> **DA 08-1292**

**Released: June 2, 2008**

> **COMMENTS INVITED ON APPLICATION OF THE SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND
> TELEPHONE COMPANY D/B/A AT&T CONNECTICUT TO DISCONTINUE DOMESTIC
> TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES**
>
> **WC Docket No. 08-76**
>
> **Comp. Pol. File No. 872**
>
> **Comments Due: July 2, 2008**

**Section 214 Application**

**Applicant: The Southern New England Telephone Company d/b/a AT&T
Connecticut**

On **May 13, 2008, The Southern New England Telephone Company d/b/a AT&T
Connecticut,** located at **26 Washington Street, New London, CT 06320**
(AT&T or Applicant), filed an application with the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) requesting authority,
under section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47
U.S.C. § 214, and section 63.71 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. §
63.71, to discontinue the provision of certain domestic
telecommunications services in Connecticut.

AT&T indicates that it provides Internet Network Access Service (INAS)
throughout its service territory in Connecticut.[^1] AT&T explains that
INAS is a seven digit, single number, one-way local exchange access
service that utilizes a dedicated network for dial-up Internet
applications only. AT&T states that it offers this service to
competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs) who resell the service to
dial-up Internet Service Providers (ISPs). AT&T indicates that all calls
made to an INAS exchange are routed directly to AT&T's Internet Overlay
Network switch and forwarded to the ISP for Internet Processing. AT&T
states, however, that due to a lack of demand it plans to no longer
offer INAS to new customers on or after August 1, 2008, subject to
Commission authorization. AT&T maintains that it will continue to
provide this service to existing customers until their contracts expire
or they are migrated to another service offering. AT&T asserts that the
public convenience and necessity will not be harmed by this
discontinuance of service because CLECs and ISPs may obtain the same
service functionality by purchasing Integrated Services Digital Network
Primary Rate Interface (ISDN PRI) service in each local calling area, or
by subleasing Wholesale Roaming from AT&T or an ISP. Furthermore, AT&T
states that ISDN PRI service is available from a variety of providers,
including AT&T and CLECs. AT&T indicates that it notified each customer
of the proposed discontinuance by letters sent via U.S. mail on May 12,
2008. Finally, AT&T represents that it is considered a dominant carrier
with respect to the service to be discontinued.

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 60th day
after the release date of this public notice, unless the Commission
notifies AT&T that the grant will not be automatically effective. In its
application and notice to customers, AT&T indicates that it plans to no
longer offer this service to new customers on or after August 1, 2008,
subject to Commission authorization, and that it will continue to
provide service to existing customers until their contracts expire or
they are migrated to another service offering. Accordingly, pursuant to
section 63.71(c) and the terms of AT&T's application and notice to
customers, absent further Commission action, AT&T may cease to offer
INAS to new customers in Connecticut on or after **August 1, 2008**, and
may terminate service to affected customers in accordance with its filed
representations. 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.

This proceeding is considered a "permit but disclose" proceeding for
purposes of the Commission's ex parte rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.1200-1.1216.
Comments objecting to this application must be filed with the Commission
on or before **July 2, 2008**. Such comments should refer to **WC Docket
No. 08-76 and Comp. Pol. File No. 872**. 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
filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the
Internet to [http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/]{.underline}. 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 may also submit an electronic
comment by Internet e-mail. To get filing instructions for e-mail
comments, filers should send an e-mail to [ecfs@fcc.gov]{.underline},
and include the following words in the body of the message, "get form."
A sample form and directions will be sent in response.

Parties who choose to file by paper must send an original and four
copies of the comments to the Office of the Secretary, Federal
Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room TW-A325,
Washington, D.C. 20554. 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. The Commission's contractor 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]{.underline} 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 mail,
Express, and Priority mail should 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.

The application will be available for public inspection and copying
during regular business hours at the FCC Reference Center, Portals II,
445 12th Street, S.W., Room CY-A257, Washington, D.C. 20554, (202)
418-0270. A copy of the application may also be purchased from the
Commission's duplicating contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., 445
12th Street, S.W., Room CY-B402, Washington, D.C. 20554, telephone (202)
488-5300, facsimile (202) 488-5563, or via e-mail at
[FCC@BCPIWEB.COM]{.underline}. 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
fcc504@fcc.gov 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), [carmell.weathers@fcc.gov]{.underline}, or Kimberly Jackson,
(202) 418-7393 (voice), [kimberly.jackson@fcc.gov]{.underline}, 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**.

-- FCC --

[^1]: AT&T states that INAS is offered pursuant to FCC Tariff No. 39,
    Section No. 22.