News media information 202 / 418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY 202 / 418-2555PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 August 6, 1999 Network Services Division Common Carrier Bureau Section 214 application accepted for filing: NSD File No. W-P-D-437 Applicant: Southwestern Bell Communications Services-Maryland, Inc. Southwestern Bell Communications Services-Maryland, Inc. ("SBCS-MD") filed an application on July 27, 1999 requesting authority under section 214(a) of the Communications Act of 1934, 47 U.S.C.  214(a) and section 63.71 of the Federal Communications Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R.  63.71, to discontinue providing interstate long distance telephone service., effective on September 1, 1999. This application states that interstate long distance services are offered to customers in the states of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. and that all affected customers have been notified of SBCS- MD's intent to discontinue service. Notices were sent in a separate mailing via first class U.S. mail. SBCS-MD's application appears to be complete as an application for discontinuance of service under section 214(a) of the Communications Act of 1934, 47 U.S.C.  214(a), and section 63.71 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R.  63.71. The application will be accepted for filing on the date SBCS- MD files a certification with the Commission that it has notified and sent a copy of its application to the Secretary of Defense and the governor of each state in which the discontinuance is proposed, in accordance with section 214(b) of the Act, 47 U.S.C.  214(b), and section 1.764 of the Comission's rules, 47 C.F.R.  1.764. In accordance with 47 C.F.R.  63.71(b)(4)(c), the application to discontinue, reduce or impair service shall be automatically granted on the 31st day after its filing with the Commission based on the date of certification noted above, without any Commission notification to the applicant unless the Commission has notified the applicant that the grant will not be automatically effective. Petitions to deny this application must be filed with the Commission and served upon the applicant by September 5, 1999. It is requested that such petitions refer to the application file number shown above. Petitions should be sent to the Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, Room TW-A325, Washington, DC 20554. Two copies of the petition should also be sent to Network Services Division, 445 12th Street, SW, Room 6-A207, Washington, DC 20554. The application will be available for review and copying during regular business hours at the FCC Reference Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW, Room CY-A257, Washington, DC 20554, (202) 418-0267. For further information, contact Al McCloud, (202) 418-2499 (voice), amccloud@fcc.gov, or Marty Schwimmer, (202) 418-2320 (voice), mschwimm@fcc.gov, at the Network Services Division, Common Carrier Bureau. The TTY number is (202) 418-0484. -FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION-