landing points.
    (6) A statement as to whether the cable will be operated on a 
common carrier or non-common carrier basis, and if operation will be on 
a non-common carrier basis, include the ownership information required 
in Sec. 63.18 (e)(6) and (h) (1) through (2) of this chapter; and
    (7) Any other information that may be necessary to enable the 
Commission to act on their application.
* * * * *
    (e) A separate application shall be filed with respect to each 
individual cable system for which a license is requested, or for which 
modification or amendment of a previous license is requested.
    (f) Applicants shall disclose to any interested member of the 
public, upon written request, accurate information concerning the 
location and timing for the construction of a submarine cable system 
authorized under this section. This disclosure shall be made within 30 
days of receipt of the request.

PART 61--TARIFFS

    1. The authority citation for part 61 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Secs. 1, 4(i), 4(j), 201-205, and 403 of the 
Communications Act of 1934, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 
154(j), 201-205, and 403, unless otherwise noted.

    2. Section 61.20 is amended by revising its preceding centered 
headings and paragraph (b) to read as follows:

General Rules

General Rules for Domestic and International Nondominant Carriers


Sec. 61.20  Method of filing publications.

* * * * *
    (b)(1) In addition, for all tariff publications requiring fees as 
set forth in part 1, subpart G of this chapter, issuing carriers must 
submit the original of the cover letter (without attachments), FCC Form 
159, and the appropriate fee to the Mellon Bank, Pittsburgh, PA at the 
address set forth in Sec. 1.1105 of this chapter. Issuing carriers 
should submit these fee materials on the same date as the submission in 
paragraph (a) of this section.
    (2) International carriers must certify in their original cover 
letter that they are authorized under Section 214 of the Communications 
Act of 1934, as amended, to provide service, and reference the FCC file 
number of that authorization.
* * * * *
    3. Section 61.21 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as 
follows:


Sec. 61.21  Cover letters.

    (a)(1) Except as specified in Sec. 61.32(b), all publications filed 
with the Commission must be accompanied by a cover letter, 8.5 by 11 
inches (21.6 cm x 27.9 cm) in size. All cover letters should briefly 
explain the nature of the

[[Page 15727]]
filing and indicate the date and method of filing of the original cover 
letter, as required by Sec. 61.20(b)(1).
    (2) International carriers must certify that they are authorized 
under Section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, to 
provide service, and reference the FCC file number of that 
authorization.
* * * * *
    4. Section 61.22 is amended by revising its preceding centered 
headings and paragraphs (b) and (d) to read as follows:

Specific Rules for Domestic and International Nondominant Carriers


Sec. 61.22  Composition of tariffs.

* * * * *
    (b) The tariff must contain the carrier's name, the international 
Section 214 authorization FCC file number (when applicable), and the 
information required by Section 203 of the Act.
* * * * *
    (d) Domestic and international nondominant carriers subject to the 
provisions of this section are not subject to the tariff filing 
requirements of Sec. 61.54.
    5. Section 61.23(c) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 61.23  Notice requirements.

* * * * *
    (c) Tariff filings of domestic and international non-dominant 
carriers must be made on at least one-day notice.

PART 63--EXTENSION OF LINES AND DISCONTINUANCE, REDUCTION, OUTAGE 
AND IMPAIRMENT OF SERVICE BY COMMON CARRIERS; AND GRANTS OF 
RECOGNIZED PRIVATE OPERATING AGENCY STATUS

    1. The authority citation for Part 63 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Secs. 1, 4(i), 4(j), 201-205, 218, and 403 of the 
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and sec. 613 of the Cable 
Communications Policy Act of 1984, 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 15(j), 
201-205, 218, 403, and 533 unless otherwise noted.

    2. Section 63.01 is amended by removing paragraphs (k)(5) through 
(k)(7), (r), (s) and Notes 1 through 4, and revising the section 
heading and introductory text to read as follows:


Sec. 63.01  Contents of applications for domestic common carriers.

    Except as otherwise provided in this part, any party proposing to 
undertake any construction of a new line, extension of any line, 
acquisition, lease, or operation of any line or extension thereof or 
engage in transmission over or by means of such line, and such line 
originates and terminates in the United States, for which authority is 
required under the provisions of Section 214 of the Communications Act 
of 1934, as amended, shall request such authority by formal application 
which shall be accompanied by a statement showing how the proposed 
construction, etc., will serve the public interest, convenience, and 
necessity. Such statement must include the following information as 
applicable:
* * * * *
    3. Section 63.05 is amended by revising the section heading to read 
as follows:


Sec. 63.05  Commencement and completion of construction for domestic 
common carriers.

* * * * *
    4. Section 63.10 is amended by revising the last sentence of 
paragraphs (a) introductory text, (a)(3), and (a)(4), and (c)(3) to 
read as follows:


Sec. 63.10  Regulatory classification of U.S. international carriers.

    (a) * * * For purposes of paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) of this 
section, ``affiliation'' and ``foreign carrier'' are defined as set 
forth in Sec. 63.18(h)(1) (i) and (ii), respectively.
* * * * *
    (3) * * * Such a demonstration should address the factors that 
relate to the scope or degree of the foreign affiliate's bottleneck 
control, including those listed in Section Sec. 63.18(h)(8).
    (4) * * * The existence of an affiliation with a U.S. facilities-
based international carrier shall be assessed in accordance with the 
definition of affiliation contained in Sec. 63.18(h)(1)(i), except that 
the phrase ``U.S. facilities-based international carrier'' shall be 
substituted for the phrase ``foreign carrier.''
* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (3) Obtain Commission approval pursuant to Sec. 63.18 before adding 
or discontinuing circuits; and
* * * * *
    5. Section 63.11 is amended by revising paragraphs (a) introductory 
text, (a)(2), (c)(1) through (c)(3), (d), and the last sentence of 
(e)(2) to read as follows:


Sec. 63.11  Notification by and prior approval for U.S. international 
carriers that have or propose to acquire ten percent investments by, 
and/or an affiliation with, a foreign carrier.

    (a) Any carrier authorized to provide international communications 
service under this part that, as of the effective date of this rule as 
amended in IB Docket No. 95-22, is, or has an affiliation with, a 
foreign carrier within the meaning of Sec. 63.18(h)(1)(i)(A) or 
(h)(1)(i)(B), or that as of such date knows of an existing ten percent 
or greater interest, whether direct or indirect, in the capital stock 
of the authorized carrier by a foreign carrier, or that after the 
effective date of this rule becomes affiliated with a foreign carrier 
within the meaning of Sec. 63.18(h)(1)(i)(A), shall notify the 
Commission within thirty days of the effective date of this rule or 
within thirty days of the acquisition of the affiliation, whichever 
occurs later. For purposes of this section, ``foreign carrier'' is 
defined as set forth in Sec. 63.18(h)(1)(ii).
* * * * *
    (2) Any carrier that has previously notified the Commission of an 
affiliation with a foreign carrier, as defined by Sec. 63.18(h)(1) 
immediately prior to the rule's amendment in IB Docket No. 95-22, need 
not notify the Commission again of the same affiliation.
* * * * *
    (c) ***
    (1) The carrier also should specify, where applicable, those 
countries named in paragraph (c) of this section for which it provides 
a specified international communications service solely through the 
resale of the international switched or private line services of U.S. 
facilities-based carriers with which the resale carrier does not have 
an affiliation. Such an affiliation is defined in Sec. 63.18(h)(1)(i), 
except that the phrase ``U.S. facilities-based international carrier'' 
shall be substituted for the phrase ``foreign carrier.''
    (2) The carrier shall also submit with its notification:
    (i) The ownership information as required to be submitted pursuant 
to Sec. 63.18(h)(2);
    (ii) Where the carrier is authorized as a private line reseller on 
a particular route for which it has an affiliation with a foreign 
carrier, as defined in Sec. 63.18(h)(1)(i), a certification as required 
to be submitted pursuant to Sec. 63.18(h)(4); and
    (iii) A ``special concessions'' certification as required to be 
submitted pursuant to Sec. 63.18(i).
    (3) The carrier is responsible for the continuing accuracy of the 
certifications provided under this section. Whenever the substance of 
any certification provided under this section is no longer accurate, 
the carrier shall as promptly as possible, and in any event within 
thirty days, file with the Secretary in duplicate a corrected 
certification referencing the

[[Page 15728]]
FCC File No. under which the original certification was provided, 
except that the carrier shall immediately inform the Commission if at 
any time the representations in the ``special concessions'' 
certification provided under paragraph (c)(2)(iii) of this section are 
no longer true. See Sec. 63.18(i))(2). This information may be used by 
the Commission to determine whether a change in regulatory status may 
be warranted under Sec. 63.10.
    (d) Unless the carrier notifying the Commission of a foreign 
carrier affiliation under paragraph (a) of this section qualifies for 
the presumption of non-dominant regulation pursuant to 
Sec. 63.10(a)(4), it should submit the information specified in 
Sec. 63.18(h)(8) to retain its non-dominant status on any affiliated 
route.
    (e) * * *
    (2) * * * If notified that the acquisition raises a substantial and 
material question, then the carrier shall not consummate the planned 
investment until it has filed an application under Sec. 63.18 and 
submitted the information specified under Sec. 63.18 (h) (6) or (7) as 
applicable, and Sec. 63.18(h)(8), and the Commission has approved the 
application by formal written order.
    6. Section 63.12 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 63.12  Streamlined processing of certain international facilities-
based and resale applications.

    (a) Except as provided by paragraph (c) of this section, a complete 
application seeking authorization under Sec. 63.18(e) (1) and (2) to 
acquire facilities to provide international services shall be granted 
by the Commission 35 days after the date of public notice listing the 
application as accepted for filing.
    (b) Issuance of public notice of the grant shall be deemed the 
issuance of Sec. 214 certification to the applicant, which may commence 
operation on the 36th day after the date of public notice listing the 
application as accepted for filing, but only in accordance with the 
operations proposed in its application and the rules, regulations, and 
policies of the Commission.
    (c) The streamlined processing procedures provided by paragraphs 
(a) and (b) of this section shall not apply where:
    (1) The applicant seeks authority under either Sec. 63.18(e)(1) for 
global Sec. 214 authority to operate as a facilities-based carrier or 
Sec. 63.18(e)(2) to resell international services, and the applicant 
has an affiliation within the meaning of Sec. 63.18(h)(1)(i) with a 
facilities-based foreign carrier in a destination market, and the 
Commission has not yet made a determination as to whether that foreign 
carrier possesses market power in that market; or
    (2) The applicant has an affiliation within the meaning of 
Sec. 63.18(h)(1)(i) with a dominant U.S. facilities-based carrier whose 
international switched or private line services the applicant seeks 
authority to resell (either directly or indirectly through the resale 
of another reseller's services); or
    (3) The applicant seeks authority under Sec. 63.18(e)(2) to resell 
international private line services to a country for which the 
Commission has not determined as of the date of public notice of the 
application that equivalent resale opportunities exist between the 
United States and the destination country; or
    (4) The application is formally opposed within the meaning of 
Sec. 1.1202(e) of this chapter; or
    (5) The Commission has informed the applicant in writing, including 
by public notice, within 28 days after the date of public notice 
accepting the application for filing, that the application is not 
eligible for streamlined processing under this section.
    (d) Any complete application that is subject to paragraph (c) of 
this section will be acted upon only by formal written order and 
operation for which such authorization is sought may not commence 
except in accordance with such order.

    Note to paragraph (c): The term ``facilities-based carrier'' 
means one that holds an ownership, indefeasible-right-of-user, or 
leasehold interest in bare capacity in an international facility, 
regardless of whether the underlying facility is a common or non-
common carrier submarine cable, or an INTELSAT or separate satellite 
system.

    7. Sec. 63.13 is amended by revising the last sentence of 
paragraphs (a)(3) and (a)(5), and revising (a)(4) to read as follows:


Sec. 63.13  Streamlined procedures for modifying regulatory 
classification of U.S. international carriers from dominant to non-
dominant.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (3) * * * For purposes of this paragraph, ``telecommunications 
facilities'' are defined as in Sec. 63.18(h)(4).
    (4) Any carrier filing a certified list pursuant to paragraph 
(a)(2) of this section must also provide the ``special concessions'' 
certification as required to be submitted pursuant to Sec. 63.18(i).
    (5) * * * See Sec. 63.18(i)(2).
* * * * *
    8. Section 63.14 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 63.14  Prohibition on agreeing to accept special concessions.

    Any carrier authorized to provide international communications 
service under this part shall be prohibited from agreeing to accept 
special concessions directly or indirectly from any foreign carrier or 
administration with respect to traffic or revenue flows between the 
United States and any foreign country served under the authority of 
this part and from agreeing to enter into such agreements in the 
future. For purposes of this section, ``foreign carrier'' is defined as 
in Sec. 63.18(h)(1)(ii) and ``special concession'' is defined as in 
Sec. 63.18(i).
    9. Section 63.15 is amended by removing paragraph (c) and revising 
the section heading and paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Sec. 63.15  Special procedures for international service providers.

    (a) Any party seeking to construct, acquire or operate lines in any 
new major common carrier facility project or non-U.S. licensed 
satellite or cable system for the provision of international common 
carrier services shall file an application pursuant to 
Sec. 63.18(e)(6). If a carrier has global Section 214 authority 
pursuant to the provisions of Sec. 63.18(e)(1), and the carrier desires 
to use non-U.S. licensed facilities pursuant to the provisions of 
Sec. 63.18(e)(1)(ii)(B), this filing requirement does not apply.
* * * * *
    10. Section 63.17 is amended by revising paragraphs (b), 
introductory text, and (b)(4) to read as follows:


Sec. 63.17  Special provisions for U.S. international common carriers.

* * * * *
    (b) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(5) of this section, a U.S. 
common carrier, whether a reseller or facilities-based, may engage in 
``switched hubbing'' to countries not found to offer equivalent resale 
opportunities under Sec. 63.18(e) (3) and (4) under the following 
conditions:
* * * * *
    (4) No U.S. common carrier may engage in switched hubbing under 
this section to a country where it has an affiliation with a foreign 
carrier unless and until it receives specific authority to do so under 
Sec. 63.18. For purposes of this paragraph, ``affiliation'' and 
``foreign carrier'' are defined in Sec. 63.18(h)(1) (i)(B) and (ii), 
respectively.
    11. New Sec. 63.18 is added to read as follows:
    
[[Page 15729]]



Sec. 63.18  Contents of applications for international common carriers.

    Except as otherwise provided in this part, any party seeking 
authority pursuant to Section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934, as 
amended, to construct a new line, or acquire or operate any line, or 
engage in transmission over or by means of such additional line for the 
provision of common carrier communications services between the United 
States, its territories or possessions, and a foreign point shall 
request such authority by formal application which shall be accompanied 
by a statement showing how the grant of the application will serve the 
public interest, convenience, and necessity. Such statement shall 
consist of the following information, as applicable:
    (a) The name, address, and telephone number of each applicant;
    (b) The Government, State, or Territory under the laws of which 
each corporate or partnership applicant is organized;
    (c) The name, title, post office address, and telephone number of 
the officer and any other contact point, such as legal counsel, to whom 
correspondence concerning the application is to be addressed;
    (d) A statement as to whether the applicant has previously received 
authority under Section 214 of the Act and, if so, a general 
description of the categories of facilities and services authorized 
(i.e., authorized to provide international switched services on a 
facilities basis);
    (e) One or more of the following statements, as pertinent:
    (1) If applying for authority to acquire interests in facilities 
previously authorized by the Commission in order to provide 
international basic switched, private line, data, television and 
business services to all international points, the applicant shall:
    (i) State that it is requesting Section 214 authority to operate as 
a facilities-based carrier pursuant to the terms and conditions of 
paragraph (e)(1) of this section.
    (ii) Comply with the following terms and conditions:
    (A) Authority to provide services to all international points under 
this part extends only to those countries for which the applicant 
qualifies for non-dominant regulation as set forth in Sec. 63.10. If an 
applicant is affiliated with a facilities-based foreign carrier in a 
destination market and the Commission has not determined that the 
foreign carrier does not possess market power in that market, the 
applicant shall not commence service on any such route unless and until 
it receives specific authority to do so under paragraph (e)(6) of this 
section. If an applicant becomes dominant on a particular route after 
receiving authority under this section, the terms and conditions of 
Sec. 63.10(c) will apply to its provision of services on the dominant 
route. An applicant should file separately under Section 63.18(e)(6) to 
provide service on routes on which it may not qualify for regulation as 
a non-dominant carrier.
    (B) The applicant may only provide service using half-circuits on 
appropriately licensed U.S. common and non-common carrier facilities 
(either under Title III of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 
or the Submarine Cable Landing License Act, 47 U.S.C. 34 et. al.) 
provided that these facilities do not appear on an exclusion list 
published by the Commission and any necessary overseas connecting 
facilities. Applicants may not use non-U.S. licensed facilities unless 
and until the Commission specifically approves their use and so 
indicates on the exclusion list, and only then for service to the 
countries indicated thereon.
    (C) The applicant may provide service to any country not included 
on an exclusion list published by the Commission.
    (D) The applicant may provide international basic switched, private 
line, data, television and business services.
    (E) The authority granted under this paragraph shall be subject to 
all Commission rules and regulations and any conditions stated in the 
Commission's public notice or order that serves as the applicant's 
Section 214 certificate. See Sec. 63.12.
    (2) If applying for authority to resell the international services 
of authorized U.S. common carriers for the provision of international 
basic switched, private line, data, television and business services to 
all international points, the applicant shall:
    (i) State that it is requesting Section 214 authority to operate as 
a resale carrier pursuant to the terms and conditions of 
Sec. 63.18(e)(2).
    (ii) Comply with the following the terms and conditions:
    (A) The applicant may resell the international services of any 
authorized common carrier, except affiliated carriers regulated as 
dominant on the route to be served, pursuant to that carrier's tariff 
or contract duly filed with the Commission, for the provision of 
international basic switched, private line, data, television and 
business services to all international points;
    (B) The applicant may resell private line services for the 
provision of international basic switched services only to countries 
found by the Commission to provide equivalent resale opportunities, 
except in circumstances where the applicant is affiliated with a 
facilities-based foreign carrier in a destination market and the 
Commission has not determined that the foreign carrier does not possess 
market power in that market. In such circumstances, the applicant shall 
not commence service on any such route unless and until it receives 
specific authority to do so under paragraph (e)(6) of this section. The 
Commission will provide public notice of its determinations.
    (C) The authority granted under this paragraph shall be subject to 
all Commission rules and regulations and any conditions stated in the 
Commission's public notice or order that serves as the applicant's 
Section 214 certificate. See Sec. 63.12.
    (3) If applying for authority to resell private lines for the 
purpose of providing international basic switched services to countries 
not on the Commission's published list of equivalent countries, 
applicant shall demonstrate for each country to which it seeks to 
provide service that that country affords resale opportunities 
equivalent to those available under U.S. law. In this regard, applicant 
shall:
    (i) Include evidence demonstrating that equivalent resale 
opportunities exist between the United States and the subject country, 
including any relevant bilateral agreements between the administrations 
involved. Parties must demonstrate that the foreign country at the 
other end of the private line provides U.S.-based carriers with:
    (A) The legal right to resell international private lines, 
interconnected at both ends, for the provision of switched services;
    (B) Nondiscriminatory charges, terms and conditions for 
interconnection to foreign domestic carrier facilities for termination 
and origination of international services, with adequate means of 
enforcement;
    (C) Competitive safeguards to protect against anticompetitive and 
discriminatory practices affecting private line resale; and
    (D) Fair and transparent regulatory procedures, including 
separation between the regulator and operator of international 
facilities-based services.
    (ii) The procedures set forth in paragraph (e)(3) of this section 
are subject to Commission policies on resale of international private 
lines in CC

[[Page 15730]]
Docket No. 90-337 as amended in IB Docket No. 95-22.
    (4) Any carrier authorized under this section to acquire and 
operate international private line facilities other than through resale 
may use those private lines to provide switched basic services to 
countries found by the Commission to provide equivalent resale 
opportunities except in circumstances where the applicant is affiliated 
with a facilities-based foreign carrier in the country at the foreign 
end of the private line, and the Commission has not determined that the 
foreign carrier does not possess market power in that market. In such 
circumstances, the applicant shall not commence service on such route 
unless and until it receives specific authority to do so under 
paragraph (e)(6) of this section. The Commission will provide public 
notice of its equivalency findings. The applicant is subject to all 
applicable Commission rules and regulations and any conditions stated 
in the Commission's public notice or order that serves as the 
applicant's Section 214 certificate. See Sec. 63.12.
    (i) Except as provided in paragraph (e)(4)(ii) of this section, any 
carrier that seeks to provide switched basic services over its 
authorized private line facilities to countries not identified in the 
Commission's published list of equivalent countries shall, for each 
country for which it seeks to provide switched basic service over its 
authorized private lines facilities, request such authority by formal 
application. Such application shall be accompanied by a demonstration 
that country affords resale opportunities equivalent to those available 
under U.S. law. In this regard, applicant shall include the information 
required by paragraph (e)(3) of this section.
    (ii) No formal application is required under paragraph (e)(4) of 
this section in circumstances where the carrier's previously authorized 
private line facility is interconnected to the public switched network 
only on one end--either the U.S. or the foreign end--and where the 
carrier is not operating the facility in correspondence with a carrier 
that directly or indirectly owns the private line facility in the 
foreign country at the other end of the private line.
    (5) If applying for authority to acquire facilities through the 
transfer of control of a common carrier holding international Section 
214 authorization, or through the assignment of another carrier's 
existing authorization, the applicant shall complete paragraphs (a) 
through (d) of this section for both the transferor/assignor and the 
transferee/assignee. Paragraph (g) of this section is not applicable, 
and only the transferee/assignee needs to complete paragraphs (i) and 
(j) of this section. At the beginning of the application, the applicant 
should also include a narrative of the means by which the transfer or 
assignment will take place. The Commission reserves the right to 
request additional information as to the particulars of the transaction 
to aid it in making its public interest determination.
    (6) If applying for authority to acquire facilities or to provide 
services not covered by Sec. 63.18(e) (1) through (5), the applicant 
shall provide a description of the facilities and services for which it 
seeks authorization. Such description also shall include any additional 
information the Commission shall have specified previously in an order, 
public notice or other official action as necessary for authorization. 
Applicants for new submarine cable facilities also shall include a list 
of the proposed owners of the cable, their voting interests and 
ownership interests by segment in the cable.
    (f) Applicants may apply for any or all of the authority provided 
for in paragraph (e) of this section in the same application. The 
applicant may want to file separate applications for those services not 
subject to streamlined processing under Sec. 63.12.
    (g) Where the applicant is seeking facilities-based authority under 
paragraph (e)(6) of this section, a statement whether an authorization 
of the facilities is categorically excluded as defined by Sec. 1.1306 
of this chapter. If answered affirmatively, an environmental assessment 
as described in Sec. 1.1311 of this chapter need not be filed with the 
application.
    (h) A certification as to whether or not the applicant is, or has 
an affiliation with, a foreign carrier.
    (1) The certification shall state with specificity each foreign 
country in which the applicant is, or has an affiliation with, a 
foreign carrier. For purposes of this certification:
    (i) Affiliation is defined to include:
    (A) A greater than 25 percent ownership of capital stock, or 
controlling interest at any level, by the applicant, or by any entity 
that directly or indirectly controls or is controlled by it, or that is 
under direct or indirect common control with it, in a foreign carrier 
or in any entity that directly or indirectly controls a foreign 
carrier; or
    (B) A greater than 25 percent ownership of capital stock, or 
controlling interest at any level, in the applicant by a foreign 
carrier, or by any entity that directly or indirectly controls or is 
controlled by a foreign carrier, or that is under direct or indirect 
common control with a foreign carrier; or by two or more foreign 
carriers investing in the applicant in the same manner in circumstances 
where the foreign carriers are parties to, or the beneficiaries of, a 
contractual relation (e.g., a joint venture or market alliance) 
affecting the provision or marketing of basic international 
telecommunications services in the United States. A U.S. carrier also 
will be considered to be affiliated with a foreign carrier where the 
foreign carrier controls, is controlled by, or is under common control 
with a second foreign carrier already found to be affiliated with that 
U.S. carrier under this section.
    (ii) Foreign carrier is defined as any entity that is authorized 
within a foreign country to engage in the provision of international 
telecommunications services offered to the public in that country 
within the meaning of the International Telecommunication Regulations, 
see Final Acts of the World Administrative Telegraph and Telephone 
Conference, Melbourne, 1988 (WATTC-88), Art. 1, which includes entities 
authorized to engage in the provision of domestic telecommunications 
services if such carriers have the ability to originate or terminate 
telecommunications services to of from points outside their country.
    (2) In support of the required certification, each applicant shall 
also provide the name, address, citizenship and principal businesses of 
its ten percent or greater direct and indirect shareholders or other 
equity holders and identify any interlocking directorates.
    (3) Each applicant that proposes to acquire facilities through the 
resale of the international switched or private line services of 
another U.S. carrier shall additionally certify as to whether or not 
the applicant has an affiliation with the U.S. carrier(s) whose 
facilities-based service(s) the applicant proposes to resell (either 
directly or indirectly through the resale of another reseller's 
service). For purposes of this paragraph, affiliation is defined as in 
paragraph (h)(1)(i) of this section, except that the phrase ``U.S. 
facilities-based international carrier'' shall be substituted for the 
phrase ``foreign carrier.''
    (4) Each applicant that certifies under this section that it has an 
affiliation with a foreign carrier and that proposes to resell the 
international private line services of another U.S. carrier shall 
additionally certify as to whether the affiliated foreign carrier owns 
or controls telecommunications facilities in the particular 
country(ies) to which

[[Page 15731]]
the applicant proposes to provide service (i.e., the destination 
country(ies)). For purposes of this paragraph, telecommunications 
facilities are defined as the underlying telecommunications transport 
means, including intercity and local access facilities, used by a 
foreign carrier to provide international telecommunications services 
offered to the public.
    (5) Each applicant and carrier authorized to provide international 
communications service under this part is responsible for the 
continuing accuracy of the certifications required by paragraphs (h) 
(3) and (4) of this section. Whenever the substance of any such 
certification is no longer accurate, the applicant/carrier shall as 
promptly as possible and in any event within thirty days file with the 
Secretary in duplicate a corrected certification referencing the FCC 
File No. under which the original certification was provided. This 
information may be used by the Commission to determine whether a change 
in regulatory status may be warranted under Sec. 63.10.
    (6) Each applicant that certifies that it is, or that it has an 
affiliation with, a foreign carrier, as defined in paragraphs (h)(1) 
(i)(B) and (ii) of this section, respectively, in a named foreign 
country and that seeks to operate as a U.S. facilities-based 
international carrier to that country from the United States shall 
provide information in its application filed under this part to 
demonstrate that either:
    (i) The named foreign country (i.e., the destination foreign 
country) provides effective competitive opportunities to U.S. carriers 
to compete in that country's international facilities-based market; or
    (ii) Its affiliated foreign carrier does not have the ability to 
discriminate against unaffiliated U.S. international carriers through 
control of bottleneck services or facilities in the destination 
country.
    (A) The demonstration specified in paragraph (h)(6)(i) of this 
section should address the following factors:
    (1) The legal ability of U.S. carriers to enter the foreign market 
and provide facilities-based international services, in particular 
international message telephone service (IMTS);
    (2) Whether there exist reasonable and nondiscriminatory charges, 
terms and conditions for interconnection to a foreign carrier's 
domestic facilities for termination and origination of international 
services;
    (3) Whether competitive safeguards exist in the foreign country to 
protect against anticompetitive practices, including safeguards such 
as:
    (i) Existence of cost-allocation rules in the foreign country to 
prevent cross-subsidization;
    (ii) Timely and nondiscriminatory disclosure of technical 
information needed to use, or interconnect with, carriers' facilities; 
and
    (iii) Protection of carrier and customer proprietary information;
    (4) Whether there is an effective regulatory framework in the 
foreign country to develop, implement and enforce legal requirements, 
interconnection arrangements and other safeguards; and
    (5) Any other factors the applicant deems relevant to its 
demonstration.
    (B) The demonstration specified in paragraph (h)(6)(ii) of this 
section should include the same information requested by paragraph 
(h)(8) of this section.
    (7) Each applicant that certifies that it is, or that it has an 
affiliation with, a foreign carrier, as defined in paragraph (h)(1) 
(i)(B) and (ii) of this section, respectively, in a named foreign 
country and that proposes to resell the international switched or non-
interconnected private line services, respectively, of another U.S. 
carrier for the purpose of providing international communications 
services to the named foreign country from the United States shall 
provide information in its application filed under this part to 
demonstrate that either:
    (i) The named foreign country (i.e., the destination foreign 
country) provides effective competitive opportunities to U.S. carriers 
to resell international switched or non-interconnected private line 
services, respectively; or
    (ii) Its affiliated foreign carrier does not have the ability to 
discriminate against unaffiliated U.S. international carriers through 
control of bottleneck services or facilities in the destination 
country.
    (A) The demonstration specified in paragraph (h)(7)(i) of this 
section should address the following factors:
    (1) The legal ability of U.S. carriers to enter the foreign market 
and provide resold international switched services (for switched resale 
applications) or non-interconnected private line services (for non-
interconnected private line resale applications);
    (2) Whether there exist reasonable and nondiscriminatory charges, 
terms and conditions for the provision of the relevant resale service;
    (3) Whether competitive safeguards exist in the foreign country to 
protect against anticompetitive practices, including safeguards such 
as:
    (i) Existence of cost-allocation rules in the foreign country to 
prevent cross-subsidization;
    (ii) Timely and nondiscriminatory disclosure of technical 
information needed to use, or interconnect with, carriers' facilities; 
and
    (iii) Protection of carrier and customer proprietary information;
    (4) Whether there is an effective regulatory framework in the 
foreign country to develop, implement and enforce legal requirements, 
interconnection arrangements and other safeguards; and
    (5) Any other factors the applicant deems relevant to its 
demonstration.
    (B) The demonstration specified in paragraph (h)(7)(ii) of this 
section should include the same information requested in paragraph 
(h)(8) of this section.
    (8) Each applicant that certifies that it has an affiliation with a 
foreign carrier in a named foreign country and that desires to be 
regulated as non-dominant for the provision of international 
communications service to that country may provide information in its 
application filed under this part to demonstrate that its affiliated 
foreign carrier does not have the ability to discriminate against 
unaffiliated U.S. international carriers through control of bottleneck 
services or facilities in the named foreign country. See Sec. 63.10, 
Regulatory Classification of U.S. International Carriers.
    (i) Such a demonstration should address the factors that relate to 
the scope or degree of the foreign affiliate's bottleneck control, such 
as:
    (A) The monopoly, duopoly, or oligopoly status of the destination 
country; and
    (B) Whether the foreign affiliate has the potential to discriminate 
against unaffiliated U.S. international carriers through such means as 
preferential operating agreements, preferential routing of traffic, 
exclusive or more favorable transiting agreements, or preferential 
domestic access and interconnection arrangements.
    (ii) Such a demonstration may also address other factors the 
applicant deems relevant, such as the effectiveness of regulation in 
the destination country.
    (i) Each applicant shall certify that the applicant has not agreed 
to accept special concessions directly or indirectly from any foreign 
carrier or administration with respect to traffic or revenue flows 
between the U.S. and any foreign country which the applicant may serve 
under the authority granted

[[Page 15732]]
under this part and will not enter into such agreements in the future.
    (1) For purposes of paragraph (i) of this section, and of 
Secs. 63.11(c)(2)(iii), 63.13(a)(4), and 63.14, special concession is 
defined as any arrangement that affects traffic or revenue flows to or 
from the United States that is offered exclusively by a foreign carrier 
or administration to a particular U.S. international carrier and not 
also to similarly situated U.S. international carriers authorized to 
serve a particular route.
    (2) The special concessions certification required by paragraph (i) 
of this section and by Secs. 63.11(c)(2)(iii) and 63.13(a)(4) shall be 
viewed as an ongoing representation to the Commission, and applicants/
carriers shall immediately inform the Commission if at any time the 
representations in their certifications are no longer true. Failure to 
so inform the Commission will be deemed a material misrepresentation to 
the Commission.
    (j) A certification pursuant to Secs. 1.2001 through 1.2003 of this 
chapter that no party to the application is subject to a denial of 
Federal benefits pursuant to Section 5301 of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 
1988. See 21 U.S.C. 853a.

    Note 1 to paragraph (h): The word ``control'' as used in this 
section is not limited to majority stock ownership, but includes 
actual working control in whatever manner exercised.
    Note 2 to paragraph (h): The term ``facilities-based carrier'' 
as used in this section means one that holds an ownership, 
indefeasible-right-of-user, or leasehold interest in bare capacity 
in an international facility, regardless of whether the underlying 
facility is a common or non-common carrier submarine cable, or an 
INTELSAT or separate satellite system.
    Note 3 to paragraph (h): The assessment of ``capital stock'' 
ownership will be made under the standards developed in Commission 
case law for determining such ownership. See, e.g., Fox Television 
Stations, Inc., 10 FCC Rcd 8452 (1995). ``Capital stock'' includes 
all forms of equity ownership, including partnership interests.
    Note 4 to paragraph (h): Ownership and other interests in U.S. 
and foreign carriers will be attributed to their holders and deemed 
cognizable pursuant to the following criteria: Attribution of 
ownership interests in a carrier that are held indirectly by any 
party through one or more intervening corporations will be 
determined by successive multiplication of the ownership percentages 
for each link in the vertical ownership chain and application of the 
relevant attribution benchmark to the resulting product, except that 
wherever the ownership percentage for any link in the chain exceeds 
50 percent, it shall not be included for purposes of this 
multiplication. For example, if A owns 30 percent of company X, 
which owns 60 percent of company Y, which owns 26 percent of 
``carrier,'' then X's interest in ``carrier'' would be 26 percent 
(the same as Y's interest because X's interest in Y exceeds 50 
percent), and A's interest in ``carrier'' would be 7.8 percent (0.30 
x 0.26). Under the 25 percent attribution benchmark, X's interest in 
``carrier'' would be cognizable, while A's interest would not be 
cognizable.

    12. A new Sec. 63.19 is added to read as follows:


Sec. 63.19  Special procedures for discontinuances of international 
services.

    (a) Any non-dominant international carrier as this term is defined 
in Sec. 63.10 that seeks to discontinue, reduce or impair service, 
including the retiring of international facilities, dismantling or 
removing of international trunk lines, shall be subject to the 
following procedures in lieu of those specified in Secs. 63.61 through 
63.601:
    (1) The carrier shall notify all affected customers of the planned 
discontinuance, reduction or impairment at least 60 days prior to its 
planned action. Notice shall be in writing to each affected customer 
unless the Commission authorizes in advance, for good cause shown, 
another form of notice.
    (2) The carrier shall file with this Commission a copy of the 
notification on or after the date on which notice has been given to all 
affected customers.
    (b) Any dominant international carrier as this term is defined in 
Sec. 63.10 that seeks to retire international facilities, dismantle or 
remove international trunk lines, and the services being provided 
through these facilities are not being discontinued, reduced or 
impaired, shall only be subject to the notification requirements of 
paragraph (a) of this section. If such carrier discontinues, reduces or 
impairs service to a community or retires facilities that impair or 
reduce service to a community, the dominant carrier shall file an 
application pursuant to Secs. 63.62 and 63.500.
    13. A new Sec. 63.20 is added to read as follows:


Sec. 63.20  Copies required; fees; and filing periods for international 
service providers.

    (a) Unless otherwise specified the Commission shall be furnished 
with an original and five copies of applications filed for 
international facilities and services under Section 214 of the 
Communications Act of 1934, as amended. Provided, however, that where 
applications involve only the supplementation of existing international 
facilities, and the issuance of a certificate is not required, an 
original and two copies of the application shall be furnished. Upon 
request by the Commission, additional copies of the application shall 
be furnished. Each application shall be accompanied by the fee 
prescribed in subpart G of part 1 of this chapter.
    (b) No application accepted for filing and subject to the 
provisions of Secs. 63.02, 63.18, 63.62 or Sec. 63.505 shall be granted 
by the Commission earlier than 28 days following issuance of public 
notice by the Commission of the acceptance for filing of such 
application or any major amendment unless said public notice specifies 
another time period, or the application qualifies for streamlined 
processing pursuant to Sec. 63.12.
    (c) No application accepted for filing and subject to the 
streamlined processing provisions of Sec. 63.12 shall be granted by the 
Commission earlier than 21 days following issuance of public notice by 
the Commission of the acceptance for filing of such application or any 
major amendment unless said public notice specifies another time 
period.
    (d) Any interested party may file a petition to deny an application 
within the 21 day or other time period specified in paragraphs (b) or 
(c) of this section. The petitioner shall serve a copy of such petition 
on the applicant no later than the date of filing thereof with the 
Commission. The petition shall contain specific allegations of fact 
sufficient to show that the petitioner is a party in interest and that 
a grant of the application would be prima facie inconsistent with the 
public interest, convenience and necessity. Such allegations of fact 
shall, except for those of which official notice may be taken, be 
supported by affidavit of a person or persons with personal knowledge 
thereof. The applicant may file an opposition to any petition to deny 
within 14 days after the original pleading is filed. The petitioner may 
file a reply to such opposition within seven days after the time for 
filing oppositions has expired. Allegations of facts or denials thereof 
shall similarly be supported by affidavit. These responsive pleadings 
shall be served on the applicant or petitioner, as appropriate, and 
other parties to the proceeding.
    14. A new Sec. 63.21 is added to read as follows:


Sec. 63.21  Conditions applicable to international Section 214 
authorizations.

    International carriers authorized under Section 214 of the 
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, must follow the following 
requirements and prohibitions:
    (a) Carriers may not resell private lines for the provision of 
international

[[Page 15733]]
switched services unless the country at the foreign end of the private 
line is deemed equivalent. See Sec. 63.18(e) (3) through (4).
    (b) Carriers must file copies of operating agreements entered into 
with their foreign correspondents within 30 days of their execution, 
and shall otherwise comply with the filing requirements contained in 
Sec. 43.51 of this chapter.
    (c) Carriers must file tariffs pursuant to Section 203 of the 
Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. 203, and part 61 of this chapter.
    (d) Carriers must file annual reports of overseas 
telecommunications traffic as required by Sec. 43.61 of this chapter.
    (e) Carriers regulated as dominant must provide the Commission with 
the following information within 30 days after conveyance of 
transmission capacity on submarine cables to other U.S. carriers:
    (1) The name of the party to whom the capacity was conveyed;
    (2) The name of the facility in which capacity was conveyed;
    (3) The amount of capacity that was conveyed; and
    (4) The price of the capacity conveyed.
    15. Section 63.52 is amended by revising the section heading to 
read as follows:


Sec. 63.52  Copies required; fees; and filing periods for domestic 
authorizations.

* * * * *
    16. Section 63.53 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 63.53  Form.

    (a) Applications under Section 214 of the Communications Act shall 
be submitted on paper not more than 21.6 cm (8.5 in) wide and not more 
than 35.6 cm (14 in) long with a left-hand margin of 4 cm (1.5 in). 
This requirement shall not apply to original documents, or admissible 
copies thereof, offered as exhibits or to specially prepared exhibits. 
The impression shall be on one side of the paper only and shall be 
double-spaced, except that long quotations shall be single-spaced and 
indented. All papers, except charts and maps, shall be typewritten or 
prepared by mechanical processing methods, other than letter press, or 
printed. The foregoing shall not apply to official publications. All 
copies must be clearly legible.
    (b) Applications submitted under Section 214 of the Communications 
Act for international services may be submitted on computer diskettes 
pursuant to a filing manual compiled by the International Bureau, but a 
paper copy of the application with the original signature must 
accompany the diskette. The manual will specify the type and format of 
the computer diskettes and the reporting and procedural requirements 
for such applications.
    (c) Applications submitted under Section 214 of the Communications 
Act for international services and any related pleadings that are in a 
foreign language shall be accompanied by a certified translation in 
English.
    17. Section 63.62 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as 
follows:


Sec. 63.62  Type of discontinuance, reduction, or impairment of 
telephone or telegraph service requiring formal application.

* * * * *
    (a) The dismantling or removal of a trunk line (for contents of 
application see Sec. 63.500) for all domestic carriers and for dominant 
international carriers except as modified in Sec. 63.19;
* * * * *
    18. Section 63.71 is amended by revising the section heading to 
read as follows:


Sec. 63.71  Special procedures for discontinuance, reduction or 
impairment of service by domestic non-dominant carriers.

* * * * *
[FR Doc. 96-8757 Filed 4-8-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P