PUBLIC NOTICE![](media/image1.png){width="0.95in"
height="0.9055555555555556in"}

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

445 12th STREET, S.W.

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 **DA 00-1018**

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

**SAN CARLOS APACHE TELECOMMUNICATIONS UTILITY, INC. SEEKS WAIVER OF
SECTIONS 36.611 AND 36.612 OF THE COMMISSION'S RULES**

**PLEADING CYCLE ESTABLISHED**

**Release Date: May 8, 2000**

**Comment Date: May 22, 2000**

**Reply Comment Date: June 5, 2000**

On April 10, 2000, the San Carlos Apache Telecommunications Utility,
Inc. (San Carlos), filed a petition for waiver of sections 36.611 and
36.612 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 36.611, 36.612. The
waiver would enable San Carlos to receive universal service support for
the period beginning September 1997 through August 1999 and would
require the Commission to direct the Universal Service Administrative
Company (USAC) to disburse these payments consistent with San Carlos'
request. San Carlos began service in August 1997 after acquiring the San
Carlos, Arizona exchange from US West Communications, Inc., pursuant to
a study area waiver granted on November 8, 1996.

Under our existing rules, eligibility for high-cost loop support is
determined on the basis of historical data. For example, universal
service support for the year 2000 is based on 1998 cost data. San Carlos
seeks a waiver of sections 36.611 and 36.612 of the Commission's rules
to enable it to receive full USF support for its initial two years of
operation. San Carlos states that grant of its waiver request will
permit it to continue providing and extending reasonably priced local
telephone service to previously unserved and underserved portions of the
San Carlos Apache Reservation in Arizona. San Carlos maintains that
without the requested relief, its efforts to initiate service to
unserved and underserved portions of the San Carlos Apache Reservation
will be frustrated.

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 **May 22, 2000**, and reply comments on or before **June 5,
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. 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, Postal
Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking number.
Parties may also submit electronic comments 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. 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. 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.

Parties also must send three paper copies of their filing to Sheryl
Todd, Accounting Policy Division, Common Carrier Bureau, Federal
Communications Commission, 445 Twelfth Street S.W., Room 5-B540,
Washington, D.C. 20554. In addition, commenters must send diskette
copies to the Commission\'s copy contractor, International Transcription
Service, Inc., 1231 20th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037.

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.

The full text of this document 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.

For further information, contact Gene Fullano, Accounting Policy
Division, Common Carrier Bureau at (202) 418-7400, TTY (202) 418-0484.