Common carrier services: Universal service— rural local exchange carriers,

[Federal Register: August 20, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 161)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 44599-44600]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr20au98-19]

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 54

[CC Docket 96-45, 97-160; DA 98-1576]

Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service and Forward- Looking Mechanism for High Cost Support for Non-Rural LECs

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule; Supplemental data request.

SUMMARY: In conjunction with the Commission's proceeding to select a forward-looking economic cost mechanism for determining the level of federal high cost support that eligible non-rural carriers will receive beginning July 1, 1999, we request certain revenue information from non-rural local exchange carriers and holding companies.

DATES: Responses to this data request must be submitted on or before October 6, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The full text of data request order and spreadsheets are available for inspection and copying during normal business hours in the FCC Reference Center (Room 239), 1919 M St., NW, Washington, DC. In addition, interested parties may obtain the spreadsheet from the Commission's web site at http://www.fcc.gov/ccb/universal__service/ highcost.html#determine.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katie King, Accounting Policy Division, Common Carrier Bureau, (202) 418-7400.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. In the Universal Service Order, CC Docket No. 96-45, FCC 97-157 (released May 8, 1997) 62 FR 32862 (June 17, 1997), the Commission determined that the level of federal high cost support that eligible non-rural carriers will receive would be 25 percent of the difference between the estimated forward-looking economic cost of providing the supported services and a nationwide average revenue benchmark. The Commission also determined that the revenue benchmark should be calculated using revenues derived from local service, access, and other telecommunications services, including discretionary services. The Commission

   [[Page 44600]]

   did not adopt a precise calculation of the revenue benchmark in the Universal Service Order, but stated that, based on 1994 data received in response to an earlier data request, ``it appears that the benchmark for residential services should be approximately $31 and for single- line businesses should be approximately $51.''

2. In a Public Notice released May 4, 1998, 63 FR 28339 (May 22, 1998), the Common Carrier Bureau sought to augment the record on certain issues relating to the creation of the federal forward-looking economic cost mechanism. With respect to the revenue benchmark, we sought comment generally on the amount of access revenues that should be included in the benchmark. In addition, the Bureau sought comment on the appropriate amount of intraLATA toll revenue that should be included in the revenue benchmark. We also encouraged parties to provide further information about the revenues that are derived from services provided over the network that the universal service mechanism is designed to support.

3. We find that, in addition to comments that we received in response to the May 4th Public Notice, specific information from non- rural local exchange carriers and holding companies is necessary to allow the Commission to calculate accurately the revenue benchmark that may be used to determine the level of federal high cost support. The Commission's suggested residential and business benchmarks of $31 and $51, respectively, were based on data that are four years old. In addition, the earlier data request did not ask local exchange carriers to differentiate among various revenue sources that would allow the Commission to deduct specific portions of access or toll revenue from the benchmark.

4. Purpose of Data Request. This data request is being issued to assist the Commission in implementing the forward-looking economic cost mechanism used to estimate the amount of universal service support that will be provided to eligible non-rural carriers beginning July 1, 1999.

5. Carriers Subject to Data Request. The following non-rural local exchange carriers and holding companies must respond to this data request: Aliant Communications Company, ALLTEL, Ameritech, Anchorage Telephone Utility, Bell Atlantic, BellSouth, Cincinnati Bell, Frontier Corporation, GTE, North State Telephone Company, Puerto Rico Telephone Company, Roseville Telephone Company, Southern New England, Southwestern Bell, U S West, and United Telephone System.

6. OMB Approval. Approved by OMB, 3060-0842, Expires 2/28/1999, Burden hour per respondent: 250 average. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless the agency displays a currently valid control number.

7. Accordingly, pursuant to sections 5(c), 201-205, 220(c), 254 and 403 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 155(c), 201-205, 220(c), 254, and 403, and sections 0.91 and 0.291 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 0.91 and 0.291, it is Hereby Ordered that Aliant Communications Company, ALLTEL, Ameritech, Anchorage Telephone Utility, Bell Atlantic, BellSouth, Cincinnati Bell, Frontier Corporation, GTE, North State Telephone Company, Puerto Rico Telephone Company, Roseville Telephone Company, Southern New England, Southwestern Bell, U S West, and United Telephone System shall complete the attached Revenue Benchmark Data Request in the prescribed formats, and file their responses to the data request with the Commission by October 6, 1998.

   Federal Communications Commission. James D. Schlichting, Deputy Chief, Common Carrier Bureau.

   [FR Doc. 98-22341Filed8-19-98; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 6712-01-P