80 FR 60112 - Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization; Telecommunications Carriers Eligible for Universal Service Support; Connect America Fund
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 192 (October 5, 2015)
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 192 (October 5, 2015)
| Page Range | 60112-60113 | |
| FR Document | 2015-25094 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 192 (Monday, October 5, 2015)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 60112-60113] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-25094] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 54 [WC Docket Nos. 11-42, 09-197 & 10-90; DA 15-1036] Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization; Telecommunications Carriers Eligible for Universal Service Support; Connect America Fund AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Petition for reconsideration; reopening of comment periods. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) reopens the comment periods for oppositions and replies to oppositions to CTIA--The Wireless Association (CTIA)'s Petition for Partial Reconsideration of the Commission's Order on Reconsideration requiring Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (ETCs) to retain documentation demonstrating subscriber eligibility for the Lifeline Program. DATES: The comment periods for the petition for reconsideration published on September 2, 2015 (80 FR 53088), are reopened. Opposition Filing Deadline is October 8, 2015. Replies to Opposition Filing Deadline is October 19, 2015. ADDRESSES: You may submit oppositions, identified by WC Docket Nos. 11- 42, 09-197 or 10-90, by any of the following methods:Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the ECFS: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs2/. People with Disabilities: Contact the FCC to request reasonable accommodations (accessible format documents, sign language interpreters, CART, etc.) by email: [email protected] or phone: 202-418- 0530 or TTY: 202-418-0432. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Cook, Wireline Competition Bureau at (202) 418-7400 or TTY (202) 418-0484. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a synopsis of the Wireline Competition Bureau's document in WC Docket Nos. 11-42, 09-197 and 10- 90; DA 15-1036, released September 16, 2015. The complete text of these documents are available for inspection and copying during normal business hours in the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street SW., Room CY-A257, Washington, DC 20554 or at the following Internet address: https://www.fcc.gov/document/ctia-recon-petition-extension-order-pn. 1. On June 18, 2015, the Federal Communications Commission adopted an Order on Reconsideration (Order on Reconsideration) in which, among other matters, the Commission required eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) to retain documentation demonstrating subscriber eligibility for the Lifeline Program. On August 13, 2015, CTIA--The Wireless Association (CTIA) filed a Petition for Partial Reconsideration of the Commission's Order on Reconsideration. 2. On August 26, 2015, a Public Notice was issued announcing that any oppositions to the CTIA Petition must be filed within 15 days of public notice of the CTIA Petition in the Federal Register. Additionally, the Public Notice announced that any replies to oppositions to the CTIA Petition must be filed within 10 days after the time for filing oppositions has expired. On September 2, 2015, notice of the CTIA Petition was published in the Federal Register, which established a September 17, 2015 opposition filing deadline and September 28, 2015 reply to opposition filing deadline. 3. On September 9, 2015, the Center for Democracy & Technology, Free Press, New America Foundation's Open Technology Institute, and Public Knowledge (Requestors) jointly filed a motion to extend the established opposition filing deadline for the CTIA Petition by 30 days. In support of their motion, the Requestors point out that certain of the comments that were recently filed pursuant to the Commission's Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Second FNPRM) in the above captioned proceeding specifically raise issues that are relevant to the CTIA Petition. The Requestors also argue that a 30-day extension is in the public interest because a number of reply comments may be filed on issues relevant to the CTIA Petition by the September 30th deadline. The Requestors also cite the Commission's recent IT- modernization efforts, which made some already-filed comments inaccessible to the public for several days, and intervening holidays as circumstances that help to justify an extension in this case. 4. The Commission does not routinely grant extensions of time. Here, however, the Requestors have pointed to a potential relationship between issues addressed in the CTIA Petition and [[Page 60113]] certain of the comments, and potentially the reply comments, filed pursuant to the Second FNPRM on or before September 30. Furthermore, the Commission's major IT-modernization efforts, making some relevant documents unavailable, occurred during the fifteen days that parties would normally have to prepare oppositions. Taken together, these special circumstances present a sufficiently unique situation to justify a longer period for oppositions than is typical. We also are persuaded that granting an extension to the opposition-filing deadline so that oppositions are due after the September 30th deadline for reply comments on the Second FNPRM will facilitate more thorough and deliberate consideration of the issues raised in the CTIA Petition. We therefore waive the 15-day deadline established in section 1.429(f) and will allow oppositions to be filed by October 8. Replies to those oppositions must be filed by October 19. 5. Accordingly, it is ordered that, pursuant to Section 4(i) and 4(j) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i), (j), and Sections 0.91, 0.291, 1.3, 1.46, 1.415, and 1.429 of the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR 0.91, 0.291, 1.3, 1.46, 1.415, 1.429, the motion of the Center for Democracy & Technology, Free Press, New America Foundation's Open Technology Institute, and Public Knowledge is granted to the extent indicated herein and the deadline to file oppositions in response to the Petition for Partial Reconsideration filed by CTIA--The Wireless Association is reopened and will close on October 8, 2015, and the deadline to file replies to oppositions is reopened and will close on October 19, 2015. Federal Communications Commission. Ryan B. Palmer, Chief, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau. [FR Doc. 2015-25094 Filed 10-2-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
![60112 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 192 / Monday, October 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules
of Management and Budget under Dated: September 21, 2015. during normal business hours in the
Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, Shawn M. Garvin, FCC Reference Information Center,
October 4, 1993); Regional Administrator, Region III. Portals II, 445 12th Street SW., Room
• Does not impose an information [FR Doc. 2015–25163 Filed 10–2–15; 8:45 am] CY–A257, Washington, DC 20554 or at
collection burden under the provisions BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
the following Internet address: https://
of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 www.fcc.gov/document/ctia-recon-
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.); petition-extension-order-pn.
1. On June 18, 2015, the Federal
• Is certified as not having a FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
Communications Commission adopted
significant economic impact on a COMMISSION an Order on Reconsideration (Order on
substantial number of small entities Reconsideration) in which, among other
under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 47 CFR Part 54
matters, the Commission required
U.S.C. 601 et seq.); [WC Docket Nos. 11–42, 09–197 & 10–90; eligible telecommunications carriers
• Does not contain any unfunded DA 15–1036] (ETCs) to retain documentation
mandate or significantly or uniquely demonstrating subscriber eligibility for
Lifeline and Link Up Reform and the Lifeline Program. On August 13,
affect small governments, as described Modernization; Telecommunications
in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 2015, CTIA—The Wireless Association
Carriers Eligible for Universal Service (CTIA) filed a Petition for Partial
of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4); Support; Connect America Fund
• Does not have Federalism Reconsideration of the Commission’s
AGENCY: Federal Communications Order on Reconsideration.
implications as specified in Executive
Commission. 2. On August 26, 2015, a Public
Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,
ACTION: Petition for reconsideration; Notice was issued announcing that any
1999); oppositions to the CTIA Petition must
reopening of comment periods.
• Is not an economically significant be filed within 15 days of public notice
regulatory action based on health or SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal of the CTIA Petition in the Federal
safety risks subject to Executive Order Communications Commission Register. Additionally, the Public
13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997); (Commission) reopens the comment Notice announced that any replies to
• Is not a significant regulatory action periods for oppositions and replies to oppositions to the CTIA Petition must
subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR oppositions to CTIA—The Wireless be filed within 10 days after the time for
28355, May 22, 2001); Association (CTIA)’s Petition for Partial filing oppositions has expired. On
Reconsideration of the Commission’s September 2, 2015, notice of the CTIA
• Is not subject to requirements of
Order on Reconsideration requiring Petition was published in the Federal
Section 12(d) of the National Register, which established a September
Technology Transfer and Advancement Eligible Telecommunications Carriers
(ETCs) to retain documentation 17, 2015 opposition filing deadline and
Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because September 28, 2015 reply to opposition
application of those requirements would demonstrating subscriber eligibility for
the Lifeline Program. filing deadline.
be inconsistent with the CAA; and 3. On September 9, 2015, the Center
DATES: The comment periods for the
• Does not provide EPA with the for Democracy & Technology, Free
petition for reconsideration published
discretionary authority to address, as Press, New America Foundation’s Open
on September 2, 2015 (80 FR 53088), are
appropriate, disproportionate human Technology Institute, and Public
reopened. Opposition Filing Deadline is
health or environmental effects, using Knowledge (Requestors) jointly filed a
October 8, 2015. Replies to Opposition
practicable and legally permissible motion to extend the established
Filing Deadline is October 19, 2015.
methods, under Executive Order 12898 opposition filing deadline for the CTIA
ADDRESSES: You may submit Petition by 30 days. In support of their
(59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
oppositions, identified by WC Docket motion, the Requestors point out that
In addition, this proposed approval of Nos. 11–42, 09–197 or 10–90, by any of
the revision to West Virginia’s Title V certain of the comments that were
the following methods: recently filed pursuant to the
Operating Permit Program which • Electronic Filers: Comments may be
increases permit fees does not have Commission’s Second Further Notice of
filed electronically using the Internet by Proposed Rulemaking (Second FNPRM)
tribal implications as specified by accessing the ECFS: http://
Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, in the above captioned proceeding
fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs2/. specifically raise issues that are relevant
November 9, 2000), because the program • People with Disabilities: Contact the to the CTIA Petition. The Requestors
is not approved to apply in Indian FCC to request reasonable
country located in the state, and EPA also argue that a 30-day extension is in
accommodations (accessible format the public interest because a number of
notes that it will not impose substantial documents, sign language interpreters,
direct costs on tribal governments or reply comments may be filed on issues
CART, etc.) by email: FCC504@fcc.gov relevant to the CTIA Petition by the
preempt tribal law. or phone: 202–418–0530 or TTY: 202– September 30th deadline. The
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 70 418–0432. Requestors also cite the Commission’s
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: recent IT-modernization efforts, which
Environmental protection, Christopher Cook, Wireline Competition made some already-filed comments
Administrative practice and procedure, Bureau at (202) 418–7400 or TTY (202) inaccessible to the public for several
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide, 418–0484. days, and intervening holidays as
Incorporation by reference, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a circumstances that help to justify an
Intergovernmental relations, Lead, synopsis of the Wireline Competition extension in this case.
Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate Bureau’s document in WC Docket Nos. 4. The Commission does not routinely
matter, Reporting and recordkeeping 11–42, 09–197 and 10–90; DA 15–1036, grant extensions of time. Here, however,
requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile released September 16, 2015. The the Requestors have pointed to a
organic compounds. complete text of these documents are potential relationship between issues
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. available for inspection and copying addressed in the CTIA Petition and
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:24 Oct 02, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\05OCP1.SGM 05OCP1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_60304/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 192 / Monday, October 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 60113
certain of the comments, and potentially reply comments on the Second FNPRM Foundation’s Open Technology
the reply comments, filed pursuant to will facilitate more thorough and Institute, and Public Knowledge is
the Second FNPRM on or before deliberate consideration of the issues granted to the extent indicated herein
September 30. Furthermore, the raised in the CTIA Petition. We and the deadline to file oppositions in
Commission’s major IT-modernization therefore waive the 15-day deadline response to the Petition for Partial
efforts, making some relevant established in section 1.429(f) and will Reconsideration filed by CTIA—The
documents unavailable, occurred during allow oppositions to be filed by October Wireless Association is reopened and
the fifteen days that parties would 8. Replies to those oppositions must be will close on October 8, 2015, and the
normally have to prepare oppositions. filed by October 19. deadline to file replies to oppositions is
5. Accordingly, it is ordered that, reopened and will close on October 19,
Taken together, these special
pursuant to Section 4(i) and 4(j) of the 2015.
circumstances present a sufficiently Communications Act of 1934, as
unique situation to justify a longer Federal Communications Commission.
amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i), (j), and
period for oppositions than is typical. Sections 0.91, 0.291, 1.3, 1.46, 1.415, Ryan B. Palmer,
We also are persuaded that granting an and 1.429 of the Commission’s Rules, 47 Chief, Telecommunications Access Policy
extension to the opposition-filing CFR 0.91, 0.291, 1.3, 1.46, 1.415, 1.429, Division, Wireline Competition Bureau.
deadline so that oppositions are due the motion of the Center for Democracy [FR Doc. 2015–25094 Filed 10–2–15; 8:45 am]
after the September 30th deadline for & Technology, Free Press, New America BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:24 Oct 02, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\05OCP1.SGM 05OCP1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_60304/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2015-12-15 08:53:13
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 08:53:13
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Proposed Rules | |
| Action | Petition for reconsideration; reopening of comment periods. | |
| Dates | The comment periods for the petition for reconsideration published on September 2, 2015 (80 FR 53088), are reopened. Opposition Filing Deadline is October 8, 2015. Replies to Opposition Filing Deadline is October 19, 2015. | |
| Contact | Christopher Cook, Wireline Competition Bureau at (202) 418-7400 or TTY (202) 418-0484. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 60112 |
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