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If you need the complete document, download the WordPerfect version or Adobe Acrobat version, if available. ***************************************************************** Before the Federal Communications Commission Washington, D.C. 20554 In the Matter of ) ) ) CC Docket No. 92-237 Administration of the ) North American Numbering Plan ) Carrier Identification Codes (CICs) ) ORDER Adopted: November 20, 1997 Released: November 21, 1997 Comment Date: March 6, 1998 Reply Comment Date: April 3, 1998 By the Chief, Network Services Division, Common Carrier Bureau: 1. On October 9, 1997, the Commission released a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order in this docket, addressing issues related to Feature Group D carrier identification code (CIC) use and assignment. In the FNPRM, the Commission sought comment on, for example, the use and application of Feature Group D CICs, on the definition of "entity" used to determine who may receive a CIC, and on CIC conservation issues. In the Order, the Commission directed the North American Numbering Council (NANC) to present to the Commission, no later than December 15, 1997, the NANC's recommendations on the tentative conclusions and proposals in the FNPRM, including any alternatives to them. The Commission stated that NANC's recommendations (including any recommended rules or recommended resolutions of ambiguities or policy disputes) should address, for example, how to define "entity" and whether CIC conservation measures, such as a limit on CIC assignments per entity, a limit on the total number of four-digit CICs available for assignment, and mandatory CIC reclamation procedures, are needed to meet the Commission's numbering policy goals. 2. In a letter dated November 19, 1997, the North American Numbering Council (NANC), through its Chairman, Alan C. Hasselwander, requested extension of the deadlines set in the FNPRM and Order. Specifically, NANC asks that the deadline by which it must present recommendations to the Commission, as required by the Order, be extended from December 15, 1997, to February 19, 1998 (the day following NANC's February meeting). In addition, NANC requested that the time by which parties must file comments and reply comments in response to the FNPRM be extended from November 24, 1997, and December 22, 1997, respectively, to a period following the date for NANC's submission. 3. NANC states that at its November 18, 1997 meeting, the members unanimously agreed that such a delay is required. NANC also asserts that the delay "will allow NANC to assemble a diverse group of industry representatives to consider the questions raised in the Order and work diligently to find common ground." In support of its request that the time by which parties must file comments in response to the FNPRM be extended until after the deadline for NANC's submission, NANC states that "industry may achieve a more uniform position if NANC attempts to achieve consensus before interested parties have publicly stated their positions." 4. The Commission does not routinely grant extensions of time. It is important, however, that the record be as complete as possible. A recommendation from NANC that reflects consensus based on a diverse group of industry views is desirable. Granting NANC's additional time to submit its recommendation to the Commission increases the likelihood that the recommendation will be comprehensive. Further, if delaying the pleading cycle until after NANC reports will allow NANC to achieve a more uniform view from a cross-section of the industry, because interested parties would not have publicly stated their positions in advance of NANC's opportunity to address them, the record in this proceeding will benefit. For these reasons, we grant NANC's request and, accordingly, we: (1) extend the period of time by which NANC must provide its recommendations to the Commission until February 19, 1998; and (2) extend the period of time by which parties must file comments and reply comments on the issues raised in the FNPRM until March 6, 1998, and April 3, 1998, respectively. We emphasize that the comments and reply comments on the FNPRM should address the proposals and tentative conclusions raised by the Commission in the FNPRM, and should not be limited to NANC's recommendations. 5. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to Section 1.46 of the Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R.  1.46, that the North American Numbering Council's request to extend the deadline by which it must present recommendations to the Commission in response to the Order issued in this proceeding on October 9, 1997, IS GRANTED, by extending the deadline until February 19, 1998. 6. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, pursuant to Section 1.46 of the Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R.  1.46, that the North American Numbering Council's request to extend the deadlines by which parties must file comments and reply comments in response to the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued in this proceeding on October 9, 1997, IS GRANTED, by extending the deadline for filing comments until March 6, 1998, and by extending the deadline for filing reply comments until April 3, 1998. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Geraldine A. Matise Chief Network Services Division Common Carrier Bureau