[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 125 (Thursday, June 28, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34447-34448]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-16237]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[CC Docket No. 96-45; DA 01-1458]


Common Carrier Bureau Seeks Comment on Translation of Cost Model 
to Delphi Computer Language and Announces Posting of Updated Cost Model

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice; solicitation of comments.

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SUMMARY: In a Public Notice in this proceeding released on June 20, 
2001, the Common Carrier Bureau sought comment on translation of the 
forward-looking cost model to Delphi computer language and announced 
the posting of an updated Turbo-Pascal version of the cost model on the 
Commission's web site.

DATES: Comments are due on or before August 13, 2001. Reply comments 
are due on or before August 27, 2001.

ADDRESSES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for where and how to 
file comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katie King or Thomas Buckley, 
Attorneys, Common Carrier Bureau, Accounting Policy Division, (202) 
418-7400 TTY: (202) 418-0484.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Fifth Report and Order, 63 FR 63993, 
October 28, 1998, the Commission adopted a forward-looking cost model 
to be used in determining federal high-cost universal service support 
for non-rural carriers. To date, the model has been in Turbo-Pascal 
computer language. Commission staff have translated the model from 
Turbo-Pascal language into Delphi computer language. In this document, 
the Common Carrier Bureau announces the posting of the current forward-
looking cost model in Delphi computer language and seeks comment on 
whether it should use the Delphi version for purposes of calculating 
support amounts for 2002.
    The Delphi version can be found on the Commission's Web site 
(www.fcc.gov/ccb/apd/hcpm). The Delphi version of the forward-looking 
cost model is a beta version that will continue to be refined and 
updated as the Commission staff and interested parties work with it. In 
an effort to use a computer language that works best for the Commission 
and all interested parties, this document seeks comment on advantages 
of the Delphi version over the Turbo-Pascal version, and 
recommendations concerning improvements to the Delphi version.
    In this document, the Common Carrier Bureau also announces the 
posting of a separate, updated Turbo-Pascal version of the cost model 
on the Commission's Web site (www.fcc.gov/ccb/apd/hcpm) that contains 
minor programming changes to the model and source codes that were 
necessary for the purpose of using the updated line count data. On 
December 8, 2000, the Commission decided to use the year-end 1999 line 
counts filed July 31, 2000, as input values for estimating average 
forward-looking costs and determining support for the year 2001. 
Because the year-end 1999 line count data in large part remains subject 
to a protective order, the posted version of the model contains the 
1998 line count data that has already been made available to the 
public. Parties that wish to work with the year-end 1999 line count 
data should contact the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) 
and must adhere to the procedures set forth in the Commission's 
protective order.
    Pursuant to Secs. 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's rules, 
interested parties may file comments as follows: comments are due on or 
before August 13, 2001, and reply comments are due on or before August 
27, 2001. Comments 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. Comments filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file 
via the Internet to http://www.fcc.gov/e-file/ecfs.html>. Generally, 
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 comments by Internet e-mail. 
To receive filing instructions for e-mail

[[Page 34448]]

comments, 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. All filings must be sent to the Commission's 
Secretary, Magalie Roman Salas, Office of the Secretary, Federal 
Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554.
    Parties also must send three paper copies of their filing to Sheryl 
Todd, Accounting Policy Division, Common Carrier Bureau, Federal 
Communications Commission, 445 Twelfth Street SW., Room 5-A422, 
Washington, D.C. 20554. In addition, commenters must send diskette 
copies to the Commission's copy contractor, International Transcription 
Service, Inc., 1231 20th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037.
    Pursuant to Sec. 1.1206 of the Commission's Rules, this proceeding 
will continue to be conducted as a permit-but-disclose proceeding in 
which ex parte communications are permitted subject to disclosure.

Katherine L. Schroder,
Division Chief, Accounting Policy Division.
[FR Doc. 01-16237 Filed 6-27-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P