News media information 202 / 418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov***************** ***************** ******************** ** 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, italic, underlining, etc. from the original document will not show up in this text version. Features of the original 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 St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 DA 98-1549 August 5, 1998 APPLICATION FOR ALTERNATIVE SETTLEMENT RATE AGREEMENT UNDER FLEXIBILITY STANDARD ACCEPTED FOR FILING ISP-98-PDR-332 Telegroup; Sungwoo I & C Co., Ltd. Telegroup Inc. ("Telegroup") has petitioned the Commission for a declaratory ruling that an alternative settlement arrangement between Telegroup and a carrier in the Republic of Korea, Sungwoo I & C Co., Ltd. ("Sungwoo") for international switched services to and from the Republic of Korea is permitted under the framework adopted by the Commission in the Flexibility Order. Telegroup submits that the alternative arrangement will reduce its net settlement payment to the Republic of Korea, reduce the settlement rate to 5› in both countries, increase the pressure on other Korean carriers to reduce their rates with U.S. carriers, and allow for lower calling prices in both countries. Telegroup stipulates that the Republic of Korea is a member of the World Trade Organization. Telegroup argues that Sungwoo is a start-up carrier without market power, and less than 25 percent of the traffic in each direction will be affected by the agreement. It argues further that the arrangement will promote market oriented pricing and competition between the United States and the Republic of Korea. Pursuant to Section 64.1002 of the Commission's rules, the application listed above will be deemed granted 21 days after the date of this public notice and the applicant may implement the alternative settlement arrangement on the 28th day, unless the application is formally opposed within the meaning of Section 1.1202 of the Commission's Rules, or the Commission has informed the applicant in writing, within 21 days of the date of this public notice, that the application may not serve the public interest and that implementation of the proposed alternative settlement arrangement must await formal action on the petition. If objections or comments are filed, the applicant may file a response within 5 days of the time for filing an opposition has expired. In these instances, the application will be acted upon only by formal written order of the Commission, and the proposed alternative settlement arrangement may not be implemented except in accordance with such an order. In accordance with Section 1.51(c) of the Commission's rules, an original and four copies of all pleadings must be filed with the Secretary at the above address. In addition, one copy of each pleading must be filed with (1) International Transcription Services (ITS), the Commission's duplicating contractor, at its office at 2100 M Street, N.W. Suite 140, Washington, D.C. 20037; and (2) the International Reference Room, International Bureau, Room 102, 2000 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. All filings should refer to File No. ISP-98-PDR-332. Copies of the application and any subsequently filed documents in this matter may be obtained from ITS, 2100 M Street, N.W., Suite 140, Washington, D.C. 20037, (202) 857-3800. Such documents are also available for public inspection and copying during normal reference room hours in the International Reference Room, 2000 M Street, N.W., Room 102, Washington, D.C. 20554. For further information, contact Ken Stanley, Telecommunications Division, International Bureau, (202) 418-1486. - FCC -