**DA 04-2512**

**Released: August 11, 2004**

COMMENT AND REPLY COMMENT DATES FOR NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING ON
MANDATORY ELECTRONIC FILING FOR INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS
SERVICES AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL FILINGS

# IB Docket No. 04-226

**COMMENTS DUE: October 8, 2004**

**REPLY COMMENTS DUE: November 8, 2004**

On June 30, 2004, the Commission released a Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking in IB Docket No. 04-266 (E-Filing for International Telecom
Services NPRM), in which the Commission initiated a rulemaking
proceeding to consider eliminating paper filings and requiring
applicants to file electronically all applications and other filings
related to international telecommunications services. A summary of the
E-Filing for International Telecom Services NPRM was published in the
Federal Register on August 9, 2004, triggering the cycle for comments
and reply comments.

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 October 8, 2004, and reply comments on or before November 8,
2004. 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/cgb/ecfs/>. 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.\" 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. Each filing should also include an electronic
version of the comments filed. 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). The Commission's mail
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, S.W., Washington, D.C.
20554. All filings must be addressed to the Commission's Secretary,
Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.

Comments submitted on diskette should be on a 3.5 inch diskette
formatted in an IBM-compatible format using Word for Windows or
compatible software. The diskette should be clearly labeled with the
commenter's name, proceeding (including the docket number in the caption
of this International E-Filing NPRM, type of pleading (comment or reply
comment), date of submission, and the name of the electronic file on the
diskette. The label should also include the following phrase "Disk Copy
-- Not an Original." Each diskette should contain only one party's
pleadings, preferably in a single electronic file. All parties must file
one copy of each pleading electronically or by paper 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;
e-mail: <FCC@bcpiweb.com>; facsimile: (202) 488-5563; phone (202)
488-5300.

\(2\) James Ball, Chief, Policy Division, International Bureau, 445 12th
Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554; e-mail: <James.Ball@fcc.gov>.

\(3\) Jacki Ponti, Associate Bureau Chief, International Bureau, 445
12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554; e-mail:
[Jacki.Ponti@fcc.gov](mailto:James.Ball@fcc.gov).

\(4\) Alexandra Field, Assistant Division Chief, Policy Division,
International Bureau, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554;
e-mail: Alexandra.Field@fcc.gov.

\(5\) JoAnn Ekblad, Assistant Division Chief, Policy Division,
International Bureau, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554;
e-mail: Joann.Ekblad@fcc.gov.

\(6\) John F. Copes, Attorney, Policy Division, International Bureau,
445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554; e-mail: John.Copes@
fcc.gov.

\(7\) Peggy Reitzel, Telecommunications Specialist, Policy Division,
International Bureau, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554;
e-mail: Peggy.Reitzel@fcc.gov.

\(8\) Rebecca Halstead, Industry Analyst, Policy Division, International
Bureau, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554; e-mail:
<Rebecca.Halstead@fcc.gov>.

Comments and reply comments and any other filed documents in this matter
may be obtained from Best Copy and Printing, Inc., in person at 445 12th
Street, S.W., Room CY-B402, Washington, D.C. 20554, via telephone at
(202) 488-5300, via facsimile at (202) 488-5563, or via e-mail at
[FCC@bcpiweb.com](mailto:qualexint@aol.com). The pleadings also will be
available for public inspection and copying during regular business
hours in the FCC Reference Information Center, Room CY-A257, 445 Twelfth
Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554 and through the Commission's
Electronic Filing System (ECFS) accessible on the Commission's World
Wide Website, [www.fcc.gov](http://www.fcc.gov/).

Comments and reply comments must include a short and concise summary of
the substantive arguments raised in the pleading. Comments and reply
comments must also comply with section 1.49 and all other applicable
sections of the Commission's rules.[^1] All parties are encouraged to
include the name of the filing party and the date of the filing on each
page of their comments' length of their submission. We also strongly
encourage that parties track the organization set forth in this
International E-Filing NPRM in order to facilitate our internal review
process.

Commenters that file what they consider to be proprietary information
may request confidential treatment pursuant to section 0.459 of the
Commission's rules. Commenters should file both their original comments
for which they request confidentiality and redacted comments, along with
their request for confidential treatment. Commenters should not file
proprietary information electronically.[^2] Even if the Commission
grants confidential treatment, information that does not fall within a
specific exemption pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
must be publicly disclosed pursuant to an appropriate request.[^3] We
note that the Commission may grant requests for confidential treatment
either conditionally or unconditionally. As such, we note that the
Commission has the discretion to release on public interest grounds
information that does fall within the scope of a FOIA exemption.

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).

For further information, contact John Copes, JoAnn Ekblad, or Peggy
Reitzel, Policy Division, International Bureau, (202) 418-1460.

**- FCC -**

[^1]: 47 C.F.R. § 1.49.

[^2]: *See* *Examination of Current Policy Concerning the Treatment of
    Confidential Information Submitted to the Commission*, Report and
    Order, 13 FCC Rcd 24816 (1998), Order on Reconsideration, 14 FCC Rcd
    20128 (1999).

[^3]: *See* 47 C.F.R. § 0.461; 5 U.S.C. § 552.