**DA 05-79**

**January 13, 2005**

**NATIONAL EXCHANGE CARRIER ASSOCIATION, INC.\'S PROPOSED
2005 MODIFICATION OF AVERAGE SCHEDULE FORMULAS**

**PLEADING CYCLE ESTABLISHED**

**WC Docket No. 04-437**

**Comments Due: February 3, 2005\
Reply Comments Due: February 17, 2005**

On December 23, 2004, the National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc.
(NECA) filed with the Commission its proposed modification of average
schedule formulas for interstate traffic-sensitive and common line
settlements, pursuant to section 69.606 of the Commission's rules.[^1]
In its filing, NECA proposes to revise the formulas for average schedule
interstate settlement disbursements in connection with the provision of
interstate access services for the period beginning July 1, 2005 through
June 30, 2006.

Modifications to the average schedule formulas are based on a
statistical sampling of the costs and demand of comparable cost
companies. In its filing, NECA estimates that carriers can expect, on
average, a small overall increase in their settlements as a result of
the new formulas; however, any individual impact on an average schedule
company will depend on its size and demand characteristics. While NECA
projects that the majority of companies' settlements will result in a
small increase in interstate access settlements, it anticipates that a
few study areas will experience an increase of more than ten percent,
while a few study areas will see a decrease.

Pursuant to sections 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission\'s rules,[^2]
interested parties may file comments on or before **February 3, 2005**,
and reply comments on or before **February 17 , 2005**. Comments may be
filed using the Commission\'s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) or
by filing paper copies.[^3]

Comments filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via
the Internet to <http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/>. Generally, only one copy
of an electronic submission must be filed. If multiple docket or
rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of the proceeding, 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, in this case, **WC Docket No. 04-437**. 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." 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 appears 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). **Parties are strongly encouraged to file comments
electronically using the Commission's ECFS.**

The Commission\'s contractor, Natek, 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.
>
> -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 Mail, and Priority Mail
> should be addressed to 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20554.

All filings must be addressed to the Commission\'s Secretary, Marlene H.
Dortch, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, Room
TW-A325, 445 12^th^ Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20554. Parties should
also send a copy of their filings to Douglas Slotten, Pricing Policy
Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications
Commission, Room 5-A233, 445 12^th^ Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20554,
or by e-mail to Douglas.Slotten@fcc.gov. Parties shall also serve one
copy with the Commission's copy contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc.
(BCPI), Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW, Room CY-B402, Washington, D.C.
20554, (202) 488-5300, or via e-mail to <fcc@bcpiweb.com>.

Documents in WC Docket No. **04-437** are available for public
inspection and copying during business hours at the FCC Reference
Information Center, Portals II, 445 12^th^ St. SW, Room CY-A257,
Washington, DC 20554. The documents may also be purchased from BCPI,
telephone (202) 488-5300, facsimile (202) 488-5563, TTY (202) 488-5562,
e-mail <fcc@bcpiweb.com>.

This matter shall be treated as a "permit-but-disclose" proceeding in
accordance with the Commission's *ex parte* rules.[^4] 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.[^5] 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.[^6]

For further information, contact Douglas Slotten of the Pricing Policy
Division, Wireline Competition Bureau at (202) 418-1572.

**- FCC -**

[^1]: 47 C.F.R. § 69.606.

[^2]: 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.415, 1.419.

[^3]: *See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings*, GC
    Docket No. 97-113, Report and Order, 13 FCC Rcd 11322 (1998).

[^4]: 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.1200 *et seq.*

[^5]: *See* 47 C.F.R. § 1.1206(b)(2).

[^6]: 47 C.F.R. § 1.1206(b).