[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 5, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46461-46462]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-22182]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[CC Docket No. 96-45; FCC 01-J-1]


The Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice; comments requested.

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SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal-State Joint Board invites 
comment regarding its review of the definition of universal service. 
Based on consideration of the Joint Board's recommendations in 1997, 
the Commission designated nine ``core'' services that are eligible for 
universal service support. The Commission recently asked the Joint 
Board to review this list and, if warranted, recommend modifications.

DATES: Comments are due on or before November 5, 2001. Reply comments 
are due on or before January 4, 2002.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Guice, Attorney, Common Carrier 
Bureau, Accounting Policy Division, (202) 418-7400, TTY: (202) 418-
0484.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1997, based on consideration of the Joint 
Board's recommendations, the Commission designated nine ``core'' 
services that are eligible for universal service support: single-party 
service; voice grade access to the public switched telephone network; 
Dual Tone Multifrequency signaling or its functional equivalent; access 
to emergency services; access to operator services; access to 
interexchange service; access to directory assistance; and toll 
limitation services for qualifying low-income consumers. The Commission 
recently asked the Joint Board to review this list and, if warranted, 
recommend modifications.
    The Telecommunications Act of 1996 provides that ``[u]niversal 
service is an evolving level of telecommunications services that the 
Commission shall establish periodically * * *, taking into account 
advances in telecommunications and information technologies and 
services.'' It also provides that the Joint Board and the Commission 
shall base policies for the preservation and advancement of universal 
service on several principles, including: (1) Quality services should 
be available at just, reasonable, and affordable rates; (2) access to 
advanced telecommunications and information services should be provided 
in all regions of the Nation; and (3) consumers in all regions of the 
nation should have access to telecommunications and information 
services that are reasonably comparable to those services provided in 
urban areas and that are available at rates that are reasonably 
comparable to rates charged for similar services in urban areas.
    The Joint Board invites comment on what services, if any, should be 
added to or removed from the list of core services eligible for federal 
universal service support and how those core services should be 
defined. Commenters should address the four definitional criteria that 
the Joint Board and the Commission are required to consider under the 
1996 Act. Pursuant to section 254(c)(1) of the 1996 Act, the Joint 
Board and the Commission must consider the extent to which the services 
in question (1) ``are essential to education, public health, or public 
safety;'' (2) ``have, through the operation of market choices by 
customers, been subscribed to by a substantial majority of residential 
customers;'' (3) ``are being deployed in public telecommunications 
networks by telecommunications carriers;'' and (4) ``are consistent 
with the public interest, convenience, and necessity.''
    In addition, commenters should address the implications of any 
proposed modifications in terms of section 214(e) of the 1996 Act, 
which requires carriers to offer each of the core

[[Page 46462]]

services to be eligible for universal service support. Commenters also 
should estimate the annual cost of any proposed modifications in the 
list of core services, and explain the derivation of their estimates. 
If the cost is expected to change significantly over time, commenters 
should provide an estimate for each of the first five years. Commenters 
may also wish to address the availability of functional substitutes for 
a service, the extent to which consumers may have access to the service 
in locales other than their own residences (e.g., public payphone, 
worksite, public facilities), and whether providing support for the 
service would affect competition in its delivery. Finally, commenters 
may also wish to address the implications for any modifications in the 
list of core services of ongoing network modernization trends.
    The Commission asked the Joint Board to consider as part of its 
review the record on requests to redefine voice grade access for 
universal service purposes. The Commission previously rejected 
arguments for a higher level of bandwidth capacity, in the First Report 
and Order, 62 FR 32862, June 17, 1997, concluding that ``a network 
transmission component of Internet access beyond voice grade access 
should not be supported'' pursuant to section 254(c)(1). The Joint 
Board invites commenters to update the record on the definition of 
voice grade access, including whether support for a network 
transmission component of Internet access beyond the existing 
definition of voice grade access is warranted at this time. The Joint 
Board also seeks additional comment on technical issues involved in 
modifying the current standard, including factors other than bandwidth 
that affect modem performance, and whether modification would encourage 
investment in enhanced analog modem performance to the detriment of 
investment in high-speed and advanced services.
    The Joint Board also invites comment on whether any advanced or 
high-speed services should be included within the list of core 
services. Commenters should address the questions set forth, and should 
specify the standard or level of service to which the comments apply.
    In addition, the Joint Board invites comment on whether ``soft dial 
tone'' or ``warm line'' services should be included within the list of 
core services. These services enable an otherwise disconnected line to 
be used to contact emergency services (911) and the local exchange 
carrier's central business office. In particular, the Joint Board 
invites comment on the extent to which these services are essential to 
public health or safety, and how such connections to eligible 
telecommunications carriers may be provided consistent with the 
principles of competitive neutrality.
    Finally, the Joint Board invites comment on whether intrastate or 
interstate toll services, expanded area service, or prepaid calling 
plans should be included in the list of supported services.
    Pursuant to Secs. 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's rules, 
interested parties may file comments as follows: comments are due 
November 5, 2001, and reply comments are due January 3, 2002. 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 the 
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 comments, commenters should send 
an e-mail to [email protected], and should include the following words in 
the body of 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 12 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, DC 20554. In addition, commenters must send diskette copies 
to the Commission's copy contractor, Qualex International, Portals II, 
445 12th Street, SW., Room CY-B402, Washington, DC, 20554.
    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.

Federal Communications Commission.
Katherine L. Schroder,
Division Chief, Accounting Policy Division.
[FR Doc. 01-22182 Filed 9-4-01; 8:45 am]
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