> **DA 03-1439**
>
> **Released: May 1, 2003**

#### PLEADING CYCLE ESTABLISHED FOR COMMENTS ON THE

#### PETITION OF AT&T TO EXTEND THE SECTION 272 OBLIGATIONS OF SOUTHWESTERN BELL TELEPHONE CO. IN THE STATE OF TEXAS

**WC DOCKET NO. 02-112**

**Comments Due: May 12, 2003**

**Reply Comments Due: May 19, 2003**

On April 10, 2003, AT&T Corporation filed a petition requesting that the
Commission extend the section 272 obligations of Southwestern Bell
Telephone Company (SWBT) in Texas. Section 272(f) of the Act provides
that the requirements of section 272 (with the exception of section
272(e)) sunset three years after the date that a Bell Operating Company
is authorized to provide interLATA telecommunications services under
section 271(d), unless the Commission extends such three year period by
rule or order. On June 30, 2003, it will be three years since SWBT
obtained authority under section 271 of the Act to provide interLATA
services in Texas.

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 petition
for declaratory ruling on or before **May 12, 2003** and reply comments
on or before **May 19, 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, Competition Policy Division, Wireline Competition
Bureau, (202) 418-1580.

\- **FCC** -