FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION October 7, 2011 JULIUS GENACHOWSKI CHAIRMAN The Honorable Cliff Steams U.S. House ofRepresentatives 2306 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 D.e.ar Congressman Stearns: ~. , Thank you for your letter regarding independent payphone service providers and the payphone proceeding pending before the Commission. As you note in your letter, the Commission is considering petitions for declaratory ruling from payphone providers seeking refunds from Bell Operating Companies in several states. Individual state public utility commissions have jurisdiction over the access line rates that payphone providers purchase to provide their service. In the petitions before the Commission, independent payphone associations from the states ofIllinois, Mississippi, New York, Florida, Ohio, and Michigan request that the Commission preempt the decisions by each ofthe individual state commissions. The issues that are before the Commission in these multiple petitions raise complex and unique procedural facts. The Commission has compiled an extensive record ofevidence submitted by payphone service providers and interested parties from several states. On the basis , 'of-that record, I circulated a final order on this item to my colleagues and have entered my vote. Please be assured that the Commission recognizes the importance ofpayphones and'will give full consideration to all the facts and issues raised by the parties. I appreciate the opportunity to provide feedback on this important matter. IfI can provide any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. Julius Genachowski 445 12TH STREET S.W. WASHINGTON, D,C. 20554 • 202-418-1000