[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 102 (Friday, May 26, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30298-30299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4856]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 54

[CC Docket No. 96-45 and WC Docket No. 05-337, FCC 06-69]


Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, High-Cost 
Universal Service Support

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Interim order.

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SUMMARY: In this document, the Commission extends the high-cost 
universal service support rules adopted in, among others, the Rural 
Task Force Order on an interim basis until the Commission concludes its 
rural review proceeding and adopts changes, if any, to those rules as a 
result of that proceeding.

DATES: Effective June 26, 2006, the framework adopted at 66 FR 30081, 
June 5, 2001, is extended.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katie King, Special Counsel, Wireline 
Competition Bureau, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, (202) 
418-7400, TTY (202) 418-0484.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Order, 
in CC Docket No. 96-45 and WC Docket No. 05-337, released May 16, 2006. 
The full text of this document is available for public inspection 
during regular business hours in the FCC Reference Center, Room CY-
A257, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554.

I. Introduction

    1. This Order, extends the high-cost universal service support 
rules adopted in the Rural Task Force Order, Fourteenth Report and 
Order and Twenty-Second Order on Reconsideration, 66 FR 30080, June 5,

[[Page 30299]]

2001 and 66 FR 34603, June 20, 2001, on an interim basis until the 
Commission concludes its rural review proceeding and adopts changes, if 
any, to those rules as a result of that proceeding. Based on the 
recommendations of the Rural Task Force and the Federal-State Joint 
Board on Universal Service (Joint Board), the Commission adopted a 
modified embedded cost support mechanism for rural carriers for a five-
year period beginning on July 1, 2001. Thus, the Commission intended 
that the Rural Task Force plan would remain in effect util June 30, 
2006. At the same time, the Commission expected to complete a review, 
with Joint Board input, of the rules relating to the rural high-cost 
support mechanism before the end of the five year period.
    2. On June 28, 2004, the Commission asked the Joint Board to review 
the Commission's rules relating to high-cost support for rural carriers 
and to determine the appropriate rural mechanism to succeed the five-
year plan adopted in the Rural Task Force Order. On August 16, 2004, 
the Commission released a Joint Board Public Notice seeking comment on 
the rural review issues referred to the Joint Board. On August 17, 
2005, the Commission released another Joint Board Public Notice seeking 
comment on several proposals that state Joint Board members and staff 
had developed. The Joint Board has been diligently reviewing the record 
and considering what support mechanism should succeed the Rural Task 
Force plan. Nonetheless, the Commission finds that it may not have 
adequate time after the Joint Board issues a recommended decision in 
the rural review proceeding to develop a record on that recommendation 
and to adopt any changes to the current rules prior to June 30, 2006. 
In light of the ongoing Joint Board review, the interim nature of these 
rules, and the need to ensure continuity pending further Commission 
action, good cause exists to extend the rural high-cost support rules 
adopted in the Rural Task Force Order. The Commission also finds it has 
authority to adopt interim rules without notice and comment when 
necessary. 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B); see Mid-Tex Elec. Coop., Inc. v. 
FERC, 822 F.2d 1123 (D.C. Cir. 1987). Accordingly, the rural high-cost 
support rules adopted in the Rural Task Force Order, as amended, will 
remain in effect after this date until the Commission adopts new high-
cost support rules for rural carriers.
    3. Pursuant to the authority contained in sections 1-4, 201-205, 
214, 218-220, 254, 303(r), 403, 405, and 410 of the Communications Act 
of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 151-154, 201-205, 214, 218-220, 254, 
303(r), 403, 405, and 410, that this Order in CC Docket No. 96-45 and 
WC Docket No. 05-337 is adopted.
    4. The extension of the high-cost universal service support rules 
applicable to rural carriers shall be effective June 26, 2006.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 06-4856 Filed 5-25-06; 8:45am]
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