[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 161 (Thursday, August 20, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44599-44600]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22341]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 54
[CC Docket 96-45, 97-160; DA 98-1576]
Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service and Forward-
Looking Mechanism for High Cost Support for Non-Rural LECs
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Proposed rule; Supplemental data request.
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SUMMARY: In conjunction with the Commission's proceeding to select a
forward-looking economic cost mechanism for determining the level of
federal high cost support that eligible non-rural carriers will receive
beginning July 1, 1999, we request certain revenue information from
non-rural local exchange carriers and holding companies.
DATES: Responses to this data request must be submitted on or before
October 6, 1998.
ADDRESSES: The full text of data request order and spreadsheets are
available for inspection and copying during normal business hours in
the FCC Reference Center (Room 239), 1919 M St., NW, Washington, DC. In
addition, interested parties may obtain the spreadsheet from the
Commission's web site at http://www.fcc.gov/ccb/universal__service/
highcost.html#determine.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katie King, Accounting Policy
Division, Common Carrier Bureau, (202) 418-7400.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. In the Universal Service Order, CC Docket No. 96-45, FCC 97-157
(released May 8, 1997) 62 FR 32862 (June 17, 1997), the Commission
determined that the level of federal high cost support that eligible
non-rural carriers will receive would be 25 percent of the difference
between the estimated forward-looking economic cost of providing the
supported services and a nationwide average revenue benchmark. The
Commission also determined that the revenue benchmark should be
calculated using revenues derived from local service, access, and other
telecommunications services, including discretionary services. The
Commission
[[Page 44600]]
did not adopt a precise calculation of the revenue benchmark in the
Universal Service Order, but stated that, based on 1994 data received
in response to an earlier data request, ``it appears that the benchmark
for residential services should be approximately $31 and for single-
line businesses should be approximately $51.''
2. In a Public Notice released May 4, 1998, 63 FR 28339 (May 22,
1998), the Common Carrier Bureau sought to augment the record on
certain issues relating to the creation of the federal forward-looking
economic cost mechanism. With respect to the revenue benchmark, we
sought comment generally on the amount of access revenues that should
be included in the benchmark. In addition, the Bureau sought comment on
the appropriate amount of intraLATA toll revenue that should be
included in the revenue benchmark. We also encouraged parties to
provide further information about the revenues that are derived from
services provided over the network that the universal service mechanism
is designed to support.
3. We find that, in addition to comments that we received in
response to the May 4th Public Notice, specific information from non-
rural local exchange carriers and holding companies is necessary to
allow the Commission to calculate accurately the revenue benchmark that
may be used to determine the level of federal high cost support. The
Commission's suggested residential and business benchmarks of $31 and
$51, respectively, were based on data that are four years old. In
addition, the earlier data request did not ask local exchange carriers
to differentiate among various revenue sources that would allow the
Commission to deduct specific portions of access or toll revenue from
the benchmark.
4. Purpose of Data Request. This data request is being issued to
assist the Commission in implementing the forward-looking economic cost
mechanism used to estimate the amount of universal service support that
will be provided to eligible non-rural carriers beginning July 1, 1999.
5. Carriers Subject to Data Request. The following non-rural local
exchange carriers and holding companies must respond to this data
request: Aliant Communications Company, ALLTEL, Ameritech, Anchorage
Telephone Utility, Bell Atlantic, BellSouth, Cincinnati Bell, Frontier
Corporation, GTE, North State Telephone Company, Puerto Rico Telephone
Company, Roseville Telephone Company, Southern New England,
Southwestern Bell, U S West, and United Telephone System.
6. OMB Approval. Approved by OMB, 3060-0842, Expires 2/28/1999,
Burden hour per respondent: 250 average. An agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of
information unless the agency displays a currently valid control
number.
7. Accordingly, pursuant to sections 5(c), 201-205, 220(c), 254 and
403 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 155(c),
201-205, 220(c), 254, and 403, and sections 0.91 and 0.291 of the
Commission's rules, 47 CFR 0.91 and 0.291, it is Hereby Ordered that
Aliant Communications Company, ALLTEL, Ameritech, Anchorage Telephone
Utility, Bell Atlantic, BellSouth, Cincinnati Bell, Frontier
Corporation, GTE, North State Telephone Company, Puerto Rico Telephone
Company, Roseville Telephone Company, Southern New England,
Southwestern Bell, U S West, and United Telephone System shall complete
the attached Revenue Benchmark Data Request in the prescribed formats,
and file their responses to the data request with the Commission by
October 6, 1998.
Federal Communications Commission.
James D. Schlichting,
Deputy Chief, Common Carrier Bureau.
[FR Doc. 98-22341 Filed 8-19-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
