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

**Federal Communications Commission**

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

**Washington, D.C. 20554**

**DA 00-2688**

**Released: November 29, 2000**

> **COMMENTS SOUGHT ON**
>
> **PETITIONS FOR EMERGENCY RELIEF**
>
> **REGARDING RELEASE OF THE 855 TOLL FREE CODE**

## 

### CC DOCKET NO: 95-155

## File No: NSD--L-00-249

**Comments Due: December 13, 2000 Reply Comments Due: December 20,
2000**

> On November 9 and November 14, 2000, respectively, the Toll Free
> Number Coalition (TFNC) and The Toll Free Commerce Coalition (TTFCC)
> individually filed petitions for emergency relief seeking to defer the
> release of the new 855 toll free code, which was scheduled for
> November 18, 2000. The petitioners raised issues regarding whether
> deferral would ensure the fair, equitable, and orderly allocation of
> 855 toll-free numbers. They argued that the SMS/800 toll free number
> reservation process favors Responsible Organizations (RespOrgs) using
> Mechanized Generic Interface (MGI) and "locks out" other RespOrgs
> (using Graphical User Interface (GUI) and dial-up (3279) systems).
>
> On November 17, 2000, the SMS/800 Management Team (SMT) and Database
> Management Services, Inc. (DSMI) jointly filed comments responding to
> the TFNC and TTFCC petitions. They stated that the SMS/800 Number
> Administration Committee (SNAC), which is comprised of RespOrgs and is
> part of the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS),
> decided to move ahead with the release of the 855 code. They also
> stated that all RespOrgs had been invited to participate in a
> conference call on November 3, 2000, at which SNAC reached unanimous
> consensus that the lock-out problem did not recur in tests and
> enhancements of the number reservation system. SMT and DSMI also
> acknowledged that toll-free numbering resources are not in imminent
> danger of exhaustion and stated that they would accept a Commission
> decision to defer the 855 code roll out in order to permit further
> testing of the enhanced reservation system.
>
> On November 17, 2000, therefore, DSMI was directed, by Commission
> staff letter,[^1] to postpone the release of the 855 code until
> further notice. The letter noted that toll-free numbers in the
> existing 800, 888, 877, and 866 codes will not be exhausted until the
> year 2002, based on the current reservation rate of available
> toll-free numbers, so that it appears that no pressing need exists for
> the immediate release of the 855 code. Without expressing any opinion
> about the merits of the petitions for emergency relief, the letter
> noted their existence and stated that the Commission staff would not
> be able to evaluate them before the scheduled release of the 855 code.
> Therefore, the letter directed DSMI to delay the release of the 855
> code until the Commission has had the opportunity to review the issues
> raised in the petitions in greater detail.
>
> The Commission now seeks the views of all interested parties on the
> issues raised in the emergency petitions as they relate to the release
> of the 855 toll-free code. The documents described above and all
> additional documents and comments received will be available for
> review and copying during regular business hours at the FCC Reference
> Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW, Room CY-A257, Washington, DC
> 20554, (202) 418-0270. Petitions may also be viewed online at the
> FCC's E-filing System located at
> [**http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/ecfs/comsrch_v2.hts**](http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/ecfs/comsrch_v2.hts),
> by typing 95-155 in the Proceeding Block and clicking on Retrieve
> Document List. Comments responding to this Public Notice should refer
> to file number, **NSD-L-00-249**. Comments must be filed with the
> Commission by **December 13, 2000** and Reply Comments by **December
> 20, 2000**, and sent to the Office of the Secretary, Federal
> Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, Room TW-A325,
> Washington, DC 20554. Two copies of the comments should also be sent
> to Network Services Division, 445 12th Street, SW, Room 6-A207,
> Washington, DC 20554. The petitions and comments described above, and
> all additional comments that are received, will be available for
> review and copying during regular business hours at the FCC Reference
> Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW, Room CY-A257, Washington, DC
> 20554, (202) 418-0270.
>
> Comments may be filed using the Commission\'s Electronic Comment
> Filing System (ECFS) or by filing paper copies. Comments filed through
> the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to
> \<**http://www.fcc.gov/e-file/ecfs.html**\>. If using this method,
> please reference CC Docket No. 95-155 in the Proceeding block.
> Generally, only one copy of an electronic submission must be filed. In
> completing the transmittal screen, commenters should include their
> full name, 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**, including \"get
> form \<your e-mail address\>\" in the body of the message. A sample
> form and directions will be sent in reply. After filing your comments
> electronically, please send an e-mail to Marty Schwimmer,
> mschwimm@fcc.gov, indicating that comments have been filed.
>
> This is a \"permit but disclose\" proceeding for purposes of the
> Commission\'s ex parte rules. As a \"permit but disclose\" proceeding,
> ex parte presentations will be governed by the procedures set forth in
> Section 1.1206 of the Commission\'s rules applicable to such
> proceedings.
>
> Parties making oral ex parte presentations are reminded that memoranda
> summarizing the presentation must contain a summary 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 is generally required. Other rules pertaining
> to oral and written presentations are set forth in Section 1.1206(b)
> as well.
>
> For further information, contact Marty Schwimmer, (202) 418-2320
> (voice), [**mschwimm@fcc.gov**](mailto:mschwimm@fcc.gov), of the
> Network Services Division, Common Carrier Bureau. The TTY number is
> (202) 418-0484.
>
> **-FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION-**

[^1]: Letter from L Charles Keller, Chief, Network Services Division,
    Common Carrier Bureau, to Mr. Michael Wade, President, Database
    Service Management, Inc., dated November 17, 2000.