[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 245 (Thursday, December 19, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67020-67021]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-32190]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[CC Docket No. 96-45; DA 96-2091]


Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service: Staff To Hold 
Workshops on Proxy Cost Models on January 14-15, 1997

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: On December 12, 1996 the Federal Communications Commission 
released a public notice to announce that the federal and state staff 
of the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service will be 
conducting workshops on January 14 and 15, 1997, regarding the 
selection of a proxy cost model. The purpose of the notice is to inform 
the general public of the time and place of the workshops.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Astrid Carlson, Universal Service 
Branch, Accounting and Audits Division, Common Carrier Bureau, at (202) 
530-6023.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The federal and state staff will hold 
workshops on proxy cost models on Tuesday, January 14, 1997 and 
Wednesday, January 15, 1997 at 9:00 a.m. in Room 856 at 1919 M Street, 
N.W.,Washington, D.C. The workshops will consist of round table 
discussions on issues relating to the selection of a proxy cost model 
for determining the cost of providing the service supported by the 
universal service support mechanism. It is anticipated that the 
workshops will start with a brief presentation by the proponents of the 
proxy models. Each proponent will highlight the characteristics of the 
current version of its model, any planned revisions to the model, and a 
time table for completing those revisions. The round table discussions 
will then follow. It is anticipated that the following issues may be 
discussed, including, for example: (1) modeling

[[Page 67021]]

network investment, including loop plant, switching costs, and other 
investments (e.g., interoffice network); (2) modeling operating and 
support expenses, including plant specific operating expenses, non-
plant specific expenses, and treatment of joint and common costs; (3) 
modeling capital expenses, including rate of return on capital and 
debt, depreciation, and taxes; and (4) validation of the models.
    The round table participants will include a broad representation of 
the telecommunications industry. Individuals interested in 
participating in one of the workshop round tables should submit their 
request in writing. Each request should include name, organization, 
address, telephone number, fax number, and a brief description of the 
person's expertise in this area. Such requests should be sent by no 
later than December 20, 1996, to Astrid Carlson, Universal Service 
Branch, Accounting and Audits Division, Common Carrier Bureau, FCC, 
2100 M Street, Room 8607, Washington, D.C. 20554.

Federal Communications Commission.
Kathleen B. Levitz,
Deputy Bureau Chief, Common Carrier Bureau.
[FR Doc. 96-32190 Filed 12-18-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P