[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 188 (Friday, September 27, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59733-59734]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23605]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. MC2013-60; Order No. 1838]


New Postal Product

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service 
request to add Private Address Forwarding service to the market 
dominant product list. This notice informs the public of the filing, 
invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps.

DATES: Comments are due: October 16, 2013. Reply Comments are due: 
November 13, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments electronically via the Commission's Filing 
Online system at http://www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit comments 
electronically should contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section by telephone for advice on filing 
alternatives.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel, 
at 202-789-6820.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of filing. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3642 
and 39 CFR 3020.50 et seq., a mail user (Petitioner) has filed a 
request to add a new product, Private Address Forwarding (PAF) service, 
to the market dominant product list within the Mail Classification 
Schedule (MCS).\1\ The Request has been assigned Docket No. MC2013-60.
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    \1\ Request to the Postal Regulatory Commission under 39 U.S.C. 
3642 & 39 CFR 3020.50 to add Private Address Forwarding to the Mail 
Classification Schedule, September 18, 2013 (Request). The 
Petitioner proposes to add the product as a Special Service. Id. at 
1.
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    Product description. The proposed service would permit a customer 
to apply to the Postal Service for a unique, random, nine-character, 
alphanumeric identifier, known as a PAF ID.\2\ Request at 1-2. The 
Postal Service would maintain a database linking the PAF ID to the 
identity and address of the customer who purchased the service. Id. at 
2. The proposed service would permit a customer to have mail that is 
addressed to a PAF ID delivered to a physical address that is specified 
by the customer. Id. at 1. This would allow a customer with a PAF ID to 
receive mail from third parties without disclosing the customer's 
identity or physical address. Id. at 4. The third-party sender would 
address the mail to the PAF ID. Id. at 1. On receipt of the mail, the 
Postal Service would look up the physical address specified by the 
owner and forward the mail to that address. Id. Customers with PAF IDs 
could, by visiting a post office and presenting identification, request 
that mail addressed to a PAF ID that they control be forwarded to a new 
destination address.\3\ Petitioner also provides suggested rules 
regarding conditions for obtaining and using PAF service, for obtaining 
multiple PAF IDs, on disclosure of customer identity, on the cost of 
shipping to PAF customers, as well as a suggested pricing structure for 
the service. Id. at 2-4.
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    \2\ Petitioner provides the following as an example of a PAF ID: 
``13JS-00EG-C.'' Id. at 2.
    \3\ Petitioner also proposes that the Postal Service, on 
accepting the customer's initial PAF ID application, issue a user 
name and password. Id. at 2. The user name and password would permit 
the customer to manage their PAF ID account online, including 
permitting the customer to designate a new destination address.
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    Product classification. Petitioner believes that because PAF 
service would add a new address format option and because the Postal 
Service would maintain a centralized, private database of PAF ID 
destination addresses, the Postal Service would have a ``de facto 
monopoly'' for this product, and the product would therefore be 
appropriately classified as a market dominant product of general 
applicability. Id. at 4. However, Petitioner defers to the Postal 
Service and the Commission regarding the appropriate classification of 
PAF service. Id.
    Proceedings. Section 3642 allows for users of the mail to request 
that the Commission change the list of market dominant products under 
section 3621 or the list of competitive products under

[[Page 59734]]

section 3631 by adding new products to either list. 39 U.S.C. 3642(a). 
This is the first Request made by a user of the mails pursuant to 
section 3642 and the Commission's rules, 39 CFR 3020 subpart B.
    The Commission establishes Docket No. MC2013-60 to consider the 
instant Request. Pursuant to 39 CFR 3020.54, the Postal Service has 28 
days from the date of the filing of the Request to provide its 
preliminary views regarding the Request. Accordingly, its preliminary 
views are due no later than October 16, 2013.
    Interested persons may submit comments on the merits of the 
Request, including whether it is consistent with the policies of 39 
U.S.C. 3642 and 39 CFR 3020.50 et seq. no later than October 16, 
2013.\4\
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    \4\ The Commission's rules do not specify the length of the 
public comment period in proceedings brought pursuant to 39 CFR 
3020.50 et. seq. Petitioner asks that the public comment period 
extend to one month after the Postal Service provides its 
preliminary views so to ``permit the public to consider both this 
proposal and the [Postal Service's] response. . . .'' Request at 5.
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    Interested persons, including the Postal Service, may submit reply 
comments no later than November 13, 2013. The public portions of these 
filings can be accessed via the Commission's Web site (http://www.prc.gov). Following receipt of comments, the Commission will take 
action pursuant to 39 CFR 3020.55.
    The Commission appoints James Waclawski to represent the interests 
of the general public in this proceeding.
    It is ordered:
    1. The Commission establishes Docket No. MC2013-60 to consider the 
issues raised by the request to add Private Address Forwarding to the 
Mail Classification Schedule.
    2. The Commission appoints James Waclawski to represent the 
interests of the general public in this proceeding.
    3. The Postal Service shall submit its preliminary views no later 
than October 16, 2013.
    4. Interested persons may submit comments no later than October 16, 
2013.
    5. Reply comments may be submitted no later than November 13, 2013.
    6. The Secretary shall arrange for the publication of this order in 
the Federal Register.

    By the Commission.
Ruth Ann Abrams,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013-23605 Filed 9-26-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P