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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 97-1767

NOTICES

Solicitation of Public Comment on Petition of Bell Atlantic-Pennsylvania, Inc. (Bell) and Additional Notice of Pending FCC Deadline for Universal Service Purposes

[27 Pa.B. 5669]

   Doc. No. I-0094035:  In Re: Formal Investigation to Examine and Establish Updated Principles and Policies for Telecommunications Services in the Commonwealth.

   Doc. No. R-00974153:  Bell Petition for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier for Universal Service Purposes Under Section 214(e) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and Sections 54.201--54.207 of the Rules of the Federal Communications Commission.

   Supplemental Notice to those Pennsylvania entities contemplating submission of a Petition for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier for Universal Service Purposes Under Section 214(e) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and Sections 54.201--54.207 of the Rules of the Federal Communications Commission.

   In September 1997, Bell Atlantic--Pennsylvania, Inc. (Bell) submitted a Petition (Petition) with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (Commission). Bell seeks, inter alia, designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) under section 214(e) of the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 (TA-96) and sections 54.201--54.207 of the Rules of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC's Notice DA-97-1747, dated August 14, 1997, requires the Commission to designate ETC carriers before January 1, 1998 in order to assure the uninterrupted receipt of Federal monies for universal service purposes to any current recipient.

   After a careful review of Bell's request, the Commission has determined that the solicitation of public comment is appropriate. Consequently, the Commission is providing this public notice with an abbreviated deadline for comments and reply comments. The deadline for comments shall be 14 days following publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The deadline for the filing of reply comments shall be 21 days following publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The abbreviated deadline has been set to facilitate action before the year's end.

   Persons or entities submitting comments must file an original and 15 copies of any comment or reply comment with the Office of the Prothonatary in Doc. No. R-00971453. One additional copy must also be submitted for filing in Doc. No. I-0094003.

   In addition, the Commission is concerned that several of Pennsylvania's Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (ILECs) and Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs) have not submitted a petition for ETC designa-tion as of the publication of this notice. Those entities interested in ETC designation for universal service purposes are hereby notified and reminded that a petition for ETC designation must be submitted, with sufficient time for public notice and Commission review, for action by the Commission before the year's end. Those Pennsylvania ILECs and CLECs interested in ETC designation are further reminded that, as set forth in FCC Notice DA-97-1747 dated August 14, 1997, only eligible telecommunications carriers designated by state commissions under the criteria set forth in section 214(e) will be eligible to receive high cost, low income and most rural health care universal service support after January 1, 1998.

   The Commission hereby reminds and encourages those Pennsylvania ILECs and CLECs interested in ETC desig-nation to submit any petition not later than Friday, November 7, 1997. This is necessary so that the Commission can provide the public notice and review necessary before the year's end consistent with FCC Notice DA-97-1747 of August 14, 1997.

   The contact person at the Commission is Joseph K. Witmer, Assistant Counsel, Law Bureau at (717) 787-3663. A copy of the Petition may be obtained from Lisa Higley at the Office of the Prothonotary at (717) 787-1013.

JAMES J. MCNULTY,   
Acting Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 97-1767. Filed for public inspection October 31, 1997, 9:00 a.m.]


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