Request To Update Default Compensation Rate for Dial-Around Calls From Payphones, 24740-24748 [05-9097]

Download as PDF 24740 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 11, 2005 / Proposed Rules final disapproval, the sanctions clock under 179(a) will begin. If OEPA does not submit and we do not approve the rule on which any disapproval is based within 18 months of the disapproval, we must impose one of the sanctions under section 179(b) highway funding restrictions or the offset sanction. In addition, any final disapproval would start the 24-month clock for the imposition of section 110(c) Federal Implementation Plan. Finally, under section 110(m) the EPA has discretionary authority to impose sanctions at any time after final disapproval. IV. What Action Is EPA Taking Today? EPA is proposing conditional approval of Ohio permit to install revisions. On December 31, 2002, EPA published revisions to the federal PSD and NSR regulations in 40 CFR parts 51 and 52 (67 FR 80186). These ‘‘NSR Reform’’ regulatory revisions became effective on March 3, 2003, and include provisions for baseline emissions determinations, actual-to-future actual methodology, plantwide applicability limits (PALs), clean units, and pollution control projects (PCPs). EPA is proposing to conditionally approve OEPA’s revised rules to implement these NSR Reform provisions. V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews Executive Order 12866; Regulatory Planning and Review Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), this action is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ and therefore is not subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use Because it is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under Executive Order 12866 or a ‘‘significant energy action,’’ this action is also not subject to Executive Order 13211, ‘‘Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use’’ (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001). Regulatory Flexibility Act This proposed action merely proposes to approve State law as meeting Federal requirements and imposes no additional requirements beyond those imposed by State law. Accordingly, the Administrator certifies that this proposed rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the VerDate jul<14>2003 14:25 May 10, 2005 Jkt 205001 Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). Unfunded Mandates Reform Act Because this rule proposes to approve pre-existing requirements under State law and does not impose any additional enforceable duty beyond that required by State law, it does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Public Law 104–4). Executive Order 13175 Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments This proposed rule also does not have tribal implications because it will not have a substantial direct effect on one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, as specified by Executive Order 13175 (59 FR 22951, November 9, 2000). Executive Order 13132 Federalism This action also does not have Federalism implications because it does not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the National Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government, as specified in Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999). This action merely proposes to approve a State rule implementing a Federal standard, and does not alter the relationship or the distribution of power and responsibilities established in the Clean Air Act. Executive Order 13045 Protection of Children From Environmental Health and Safety Risks This proposed rule also is not subject to Executive Order 13045 ‘‘Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks’’ (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), because it is not economically significant. National Technology Transfer Advancement Act In reviewing SIP submissions, EPA’s role is to approve State choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the Clean Air Act. In this context, in the absence of a prior existing requirement for the State to use voluntary consensus standards (VCS), EPA has no authority to disapprove a SIP submission for failure to use VCS. It would thus be inconsistent with applicable law for EPA, when it reviews a SIP submission, PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 to use VCS in place of a SIP submission that otherwise satisfies the provisions of the Clean Air Act. Thus, the requirements of section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) do not apply. Paperwork Reduction Act This proposed rule does not impose an information collection burden under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). List of Subjects in Part 52 Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile organic compounds. Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. Dated: April 29, 2005. Bharat Mathur, Acting Regional Administrator, Region 5. [FR Doc. 05–9403 Filed 5–10–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 64 [WC DOCKET NO. 03–225; FCC 05–71] Request To Update Default Compensation Rate for Dial-Around Calls From Payphones Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Further notice of proposed rulemaking. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In this document, the Commission seeks current and accurate data on the average number of compensable dial-around calls made from payphones on a monthly basis. This average monthly data will be used to calculate a monthly per-payphone default compensation rate, which will apply to payphones that are not connected to Flex ANI, a call-tracking technology. DATES: Submit comments on or before June 27, 2005. Submit reply comments on or before July 25, 2005. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by WC Docket No. 03–225, by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Agency Web site: https:// www.fcc.gov. Follow the instructions for E:\FR\FM\11MYP1.SGM 11MYP1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 11, 2005 / Proposed Rules submitting comments on our electronic Web site: https://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/ edocs_public/SilverStream/Pages/ edocs.html. • E-mail: Jon.Stover@fcc.gov. Include WC Docket No. 03–225 in the subject line of the message. • Fax: (202) 418–1567 • Mail: Commission’s Secretary, Marlene H. Dortch, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 Twelfth Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. • Hand Delivery/Courier: Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, Office of the Secretary, c/o Natek, Inc. 236 Massachusetts Avenue, NE., Suite 110, Washington, DC 20002. Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name and docket number for this rulemaking. All comments received will be posted without change to https:// hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/ SilverStream/Pages/edocs.html, including any personal information provided. For detailed instructions on submitting comments and additional information on the rulemaking process, see the ‘‘Public Participation’’ heading of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to https:// hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/ SilverStream/Pages/edocs.html and/or Federal Communications Commission, 445 Twelfth Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jon Stover, Wireline Competition Bureau, Pricing Policy Division, (202) 418–0390. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission’s Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in WC Docket No. 03–225, adopted on March 10, 2005 and released on March 14, 2005. The complete text of this Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) is available for public inspection Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Commission’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Reference Information Center, Room CY–A257, 445 Twelfth Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. The complete text is also available on the Commission’s Internet Site at https:// www. fcc.gov. Alternative formats are available to persons with disabilities by contacting Brian Millin at (202) 418– 7426 or TTY (202) 418–7365. The complete text of the FNPRM may be purchased from the Commission’s duplicating contractor, Best Copying and Printing, Inc., Room CY–B402, 445 VerDate jul<14>2003 11:53 May 10, 2005 Jkt 205001 Twelfth Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554, telephone (202) 863–2893, facsimile (202) 863–2898, or e-mail at https://www.bcpiweb.com. Synopsis of Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 1. When the Commission initially adopted a payphone compensation rule pursuant to 47 U.S.C. 276(b)(1)(A), many carriers lacked reliable systems for tracking dial-around calls. In the Commission’s First Payphone Report and Order, it ordered compensation to be paid initially on a per-phone, rather than a per-call basis. To arrive at the total per-payphone rate, the Commission calculated that 131 dialaround calls were placed from the average payphone per month. When this average volume amount was multiplied by the then current per-call default rate of $.35, the result yielded a per-phone compensation rate of $45.85 per month. 2. Since the release of the First Payphone Report and Order, approximately 95 percent of all payphones have been connected to Flex ANI, a call-tracking technology that accurately tracks payphone calls from the payphone instrument to the called party. The remaining five per cent of payphones, which are generally located in remote and rural geographic areas are not connected to Flex ANI. With this FNPRM, the Commission continues to implement the requirements of 47 U.S.C. 276 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, which directs the Commission to ‘‘promote the widespread deployment of payphone services to the benefit of the general public.’’ 3. Although the Commission recently increased the per-call rate to $.494, it has not updated the average number of dial-around calls per payphone since 1997. The record in this proceeding indicates that since 1998, there has been a significant decline in per-payphone call volumes. If dial-around call volumes have followed the same trend as overall call volumes, the data sought by this FNPRM will probably also have significantly declined. 4. Finally, once the Commission receives the updated volumetric data, it will calculate a new monthly perpayphone rate based on the new data and the existing per-call rate. The new monthly rate will ensure that all payphone service providers are ‘‘fairly compensated’’ for each and every completed intrastate and interstate call using their payphone. PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 24741 Initial Paperwork Reduction Act Analysis 5. This FNPRM contains new information collection requirements. The Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, invites the general public and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to take this opportunity to comment on the information collections contained in this FNPRM, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13. Public and agency comments are due 60 days after date of publication in the Federal Register. Comments should address: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission’s burden estimates; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. In addition, pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public Law 107–198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4), we seek specific comment on how we might ‘‘further reduce the information collection burden for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees.’’ OMB Control Number: 3060–XXXX. Title: Request to Update Default Compensation Rate for WC Docket No. 03–225 Dial-Around Calls from Payphones. Form No.: N/A. Type of Review: New collection. Respondents: Business or other forprofit institutions. Estimated Number of Respondents: 10. Estimated Time Per Response: 100 hours. Frequency of Response: One time. Estimated Total Annual Burden: 1000 hours. Estimated Total Annual Costs: 0. Privacy Act Impact Assessment: N/A. Needs and Uses: We seek additional data to enable us to determine a more accurate estimate of the average number of compensable dial-around calls at a payphone. We urge payphone service providers (PSPs) to provide us with current data showing the average number of compensable dial-around calls placed at their payphones. We request that parties submitting data provide details that will enable us to evaluate the data and determine how to E:\FR\FM\11MYP1.SGM 11MYP1 24742 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 11, 2005 / Proposed Rules use the data. Data submissions should include, if possible, details showing how the data were gathered, how samples were selected, the total number of payphones of each type (e.g., ‘‘dumb’’ vs. ‘‘smart,’’ regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOC) vs. independent) in the sample and in the population from which the sample was taken, and the types of locations represented in the sample. Attempts to gain advantage by failing to provide us with the necessary context to evaluate their submissions will result in their data being discounted or rejected. We invite parties to submit information on the number of payphones that currently are located in non-equal access areas and in areas where small telephone companies have received a waiver of the Flex ANI requirement, and on the average number of compensable dial-around calls originating from such payphones. 6. In addition to filing comments with the Secretary, a copy of any comments on the information collection(s) contained herein should be submitted to Judith Boley Herman, Federal Communications Commission, Room 1C804, 445 12th Street SW., Washington, DC 20554, or via the Internet to Judith B. Herman@fcc.gov, and to Kristy L. Lalonde, OMB Desk Officer, Room 10234 NEOB, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503, or via the Internet to Kristy L. LaLonde@omb.eop.gov. Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis 7. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, as amended (RFA), the Commission has prepared an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) of the possible significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities by the policies and rule proposed in the FNPRM. 8. With this FNPRM, the Commission continues its implementation of the statutory objectives of section 276 of ensuring payphone service providers are fairly compensation and promoting the widespread deployment of payphones. Need for, and Objectives of, the Proposed Rules 9. The Commission’s goal in this proceeding is to ensure that all payphone service providers are fairly compensation. Once this proceeding is completed, all payphone operations including those not connected to Flex ANI will be receiving fair compensation for all completed intrastate and interstate calls made from payphones. Legal Basis 10. The legal basis for any action that may be taken pursuant to this FNPRM VerDate jul<14>2003 11:53 May 10, 2005 Jkt 205001 is contained in sections 1–5, 7, 10, 201– 05, 207–09, 214, 218–20, 225–27, 251– 54, 256, 271, 303, 332, 403, 405, 502 and 503 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 151–55, 157, 160, 201–05, 207–09, 214, 218–20, 225–27, 251–54, 256, 271, 303, 332, 403, 405, 502, and 503 and sections 1.1, 1.421 of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR 1.1, 1.421. Description and Estimate of the Number of Small Entities to Which the Proposed Rules Will Apply 11. The RFA directs agencies to provide a description of, and, where feasible, an estimate of the number of small entities that may be affected by rules adopted herein. The RFA generally defines the term ‘‘small entity’’ as having the same meaning as the terms ‘‘small business,’’ ‘‘small organization,’’ and ‘‘small governmental jurisdiction.’’ In addition, the term ‘‘small business’’ has the same meaning as the term ‘‘small business concern’’ under the Small Business Act. A ‘‘small business concern’’ is one that: (1) Is independently owned and operated; (2) is not dominant in its field of operation; and (3) satisfies any additional criteria established by the Small Business Administration (SBA). 5 U.S.C. 632. 12. In this section, the Commission further describes and estimates the number of small entity licensees and regulatees that may also be indirectly affected by rules adopted pursuant to this FNPRM. The most reliable source of information regarding the total numbers of certain common carrier and related providers nationwide, as well as the number of commercial wireless entities, appears to be the data that the Commission publishes in its Trends in Telephone Service report. The SBA has developed small business size standards for wireline and wireless small businesses within the three commercial census categories of Wired Telecommunications Carriers, Paging, and Cellular and Other Wireless Telecommunications. Under these categories, a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees. Below, using the above size standards and others, the Commission discusses the total estimated numbers of small businesses that might be affected by its actions. 13. Wired Telecommunications Carriers. The SBA has developed a small business size standard for Wired Telecommunications Carriers, which consists of all such companies having 1,500 or fewer employees. According to Census Bureau data for 1997, there were 2,225 firms in this category, total, that operated for the entire year. Of this total, 2,201 firms had employment of PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 999 or fewer employees, and an additional 24 firms had employment of 1,000 employees or more. Thus, under this size standard, the majority of firms can be considered small. 14. Local Exchange Carriers. Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed a size standard for small businesses specifically applicable to local exchange services. The closest applicable size standard under SBA rules is for Wired Telecommunications Carriers. Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees. According to Commission data, 1,310 carriers reported that they were incumbent local exchange service providers. Of these 1,310 carriers, an estimated 1,025 have 1,500 or fewer employees and 285 have more than 1,500 employees. In addition, according to Commission data, 563 companies reported that they were engaged in the provision of either competitive access provider services or competitive local exchange carrier services. Of these 563 companies, an estimated 472 have 1,500 or fewer employees and 91 have more than 1,500 employees. In addition, 37 carriers reported that they were ‘‘Other Local Exchange Carriers.’’ Of the 37 ‘‘Other Local Exchange Carriers,’’ an estimated 36 have 1,500 or fewer employees and one has more than 1,500 employees. Consequently, the Commission estimates that most providers of local exchange service, competitive local exchange service, competitive access providers, and ‘‘Other Local Exchange Carriers’’ are small entities that may be affected by the rules and policies adopted herein. 15. Interexchange Carriers. Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed a size standard for small businesses specifically applicable to interexchange services. The closest applicable size standard under SBA rules is for Wired Telecommunications Carriers. Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees. According to Commission data, 281 companies reported that they were interexchange carriers. Of these 281 companies, an estimated 254 have 1,500 or fewer employees and 27 have more than 1,500 employees. Consequently, the Commission estimates that the majority of interexchange service providers are small entities that may be affected by the rules and policies adopted herein. 16. Wired Telecommunications Carriers. The SBA has developed a small business size standard for Wired Telecommunications Carriers, which consists of all such companies having 1,500 or fewer employees. According to E:\FR\FM\11MYP1.SGM 11MYP1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 11, 2005 / Proposed Rules Census Bureau data for 1997, there were 2,225 firms in this category, total, that operated for the entire year. Of this total, 2,201 firms had employment of 999 or fewer employees, and an additional 24 firms had employment of 1,000 employees or more. Thus, under this size standard, the majority of firms can be considered small. 17. Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (LECs). Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed a size standard for small businesses specifically applicable to incumbent local exchange services. The closest applicable size standard under SBA rules is for Wired Telecommunications Carriers. Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees. According to Commission data, 1,337 carriers reported that they were engaged in the provision of local exchange services. Of these 1,337 carriers, an estimated 1,032 have 1,500 or fewer employees and 305 have more than 1,500 employees. Consequently, the Commission estimates that most providers of incumbent local exchange service are small businesses that may be affected by the rules and policies adopted herein. 18. Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs), Competitive Access Providers (CAPs), and ‘‘Other Local Exchange Carriers.’’ Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed a size standard for small businesses specifically applicable to providers of competitive exchange services or to competitive access providers or to ‘‘Other Local Exchange Carriers,’’ all of which are discrete categories under which TRS data are collected. The closest applicable size standard under SBA rules is for Wired Telecommunications Carriers. Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees. According to Commission data, 609 companies reported that they were engaged in the provision of either competitive access provider services or competitive local exchange carrier services. Of these 609 companies, an estimated 458 have 1,500 or fewer employees and 151 have more than 1,500 employees. In addition, 35 carriers reported that they were ‘‘Other Local Service Providers.’’ Of the 35 ‘‘Other Local Service Providers,’’ an estimated 34 have 1,500 or fewer employees and one has more than 1,500 employees. Consequently, the Commission estimates that most providers of competitive local exchange service, competitive access providers, and ‘‘Other Local Exchange Carriers’’ are small entities that may be affected VerDate jul<14>2003 11:53 May 10, 2005 Jkt 205001 by the rules and policies adopted herein. 19. Interexchange Carriers (IXCs). Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed a size standard for small businesses specifically applicable to interexchange services. The closest applicable size standard under SBA rules is for Wired Telecommunications Carriers. Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees. According to Commission data, 261 companies reported that their primary telecommunications service activity was the provision of interexchange services. Of these 261 companies, an estimated 223 have 1,500 or fewer employees and 38 have more than 1,500 employees. Consequently, the Commission estimates that the majority of interexchange service providers are small entities that may be affected by the rules and policies adopted herein. 20. Operator Service Providers (OSPs). Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed a size standard for small businesses specifically applicable to operator service providers. The closest applicable size standard under SBA rules is for Wired Telecommunications Carriers. Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees. According to Commission data, 23 companies reported that they were engaged in the provision of operator services. Of these 23 companies, an estimated 22 have 1,500 or fewer employees and one has more than 1,500 employees. Consequently, the Commission estimates that the majority of operator service providers are small entities that may be affected by the rules and policies adopted herein. 21. Payphone Service Providers (PSPs). Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed a size standard for small businesses specifically applicable to payphone service providers. The closest applicable size standard under SBA rules is for Wired Telecommunications Carriers. Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees. According to Commission data, 761 companies reported that they were engaged in the provision of payphone services. Of these 761 companies, an estimated 757 have 1,500 or fewer employees and four have more than 1,500 employees. Consequently, the Commission estimates that the majority of payphone service providers are small entities that may be affected by the rules and policies adopted herein. 22. Prepaid Calling Card Providers. The SBA has developed a size standard for a small business within the category PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 24743 of Telecommunications Resellers. Under that SBA size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees. According to Commission data, 37 companies reported that they were engaged in the provision of prepaid calling cards. Of these 37 companies, an estimated 36 have 1,500 or fewer employees and one has more than 1,500 employees. Consequently, the Commission estimates that the majority of prepaid calling card providers are small entities that may be affected by the rules and policies adopted herein. 23. Local Resellers. The SBA has developed a small business size standard for the category of Telecommunications Resellers. Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees. According to Commission data, 133 carriers have reported that they are engaged in the provision of local resale services. Of these, an estimated 127 have 1,500 or fewer employees and six have more than 1,500 employees. Consequently, the Commission estimates that the majority of local resellers are small entities that may be affected by its action. 24. Toll Resellers. The SBA has developed a small business size standard for the category of Telecommunications Resellers. Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees. According to Commission data, 625 carriers have reported that they are engaged in the provision of toll resale services. Of these, an estimated 590 have 1,500 or fewer employees and 35 have more than 1,500 employees. Consequently, the Commission estimates that the majority of toll resellers are small entities that may be affected by its action. 25. Other Toll Carriers. Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed a size standard for small businesses specifically applicable to ‘‘Other Toll Carriers.’’ This category includes toll carriers that do not fall within the categories of interexchange carriers, operator service providers, prepaid calling card providers, satellite service carriers, or toll resellers. The closest applicable size standard under SBA rules is for Wired Telecommunications Carriers. Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees. According to Commission’s data, 92 companies reported that their primary telecommunications service activity was the provision of other toll carriage. Of these 92 companies, an estimated 82 have 1,500 or fewer employees and ten have more than 1,500 employees. E:\FR\FM\11MYP1.SGM 11MYP1 24744 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 11, 2005 / Proposed Rules Consequently, the Commission estimates that most ‘‘Other Toll Carriers’’ are small entities that may be affected by the rules and policies adopted herein. 26. Paging. The SBA has developed a small business size standard for Paging, which consists of all such firms having 1,500 or fewer employees. According to Census Bureau data for 1997, in this category there was a total of 1,320 firms that operated for the entire year. Of this total, 1,303 firms had employment of 999 or fewer employees, and an additional seventeen firms had employment of 1,000 employees or more. Thus, under this size standard, the majority of firms can be considered small. 27. Cellular and Other Wireless Telecommunications. The SBA has developed a small business size standard for Cellular and Other Wireless Telecommunication, which consists of all such firms having 1,500 or fewer employees. According to Census Bureau data for 1997, in this category there was a total of 977 firms that operated for the entire year. Of this total, 965 firms had employment of 999 or fewer employees, and an additional twelve firms had employment of 1,000 employees or more. Thus, under this size standard, the majority of firms can be considered small. 28. Broadband Personal Communications Service. The broadband Personal Communications Service (PCS) spectrum is divided into six frequency blocks designated A through F, and the Commission has held auctions for each block. The Commission defined ‘‘small entity’’ for Blocks C and F as an entity that has average gross revenues of $40 million or less in the three previous calendar years. For Block F, an additional classification for ‘‘very small business’’ was added and is defined as an entity that, together with its affiliates, has average gross revenues of not more than $15 million for the preceding three calendar years. These standards defining ‘‘small entity’’ in the context of broadband PCS auctions have been approved by the SBA. No small businesses, within the SBA-approved small business size standards bid successfully for licenses in Blocks A and B. There were 90 winning bidders that qualified as small entities in the Block C auctions. A total of 93 small and very small business bidders won approximately 40 percent of the 1,479 licenses for Blocks D, E, and F. On March 23, 1999, the Commission reauctioned 347 C, D, E, and F Block licenses. There were 48 small business winning bidders. On January 26, 2001, VerDate jul<14>2003 11:53 May 10, 2005 Jkt 205001 the Commission completed the auction of 422 C and F Broadband PCS licenses in Auction No. 35. Of the 35 winning bidders in this auction, 29 qualified as ‘‘small’’ or ‘‘very small’’ businesses. Based on this information, the Commission concludes that the number of small broadband PCS licenses will include the 90 winning C Block bidders, the 93 qualifying bidders in the D, E, and F Block auctions, the 48 winning bidders in the 1999 re-auction, and the 29 winning bidders in the 2001 reauction, for a total of 260 small entity broadband PCS providers, as defined by the SBA small business size standards and the Commission’s auction rules. The Commission notes that, as a general matter, the number of winning bidders that qualify as small businesses at the close of an auction does not necessarily represent the number of small businesses currently in service. Also, the Commission does not generally track subsequent business size unless, in the context of assignments or transfers, unjust enrichment issues are implicated. 29. Narrowband Personal Communications Services. The Commission has adopted a two-tiered small business size standard in the Narrowband PCS Second Report and Order, 65 FR 35875, June 6, 2000. A ‘‘small business’’ is an entity that, together with affiliates and controlling interests, has average gross revenues for the three preceding years of not more than $40 million. A ‘‘very small business’’ is an entity that, together with affiliates and controlling interests, has average gross revenues for the three preceding years of not more than $15 million. The SBA has approved these small business size standards. In the future, the Commission will auction 459 licenses to serve Metropolitan Trading Areas (MTAs) and 408 response channel licenses. There is also one megahertz of narrowband PCS spectrum that has been held in reserve and that the Commission has not yet decided to release for licensing. The Commission cannot predict accurately the number of licenses that will be awarded to small entities in future actions. However, four of the 16 winning bidders in the two previous narrowband PCS auctions were small businesses, as that term was defined under the Commission’s Rules. The Commission assumes, for purposes of this analysis, that a large portion of the remaining narrowband PCS licenses will be awarded to small entities. The Commission also assumes that at least some small businesses will acquire narrowband PCS licenses by means of the Commission’s partitioning and disaggregation rules. PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 30. 220 MHz Radio Service—Phase I Licensees. The 220 MHz service has both Phase I and Phase II licenses. Phase I licensing was conducted by lotteries in 1992 and 1993. There are approximately 1,515 such non-nationwide licensees and four nationwide licensees currently authorized to operate in the 220 MHz band. The Commission has not developed a small business size standard for small entities specifically applicable to such incumbent 220 MHz Phase I licensees. To estimate the number of such licensees that are small businesses, the Commission applies the small business size standard under the SBA rules applicable to ‘‘Cellular and Other Wireless Telecommunications’’ companies. This standard provides that such a company is small if it employs no more than 1,500 persons. According to Census Bureau data for 1997, there were 977 firms in this category, total, that operated for the entire year. Of this total, 965 firms had employment of 999 or fewer employees, and an additional 12 firms had employment of 1,000 employees or more. If this general ratio continues in the context of Phase I 220 MHz licensees, the Commission estimates that nearly all such licensees are small businesses under the SBA’s small business size standard. 31. 220 MHz Radio Service—Phase II Licensees. The 220 MHz service has both Phase I and Phase II licenses. The Phase II 220 MHz service is a new service, and is subject to spectrum auctions. In the 220 MHz Third Report and Order, 62 FR 15978, April 3, 1997, the Commission adopted a small business size standard for ‘‘small’’ and ‘‘very small’’ businesses for purposes of determining their eligibility for special provisions such as bidding credits and installment payments. This small business size standard indicates that a ‘‘small business’’ is an entity that, together with its affiliates and controlling principals, has average gross revenues not exceeding $15 million for the preceding three years. A ‘‘very small business’’ is an entity that, together with its affiliates and controlling principals, has average gross revenues that do not exceed $3 million for the preceding three years. The SBA has approved these small business size standards. Auctions of Phase II licenses commenced on September 15, 1998, and closed on October 22, 1998. In the first auction, 908 licenses were auctioned in three different-sized geographic areas: three nationwide licenses, 30 Regional Economic Area Group (EAG) Licenses, and 875 Economic Area (EA) Licenses. Of the 908 licenses auctioned, 693 were sold. Thirty-nine small businesses won E:\FR\FM\11MYP1.SGM 11MYP1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 11, 2005 / Proposed Rules licenses in the first 220 MHz auction. The second auction included 225 licenses: 216 EA licenses and 9 EAG licenses. Fourteen companies claiming small business status won 158 licenses. 32. 800 MHz and 900 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio Licenses. The Commission awards ‘‘small entity’’ and ‘‘very small entity’’ bidding credits in auctions for Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) geographic area licenses in the 900 MHz bands to firms that had revenues of no more than $15 million in each of the three previous calendar years, or that had revenues of no more than $3 million in each of the previous calendar years. The SBA has approved these size standards. The Commission awards ‘‘small entity’’ and ‘‘very small entity’’ bidding credits in auctions for Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) geographic area licenses in the 800 MHz bands to firms that had revenues of no more than $40 million in each of the three previous calendar years, or that had revenues of no more than $15 million in each of the previous calendar years. These bidding credits apply to SMR providers in the 800 MHz and 900 MHz bands that either hold geographic area licenses or have obtained extended implementation authorizations. The Commission does not know how many firms provide 800 MHz or 900 MHz geographic area SMR service pursuant to extended implementation authorizations, nor how many of these providers have annual revenues of no more than $15 million. One firm has over $15 million in revenues. The Commission assumes, for purposes here, that all of the remaining existing extended implementation authorizations are held by small entities, as that term is defined by the SBA. The Commission has held auctions for geographic area licenses in the 800 MHz and 900 MHz SMR bands. There were 60 winning bidders that qualified as small or very small entities in the 900 MHz SMR auctions. Of the 1,020 licenses won in the 900 MHz auction, bidders qualifying as small or very small entities won 263 licenses. In the 800 MHz auction, 38 of the 524 licenses won were won by small and very small entities. The Commission notes that, as a general matter, the number of winning bidders that qualify as small businesses at the close of an auction does not necessarily represent the number of small businesses currently in service. Also, the Commission does not generally track subsequent business size unless, in the context of assignments or transfers, unjust enrichment issues are implicated. 33. Private and Common Carrier Paging. In the Paging Third Report and VerDate jul<14>2003 11:53 May 10, 2005 Jkt 205001 Order, 62 FR 16004, April 3, 1997, the Commission developed a small business size standard for ‘‘small businesses’’ and ‘‘very small businesses’’ for purposes of determining their eligibility for special provisions such as bidding credits and installment payments. A ‘‘small business’’ is an entity that, together with its affiliates and controlling principals, has average gross revenues not exceeding $15 million for the preceding three years. Additionally, a ‘‘very small business’’ is an entity that, together with its affiliates and controlling principals, has average gross revenues that are not more than $3 million for the preceding three years. The SBA has approved these size standards. An auction of Metropolitan Economic Area licenses commenced on February 24, 2000, and closed on March 2, 2000. Of the 985 licenses auctioned, 440 were sold. Fiftyseven companies claiming small business status won. At present, there are approximately 24,000 Private-Paging site-specific licenses and 74,000 Common Carrier Paging licenses. According to the most recent Trends in Telephone Service, 471 carriers reported that they were engaged in the provision of either paging and messaging services or other mobile services. Of those, the Commission estimates that 450 are small, under the SBA business size standard specifying that firms are small if they have 1,500 or fewer employees. 34. 700 MHz Guard Band Licensees. In the 700 MHz Guard Band Order, 65 FR 3139, January 20, 2000, the Commission adopted a small business size standard for ‘‘small businesses’’ and ‘‘very small businesses’’ for purposes of determining their eligibility for special provisions such as bidding credits and installment payments. A ‘‘small business’’ as an entity that, together with its affiliates and controlling principals, has average gross revenues not exceeding $15 million for the preceding three years. Additionally, a ‘‘very small business’’ is an entity that, together with its affiliates and controlling principals, has average gross revenues that are not more than $3 million for the preceding three years. An auction of 52 Major Economic Area (MEA) licenses commenced on September 6, 2000, and closed on September 21, 2000. Of the 104 licenses auctioned, 96 licenses were sold to nine bidders. Five of these bidders were small businesses that won a total of 26 licenses. A second auction of 700 MHz Guard Band licenses commenced on February 13, 2001 and closed on February 21, 2001. All eight of the licenses auctioned were sold to three bidders. One of these bidders was a PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 24745 small business that won a total of two licenses. 35. Rural Radiotelephone Service. The Commission has not adopted a size standard for small businesses specific to the Rural Radiotelephone Service. A significant subset of the Rural Radiotelephone Service is the Basic Exchange Telephone Radio System (BETRS). The Commission uses the SBA’s small business size standard applicable to ‘‘Cellular and Other Wireless Telecommunications,’’ i.e., an entity employing no more than 1,500 persons. There are approximately 1,000 licensees in the Rural Radiotelephone Service, and the Commission estimates that there are 1,000 or fewer small entity licensees in the Rural Radiotelephone Service that may be affected by the rules and policies adopted herein. 36. Air-Ground Radiotelephone Service. The Commission has not adopted a small business size standard specific to the Air-Ground Radiotelephone Service. The Commission will use SBA’s small business size standard applicable to ‘‘Cellular and Other Wireless Telecommunications,’’ i.e., an entity employing no more than 1,500 persons. There are approximately 100 licensees in the Air-Ground Radiotelephone Service, and the Commission estimates that almost all of them qualify as small under the SBA small business size standard. 37. Aviation and Marine Radio Services. Small businesses in the aviation and marine radio services use a very high frequency (VHF) marine or aircraft radio and, as appropriate, an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (and/or radar) or an emergency locator transmitter. The Commission has not developed a small business size standard specifically applicable to these small businesses. For purposes of this analysis, the Commission uses the SBA small business size standard for the category ‘‘Cellular and Other Telecommunications,’’ which is 1,500 or fewer employees. Most applicants for recreational licenses are individuals. Approximately 581,000 ship station licensees and 131,000 aircraft station licensees operate domestically and are not subject to the radio carriage requirements of any statute or treaty. For purposes of evaluations in this analysis, the Commission estimates that there are up to approximately 712,000 licensees that are small businesses (or individuals) under the SBA standard. In addition, between December 3, 1998 and December 14, 1998, the Commission held an auction of 42 VHF Public Coast licenses in the 157.1875– 157.4500 MHz (ship transmit) and E:\FR\FM\11MYP1.SGM 11MYP1 24746 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 11, 2005 / Proposed Rules 161.775–162.0125 MHz (coast transmit) bands. For purposes of the auction, the Commission defined a ‘‘small’’ business as an entity that, together with controlling interests and affiliates, has average gross revenues for the preceding three years not to exceed $15 million. In addition, a ‘‘very small’’ business is one that, together with controlling interests and affiliates, has average gross revenues for the preceding three years not to exceed $3 million. There are approximately 10,672 licensees in the Marine Coast Service, and the Commission estimates that almost all of them qualify as ‘‘small’’ businesses under the above special small business size standards. 38. Fixed Microwave Services. Fixed microwave services include common carrier, private operational-fixed, and broadcast auxiliary radio services. At present, there are approximately 22,015 common carrier fixed licensees and 61,670 private operational-fixed licensees and broadcast auxiliary radio licensees in the microwave services. The Commission has not created a size standard for a small business specifically with respect to fixed microwave services. For purposes of this analysis, the Commission uses the SBA small business size standard for the category ‘‘Cellular and Other Telecommunications,’’ which is 1,500 or fewer employees. The Commission does not have data specifying the number of these licensees that have more than 1,500 employees, and thus is unable at this time to estimate with greater precision the number of fixed microwave service licensees that would qualify as small business concerns under the SBA’s small business size standard. Consequently, the Commission estimates that there are up to 22,015 common carrier fixed licensees and up to 61,670 private operational-fixed licensees and broadcast auxiliary radio licensees in the microwave services that may be small and may be affected by the rules and policies adopted herein. The Commission noted, however, that the common carrier microwave fixed licensee category includes some large entities. 39. Offshore Radiotelephone Service. This service operates on several UHF television broadcast channels that are not used for television broadcasting in the coastal areas of states bordering the Gulf of Mexico. There are presently approximately 55 licensees in this service. The Commission is unable to estimate at this time the number of licensees that would qualify as small under the SBA’s small business size standard for ‘‘Cellular and Other VerDate jul<14>2003 11:53 May 10, 2005 Jkt 205001 Wireless Telecommunications’’ services. Under that SBA small business size standard, a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees. 40. Wireless Communications Services. This service can be used for fixed, mobile, radiolocation, and digital audio broadcasting satellite uses. The Commission established small business size standards for the wireless communications services (WCS) auction. A ‘‘small business’’ is an entity with average gross revenues of $40 million for each of the three preceding years, and a ‘‘very small business’’ is an entity with average gross revenues of $15 million for each of the three preceding years. The SBA has approved these small business size standards. The Commission auctioned geographic area licenses in the WCS service. In the auction, there were seven winning bidders that qualified as ‘‘very small business’’ entities, and one that qualified as a ‘‘small business’’ entity. The Commission concludes that the number of geographic area WCS licensees affected by this analysis includes these eight entities. 41. 39 GHz Service. The Commission created a special small business size standard for 39 GHz licenses—an entity that has average gross revenues of $40 million or less in the three previous calendar years. An additional size standard for ‘‘very small business’’ is: An entity that, together with affiliates, has average gross revenues of not more than $15 million for the preceding three calendar years. The SBA has approved these small business size standards. The auction of the 2,173 39 GHz licenses began on April 12, 2000 and closed on May 8, 2000. The 18 bidders who claimed small business status won 849 licenses. Consequently, the Commission estimates that 18 or fewer 39 GHz licensees are small entities that may be affected by the rules and policies adopted herein. 42. Local Multipoint Distribution Service. Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS) is a fixed broadband point-to-multipoint microwave service that provides for two-way video telecommunications. The auction of the 1,030 Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS) licenses began on February 18, 1998 and closed on March 25, 1998. The Commission established a small business size standard for LMDS licenses as an entity that has average gross revenues of less than $40 million in the three previous calendar years. An additional small business size standard for ‘‘very small business’’ was added as an entity that, together with its affiliates, has average gross revenues of not more than $15 million for the preceding three PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 calendar years. The SBA has approved these small business size standards in the context of LMDS auctions. There were 93 winning bidders that qualified as small entities in the LMDS auctions. A total of 93 small and very small business bidders won approximately 277 A Block licenses and 387 B Block licenses. On March 27, 1999, the Commission re-auctioned 161 licenses; there were 40 winning bidders. Based on this information, the Commission concluded that the number of small LMDS licenses consists of the 93 winning bidders in the first auction and the 40 winning bidders in the reauction, for a total of 133 small entity LMDS providers. 43. 218–219 MHz Service. The first auction of 218–219 MHz spectrum resulted in 170 entities winning licenses for 594 Metropolitan Statistical Area licenses. Of the 594 licenses, 557 were won by entities qualifying as a small business. For that auction, the small business size standard was an entity that, together with its affiliates, has no more than a $6 million net worth and, after federal income taxes (excluding any carry over losses), has no more than $2 million in annual profits each year for the previous two years. In the 218– 219 MHz Report and Order and Memorandum Opinion and Order, 64 FR 59656, November 3, 1999, the Commission established a small business size standard for a ‘‘small business’’ as an entity that, together with its affiliates and persons or entities that hold interests in such an entity and their affiliates, has average annual gross revenues not to exceed $15 million for the preceding three years. A ‘‘very small business’’ is defined as an entity that, together with its affiliates and persons or entities that hold interests in such an entity and its affiliates, has average annual gross revenues not to exceed $3 million for the preceding three years. The SBA has approved these size standards. The Commission cannot estimate, however, the number of licenses that will be won by entities qualifying as small or very small businesses under its rules in future auctions of 218–219 MHz spectrum. 44. 24 GHz—Incumbent Licensees. This analysis may affect incumbent licensees who were relocated to the 24 GHz band from the 18 GHz band, and applicants who wish to provide services in the 24 GHz band. The applicable SBA small business size standard is that of ‘‘Cellular and Other Wireless Telecommunications’’ companies. This category provides that such a company is small if it employs no more than 1,500 persons. According to Census Bureau data for 1997, there were 977 E:\FR\FM\11MYP1.SGM 11MYP1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 11, 2005 / Proposed Rules firms in this category that operated for the entire year. Of this total, 965 firms had employment of 999 or fewer employees, and an additional 12 firms had employment of 1,000 employees or more. Thus, under this size standard, the great majority of firms can be considered small. These broader census data notwithstanding, the Commission believes that there are only two licensees in the 24 GHz band that were relocated from the 18 GHz band, Teligent and TRW, Inc. It is the Commission’s understanding that Teligent and its related companies have less than 1,500 employees, though this may change in the future. TRW is not a small entity. Thus, only one incumbent licensee in the 24 GHz band is a small business entity. 45. 24 GHz—Future Licensees. With respect to new applicants in the 24 GHz band, the small business size standard for ‘‘small business’’ is an entity that, together with controlling interests and affiliates, has average annual gross revenues for the three preceding years not in excess of $15 million. ‘‘Very small business’’ in the 24 GHz band is an entity that, together with controlling interests and affiliates, has average gross revenues not exceeding $3 million for the preceding three years. The SBA has approved these small business size standards. These size standards will apply to the future auction, if held. 46. Satellite Service Carriers. The SBA has developed a size standard for small businesses within the category of Satellite Telecommunications. Under that SBA size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees. According to Commission data, 31 carriers reported that they were engaged in the provision of satellite services. Of these 31 carriers, an estimated 25 have 1,500 or fewer employees and six, alone or in combination with affiliates, have more than 1,500 employees. Consequently, the Commission estimates that there are 31 or fewer satellite service carriers which are small businesses that may be affected by the rules and policies proposed herein. 47. Cable and Other Program Distribution. This category includes cable systems operators, closed circuit television services, direct broadcast satellite services, multipoint distribution systems, satellite master antenna systems, and subscription television services. The SBA has developed small business size standard for this census category, which includes all such companies generating $12.5 million or less in revenue annually. According to Census Bureau data for 1997, there were a total of 1,311 firms VerDate jul<14>2003 11:53 May 10, 2005 Jkt 205001 in this category, total, that had operated for the entire year. Of this total, 1,180 firms had annual receipts of under $10 million and an additional 52 firms had receipts of $10 million or more but less than $25 million. Consequently, the Commission estimates that the majority of providers in this service category are small businesses that may be affected by the rules and policies adopted herein. 48. Internet Service Providers. The SBA has developed a small business size standard for Internet Service Providers (ISPs). ISPs ‘‘provide clients access to the Internet and generally provide related services such as web hosting, web page designing, and hardware or software consulting related to Internet connectivity.’’ Under the SBA size standard, such a business is small if it has average annual receipts of $21 million or less. According to Census Bureau data for 1997, there were 2,751 firms in this category that operated for the entire year. Of these, 2,659 firms had annual receipts of under $10 million, and an additional 67 firms had receipts of between $10 million and $24, 999,999. Consequently, the Commission estimates that the majority of these firms are small entities that may be affected by its action. 49. All Other Information Services. This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing other information services (except new syndicates and libraries and archives).’’ The Commission notes that, in this FNPRM, it has described activities such as email, online gaming, web browsing, video conferencing, instant messaging, and other, similar IP-enabled services. The SBA has developed a small business size standard for this category; that size standard is $6 million or less in average annual receipts. According to Census Bureau data for 1997, there were 195 firms in this category that operated for the entire year. Of these, 172 had annual receipts of under $5 million, and an additional nine firms had receipts of between $5 million and $9,999,999. Consequently, the Commission estimates that the majority of these firms are small entities that may be affected by its action. Description of Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping and Other Compliance Requirements for Small Entities 50. This supplemental IRFA seeks current and accurate monthly data on the average number of compensable dial-around calls per-payphone. Once the new data is collected, the new rate will not impose any new reporting, recordkeeping or other compliance requirements for small entities. PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 24747 Steps Taken To Minimize Significant Economic Impact on Small Entities, and Significant Alternatives Considered 51. The RFA requires an agency to describe any significant alternatives that it has considered in reaching its proposed approach, which may include the following four alternatives (among others): (1) The establishment of differing compliance or reporting requirements or timetables that take into account the resources available to small entities; (2) the clarification, consolidation, or simplification of compliance or reporting requirements under the rule for small entities; (3) the use of performance, rather than design, standards; and (4) an exemption from coverage of the rule, or any part thereof, for small entities. 52. In this FNPRM, the Commission only seeks to collect current and accurate data on the average number of compensable dial-around calls perpayphone. Nevertheless, the Commission seeks comments on alternatives that will minimize any potential burdens caused by the need to collect current and accurate monthly per-payphone data. Federal Rules That May Duplicate, Overlap, or Conflict With the Proposed Rules 53. Implementation of the rule change the Commission is considering in this FNPRM will require updating the monthly per-payphone rate that will be established once a current and accurate average number of compensable dialaround calls is determined. The section of the Commission’s rules that will likely be amended is 47 CFR 64.1301. Comment Filing Procedures 54. Pursuant to sections 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission’s rules, interested parties may file comments on or before June 27, 2005, and reply comments on or before July 25, 2005. Comments may be filed using the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) or by filing paper copies. Comments filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to https://www.fcc.gov/ cgb/ecfs/. Generally, only one copy of an electronic submission must be filed. If multiple docket or rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of the proceeding, 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 E:\FR\FM\11MYP1.SGM 11MYP1 24748 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 11, 2005 / Proposed Rules number, in this case, WC Docket No. 03–225. 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. 55. 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 the Commission continues to experience delays in receiving U.S. Postal Service mail). Parties are strongly encouraged to file comments electronically using the Commission’s ECFS. 56. 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. 57. All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Marlene H. Dortch, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. Parties should also send a copy of their filings to Victoria Goldberg, Pricing Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, Room 5–A266, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554, or by e-mail to victoria.goldberg@fcc.gov. Parties shall also serve one copy with the Commission’s copy contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc. (BCPI), Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY–B402, Washington, DC 20554, (202) 488–5300, or via e-mail to fcc@bcpiweb.com. 58. Documents in WC Docket No. 03– 225 are available for public inspection VerDate jul<14>2003 11:53 May 10, 2005 Jkt 205001 and copying during business hours at the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th St. SW., Room CY– A257, Washington, DC 20554. The documents may also be purchased from BCPI, telephone (202) 488–5300, facsimile (202) 488–5563, TTY (202) 488–5562, e-mail fcc@bcpiweb.com. Ordering Clauses 59. Accordingly, it is ordered that, pursuant to the authority contained in sections 1–5, 7, 10, 201–05, 207–09, 214, 218–20, 225–27, 251–54, 256, 271, 303, 332, 403, 405, 502 and 503 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 151–155, 157, 160, 201–05, 207–09, 214, 218–20, 225–27, 251–54, 256, 271, 303, 332, 403, 405, 502, and 503 and sections 1.1, 1.421 of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR 1.1, 1.421, notice is hereby given of the rulemaking and comment is sought on those issues. 60. It is further ordered that the Commission’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Reference Information Center, shall send a copy of this Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, including the Supplemental Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration. List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 64 Communications common carriers, Telecommunications, Telephone. Federal Communications Commission. Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary. Rules Changes For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Federal Communications Commission proposes to amend 47 CFR part 64 as follows: PART 64—MISCELLANEOUS RULES RELATING TO COMMON CARRIERS 1. The authority citation for part 64 continues to read as follows: Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 254(k); secs. 403(b)(2)(B), (c), Pub. L. 104–104, 110 Stat. 56. Interpret or apply 47 U.S.C. 201, 218, 222, 225, 226, 228, and 254(k) unless otherwise noted. 2. Amend § 64.1301 by revising paragraph (e) to read as follows: § 64.1301 Per-Payphone compensation. * * * * * (e) Post-intermediate access code and subscriber 800 calls. In the absence of a negotiated agreement to pay a different amount, each entity listed in Appendix C of the Fifth Order on Reconsideration and Order on Remand in CC Docket No. PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 96–128, FCC 02–292, must pay default compensation to payphone service providers for access code calls and payphone subscriber 800 calls for the period beginning April 21, 1999, and ending llll , in the amount listed in Appendix C for any payphone for any month during which per-call compensation for that payphone for that month is not paid by the listed entity. A complete copy of Appendix C is available at https://www.fcc.gov. Effective llll , the default compensation to be paid by each entity shall be the amount listed in Appendix C multiplied by ll. [FR Doc. 05–9097 Filed 5–10–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 73 [DA 05–1145, MB Docket No. 04–317, RM– 11004, RM–11118] Radio Broadcasting Services; Center, TX and Logansport, LA Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Proposed rule; dismissal. AGENCY: SUMMARY: At the request of Team Broadcasting Company, Inc. and Charles Crawford, the Audio Division dismisses the two petitions for rule making proposing the allotment of Channel 248A at Center, Texas the community’s second local FM transmission service (RM–11004). See 69 FR 51415, August 19, 2004. At the request of Logansport Broadcasting, we also dismiss the counterproposal proposing the allotment of Channel 248A at Logansport, Louisiana (RM–11118). A showing of continuing interest is required before a channel will be allotted. It is the Commission’s policy to refrain from making an allotment to a community absent an expression of interest. Therefore, we will grant the requests to dismiss the Center, Texas and Logansport, Louisiana petitions. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon P. McDonald, Media Bureau, (202) 418–2180. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a synopsis of the Commission’s Report and Order, MB Docket No. 04–317, adopted April 25, 2005, and released April 27, 2005. The full text of this Commission decision is available for inspection and copying during normal business hours in the FCC Reference Information Center (Room CY–A257), 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC. E:\FR\FM\11MYP1.SGM 11MYP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 11, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24740-24748]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9097]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 64

[WC DOCKET NO. 03-225; FCC 05-71]


Request To Update Default Compensation Rate for Dial-Around Calls 
From Payphones

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Further notice of proposed rulemaking.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In this document, the Commission seeks current and accurate 
data on the average number of compensable dial-around calls made from 
payphones on a monthly basis. This average monthly data will be used to 
calculate a monthly per-payphone default compensation rate, which will 
apply to payphones that are not connected to Flex ANI, a call-tracking 
technology.

DATES: Submit comments on or before June 27, 2005. Submit reply 
comments on or before July 25, 2005.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by WC Docket No. 03-225, 
by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
     Agency Web site: https://www.fcc.gov. Follow the 
instructions for

[[Page 24741]]

submitting comments on our electronic Web site: https://
hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/SilverStream/Pages/edocs.html.
     E-mail: Jon.Stover@fcc.gov. Include WC Docket No. 03-225 
in the subject line of the message.
     Fax: (202) 418-1567
     Mail: Commission's Secretary, Marlene H. Dortch, Office of 
the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 Twelfth Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20554.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Secretary, Federal Communications 
Commission, Office of the Secretary, c/o Natek, Inc. 236 Massachusetts 
Avenue, NE., Suite 110, Washington, DC 20002.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name 
and docket number for this rulemaking. All comments received will be 
posted without change to https://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/
SilverStream/Pages/edocs.html, including any personal information 
provided. For detailed instructions on submitting comments and 
additional information on the rulemaking process, see the ``Public 
Participation'' heading of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of 
this document.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to https://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/
SilverStream/Pages/edocs.html and/or Federal Communications Commission, 
445 Twelfth Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jon Stover, Wireline Competition 
Bureau, Pricing Policy Division, (202) 418-0390.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's 
Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in WC Docket No. 03-225, adopted 
on March 10, 2005 and released on March 14, 2005. The complete text of 
this Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) is available for 
public inspection Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 
Friday from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Commission's Consumer and 
Governmental Affairs Bureau, Reference Information Center, Room CY-
A257, 445 Twelfth Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. The complete text 
is also available on the Commission's Internet Site at https://www.
fcc.gov. Alternative formats are available to persons with disabilities 
by contacting Brian Millin at (202) 418-7426 or TTY (202) 418-7365. The 
complete text of the FNPRM may be purchased from the Commission's 
duplicating contractor, Best Copying and Printing, Inc., Room CY-B402, 
445 Twelfth Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554, telephone (202) 863-
2893, facsimile (202) 863-2898, or e-mail at https://www.bcpiweb.com.

Synopsis of Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

    1. When the Commission initially adopted a payphone compensation 
rule pursuant to 47 U.S.C. 276(b)(1)(A), many carriers lacked reliable 
systems for tracking dial-around calls. In the Commission's First 
Payphone Report and Order, it ordered compensation to be paid initially 
on a per-phone, rather than a per-call basis. To arrive at the total 
per-payphone rate, the Commission calculated that 131 dial-around calls 
were placed from the average payphone per month. When this average 
volume amount was multiplied by the then current per-call default rate 
of $.35, the result yielded a per-phone compensation rate of $45.85 per 
month.
    2. Since the release of the First Payphone Report and Order, 
approximately 95 percent of all payphones have been connected to Flex 
ANI, a call-tracking technology that accurately tracks payphone calls 
from the payphone instrument to the called party. The remaining five 
per cent of payphones, which are generally located in remote and rural 
geographic areas are not connected to Flex ANI. With this FNPRM, the 
Commission continues to implement the requirements of 47 U.S.C. 276 of 
the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, which directs the 
Commission to ``promote the widespread deployment of payphone services 
to the benefit of the general public.''
    3. Although the Commission recently increased the per-call rate to 
$.494, it has not updated the average number of dial-around calls per 
payphone since 1997. The record in this proceeding indicates that since 
1998, there has been a significant decline in per-payphone call 
volumes. If dial-around call volumes have followed the same trend as 
overall call volumes, the data sought by this FNPRM will probably also 
have significantly declined.
    4. Finally, once the Commission receives the updated volumetric 
data, it will calculate a new monthly per-payphone rate based on the 
new data and the existing per-call rate. The new monthly rate will 
ensure that all payphone service providers are ``fairly compensated'' 
for each and every completed intrastate and interstate call using their 
payphone.

Initial Paperwork Reduction Act Analysis

    5. This FNPRM contains new information collection requirements. The 
Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork 
burdens, invites the general public and the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) to take this opportunity to comment on the information 
collections contained in this FNPRM, as required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Public and agency comments 
are due 60 days after date of publication in the Federal Register. 
Comments should address: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimates; (c) 
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on the respondents, including the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology. In 
addition, pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, 
Public Law 107-198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4), we seek specific comment 
on how we might ``further reduce the information collection burden for 
small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees.''
    OMB Control Number: 3060-XXXX.
    Title: Request to Update Default Compensation Rate for WC Docket 
No. 03-225 Dial-Around Calls from Payphones.
    Form No.: N/A.
    Type of Review: New collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 10.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 100 hours.
    Frequency of Response: One time.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 1000 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Costs: 0.
    Privacy Act Impact Assessment: N/A.
    Needs and Uses: We seek additional data to enable us to determine a 
more accurate estimate of the average number of compensable dial-around 
calls at a payphone. We urge payphone service providers (PSPs) to 
provide us with current data showing the average number of compensable 
dial-around calls placed at their payphones. We request that parties 
submitting data provide details that will enable us to evaluate the 
data and determine how to

[[Page 24742]]

use the data. Data submissions should include, if possible, details 
showing how the data were gathered, how samples were selected, the 
total number of payphones of each type (e.g., ``dumb'' vs. ``smart,'' 
regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOC) vs. independent) in the sample 
and in the population from which the sample was taken, and the types of 
locations represented in the sample. Attempts to gain advantage by 
failing to provide us with the necessary context to evaluate their 
submissions will result in their data being discounted or rejected. We 
invite parties to submit information on the number of payphones that 
currently are located in non-equal access areas and in areas where 
small telephone companies have received a waiver of the Flex ANI 
requirement, and on the average number of compensable dial-around calls 
originating from such payphones.
    6. In addition to filing comments with the Secretary, a copy of any 
comments on the information collection(s) contained herein should be 
submitted to Judith Boley Herman, Federal Communications Commission, 
Room 1-C804, 445 12th Street SW., Washington, DC 20554, or via the 
Internet to Judith B. Herman@fcc.gov, and to Kristy L. Lalonde, OMB 
Desk Officer, Room 10234 NEOB, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 
20503, or via the Internet to Kristy L. LaLonde@omb.eop.gov.

Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    7. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, as 
amended (RFA), the Commission has prepared an Initial Regulatory 
Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) of the possible significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities by the policies and rule 
proposed in the FNPRM.
    8. With this FNPRM, the Commission continues its implementation of 
the statutory objectives of section 276 of ensuring payphone service 
providers are fairly compensation and promoting the widespread 
deployment of payphones.

Need for, and Objectives of, the Proposed Rules

    9. The Commission's goal in this proceeding is to ensure that all 
payphone service providers are fairly compensation. Once this 
proceeding is completed, all payphone operations including those not 
connected to Flex ANI will be receiving fair compensation for all 
completed intrastate and interstate calls made from payphones.

Legal Basis

    10. The legal basis for any action that may be taken pursuant to 
this FNPRM is contained in sections 1-5, 7, 10, 201-05, 207-09, 214, 
218-20, 225-27, 251-54, 256, 271, 303, 332, 403, 405, 502 and 503 of 
the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 151-55, 157, 160, 
201-05, 207-09, 214, 218-20, 225-27, 251-54, 256, 271, 303, 332, 403, 
405, 502, and 503 and sections 1.1, 1.421 of the Commission's rules, 47 
CFR 1.1, 1.421.

Description and Estimate of the Number of Small Entities to Which the 
Proposed Rules Will Apply

    11. The RFA directs agencies to provide a description of, and, 
where feasible, an estimate of the number of small entities that may be 
affected by rules adopted herein. The RFA generally defines the term 
``small entity'' as having the same meaning as the terms ``small 
business,'' ``small organization,'' and ``small governmental 
jurisdiction.'' In addition, the term ``small business'' has the same 
meaning as the term ``small business concern'' under the Small Business 
Act. A ``small business concern'' is one that: (1) Is independently 
owned and operated; (2) is not dominant in its field of operation; and 
(3) satisfies any additional criteria established by the Small Business 
Administration (SBA). 5 U.S.C. 632.
    12. In this section, the Commission further describes and estimates 
the number of small entity licensees and regulatees that may also be 
indirectly affected by rules adopted pursuant to this FNPRM. The most 
reliable source of information regarding the total numbers of certain 
common carrier and related providers nationwide, as well as the number 
of commercial wireless entities, appears to be the data that the 
Commission publishes in its Trends in Telephone Service report. The SBA 
has developed small business size standards for wireline and wireless 
small businesses within the three commercial census categories of Wired 
Telecommunications Carriers, Paging, and Cellular and Other Wireless 
Telecommunications. Under these categories, a business is small if it 
has 1,500 or fewer employees. Below, using the above size standards and 
others, the Commission discusses the total estimated numbers of small 
businesses that might be affected by its actions.
    13. Wired Telecommunications Carriers. The SBA has developed a 
small business size standard for Wired Telecommunications Carriers, 
which consists of all such companies having 1,500 or fewer employees. 
According to Census Bureau data for 1997, there were 2,225 firms in 
this category, total, that operated for the entire year. Of this total, 
2,201 firms had employment of 999 or fewer employees, and an additional 
24 firms had employment of 1,000 employees or more. Thus, under this 
size standard, the majority of firms can be considered small.
    14. Local Exchange Carriers. Neither the Commission nor the SBA has 
developed a size standard for small businesses specifically applicable 
to local exchange services. The closest applicable size standard under 
SBA rules is for Wired Telecommunications Carriers. Under that size 
standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees. 
According to Commission data, 1,310 carriers reported that they were 
incumbent local exchange service providers. Of these 1,310 carriers, an 
estimated 1,025 have 1,500 or fewer employees and 285 have more than 
1,500 employees. In addition, according to Commission data, 563 
companies reported that they were engaged in the provision of either 
competitive access provider services or competitive local exchange 
carrier services. Of these 563 companies, an estimated 472 have 1,500 
or fewer employees and 91 have more than 1,500 employees. In addition, 
37 carriers reported that they were ``Other Local Exchange Carriers.'' 
Of the 37 ``Other Local Exchange Carriers,'' an estimated 36 have 1,500 
or fewer employees and one has more than 1,500 employees. Consequently, 
the Commission estimates that most providers of local exchange service, 
competitive local exchange service, competitive access providers, and 
``Other Local Exchange Carriers'' are small entities that may be 
affected by the rules and policies adopted herein.
    15. Interexchange Carriers. Neither the Commission nor the SBA has 
developed a size standard for small businesses specifically applicable 
to interexchange services. The closest applicable size standard under 
SBA rules is for Wired Telecommunications Carriers. Under that size 
standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees. 
According to Commission data, 281 companies reported that they were 
interexchange carriers. Of these 281 companies, an estimated 254 have 
1,500 or fewer employees and 27 have more than 1,500 employees. 
Consequently, the Commission estimates that the majority of 
interexchange service providers are small entities that may be affected 
by the rules and policies adopted herein.
    16. Wired Telecommunications Carriers. The SBA has developed a 
small business size standard for Wired Telecommunications Carriers, 
which consists of all such companies having 1,500 or fewer employees. 
According to

[[Page 24743]]

Census Bureau data for 1997, there were 2,225 firms in this category, 
total, that operated for the entire year. Of this total, 2,201 firms 
had employment of 999 or fewer employees, and an additional 24 firms 
had employment of 1,000 employees or more. Thus, under this size 
standard, the majority of firms can be considered small.
    17. Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (LECs). Neither the 
Commission nor the SBA has developed a size standard for small 
businesses specifically applicable to incumbent local exchange 
services. The closest applicable size standard under SBA rules is for 
Wired Telecommunications Carriers. Under that size standard, such a 
business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees. According to 
Commission data, 1,337 carriers reported that they were engaged in the 
provision of local exchange services. Of these 1,337 carriers, an 
estimated 1,032 have 1,500 or fewer employees and 305 have more than 
1,500 employees. Consequently, the Commission estimates that most 
providers of incumbent local exchange service are small businesses that 
may be affected by the rules and policies adopted herein.
    18. Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs), Competitive Access 
Providers (CAPs), and ``Other Local Exchange Carriers.'' Neither the 
Commission nor the SBA has developed a size standard for small 
businesses specifically applicable to providers of competitive exchange 
services or to competitive access providers or to ``Other Local 
Exchange Carriers,'' all of which are discrete categories under which 
TRS data are collected. The closest applicable size standard under SBA 
rules is for Wired Telecommunications Carriers. Under that size 
standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees. 
According to Commission data, 609 companies reported that they were 
engaged in the provision of either competitive access provider services 
or competitive local exchange carrier services. Of these 609 companies, 
an estimated 458 have 1,500 or fewer employees and 151 have more than 
1,500 employees. In addition, 35 carriers reported that they were 
``Other Local Service Providers.'' Of the 35 ``Other Local Service 
Providers,'' an estimated 34 have 1,500 or fewer employees and one has 
more than 1,500 employees. Consequently, the Commission estimates that 
most providers of competitive local exchange service, competitive 
access providers, and ``Other Local Exchange Carriers'' are small 
entities that may be affected by the rules and policies adopted herein.
    19. Interexchange Carriers (IXCs). Neither the Commission nor the 
SBA has developed a size standard for small businesses specifically 
applicable to interexchange services. The closest applicable size 
standard under SBA rules is for Wired Telecommunications Carriers. 
Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or 
fewer employees. According to Commission data, 261 companies reported 
that their primary telecommunications service activity was the 
provision of interexchange services. Of these 261 companies, an 
estimated 223 have 1,500 or fewer employees and 38 have more than 1,500 
employees. Consequently, the Commission estimates that the majority of 
interexchange service providers are small entities that may be affected 
by the rules and policies adopted herein.
    20. Operator Service Providers (OSPs). Neither the Commission nor 
the SBA has developed a size standard for small businesses specifically 
applicable to operator service providers. The closest applicable size 
standard under SBA rules is for Wired Telecommunications Carriers. 
Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or 
fewer employees. According to Commission data, 23 companies reported 
that they were engaged in the provision of operator services. Of these 
23 companies, an estimated 22 have 1,500 or fewer employees and one has 
more than 1,500 employees. Consequently, the Commission estimates that 
the majority of operator service providers are small entities that may 
be affected by the rules and policies adopted herein.
    21. Payphone Service Providers (PSPs). Neither the Commission nor 
the SBA has developed a size standard for small businesses specifically 
applicable to payphone service providers. The closest applicable size 
standard under SBA rules is for Wired Telecommunications Carriers. 
Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or 
fewer employees. According to Commission data, 761 companies reported 
that they were engaged in the provision of payphone services. Of these 
761 companies, an estimated 757 have 1,500 or fewer employees and four 
have more than 1,500 employees. Consequently, the Commission estimates 
that the majority of payphone service providers are small entities that 
may be affected by the rules and policies adopted herein.
    22. Prepaid Calling Card Providers. The SBA has developed a size 
standard for a small business within the category of Telecommunications 
Resellers. Under that SBA size standard, such a business is small if it 
has 1,500 or fewer employees. According to Commission data, 37 
companies reported that they were engaged in the provision of prepaid 
calling cards. Of these 37 companies, an estimated 36 have 1,500 or 
fewer employees and one has more than 1,500 employees. Consequently, 
the Commission estimates that the majority of prepaid calling card 
providers are small entities that may be affected by the rules and 
policies adopted herein.
    23. Local Resellers. The SBA has developed a small business size 
standard for the category of Telecommunications Resellers. Under that 
size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer 
employees. According to Commission data, 133 carriers have reported 
that they are engaged in the provision of local resale services. Of 
these, an estimated 127 have 1,500 or fewer employees and six have more 
than 1,500 employees. Consequently, the Commission estimates that the 
majority of local resellers are small entities that may be affected by 
its action.
    24. Toll Resellers. The SBA has developed a small business size 
standard for the category of Telecommunications Resellers. Under that 
size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer 
employees. According to Commission data, 625 carriers have reported 
that they are engaged in the provision of toll resale services. Of 
these, an estimated 590 have 1,500 or fewer employees and 35 have more 
than 1,500 employees. Consequently, the Commission estimates that the 
majority of toll resellers are small entities that may be affected by 
its action.
    25. Other Toll Carriers. Neither the Commission nor the SBA has 
developed a size standard for small businesses specifically applicable 
to ``Other Toll Carriers.'' This category includes toll carriers that 
do not fall within the categories of interexchange carriers, operator 
service providers, prepaid calling card providers, satellite service 
carriers, or toll resellers. The closest applicable size standard under 
SBA rules is for Wired Telecommunications Carriers. Under that size 
standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees. 
According to Commission's data, 92 companies reported that their 
primary telecommunications service activity was the provision of other 
toll carriage. Of these 92 companies, an estimated 82 have 1,500 or 
fewer employees and ten have more than 1,500 employees.

[[Page 24744]]

Consequently, the Commission estimates that most ``Other Toll 
Carriers'' are small entities that may be affected by the rules and 
policies adopted herein.
    26. Paging. The SBA has developed a small business size standard 
for Paging, which consists of all such firms having 1,500 or fewer 
employees. According to Census Bureau data for 1997, in this category 
there was a total of 1,320 firms that operated for the entire year. Of 
this total, 1,303 firms had employment of 999 or fewer employees, and 
an additional seventeen firms had employment of 1,000 employees or 
more. Thus, under this size standard, the majority of firms can be 
considered small.
    27. Cellular and Other Wireless Telecommunications. The SBA has 
developed a small business size standard for Cellular and Other 
Wireless Telecommunication, which consists of all such firms having 
1,500 or fewer employees. According to Census Bureau data for 1997, in 
this category there was a total of 977 firms that operated for the 
entire year. Of this total, 965 firms had employment of 999 or fewer 
employees, and an additional twelve firms had employment of 1,000 
employees or more. Thus, under this size standard, the majority of 
firms can be considered small.
    28. Broadband Personal Communications Service. The broadband 
Personal Communications Service (PCS) spectrum is divided into six 
frequency blocks designated A through F, and the Commission has held 
auctions for each block. The Commission defined ``small entity'' for 
Blocks C and F as an entity that has average gross revenues of $40 
million or less in the three previous calendar years. For Block F, an 
additional classification for ``very small business'' was added and is 
defined as an entity that, together with its affiliates, has average 
gross revenues of not more than $15 million for the preceding three 
calendar years. These standards defining ``small entity'' in the 
context of broadband PCS auctions have been approved by the SBA. No 
small businesses, within the SBA-approved small business size standards 
bid successfully for licenses in Blocks A and B. There were 90 winning 
bidders that qualified as small entities in the Block C auctions. A 
total of 93 small and very small business bidders won approximately 40 
percent of the 1,479 licenses for Blocks D, E, and F. On March 23, 
1999, the Commission re-auctioned 347 C, D, E, and F Block licenses. 
There were 48 small business winning bidders. On January 26, 2001, the 
Commission completed the auction of 422 C and F Broadband PCS licenses 
in Auction No. 35. Of the 35 winning bidders in this auction, 29 
qualified as ``small'' or ``very small'' businesses. Based on this 
information, the Commission concludes that the number of small 
broadband PCS licenses will include the 90 winning C Block bidders, the 
93 qualifying bidders in the D, E, and F Block auctions, the 48 winning 
bidders in the 1999 re-auction, and the 29 winning bidders in the 2001 
re-auction, for a total of 260 small entity broadband PCS providers, as 
defined by the SBA small business size standards and the Commission's 
auction rules. The Commission notes that, as a general matter, the 
number of winning bidders that qualify as small businesses at the close 
of an auction does not necessarily represent the number of small 
businesses currently in service. Also, the Commission does not 
generally track subsequent business size unless, in the context of 
assignments or transfers, unjust enrichment issues are implicated.
    29. Narrowband Personal Communications Services. The Commission has 
adopted a two-tiered small business size standard in the Narrowband PCS 
Second Report and Order, 65 FR 35875, June 6, 2000. A ``small 
business'' is an entity that, together with affiliates and controlling 
interests, has average gross revenues for the three preceding years of 
not more than $40 million. A ``very small business'' is an entity that, 
together with affiliates and controlling interests, has average gross 
revenues for the three preceding years of not more than $15 million. 
The SBA has approved these small business size standards. In the 
future, the Commission will auction 459 licenses to serve Metropolitan 
Trading Areas (MTAs) and 408 response channel licenses. There is also 
one megahertz of narrowband PCS spectrum that has been held in reserve 
and that the Commission has not yet decided to release for licensing. 
The Commission cannot predict accurately the number of licenses that 
will be awarded to small entities in future actions. However, four of 
the 16 winning bidders in the two previous narrowband PCS auctions were 
small businesses, as that term was defined under the Commission's 
Rules. The Commission assumes, for purposes of this analysis, that a 
large portion of the remaining narrowband PCS licenses will be awarded 
to small entities. The Commission also assumes that at least some small 
businesses will acquire narrowband PCS licenses by means of the 
Commission's partitioning and disaggregation rules.
    30. 220 MHz Radio Service--Phase I Licensees. The 220 MHz service 
has both Phase I and Phase II licenses. Phase I licensing was conducted 
by lotteries in 1992 and 1993. There are approximately 1,515 such non-
nationwide licensees and four nationwide licensees currently authorized 
to operate in the 220 MHz band. The Commission has not developed a 
small business size standard for small entities specifically applicable 
to such incumbent 220 MHz Phase I licensees. To estimate the number of 
such licensees that are small businesses, the Commission applies the 
small business size standard under the SBA rules applicable to 
``Cellular and Other Wireless Telecommunications'' companies. This 
standard provides that such a company is small if it employs no more 
than 1,500 persons. According to Census Bureau data for 1997, there 
were 977 firms in this category, total, that operated for the entire 
year. Of this total, 965 firms had employment of 999 or fewer 
employees, and an additional 12 firms had employment of 1,000 employees 
or more. If this general ratio continues in the context of Phase I 220 
MHz licensees, the Commission estimates that nearly all such licensees 
are small businesses under the SBA's small business size standard.
    31. 220 MHz Radio Service--Phase II Licensees. The 220 MHz service 
has both Phase I and Phase II licenses. The Phase II 220 MHz service is 
a new service, and is subject to spectrum auctions. In the 220 MHz 
Third Report and Order, 62 FR 15978, April 3, 1997, the Commission 
adopted a small business size standard for ``small'' and ``very small'' 
businesses for purposes of determining their eligibility for special 
provisions such as bidding credits and installment payments. This small 
business size standard indicates that a ``small business'' is an entity 
that, together with its affiliates and controlling principals, has 
average gross revenues not exceeding $15 million for the preceding 
three years. A ``very small business'' is an entity that, together with 
its affiliates and controlling principals, has average gross revenues 
that do not exceed $3 million for the preceding three years. The SBA 
has approved these small business size standards. Auctions of Phase II 
licenses commenced on September 15, 1998, and closed on October 22, 
1998. In the first auction, 908 licenses were auctioned in three 
different-sized geographic areas: three nationwide licenses, 30 
Regional Economic Area Group (EAG) Licenses, and 875 Economic Area (EA) 
Licenses. Of the 908 licenses auctioned, 693 were sold. Thirty-nine 
small businesses won

[[Page 24745]]

licenses in the first 220 MHz auction. The second auction included 225 
licenses: 216 EA licenses and 9 EAG licenses. Fourteen companies 
claiming small business status won 158 licenses.
    32. 800 MHz and 900 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio Licenses. The 
Commission awards ``small entity'' and ``very small entity'' bidding 
credits in auctions for Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) geographic area 
licenses in the 900 MHz bands to firms that had revenues of no more 
than $15 million in each of the three previous calendar years, or that 
had revenues of no more than $3 million in each of the previous 
calendar years. The SBA has approved these size standards. The 
Commission awards ``small entity'' and ``very small entity'' bidding 
credits in auctions for Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) geographic area 
licenses in the 800 MHz bands to firms that had revenues of no more 
than $40 million in each of the three previous calendar years, or that 
had revenues of no more than $15 million in each of the previous 
calendar years. These bidding credits apply to SMR providers in the 800 
MHz and 900 MHz bands that either hold geographic area licenses or have 
obtained extended implementation authorizations. The Commission does 
not know how many firms provide 800 MHz or 900 MHz geographic area SMR 
service pursuant to extended implementation authorizations, nor how 
many of these providers have annual revenues of no more than $15 
million. One firm has over $15 million in revenues. The Commission 
assumes, for purposes here, that all of the remaining existing extended 
implementation authorizations are held by small entities, as that term 
is defined by the SBA. The Commission has held auctions for geographic 
area licenses in the 800 MHz and 900 MHz SMR bands. There were 60 
winning bidders that qualified as small or very small entities in the 
900 MHz SMR auctions. Of the 1,020 licenses won in the 900 MHz auction, 
bidders qualifying as small or very small entities won 263 licenses. In 
the 800 MHz auction, 38 of the 524 licenses won were won by small and 
very small entities. The Commission notes that, as a general matter, 
the number of winning bidders that qualify as small businesses at the 
close of an auction does not necessarily represent the number of small 
businesses currently in service. Also, the Commission does not 
generally track subsequent business size unless, in the context of 
assignments or transfers, unjust enrichment issues are implicated.
    33. Private and Common Carrier Paging. In the Paging Third Report 
and Order, 62 FR 16004, April 3, 1997, the Commission developed a small 
business size standard for ``small businesses'' and ``very small 
businesses'' for purposes of determining their eligibility for special 
provisions such as bidding credits and installment payments. A ``small 
business'' is an entity that, together with its affiliates and 
controlling principals, has average gross revenues not exceeding $15 
million for the preceding three years. Additionally, a ``very small 
business'' is an entity that, together with its affiliates and 
controlling principals, has average gross revenues that are not more 
than $3 million for the preceding three years. The SBA has approved 
these size standards. An auction of Metropolitan Economic Area licenses 
commenced on February 24, 2000, and closed on March 2, 2000. Of the 985 
licenses auctioned, 440 were sold. Fifty-seven companies claiming small 
business status won. At present, there are approximately 24,000 
Private-Paging site-specific licenses and 74,000 Common Carrier Paging 
licenses. According to the most recent Trends in Telephone Service, 471 
carriers reported that they were engaged in the provision of either 
paging and messaging services or other mobile services. Of those, the 
Commission estimates that 450 are small, under the SBA business size 
standard specifying that firms are small if they have 1,500 or fewer 
employees.
    34. 700 MHz Guard Band Licensees. In the 700 MHz Guard Band Order, 
65 FR 3139, January 20, 2000, the Commission adopted a small business 
size standard for ``small businesses'' and ``very small businesses'' 
for purposes of determining their eligibility for special provisions 
such as bidding credits and installment payments. A ``small business'' 
as an entity that, together with its affiliates and controlling 
principals, has average gross revenues not exceeding $15 million for 
the preceding three years. Additionally, a ``very small business'' is 
an entity that, together with its affiliates and controlling 
principals, has average gross revenues that are not more than $3 
million for the preceding three years. An auction of 52 Major Economic 
Area (MEA) licenses commenced on September 6, 2000, and closed on 
September 21, 2000. Of the 104 licenses auctioned, 96 licenses were 
sold to nine bidders. Five of these bidders were small businesses that 
won a total of 26 licenses. A second auction of 700 MHz Guard Band 
licenses commenced on February 13, 2001 and closed on February 21, 
2001. All eight of the licenses auctioned were sold to three bidders. 
One of these bidders was a small business that won a total of two 
licenses.
    35. Rural Radiotelephone Service. The Commission has not adopted a 
size standard for small businesses specific to the Rural Radiotelephone 
Service. A significant subset of the Rural Radiotelephone Service is 
the Basic Exchange Telephone Radio System (BETRS). The Commission uses 
the SBA's small business size standard applicable to ``Cellular and 
Other Wireless Telecommunications,'' i.e., an entity employing no more 
than 1,500 persons. There are approximately 1,000 licensees in the 
Rural Radiotelephone Service, and the Commission estimates that there 
are 1,000 or fewer small entity licensees in the Rural Radiotelephone 
Service that may be affected by the rules and policies adopted herein.
    36. Air-Ground Radiotelephone Service. The Commission has not 
adopted a small business size standard specific to the Air-Ground 
Radiotelephone Service. The Commission will use SBA's small business 
size standard applicable to ``Cellular and Other Wireless 
Telecommunications,'' i.e., an entity employing no more than 1,500 
persons. There are approximately 100 licensees in the Air-Ground 
Radiotelephone Service, and the Commission estimates that almost all of 
them qualify as small under the SBA small business size standard.
    37. Aviation and Marine Radio Services. Small businesses in the 
aviation and marine radio services use a very high frequency (VHF) 
marine or aircraft radio and, as appropriate, an emergency position-
indicating radio beacon (and/or radar) or an emergency locator 
transmitter. The Commission has not developed a small business size 
standard specifically applicable to these small businesses. For 
purposes of this analysis, the Commission uses the SBA small business 
size standard for the category ``Cellular and Other 
Telecommunications,'' which is 1,500 or fewer employees. Most 
applicants for recreational licenses are individuals. Approximately 
581,000 ship station licensees and 131,000 aircraft station licensees 
operate domestically and are not subject to the radio carriage 
requirements of any statute or treaty. For purposes of evaluations in 
this analysis, the Commission estimates that there are up to 
approximately 712,000 licensees that are small businesses (or 
individuals) under the SBA standard. In addition, between December 3, 
1998 and December 14, 1998, the Commission held an auction of 42 VHF 
Public Coast licenses in the 157.1875-157.4500 MHz (ship transmit) and

[[Page 24746]]

161.775-162.0125 MHz (coast transmit) bands. For purposes of the 
auction, the Commission defined a ``small'' business as an entity that, 
together with controlling interests and affiliates, has average gross 
revenues for the preceding three years not to exceed $15 million. In 
addition, a ``very small'' business is one that, together with 
controlling interests and affiliates, has average gross revenues for 
the preceding three years not to exceed $3 million. There are 
approximately 10,672 licensees in the Marine Coast Service, and the 
Commission estimates that almost all of them qualify as ``small'' 
businesses under the above special small business size standards.
    38. Fixed Microwave Services. Fixed microwave services include 
common carrier, private operational-fixed, and broadcast auxiliary 
radio services. At present, there are approximately 22,015 common 
carrier fixed licensees and 61,670 private operational-fixed licensees 
and broadcast auxiliary radio licensees in the microwave services. The 
Commission has not created a size standard for a small business 
specifically with respect to fixed microwave services. For purposes of 
this analysis, the Commission uses the SBA small business size standard 
for the category ``Cellular and Other Telecommunications,'' which is 
1,500 or fewer employees. The Commission does not have data specifying 
the number of these licensees that have more than 1,500 employees, and 
thus is unable at this time to estimate with greater precision the 
number of fixed microwave service licensees that would qualify as small 
business concerns under the SBA's small business size standard. 
Consequently, the Commission estimates that there are up to 22,015 
common carrier fixed licensees and up to 61,670 private operational-
fixed licensees and broadcast auxiliary radio licensees in the 
microwave services that may be small and may be affected by the rules 
and policies adopted herein. The Commission noted, however, that the 
common carrier microwave fixed licensee category includes some large 
entities.
    39. Offshore Radiotelephone Service. This service operates on 
several UHF television broadcast channels that are not used for 
television broadcasting in the coastal areas of states bordering the 
Gulf of Mexico. There are presently approximately 55 licensees in this 
service. The Commission is unable to estimate at this time the number 
of licensees that would qualify as small under the SBA's small business 
size standard for ``Cellular and Other Wireless Telecommunications'' 
services. Under that SBA small business size standard, a business is 
small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.
    40. Wireless Communications Services. This service can be used for 
fixed, mobile, radiolocation, and digital audio broadcasting satellite 
uses. The Commission established small business size standards for the 
wireless communications services (WCS) auction. A ``small business'' is 
an entity with average gross revenues of $40 million for each of the 
three preceding years, and a ``very small business'' is an entity with 
average gross revenues of $15 million for each of the three preceding 
years. The SBA has approved these small business size standards. The 
Commission auctioned geographic area licenses in the WCS service. In 
the auction, there were seven winning bidders that qualified as ``very 
small business'' entities, and one that qualified as a ``small 
business'' entity. The Commission concludes that the number of 
geographic area WCS licensees affected by this analysis includes these 
eight entities.
    41. 39 GHz Service. The Commission created a special small business 
size standard for 39 GHz licenses--an entity that has average gross 
revenues of $40 million or less in the three previous calendar years. 
An additional size standard for ``very small business'' is: An entity 
that, together with affiliates, has average gross revenues of not more 
than $15 million for the preceding three calendar years. The SBA has 
approved these small business size standards. The auction of the 2,173 
39 GHz licenses began on April 12, 2000 and closed on May 8, 2000. The 
18 bidders who claimed small business status won 849 licenses. 
Consequently, the Commission estimates that 18 or fewer 39 GHz 
licensees are small entities that may be affected by the rules and 
policies adopted herein.
    42. Local Multipoint Distribution Service. Local Multipoint 
Distribution Service (LMDS) is a fixed broadband point-to-multipoint 
microwave service that provides for two-way video telecommunications. 
The auction of the 1,030 Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS) 
licenses began on February 18, 1998 and closed on March 25, 1998. The 
Commission established a small business size standard for LMDS licenses 
as an entity that has average gross revenues of less than $40 million 
in the three previous calendar years. An additional small business size 
standard for ``very small business'' was added as an entity that, 
together with its affiliates, has average gross revenues of not more 
than $15 million for the preceding three calendar years. The SBA has 
approved these small business size standards in the context of LMDS 
auctions. There were 93 winning bidders that qualified as small 
entities in the LMDS auctions. A total of 93 small and very small 
business bidders won approximately 277 A Block licenses and 387 B Block 
licenses. On March 27, 1999, the Commission re-auctioned 161 licenses; 
there were 40 winning bidders. Based on this information, the 
Commission concluded that the number of small LMDS licenses consists of 
the 93 winning bidders in the first auction and the 40 winning bidders 
in the re-auction, for a total of 133 small entity LMDS providers.
    43. 218-219 MHz Service. The first auction of 218-219 MHz spectrum 
resulted in 170 entities winning licenses for 594 Metropolitan 
Statistical Area licenses. Of the 594 licenses, 557 were won by 
entities qualifying as a small business. For that auction, the small 
business size standard was an entity that, together with its 
affiliates, has no more than a $6 million net worth and, after federal 
income taxes (excluding any carry over losses), has no more than $2 
million in annual profits each year for the previous two years. In the 
218-219 MHz Report and Order and Memorandum Opinion and Order, 64 FR 
59656, November 3, 1999, the Commission established a small business 
size standard for a ``small business'' as an entity that, together with 
its affiliates and persons or entities that hold interests in such an 
entity and their affiliates, has average annual gross revenues not to 
exceed $15 million for the preceding three years. A ``very small 
business'' is defined as an entity that, together with its affiliates 
and persons or entities that hold interests in such an entity and its 
affiliates, has average annual gross revenues not to exceed $3 million 
for the preceding three years. The SBA has approved these size 
standards. The Commission cannot estimate, however, the number of 
licenses that will be won by entities qualifying as small or very small 
businesses under its rules in future auctions of 218-219 MHz spectrum.
    44. 24 GHz--Incumbent Licensees. This analysis may affect incumbent 
licensees who were relocated to the 24 GHz band from the 18 GHz band, 
and applicants who wish to provide services in the 24 GHz band. The 
applicable SBA small business size standard is that of ``Cellular and 
Other Wireless Telecommunications'' companies. This category provides 
that such a company is small if it employs no more than 1,500 persons. 
According to Census Bureau data for 1997, there were 977

[[Page 24747]]

firms in this category that operated for the entire year. Of this 
total, 965 firms had employment of 999 or fewer employees, and an 
additional 12 firms had employment of 1,000 employees or more. Thus, 
under this size standard, the great majority of firms can be considered 
small. These broader census data notwithstanding, the Commission 
believes that there are only two licensees in the 24 GHz band that were 
relocated from the 18 GHz band, Teligent and TRW, Inc. It is the 
Commission's understanding that Teligent and its related companies have 
less than 1,500 employees, though this may change in the future. TRW is 
not a small entity. Thus, only one incumbent licensee in the 24 GHz 
band is a small business entity.
    45. 24 GHz--Future Licensees. With respect to new applicants in the 
24 GHz band, the small business size standard for ``small business'' is 
an entity that, together with controlling interests and affiliates, has 
average annual gross revenues for the three preceding years not in 
excess of $15 million. ``Very small business'' in the 24 GHz band is an 
entity that, together with controlling interests and affiliates, has 
average gross revenues not exceeding $3 million for the preceding three 
years. The SBA has approved these small business size standards. These 
size standards will apply to the future auction, if held.
    46. Satellite Service Carriers. The SBA has developed a size 
standard for small businesses within the category of Satellite 
Telecommunications. Under that SBA size standard, such a business is 
small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees. According to Commission data, 
31 carriers reported that they were engaged in the provision of 
satellite services. Of these 31 carriers, an estimated 25 have 1,500 or 
fewer employees and six, alone or in combination with affiliates, have 
more than 1,500 employees. Consequently, the Commission estimates that 
there are 31 or fewer satellite service carriers which are small 
businesses that may be affected by the rules and policies proposed 
herein.
    47. Cable and Other Program Distribution. This category includes 
cable systems operators, closed circuit television services, direct 
broadcast satellite services, multipoint distribution systems, 
satellite master antenna systems, and subscription television services. 
The SBA has developed small business size standard for this census 
category, which includes all such companies generating $12.5 million or 
less in revenue annually. According to Census Bureau data for 1997, 
there were a total of 1,311 firms in this category, total, that had 
operated for the entire year. Of this total, 1,180 firms had annual 
receipts of under $10 million and an additional 52 firms had receipts 
of $10 million or more but less than $25 million. Consequently, the 
Commission estimates that the majority of providers in this service 
category are small businesses that may be affected by the rules and 
policies adopted herein.
    48. Internet Service Providers. The SBA has developed a small 
business size standard for Internet Service Providers (ISPs). ISPs 
``provide clients access to the Internet and generally provide related 
services such as web hosting, web page designing, and hardware or 
software consulting related to Internet connectivity.'' Under the SBA 
size standard, such a business is small if it has average annual 
receipts of $21 million or less. According to Census Bureau data for 
1997, there were 2,751 firms in this category that operated for the 
entire year. Of these, 2,659 firms had annual receipts of under $10 
million, and an additional 67 firms had receipts of between $10 million 
and $24, 999,999. Consequently, the Commission estimates that the 
majority of these firms are small entities that may be affected by its 
action.
    49. All Other Information Services. This industry comprises 
establishments primarily engaged in providing other information 
services (except new syndicates and libraries and archives).'' The 
Commission notes that, in this FNPRM, it has described activities such 
as email, online gaming, web browsing, video conferencing, instant 
messaging, and other, similar IP-enabled services. The SBA has 
developed a small business size standard for this category; that size 
standard is $6 million or less in average annual receipts. According to 
Census Bureau data for 1997, there were 195 firms in this category that 
operated for the entire year. Of these, 172 had annual receipts of 
under $5 million, and an additional nine firms had receipts of between 
$5 million and $9,999,999. Consequently, the Commission estimates that 
the majority of these firms are small entities that may be affected by 
its action.

Description of Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping and Other Compliance 
Requirements for Small Entities

    50. This supplemental IRFA seeks current and accurate monthly data 
on the average number of compensable dial-around calls per-payphone. 
Once the new data is collected, the new rate will not impose any new 
reporting, recordkeeping or other compliance requirements for small 
entities.

Steps Taken To Minimize Significant Economic Impact on Small Entities, 
and Significant Alternatives Considered

    51. The RFA requires an agency to describe any significant 
alternatives that it has considered in reaching its proposed approach, 
which may include the following four alternatives (among others): (1) 
The establishment of differing compliance or reporting requirements or 
timetables that take into account the resources available to small 
entities; (2) the clarification, consolidation, or simplification of 
compliance or reporting requirements under the rule for small entities; 
(3) the use of performance, rather than design, standards; and (4) an 
exemption from coverage of the rule, or any part thereof, for small 
entities.
    52. In this FNPRM, the Commission only seeks to collect current and 
accurate data on the average number of compensable dial-around calls 
per-payphone. Nevertheless, the Commission seeks comments on 
alternatives that will minimize any potential burdens caused by the 
need to collect current and accurate monthly per-payphone data.

Federal Rules That May Duplicate, Overlap, or Conflict With the 
Proposed Rules

    53. Implementation of the rule change the Commission is considering 
in this FNPRM will require updating the monthly per-payphone rate that 
will be established once a current and accurate average number of 
compensable dial-around calls is determined. The section of the 
Commission's rules that will likely be amended is 47 CFR 64.1301.

Comment Filing Procedures

    54. Pursuant to sections 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's rules, 
interested parties may file comments on or before June 27, 2005, and 
reply comments on or before July 25, 2005. Comments may be filed using 
the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) or by filing 
paper copies. Comments filed through the ECFS can be sent as an 
electronic file via the Internet to https://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/. 
Generally, only one copy of an electronic submission must be filed. If 
multiple docket or rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of the 
proceeding, 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

[[Page 24748]]

number, in this case, WC Docket No. 03-225. 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.
    55. 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 the Commission continues to experience 
delays in receiving U.S. Postal Service mail). Parties are strongly 
encouraged to file comments electronically using the Commission's ECFS.
    56. 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.

    57. All filings must be addressed to the Commission's Secretary, 
Marlene H. Dortch, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications 
Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. Parties should 
also send a copy of their filings to Victoria Goldberg, Pricing Policy 
Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications 
Commission, Room 5-A266, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554, or 
by e-mail to victoria.goldberg@fcc.gov. Parties shall also serve one 
copy with the Commission's copy contractor, Best Copy and Printing, 
Inc. (BCPI), Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY-B402, 
Washington, DC 20554, (202) 488-5300, or via e-mail to fcc@bcpiweb.com.
    58. Documents in WC Docket No. 03-225 are available for public 
inspection and copying during business hours at the FCC Reference 
Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th St. SW., Room CY-A257, 
Washington, DC 20554. The documents may also be purchased from BCPI, 
telephone (202) 488-5300, facsimile (202) 488-5563, TTY (202) 488-5562, 
e-mail fcc@bcpiweb.com.

Ordering Clauses

    59. Accordingly, it is ordered that, pursuant to the authority 
contained in sections 1-5, 7, 10, 201-05, 207-09, 214, 218-20, 225-27, 
251-54, 256, 271, 303, 332, 403, 405, 502 and 503 of the Communications 
Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 151-155, 157, 160, 201-05, 207-09, 
214, 218-20, 225-27, 251-54, 256, 271, 303, 332, 403, 405, 502, and 503 
and sections 1.1, 1.421 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 1.1, 1.421, 
notice is hereby given of the rulemaking and comment is sought on those 
issues.
    60. It is further ordered that the Commission's Consumer and 
Governmental Affairs Bureau, Reference Information Center, shall send a 
copy of this Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, including the 
Supplemental Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, to the Chief 
Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 64

    Communications common carriers, Telecommunications, Telephone.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary.

Rules Changes

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Federal 
Communications Commission proposes to amend 47 CFR part 64 as follows:

PART 64--MISCELLANEOUS RULES RELATING TO COMMON CARRIERS

    1. The authority citation for part 64 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 254(k); secs. 403(b)(2)(B), (c), Pub. 
L. 104-104, 110 Stat. 56. Interpret or apply 47 U.S.C. 201, 218, 
222, 225, 226, 228, and 254(k) unless otherwise noted.

    2. Amend Sec.  64.1301 by revising paragraph (e) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  64.1301  Per-Payphone compensation.

* * * * *
    (e) Post-intermediate access code and subscriber 800 calls. In the 
absence of a negotiated agreement to pay a different amount, each 
entity listed in Appendix C of the Fifth Order on Reconsideration and 
Order on Remand in CC Docket No. 96-128, FCC 02-292, must pay default 
compensation to payphone service providers for access code calls and 
payphone subscriber 800 calls for the period beginning April 21, 1999, 
and ending -------- , in the amount listed in Appendix C for any 
payphone for any month during which per-call compensation for that 
payphone for that month is not paid by the listed entity. A complete 
copy of Appendix C is available at https://www.fcc.gov. Effective ------
-- , the default compensation to be paid by each entity shall be the 
amount listed in Appendix C multiplied by ----.

[FR Doc. 05-9097 Filed 5-10-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.