**DA 08-1402**

**June 12, 2008**

**COMMENT DATES SET ON REQUEST OF VERIZON AND QWEST TO EXTEND**

**FORBEARANCE RELIEF FROM COST ASSIGNMENT RULES**

**WC Docket No. 07-21**

**Comments Due: June 26, 2008**

**Reply Comments Due: July 7, 2008**

On April 24, 2008, the Commission conditionally granted AT&T's and
BellSouth's (collectively AT&T) petitions for forbearance from section
220(a)(2) of the Act (to a limited extent) and various rules, including
the following: section 32.23 (nonregulated activities); section 32.27
(transactions with affiliates); Part 64, Subpart I (allocation of
costs); Part 36 (jurisdictional separations procedures); Part 69,
Subparts D and E (cost apportionment); and other related rules that are
derivatives of, or dependent on, the foregoing rules.[^1] The Commission
referred to the statutory provision and Commission rules from which AT&T
sought forbearance collectively as the "Cost Assignment Rules." The
grant was expressly conditioned on, among other things, the Wireline
Competition Bureau's approval of a compliance plan to be filed by AT&T
describing in detail how it will continue to fulfill its statutory and
regulatory obligations.[^2] On May 23, 2008, Verizon, on behalf of
itself and Qwest, requested that the Commission grant the same
forbearance to Verizon and Qwest.[^3] On June 6, 2008, the Commission
released a Public Notice seeking comment on the issues raised in the
Verizon/Qwest Request.[^4] That Public Notice was published in the
Federal Register on June 12, 2008.[^5] As a result, comments on the
Verizon/Qwest Request are due **June 26, 2008**, and reply comments are
due **July 7, 2008**. All pleadings should reference **WC Docket No.
07-21**.

This matter shall be treated as a "permit-but-disclose" proceeding in
accordance with the Commission's *ex parte* rules. *See* 47 C.F.R. §§
1.1200, 1.1206. Persons making oral *ex parte* presentations are
reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentations must contain
summaries of the substance of the presentations and not merely a listing
of the subjects discussed. More than a one- or two-sentence description
of the views and arguments presented generally is required. *See* 47
C.F.R. § 1.1206(b). Other rules pertaining to oral and written *ex
parte* presentations in permit-but-disclose proceedings are set forth in
section 1.1206(b) of the Commission\'s rules, 47 C.F.R. § 1.1206(b).

Comments may be filed using: (1) the Commission's Electronic Comment
Filing System (ECFS), (2) the Federal Government's eRulemaking Portal,
or (3) by filing paper copies. *See Electronic Filing of Documents in
Rulemaking Proceedings*, 63 FR 24121 (1998).

-   Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the
    Internet by accessing the ECFS: <http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/> or
    the Federal eRulemaking Portal:
    [http://www.regulations.gov](http://www.regulations.gov/). Filers
    should follow the instructions provided on the website for
    submitting comments.

    -   For ECFS filers, if multiple docket or rulemaking numbers appear
        in the caption of this proceeding, filers must transmit one
        electronic copy of the comments for each docket or rulemaking
        number referenced in the caption. 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, filers should send
        an e-mail to <ecfs@fcc.gov>, and include the following words in
        the body of the message, "get form." A sample form and
        directions will be sent in response.

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-   Paper Filers: 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, filers
    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). 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, NE, Suite 110, Washington, DC 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, Express, and Priority mail must be
    addressed to 445 12^th^ Street, SW, Washington DC 20554.

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).

Filings and comments are also 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. They may also be purchased from the Commission's duplicating
contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., Portals II, 445 12th Street,
SW, Room CY-B402, Washington, DC, 20554, telephone 202-488-5300,
facsimile 202-488-5563, or via e-mail at fcc@bcpiweb.com.

For further information regarding this proceeding, contact Christi
Shewman, Pricing Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau,
202-418-1686.

\- FCC -

[^1]: *Petition of AT&T Inc. For Forbearance Under 47 U.S.C. § 160 From
    Enforcement of Certain of the Commission's Cost Assignment Rules*,
    WC Docket Nos. 07-21, 05-342, Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC
    08-120 (rel. Apr. 24, 2008), *pet. for recon. pending*.

[^2]: *See id.* at para. 31.

[^3]: Letter from Ann Berkowitz, Associate Director -- Federal
    Regulatory, Verizon, to Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, FCC, WC Docket
    Nos. 07-21, 07-273, 07-204 (filed May 23, 2008) (Verizon/Qwest
    Request).

[^4]: *See* Comment Sought on Request of Verizon and Qwest to Extend
    Forbearance Relief From Cost Assignment Rules, WC Docket No. 07-21,
    Public Notice, DA 08-1361 (Wireline Comp. Bur. rel. June 6, 2008).

[^5]: *See* Comment Sought on Request of Verizon and Qwest to Extend
    Forbearance Relief From Cost Assignment Rules, 73 FR 33,430 (June
    12, 2008).