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If you need the complete document, download the WordPerfect version or Adobe Acrobat version, if available. ************************************************************* **** DA 00-2176 Released: September 25, 2000 COMMON CARRIER BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON THE MARYLAND PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION PETITION FOR DELEGATED AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT NUMBER CONSERVATION MEASURES NSD File No. L-00-171 CC Docket 96-98 Pleading Cycle Established COMMENTS: October 25, 2000 REPLY COMMENTS: November 8, 2000 On September 28, 1998, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) released the Pennsylvania Numbering Order, which delegated additional authority to state public utility commissions to order number rationing in jeopardy situations and encouraged state commissions to seek further limited delegations of authority to implement other innovative number conservation methods. On March 31, 2000, the Commission released the Numbering Resource Optimization Order. In the Numbering Resource Optimization Order, the Commission granted state commissions the authority to engage in certain number conservation measures. The Commission also reiterated that previous state delegations of authority to implement number conservation measures were interim in nature and would be superseded by forthcoming decisions in this proceeding. The Commission, however, continued its delegation to the Common Carrier Bureau to rule on state petitions for additional delegation of numbering authority when no new issues are raised. On August 14, 2000, the Maryland Public Service Commission (Petitioner) filed a petition requesting additional delegated authority to implement number conservation measures in Maryland. The Petitioner specifically requests authority to: (1) institute thousands-block number pooling; (2); enforce current standards for numbering allocation, or set and enforce new standards; (3) maintain rationing procedures for six months following area code relief; (4) order the submission of utilization and forecast data from all carriers, including wireless providers, and audit such reporting; (5) order carriers to return unused, reserved or under-utilized portions of NXX codes; (6) require sequential number assignments; and (7) hear and address claims by individual carriers requesting numbering resources outside of the rationing process. Petitioner states that, if granted the authority to implement number conservation measures, it will be positioned to help check the wasteful usage of a precious resource as well as save Maryland's citizens and telecommunications companies from the ordeal and expense of repeated area code relief measures. We hereby seek comment on Petitioner's request for additional delegated authority to implement the above number conservation measures to the extent that they are not superseded by the national number resource optimization measures addressed in the Numbering Resource Optimization Order. A copy of the petition will be available during regular business hours at the FCC Reference Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street, S.W., Suite CY-A257, Washington, D.C. 20554, (202) 418-0270. Interested parties may file comments concerning this matter on or before October 25, 2000, and reply comments on or before November 8, 2000. All filings must reference File No. NSD-L-00-171 and CC Docket 96-98. Send an original and four copies to the Commission Secretary, Magalie Roman Salas, Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW, Suite TW-A325, Washington, D.C. 20554 and two copies to Al McCloud, Network Services Division, Portals II, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room 6A-320, Washington, D.C. 20554. Comments may be filed using the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) or by filing paper copies. Comments filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to . If using this method, please reference CC Docket No. 96-98 in the Proceeding block. Generally, only one copy of an electronic submission must be filed. 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 an electronic comment by Internet e-mail. To get filing instructions for e-mail comments, commenters should send an e-mail to ecfs@fcc.gov, including "get form " in the body of the message. A sample form and directions will be sent in reply. After filing your comments electronically, please send an e-mail to Al McCloud, amccloud@fcc.gov, indicating that comments have been filed. This is a "permit but disclose" proceeding for purposes of the Commission's ex parte rules. As a "permit but disclose" proceeding, ex parte presentations will be governed by the procedures set forth in Section 1.1206 of the Commission's rules applicable to non-restricted proceedings. Parties making oral ex parte presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentation must contain a summary of the substance of the presentation and not merely a listing of the subjects discussed. More than a one or two sentence description of the views and arguments presented is generally required. Other rules pertaining to oral and written presentations are set forth in Section 1.1206(b) as well. For further information contact Aaron Goldberger of the Common Carrier Bureau, Network Services Division, at (202) 418-2320 or agoldber@fcc.gov. The TTY number is (202) 418-0484. -FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION-