PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 1919 M STREET, N.W. DA No. 98-1009 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 News media information 202/418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202/418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov May 28, 1998 COMMON CARRIER BUREAU ESTABLISHES JULY 1, 1998 FOR INITIATION OF MANDATORY ELECTRONIC FILING OF TARIFFS AND ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS BY INCUMBENT LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIERS In its January 31, 1997, Tariff Streamlining Report and Order implementing the tariff streamlining provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the Commission determined to establish a program of electronic filing of tariffs and associated documents. The Commission determined that participation in the program would be mandatory for incumbent local exchange carriers (LECs) and delegated authority to the Bureau to implement the program. The Common Carrier Bureau (Bureau) has established the Electronic Tariff Filing System (ETFS) that permits incumbent LECs to submit federal tariffs and associated documents electronically, via the Internet. Other parties participating in tariff proceedings may also file electronically using ETFS. ETFS also enables interested parties to access and download these documents over the Internet, and to file petitions to reject, or suspend and investigate tariff filings electronically. ETFS has been available for voluntary filing since November 17, 1997. The Common Carrier Bureau has now established July 1, 1998, as the date on which incumbent LECs must use ETFS to file tariffs and associated documents with the Commission. The Bureau also amended the Commission's rules to accommodate electronic filing of tariffs and associated documents. The amended rules provide that, when incumbent LECs or others file documents electronically, those parties may not file paper copies that would otherwise be filed with the Secretary, the Tariff and Pricing Analysis Branch of the Bureau's Competitive Pricing Division, and the Commission's commercial copy contractor, International Transcription Service (ITS). Carriers will continue to be required to comply with all other Part 61 requirements, including tariff format requirements, and requests for service on other parties by mail or fax, where otherwise required under existing rules. The amended rules also provide that the official filing date shall be determined by the time of the end of the electronic transmission with 5:30 pm Eastern Time as the cut-off time for filings. Thus, if the transmission of a filing ends after 5:30 pm Eastern Time on a business day, the official filing date will be the next business day. Access to ETFS is via the Common Carrier Bureau's web page: , for incumbent LECs and the Public. A User's Manual is available for viewing or downloading from the ETFS site, as well as in paper form from ITS, 1231 20th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 857-3800. A computer terminal is available in the Commission's Public Reference Room, Room 250, 1919 M Street NW, Washington DC, for viewing of this material. Paper copies of electronically filed material may be obtained from ITS. Action by the Chief, Common Carrier Bureau, Order, DA No. 98-914, released May 28, 1998. For further information, contact Todd Mitchell or Geneva Smith Butler, Competitive Pricing Division, Common Carrier Bureau, (202) 418-1520. --FCC--