[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 187 (Wednesday, September 28, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 56690]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-19158]



[[Page 56690]]

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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[DA-05-2421]


Maintaining Wireless Service for Consumers Affected by Hurricane 
Katrina

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In this document, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) 
and Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) take steps to ensure 
that wireless service providers do no improperly disconnect consumers 
displaced by Hurricane Katrina because they are unable to pay their 
bills.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leon Jackler, Consumer & Governmental 
Affairs Bureau, at (202) 418-0946 or Chelsea Fallon, Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau, at (202) 418-7991.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is summary of the Commission's document 
DA 05-2421, released September 7, 2005, in which the Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) and Consumer & Governmental Affairs 
Bureau (CGB) take steps to ensure consumers are not improperly 
disconnected from wireless service in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. To 
request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities 
(Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail 
to [email protected] or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 
(202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 (TTY). Document DA 05-2421 can 
also be downloaded in Word or Portable Document Format (PDF) at: http://www.fcc.gov/.

Synopsis

    In this document, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) and 
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) take steps to ensure that 
wireless service providers do not improperly disconnect consumers 
displaced by Hurricane Katrina because they are unable to pay their 
bills. Hurricane Katrina displaced hundreds of thousands of residents 
of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, and many thousands of these 
customers rely on their wireless service during this difficult time to 
remain in touch with loved ones. As of this date, the United States 
Post Office is not operating fully throughout the affected area, 
commercial power capability is not yet available throughout the 
affected area, and the communications networks (including access to the 
Internet for online bill pay options) are not at pre-hurricane 
capabilities. Based on the representations of a number of wireless 
carriers serving consumers displaced by the hurricane, WTB and CGB 
understand that the common practice in the wireless industry at this 
time is to continue providing service to displaced people who cannot 
pay their bills in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. WTB and CGB 
understand that consumers displaced by Hurricane Katrina are concerned 
that wireless service providers may disconnect service for failure to 
pay their bills. To ensure that consumers of these services continue to 
maintain access to their wireless service during this difficult time, 
all licensees of wireless services serving consumers affected by the 
hurricane are required to submit a report no later than Thursday, 
September 8, 2005 verifying their compliance with the standard industry 
practice of maintaining service to people displaced by Hurricane 
Katrina despite failure to pay bills. Reports should describe the grace 
period or other relief licensees are providing for this issue. Reports 
may be submitted in letter format addressed to the chiefs of the 
respective bureaus. Electronic copies of the reports should be provided 
to [email protected]. In addition, licensees must also 
serve one copy with the Commission's copy contractor, Best Copying and 
Printing, Inc. (BCPI), Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY-B402, 
Washington, DC 20554, (202) 488-5300, or via e-mail to [email protected].

Federal Communications Commission.
Monica Desai,
Chief, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau.
[FR Doc. 05-19158 Filed 9-27-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-M