National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) Submits the Payment Formula and Fund Size Estimate for Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund for July 2005 Through June 2006, 24790-24791 [05-9405]

Download as PDF 24790 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 11, 2005 / Notices Distinguishing Class A carriers from Class B carriers; and (2) distinguishing larger Class A carriers from mid-sized carriers. The revenue threshold between Class A carriers and Class B carriers is increased to $125 million. The revenue threshold between larger Class A carriers and mid-sized carriers is increased to $7.403 billion. The revenue thresholds for 2004 were determined as follows: Mid-sized threshold (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) GDP–CPI Base ................................................................................................................................................ 2004 GDP–CPI ................................................................................................................................................ Inflation Factor (line 2÷1) ................................................................................................................................. Original Revenue Threshold ............................................................................................................................ 2004 Revenue Threshold (line 3*4) ................................................................................................................ Federal Communications Commission. Tamara L. Preiss, Chief, Pricing Policy Division. [FR Doc. 05–9211 Filed 5–10–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION [CC Docket No. 98–67; DA 05–1175] National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) Submits the Payment Formula and Fund Size Estimate for Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund for July 2005 Through June 2006 Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This document seeks public comment on the National Exchange Carrier Association’s (NECA) proposed telecommunications relay service (TRS) compensation rates, fund size, and carrier contribution factor for the period July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006. DATES: Interested parties may file comments on or before May 13, 2005. Reply comments may be filed on or before May 25, 2005. ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dana Jackson, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Disability Rights Office at (202) 418–2247 (voice), (202) 418–7898 (TTY), or e-mail at Dana.Jackson@fcc.gov. This is a summary of the Commission’s document DA 05–1175, released April 28, 2005. When filing comments, please reference CC Docket No. 98–67. Comments may be filed using the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) or by filing paper copies. See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121, May 1, 1998. Comments SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate jul<14>2003 16:48 May 10, 2005 Jkt 205001 filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to http:/ /www.fcc.gov/e-file/ecfs.html. Generally, only one copy of an electronic submission must be filed. If multiple docket or rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of this proceeding, however, commenters must transmit one electronic copy of the comment and reply comment to each docket or rulemaking number referenced in the caption. In completing the transmittal screen, commenters should include their full name, Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking number. Parties may also submit electronic comments and reply comments by Internet e-mail. To get filing instructions, commenters should send an e-mail to ecfs@fcc.gov, and should include the following words in the body of the message, ‘‘get form <your e-mail address>.’’ A sample form and directions will be sent in reply. Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and four copies of each filing. If more than one docket or rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding, commenters must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or rulemaking number. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by electronic media, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Services mail (although we continue to experience delays in receiving U.S. Postal Service mail). The Commission’s contractor, Natek, Inc., will receive hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings or electronic media 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 and electronic media sent by 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 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 86.68 ............... 108.30 ............. 1.2494 ............. $100 million .... $125 million .... Larger Class A threshold 102.40. 108.30. 1.0576. $7 billion. $7.403 billion. first-class mail, Express Mail, and Priority Mail should be addressed to 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Marlene H. Dortch, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Room TW–B204 Washington, DC 20554. Parties who choose to file by paper should also submit their comment and reply comments on diskette. These diskettes should be submitted, along with three paper copies, to: Dana Jackson, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Disability Rights Office, 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY–C417, Washington, DC 20554. Such a submission should be on a 3.5 inch diskette formatted in an IBM compatible format using Word 97 or compatible software. The diskette should be accompanied by a cover letter and should be submitted in ‘‘read only’’ mode. The diskette should be clearly labeled with the commenter’s name, proceeding (including the lead docket number in this case, CC Docket No. 98– 67, type of pleading (comment and reply comment), date of submission, and the name of the electronic file on the diskette. The label should also include the following phrase ‘‘Disk Copy—Not an Original.’’ Each diskette should contain only one party’s pleadings, preferably in a single electronic file. In addition, commenters must send diskette copies to the Commission’s copy contractor, Best Copy and Printing (BCPI), Inc., Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY–B402, Washington, DC 20554. Pursuant to § 1.1206 of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR 1.1206, this proceeding will be conducted as a permit-but-disclose proceeding in which ex parte communications are subject to disclosure. A copy of this document, NECA’s submission, and any subsequently filed documents in this matter will be available for public inspection and copying during regular business hours at the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th E:\FR\FM\11MYN1.SGM 11MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 11, 2005 / Notices Street, SW., Room CY–A257, Washington, DC 20554. This document, NECA’s submission, and any subsequently filed documents in this matter may also be purchased from the Commission’s duplicating contractor, BCPI, Inc. Customers may contact BCPI, Inc. at their Web site https:// www.bcpiweb.com or call 1–800–378– 3160. A copy of NECA’s submission may also be found by searching on the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) at https:// www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs (insert CC Docket No. 98–67 into the Proceeding block). To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418–0530 (voice), (202) 418–0432 (TTY). This document can also be downloaded in Word or Portable Document Format (PDF) at: https:// www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro. Synopsis On April 25, 2005, pursuant to 47 CFR 64.604(c)(5)(iii)(H), the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA), the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund Administrator, submitted its annual payment formula and fund size estimate for the Interstate TRS Fund for the period July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006. See Telecommunications Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services Fund Payment Formula and Fund Size Estimate (filed April 25, 2005) (2005 TRS Rate Filing). NECA proposes a carrier contribution factor of 0.00528, and a fund size requirement of $413.3 million. NECA proposes per completed minute compensation rates of: $1.312 for traditional TRS and for Internet Protocol (IP) Relay (compared to $1.398 for the 2004–2005 fund year); $1.579 for Speech-to-Speech (STS) (compared to $1.596 for the 2004–2005 fund year); and $5.924 for Video Relay Service (VRS) (compared to $7.596 for the 2004– 2005 fund year). In the 2004 TRS Report and Order and FNPRM, the Commission sought comment on whether the Commission should require the TRS Fund administrator to determine and propose separate compensation rates for IP Relay and traditional TRS. See Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, and Further Notice of VerDate jul<14>2003 16:48 May 10, 2005 Jkt 205001 Proposed Rulemaking, (2004 TRS Report and Order and FNPRM), CC Docket Nos. 90–571 and 98–67, CG Docket No. 03–123, 19 FCC Rcd 12475, pages 12564–12565, paragraph 233, June 30, 2004; published at 69 FR 53346 and 69 FR 53382, September 1, 2004. NECA indicates that if the Commission did require separate compensation rates, NECA would propose an IP Relay rate of $1.278, and a traditional TRS rate of $1.440. We seek further comment on whether the Commission should adopt separate compensation rates for IP Relay and traditional TRS for the 2005–2006 fund year. Federal Communications Commission. Jay Keithley, Deputy Bureau Chief, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau. [FR Doc. 05–9405 Filed 5–10–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION [MB Docket No. 05–171; FCC 05–84] Request for Comments on the Use of Video News Releases by Broadcast Licensees and Cable Operators Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This document, reminds broadcast licensees, cable operators and others of sponsorship identification requirements applicable to video news releases and solicits public comment on the use of video news releases by broadcast licensees and cable operators. DATES: Comments may be filed on or before June 22, 2005, and reply comments may be filed on or before July 22, 2005. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number, by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Federal Communications Commission’s Web site: https:// www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • People with Disabilities: Contact the FCC to request reasonable accommodations (accessible format documents, sign language interpreters, CART, etc.) by e-mail: FCC504@fcc.gov or phone: 202–418–0530 or TTY: 202– 418–0432. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hope Cooper Media Bureau (202) 418– PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 24791 1440, TTY (202) 418–7172, or e-mail at Hope.Cooper@fcc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a synopsis of the Commission’s document in MB Docket No. 05–171, FCC 05–84, released April 13, 2005. The complete text of the document is available for inspection and copying during normal business hours in the FCC Reference Center, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554, and may also be purchased from the Commission’s copy contractor, BCPI, Inc., Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY–B402, Washington, DC 20554. Customers may contact BCPI, Inc. at their Web site https://www.bcpi.com or call 1–800– 378–3160. Synopsis 1. The Commission has recently received a large number of requests that it consider whether the use of ‘‘video news releases’’ or ‘‘VNRs,’’ by broadcast licensees, cable operators, and others complies with the Commission’s sponsorship identification rules. (See, e.g., Letter from Josh Silver, Executive Director, Free Press, et al., to Honorable Kevin Martin, Chairman, FCC et al. (March 21, 2005) (stating that the authors ‘‘are writing you today on behalf of nearly 40,000 Americans who have signed a petition urging the Federal Communications Commission to investigate all broadcasters who distribute government-sponsored news reports without properly identifying their source’’); Letter from Honorable John F. Kerry, U.S. Senator, to Honorable Michael Powell, Chairman, FCC (March 15, 2005); Letter from Honorable Daniel Inouye, U.S. Senator, to Honorable Michael K. Powell, Chairman (March 14, 2005). Also, the Commission has received thousands of e-mails about this practice.) VNRs are essentially prepackaged news stories, that may use actors to play reporters and include suggested scripts to introduce the stories. (See, e.g., Joe Mandese, The Art of Manufactured News, Broadcasting and Cable, March 28, 2005, at 24; David Barstow and Robin Stein, The Message Machine: How the Government Makes News; Under Bush, a New Age of Prepackaged News, New York Times, March 13, 2005, at A1.) These practices allow such externally prepackaged news stories to be aired, without alteration, as broadcast or cable news. Some of the parties contacting the Commission have suggested that broadcast licensees and cable operators may have aired VNRs with news stories containing material paid for, prepared and/or provided to them by or on behalf of commercial, governmental and other entities without E:\FR\FM\11MYN1.SGM 11MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 11, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24790-24791]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9405]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[CC Docket No. 98-67; DA 05-1175]


National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) Submits the Payment 
Formula and Fund Size Estimate for Interstate Telecommunications Relay 
Services (TRS) Fund for July 2005 Through June 2006

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: This document seeks public comment on the National Exchange 
Carrier Association's (NECA) proposed telecommunications relay service 
(TRS) compensation rates, fund size, and carrier contribution factor 
for the period July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006.

DATES: Interested parties may file comments on or before May 13, 2005. 
Reply comments may be filed on or before May 25, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dana Jackson, Consumer & Governmental 
Affairs Bureau, Disability Rights Office at (202) 418-2247 (voice), 
(202) 418-7898 (TTY), or e-mail at Dana.Jackson@fcc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's 
document DA 05-1175, released April 28, 2005. When filing comments, 
please reference CC Docket No. 98-67. Comments may be filed using the 
Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) or by filing paper 
copies. See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 
63 FR 24121, May 1, 1998. Comments filed through the ECFS can be sent 
as an electronic file via the Internet to https://www.fcc.gov/e-file/
ecfs.html. Generally, only one copy of an electronic submission must be 
filed. If multiple docket or rulemaking numbers appear in the caption 
of this proceeding, however, commenters must transmit one electronic 
copy of the comment and reply comment to each docket or rulemaking 
number referenced in the caption. In completing the transmittal screen, 
commenters should include their full name, Postal Service mailing 
address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking number. Parties may 
also submit electronic comments and reply comments by Internet e-mail. 
To get filing instructions, commenters should send an e-mail to 
ecfs@fcc.gov, and should include the following words in the body of the 
message, ``get form .'' A sample form and 
directions will be sent in reply.
    Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and four 
copies of each filing. If more than one docket or rulemaking number 
appears in the caption of this proceeding, commenters must submit two 
additional copies for each additional docket or rulemaking number. 
Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by electronic media, 
by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. 
Postal Services mail (although we continue to experience delays in 
receiving U.S. Postal Service mail). The Commission's contractor, 
Natek, Inc., will receive hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper 
filings or electronic media 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 and electronic 
media sent by overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express 
Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, 
Capitol Heights, MD 20743. U.S. Postal Service first-class mail, 
Express Mail, and Priority Mail should be addressed to 445 12th Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20554. All filings must be addressed to the 
Commission's Secretary, Marlene H. Dortch, Office of the Secretary, 
Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Room TW-B204 
Washington, DC 20554.
    Parties who choose to file by paper should also submit their 
comment and reply comments on diskette. These diskettes should be 
submitted, along with three paper copies, to: Dana Jackson, Consumer & 
Governmental Affairs Bureau, Disability Rights Office, 445 12th Street, 
SW., Room CY-C417, Washington, DC 20554. Such a submission should be on 
a 3.5 inch diskette formatted in an IBM compatible format using Word 97 
or compatible software. The diskette should be accompanied by a cover 
letter and should be submitted in ``read only'' mode. The diskette 
should be clearly labeled with the commenter's name, proceeding 
(including the lead docket number in this case, CC Docket No. 98-67, 
type of pleading (comment and reply comment), date of submission, and 
the name of the electronic file on the diskette. The label should also 
include the following phrase ``Disk Copy--Not an Original.'' Each 
diskette should contain only one party's pleadings, preferably in a 
single electronic file. In addition, commenters must send diskette 
copies to the Commission's copy contractor, Best Copy and Printing 
(BCPI), Inc., Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY-B402, 
Washington, DC 20554.
    Pursuant to Sec.  1.1206 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 1.1206, 
this proceeding will be conducted as a permit-but-disclose proceeding 
in which ex parte communications are subject to disclosure. A copy of 
this document, NECA's submission, and any subsequently filed documents 
in this matter will be available for public inspection and copying 
during regular business hours at the FCC Reference Information Center, 
Portals II, 445 12th

[[Page 24791]]

Street, SW., Room CY-A257, Washington, DC 20554. This document, NECA's 
submission, and any subsequently filed documents in this matter may 
also be purchased from the Commission's duplicating contractor, BCPI, 
Inc. Customers may contact BCPI, Inc. at their Web site https://
www.bcpiweb.com or call 1-800-378-3160. A copy of NECA's submission may 
also be found by searching on the Commission's Electronic Comment 
Filing System (ECFS) at https://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs (insert CC Docket 
No. 98-67 into the Proceeding block). To request materials in 
accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, 
electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or 
call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 
(voice), (202) 418-0432 (TTY). This document can also be downloaded in 
Word or Portable Document Format (PDF) at: https://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro.

Synopsis

    On April 25, 2005, pursuant to 47 CFR 64.604(c)(5)(iii)(H), the 
National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA), the Interstate 
Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund Administrator, submitted 
its annual payment formula and fund size estimate for the Interstate 
TRS Fund for the period July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006. See 
Telecommunications Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech 
Disabilities, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 
Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services Fund Payment Formula and 
Fund Size Estimate (filed April 25, 2005) (2005 TRS Rate Filing).
    NECA proposes a carrier contribution factor of 0.00528, and a fund 
size requirement of $413.3 million. NECA proposes per completed minute 
compensation rates of: $1.312 for traditional TRS and for Internet 
Protocol (IP) Relay (compared to $1.398 for the 2004-2005 fund year); 
$1.579 for Speech-to-Speech (STS) (compared to $1.596 for the 2004-2005 
fund year); and $5.924 for Video Relay Service (VRS) (compared to 
$7.596 for the 2004-2005 fund year). In the 2004 TRS Report and Order 
and FNPRM, the Commission sought comment on whether the Commission 
should require the TRS Fund administrator to determine and propose 
separate compensation rates for IP Relay and traditional TRS. See 
Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for 
Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, Report and Order, 
Order on Reconsideration, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 
(2004 TRS Report and Order and FNPRM), CC Docket Nos. 90-571 and 98-67, 
CG Docket No. 03-123, 19 FCC Rcd 12475, pages 12564-12565, paragraph 
233, June 30, 2004; published at 69 FR 53346 and 69 FR 53382, September 
1, 2004.
    NECA indicates that if the Commission did require separate 
compensation rates, NECA would propose an IP Relay rate of $1.278, and 
a traditional TRS rate of $1.440. We seek further comment on whether 
the Commission should adopt separate compensation rates for IP Relay 
and traditional TRS for the 2005-2006 fund year.

Federal Communications Commission.
Jay Keithley,
Deputy Bureau Chief, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau.
[FR Doc. 05-9405 Filed 5-10-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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