PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 1919 M STREET, N.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 DA 99-104 News media information 202/418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202/418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov Released: January 4, 1999 Petition of U S West Communications, Inc. for Forbearance from Regulation as a Dominant Carrier for High Capacity Services in the Seattle, Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area CC Docket No. 99-1 Pleading Cycle Established COMMENTS: February 18, 1999 REPLY COMMENTS: March 11, 1999 On December 30, 1998, U S West Communications, Inc. (U S West) filed a petition requesting that the Commission exercise its authority to forbear from regulating U S West as a dominant carrier in the provision of high capacity special access and dedicated transport services ("high capacity services") in the Seattle, Washington metropolitan statistical area (MSA), pursuant to Section 10 of the Communications Act of 1934 (the Act), as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, 47 U.S.C.  160. In particular, U S West seeks forbearance so that, with respect to high capacity services in the Seattle, Washington MSA, it may geographically deaverage its rates, file tariffs on one day's notice with a presumption of lawfulness, and offer contract-based pricing, volume and term discounts, and promotional options. U S West contends that its petition satisfies the criteria for forbearance set forth in Section 10 of the Act, 47 U.S.C.  160, because U S West lacks market power in the provision of high capacity services in the Seattle, Washington MSA. This matter shall be treated as a "permit-but-disclose" proceeding in accordance with the Commission's ex parte rules. See 47 C.F.R.  1.1200, 1.1206. Persons making oral ex parte presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentations must contain summaries of the substance of the presentations and not merely a listing of the subjects discussed. More than a one or two sentence description of the views and arguments presented is generally required. See 47 C.F.R.  1.1206(b). Other rules pertaining to oral and written ex parte presentations in permit-but-disclose proceedings are set forth in Section 1.1206(b) of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R.  1.1206(b). Interested parties may file comments on or before February 18, 1999, and reply comments on or before March 11, 1999. When filing comments and/or reply comments, please reference CC Docket No. 99-1. Comments may be filed using the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) or by filing paper copies. See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 13 FCC Rcd 11322 (1998). Comments filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to . In completing the transmittal screen, commenters should include their full name, Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking number. Parties may also submit an electronic comment by Internet e-mail. To get filing instructions for e-mail comments, commenters should send an e-mail to ecfs@fcc.gov, and should include the following words in the body of the message, "get form ." A sample form and directions will be sent in reply. Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and four copies of all comments and reply comments. All filings must be sent to the Commission's Secretary, Magalie Roman Salas, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 - 12th Street, S.W., TW-A325, Washington, D.C. 20554. In addition, one copy of each pleading must be filed with the Commission's duplicating contractor, International Transcription Services (ITS), 1231 - 20th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036 and one copy with the Chief, Competitive Pricing Division, Room 518, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. For further information, contact Joel Taubenblatt or Tamara Preiss at (202) 418-1520, TTY: (202) 418-0484. - FCC -