1 News media information 202 / 418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY 202 / 418-2555 1 PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 DA 00-51 January 12, 2000 SCANA Communications, Inc. Seeks Commission Determination of "Exempt Telecommunications Company" Status Under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, As Amended by Section 103 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 NSD File No: ETC 99-08 Pleading Cycle Established Comments Due: February 3, 2000 Reply Comments Due: February 10, 2000 On December 15, 1999, SCANA Communications, Inc. (SCI), pursuant to Section 34(a)(1) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 ("PUHCA"), as added by Section 103 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Pub. L. No. 104-104, filed an application requesting a Commission determination that it is an exempt telecommunications company ("ETC"). SCI is a South Carolina corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of SCANA Corporation, which is also a South Carolina corporation. SCI is engaged directly, or indirectly through one or more affiliates, and exclusively, in the business of providing (a) telecommunications services; (b) information services; (c) other services or products subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission; or (d) products or services that are related or incidental to the provisions of a product or service described in the services above. Specifically, SCI is engaged directly in the maintenance and operation of an 800 MHz private land mobile radio system used on a non-profit, cost-shared basis by both affiliated and unaffiliated utilities and public safety entities in the States of South Carolina and Georgia, and in the leasing of fiber optic cable and related infrastructure to common carriers in the States of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. SCI may in the future engage in other activities that fall within the categories set forth in Section 34(a)(1)(A-D) of PUHCA. SCI concludes that it satisfies the requirements for ETC status. In accordance with 47 C.F.R.  1.5004, if the Commission does not issue an order denying SCI's application within 60 days of receipt of this application, December 15, 1999, the application will be deemed granted as a matter of law. In accordance with 47 C.F.R.  1.5003, a person applying in good faith for a Commission determination of ETC status is deemed to be an ETC from the date of receipt of the application, December 15, 1999, until the date of Commission action pursuant to 47 C.F.R.  1.5004. In accord with 47 C.F.R.  1.5005, the Secretary of the Commission is now notifying the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that SCI is deemed to be an exempt telecommunications company. In the event that the Commission issues an order within 60 days of receipt of the application denying the application, the Secretary will so notify the SEC. Otherwise, the Commission will take no further action to grant this application. This proceeding is considered a "permit but disclose" proceeding for purposes of the Commission's ex parte rules. See generally 47 C.F.R.  1.1200 - 1.1206. Persons wishing to file comments, regarding the adequacy or accuracy of the SCI application requesting status as a ETC, must do so no later than February 3, 2000. All comments should also be served on the applicant. Reply comments must be filed no later than February 10, 2000. Interested parties should file an original and four copies of their comments with the Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 Twelfth St., SW, Room TW-A325, Washington, D.C. 20554. In addition, parties should send one copy to ITS, at 1231 20th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20036 and two copies to Al McCloud, Common Carrier Bureau, Network Services Division, FCC, 445 12th Street, SW, Room 6-A320, Washington, D.C. 20554. All filings concerning any of the matters referenced in this Public Notice should refer to NSD File No. ETC 99-08. The application will be available for public inspection Monday through Friday in the FCC Reference Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW, Suite CY-A257, Washington, D.C., 20554, (202) 418-0267. For further information regarding this application, contact Marty Schwimmer or Al McCloud in the Network Services Division at (202) 418-2320 (voice), TTY: (202) 418-0484. -FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION-