99-16225. Requests for Additional Authority To Implement Telecommunications Numbering Conservation Measures

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 122 (Friday, June 25, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34253-34254]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-16225]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[CC Docket No. 96-98; DA 99-1198]


Requests for Additional Authority To Implement Telecommunications 
Numbering Conservation Measures

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: On June 22, 1999, the Commission released a public notice 
requesting public comment on several petitions from state utility 
commissions requesting additional authority to implement measures 
related to conservation of telecommunications numbering resources. The 
intended effect of this action is to make the public aware of, and to 
seek public comment on, these requests.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Al McCloud at [phone] or 
[e-mail]. The address is: Network Services Division, Common 
Carrier Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, The Portals, 445 
Twelfth Street, S.W., Suite 6-A320, Washington, D.C. 20554. The fax 
number is: [phone]. The TTY number is: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Released: June 22, 1999.
    On September 28, 1998, the Federal Communications Commission 
(``Commission'') released an order in the matter of a Petition for 
Declaratory Ruling and Request for Expedited Action on the July 15, 
1997 Order of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Regarding Area 
Codes 412, 610, 215, and 717, and Implementation of the Local 
Competition Provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, 
Memorandum Opinion and Order and Order on Reconsideration, FCC 98-224, 
CC Docket No. 96-98, 63 FR 63613, NSD File No. L-97-42 (rel. September 
28, 1998) (``Pennsylvania Numbering Order''). The Pennsylvania 
Numbering Order delegated additional authority to state public utility 
commissions to order NXX code rationing, under certain circumstances, 
in jeopardy situations and encouraged state commissions to seek further 
limited delegations of authority to implement other innovative number 
conservation methods.
    Several state utility commissions have filed requests for 
additional delegations of authority to implement number conservation 
methods in their states. See Common Carrier Bureau Seeks Comment on a 
Petition of the California Public Utilities Commission and the People 
of the State of California for an Additional Delegation of Authority to 
Conduct NXX Code Rationing, Public Notice, NSD File No. L-98-136, DA 
99-108 (rel. Jan. 6, 1999); Common Carrier Bureau Seeks Comment on 
Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Energy Request for 
Additional Authority to Implement Various Area Code Conservation 
Measures in the 508, 617, 781, and 978 Area Codes, Public Notice, NSD 
File No. L-99-19, DA 99-461 (rel. Mar. 5, 1999); Common Carrier Bureau 
Seeks Comment on New York Department of Public Service Petition for 
Additional Authority to Implement Number Conservation Measures, Public 
Notice, NSD File No. L-99-21, DA 99-462 (rel. Mar. 5, 1999); Common 
Carrier Bureau Seeks Comment on the Maine Public Utilities Commission's 
Petition for Additional Authority to Implement Number Conservation 
Measures, Public

[[Page 34254]]

Notice, NSD File No. L-99-27, DA 99-638 (rel. Apr. 1, 1999); Common 
Carrier Bureau Seeks Comment on the Florida Public Service Commission's 
Petition for Authority to Implement Number Conservation Measures, 
Public Notice, NSD File No. 99-33, DA 99-725 (rel. Apr. 15, 1999); 
Common Carrier Bureau Seeks Comment on a Petition of the California 
Public Utilities Commission and the People of the State of California 
for a Delegation of Additional Authority Pertaining to Area Code Relief 
and to NXX Code Conservation Measures, Public Notice, NSD File No. L-
98-928, DA 99-108 (rel. May 14, 1999).
    Among other things, the state commissions have sought authority to 
implement number pooling trials in their states (thousands-block 
pooling, individual telephone number pooling, and unassigned number 
porting); to adopt number-assignment standards (including establishing 
fill rates as a criterion for the allocation of NXX codes, assigning 
numbers sequentially, certifying the readiness of carriers' facilities 
prior to assigning NXX codes, and engaging in audits to assure carriers 
are abiding by these standards as well as industry number-assignment 
guidelines); to maintain rationing of NXX codes for a period of six 
months following NPA relief; to hear and address claims of carriers 
seeking numbering resources outside of NXX rationing plans; to order 
the return of unused or reserved NXX codes to the NANPA; to implement 
extended local calling areas, inconsistent rate centers, and NXX code 
sharing; and to expand the deployment of permanent local number 
portability. The comment periods for all of the proceedings referenced 
above have closed, except for the second petition from the California 
Commission, for which the comment period closes on June 28, 1999.
    Many of the delegations of authority sought by the state 
commissions relate to issues under consideration in the Numbering 
Resource Optimization Notice. Numbering Resource Optimization, Notice 
of Proposed Rulemaking, CC Docket No. 99-200, FCC 99-122 (rel. June 2, 
1999), 64 FR 32471. Because the state utility commissions which have 
petitioned us face immediate concerns regarding the administration of 
telecommunication numbering resources in their states, we find it to be 
in the public interest to address these petitions as expeditiously as 
possible, prior to completing the rulemaking proceeding.
    We hereby seek comment on the issues raised in the state utility 
commissions' petitions for delegated authority to implement various 
number conservation measures. A copy of these petitions will be 
available during regular business hours at the FCC Reference Center, 
Portals II, 445 12th Street, S.W., Suite CY-A257, Washington, D.C. 
20554, [phone].
    We will give full consideration to the comments and replies already 
filed on these matters. Therefore, parties which have already filed 
comments need not re-file their comments or replies.
    Interested parties may file comments concerning these matters on or 
before July 16, 1999. All filings must reference the NSD File Number of 
the state petition which the commenting party wishes to address, and CC 
Docket 96-98. Send an original and four copies to the Commission 
Secretary, Magalie Roman Salas, Portals II, 445 12th Street, S.W., 
Suite TW-A325, Washington, D.C. 20554 and two copies to Al McCloud, 
Network Services Division, Portals II, 445 12th Street, S.W., Suite 6A-
320, Washington, D.C. 20554.
    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 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 comments 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 an electronic comment by Internet e-
mail. To get filing instructions for e-mail comments, commenters should 
send an e-mail to [e-mail], including ``get form '' in the body of the message. A sample form and directions 
will be sent in reply. Comments may be filed using the Commission's 
Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) or by filing paper copies.
    This is a ``permit but disclose'' proceeding for purposes of the 
Commission's ex parte rules. See generally 47 CFR 1.1200-1.1216. As a 
``permit but disclose'' proceeding, ex parte presentations will be 
governed by the procedures set forth in section 1.1206 of the 
Commission's rules applicable to non-restricted proceedings. 47 CFR 
1.1206.
    Parties making oral ex parte presentations are reminded that 
memoranda summarizing the presentation must contain a summary of the 
substance of the presentation and not merely a listing of the subjects 
discussed. More than a one or two sentence description of the views and 
arguments presented is generally required. See 47 CFR 1.1206(b)(2). 
Other rules pertaining to oral and written presentations are set forth 
in section 1.1206(b) as well. For further information contact Al 
McCloud of the Common Carrier Bureau, Network Services Division, at 
[phone] or [e-mail]. The TTY number is [phone].

Federal Communications Commission.
Blaise A. Scinto,
Deputy Chief, Network Services Division, Common Carrier Bureau.
[FR Doc. 99-16225 Filed 6-24-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P