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

News media information 202 / 418-0500

Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830

TTY 202 / 418-2555

Internet: http://www.fcc.gov

ftp.fcc.gov

**Federal Communications Commission**

**445 12th St., S.W.**

**Washington, D.C. 20554**

**DA 00-1768**

**August 4, 2000**

# PETITIONS FOR ENFORCEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENT BENCHMARK RATES

AT&T Corp. (AT&T) and its affiliates Concert Global Networks USA L.L.C.
and Concert Global Network Services Ltd. (Concert), Sprint
Communications Company L.P. (Sprint), and Worldcom, Inc. (Worldcom)
filed a joint petition on August 1, 2000 requesting that the Commission
enforce its benchmark settlement rate of 19 cents per minute as required
by the Commission's *Benchmarks Order* for service on the U.S.-Trinidad
and Tobago route.[^1]

The Commission has repeatedly expressed its concern about above-cost
accounting rates because such rates harm U.S. consumers and may result
in marketplace distortions. The Commission adopted the *Benchmarks
Order* to ensure that U.S. consumers pay reasonable rates for
international communications service and to guard against distortions
that may result from above-cost accounting rates. The Order establishes
a set of benchmark settlement rates and requires U.S. international
facilities-based carriers to negotiate settlement rates with foreign
carriers that comply with those benchmark rates according to a
transition schedule. The benchmark settlement rates and the transition
schedule depend primarily upon per capita income levels. For carriers in
countries classified as upper middle income countries, which include
Trinidad and Tobago, the Order requires that a settlement rate no higher
than 19 cents per minute will be used for service provided with the
United States beginning on January 1, 2000.

AT&T, Concert, Sprint, and Worldcom state that they have attempted to
negotiate settlement rates that comply with the *Benchmarks Order* with
the carrier providing international service in Trinidad and Tobago
(Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (TSTT)), but
they have been unsuccessful in reaching agreements that comply with the
applicable benchmark settlement rate of 19 cents. The U.S. carriers
request that the Commission enforce its *Benchmarks Order* by requiring
all U.S. carriers to pay settlement rates no higher than 19 cents
beginning on January 1, 2000.

Interested parties are requested to file comments no later than
September 8, 2000, and reply comments no later than September 18, 2000.
Any filings should reference the file number of this proceeding (File
No. ISP-MSC-20000801-00021). An original and four copies of all
pleadings must be filed in accordance with Section 1.51(c) of the
Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. § 1.51(c). The pleadings should be filed
with Magalie Roman Salas, Secretary, FCC, 445 12^th^ Street, S.W.,
TW-A325, Washington, D.C. 20554. In addition, one copy of each pleading
must be filed with (1) the FCC's copying contractor, International
Transcription Services, Inc., 1231 20^th^ Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20037; and (2) each of the petitioners.

Copies of the petition and any subsequently filed documents in this
matter may be obtained from International Transcription Services, Inc.
(ITS), 1231 20^th^ Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037, (202) 857-3800.
The petition and any subsequently filed documents are also available for
public inspection and copying during normal hours at the FCC's Office of
Public Affairs Reference and Information Center, located in room CY-A257
at the Portals 2 building, 445 12^th^ Street, S.W., Washington, D.C.
20554, (202) 418-0270.

For addition information, please contact Kathryn O'Brien, Lisa Choi, or
Ken Stanley, Telecommunications Division, International Bureau, (202)
418-1460.

[^1]: *International Settlement Rates*, IB Docket No. 96-261, Report and
    Order, 12 FCC Rcd 19,806 (1997) (*Benchmarks Order*); Report and
    Order on Reconsideration and Order Lifting Stay, 14 FCC Rcd 9256
    (1999) (*Benchmarks Reconsideration Order*); *aff'd sub nom. Cable &
    Wireless P.L.C. v. FCC*, 166 F.3d 1224 (D.C. Cir. 1999).