[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 217 (Wednesday, November 8, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 67009]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-28726]



[[Page 67009]]

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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION


Federal-State Joint Conference on Universal Service To Hold En 
Banc Hearing November 13, 2000 on the Rural Task Force Recommendation 
for Universal Service Reform for Rural Carriers

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Announcement of hearing.

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SUMMARY: The Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service will hold 
an en banc hearing on Monday, November 13, 2000, at the 112th NARUC 
Annual Convention in San Diego, California. The Joint Board will 
discuss the Rural Task Force's recommendation regarding reform of the 
universal service support mechanism for rural carriers. Panelists 
representing a broad range of interests will present their views on the 
Rural Task Force's recommendation and questions from the Joint Board 
members will follow.

DATES: The meeting date is November 13, 2000, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., 
San Diego, CA.

ADDRESSES: The meeting location is San Diego--San Diego Marriott Hotel 
and Marina (Marriott Hall 2) 333 West Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 
92101.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Federal-State Joint Board Staff: Katie King, 202-418-7400, 
[email protected]; Gene Fullano, 202-418-0492, [email protected].
    News Media: Michael Balmoris, 202-418-0253.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal-State Joint Board on Universal 
Service (the Joint Board) will hold an en banc hearing on Monday, 
November 13, 2000, at the 112th NARUC Annual Convention in San Diego, 
California. The Joint Board will discuss the Rural Task Force's 
recommendation regarding reform of the universal service support 
mechanism for rural carriers. Panelists representing a broad range of 
interests will present their views on the Rural Task Force's 
recommendation and questions from the Joint Board members will follow.
    In the May 1997 Universal Service Order, 62 FR 32862, June 17, 
1997, the Commission, acting on the recommendation of the Joint Board, 
encouraged the Joint Board to establish a Rural Task Force to provide 
``assistance in identifying the issues unique to rural carriers and 
analyzing the appropriateness of proxy cost models for rural 
carriers.'' On September 17, 1997, the Joint Board announced the 
creation of the Rural Task Force and directed it to present a report to 
the Joint Board making specific recommendations on the establishment of 
a new mechanism for rural telephone companies. On September 29, 2000, 
the Rural Task Force submitted the Rural Task Force Recommendation To 
The Federal-State Joint Board On Universal Service.
    The en banc hearing will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the 
San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina, 333 West Harbor Drive, in Marriot 
Hall 2. An agenda, including scheduled panelists, will be posted on the 
Joint Board's Web site next week (http://www.fcc.gov/ccb/universal 
service/joint.htlm). The hearing is open to the public and seating will 
be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
    Internet users may listen to the real-time audio feed of the 
hearing by accessing the FCC Internet Audio Broadcast Home page (http://www.fcc.gov/realaudio/). Step-by-step instructions on how to listen to 
the audio broadcast, as well as information regarding the equipment and 
software needed, are available on the FCC Audio Broadcast Home page. 
Audio tapes of the hearing may be purchased from Rollin Recording, 208 
River Ranch Road, Boerne, Texas 78006, by calling 1-800-798-5468.

    Dated: November 3, 2000.
Magalie Roman Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-28726 Filed 11-7-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P