[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 100 (Tuesday, May 23, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 33281-33283]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12981]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 64

[CC Docket No. 94-129; DA 00-1093]


Common Carrier Bureau Asks Parties To Refresh Record and Seek 
Additional Comment on Proposal To Require Resellers To Obtain Carrier 
Identification Codes

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Solicitation of supplemental comments.

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SUMMARY: In a Further Notice in this proceeding released on December 
23, 1998, the Commission sought comment on three proposals to address 
``soft slamming'' and carrier identification problems arising from the 
shared use of carrier identification codes (CICs) by facilities-based 
carriers and switchless resellers of their services. The first 
proposal--requiring resellers to obtain their own CICs--garnered both 
strong support and opposition among commenters. Supporters view it as a

[[Page 33282]]

cost-effective and administratively simple solution to the problems 
identified by the Commission, whereas opponents raise a number of 
concerns regarding its potential impact on carriers. In order to focus 
the record, we invite interested parties to refresh the record and to 
submit additional comments on a number of specific issues regarding the 
proposal that resellers obtain their own CICs.

DATES: Submit comments on or before June 6, 2000 and reply comments on 
or before June 13, 2000.

ADDRESSES: See Supplementary Information section for where and how to 
file comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William J. Scher or Dana Walton-
Bradford (202) 418-7400 TTY: (202) 418-0484.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a Further Notice, 64 FR 7763 (February 
16, 1999), in this proceeding released on December 23, 1998, the 
Commission sought comment on three proposals to address ``soft 
slamming'' and carrier identification problems arising from the shared 
use of carrier identification codes (CICs) by facilities-based carriers 
and switchless resellers of their services. The first proposal--
requiring resellers to obtain their own CICs--garnered both strong 
support and opposition among commenters. Supporters view it as a cost-
effective and administratively simple solution to the problems 
identified by the Commission, whereas opponents raise a number of 
concerns regarding its potential impact on carriers. In order to focus 
the record, we invite interested parties to refresh the record and to 
submit additional comments on a number of specific issues regarding the 
proposal that resellers obtain their own CICs.
    First, we seek comment on what it would cost resellers to purchase 
translations access alone, as distinguished from Feature Group D 
access, and on whether the Commission should require that this 
functionality be offered separately. We encourage commenters to provide 
specific estimates of costs on both a per-LATA and a nationwide basis.
    Second, we request information on whether there are functionally-
equivalent services that, in conjunction with elimination of the 
current NANPA requirement that carriers must purchase Feature Group D 
access to obtain a CIC, would make it possible for switchless resellers 
to use CICs without also purchasing translations access directly. If 
so, can and should the Commission require the purchase of such services 
by underlying carriers? To what extent are underlying carriers and 
resellers already taking advantage of any such services, and how are 
the costs allocated between them? What are the potential drawbacks of 
such an approach?
    Third, we request additional comment on the network, operations 
support systems, and/or other modifications that underlying carriers 
and LECs would have to make to accommodate the use of switchless 
reseller CICs, the likely costs of any such modifications, and the time 
required to carry them out. We seek comment on whether the Commission 
should require any such modifications if it adopts the proposed CIC 
requirement, or whether market incentives are sufficient to encourage 
carriers to make them of their own accord. Again, we encourage 
commenters to submit empirical data with their comments, and to provide 
specific estimates of costs on both a per-LATA and a nationwide basis.
    Fourth, we seek additional comment on whether the proposed CIC 
requirement would be affordable for switchless resellers. We seek 
comment on whether there are specific measures that would mitigate the 
financial burden of the proposed CIC requirement on switchless 
resellers. We also ask commenters to address whether the subject 
proposal would create additional competitive benefits or disadvantages 
for resellers, such as giving them greater parity with facilities-based 
carriers in the timing of customer access to long distance services, or 
making it more expensive and time-consuming for them to change 
underlying carriers.
    Fifth, we request additional comment on the specific dimensions of 
soft slamming and the carrier identification problems involving 
resellers identified in the Further Notice. In particular, we request 
commenters to address--and to submit empirical data, to the greatest 
extent possible--concerning the percentage of slamming complaints that 
involve soft slams and the percentage that involve consumers whose 
preferred carrier freeze protections have been bypassed.
    Finally, we seek additional comment on whether this proposal would 
create a significant threat of CIC exhaustion, and whether 
modifications to existing Commission policy restricting CIC assignments 
may be necessary to accommodate the assignment of CICs to resellers.

Filing Procedures

    This will continue to be a permit-but-disclose proceeding for 
purposes of the Commission's ex parte rules. Pursuant to Sec. 1.1200 
and Sec. 1.1206 of the Commission's rules, interested parties may file 
supplemental filings on or before June 6, 2000, and replies to 
supplemental filings on or before June 13, 2000. Rules pertaining to 
oral and written ex parte presentations in permit-but-disclose 
proceedings are set forth in Sec. 1.1206(b) of the Commission's rules. 
Such filings may be filed using the Commission's Electronic Comment 
Filing System (ECFS) or by filing paper copies. See Electronic Filing 
of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (May 1, 1998).
    Filings submitted through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic 
file via the Internet to http://www.fcc.gov/e-file/ecfs.html>. Only one 
copy of an electronic submission must be filed. In completing the 
transmittal screen, commenters should include their full name, Postal 
Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking 
number. Parties may also submit electronic filings by Internet e-mail. 
To receive e-mail filing instructions, commenters should send an e-mail 
to [email protected], and should include the following words in the body of 
the message, ``get form your e-mail address.'' A sample form and 
directions will be sent in reply.
    Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and four 
copies of each filing with the Commission's Secretary, Magalie Roman 
Salas, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 
12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. Parties also must send a 
paper copy of their filings to Sheryl Todd, Accounting Policy Division, 
Common Carrier Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 Twelfth 
Street S.W., Room 5-B540, Washington, D.C. 20554. In addition, parties 
filing supplemental filings must send diskette copies to the 
Commission's copy contractor, International Transcription Service, 
Inc., 1231 20th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037.
    The full text of this document is available for public inspection 
and copying during regular business hours at the FCC Reference 
Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW, Room CY-A257, 
Washington, DC, 20554. This document may also be purchased from the 
Commission's copy contractor, International Transcription Service, Inc. 
(ITS), 1231 20th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036, telephone 202-857-
3800, facsimile 202-857-3805.


[[Page 33283]]


    Dated: May 18, 2000.
Irene M. Flannery,
Chief, Accounting Policy Division.
[FR Doc. 00-12981 Filed 5-22-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P