[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 210 (Thursday, October 30, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61808-61809]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-27302]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[CC Docket No. 96-45; DA 03-2959]


Sprint Corporation's Petition for Designation as an Eligible 
Telecommunications Carrier in Tennessee

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice; solicitation of comments.

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SUMMARY: In this document, the Wireline Competition Bureau sought 
comment on the Sprint Corporation's (Sprint) petition. Sprint is 
seeking designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) to 
receive federal universal service support for service offered 
throughout its licensed service area in the state of Tennessee.

DATES: Comments are due on or before November 10, 2003. Reply comments 
are due on or before November 24, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 445 Twelfth Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20554. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for further filing 
instructions.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Buckley, Attorney, Wireline 
Competition Bureau, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, (202) 
418-7400.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Public 
Notice, CC Docket No. 96-45, released September 26, 2003. On September 
3, 2003, Sprint filed with the Commission a petition pursuant to 
section 214(e)(6) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 
seeking designation as an ETC to receive federal universal service 
support for service offered in portions of its licensed service area in 
Tennessee that cover partial and complete wire centers served by 
BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc., a non-rural incumbent local 
exchange carrier. Specifically, Sprint contends that: the Tennessee 
Regulatory Authority has provided an affirmative statement that it does 
not regulate commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) carriers; Sprint 
satisfies all the statutory and regulatory prerequisites for ETC 
designation; and designating Sprint as an ETC will serve the public 
interest.
    The petitioner must provide copies of its petition to the Tennessee 
Regulatory Authority. The Commission will also send a copy of this 
Public Notice to the Tennessee Regulatory Authority by overnight 
express mail to ensure that the Tennessee Regulatory Authority is 
notified of the notice and comment period.
    Pursuant to Sec. Sec.  1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's rules, 
47 CFR 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments as follows: 
Comments are due on or before November 10, 2003, and reply comments are 
due on or before November 24, 2003. 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.htm. Generally, only 
one copy of an electronic submission must be filed. If multiple docket 
or rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of this proceeding, 
however, commenters must transmit one electronic copy of the comments 
to each docket or rulemaking number referenced in the caption. In 
completing the transmittal screen, commenters should include their full 
name, U.S. Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or 
rulemaking number. Parties may also submit an electronic comment by 
Internet e-mail. To get 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 the message, ``get 
form .'' 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. If more than one docket or rulemaking number 
appears in the caption of this proceeding, commenters must submit two 
additional copies for each additional docket or rulemaking number. 
Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial 
overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service 
mail (although we continue to experience delays in receiving U.S. 
Postal Service mail). The Commission's contractor, NATEK, Inc., will 
receive hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the 
Commission's Secretary at 236 Massachusetts Avenue, NE., Suite 110, 
Washington, DC 20002. The filing hours at this location are 8 a.m. to 7 
p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or 
fasteners. Any envelopes must be disposed of before entering the 
building. Commercial overnight mail (other then U.S. Postal Service 
Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton 
Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. U.S. Postal Service first-class mail, 
Express Mail, and Priority Mail should be addressed to 445 12th Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20554. All filings must be addressed to the 
Commission's Secretary, Marlene H. Dortch, Office of the Secretary, 
Federal Communications Commission.
    Parties also must send three paper copies of their filing to Sheryl 
Todd, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition 
Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Room 
5-B540, Washington, DC 20554. In addition, commenters must send 
diskette copies to the Commission's copy contractor, NATEK Inc., 
Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY-B402, Washington, DC 20054.
    Pursuant to Sec.  1.1206 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 1.1206, 
this proceeding will be conducted as a permit-but-disclose proceeding 
in which ex parte communications are permitted subject to disclosure.


[[Page 61809]]


Federal Communications Commission.
Paul Garnett,
Acting Assistant Division Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, 
Telecommunications Access Policy Division.
[FR Doc. 03-27302 Filed 10-29-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P