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 January 7, 2000 COMMENTS INVITED ON GTE MIDWEST INCORPORATED'S APPLICATION TO DISCONTINUE PROVIDING INTERSTATE SERVICES EFFECTIVE WITH THE SALE OF CERTAIN LOCAL EXCHANGE PROPERTIES IN IOWA NSD File No. W-P-D-446 Section 214 Application Applicant: GTE Midwest Incorporated On December 28, 1999, GTE Midwest Incorporated (GTE), filed an application 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 services in Iowa, effective with the sale of certain local exchange properties to Iowa Telecommunications Services, Inc. (Purchaser). Discontinuance will occur no earlier than March 31, 2000. This application relates to transactions encompassing exchanges in Iowa serving approximately 280,400 access lines. Purchaser will begin to provide service to affected customers simultaneously with the discontinuance of service by GTE, so that service will continue in the exchanges without interruption. Customers will see no changes in area codes, telephone numbers or local calling areas. GTE states that the sale will have no known immediate or substantial adverse effect on the service provided to customers in these Iowa exchanges. GTE further states that no existing service will be discontinued, reduced or impaired as a result of the sale. It expects that service will improve over time as Purchaser will concentrate on providing telecommunications services to rural communities. The application states that GTE has submitted a copy of its application to the Secretary of Defense, the Governor of Iowa, and the State of Iowa Department of Commerce Utilities Board. GTE's application appears to be complete. In accordance with 47 C.F.R.  63.71(c), the application will be deemed to be automatically granted on the 60th day after the release date of this Public Notice, without any Commission notification to the applicant, unless the Commission has notified the applicant that the grant will not be automatically effective. The FCC will normally authorize proposed discontinuances of service unless it is shown that customers or other end users would be unable to receive service or a reasonable substitute from another carrier, or that the public convenience and necessity is otherwise adversely affected. Comments objecting to this application must be filed with the Commission by February 7, 2000. It is requested that such comments refer to application file number W-P-D-446. Comments should include specific information about the impact of this proposed discontinuance on the commenter, including any inability to acquire reasonable substitute service. Comments 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 comments should also be sent to the 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) 418-0270. 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-