[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 91 (Tuesday, May 11, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26108-26109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-10703]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[DA04-1041]


NeuStar, Inc. Request To Allow Certain Transactions Without Prior 
Commission Approval and To Transfer Ownership

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice; solicitation of comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Comment is sought on NeuStar's request to allow certain 
transactions without prior commission approval and to transfer 
ownership. We seek comment on the potential impact on NeuStar's ability 
to perform its numbering administration responsibilities in a neutral 
manner. We also seek specific comment on the potential impact of an 
initial public offering (IPO) on NeuStar's ability to maintain its 
neutrality.

DATES: Comments are due on or before May 12, 2004. Reply comments are 
due on or before May 24, 2004.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pam Slipakoff, Attorney, Wireline 
Competition Bureau, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, (202) 
418-7400, TTY (202) 418-0484.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's public 
notice, CC Docket No. 92-237, DA 04-1041, released April 20, 2004. On 
April 15, 2004, NeuStar, Inc. (NeuStar), the current North American 
Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA), national Pooling Administrator 
(PA) and Local Number Portability Administrator, filed a letter with 
the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) seeking a ruling 
that it need not seek prior Commission neutrality review and approval 
for certain types of transactions that it believes does not affect its 
ability to be a neutral administrator for the North American Numbering 
Plan (NANP). In addition, in anticipation of a potential IPO, NeuStar 
seeks Commission approval for a transfer of control of the company from 
the current majority shareholder, a voting trust, to a broad 
shareholder base.
    Specifically, NeuStar contends that the types of changes that 
should not be subject to prior Commission approval fall into the 
following three general categories: (1) Corporate changes that do not 
increase the rights of any entity affiliated with a telecommunications 
service provider (TSP); (2) transactions that do not increase any 
interests of a TSP or a TSP affiliate in NeuStar; and (3) transactions 
that permit NeuStar to become a public company (including an IPO) and 
subsequent sales of NeuStar equity, subject to several limitations on 
TSP ownership. In addition, NeuStar notes that prior agency approval 
would continue to be required for all other changes within the existing 
scope of the prior approval requirement. NeuStar also notes that all 
other oversight mechanisms would remain in place.
    Pursuant to applicable procedures set forth in Sec. Sec.  1.415 and 
1.419 of the Commission's rules, interested parties may file comments 
on or before May 12, 2004, and reply comments on or before May 24, 
2004. All filings should refer to CC Docket No. 92-237. 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. 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).

[[Page 26109]]

    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 Twelfh 
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 Twelfth Street, SW., 
Room 5-B540, Washington, DC 20554. In addition, commenters must send 
diskette copies to the Commission's copy contractor, Qualex 
International, Portals II, 445 Twelfth 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.
Cheryl L. Callahan,
Assistant Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, Telecommunications Access 
Policy Division.
[FR Doc. 04-10703 Filed 5-7-04; 10:12 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P