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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 98-1515

NOTICES

Solicitation of Public Comment on the Investigation of Local Telephone Numbers to Internet Service Providers by Competitive Local Exchange Carriers; Doc. No. P-00981404

[28 Pa.B. 4696]

   On August 27, 1998, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (Commission) approved a motion in Docket No. P-00981404 which opened a generic investigation into the question of whether Internet traffic and Internet calls in this Commonwealth are local. The motion responded to a petition filed by Bell Atlantic--Pennsylvania, Inc. (Bell), which asked the Commission to open a generic investigation of competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) issuance of local numbers to Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

   In its petition, Bell disputed the practice of assigning local telephone numbers to ISPs claiming that the calls are not actually handed to the ISP within the same local calling area where the calls originate. Bell stated that this requires it to carry the calls outside the local calling area. Bell contended that this allows the CLEC to falsely bill Bell for reciprocal compensation that only applies to local calls.

   Through approval of the motion, the Commission has agreed to open an inquiry as Bell requested and to expand the inquiry to include fundamental question as to whether Internet traffic and Internet calls are local as a matter of policy in this Commonwealth.

   The Commission is inviting public comment on the issues set forth above. The deadline for filing initial comments is September 22, 1998. Reply comments may be filed no later than September 28, 1998. Anyone submitting comments or reply comments must file an original and four copies with the Commission's Secretary for filing at Docket No. P-00981404. Persons submitting comments or reply comments should also file a diskette containing an electronic read-only version of their comments in Microsoft Word 6 format clearly identifying the party, docket number, nature of filing and contact person.

   The contact person at the Commission regarding this proceeding is Louise Fink Smith, Office of Special Assistants (717) 787-1827. A copy of the August 27, 1998 motion as well as the subsequent Commission order memorializing the motion may be obtained from Lisa Higley in the Office of the Secretary at (717) 787-1013.

JAMES J. MCNULTY,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 98-1515. Filed for public inspection September 11, 1998, 9:00 a.m.]


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