DA 94-219 March 8, 1994 COMMON CARRIER BUREAU ESTABLISHES DATA BASE FOR PUBLIC USE IN THE PRICE CAP PERFORMANCE REVIEW FOR LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIERS (CC DOCKET NO. 94-1) The Common Carrier Bureau has established a computerized data base for use in the Price Cap Performance Review for Local Exchange Carriers (CC Docket No. 94-1). This data base is located in the Industry Analysis Division's "FCC-State Link Bulletin Board System" (RBBS-PC), in a directory entitled "PRICECAP." This 24-hour bulletin board is restricted to FCC use from 9:30 am - 10:30 am and 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm EST, Monday through Sunday. From 8:00 am - 9:30 am and 10:30 am to 1:00 pm EST, Monday through Sunday, regulatory commissions and other government agencies are priority users and, therefore, the system is not available to other users during those hours. The board is available to the public (as well as government users) from 1:30 pm - 8:00 am EST, Monday through Sunday. This computerized bulletin board can be accessed by using a computer and modem and calling (202) 632-1361. Users can transfer information on the use of this board to their computers by selecting first, the "FILE" command from the "MAIN" menu, second, the "DOWNLOAD" command from the "FILE" menu and third, the "RBBS- PC.REF" file in the "BBS" directory of the bulletin board. Users should refer to their communications package for instructions on how to transfer the file to the users' computer system. Information on various aspects of this board can be found by selecting first, the "BULLETIN" command from the "MAIN" menu and, second, the "INFO" bulletin from the list of bulletins. In-depth information about commands, menus, and special topics can be found by selecting the "HELP" command, which is available in all menus. Specific questions can be sent to the System Operator by first, selecting the "COMMENT TO SYSOP" command from the "MAIN" menu, second, typing in a message containing the question and third, selecting the "SAVE MESSAGE" command. The System Operator's response to these questions can be retrieved by selecting the "READ MESSAGE" command from the "MAIN" menu. As noted in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking initiating the price cap performance review for the Local Exchange Carriers, the Commission is using this proceeding as a test of methods to improve the ability of the Commission and the public to review and evaluate data and information through the use of computerized data bases. See Price Cap Performance Review for Local Exchange Carriers, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, CC Docket No. 94-1, FCC 94-10 (released Feb. 16, 1994) (NPRM). We therefore encourage all commenters to submit, in addition to the required paper copies (see NPRM at para. 107), a copy of their comments and reply comments on IBM-PC compatible diskettes to: (1) the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554 and (2) the Commission's copy contractor, International Transcription Services, Inc., Room 246, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554, Attn. Wilbur Thomas. Each diskette submitted to the Office of the Secretary should be labelled CC Docket No. 94-1, Attn. Adrianne Brent, Industry Analysis Division. All diskettes should be submitted with text files in two formats, one compatible with WordPerfect 5.1 or 4.2 and one in ASCII, and with spreadsheets in a Lotus 1-2-3 WK1 or WK3 file, so that they may be included in the data base. All ex parte statements and replies to ex parte statements should be filed in this same manner. In the NPRM, the Commission identified a number of issues for comment. Each issue is categorized as a "General," "Baseline," or "Transition" issue. In addition, each issue is assigned a number, and some of the issues also are assigned a letter. For example, the first issue identified for comment in the NPRM is "General Issue 1"; the third issue identified for comment is "Baseline Issue 1a"; the last issue identified for comment is "Transition Issue 6." In responding to an issue identified for comment in the NPRM, commenters should specifically reference the category, number, and where applicable, the letter that corresponds to the issue. Further, the category, number, and letter of the issue should precede the corresponding comments. Comments filed in this format should improve the Commission and the public's ability to review and evaluate data and information submitted in this docket. The NPRM provides that comments in this docket are due on April 18, 1994, and replies are due on May 17, 1994. In order to facilitate the creation of useful data bases in this and other Commission proceedings, we encourage comments and suggestions for improvements to these procedures. For further information regarding the operation of the bulletin board, call Adrianne Brent or Jonathan Kraushaar, Industry Analysis Division, (202) 632-0745. For further information about the NPRM, call Joanne Wall, Tariff Division, (202) 632-6917. - FCC -