**DA 08-1144**

**Released: May 15, 2008**

**COMMENT SOUGHT ON QWEST REQUEST FOR REVIEW OF A DECISION OF THE
UNIVERSAL SERVICE ADMINISTRATIVE COMPANY CONCERNING AUDIT FINDINGS
RELATING TO THE LOW-INCOME PROGRAM**

**PLEADING CYCLE ESTABLISHED**

**WC Docket No. 03-109**

**Comment Date: June 16, 2008**

**Reply Comment Date: July 1, 2008**

On April 25, 2008, Qwest Communications International Inc. (Qwest) filed
a request for review of certain Universal Service Administrative Company
(USAC) audit findings.[^1] Qwest seeks review of USAC's finding that an
eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) must use Line 9 of FCC Form
497 if the ETC gains or loses Lifeline customers mid-month.[^2] Qwest
asks the Commission to find that USAC erred when it concluded that Qwest
is required to populate Line 9 of the FCC Form 497 with partial or
pro-rata dollars attributable to Lifeline subscribers who entered or
left the Lifeline program during any given month.[^3] Qwest also asks
the Commission to find that USAC erred when it concluded that Qwest is
inappropriately seeking enhanced Lifeline support for customers that do
not reside on tribal lands.[^4] Finally, Qwest asks the Commission to
review USAC's conclusion that Qwest has failed to retain customer
certifications in accordance with section 54.417(a) of the Commission's
rules.[^5]

The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on the Qwest Petition.
Interested parties may file **comments on or before June 16, 2008** and
**reply comments on or before July 1, 2008**. All comments filed must
reference **WC Docket No. 03-109**. Comments may be filed using the
Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) or by filing paper
copies.[^6]

-   Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the
    Internet by accessing the ECFS: <http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/>.
    Filers should follow the instructions provided on the website for
    submitting comments.

-   For ECFS filers, if multiple docket or rulemaking numbers appear in
    the caption of this proceeding, filers must transmit one electronic
    copy of the comments for each docket or rulemaking number referenced
    in the caption. 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, filers should send an e-mail to <ecfs@fcc.gov>, and
    include the following words in the body of the message, "get form."
    A sample form and directions will be sent in response.

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-   Paper Filers: 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, filers
    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). 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, Express, and
Priority mail should be addressed to 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington
D.C. 20554.

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).

**In addition, one copy of each pleading must be sent to each of the
following:**

(1) The Commission's duplicating contractor, Best Copy and Printing,
    Inc., 445 12th Street, S.W., Room CY-B402, Washington, D.C. 20554,
    [www.bcpiweb.com](http://www.bcpiweb.com/); phone: 202-488-5300 fax:
    202-488-5563; and

(2) Antoinette Stevens, Telecommunications Access Policy Division,
    Wireline Competition Bureau, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room 5B-521,
    Washington, D.C. 20554; e-mail: <antoinette.stevens@fcc.gov>; and

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, S.W., Room CY-A257, Washington,
D.C. 20554. They may also be purchased from the Commission's duplicating
contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., Portals II, 445 12th Street,
S.W., Room CYB402, Washington, D.C. 20554, telephone: 202-488-5300, fax:
202-488-5563, or via e-mail [www.bcpiweb.com](http://www.bcpiweb.com/).

This matter shall be treated as a "permit-but-disclose" proceeding in
accordance with the Commission's *ex parte* rules.[^7] Persons making
oral *ex parte* presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing
the presentations must contain summaries of the substance of the
presentation 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.[^8] 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.[^9]

For further information, please contact Romanda Williams,
Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau
at 202-418-7400 or TTY (202) 418-0484.

**- FCC -**

[^1]: Request for Review by Qwest Communications International, Inc. of
    the Decision of the Universal Service Administrator, WC Docket No.
    03-109 (filed Apr. 25, 2008) (Qwest Petition).

[^2]: *See* Qwest Petition at 3-6. FCC Form 497 is used by ETCs to
    request reimbursement for participating in the federal low-income
    universal service programs. *See* Instructions for Lifeline and Link
    Up Worksheet, OMB 3060-0819 (October 2000) (FCC Form 497); *see
    also* <http://www.usac.org/_res/documents/li/pdf/497i_Oct2000.pdf>
    (retrieved Apr. 30, 2008).

[^3]: *See* Qwest Petition at 3-6.

[^4]: *See id.* at 6-9.

[^5]: *See id.* at 10-11; *see also* 47 C.F.R. § 54.417(a).

[^6]: *See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings*, GC
    Docket No. 97-113, Report and Order, 13 FCC Rcd 11322 (1998).

[^7]: 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.1200 *et seq*.

[^8]: *See* 47 C.F.R. § 1.1206(b)(2).

[^9]: 47 C.F.R. § 1.1206(b).