[Federal Register: March 22, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 56)]
[Notices]
[Page 13332]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22mr02-65]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[CC Docket No. 96-45; DA 02-376]
Commission Seeks Comment on AT&T Request To Contribute to
Universal Service Based on Projected Revenues
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Notice; solicitation of comments.
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SUMMARY: This document seeks comments on AT&T request to the Commission
to permit it to contribute based on its projected revenues for the
current quarter, subject to true up with actual revenues, instead of
contributing to universal service based on historical revenues from two
quarters prior.
DATES: Comments are due on or before April 12, 2002. Reply comments are
due on or before April 22, 2002.
ADDRESSES: See Supplementary Information section for where and how to
file comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Garnett, Attorney, Accounting
Policy Division, Common Carrier Bureau, (202) 418-7400, TTY: (202) 418-
0484.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 13, 2001, AT&T filed a request
with the Commission to contribute to universal service based on its
projected revenues on a going-forward basis. Pursuant to Sec. 54.711(c)
of the Commission's rules, universal service contributions are based on
a contributors' historical gross-billed end-user interstate and
international telecommunications revenues, which are reported on a
quarterly basis on the FCC Form 499-Q. The FCC Form 499-Q instructs
contributors to report their revenues from the prior calendar quarter.
These revenue data then serve as the basis for contributions assessed
in the next calendar quarter. AT&T asks the Commission to permit it to
contribute based on its projected revenues for the current quarter,
subject to true up with actual revenues, instead of contributing to
universal service based on historical revenues from two quarters prior.
AT&T contends that grant of its request is warranted because the
interval between reporting and assessment of contributions under the
current rules, combined with AT&T's declining interstate and
international revenues, force it to recover its universal service
contributions from a smaller customer base than the one on which it was
assessed. We seek comment on AT&T's request.
Pursuant to Secs. 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's rules,
interested parties may file comments on or before April 12, 2002, and
reply comments are due on or before April 22, 2002. 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
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 electronic comments by Internet e-mail.
To receive 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 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. All filings must be sent to the
Commission's Acting Secretary, William Caton, Office of the Secretary,
Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC
20554.
Parties also must send three paper copies of their filing to Sheryl
Todd, Accounting Policy Division, Common Carrier Bureau, Federal
Communications Commission, 445 Twelfth Street SW., Room 5-A422,
Washington, DC 20554. In addition, commenters must send diskette copies
to the Commission's copy contractor, Qualex International, Portals II,
445 Twelfth Street, SW., Room CY-B402, Washington, DC 20554.
Pursuant to Sec. 1.1206 of the Commission's rules, this proceeding
will be conducted as a permit-but-disclose proceeding in which ex parte
communications are permitted subject to disclosure.
Federal Communications Commission.
Katherine L. Schroder,
Chief, Accounting Policy Division.
[FR Doc. 02-6929 Filed 3-21-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P