PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 1919 M STREET, N.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 DA 97-439 News media information 202/418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202/418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov Released: February 27, 1997 COMMON CARRIER BUREAU SOLICITS COMMENTS REGARDING MODIFICATIONS TO THE 1997 ANNUAL ACCESS TARIFF REVIEW PLANS CCB/CPD 97-11 Comment Date: March 5, 1997 To facilitate our review of the required annual revisions of the local exchange carriers' (LECs) interstate access tariffs to be effective on July 1, the Common Carrier Bureau (Bureau) has developed Tariff Review Plans (TRPs). TRPs specify the information that LECs must provide to support their tariff filings. In past years, the Bureau has prepared TRPs, after consultation with the LECs and other interested parties, reflecting both the specific information needed in light of changes in relevant Commission rules and policies and the most effective and least burdensome method of supplying this information. The TRPs are subject to approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in accordance with the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C.  3506 et seq. On September 23, 1996, OMB approved the TRPs through September 30, 1999 (OMB Control No. 3060-0400). In the LEC Tariff Streamlining Report and Order, the Commission recently adopted rules to implement the tariff streamlining provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (1996 Act) for LECs. Pursuant to that Order, price cap LECs will be required to file their TRP for the 1997 annual access tariffs absent any information regarding their proposed rates by April 2 -- 90 days prior to July 1. Non-price cap LECs will be required to file their TRP at the same time they file their annual access tariffs, either June 23 for tariffs proposing rate reductions or June 16 for tariffs that include rate increase proposals. In preparation for the 1997 annual access tariff filings, the Bureau is examining changes in the TRPs necessary to reflect recent rule changes resulting from the adoption of the LEC Tariff Streamlining Report and Order and other relevant events. The Bureau proposes to reduce burdens on incumbent LECs by making the following changes to the 1996 TRPs. First, in light of the Commission's decision in the Access Charge Reform proceeding to eliminate the lower limits on services band indices (SBI) in price cap categories, we propose to eliminate all information regarding the lower SBI limits in the price cap TRP. Second, we propose to eliminate all information in the price cap TRP regarding the Video DialTone (VDT) basket because there is no demand associated with this basket. Third, we propose to remove the reversal of the 11-month gross-up calculation from the price cap TRP because the gross-up is no longer necessary. Fourth, in view of the requirements of the LEC Tariff Streamlining Report and Order, we propose that price cap LEC TRPs filed on April 2 include only the historical indices in IND-1 Chart, the PCI-1 Chart, and the EXG-1 Chart. We propose that price cap LECs submit a complete TRP that includes rate information at the same time that they file their annual access tariffs. Fifth, the Bureau also proposes a separate comment cycle for price cap LEC TRP filings of April 2. This comment cycle would expedite the Commission's review of the major issues raised in the LEC TRPs. Parties interested in commenting on the price cap LEC TRPs would comment by April 23, 1997, with reply comments due on April 30, 1997. Finally, in an effort to expedite the review process for the TRPs filed by the rate-of-return carriers, we propose that they file their TRPs in the Lotus Version-3 format used by the price cap carriers. In all other respects, the 1997 TRPs would be the same as the 1996 TRPs. The Bureau hereby requests the views and advice of interested parties regarding the modifications to the TRPs noted above. We also invite comment from the price cap carriers on any exogenous changes they plan to request, beyond those included in the 1996 annual access tariff filings. In order to adopt the 1997 TRPs as far in advance as possible, and to enable the TRPs to produce the information needed by the Commission to conduct its review of the annual access tariffs in accordance with the Communications Act, the Bureau has determined that an expedited and informal procedure would be most useful. Interested parties wishing to comment on the Bureau's proposals may do so by letter addressed to the Chief, Competitive Pricing Division, Common Carrier Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M St., N.W., Room 518, Washington, DC 20554. Comments should be received no later than March 5, 1997. No reply comments will be considered. When filing comments, please reference the internal file number: CCB/CPD 97-11. Copies of comments may be obtained from International Transcription Service (ITS), and are also available for public inspection and copying in Room 518, 1919 M St., N.W., Washington, DC 20554. For further information, contact John Scott (202-418-1528) or Dan Abeyta (202-418- 1538), Competitive Pricing Division, Common Carrier Bureau. -FCC-