Source: http://transition.fcc.gov/eb/mdrd/
Timestamp: 2016-02-11 08:48:40
Document Index: 387528612

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 8', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1']

Parties may initiate confidential mediation prior to filing a formal complaint by submitting a request in writing to the Chief of the Market Disputes Resolution Division,
Christopher Killion.
The letter should describe the facts, alleged violation(s) of the Act, and the remedy sought, and it should attach relevant documentary evidence. Additionally, a party may include a request for mediation in an informal common carrier complaint (described below). Once MDRD receives a mediation request, it typically will forward the request to the opposing party and request a response. Parties are encouraged to contact Division staff at (202) 418-7330 to obtain information regarding MDRD's mediation program, options for handling an immediate dispute, and possible election of forum concerns.
To file an informal common carrier complaint, the complaining party need only submit a letter to the Chief of the Market Disputes Resolution Division,
Christopher Killion,
445 12th Street SW, Washington DC 20554, describing the alleged violation of the Communications Act. There is no fee associated with filing an informal complaint. The letter must include the name of the defendant carrier, a complete statement of the facts, and the relief sought. In addition, the complainant may request mediation in the informal complaint letter. Refer to Sections 1.716-1.718 of the Commission's rules (47 C.F.R. §§ 1.716-1.718)
for details about filing an informal complaint. Consumer informal complaints against common carriers (including informal complaints filed by most business consumers), as well as all Open Internet informal complaints, should be filed with the
Before filing a Section 208 formal complaint, carefully review the applicable procedural rules. Sections 1.720-1.736 of the Commission's rules
(47 C.F.R. §§ 1.720-1.736) govern most section 208 formal complaints, as well as data roaming complaints. A separate set of rules govern Open Internet formal complaints, however, and can be found at
47 C.F.R. §§ 8.12-8.16. Prospective litigants also should review the FCC's Reports and Orders adopting these rules, which appear in the FCC Record. See Implementation of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Amendment of Rules Governing Procedures to Be Followed when Formal Complaints Are Filed Against Common Carriers, Report and Order, 12 FCC Rcd 22497 (1997), Order on Reconsideration, 16 FCC Rcd 5681 (2001); Preserving the Open Internet Broadband Industry Practices, Report and Order, 25 FCC Rcd 17905, 17987-89, paras. 154-59 (2010); Protecting and Promoting the Open Internet, Report and Order on Remand, Declaratory Ruling, and Order, 30 FCC Rcd 5601, paras. 257-66 (2015).
Note that a filing fee is required for all formal complaints.
See 47 C.F.R. § 1.1106. It is important to review the most recent version of the rules pertaining to filing a formal complaint, particularly those relating to the filing fee. For up-to-date information about filing fees, contact the FCC's Helpline at 1-888-225-5322, and for any questions regarding filing procedures, contact MDRD staff at 202-418-7330. Failure to comply with any of these rules can result in the dismissal of a complaint.
In select circumstances, MDRD resolves section 208 formal complaints on an expedited schedule called the "Accelerated Docket." It is designed to lead to a written staff-level decision within 60 days from the filing of the complaint. Because the Accelerated Docket rules require staff-supervised pre-filing settlement negotiations, disputes are often settled without the need to file a formal complaint. For this reason, MDRD encourages parties to consider filing a request for a pre-complaint mediation prior to seeking acceptance onto the Accelerated Docket (see above),
by emailing the Chief of the Market Disputes Resolution Division,
Requests to have potential complaints considered for acceptance onto the Accelerated Docket must be made in writing and submitted to MDRD prior to filing a formal complaint. Please contact MDRD staff to discuss the process beforehand. It is important to understand that few cases are suitable for this expedited procedure. The staff, in its discretion, decides which Section 208 cases to accept on the Accelerated Docket. Matters that are not accepted on the Accelerated Docket may nevertheless be filed under the formal complaint rules described above
(47 C.F.R. §§ 1.721-1.736) or scheduled for pre-complaint mediation as also described above. For further information about the Accelerated Docket, refer to section 1.730 of the Commission's rules
(47 C.F.R. § 1.730) and the Commission's related Order.
See Implementation of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Amendment of Rules Governing Procedures to Be Followed when Formal Complaints Are Filed Against Common Carriers,
Second Report and Order, 13 FCC Rcd 17018 (1998).
Section 1.1404(c) of the Commission's rules (47 C.F.R. § 1.1404(c)) provides that complaints alleging that a rate, term, or condition for attachment is unjust or unreasonable must contain a statement that the State has not certified that it regulates the rates, terms and conditions for pole attachments. Twenty states and the District of Columbia have certified that they regulate pole attachments.
Public Notice DA 10-893, WC Docket No. 10-101.
A court invokes the primary jurisdiction doctrine when it has jurisdiction over a case, but the case requires the resolution of issues which, under a regulatory scheme, have been placed in the hands of an administrative agency.
See, e.g., Allnet Communication Service, Inc. v. National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc., 965 F.2d 1118 (D.C. Cir. 1992). The Commission has released a
Public Notice providing guidance concerning primary jurisdiction referrals.
See Primary Jurisdiction Referrals Involving Claims under the Communications Act, Public Notice, 29 FCC Rcd 738 (2014). Any party involved in a dispute against a common carrier that has been referred to the Commission should review the Public Notice and contact MDRD at 202-418-7330 before filing any papers with the Commission.
Pending Section 208 Formal Complaints and Section 224
Released Items Concerning Section 208 Formal Complaints and Section 224
Christopher Killion, Chief
Rosemary McEnery, Deputy Chief
Lisa Saks, Assistant Chief
To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to
or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (TTY).
Fri Dec 4 11:19:23 EST 2015