[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 57 (Friday, March 23, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16144-16145]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-7230]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 54

[CC Docket No. 96-45; FCC 01-85]


Petition for Reconsideration Filed by AT&T

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final rule; petition for reconsideration.

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SUMMARY: In this document, the Commission denies AT&T's Petition for 
Reconsideration to adopt a proposal to base contributions on current 
revenues. The Commission concludes that under this proposal, the 
contribution factor is set using prior-year revenues, but carriers 
contribute based on application of this contribution factor to their 
current revenues.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Smith, Attorney, Common

[[Page 16145]]

Carrier Bureau, Accounting Policy Division, (202) 418-7400.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Order 
on Reconsideration in CC Docket No. 96-45 released on March 14, 2001. 
The full text of this document is available for public inspection 
during regular business hours in the FCC Reference Center, Room CY-
A257, 445 Twelfth Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554.
    1. The Commission denies AT&T's Petition for Reconsideration at 
this time to adopt a proposal to base contributions on current 
revenues. The Commission concludes that under this proposal, the 
contribution factor is set using prior-year revenues, but carriers 
contribute based on application of this contribution factor to their 
current revenues. This proposal would increase reporting burdens on 
carriers by requiring carriers to file revenue information 13 times per 
year within very short timeframes. We agree with the majority of 
commenters that this proposal would be unduly burdensome on carriers, 
particularly smaller carriers. We also have concerns that the adoption 
of this proposal might affect the sufficiency of the universal service 
fund and require the collection of a reserve fund to protect against a 
fund shortfall. For these reasons, we decline to adopt this proposal at 
this time and deny AT&T's petition.
    2. The Commission will send a copy of this Order in a report to be 
sent to Congress pursuant to the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996, see 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A). In addition, the 
Commission will send a copy of the Order to the Chief Counsel for 
Advocacy of the Small Business Administration. A copy of the Order and 
FRFA (or summaries thereof) will also be published in the Federal 
Register. See 5 U.S.C. 604(b).

I. Ordering Clauses

    3. Pursuant to the authority contained in sections 4(i), 4(j), 254, 
and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, this Order on 
Reconsideration is adopted.
    4. The Petition for Reconsideration filed on March 1, 2000 by AT&T 
is denied.
    5. The Commission's Consumer Information Bureau, Reference 
Information Center shall send a copy of this Order on Reconsideration 
to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration.

List of Subjects 47 CFR Part 54

    Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Telecommunications, 
Telephone.

Federal Communications Commission.
Magalie Roman Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-7230 Filed 3-22-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P