Before the

**Federal Communications Commission**

**Washington, D.C. 20554**

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| In the Matter of                 | * | Comp. Pol. File No.          |
|                                  | * | W-P-D-460                    |
| Verizon California, Inc.,        | ) |                              |
| (Formerly Known as GTE           | * |                              |
| California Incorporated) Request | * |                              |
| to Withdraw Application to       |   |                              |
| Discontinue Domestic             | * |                              |
| Telecommunications Services      | * |                              |
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**ORDER**

**Adopted:** April 11, 2002 **Released:** April 12, 2002

By the Chief, Competition Policy Division:

1.  On February 21, 2002, Verizon California, Inc. (Verizon or
    Applicant), formerly known as GTE California, Incorporated, located
    at 1515 N. Court House Road, Suite 500, Arlington, VA 22201, filed a
    request to withdraw their application with the Federal
    Communications Commission (FCC or Commission), requesting authority
    under section 214(a) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
    47 U.S.C. § 214(a), and section 63.71 of the Commission\'s rules, 47
    C.F.R. § 63.71, to discontinue local exchange and exchange access
    service for certain exchanges in Arizona.

2.  Applicant states that on March 9, 2000, while it was still operating
    under the name GTE California, Incorporated, it filed the referenced
    application. Verizon explains that it filed for this authority
    because it proposed to sell certain local exchange properties in
    Arizona to Citizens Communications (Citizens). On March 24, 2000,
    the Commission placed the application on public notice,[^1] and
    sixty (60) days later, discontinuance authority was automatically
    granted. Applicant states, however, that it failed to consummate its
    sale with Citizens, and that as a result, it never exercised its
    authority to discontinue service.

3.  Pursuant to section 1.748 of the Commission's rules,[^2] Applicant
    requests that its application be withdrawn, and states that if it
    subsequently enters into an agreement with Citizens or with any
    other carrier to sell any or all of these exchanges, it will file a
    new application under section 63.71 of the Commission's rules.[^3]
    Accordingly, Verizon's application is withdrawn, and the
    discontinuance authority associated with the application is revoked.

4.  Accordingly, pursuant to sections 1, 4(1), and 214 of the
    Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. §§ 151, 154(1),
    and 214, and sections 0.91, 0.291, 1.748 and 63.71 of the
    Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 0.91, 0.291, 1.748, and 63.71, IT
    IS ORDERED that Verizon's request to withdraw its application to
    discontinue domestic telecommunications IS GRANTED.

    FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

    Michelle M. Carey

> Chief, Competition Policy Division
>
> Wireline Competition Bureau

[^1]: *See Comments Invited on GTE California Incorporated's Application
    to Discontinue Local Exchange and Exchange Access Service for
    Certain Exchanges in Arizona*, Public Notice, NSD File No.
    W-P-D-460, (rel. March 24, 2000).

[^2]: *See* 47 C.F.R. § 1.748(a).

[^3]: *See* 47 C.F.R. § 63.71.