PUBLIC NOTICE![](media/image1.png){width="0.95in"
height="0.9055555555555556in"}

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

445 12th STREET, S.W.

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 **DA 00-1807**

News media information 202/418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202/418-2830 Internet:
http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov

NEW JERSEY BOARD OF PUBLIC UTLITIES SEEKS

RETROACTIVE UNIVERSAL SERVICE SUPPORT ON BEHALF OF BELL ATLANTIC-NEW
JERSEY, INC. AND UNITED TELEPHONE COMPANY OF NEW JERSEY, INC.

**CC Docket No. 96-45**

**Release Date: August 9, 2000**

**Comment Date: August 23, 2000**

**Reply Comment Date: September 4, 2000**

In the *Fourth Order on Reconsideration*, the Commission concluded that
a state commission that is unable to designate as an eligible
telecommunications carrier (ETC), by January 1, 1998, a carrier that
sought such designation before January 1, 1998, should be permitted,
once it has designated such carrier, to file with the Commission a
petition for waiver requesting that the carrier receive universal
service support retroactive to January 1, 1998.[^1] A state commission
filing such a petition must explain why it did not designate such
carrier as eligible by January 1, 1998 and provide a justification for
why providing support retroactive to January 1, 1998 serves the public
interest. The Commission encouraged affected carriers to file
information demonstrating that they took reasonable steps to be
designated as eligible telecommunications carriers by January 1, 1998.

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (New Jersey Commission) has
petitioned the Commission for universal service support retroactive to
January 1, 1998 on behalf of Bell Atlantic-New Jersey, Inc. (Bell
Atlantic)[^2] and United Telephone Company of New Jersey, Inc.
(United).[^3] The New Jersey Commission states that Bell Atlantic and
United filed applications for designation as eligible telecommunications
carriers with the New Jersey Commission prior to January 1, 1998,
however, the New Jersey Commission was unable to act on these
applications prior to January 1, 1998. On January 22, 1998, the New
Jersey Commission designated United an ETC for the geographic area which
it currently serves. On February 18, 1998, the New Jersey Commission
designated Bell Atlantic an ETC for the geographic area which it
currently serves. We seek comment on these petitions.

Pursuant to sections 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission\'s rules, 47
C.F.R. §§ 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments on or
before **August 23, 2000**, and reply comments on or before **September
4, 2000**. 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. 24,121
(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, Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or
rulemaking number. Parties may also submit electronic comments by
Internet e-mail. To receive 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 appears in the
caption of this proceeding, commenters must submit two additional copies
for each additional docket or rulemaking number. All filings must be
sent to the Commission\'s Secretary, Magalie Roman Salas, Office of the
Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, S.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20554.

Parties also must send three paper copies of their filing to Sheryl
Todd, Accounting Policy Division, Common Carrier Bureau, Federal
Communications Commission, 445 Twelfth Street S.W., Room 5-B540,
Washington, D.C. 20554. In addition, commenters must send diskette
copies to the Commission\'s copy contractor, International Transcription
Service, Inc., 1231 20th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037.

Pursuant to section 1.1206 of the Commission\'s rules, 47 C.F.R. §
1.1206, this proceeding will be conducted as a permit-but-disclose
proceeding in which *ex parte* communications are permitted subject to
disclosure.

For further information, contact Richard Smith, Accounting Policy
Division, Common Carrier Bureau at (202) 418-7400, TTY (202) 418-0484.

[^1]: *Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, Access Charge
    Reform, Price Cap Performance Review for Local Exchange Carriers,
    Transport Rate Structure and Pricing, End User Common Line Charge*,
    CC Dockets 96-45, 96-262, 94-1, 91-213, 95-72, *Fourth Order on
    Reconsideration*, 13 FCC Rcd 5318, 5333 at para. 23 (*Fourth Order
    on Reconsideration*).

[^2]: The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, Petitions for Waiver of
    Section 214(e) and 254(e) (filed Dec. 28, 1998).

[^3]: The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, Petitions for Waiver of
    Section 214(e) and 254(e) (filed Dec. 24, 1998).