PUBLIC NOTICE![](media/image1.png){width="0.6541666666666667in"
height="0.6604166666666667in"}

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

445 12th STREET, S.W.

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 **DA 00-1152**

News media information 202/418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202/418-2830 Internet:
http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov

**Released: May 25, 2000**

**Common Carrier Bureau Seeks Comment on**

**Supplemental Joint Submission of Program Administrators Regarding
Consolidated**

**Data Collection Procedures**

CC Docket No. 98-171

Comments Due: June 16, 2000

Reply Comments Due: June 23, 2000

On May 15, 2000, the administrators for the long-term local number
portability, numbering administration, Telecommunications Relay
Services, and universal service support mechanisms filed a supplemental
joint submission regarding procedures for gathering data from
telecommunications carriers and other contributors to these
mechanisms.[^1] Contributors to these four mechanisms file data used to
calculate their contributions by using a consolidated worksheet, the
Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet (FCC Form 499). In particular,
the administrators propose that the Commission designate the Universal
Service Administrative Company (USAC) as the entity responsible for the
consolidated worksheet data collection.[^2] In this Public Notice, the
Common Carrier Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on the proposals contained
in the *Supplemental Joint Submission*. The Bureau encourages commenters
to indicate whether the proposals in the *Supplemental Joint Submission*
will provide for the efficient collection, validation, and processing of
contributor data.

**Background**: On July 14, 1999, the Commission amended its rules so
that telecommunications carriers and other service providers need only
file one form \-- the Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet \-- for the
purpose of determining their contributions to the universal service
support mechanisms, the TRS Fund, and the cost recovery mechanisms for
numbering administration and local number portability.[^3] In the
*Contributor Reporting Requirements Order*, the Commission concluded
that carriers and other filers of the new worksheet need only file one
copy of the new worksheet.[^4] Accordingly, the Commission directed the
administrators to file with the Bureau a summary of their proposed
procedures for distributing the data obtained on the consolidated
worksheet and to include a description of how related costs will be
equitably apportioned.[^5] On October 12, 1999, the program
administrators filed a joint submission addressing data collection
procedures and a proposed cost allocation methodology.[^6] In a
subsequent Order, released on February 4, 2000, the Bureau directed the
National Exchange Carriers Association (NECA) to perform the data
collection functions for the April 2000 filing of the Telecommunications
Reporting Worksheet and set out procedures for the administrators to
submit proposed arrangements for future filings no later than May 15,
2000.[^7]

**Comment Filing Procedures:** Pursuant to Sections 1.415 and 1.419 of
the Commission\'s rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.415, 1.419, interested parties
may file comments on or before June 16, 2000, and reply comments on or
before June 23, 2000. 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 Fed. Reg.
24,121 (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. 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 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. All filings
must be sent to the Commission\'s Secretary, Magalie Roman Salas, Office
of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street,
S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554.

Pursuant to section 1.1206 of the Commission\'s Rules, 47 C.F.R. §
1.1206, this proceeding will be conducted as a permit-but-disclose
proceeding in which *ex parte* communications are permitted subject to
disclosure.

**Additional Information:** The full text of the *Supplemental Joint
Submission* is available for public inspection and copying during
regular business hours at the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals
II, 445 12th Street, SW, Room CY-A257, Washington, DC, 20554. This
document may also be purchased from the Commission's copy contractor,
International Transcription Service, Inc. (ITS), 1231 20th Street, NW,
Washington, DC 20036, telephone 202-857-3800, facsimile 202-857-3805.
You may also view this document on the Commission's web site at
\<https://haifoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/ecfs/comsrch_v2.hts\>.

For further information, contact Scott Bergmann or Jim Lande, Industry
Analysis Division, Common Carrier Bureau, at (202) 418-0940.

\-- FCC \--

[^1]: *See Supplemental Joint Submission of Program Administrators
    Regarding Consolidated Data Collection Procedures and Cost
    Allocation Methodology*, CC Docket No. 98-171 (filed May 15, 2000)
    (*Supplemental Joint Submission*).

[^2]: *Supplemental Joint Submission* at 3 ("The \[data collection
    agent\] will perform the responsibilities consistent with the
    procedures agreed upon by the program administrators in the their
    October 1999 Joint Submission, and utilized by NECA for the April 1,
    2000 consolidated worksheet.").

[^3]: *1998 Biennial Regulatory Review \-- Streamlined Contributor
    Reporting Requirements Associated with Administration of
    Telecommunications Relay Services, North American Numbering Plan,
    Local Number Portability, and Universal Service Support Mechanisms*,
    Report and Order, FCC 99-175, CC Docket No. 98-171 (rel. July 14,
    1999) (*Contributor Reporting Requirements Order*).

[^4]: *Contributor Reporting Requirements Order*, ¶ 36.

[^5]: *Contributor Reporting Requirements Order*, ¶¶ 45-47.

[^6]: *See Joint Submission of Program Administrators Regarding
    Consolidated Data Collection Procedures and Cost Allocation
    Methodology*, CC Docket No. 98-171 (filed Oct. 12, 1999) (*Joint
    Submission*).

[^7]: *See 1998 Biennial Regulatory Review \-- Streamlined Contributor
    Reporting Requirements Associated with Administration of
    Telecommunications Relay Services, North American Numbering Plan,
    Local Number Portability, and Universal Service Support Mechanisms*,
    Order, DA 00-214, CC Docket No. 98-171 (rel. Feb. 4, 2000) (*Data
    Collection Procedures Order*).