TMCnet News
Communications Commission's Enforcement Bureau Issues Public Notice Regarding Discontinuance Application of AT&T Services, Inc. on Behalf of AMPRI(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 -- The Federal Communications Commission's Enforcement Bureau issued the following public notice: COMMENTS INVITED ON APPLICATION OF AT&T SERVICES, INC. ON BEHALF OF AT&T MOBILITY PUERTO RICO, INC. TO DISCONTINUE DOMESTIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES WC Docket No. 14-178 Comp. Pol. File No. 1180 Comments Due: October 31, 2014 Section 214 Application Applicant: AT&T Services, Inc. on behalf of AT&T Mobility Puerto Rico, Inc. On September 29, 2014, AT&T Services, Inc. (AT&T or Applicant) filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) on behalf of its affiliate, AT&T Mobility Puerto Rico, Inc. (AMPRI), located at P.O. Box 71514, San Juan, PR 00936-8614, requesting authority, under section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. section 214, and section 63.71 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. section 63.71, to discontinue certain domestic telecommunications services throughout AMPRI's service territory in Puerto Rico (Service Area). AT&T indicates that AMPRI currently offers wireline circuit-switched domestic interstate voice telecommunications services to residential customers in the Service Area (Affected Services). AT&T explains, however, that AMPRI has agreed to sell the circuit-switched copper network facilities used to provide the Affected Services to Liberty Cablevision of Puerto Rico LLC (LCPR). According to AT&T, LCPR plans to use the conduit, poles and rights-of-way to construct a state-of-the-art cable and broadband network capable of providing voice services as well as video programming and high speed broadband service. AT&T indicates that AMPRI plans to discontinue its wireline services in Puerto Rico once LCPR's network is complete and capable of serving the residents of the affected communities, on or after November 28, 2014. AT&T maintains that the public convenience and necessity will not be impaired by the proposed discontinuance because customers will have access to a rebuilt telecommunications network and improved interstate domestic voice services. In addition, AT&T submits that customers have been provided adequate notice and that, for customers that elect to transition to LCPR's network, there will be no interruption of service. AT&T indicates that AMPRI also will continue to offer wireless voice and Internet services throughout the service territory. AT&T states that AMPRI notified affected customers of the proposed discontinuance by letters sent via U.S. Mail on September 10, 2014. AT&T asserts that AMPRI is regulated as a non-dominant carrier with respect to the services it seeks to discontinue. In accordance with section 63.71(c) of the Commission's rules, AT&T's application will be deemed to be granted automatically on the 31st day after the release date of this public notice, unless the Commission notifies AT&T that the grant will not be automatically effective. In the application, AT&T indicates that AMPRI plans to discontinue the Affected Services in Puerto Rico once LCPR's network is complete and capable of serving the residents of the affected communities, on or after November 28, 2014. Accordingly, pursuant to section 63.71(c) and the terms of the application, absent further Commission action, AMPRI may discontinue its wireline circuit-switched domestic interstate voice telecommunications services to residential customers in the Service Area on or after November 28, 2014. The Commission normally will authorize proposed discontinuances of service unless it is shown that customers or other end users would be unable to receive service or a reasonable substitute from another carrier, or that the public convenience and necessity would be otherwise adversely affected. Comments objecting to this application must be filed with the Commission on or before October 31, 2014. Such comments should refer to WC Docket No. 14-178 and Comp. Pol. File No. 1180. Comments should include specific information about the impact of this proposed discontinuance on the commenter, including any inability to acquire reasonable substitute service. 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 (1998). Comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the ECFS: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs2/. Filers should follow the instructions provided on the Web site for submitting comments. Generally, only one copy of an electronic submission must be filed. In completing the transmittal screen, filers should include their full name, U.S. Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking number. Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and one copy of each filing. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. All filings must be addressed to the Commission's Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. All hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission's Secretary must be delivered to FCC Headquarters at 445 12th Street, S.W., Room TW-A325, Washington, D.C. 20554. The filing hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes and boxes 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, Express, and Priority mail must be addressed to 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. Two copies of the comments should also be sent to the Competition Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room 5-C140, Washington, D.C. 20554, Attention: Carmell Weathers. In addition, comments should be served upon the Applicant. Commenters are also requested to fax their comments to the FCC at (202) 418-1413, Attention: Carmell Weathers. This proceeding is considered a "permit but disclose" proceeding for purposes of the Commission's ex parte rules. Persons making ex parte presentations must file a copy of any written presentation or a memorandum summarizing any oral presentation within two business days after the presentation (unless a different deadline applicable to the Sunshine period applies). Persons making oral ex parte presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentation must (1) list all persons attending or otherwise participating in the meeting at which the ex parte presentation was made, and (2) summarize all data presented and arguments made during the presentation. If the presentation consisted in whole or in part of the presentation of data or arguments already reflected in the presenter's written comments, memoranda or other filings in the proceeding, the presenter may provide citations to such data or arguments in his or her prior comments, memoranda, or other filings (specifying the relevant page and/or paragraph numbers where such data or arguments can be found) in lieu of summarizing them in the memorandum. Documents shown or given to Commission staff during ex parte meetings are deemed to be written ex parte presentations and must be filed consistent with rule 1.1206(b). In proceedings governed by rule 1.49(f) or for which the Commission has made available a method of electronic filing, written ex parte presentations and memoranda summarizing oral ex parte presentations, and all attachments thereto, must be filed through the electronic comment filing system available for that proceeding, and must be filed in their native format (e.g., .doc, .xml, .ppt, searchable .pdf). Participants in this proceeding should familiarize themselves with the Commission's ex parte rules. 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 [email protected] or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 (tty). For further information, contact Carmell Weathers, (202) 418-2325 (voice), [email protected], or Rodney McDonald, (202) 418-7513 (voice), [email protected], of the Competition Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau. The tty number is (202) 418-0484. For further information on procedures regarding section 214 please visit http://www.fcc.gov/wcb/cpd/other_adjud. TNS 30TagarumaMar-141017-4903658 30TagarumaMar (c) 2014 Targeted News Service |