PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 1919 M STREET, N.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554DA 97-1399 News media information 202/418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202/418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov PLEADING CYCLE ESTABLISHED FOR COMMENTS ON REQUEST BY ALTS FOR CLARIFICATION OF THE COMMISSION'S RULES REGARDING RECIPROCAL COMPENSATION FOR INFORMATION SERVICE PROVIDER TRAFFIC CCB/CPD 97-30 Released: July 2, 1997 Comment Date: July 17, 1997 Reply Date:July 24, 1997 On June 20, 1997, the Association for Local Telecommunications (ALTS) filed a letter with the Common Carrier Bureau requesting expedited clarification of the Commission's rules regarding the rights of a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) to receive reciprocal compensation pursuant to section 251(b)(5) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Act), for the transport and termination of traffic to CLEC subscribers that are information service providers. Section 251(b)(5) of the Act requires all local exchange carriers (LECs) "to establish reciprocal compensation arrangements for the transport and termination of telecommunications." Section 51.701(a) of the Commission's rules limits this obligation to "local telecommunications traffic." Section 51.701(b)(1), in instances of traffic exchange between LECs and non-CMRS providers, defines "local telecommunications traffic" as traffic that "originates and terminates within a local service area established by the state commission." Specifically, ALTS requests clarification that nothing in the Local Competition Order requires information service traffic to be treated differently than other local traffic is handled under current reciprocal compensation agreements in situations in which local calls to information service providers are exchanged between incumbent local exchange carriers and CLECs. We ask for comment on ALTS's request both with regard to information service providers, and, more specifically, with regard to enhanced service providers (ESPs). Interested parties may file comments on these letters on or before July 17, 1997, and reply comments on or before July 24, 1997, with the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M Street, N.W., Room 222, Washington, D.C. 20554. Comments and reply comments should reference CPD 97-30. An original and four (4) copies of all comments and replies must be filed in accordance with Section 1.51(c) of the Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R.  1.51(c). Additionally, two (2) copies should also be sent to Wanda Harris, Common Carrier Bureau, FCC, Room 518, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554, and one (1) copy should be sent to the Commission's contractor for public service records duplication, ITS, Inc., 2100 M Street, N.W., Suite 140, Washington, D.C. 20037. Parties wishing to view the above-referenced letter may do so in the Common Carrier Bureau Reference Room, Room 575, 2000 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. Copies can also be obtained from ITS at (202) 857-3800. Additionally, a copy of the letters have been filed in CC Docket No. 96-98. Finally, the ALTS letter is also available on the Commission Internet site at . We will treat this proceeding as permit-but-disclose for purposes of the Commission's ex parte rules. See generally, 47 C.F.R.  1.1200-1.1206. For further information on this proceeding, please contact Edward B. Krachmer, Competitive Pricing Division, at (202) 418- 0198. - FCC -