[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 116 (Tuesday, June 17, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32971-32972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-15702]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 63

[IB Docket No. 96-261, DA 97-1173]


International Settlement Rates

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for supplemental comments.

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SUMMARY: On June 4, 1997, the Federal Communications Commission adopted 
an Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to review its rules and 
policies governing foreign participation in the U.S. market for basic 
telecommunications services. (See Rules and Policies on Foreign 
Participation in the U.S. Telecommunications Market (FCC 97-195, IB 
Docket No. 97-142) published elsewhere in this issue.) In light of that 
NPRM, the Commission released a Public Notice soliciting supplemental 
comments in another ongoing FCC proceeding, International Settlement 
Rates, IB Docket No. 96-261 [61 FR 68702, December 30, 1996]. In the 
Public Notice, the Commission states that parties should submit 
supplemental comments and reply comments on only one specific proposal.

DATES: Supplemental Comments must be submitted on or before June 24, 
1997, and Supplemental Reply Comments must be submitted on or before 
July 2, 1997.

ADDRESSES: All supplemental comments and supplemental reply comments 
should be addressed to: Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications 
Commission, Washington D.C. 20554. All supplemental comments and 
supplemental reply comments will be

[[Page 32972]]

available for public inspection during regular business hours in the 
FCC Reference Center (Room 239) of the Federal Communications 
Commission, 1919 M St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20554

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathryn O'Brien, Attorney-Advisor, 
Policy and Facilities Branch, Telecommunications Division, 
International Bureau, (202) 418-0439.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

International Bureau Seeks Additional Comments in the Settlement 
Rate Benchmarks Proceeding (Notice of Proposed Rulemaking)

    On June 4, 1997, the Commission adopted an Order and Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking initiating a review of its rules and policies 
governing the participation of foreign carriers into the U.S. market 
for basic telecommunications services. See Rules and Policies on 
Foreign Participation in the U.S. Telecommunications Market, IB Docket 
97-142, Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 97-195 (released 
June 4, 1997) (Foreign Participation Notice). In the Foreign 
Participation Notice, the Commission stated that it may be necessary to 
apply to U.S. facilities-based private line carriers the benchmark 
settlement rate conditions that the Commission proposed to apply to 
U.S. private line resellers in International Settlement Rates, IB 
Docket 96-261, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 96-484 (released 
December 19, 1996) (Benchmarks proceeding). In the Foreign 
Participation Notice, the Commission therefore proposed generally to 
prohibit a U.S. facilities-based private line carrier from originating 
or terminating U.S. switched traffic over its facilities-based private 
lines until all U.S. carriers' settlement rates for the country or 
location at the foreign end of the private line are within the 
benchmark settlement range to be established in the Benchmarks 
proceeding.
    In light of this proposal, the International Bureau invites 
interested parties to file supplemental comments and supplemental reply 
comments on this specific proposal in the Benchmarks proceeding. 
Parties should limit their supplemental comments and supplemental 
replies to this specific proposal. The Commission will decide whether 
to adopt rules to implement this and other proposed benchmark 
settlement rate conditions in the Benchmarks proceeding.
    Pursuant to applicable procedures set forth in Sections 1.415 and 
1.419 of the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR 1.415 and 1.419, interested 
parties may file supplemental comments on or before June 24, 1997, and 
supplemental reply comments on or before July 2, 1997. We do not 
anticipate granting any extensions of this pleading cycle. To file 
formally in this proceeding, you must file an original and four copies 
of all submissions. If you want each Commissioner to receive a personal 
copy of your submission, you must file an original plus nine copies. 
You should send your submission to: Office of the Secretary, Federal 
Communications Commission, Washington, D.C. 20554.
    A copy of each pleading should also be sent to Kathryn O'Brien, 
International Bureau, FCC, Room 845A, 2000 M Street, N.W., Washington, 
D.C. 20554, and to the Commission's contractor for public service 
records duplication: ITS, Inc., 2100 M Street, N.W., Suite 140, 
Washington, D.C. 20037. Supplemental comments will be available for 
inspection and copying in the FCC's Reference Center, Room 239, 1919 M 
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. Copies also can be obtained from 
ITS at (202) 857-3800.
    We will treat this proceeding as non-restricted (i.e., permit-but-
disclose) for purposes of the Commission's ex parte rules. See 
generally 47 CFR 1.1200-1.1216. For further information concerning this 
matter, please contact Kathryn O'Brien, Telecommunications Division, 
International Bureau, at (202) 418-0439.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-15702 Filed 6-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P