**DA: 08-2169**

**Released: September 30, 2008**

COMMENT SOUGHT ON A PETITION FILED BY CENTENNIAL COMMUNICATIONS CORP.
FOR WAIVER OF SECTION 54.809 OF THE COMMISSION'S RULES

UNIVERSAL SERVICE HIGH-COST FILING DEADLINES

**WC Docket No. 08-71**

**Comment Date: October 30, 2008**

**Reply Comment: November 14, 2008**

The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by
Centennial Communications Corp. (Centennial) seeking an expedited waiver
of the annual certification filing deadlines for universal service
interstate access support (IAS) set forth in section 54.809(c) of the
Commission's rules.[^1] Centennial was designated an eligible
telecommunications carrier (ETC) by the Louisiana Public Service
Commission in 2004, but did not file annual certifications for IAS
funding until February 2008.[^2] Centennial requests that the filing
deadlines for certifications under section 54.809(c) be waived to allow
Centennial to receive IAS funding beginning as of the fourth quarter of
2005.[^3] Alternatively, Centennial requests that the filing deadlines
be waived to allow Centennial to receive IAS funding as of January 1,
2008.[^4]

Interested parties may file **comments on or before October 30, 2008**
and **reply comments on or before November 14, 2008**. All pleadings are
to reference **WC Docket No. 08-71**. Comments may be filed using the
Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) or by filing paper
copies.[^5]

-   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;

(2) Ernesto Beckford, Telecommunications Access Policy Division,
    Wireline Competition Bureau, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room 5-A317,
    Washington, D.C. 20554; e-mail: <Ernesto.Beckford@fcc.gov>.; and

(3) David Duarte, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline
    Competition Bureau, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room 5-A422, Washington,
    D.C. 20554; e-mail: <David.Duarte@fcc.gov>.

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.[^6] 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.[^7] 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.[^8]

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

**- FCC -**

[^1]: Centennial Communications Corp. Petition for Waiver of Section
    54.809 of the Commission's Rules, CC Docket No. 08-71 (filed Sept.
    18, 2008) (Petition); 47 C.F.R. § 54.809(c).

[^2]: Petition at 2-3. On May 21, 2004, the Louisiana Public Service
    Commission (LPSC) issued an order designating Centennial as an ETC.
    The ordering clause characterized the areas being approved as "rural
    high cost areas" in Louisiana. Petition at 2. In December 2007, per
    Centennial's request, LPSC issued a clarification letter stating
    that Centennial was designated an ETC in both "rural and non-rural"
    areas. Petition at 3, Attachment 2. Centennial filed its first
    annual certification for IAS support on February 4, 2008, after LPSC
    issued the clarification letter. Petition at 3.

[^3]: *Id.* at 1, 6.

[^4]: *Id.* at 6.

[^5]: *See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings*, GC
    Docket No. 97-113, Report and Order, 13 FCC Rcd 11322 (1998).

[^6]: 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.1200 *et seq*.

[^7]: *See* 47 C.F.R. § 1.1206(b)(2).

[^8]: 47 C.F.R. § 1.1206(b).