> **DA 08-1564**

**Released: June 30, 2008**

> **COMMENTS INVITED ON APPLICATION OF SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY
> L.P. TO DISCONTINUE DOMESTIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES**
>
> **WC Docket No. 08-116**
>
> **Comp. Pol. File No. 871**
>
> **Comments Due: July 15, 2008**

**Section 214 Application**

**Applicant: Sprint Communications Company L.P.**

On **May 8, 2008, Sprint Communications Company L.P.** (Sprint or
Applicant), located at **6360 Sprint Parkway, Overland Park, Kansas
66251**, filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC or Commission) requesting authority, under section 214 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. § 214, and section
63.71 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. § 63.71, to discontinue the
provision of certain domestic telecommunications services throughout the
United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (collectively
Service Areas). By amendments filed June 6, 2008 and June 27, 2008,
Sprint corrected certain deficiencies in its initial application and
updated the record regarding notice to customers. Accordingly, Sprint's
application is deemed complete as of June 27, 2008.

Sprint indicates that it currently provides 900 Transport Service in the
Service Areas. Sprint explains that its 900 Transport Service is an
inward calling service provided to subscribers who offer information to
end users via 900 telephone numbers. Sprint states that it provided 900
Transport Service on a common carrier basis to a total of six customers
at the time of the original filing of its application, and that the
usage generated by those customers was de minimis. Sprint indicates that
it now intends to discontinue its provision of this service in the
Service Areas. According to Sprint, the anticipated date for the
proposed discontinuance is on or after July 31, 2008, after which Sprint
will no longer generally offer or provide this service. Sprint states,
however, that it plans to continue to self-provision dedicated access
facilities for transporting 900 traffic for the benefit of its
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS). Sprint explains that this will
facilitate access to 900 service providers for callers to the Sprint TRS
center. Sprint states that it sent letters on April 30, 2008 to inform
its six customers of its plans to discontinue service. Sprint indicates
that service to one of the six customers referenced in its original
application has since been terminated for non-payment, but that Sprint
subsequently notified all of its remaining customers of the proposed
discontinuance by letters sent in compliance with section 63.71(a) of
the Commission's rules as of June 13, 2008. Sprint indicates that it is
considered non-dominant with respect to the service to be discontinued.

In accordance with section 63.71(c) of the Commission's rules, Sprint's
application will be deemed to be granted automatically on the 31st day
after the release date of this public notice, unless the Commission
notifies Sprint that the grant will not be automatically effective. In
Sprint's application, Sprint indicates that it anticipates discontinuing
service on or after July 31, 2008. Accordingly, pursuant to section
63.71(c) and the terms of Sprint's application, absent further
Commission action, Sprint may terminate its 900 Transport Service in the
Service Areas on or after **July 31, 2008**. The Commission normally
will authorize proposed discontinuances of service unless it is shown
that customers or other end users would be unable to receive service or
a reasonable substitute from another carrier, or that the public
convenience and necessity would be otherwise adversely affected.

This proceeding is considered a "permit but disclose" proceeding for
purposes of the Commission's ex parte rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.1200-1.1216.
Comments objecting to this application must be filed with the Commission
on or before **July 15, 2008**. Such comments should refer to **WC
Docket No. 08-116 and Comp. Pol. File No. 871**. Comments should include
specific information about the impact of this proposed discontinuance on
the commenter, including any inability to acquire reasonable substitute
service. 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 FR 24121 (1998). Comments
filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the
Internet to [http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/]{.underline}. Filers should
follow the instructions provided on the Web site for submitting
comments. Generally, only one copy of an electronic submission must be
filed. 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 for e-mail
comments, filers should send an e-mail to [ecfs@fcc.gov]{.underline},
and include the following words in the body of the message, "get form."
A sample form and directions will be sent in response.

Parties who choose to file by paper must send an original and four
copies of the comments to the Office of the Secretary, Federal
Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room TW-A325,
Washington, D.C. 20554. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger
delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or
overnight 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, 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]{.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 mail,
Express, and Priority mail should be addressed to 445 12th Street, S.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20554.

Two copies of the comments should also be sent to the Competition Policy
Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications
Commission, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room 5-C140, Washington, D.C. 20554,
Attention: Carmell Weathers. In addition, comments should be served upon
the Applicant. Commenters are also requested to fax their comments to
the FCC at (202) 418-1413, Attention: Carmell Weathers.

The application will be available for public inspection and copying
during regular business hours at the FCC Reference Center, Portals II,
445 12th Street, S.W., Room CY-A257, Washington, D.C. 20554, (202)
418-0270. A copy of the application may also be purchased from the
Commission's duplicating contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., 445
12th Street, S.W., Room CY-B402, Washington, D.C. 20554, telephone (202)
488-5300, facsimile (202) 488-5563, or via e-mail at
[[FCC@BCPIWEB.COM]{.underline}](mailto:FCC@BCPIWEB.COM). 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).

For further information, contact Carmell Weathers, (202) 418-2325
(voice), [carmell.weathers@fcc.gov]{.underline}, or Rodney McDonald,
(202) 418-7513 (voice), [rodney.mcdonald@fcc.gov]{.underline}, of

the Competition Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau. The tty
number is (202) 418-0484. For further information on procedures
regarding section 214 please visit
**http://www.fcc.gov/wcb/cpd/other_adjud**.

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