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fcclogo PUBLIC NOTICE

Federal Communications Commission
1919 - M Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554
News media information 202 / 418-0500
Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830
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DA 98-185
Released: January 30, 1998


COMSAT CORPORATION PETITION FOR PARTIAL WAIVER
CC Docket No. 96-45

Comment Date: February 9, 1998
Reply Comment Date: February 17, 1998


The Commission directed carriers that provide interstate service to contribute to the Universal Service Funds based on both their interstate and international revenues.(1) COMSAT Corporation (the "petitioner") filed a request for waiver of Universal Service contribution on its international revenues.(2) The petitioner generally contends that it does not participate in the interstate telecommunications market to an extent sufficient to bring it within the purview of section 254 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Petitioner also argues that a partial waiver is warranted because its Universal Service contribution will actually be greater than its total interstate revenues.

Interested parties may file comments in support of, or in opposition to these petitions on, or before February 9, 1998, and Reply Comments on or before February 17, 1998. All filings should refer to the pleading as: COMSAT Corporation Petition For Partial Waiver, CC Docket No. 96-45. One original and five copies of all comments must be sent to Magalie Roman Salas, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. Two copies also should be sent to Sheryl Todd, Universal Service Branch, Accounting and Audits Division, Common Carrier Bureau, 2100 M Street, N.W., 8th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20554. Copies of documents filed with the Commission, including the petitions, may be obtained from the International Transcription Service, 1231 20th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037, (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.

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 Linda P. Armstrong, Universal Service Branch, Accounting and Audits Division, Common Carrier Bureau at (202) 418-7400 or via e-mail: larmstro@fcc.gov.

-- Action by Chief, Accounting and Audits Division, Common Carrier Bureau --


1. Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, CC Docket No. 96-45, Report and Order, 12 FCC Rcd 8776 (rel. May 8, 1997) 9173 at ¶ 779.

2. The petition was filed on January 9, 1998.