Request for Comments Concerning Compliance With Telecommunications Trade Agreements, 70770-70771 [2010-29112]

Download as PDF 70770 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 222 / Thursday, November 18, 2010 / Notices part of ECA’s Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) reporting requirements. (4) A SF–PPR, ‘‘Performance Progress Report’’ Cover Sheet with all program reports. Award recipients will be required to provide reports analyzing their evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular program reports. (Please refer to IV. Application and Submission Instructions (IV.3.d.3) above for Program Monitoring and Evaluation information.) All data collected, including survey responses and contact information, must be maintained for a minimum of three years and provided to the Bureau upon request. All reports must be sent to the ECA Grants Officer and ECA Program Officer listed in the final assistance award document. VII. Agency Contacts For questions about this announcement, contact: Kevin Orchison, Study of the U.S. Branch, ECA/A/E/USS, U.S. Department of State, Fourth Floor, SA–5, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20522–0504, phone: (202) 632–3339, e-mail: OrchisonKH@state.gov. All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should reference the above title and number ECA/A/E/ USS–11–11. VIII. Other Information: mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES Notice The terms and conditions published in this RFGP are binding and may not be modified by any Bureau representative. Explanatory information provided by the Bureau that contradicts published language will not be binding. Issuance of the RFGP does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the Government. The Bureau reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of the program and the availability of funds. In addition, it reserves the right to accept proposals in whole or in part and to make an award or awards in the best interest of the program. Awards made will be subject to periodic reporting and evaluation requirements per section VI.3 above. Notice of request for public comment and reply comment. ACTION: DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 7231] The U.S. National Commission for UNESCO will hold a meeting on Wednesday, December 1, 2010, from 10 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. Eastern Time at the U.S. Department of State, with the option of participation by telephone conference. The open session will have a series of subject-specific reports, during which the Commission will accept brief oral comments or questions from the public or media. The open session is expected to be two hours and forty-five minutes in duration. The public comment period will be limited to approximately 15 minutes in total, with two minutes allowed per speaker. The second portion of the meeting will be closed to the public to allow the Commission to discuss applications for the UNESCO Associated Schools Network Program and the UNESCO Club Network. The closed session will begin at 12:45 p.m. This portion of the call will be closed to the public pursuant to Section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act and 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(6) because it is likely to involve discussion of information of a personal and financial nature regarding the relative merits of individual applicants where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy. For more information or to arrange to participate in the open portion of the the meeting, individuals must make arrangements with the Executive Secretariat of the National Commission by November 29, 2010. The National Commission may be contacted via e-mail at DCUNESCO@state.gov, or via phone at (202) 663–0026. Its Web site can be accessed at: https://www.state.gov/p/io/ unesco/. Dated: November 9, 2010. Elizabeth Kanick, Executive Director, U.S. National Commission for UNESCO, Department of State. [FR Doc. 2010–29128 Filed 11–17–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710–19–P OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE Dated: November 10, 2010. Ann Stock, Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State. Request for Comments Concerning Compliance With Telecommunications Trade Agreements [FR Doc. 2010–29122 Filed 11–17–10; 8:45 am] AGENCY: BILLING CODE 4710–05–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:56 Nov 17, 2010 Jkt 223001 Office of the United States Trade Representative. PO 00000 Frm 00099 Fmt 4703 Pursuant to section 1377 of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (19 U.S.C. 3106) (‘Section 1377’), the United States Trade Representative (‘‘USTR’’) is reviewing and requests comments on the operation, effectiveness, and implementation of and compliance with the following agreements regarding telecommunications products and services of the United States: the World Trade Organization (‘‘WTO’’) General Agreement on Trade in Services; the North American Free Trade Agreement (‘‘NAFTA’’); U.S. free trade agreements (‘‘FTAs’’) with Australia, Bahrain, Chile, Morocco, Oman, Peru, and Singapore; and the Dominican Republic–Central America–United States Free Trade Agreement (‘‘CAFTA–DR’’). The USTR will conclude the review by March 31, 2011. DATES: Comments are due by noon on December 17, 2010 and reply comments by noon on January 14, 2011. ADDRESSES: Gloria Blue, Executive Secretary, Trade Policy Staff Committee, or Catherine Hinckley, Director, Telecom Trade Policy, ATTN: Section 1377 Comments, Office of the United States Trade Representative, 1724 F Street, NW., Washington, DC 20508. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine Hinckley, Office of Services and Investment (202) 395–9539; or Will Martyn, Office of the General Counsel (202) 395–3582. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 1377 requires the USTR to review annually the operation and effectiveness of all U.S. trade agreements regarding telecommunications products and services that are in force with respect to the United States. The purpose of the review is to determine whether any act, policy, or practice of a country that has entered into an FTA or other telecommunications trade agreement with the United States is inconsistent with the terms of such agreement or otherwise denies U.S. firms, within the context of the terms of such agreements, mutually advantageous market opportunities for telecommunications products and services. For the current review, the USTR seeks comments on: (1) Whether any WTO member is acting in a manner that is inconsistent with its obligations under WTO agreements affecting market opportunities for telecommunications products or services, e.g., the WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services, including the Agreement on Basic Telecommunications Services, the SUMMARY: U.S. National Commission for UNESCO Notice of Meeting and Closed Meeting Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\18NON1.SGM 18NON1 mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 222 / Thursday, November 18, 2010 / Notices Annex on Telecommunications, and any scheduled commitments, including the Reference Paper on Pro-Competitive Regulatory Principles; (2) Whether Canada or Mexico has failed to comply with its telecommunications obligations under the NAFTA; (3) Whether Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, or Nicaragua has failed to comply with its telecommunications obligations under the CAFTA–DR; (4) Whether Australia, Bahrain, Chile, Morocco, Oman, Peru, or Singapore has failed to comply with its telecommunications obligations under its FTA with the United States (see https://www.ustr.gov/trade-agreements/ free-trade-agreements for links to U.S. FTAs); (5) Whether any country has failed to comply with its obligations under telecommunications trade agreements with the United States other than FTAs, e.g., Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) for Conformity Assessment of Telecommunications Equipment (see https://gsi.nist.gov/global/index.cfm/ L1-4/L2-16 for links to certain U.S. telecommunications MRAs); (6) Whether any act, policy, or practice of a country cited in a previous section 1377 review remains unresolved (see https://www.ustr.gov/trade-topics/ services-investment/telecom-ecommerce/section-1377-review for recent reviews); and (7) Whether any measures or practices impede access to telecommunications markets or otherwise deny telecommunications products and services market opportunities with respect to any country that is a WTO member or for which an FTA or telecommunications trade agreement has entered into force between such country and the United States. Measures or practices of interest include, for example, efforts by a foreign government or a telecommunications service provider to block services delivered over the Internet (including, but not limited to voice over Internet protocol services, social networking, and search services); requirements for access to or use of networks that limit the products or services U.S. suppliers can offer in specific foreign markets; the imposition of excessively high licensing fees; unreasonable wholesale roaming rates that mobile telecommunications services suppliers in specific foreign markets charge U.S. suppliers that seek to supply international mobile roaming services to their U.S. customers; discriminatory procedures that foreign governments apply in allocating or VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:56 Nov 17, 2010 Jkt 223001 allowing use of spectrum or other scarce resources; and the imposition by foreign governments of unnecessary or discriminatory technical regulations or standards for telecommunications products or services. Public Comment and Reply Comment: Requirements for Submission Comments in response to this notice must be written in English, must identify (on the first page of the comments) the telecommunications trade agreement(s) discussed therein, and must be submitted electronically by 5 p.m. on December 17, 2010. Reply comments must also be in English and must be submitted by 5 p.m. on January 14, 2011. Comments and reply comments, with the exception of business confidential comments, must be submitted using https:// www.regulations.gov, docket number USTR–2010–0034. Instructions for submitted business confidential versions are provided below. In the unusual case where submitters are unable to make submissions through Regulations.gov, the submitter must contact Gloria Blue at (202) 395–3475 to make alternate arrangements. To submit comments using https:// www.regulations.gov, enter docket number USTR–2010–0034 under ‘‘Key Word or ID’’ on the home page and click ‘‘Search’’. The site will provide a searchresults page listing all documents associated with this docket. Locate the reference to this notice by selecting ‘‘Notices’’ under ‘‘Document Type’’ on the search-results page, and click on the link entitled ‘‘Submit a Comment.’’ Follow the instructions given on the screen to submit a comment. The https://www.regulations.gov Web site offers the option of providing comments by filling in a ‘‘Type Comment’’ field or by attaching a document. While both options are acceptable, USTR prefers submissions in the form of an attachment. Business Confidential Submissions Persons wishing to submit business confidential information must submit that information by fax to (202) 395– 3891. Business confidential submissions will not be accepted at https://www.regulations.gov. The submitter must include in the comments a written explanation of why the information should be protected in accordance with 15CFR 2007.7(b). In addition, a non-confidential version of the comments must be submitted to https:// www.regulations.gov, docket number USTR–2010–0034. The submission must indicate, with asterisks, where PO 00000 Frm 00100 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 70771 confidential information was redacted or deleted. The top and bottom of each page of the non-confidential version must be marked either ‘‘PUBLIC VERSION’’ or ‘‘NON–CONFIDENTIAL’’. Business confidential comments that are submitted without the required markings or that do not have a properly marked non-confidential version submitted to regulations.gov as set forth above may not be accepted or may be treated as public documents. Submitters should provide updated information on all issues they cite in their filings; USTR will not review submissions that are copies of earlier submissions. Carmen Suro-Bredie, Chair, Trade Policy Staff Committee. [FR Doc. 2010–29112 Filed 11–17–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3190–W1–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket Number FRA–2010–0157] Notice of Application for Approval of Discontinuance or Modification of a Railroad Signal System Pursuant to Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 235 and 49 U.S.C. 20502(a), the following railroad has petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) seeking approval for the discontinuance or modification of the signal system, as detailed below. Applicant: Twin Cities & Western Railroad Company, Mr. Mark Wegner, President, 2925 12th Street East, Glencoe, Minnesota 55336. The Twin Cities & Western Railroad Company (TC&W) seeks approval of the proposed modification of the interlocking at milepost 543.0, in Granite Falls, Minnesota. The modification consists of the movement of the west bound home signal, 98LA, to a point west of the west siding switch; the conversion of the west siding switch from push-button control to hand-operation; the discontinuance and removal of the 98LB signal; and the removal of the ‘‘B’’ head from the 98R signal. The reason given for the proposed change is to eliminate components that are not necessary for present day operations. Any interested party desiring to protest the granting of an application shall set forth specifically the grounds upon which the protest is made, and include a concise statement of the interest of the party in the proceeding. Additionally, one copy of the protest E:\FR\FM\18NON1.SGM 18NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 222 (Thursday, November 18, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70770-70771]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-29112]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Request for Comments Concerning Compliance With 
Telecommunications Trade Agreements

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment and reply comment.

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

SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 1377 of the Omnibus Trade and 
Competitiveness Act of 1988 (19 U.S.C. 3106) (`Section 1377'), the 
United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is reviewing and requests 
comments on the operation, effectiveness, and implementation of and 
compliance with the following agreements regarding telecommunications 
products and services of the United States: the World Trade 
Organization (``WTO'') General Agreement on Trade in Services; the 
North American Free Trade Agreement (``NAFTA''); U.S. free trade 
agreements (``FTAs'') with Australia, Bahrain, Chile, Morocco, Oman, 
Peru, and Singapore; and the Dominican Republic-Central America-United 
States Free Trade Agreement (``CAFTA-DR''). The USTR will conclude the 
review by March 31, 2011.

DATES: Comments are due by noon on December 17, 2010 and reply comments 
by noon on January 14, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Gloria Blue, Executive Secretary, Trade Policy Staff 
Committee, or Catherine Hinckley, Director, Telecom Trade Policy, ATTN: 
Section 1377 Comments, Office of the United States Trade 
Representative, 1724 F Street, NW., Washington, DC 20508.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine Hinckley, Office of Services 
and Investment (202) 395-9539; or Will Martyn, Office of the General 
Counsel (202) 395-3582.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 1377 requires the USTR to review 
annually the operation and effectiveness of all U.S. trade agreements 
regarding telecommunications products and services that are in force 
with respect to the United States. The purpose of the review is to 
determine whether any act, policy, or practice of a country that has 
entered into an FTA or other telecommunications trade agreement with 
the United States is inconsistent with the terms of such agreement or 
otherwise denies U.S. firms, within the context of the terms of such 
agreements, mutually advantageous market opportunities for 
telecommunications products and services. For the current review, the 
USTR seeks comments on:
    (1) Whether any WTO member is acting in a manner that is 
inconsistent with its obligations under WTO agreements affecting market 
opportunities for telecommunications products or services, e.g., the 
WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services, including the Agreement on 
Basic Telecommunications Services, the

[[Page 70771]]

Annex on Telecommunications, and any scheduled commitments, including 
the Reference Paper on Pro-Competitive Regulatory Principles;
    (2) Whether Canada or Mexico has failed to comply with its 
telecommunications obligations under the NAFTA;
    (3) Whether Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, 
Guatemala, Honduras, or Nicaragua has failed to comply with its 
telecommunications obligations under the CAFTA-DR;
    (4) Whether Australia, Bahrain, Chile, Morocco, Oman, Peru, or 
Singapore has failed to comply with its telecommunications obligations 
under its FTA with the United States (see https://www.ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements for links to U.S. FTAs);
    (5) Whether any country has failed to comply with its obligations 
under telecommunications trade agreements with the United States other 
than FTAs, e.g., Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) for Conformity 
Assessment of Telecommunications Equipment (see https://gsi.nist.gov/global/index.cfm/L1-4/L2-16 for links to certain U.S. 
telecommunications MRAs);
    (6) Whether any act, policy, or practice of a country cited in a 
previous section 1377 review remains unresolved (see https://www.ustr.gov/trade-topics/services-investment/telecom-e-commerce/section-1377-review for recent reviews); and
    (7) Whether any measures or practices impede access to 
telecommunications markets or otherwise deny telecommunications 
products and services market opportunities with respect to any country 
that is a WTO member or for which an FTA or telecommunications trade 
agreement has entered into force between such country and the United 
States. Measures or practices of interest include, for example, efforts 
by a foreign government or a telecommunications service provider to 
block services delivered over the Internet (including, but not limited 
to voice over Internet protocol services, social networking, and search 
services); requirements for access to or use of networks that limit the 
products or services U.S. suppliers can offer in specific foreign 
markets; the imposition of excessively high licensing fees; 
unreasonable wholesale roaming rates that mobile telecommunications 
services suppliers in specific foreign markets charge U.S. suppliers 
that seek to supply international mobile roaming services to their U.S. 
customers; discriminatory procedures that foreign governments apply in 
allocating or allowing use of spectrum or other scarce resources; and 
the imposition by foreign governments of unnecessary or discriminatory 
technical regulations or standards for telecommunications products or 
services.

Public Comment and Reply Comment: Requirements for Submission

    Comments in response to this notice must be written in English, 
must identify (on the first page of the comments) the 
telecommunications trade agreement(s) discussed therein, and must be 
submitted electronically by 5 p.m. on December 17, 2010. Reply comments 
must also be in English and must be submitted by 5 p.m. on January 14, 
2011. Comments and reply comments, with the exception of business 
confidential comments, must be submitted using https://www.regulations.gov, docket number USTR-2010-0034. Instructions for 
submitted business confidential versions are provided below. In the 
unusual case where submitters are unable to make submissions through 
Regulations.gov, the submitter must contact Gloria Blue at (202) 395-
3475 to make alternate arrangements.
    To submit comments using https://www.regulations.gov, enter docket 
number USTR-2010-0034 under ``Key Word or ID'' on the home page and 
click ``Search''. The site will provide a search-results page listing 
all documents associated with this docket. Locate the reference to this 
notice by selecting ``Notices'' under ``Document Type'' on the search-
results page, and click on the link entitled ``Submit a Comment.'' 
Follow the instructions given on the screen to submit a comment. The 
https://www.regulations.gov Web site offers the option of providing 
comments by filling in a ``Type Comment'' field or by attaching a 
document. While both options are acceptable, USTR prefers submissions 
in the form of an attachment.

Business Confidential Submissions

    Persons wishing to submit business confidential information must 
submit that information by fax to (202) 395-3891. Business confidential 
submissions will not be accepted at https://www.regulations.gov. The 
submitter must include in the comments a written explanation of why the 
information should be protected in accordance with 15CFR 2007.7(b).
    In addition, a non-confidential version of the comments must be 
submitted to https://www.regulations.gov, docket number USTR-2010-0034. 
The submission must indicate, with asterisks, where confidential 
information was redacted or deleted. The top and bottom of each page of 
the non-confidential version must be marked either ``PUBLIC VERSION'' 
or ``NON-CONFIDENTIAL''.
    Business confidential comments that are submitted without the 
required markings or that do not have a properly marked non-
confidential version submitted to regulations.gov as set forth above 
may not be accepted or may be treated as public documents.
    Submitters should provide updated information on all issues they 
cite in their filings; USTR will not review submissions that are copies 
of earlier submissions.

Carmen Suro-Bredie,
Chair, Trade Policy Staff Committee.
[FR Doc. 2010-29112 Filed 11-17-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3190-W1-P
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