[Federal Register: August 25, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 165)]
[Notices]
[Page 50420-50421]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25au06-68]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[WC Docket No. 05-337 and CC Docket No. 96-45; FCC 06J-1]
Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service Seeks Comment on
the Merits of Using Auctions To Determine High-Cost Universal Service
Support
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Notice; solicitation of comments.
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SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal
Service seeks comment on the use of reverse auctions (competitive
bidding) to determine high cost universal service funding to eligible
telecommunications carriers pursuant to section 254 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
DATES: Comments are due on or before October 10, 2006. Reply comments
are due on or before November 8, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20554. See Supplementary Information for further filing
instructions.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ian Dillner, Office of Commissioner
Tate, (202) 418-2500, or Thomas Buckley, Wireline Competition Bureau,
(202) 418-7400.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of Federal-State Joint
Board on Universal Service Seeks Comment on the Merits of Using
Auctions to Determine High-Cost Universal Service Support, WC Docket
No. 05-337 and CC Docket No. 96-45, FCC 06J-1, released August 11,
2006. In this Public Notice, the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal
Service (Joint Board) invites parties to comment on the use of reverse
auctions (competitive bidding) to determine high cost universal service
funding for eligible telecommunications carriers pursuant to section
254 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Act). The Joint
Board, among other things, asks that interested parties provide comment
regarding whether and how competitive bidding could be utilized to
further the goals of the Act and the Commission's universal service
goals. In particular, the Joint Board seeks comment on a variety of
issues concerning competitive bidding, including the appropriateness of
using auctions as part of the universal service program, as well as
legal issues concerning such a methodology. The Joint Board further
encourages parties to submit specific, comprehensive auction proposals,
in addition to auction proposals that have been referenced in past
Commission universal service proceedings. The Joint Board also seeks
comment on how competitive bidding could be utilized to further address
any other criteria or issues related to the receipt of universal
service support described in the Joint Board's August 2004 Public
Notice, 69 FR 53917, September 3, 2004. Commenters are further invited
to supplement the record with respect to any additional issues or facts
that have been raised since previous comment periods closed in this
proceeding.
Comment Filing Procedures
1. Pursuant to Sec. Sec. 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's
rules, 47 CFR Sec. Sec. 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file
comments are due on or before October 10, 2006 and reply comments are
due on or before November 8, 2006. Comments should be filed in WC
Docket No. 05-337 only. Comments may be filed using: (1) The
Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS), (2) the Federal
Government's eRulemaking Portal, or (3) by filing paper copies. See
Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121,
May 1, 1998.
2. Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using
the Internet by accessing the ECFS: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/ or the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
3. Filers should follow the instructions provided on the Web site
for submitting comments.
4. For ECFS filers, if multiple docket or rulemaking numbers appear
in the caption of this proceeding, filers must transmit one electronic
copy of the comments for each docket or rulemaking number referenced in
the caption. In completing the transmittal screen, filers 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,
filers should send an e-mail to ecfs.@fcc.gov, and include the
following words in the body of the message, ``get form.'' A sample form
and directions will be sent in response.
5. Paper Filers: 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, filers
must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or
rulemaking number.
6. 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). All filings must be addressed to the Commission's
Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.
7. The Commission's contractor 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.
8. Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service
Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300
[[Page 50421]]
East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743.
9. U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority mail
should be addressed to 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554.
10. People With Disabilities: To request materials in accessible
formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, electronic
files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc502@fcc.gov or call the
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-
418-0432 (TTY).
11. In addition, one copy of each pleading must be sent to the
Commission's duplicating contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc, 445
12th Street, SW., Room CY-B402, Washington, DC 20554; Web site:
http://www.bcpiweb.com; phone: 1-800-378-3160; Antoinette Stevens,
Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau,
445 12th Street, SW., Room 5-B540, Washington, DC 20554; e-mail:
Antoinette.Stevens.@fcc.gov.
12. Filings and comments are also available for public inspection
and copying during regular business hours at the FCC Reference
Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY-A257,
Washington, DC 20554. Copies may also be purchased from the
Commission's duplicating contractor, BCPI, 445 12th Street, SW., Room
CY-B402, Washington, DC 20554. Customers may contact BCPI through its
Web site: http://www.bcipweb.com, by e-mail at fcc@bcpiweb.com, by telephone
at (202) 488-5300 or (800) 378-3160, or by facsimile at (202) 488-5563.
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 06-7161 Filed 8-24-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-M