**DA 04-1041**

**April 22, 2004**

COMMENT SOUGHT ON NEUSTAR, INC. REQUEST TO ALLOW CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
WITHOUT PRIOR COMMISSION APPROVAL AND TO TRANSFER OWNERSHIP

PLEADING CYCLE ESTABLISHED

**CC Docket No. 92-237**

**Comment Date: May 12, 2004**

**Reply Comment Date: May 24, 2004**

On April 15, 2004, NeuStar, Inc. (NeuStar), the current North American
Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA), national Pooling Administrator
(PA) and Local Number Portability Administrator, filed a letter with the
Federal Communications Commission (Commission) seeking a ruling that it
need not seek prior Commission neutrality review and approval for
certain types of transactions that it believes does not affect its
ability to be a neutral administrator for the North American Numbering
Plan (NANP). In addition, in anticipation of a potential initial public
offering (IPO), NeuStar seeks Commission approval for a transfer of
control of the company from the current majority shareholder, a voting
trust, to a broad shareholder base.[^1]

Specifically, NeuStar contends that the types of changes that should not
be subject to prior Commission approval fall into the following three
general categories: (1) corporate changes that do not increase the
rights of any entity affiliated with a telecommunications service
provider (TSP); (2) transactions that do not increase any interests of a
TSP or a TSP affiliate in NeuStar; and (3) transactions that permit
NeuStar to become a public company (including an IPO) and subsequent
sales of NeuStar equity, subject to several limitations on TSP
ownership.[^2] In addition, NeuStar notes that prior agency approval
would continue to be required for all other changes within the existing
scope of the prior approval requirement.[^3] NeuStar also notes that all
other oversight mechanisms would remain in place.[^4] Accordingly, we
seek comment on NeuStar\'s request. Particularly, we seek comment on the
potential impact on NeuStar's ability to perform its numbering
administration responsibilities in a neutral manner. We also seek
specific comment on the potential impact of an IPO on NeuStar's ability
to maintain its neutrality.

Pursuant to applicable procedures set forth in sections 1.415 and 1.419
of the Commission's rules, interested parties may file comments on or
before May 12, 2004, and reply comments on or before May 24, 2004. All
filings should refer to CC Docket No. 92-237. Comments may be filed
using the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) or by
filing paper copies.[^5]

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, U.S.
Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking
number. Parties may also submit an electronic comment by Internet
e-mail. To get fling 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.
Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial
overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service
mail (although we continue to experience delays in receiving U.S. Postal
Service mail).

The Commission's contractor, Natek, Inc., will receive hand-delivered or
messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission's Secretary at 236
Massachusetts Avenue, N.E., Suite 110, Washington, D.C. 20002. The
filing hours at this location are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand
deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any
envelopes must be disposed of before entering the building.

Commercial overnight mail (other then 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 mail, Express Mail,
and Priority Mail should be addressed to 445 12^th^ Street, SW,
Washington, D.C. 20554. All filings must be addressed to the
Commission's Secretary, Marlene H. Dortch, Office of the Secretary,
Federal Communications Commission.

Parties also must send three paper copies of their filing to Sheryl
Todd, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition
Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12^th^ Street, S.W., Room
5-B540, Washington, D.C. 20554. In addition, commenters must send
diskette copies to the Commission's copy contractor, Qualex
International, Portals II, 445 12^th^ Street, S.W., Room CY-B402,
Washington, D.C. 20054.

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.

For further information, contact Pam Slipakoff, Telecommunications
Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau at (202) 418-7705,
TTY (202) 418-0484, or pslipako@fcc.gov.

\*\*\*

[^1]: *See* Letter from Richard E. Wiley, Counsel for NeuStar, Inc. to
    Michael K. Powell, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission at 1
    (dated April 14, 2004) (*NeuStar Filing*).

[^2]: *Id*. at 5.

[^3]: *Id*. at 8

[^4]: *Id*.

[^5]: *See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings*, 63
    Fed. Reg. 24121 (1998).