1919 - M Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554
Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
ftp.fcc.gov
INITIATES
ELECTRONIC FILING OF INCUMBENT LOCAL
EXCHANGE CARRIER TARIFFS AND ASSOCIATED
DOCUMENTS
PUBLIC WORKSHOPS
TO BE HELD OCTOBER 16, 1997
The Common Carrier Bureau (Bureau) is announcing the initiation on November 17, 1997 of an Electronic Tariff Filing System (ETFS) that will enable electronic filing by incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (ILECs) of federal tariffs and associated documents. This will include transmittal letters, tariffs, and cost information and other supporting material. In addition, ETFS will enable interested parties to read and download these filings, and to file associated documents such as petitions to reject, suspend and investigate tariffs. ILECs and the public will use the ETFS through the Internet.
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 ILECs and delegated authority to the Bureau to implement the program.
On October 16, 1997, the Bureau will conduct two workshops to introduce the ETFS to the public. These workshops will be held at 10AM and 2PM in the Commission meeting room, Room 856, 1919 M. St., N.W. A User's Manual for ETFS will be available at the workshop and will be available as of October 16, 1997 on the Bureau's WEB page, as well as from the Commission's commercial copy contractor, the International Transcription Service (ITS), 1931 20th St., NW, Washington, DC 20036, 202-857-3800.
During an initial period following November 17, 1997, the use of the ETFS by ILECs and others will be voluntary. After ILECs and the public are sufficiently familiar with the ETFS, participation by ILECs will be mandatory. The Bureau will separately announce when ILEC electronic filing will be mandatory.
Commencing October 16, 1997 and until November 17, 1997, the ETFS will be available for practice use by the public. Because tariffs and associated documents filed electronically after November 17, 1997 will replace paper filings and will not be readily accessible on paper in the Commission's public reference rooms, persons anticipating a need to view such documents and participate in tariff proceedings are encouraged to attend one of the workshops on October 16, 1997 and to become familiar with the ETFS prior to November 17, 1997. A terminal will be available in the Public Reference Room for viewing tariff material. Paper copies may be obtained through ITS. Documents filed prior to November 17, 1997 will be practice documents and shall not constitute official filings.
Further information and requirements concerning the ETFS will be made available at the October 16, 1997 workshops.
For further information, contact Todd Mitchell, Competitive Pricing Division, Common Carrier Bureau, at 202-418-1520.
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