[Federal Register: January 28, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 18)]
[Notices]
[Page 4156-4157]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28ja04-59]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[CC Docket No. 96-45; DA 03-3731]
Public Service Cellular, Inc. for Designation as an Eligible
Telecommunications Carrier in Georgia
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Notice; solicitation of comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In this document, the Wireline Competition Bureau sought
comment on the Public Service Cellular, Inc. (PSC) petition. PSC is
seeking designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) to
receive federal universal service support for service offered
throughout its licensed service area in the state of Georgia.
DATES: Comments are due on or before February 9, 2004. Reply comments
are due on or before February 23, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 445 Twelfth Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20554. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for further filing
instructions.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott A. Mackoul, Attorney, Wireline
Competition Bureau, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, (202)
418-7498, TTY (202) 418-0484.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Public
Notice, CC Docket No. 96-45, released November 20, 2003. On September
23, 2003, PSC filed with the Commission a petition pursuant to section
214(e)(6) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, to receive
federal universal service support in the State of Georgia. PSC
specifically seeks ETC designation to receive support for the service
it provides in its commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) licensed
areas that are currently served by non-rural telephone companies and
Public Service Telephone Company (PSTC), which is a rural telephone
company and a commonly owned affiliate of PSC. In support of its
request, PSC contends that: the Georgia Public Service Commission
(Georgia Commission) has provided an affirmative statement that it does
not exercise jurisdiction over CMRS carriers in general, and PSC
specifically, for purposes of making determinations concerning
eligibility for ETC designations; PSC satisfies all the statutory and
regulatory prerequisites for ETC designation; and designating PSC as an
ETC will serve the public interest.
Pursuant to Sec. 54.207 of the Commission's rules, PSC also
requests that the Commission designate PSC as an ETC in service areas
defined along boundaries that differ from PSTC's rural study area
boundary. PSC requests that each PSTC wire center in which PSC intends
to provide service is classified as a separate service area on a wire
center by wire center basis. PSC also states that PSTC's wire centers
are completely within PSC's CMRS service areas except for the Culloden
and Lizella wire centers. PSC requests ETC designation in the portions
of each of the Culloden and Lizella wire centers where it is licensed
to provide mobile services. PSC maintains that the proposed
redefinition of service areas for ETC purposes is consistent with the
factors to be considered when redefining a rural telephone company
service area, as enumerated by the Federal-State Joint Board on
Universal Service. The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on
PSC's petition.
The petitioner must provide copies of its petition to the Georgia
Commission. The Commission will also send a copy of this Public Notice
to the Georgia Commission by overnight express mail to ensure that the
Georgia Commission is notified of the notice and comment period.
Pursuant to Sec.Sec. 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's rules, 47
CFR 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments as follows:
comments are due on or before February 9, 2004, and reply comments are
due on or before February 23, 2004. Comments may be filed using the
Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) or by filing paper
copies. See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings,
63 FR 24121, May 1, 1998.
Comments filed with the Commission through the ECFS can be sent as
an electronic file via the Internet to http://www.fcc.gov/e-file/ecfs.html
. Generally, only one copy of an electronic
submission must be filed. If multiple docket or rulemaking numbers
appear in the caption of this proceeding, however, commenters must
transmit one electronic copy of the comments to each docket or
rulemaking number referenced in the caption. In completing the
transmittal screen, commenters 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 for e-mail comments, commenters should
send an e-mail to ecfs@fcc.gov, and should include the following words
in the body of the message, ``get form .'' A sample form and directions will be sent in
reply.
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, commenters must submit two
additional copies for each additional docket or rulemaking number.
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). The Commission's contractor, Natek, Inc., 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. Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service
Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton
Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. U.S. Postal Service first-class mail,
Express Mail, and Priority Mail should be addressed to 445 12th Street,
SW., Washington, DC 20554. All filings must be addressed to the
Commission's Secretary, Marlene H. Dortch, Office of the Secretary,
Federal Communications Commission.
Parties also must send three paper copies of their filing to Sheryl
Todd, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition
Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street SW., Room 5-
B540, Washington, DC 20554. In addition, commenters must send diskette
copies to the Commission's copy contractor,
[[Page 4157]]
Qualex International, 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY-B402, Washington,
DC 20054.
Pursuant to Sec. 1.1206 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 1.1206,
this proceeding will be conducted as a permit-but-disclose proceeding
in which ex parte communications are permitted subject to disclosure.
Federal Communications Commission.
Sharon Webber,
Deputy Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, Telecommunications Access
Policy Division.
[FR Doc. 04-1837 Filed 1-27-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P