Wireline Competition Bureau Seeks Additional Comment on Promoting Deployment and Subscribership in Underserved Areas, Including “Near Reservation” Areas, 36706-36708 [E7-12862]
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sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
36706
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 128 / Thursday, July 5, 2007 / Notices
Federal Communications Commission,
Room 1–C823, 445 12th Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20554 or via Internet at
Cathy.Williams@fcc.gov, and to Jasmeet
Seehra, Office of Management and
Budget (OMB), Room 10236 NEOB, 725
17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503
or via Internet at
Jasmeet _K._Seehra@omb.eop.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
additional information about the
information collection(s), contact Cathy
Williams at (202) 418–2918 or send an
e-mail to PRA@fcc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
OMB Control Number: 3060–0422.
Title: Section 68.5, Waivers
(Application for Waivers of Hearing Aid
Compatibility Requirements).
Form Number: Not applicable.
Type of Review: Extension of a
currently approved collection.
Respondents: Business or other forprofit entities.
Number of Respondents: 10.
Estimated Time per Response: 3 hours
(avg).
Frequency of Response: On occasion
reporting requirement.
Obligation to Respond: Required to
obtain or retain benefits.
Total Annual Burden: 30 hours.
Total Annual Cost: None.
Privacy Impact Assessment: No
impact(s).
Nature and Extent of Confidentiality:
An assurance of confidentiality is not
offered because this information
collection does not require the
collection of personal identifiable
information (PII) from individuals.
Needs and Uses: Telephone
manufacturers seeking a waiver of 47
CFR 68.4(a)(1), which requires that
certain telephones be hearing aid
compatible, must demonstrate that
compliance with the rule is
technologically infeasible or too costly.
Information is used by FCC staff to
determine whether to grant or dismiss
the request.
OMB Control Number: 3060–0967.
Title: Section 79.2, Accessibility of
Programming Providing Emergency
Information.
Form Number: Not applicable.
Type of Review: Extension of a
currently approved collection.
Respondents: Business or other forprofit entities; Individuals or
households; Not-for-profit institutions;
and State, local, or tribal Governments.
Number of Respondents: 100.
Estimated Time per Response: 1 to 2
hours.
Frequency of Response: On occasion
reporting requirement; Third party
disclosure requirement.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:43 Jul 03, 2007
Jkt 211001
Obligation To Respond: Required to
obtain or retain benefits.
Total Annual Burden: 300 hours.
Total Annual Cost: $22,500.
Nature and Extent of Confidentiality:
Confidentiality is an issue to the extent
that individuals’ and households’
information is contained in the OSCAR
database, which is covered under the
Commission’s system of records notice
(SORN), FCC/CIB–1, ‘‘Informal
Complaints and Inquiries.’’ The
Commission believes that it provides
sufficient safeguards to protect the
privacy of individuals who file
complaints under 47 CFR 79.2(c).
Privacy Impact Assessment: Under
development.
Needs and Uses: 47 CFR 79.2 is
designed to ensure that persons with
hearing and visual disabilities have
access to the critical details of
emergency information. The
Commission adopted the rules to assist
persons with hearing disabilities on
April 14, 2000, in the Second Report
and Order in MM Docket No. 95–176.
The Commission modified the rules to
assist persons with visual disabilities on
July 21, 2000, in the Report and Order
in MM Docket No. 99–339. As the
Commission noted in the previous PRA
submission, the Commission adopted its
rules for persons with different
disabilities at different times. It
previously provided for persons with
hearing disabilities in OMB Control No.
3060–0945; and for persons with visual
disabilities in OMB Control No. 3060–
0967. Because both sets of rules make
use of the same complaint procedures,
which are what triggered the PRA
submissions, the Commission
consolidated these two information
collections and discontinued OMB
information collection No. 3060–0945.
47 CFR 79.2(c) requires that each
complaint transmitted to the
Commission include the following: the
name of the video programming
distributor at issue; the date and time of
the omission of the emergency
information; and the type of emergency.
The Commission then notifies the video
programming distributor, which must
reply within 30 days.
OMB Control Number: 3060–0968.
Title: Slamming Complaint Form.
Form Number: FCC Form 501.
Type of Review: Extension of a
currently approved collection.
Respondents: Individuals or
households; Business or other for-profit
entities; Not-for-profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 3,600.
Estimated Time per Response: 15
minutes.
Frequency of Response: On occasion
reporting requirement.
PO 00000
Frm 00060
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Total Annual Burden: 900 hours.
Total Annual Cost: None.
Nature and Extent of Confidentiality:
Confidentiality is an issue to the extent
that individuals’ and households’
information is contained in the OSCAR
database, which is covered under the
Commission’s system of records notice
(SORN), FCC/CIB–1, ‘‘Informal
Complaints and Inquiries.’’ The
Commission believes that it provides
sufficient safeguards to protect the
privacy of individuals who file
complaints under 47 CFR 79.2(c).
Privacy Impact Assessment: Under
development.
Needs and Uses: On December 17,
1998, the Commission announced to the
public via news release its plan to
provide consumers with tools to better
protect themselves from telephone
related fraud, as well as offer consumers
an easy means to file complaints. On
December 23, 1998, the Commission
released a Second Report and Order and
Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
(FCC 98–334) adopting new rules to
prevent the unauthorized change by
telecommunications carriers of
consumers’ selections of
telecommunications service providers
(slamming), and revealing future
initiatives to protect consumers from
telephone related fraud. One of those
initiatives was the development of the
electronic slamming complaint form:
FCC Form 501. FCC Form 501,
Slamming Complaint Form, is devised
to ensure complete and efficient
submission of necessary information to
process slamming complaints. FCC
Form 501 remains available to
consumers electronically and in hard
copy. The Commission will use this
information to provide redress to
consumers and to act against companies
engaged in this illegal practice.
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E7–12994 Filed 7–3–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
[CC Docket No. 96–45; DA 07–1239]
Wireline Competition Bureau Seeks
Additional Comment on Promoting
Deployment and Subscribership in
Underserved Areas, Including ‘‘Near
Reservation’’ Areas
Federal Communications
Commission.
ACTION: Notice; solicitation of
comments.
AGENCY:
E:\FR\FM\05JYN1.SGM
05JYN1
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 128 / Thursday, July 5, 2007 / Notices
SUMMARY: In this document, the
Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau)
seeks additional comment on issues
raised in the above docket related to
what constitutes a ‘‘near reservation’’
area for federal Lifeline and Link-Up
support purposes.
DATES: Comments are due on or before
August 6, 2007. Reply comments are
due on or before August 20, 2007.
ADDRESSES: All filings must be
addressed to the Commission’s
Secretary, Marlene H. Dortch, Office of
the Secretary, Federal Communications
Commission, Room 5–A266, 445 12th
Street, SW., Washington, DC. Comments
may be submitted, identified by CC
Docket No. 96–45, by any of the
following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Agency Web Site: https://
www.fcc.gov. Follow the instructions for
submitting comments on the Electronic
Comment Filing System (ECFS) /
https://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/.
• E-mail: To Dana.WaltonBradford@fcc.gov. Include CC Docket
No. 96–45 in the subject line of the
message.
• Fax: To the attention of Dana
Walton-Bradford at 202–418–1932.
Include CC Docket No. 96–45 on the
cover page.
• Mail: All filings must be addressed
to the Commission’s Secretary, Marlene
H. Dortch, Office of the Secretary,
Federal Communications Commission,
Room 5–A266, 445 12th Street, SW.,
Washington, DC. Parties should send a
copy of their filings to Dana WaltonBradford, Telecommunications Access
Policy Division, Wireline Competition
Bureau, Federal Communications
Commission, Room 5–A321, 445 12th
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554.
• Public inspection, purchase, or
download: The full text of the document
summarized here is available for
inspection and copying during normal
business hours in the FCC Reference
Center, Portals II, 225 12th Street, SW.,
Room CY–A257, Washington, DC 20504.
The complete text of this document also
may be purchased from the
Commission’s copy contractor, Best
Copy and Printing, Inc., 445 12th Street,
SW., Room, CY–B402, Washington, DC
20554, and may also be downloaded at:
https://www.fcc.gov.
People with Disabilities: 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).
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:43 Jul 03, 2007
Jkt 211001
Instructions: All submissions received
must include the agency name and
docket number. All comments received
will be posted without change to
https://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/, including
any personal information provided. For
detailed instructions on submitting
comments and additional information
on the rulemaking process, see the
‘‘Comment Filing Procedures’’ heading
of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
section of this document.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gina
Spade, Wireline Competition Bureau,
Telecommunications Access Policy
Division, (202) 418–7400, or Dana
Walton-Bradford, Wireline Competition
Bureau, Telecommunications Access
Policy Division, (202) 418–7400.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a
summary of the Commission’s Public
Notice in CC Docket No. 96–45, released
March 12, 2007 (DA 07–1239). The full
text of this document is available for
inspection and copying during normal
business hours in the FCC Reference
Center, Portals II, 445 12th St. SW.,
Room CY–A257, Washington, DC 20554.
The complete text of this document also
may be purchased from the
Commission’s copy contractor, Best
Copy and Printing, Inc., 445 12th Street,
SW., Room, CY–B402, Washington, DC
20554. The full text may also be
downloaded at: https://www.fcc.gov. 1.
By this document, the Bureau seeks to
refresh the record on issues raised in the
Twelfth Report and Order, 65 FR 47941,
August 4, 2000, and Twenty-Fifth Report
and Order and Further Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking, 68 FR 41936,
July 16, 2003, in the above proceeding
related to what constitutes a ‘‘near
reservation’’ area for federal Lifeline and
Link-Up support purposes. Because
comments on the issue were filed
several years ago, the passage of time
and intervening developments have
rendered the records developed by those
commenters stale. Moreover, some
issues raised by commenters may have
become moot or irrelevant in light of
intervening events. For these reasons,
the Bureau requests that parties refresh
the record with any new information or
arguments they believe to be relevant to
deciding the issues still pending. The
refreshed record will enable the
Commission to undertake appropriate
consideration of the issue of how best to
provide support through Lifeline and
Link-Up to ‘‘near reservation’’ areas.
2. In the Twelfth Report and Order,
the Commission adopted a definition of
‘‘tribal lands’’ that included
‘‘reservation’’ and ‘‘near reservation’’
areas, as defined, at that time, in
sections 20.1(v) and (r) of the Bureau of
PO 00000
Frm 00061
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
36707
Indian Affairs (BIA) regulations.
Subsequently, the Commission became
aware that the term ‘‘near reservation’’
included wide geographic areas,
extending substantially beyond the
boundaries of reservations, that do not
possess the same characteristics that
warranted the targeting of support to
reservations. As a result, the
Commission issued an Order staying
implementation of the enhanced
Lifeline and Link-Up rules to the extent
that they apply to qualifying lowincome consumers located on ‘‘near
reservation’’ areas.
3. In the Further Notice
accompanying the Tribal Stay Order
and Further Notice, 65 FR 58721,
October 2, 2000, the Commission sought
additional comment on how to extend
the enhanced Lifeline and Link-Up
measures to qualifying low-income
consumers living in areas or
communities that are ‘‘near
reservations.’’ Specifically, the
Commission sought comment on how to
define geographic areas that are adjacent
to the reservations or are otherwise a
part of the reservation’s community of
interest, in a manner that is consistent
with its goal of targeting enhanced
Lifeline and Link-Up support to the
most underserved segments of the
Nation. To the extent that using the BIA
definition of ‘‘near reservations’’ to
target support as intended in the
Twelfth Report and Order was not
effective, the Commission sought
comment generally on how it might
achieve its goal of serving
geographically isolated, impoverished
areas that are characterized by low
subscribership.
4. On May 21, 2003, in the TwentyFifth Order on Reconsideration, Report
and Order, and Further Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking, the Commission
again sought comment on potential
modifications to its rules regarding
availability of enhanced Federal Lifeline
and Link-Up assistance to qualifying
low-income consumers living ‘‘near
reservations.’’ In this follow-up, the
Commission noted that few commenters
filed in response to the 2000 Tribal Stay
Order and Further Notice.
Comment Filing Procedures
5. Pursuant to 1.415 and 1.419 of the
Commission’s rules, 47 CFR 1.415,
1.419, interested parties may file
comments are due on or before August
6, 2007 and reply comments are due on
or before August 20, 2007. 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
E:\FR\FM\05JYN1.SGM
05JYN1
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
36708
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 128 / Thursday, July 5, 2007 / Notices
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
number, in this case, CC Docket No. 96–
45. 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
response. 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.
6. Paper 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 we continue to experience
delays in receiving U.S. Postal Service
mail). Parties are strongly encouraged to
file comments electronically using the
Commission’s ECFS.
7. The Commission’s contractor will
receive hand-delivered or messengerdelivered 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.
8. 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
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:43 Jul 03, 2007
Jkt 211001
filings to Dana Walton-Bradford,
Telecommunications Access Policy
Division, Wireline Competition Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission,
Room 5–A321, 445 12th Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20554, or by e-mail to
Dana.Walton-Bradford@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.
9. Documents in CC Docket No. 96–
45 will be 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.
10. 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).
11. This matter shall be treated as a
‘‘permit-but-disclose’’ proceeding in
accordance with the Commission’s ex
parte rules. Persons making oral ex
parte presentations are reminded that
memoranda summarizing the
presentations must contain summaries
of the substance of the presentations
and not merely a listing of the subjects
discussed. More than a one-or twosentence description of the views and
arguments presented generally is
required. Other requirements pertaining
to oral and written presentations are set
forth in section 1.1206(b) of the
Commission’s rules.
20573, within ten days of the date this
notice appears in the Federal Register.
Copies of agreements are available
through the Commission’s Office of
Agreements (202–523–5793 or
tradeanalysis@fmc.gov).
Agreement No.: 011870–005.
Title: Indian Subcontinent Discussion
Agreement.
Parties: CMA CGM S.A.; Emirates
Shipping Line FZE; Evergreen Marine
Corp. (Taiwan) Ltd.; MacAndrews &
Company Limited; Nippon Yusen
Kaisha; Shipping Corporation of India;
United Arab Shipping Company
(S.A.G.); and Zim Integrated Shipping
Services, Ltd.
Filing Party: Wayne R. Rohde, Esq.;
Sher & Blackwell; 1850 M Street, NW.,
Suite 900; Washington, DC 20036.
Synopsis: The amendment reflects the
withdrawal of Hapag Lloyd A.G. as a
party to the agreement effective June 24,
2007.
Agreement No.: 011931–003.
Title: CMA CGM/Marfret Vessel
Sharing Agreement.
Parties: CMA CGM S.A., CMA CGM
(UK) Limited, and Compagnie Maritime
Marfret S.A.
Filing Party: Paul M. Keane, Esq.;
Cichanowicz, Callan, Keane, Vengrow &
Textor, LLP; 61 Broadway, Suite 3000;
New York, NY 10006–2802.
Synopsis: The amendment revises the
geographic scope of the agreement by
adding ports in the Caribbean. The
parties request expedited review.
Federal Communications Commission.
Kirk S. Burgee,
Chief of Staff, Wireline Competition Bureau.
[FR Doc. E7–12862 Filed 7–3–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6730–01–P
FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION
Notice of Agreements Filed
The Commission hereby gives notice
of the filing of the following agreements
under the Shipping Act of 1984.
Interested parties may submit comments
on agreements to the Secretary, Federal
Maritime Commission, Washington, DC
Frm 00062
Fmt 4703
FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION
Ocean Transportation Intermediary
License Reissuances
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
PO 00000
Dated: June 29, 2007.
By Order of the Federal Maritime
Commission.
Karen V. Gregory,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. E7–13019 Filed 7–3–07; 8:45 am]
Sfmt 4703
Notice is hereby given that the
following Ocean Transportation
Intermediary licenses have been
reissued by the Federal Maritime
Commission pursuant to section 19 of
the Shipping Act of 1984 (46 U.S.C.
Chapter 409) and the regulations of the
Commission pertaining to the licensing
of Ocean Transportation Intermediaries,
46 CFR part 515.
E:\FR\FM\05JYN1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 128 (Thursday, July 5, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36706-36708]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-12862]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[CC Docket No. 96-45; DA 07-1239]
Wireline Competition Bureau Seeks Additional Comment on Promoting
Deployment and Subscribership in Underserved Areas, Including ``Near
Reservation'' Areas
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Notice; solicitation of comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 36707]]
SUMMARY: In this document, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau)
seeks additional comment on issues raised in the above docket related
to what constitutes a ``near reservation'' area for federal Lifeline
and Link-Up support purposes.
DATES: Comments are due on or before August 6, 2007. Reply comments are
due on or before August 20, 2007.
ADDRESSES: All filings must be addressed to the Commission's Secretary,
Marlene H. Dortch, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications
Commission, Room 5-A266, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC. Comments
may be submitted, identified by CC Docket No. 96-45, by any of the
following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Agency Web Site: https://www.fcc.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments on the Electronic Comment Filing
System (ECFS) / https://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/.
E-mail: To Dana.Walton-Bradford@fcc.gov. Include CC Docket
No. 96-45 in the subject line of the message.
Fax: To the attention of Dana Walton-Bradford at 202-418-
1932. Include CC Docket No. 96-45 on the cover page.
Mail: All filings must be addressed to the Commission's
Secretary, Marlene H. Dortch, Office of the Secretary, Federal
Communications Commission, Room 5-A266, 445 12th Street, SW.,
Washington, DC. Parties should send a copy of their filings to Dana
Walton-Bradford, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline
Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, Room 5-A321, 445
12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554.
Public inspection, purchase, or download: The full text of
the document summarized here is available for inspection and copying
during normal business hours in the FCC Reference Center, Portals II,
225 12th Street, SW., Room CY-A257, Washington, DC 20504. The complete
text of this document also may be purchased from the Commission's copy
contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., 445 12th Street, SW., Room,
CY-B402, Washington, DC 20554, and may also be downloaded at: https://
www.fcc.gov.
People with Disabilities: 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).
Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name
and docket number. All comments received will be posted without change
to https://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/, including any personal information
provided. For detailed instructions on submitting comments and
additional information on the rulemaking process, see the ``Comment
Filing Procedures'' heading of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of
this document.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gina Spade, Wireline Competition
Bureau, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, (202) 418-7400, or
Dana Walton-Bradford, Wireline Competition Bureau, Telecommunications
Access Policy Division, (202) 418-7400.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Public
Notice in CC Docket No. 96-45, released March 12, 2007 (DA 07-1239).
The full text of this document is available for inspection and copying
during normal business hours in the FCC Reference Center, Portals II,
445 12th St. SW., Room CY-A257, Washington, DC 20554. The complete text
of this document also may be purchased from the Commission's copy
contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., 445 12th Street, SW., Room,
CY-B402, Washington, DC 20554. The full text may also be downloaded at:
https://www.fcc.gov. 1. By this document, the Bureau seeks to refresh
the record on issues raised in the Twelfth Report and Order, 65 FR
47941, August 4, 2000, and Twenty-Fifth Report and Order and Further
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 68 FR 41936, July 16, 2003, in the above
proceeding related to what constitutes a ``near reservation'' area for
federal Lifeline and Link-Up support purposes. Because comments on the
issue were filed several years ago, the passage of time and intervening
developments have rendered the records developed by those commenters
stale. Moreover, some issues raised by commenters may have become moot
or irrelevant in light of intervening events. For these reasons, the
Bureau requests that parties refresh the record with any new
information or arguments they believe to be relevant to deciding the
issues still pending. The refreshed record will enable the Commission
to undertake appropriate consideration of the issue of how best to
provide support through Lifeline and Link-Up to ``near reservation''
areas.
2. In the Twelfth Report and Order, the Commission adopted a
definition of ``tribal lands'' that included ``reservation'' and ``near
reservation'' areas, as defined, at that time, in sections 20.1(v) and
(r) of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) regulations. Subsequently,
the Commission became aware that the term ``near reservation'' included
wide geographic areas, extending substantially beyond the boundaries of
reservations, that do not possess the same characteristics that
warranted the targeting of support to reservations. As a result, the
Commission issued an Order staying implementation of the enhanced
Lifeline and Link-Up rules to the extent that they apply to qualifying
low-income consumers located on ``near reservation'' areas.
3. In the Further Notice accompanying the Tribal Stay Order and
Further Notice, 65 FR 58721, October 2, 2000, the Commission sought
additional comment on how to extend the enhanced Lifeline and Link-Up
measures to qualifying low-income consumers living in areas or
communities that are ``near reservations.'' Specifically, the
Commission sought comment on how to define geographic areas that are
adjacent to the reservations or are otherwise a part of the
reservation's community of interest, in a manner that is consistent
with its goal of targeting enhanced Lifeline and Link-Up support to the
most underserved segments of the Nation. To the extent that using the
BIA definition of ``near reservations'' to target support as intended
in the Twelfth Report and Order was not effective, the Commission
sought comment generally on how it might achieve its goal of serving
geographically isolated, impoverished areas that are characterized by
low subscribership.
4. On May 21, 2003, in the Twenty-Fifth Order on Reconsideration,
Report and Order, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the
Commission again sought comment on potential modifications to its rules
regarding availability of enhanced Federal Lifeline and Link-Up
assistance to qualifying low-income consumers living ``near
reservations.'' In this follow-up, the Commission noted that few
commenters filed in response to the 2000 Tribal Stay Order and Further
Notice.
Comment Filing Procedures
5. Pursuant to 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR
1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments are due on or before
August 6, 2007 and reply comments are due on or before August 20, 2007.
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
[[Page 36708]]
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
number, in this case, CC Docket No. 96-45. 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 response. 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.
6. Paper 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 we continue to experience delays in
receiving U.S. Postal Service mail). Parties are strongly encouraged to
file comments electronically using the Commission's ECFS.
7. The Commission's contractor 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.
8. 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 Dana Walton-Bradford,
Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission, Room 5-A321, 445 12th Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20554, or by e-mail to Dana.Walton-Bradford@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.
9. Documents in CC Docket No. 96-45 will be 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.
10. 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).
11. This matter shall be treated as a ``permit-but-disclose''
proceeding in accordance with the Commission's ex parte rules. Persons
making oral ex parte presentations are reminded that memoranda
summarizing the presentations must contain summaries of the substance
of the presentations and not merely a listing of the subjects
discussed. More than a one-or two-sentence description of the views and
arguments presented generally is required. Other requirements
pertaining to oral and written presentations are set forth in section
1.1206(b) of the Commission's rules.
Federal Communications Commission.
Kirk S. Burgee,
Chief of Staff, Wireline Competition Bureau.
[FR Doc. E7-12862 Filed 7-3-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P