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PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
445 12th STREET, S.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554                                           DA 99-2544

News media information 202/418-0500     Fax-On-Demand  202/418-2830     Internet:  http://www.fcc.gov    ftp.fcc.gov


 PETITION OF CELLCO PARTNERSHIP D/B/A BELL ATLANTIC MOBILE FOR
     DESIGNATION AS AN ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIER

                                PLEADING CYCLE ESTABLISHED

                             CC Docket No. 96-45

                                Release Date: November 16, 1999

Comment Date: December 17, 1999
Reply Comment Date: January 7, 2000
 
     On December 29, 1997, the Commission released a public notice establishing the
procedures the Commission will use to designate eligible telecommunications carriers pursuant
to section 214(e)(6) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.  On September 8, 1999,
Cellco Partnership d/b/a/ Bell Atlantic Mobile (Cellco) submitted a petition seeking designation by
the Common Carrier Bureau (Bureau) as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) for service
areas comprising all of Delaware and parts of Maryland.  Cellco contends that the Bureau should
grant its petition because Cellco meets all of the requirements for designation, and it is not subject
to the jurisdiction of a state commission.

     Pursuant to sections 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R.  1.415,
1.419, interested parties may file comments on or before December 17, 1999, and reply
comments on or before January 7, 2000.  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 Fed. Reg. 24,121 (1998).  Comments filed through
the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to <http://www.fcc.gov/e-
file/ecfs.html>.  Generally, only one copy of an electronic submission must be filed.  If multiple
docket or rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of this proceeding, however, commenters
must transmit one electronic copy of the comments to each docket or rulemaking number
referenced in the caption.  In completing the transmittal screen, commenters should include their
full name, Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking number. 
Parties may also submit electronic comments by Internet e-mail.  To receive filing instructions for
e-mail comments, commenters should send an e-mail to ecfs@fcc.gov, and should include the
following words in the body of the message, "get form <your e-mail address."  A sample form and
directions will be sent in reply.  Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and four
copies of each filing.  If more than one docket or rulemaking number appears in the caption of this
proceeding, commenters must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or
rulemaking number.  All filings must be sent to the Commission's Secretary, Magalie Roman
Salas, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, S.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20554. 

     Parties also must send three paper copies of their filing to Sheryl Todd, Accounting Policy
Division, Common Carrier Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 Twelfth Street
S.W., Room 5-B540, Washington, D.C. 20554.  In addition, commenters must send diskette
copies to the Commission's copy contractor, International Transcription Service, Inc., 1231 20th
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.  20037. 

     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 Katherine Schroder, Accounting Policy Division,
Common Carrier Bureau at (202) 418-7400, TTY (202) 418-0484.