[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 27 (Monday, February 10, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5957-5958]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-3187]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Parts 36, 51, 61 and 69
[CC Docket Nos. 96-45, 96-262, and 96-98; DA 97-239]
Implementation of the Telecommunications Act of 1996
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Request for comment; extension of comment period.
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SUMMARY: The Common Carrier Bureau of the Federal Communications
Commission here extends time for parties to comment on issues raised by
its January 9, 1997 Staff Analysis of economic cost computer models
submitted in connection with several pending proceedings implementing
the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The Public Notice setting the
original comment deadlines was published in the Federal Register on
February 5, 1997.
DATES: Comments in response to the Public Notice are due February 13,
1997, and replies are due February 20, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Commenters must file an original and four copies of their
comments with the Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications
Commission, Room 222, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David A. Konuch, 202-418-0199 or Brad
Wimmer, 202-418-1847.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Released: January 31, 1997.
Extension of Time Granted for Parties To Submit Comments in Response to
Commission Staff's Analysis of Cost Proxy Models
Comment Date: February 13, 1997
Reply Comment Date: February 20, 1997
[[Page 5958]]
1. On January 9, 1997, the Commission Staff released a Staff
Analysis intended to stimulate discussion of criteria for the
evaluation, and use, of forward-looking cost proxy models in
determining universal service support payments, cost-based access
charges, and interconnection and unbundled network element pricing.
Also on January 9, 1997, the Common Carrier Bureau (``Bureau'') issued
a Public Notice seeking comment on issues raised in the Staff Analysis,
and setting deadlines of February 3, 1997 for initial comments, and
February 14, 1997 for replies. The Public Notice indicated that the
record gathered in response to the Staff Analysis might at a future
date be associated with the official record of certain pending
rulemakings to which it may be relevant and used to support Commission
determinations in those rulemakings. See Federal-State Joint Board on
Universal Service, CC Docket No. 96-45, Access Charge Reform, CC Docket
No. 96-262, and Implementation of the Local Competition Provisions of
the Telecommunications Act of 1996, CC Docket No. 96-98.
2. On January 24, 1996, Pacific Telesis Group, Sprint Corporation,
and U S WEST, Inc., (``Petitioners''), filed a Motion for Extension of
Time to File Comments in response to the Public Notice. For the reasons
below, the deadlines for filing initial and reply comments are being
extended until February 13 and February 20, 1997, respectively.
3. First, the Staff Analysis focused on models submitted previously
to the Commission, but the model sponsors have indicated that these
models will be superseded by newer versions to be released by January
31, 1997, and by February 5, 1997. These new models are the Benchmark
Cost Proxy Model (``BCPM''), to be submitted by Petitioners, and
Hatfield 3, to be submitted by AT&T and MCI. Additionally, another
model, Dr. Ben Johnson's Telecom Economic Cost Model, was filed in the
universal service proceeding earlier this month. Inasmuch as the new
models are intended to improve on the earlier versions, it would be
more efficient for commenters and Commission staff to focus their
efforts on evaluating the new models instead of the superseded
versions. In addition, because the new models are scheduled to be
released shortly before and after the current comment deadline,
commenters will not be able to evaluate them at all in comments here
without an extension.
4. The extension being granted is not the full period sought by
Petitioners. We want to ensure that the responses filed to the Staff
Analysis are available for possible use by the Commission in acting by
May 8, 1997, on the recommendation of the Federal-State Universal
Service Joint Board. Any longer extension could easily jeopardize such
use of the record.
5. Among other things, parties should address in their comments
whether, and to what extent, the new models: (1) Meet the criteria set
forth in the Staff Analysis; (2) improve on potential shortcomings of
the prior versions of the models.
Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-3187 Filed 2-7-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P