[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 18 (Wednesday, January 28, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 4157]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-1838]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[CC Docket No. 96-45; DA 03-3730]


Public Service Cellular, Inc. for Designation as an Eligible 
Telecommunications Carrier in Alabama

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 Public Service Cellular, Inc. (PSC) petition. PSC 
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 Alabama.

DATES: Comments are due on or before February 9, 2004. Reply comments 
are due on or before February 23, 2004.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott A. Mackoul, Attorney, Wireline 
Competition Bureau, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, (202) 
418-7498, TTY (202) 418-0484.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's public 
notice, CC Docket No. 96-45, released November 20, 2003. On September 
12, 2003, PSC 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 
those areas within its authorized service area in Alabama currently 
served by non-rural telephone companies. Specifically, PSC contends 
that: The Alabama Public Service Commission (Alabama Commission) has 
provided an affirmative statement that it does not regulate commercial 
mobile radio service (CMRS) carriers; PSC satisfies all the statutory 
and regulatory prerequisites for ETC designation; and designating PSC 
as an ETC will serve the public interest. The Wireline Competition 
Bureau seeks comment on PCS's petition.
    The petitioner must provide copies of its petition to the Alabama 
Commission. The Commission will also send a copy of this public notice 
to the Alabama Commission by overnight express mail to ensure that the 
Alabama Commission 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 February 9, 2004, and reply comments are 
due on or before February 23, 2004. 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 with the Commission 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. 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 than 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, Qualex 
International, 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.

Federal Communications Commission.

Sharon Webber,
 Deputy Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, Telecommunications Access 
Policy Division.
[FR Doc. 04-1838 Filed 1-27-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P