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 May 2, 2000 COMMENTS INVITED ON U S WEST'S APPLICATION TO DISCONTINUE OPERATION OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES WITHIN THIRTY-TWO IOWA EXCHANGES NSD File No. W-P-D-464 Section 214 Application Applicant: U S WEST Communications, Inc. On April 14, 2000, U S WEST Communications, Inc. (U S WEST) 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 operation of 32 Iowa exchanges (Attachment A). U S WEST states it has agreed to transfer those facilities to Citizens Telecommunications Company of Iowa, Inc. (Citizens). U S WEST states these 32 exchanges collectively serve approximately 51,000 access lines; approximately three of these lines are physically located in Minnesota and five in Nebraska. U S WEST also states that the planned transfer of the exchanges and the associated assets will have no known immediate or substantial effect on the service provided to customers within the 32 exchanges. U S WEST anticipates that service will improve over time, because Citizens has substantial expertise in providing telecommunications services in rural communities and this experience will ultimately inure to the benefit of telecommunications subscribers within the 32 exchanges. U S WEST's application appears to be complete. U S WEST states that it has notified all affected customers in Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska by letter of its proposed discontinuance and has submitted a copy of its application to the Secretary of Defense, the Iowa State Utilities Board, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, and the Nebraska Public Service Commission. 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 application is accepted for filing 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 May 23, 2000. Such comments should refer to application file number W-P-D-464. 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, of the Network Services Division, Common Carrier Bureau. The TTY number is (202) 418-0484. -FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION- ATTACHMENT A Exchanges being transferred by U S West Communications, Inc. to Citizens Telecommunications Company of Iowa, Inc.: Exchange Number of Access Lines Algona 4,693 Anthon 609 Blairsburg 279 Britt 1,573 Cherokee 4,237 Correctionville 635 Danbury 454 Estherville 4,528 Garner 2,197 Gilmore City 605 Hamburg 1,108 Humboldt 4,237 Jewell 850 Lansing 974 Laurens 1,234 Livermore 898 Luverne 325 Manly 883 Mapleton 1,105 Nashua 1,298 Northwood 1,742 Onawa 2,310 Pocahontas 1,593 Renwick 398 Sioux Rapids 685 Storm Lake/Alta** 7,892 Stuart 1,450 Wesley 460 Whiting 557 Whittemore 532 Williams 445 **The Storm Lake wire center includes the Storm Lake and Alta exchanges.