[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 166 (Friday, August 27, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46913-46914]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-22305]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[DA 99-1558]


ELIMINATION OF EXISTING SERVICE REQUIREMENT

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This document announces the elimination of the requirement 
that carriers making accounting rate filings serve every carrier that 
provides service on the international route. The Commission found that 
the International Bureau's new electronic filing system is an adequate 
substitute for this requirement. With this action, carriers will no 
longer have to serve other carriers with a copy of their filing with 
the Commission.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa Choi or Jackie Ruff, Attorney-
Advisors, Telecommunications Division, International Bureau, (202) 418-
1470.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    The International Bureau announces on August 6, 1999 its 
implementation of the Commission's decision to eliminate the 
requirement that carriers making accounting rate filings with the 
Commission serve every carrier that provides service on the 
international route with a copy of the filing. We strongly encourage 
carriers in lieu of this requirement to file a copy of their accounting 
rate filing electronically over the International Bureau Electronic 
Filing System (IBFS) in order to assist with the Commission's 
processing of these filings. Interested parties and carriers making 
filings may access copies of accounting rate filings from the IBFS 
which can be found on the internet.
    The Commission eliminated the requirement in Sec. 64.1001(k) that 
carriers serve a copy of accounting rate filings to every carrier 
serving the international route in question in the 1998 Biennial 
Regulatory Review: Reform of the International Settlements Policy, IB 
Docket No. 98-148, CC Docket 90-337 (Phase II), IB Docket 95-22, Report 
and Order and Order on Reconsideration, FCC 99-73 (rel. May 6, 1999), 
64 FR 34734 (June 29, 1999). In that order, the Commission found that 
the International Bureau's new electronic filing system would be an 
adequate substitute for the existing service requirement and directed 
the International Bureau to implement the Commission's elimination of 
the requirement within three months of the release of the order.
    On February 10, 1999, the International Bureau unveiled the IBFS to 
the public. The IBFS is an internet-based system that allows its users 
to electronically file 15 different types of applications and run a 
host of reports and customized queries. Among the many filing options 
users have is an electronic form for filing accounting rate change 
requests. We strongly encourage parties to file accounting rate change 
requests using IBFS, but we note such electronic filing is not 
mandatory at this time. Entities interested in filing electronically 
should contact the IBFS Information Line at (202) 418-2222 or visit the 
IBFS Homepage at http://ibfsweb.fcc.gov/webreports.
    To facilitate the electronic submission of such accounting rate 
filings and

[[Page 46914]]

retrieval of information, the International Bureau will hold IBFS 
training courses for interested parties and carriers making accounting 
rate change requests. Course dates and times will be announced in a 
later notice.
    For additional information about this implementation, please 
contact Lisa Choi or Jackie Ruff, Telecommunications Division, 
International Bureau, (202) 418-1460. For additional information about 
the IBFS, please contact Jacqueline Ponti, International Bureau, (202) 
418-1460.

Federal Communications Commission.
Magalie Roman Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-22305 Filed 8-26-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P