**DA 03-1887**

**Released: June 3, 2003**

**COMMENT DATES SET FOR FURTHER NOTICE ON BOC AND INDEPENDENT LEC
SEPARATE AFFILIATE REQUIREMENTS FOR INTEREXCHANGE SERVICES**

**WC DOCKET NO. 02-112;**

**CC DOCKET NO. 00-175**

**Comments Due: June 30, 2003**

**Reply Comments Due: July 28, 2003**

On May 19, 2003, the Commission released a Further Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking seeking comment on the appropriate classification of Bell
Operating Companies (BOCs) and incumbent independent local exchange
carriers' (independent LECs) provision of in-region, interstate and
international interexchange telecommunications service.[^1] It seeks
comment on how changes to the competitive landscape within the
interexchange market should affect this classification and on what
approach is appropriate for BOCs and independent LECs, if and when these
carriers may provide in-region, interexchange services outside of a
separate affiliate. A summary of the Commission's Further Notice was
published in the Federal Register on May 29, 2003, triggering the cycle
for comments and reply comments on the Further Notice.[^2]

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).

Pursuant to Section 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R.
§§ 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments on the on or
before **June 30, 2003** and reply comments on or before **July 28,
2003.** All filings must be addressed to the Commission's Secretary,
Marlene H. Dortch, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications
Commission, 445 12^th^ Street, SW, Suite TW-A325, Washington, DC 20554.
Two (2) courtesy copies must be delivered to Janice M. Myles,
<jmyles@fcc.gov>, Federal Communications Commission, Wireline
Competition Bureau, Competition Policy Division, 445 12^th^ Street, SW,
Suite 5-C327, Washington, DC 20554 and one (1) copy must be sent to
Qualex International, Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW, Room CY-B402,
Washington, DC, 20554, telephone 202-863-2893, facsimile 202-863-2898,
or via e-mail <qualexint@aol.com>.

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. 24121 (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, 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, 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
appear 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).

**(1)** The Commission\'s contractor, Vistronix, 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.

**(2**) 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.

**(3)** U.S. Postal Service first-class mail, Express Mail, and Priority
Mail should be addressed to 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20554.

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, Qualex International, Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW, Room
CY-B402, Washington, DC, 20554, telephone 202-863-2893, facsimile
202-863-2898, or via e-mail **qualexint@aol.com**.

For further information regarding this proceeding contact Robert Tanner,
[**rtanner@fcc.gov**](mailto:rtanner@fcc.gov), Competition Policy
Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, (202) 418-1580.

\- **FCC** -

[^1]: ^?^ *Section 272(f)(1) Sunset of the BOC Separate Affiliate and
    Related Requirements,* WC Docket No. 02-112; *2000 Biennial
    Regulatory Review, Separate Affiliate Requirements of Section
    64.1903 of the Commission's Rules,* CC Docket No. 00-175, Further
    Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 03-111 (rel. May 19, 2003.)

[^2]: 68 FR 32007 (May 29, 2003)