[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 7, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53136-53137]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17795]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Chapter I

[IB Docket No. 05-254; FCC 05-152]


Modifying the Commission's Process To Avert Harm to U.S. 
Competition and U.S. Customers Caused by Anticompetitive Conduct

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: This document is a summary of the Notice of Inquiry that was 
adopted by the Commission. The Notice of Inquiry seeks comment on ways 
to address a developing concern in the U.S.-international 
telecommunications market: the use of circuit blockages or disruptions 
by foreign carriers as a way to compel U.S. carriers to agree to 
settlement rate increases. The record developed by this Notice on 
Inquiry would assist the Commission in determining whether to propose 
changes to current Commission policy and procedure in order to ensure 
that U.S. consumers benefit from competitive prices as they make 
international calls.

DATES: Submit comments on or before October 7, 2005, and submit reply 
comments on or before October 27, 2005.

[[Page 53137]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peggy Reitzel or Francis Gutierrez, 
Policy Division, International Bureau, (202) 418-1460.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Notice 
of Inquiry in IB Docket No. 05-254, FCC 05-152, which was adopted on 
August 5, 2005. The full text of this Commission decision is available 
for inspection and copying during normal business hours in the FCC 
Reference Center (Room CY-A257), 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20554. The document may also be downloaded from the Commission's Web 
site at http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-152A1.doc. The complete text may also be purchased from the 
Commission's copy contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., in person 
at 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY-B402, Washington, DC 20554, via 
telephone at (202) 488-5300, via facsimile at (202) 488-5563, or via e-
mail at [email protected].

Summary of the Notice of Inquiry

    On August 5, 2005, the Commission adopted a Notice of Inquiry on 
Modifying the Commission's Process to Avert Harm to U.S. Competition 
and U.S. Customers Caused by Anticompetitive Conduct. By this Notice of 
Inquiry, the Commission seeks to develop a record on ways to improve 
the process available to the Commission to protect U.S. consumers from 
the effect of anticompetitive conduct by foreign carriers and on 
alternative approaches the Commission may take to avert circuit 
disruptions or blockages.
    In particular, this Notice of Inquiry seeks comment on the 
following issues: (1) What constitutes a circuit disruption or blockage 
that would trigger possible Commission action; (2) what should be the 
appropriate length of the pleading cycle associated with any action the 
Commission may take in response to reports of anticompetitive behavior 
on the part of foreign carriers; (3) whether the Commission should 
propose procedures for taking interim measures when U.S. carriers 
notify the Commission that foreign carriers have threatened to disrupt 
circuits; (4) how should the Commission assess the immediacy of such 
threats, and how should it coordinate any action with the appropriate 
U.S. government agencies; (5) what showing is required of U.S. carriers 
to demonstrate that the public interest will be served by Commission 
intervention, and what is the appropriate form of relief; (6) whether 
U.S. carriers are passing through settlement rate reductions to U.S. 
consumers; and (7) whether it is appropriate for U.S. ratepayers to 
subsidize universal service in other countries.
    The Commission encourages all interested parties to respond to the 
questions and requests set forth in the Notice of Inquiry.

Ordering Clauses

    Pursuant to the authority contained in 47 U.S.C. 151, 4(i), 201-
205, 208, 211, 303(r), 403 this Notice of Inquiry is adopted.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 05-17795 Filed 9-6-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P