********************* ********************* ************** NOTICE ********************* ********************* ************** This document was converted from WordPerfect or Word to ASCII Text format. Content from the original version of the document such as headers, footers, footnotes, endnotes, graphics, and page numbers will not show up in this text version. All text attributes such as bold, italic, underlining, etc. from the original document will not show up in this text version. Features of the original document layout such as columns, tables, line and letter spacing, pagination, and margins will not be preserved in the text version. If you need the complete document, download the WordPerfect version or Adobe Acrobat version, if available. ********************* ********************* ********************* ** PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 445 12th STREET, S.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 DA 00-237 News media information 202/418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202/418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov PETITION OF AMSC SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION FOR CLARIFICATION OF SECTIONS 54.601(C) AND 54.506 OF THE COMMISSION'S RULES PLEADING CYCLE ESTABLISHED CC Docket No. 96-45 Release Date: February 9, 2000 Comment Date: February 23, 2000 Reply Comment Date: March 6, 2000 On November 24, 1999, AMSC Subsidiary Corporation (AMSC) filed a petition requesting the Commission to clarify two of its rules applicable to Universal Service Fund (USF) support for rural health care providers. AMSC states that it is now in a position to offer critical emergency communications services to Indians throughout the United States, without the need to construct and deploy costly wireline infrastructure. To initiate the process of offering these emergency services, AMSC requests that the Commission either issue in the pending proceeding relating to the unserved and tribal areas a preliminary order that the rural health care support mechanism will support the leasing of AMSC's Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) terminals, or waive the rules currently precluding such support. AMSC also seeks clarification of section 54.506 of the Commission's rules regarding the determination of the "urban rate" for purposes of calculating the discount applicable to the provision of emergency communications services on tribal lands. Pursuant to sections 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R.  1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments on or before February 23, 2000, and reply comments on or before March 6, 2000. 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, 63 Fed. Reg. 24,121 (1998). Comments filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to . Generally, only one copy of an electronic submission must be filed. If multiple docket or rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of this proceeding, however, commenters must transmit one electronic copy of the comments to each docket or rulemaking number referenced in the caption. 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 electronic comments by Internet e-mail. To receive 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