*************************************************** NOTICE *************************************************** This document was converted from WordPerfect to ASCII Text format. Content from the original version of the document such as headers, footers, footnotes, endnotes, graphics, and page numbers will not show up in this text version. All text attributes such as bold, itallic, underlining, etc. from the original document will not show up in this text version. Features of the orginal document layout such as columns, tables, line and letter spacing, pagination, and margins will not be preserved in the text version. If you need the complete document, download the WordPerfect version or Adobe Acrobat version, if available. ***************************************************** PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 1919 M STREET, N.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 DA 98-1872 News media information 202/418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202/418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov REALWORLD ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY REQUEST FOR WAIVER PLEADING CYCLE ESTABLISHED CC Docket No. 96-45 Released Date: September 17, 1998 Comment Date: October 2, 1998 Reply Comment Date: October 13, 1998 In the May 8, 1997 Universal Service Report and Order, the Commission directed all interstate telecommunications carriers, payphone providers, and others which provide interstate telecommunications service for a fee to contribute to the Universal Service Funds. Carriers that provide only international telecommunications service are not required to contribute to the universal service support mechanisms. By letter dated July 23, 1998, RealWorld Advanced Technology Inc. (RealWorld) requested that the Commission waive sections 54.705, 54.707, 54.709, 54.711, and 54.713 of the Commission's rules. RealWorld is a reseller of international telecommunications service. RealWorld states that more than 99 percent of its calls originate and terminate abroad, and the remainder terminate in the United States. RealWorld seeks waiver of the rules in order to contribute directly to the Universal Service Fund, based only on the revenue from calls terminating in the United States. Parties wishing to comment on RealWorld's Request for Waiver are directed to file the comments on or before October 2, 1998, to file reply comments on or before October 13, 1998, in accordance with section 1.415 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R.  1.415, and the procedures set forth below. Procedure for Filing All filings should reference: RealWorld Advanced Technology Request for Waiver, CC Docket No. 96-45, and should include the DA number shown on this Public Notice. Interested parties must file an original and six copies of their comments with the Office of Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, Room 222, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. Parties should send three copies of their comments to Sheryl Todd, Common Carrier Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 2100 M. St, N.W., 8th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20554. Parties should send one copy of their comments to the Commission's copy contractor, International Transcription Service, 1231 20th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036. Copies of documents filed with the Commission, including the RealWorld Advanced Technology Request for Waiver, may be obtained from the International Transcription Service, 1231 20th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, (202) 857-3800. Documents are also available for review and copying at the FCC Reference Center, Room 239, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Parties may also file comments electronically via the Internet at: . Only one copy of an electronic submission must be submitted. In completing the transmittal screen, commenters should include their full name, Postal Service mailing address, and the lead docket number for this proceeding, which is Docket No. 96-45. Parties not submitting their comments via the Internet are also asked to submit their comments on diskette. Parties submitting diskettes should submit them to Sheryl Todd at the address noted above. Such a submission should be on a 3.5 inch diskette formatted in an IBM compatible format using WordPerfect 5.1 for Windows or compatible software. The diskette should be accompanied by a cover letter and should be submitted in "read only" mode. The diskette should be clearly labelled with the party's name, proceeding (including the lead docket number in this case, Docket No. 96-45, type of pleading (comment or reply comment)), date of submission, and the name of the electronic file on the diskette. Each diskette should contain only one party's pleadings, preferably in a single electronic file. In addition, parties must send copies to the Commission's copy contractor, International Transcription Service, Inc., 1231 20th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036. Pursuant to section 1.1206 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R.  1.1206, this proceeding will be conducted as a permit-but-disclose proceeding in which ex parte communications are permitted subject to disclosure. For further information, contact Sheryl Todd or Linda P. Armstrong, Accounting Policy Division, Common Carrier Bureau at (202) 418-7400, TTY (202) 418-0484, or via e-mail: stodd@fcc.gov or larmstro@fcc.gov. -- Action by Accounting Policy Division --