PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 12-1909 Released: November 28, 2012 COMMENTS INVITED ON APPLICATION OF LOCAL INTERNET SERVICE COMPANY, INC. TO DISCONTINUE DOMESTIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES WC Docket No. 12-342 Comp. Pol. File No. 1067 Comments Due: December 13, 2012 Section 214 Application Applicant: Local Internet Service Company, Inc. On November 12, 2012, Local Internet Service Company, Inc. (LISCO or Applicant), located at 1680 Highway 1, P.O. Box 1750, Fairfield, IA 52556, filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) requesting authority, under section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. § 214, and section 63.71 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. § 63.71, to discontinue certain domestic telecommunications services in Columbus Junction and Washington, Iowa (collectively Service Areas).1 LISCO indicates that it currently provides Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) and broadband Internet service via DSL in the Service Areas. LISCO states that its services are provided via UNE local loops leased from the incumbent local exchange carrier, Windstream. Nevertheless, LISCO proposes to discontinue the provision of its wireline telephone services in the Service Areas on or after December 1, 2012, subject to regulatory approval. LISCO indicates that on October 5, 2012 it sent letters via first class U.S. Mail to the affected customers and that these letters included a toll free number to LISCO customer service to answer any questions about the proposed discontinuance. LISCO explains that, on November 5, 2012, it also sent letters in compliance with section 63.71 of the Commission’s rules to any remaining affected customers via first class U.S. Mail. LISCO maintains that the impact of the proposed discontinuance on the public should be minimal because there are fewer than 50 LISCO customers in Columbus Junction, Iowa and only four LISCO customers in Washington, Iowa. In addition, LISCO suggests that customers will be able to obtain identical service from Windstream, similar service from the cable company, Mediacom, and similar wireless service from cellular telephone companies. LISCO asserts that it is a non-dominant carrier with respect to the services it proposes to discontinue. In accordance with section 63.71(c) of the Commission’s rules, LISCO’s application will be deemed to be granted automatically on the 31st day after the release date of this public notice, unless the Commission notifies LISCO that the grant will not be automatically effective. In its application, LISCO indicates that it plans to discontinue its provision of wireline telephone services in the Service Areas on or 1 LISCO’s application was subsequently received in the Competition Policy Division of the Wireline Competition Bureau on November 14, 2012. 2after December 1, 2012, subject to regulatory approval. Accordingly, pursuant to section 63.71(c) and the terms of LISCO’s application, absent further Commission action, LISCO may terminate its wireline telephone services in the Service Areas on or after December 29, 2012, in accordance with LISCO’s filed representations. The Commission normally will authorize proposed discontinuances of service unless it is shown that customers or other end users would be unable to receive service or a reasonable substitute from another carrier, or that the public convenience and necessity would be otherwise adversely affected. Comments objecting to this application must be filed with the Commission on or before December 13, 2012. Such comments should refer to WC Docket No. 12-342 and Comp. Pol. File No. 1067. Comments should include specific information about the impact of this proposed discontinuance on the commenter, including any inability to acquire reasonable substitute service. 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 FR 24121 (1998). Comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the ECFS: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs2/. Filers should follow the instructions provided on the Web site for submitting comments. Generally, only one copy of an electronic submission must be filed. In completing the transmittal screen, filers should include their full name, U.S. Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking number. Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and one copy of each filing. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. All hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission’s Secretary must be delivered to FCC Headquarters at 445 12th Street, S.W., Room TW-A325, Washington, D.C. 20554. The filing hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes and boxes 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, Express, and Priority mail must be addressed to 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. Two copies of the comments should also be sent to the Competition Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room 5-C140, Washington, D.C. 20554, Attention: Carmell Weathers. In addition, comments should be served upon the Applicant. Commenters are also requested to fax their comments to the FCC at (202) 418-1413, Attention: Carmell Weathers. This proceeding is considered a “permit but disclose” proceeding for purposes of the Commission’s ex parte rules.2 Persons making ex parte presentations must file a copy of any written presentation or a memorandum summarizing any oral presentation within two business days after the presentation (unless a different deadline applicable to the Sunshine period applies). Persons making oral ex parte presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentation must (1) list all persons attending or otherwise participating in the meeting at which the ex parte presentation was made, and (2) summarize all data presented and arguments made during the presentation. If the presentation consisted in whole or in part of the presentation of data or arguments already reflected in the presenter’s written comments, memoranda or other filings in the proceeding, the presenter may provide citations to such data or arguments in his or her prior comments, memoranda, or other filings (specifying the relevant page and/or paragraph numbers where such data or arguments can be found) in lieu of summarizing them in the memorandum. Documents shown or given to Commission staff during ex parte meetings are 2 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.1200 et seq. 3deemed to be written ex parte presentations and must be filed consistent with rule 1.1206(b). In proceedings governed by rule 1.49(f) or for which the Commission has made available a method of electronic filing, written ex parte presentations and memoranda summarizing oral ex parte presentations, and all attachments thereto, must be filed through the electronic comment filing system available for that proceeding, and must be filed in their native format (e.g., .doc, .xml, .ppt, searchable .pdf). Participants in this proceeding should familiarize themselves with the Commission’s ex parte rules. People with Disabilities: To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 (tty). For further information, contact Carmell Weathers, (202) 418-2325 (voice), carmell.weathers@fcc.gov, or Rodney McDonald, (202) 418-7513 (voice), rodney.mcdonald@fcc.gov, of the Competition Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau. The tty number is (202) 418-0484. For further information on procedures regarding section 214 please visit http://www.fcc.gov/wcb/cpd/other_adjud. – FCC –