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PUBLIC NOTICE

Federal Communications Commission

News Media Information 202 / 418-0513

445 12th St., S.W.

Internet: http://www.fcc.gov

Washington, D.C. 20554

TTY: 1-888-835-5322

DA 12-1687

 

Released:  October 19, 2012

WIRELINE COMPETITION BUREAU RELEASES ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION TOPICS 

FOR CONNECT AMERICA PHASE II COST MODEL VIRTUAL WORKSHOP

WC Docket Nos. 10-90, 05-337

On Tuesday, October 9, 2012, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) announced the 
commencement of the Connect America Phase II cost model virtual workshop and listed a number 
of discussion topics for which it sought public input.1 Today, the Bureau releases additional virtual 
workshop discussion topics.  Parties can participate in the virtual workshop by visiting the Connect 
America Fund webpage, http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/connecting-america, and following the 
link to the virtual workshop.  Comments on these topics must be posted on or before November 19, 
2012.  
The virtual workshop is the next step in implementing Phase II of the Connect America 
Fund established in the USF/ICC Transformation Order.2 The virtual workshop solicits input on a 
variety of topics related to the development and adoption of the forward-looking cost model.  The 
newly added topics solicit input on:
·
Determining the Sharing Factor for Outside Plant
·
Plant Mix
·
Labor-Cost Adjustment Based on Location
 
 
1 Wireline Competition Bureau Announces Commencement of Connect America Phase II Cost Model Virtual 
Workshop, WC Docket Nos. 10-90 and 05-337, Public Notice, DA 12-1561 (Wireline Comp. Bur. rel. Oct. 9, 
2012).  See also Wireline Competition Bureau Announces Connect America Phase II Cost Model Virtual 
Workshop, WC Docket Nos. 10-90 and 05-337, Public Notice, DA 12-1487 (Wireline Comp. Bur. rel. Sept. 
12, 2012). 
2 The USF/ICC Transformation Order adopted a framework for providing ongoing support to areas served by 
price cap carriers, including areas where broadband service is not currently provided, known as Connect 
America Phase II. Connect America Fund et al., WC Docket No. 10-90 et al., Report and Order and Further 
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 26 FCC Rcd 17663 (2011) (USF/ICC Transformation Order or Order), pets. 
for review pending sub nom. In re: FCC, No. 11-9900 (10th Cir. filed Dec. 18, 2011).  The Commission will 
provide ongoing support to these areas through “a combination of a forward-looking cost model and 
competitive bidding.”  USF/ICC Transformation Order, 26 FCC Rcd at 17673, para. 23.  In June 2012, the 
Wireline Competition Bureau sought comment on a number of cost model threshold issues.  Wireline 
Competition Bureau Seeks Comment on Model Design and Data Inputs for Phase II of the Connect America 
Fund, WC Docket Nos. 10-90, 05-337, Public Notice, 27 FCC Rcd 6147 (Wireline Comp. Bur. rel. June 8, 
2012).  In September 2012, the Wireline Competition Bureau held a two-day in-person workshop discussing 
the design and mechanics of the models submitted into the record by the ABC Coalition and Alaska 
Communications Systems.  Wireline Competition Bureau Announces Agenda for Connect America Phase II 
Cost Model Workshop, WC Docket Nos. 10-90, 05-337, Public Notice, DA 12-1463 (Wireline Comp. Bur. rel. 
Sept. 10, 2012).  A recorded webcast of the first day of the workshop is available on the Commission’s website 
at http://www.fcc.gov/events/connect-america-phase-ii-cost-model-workshop and the Commission’s YouTube 
page at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfd2eSa3Yqs.  Workshop materials are available at 
http://wwwstaging.fcc.gov/events/connect-america-phase-ii-cost-model-workshop.

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The Bureau reserves the right to reopen discussion on these topics at a future date.  The Bureau also 
anticipates adding additional discussion topics as the virtual workshop progresses, which will be 
announced by Public Notice.
Discussions on these topics will be facilitated through various subject-matter-specific online 
discussion forums hosted on the Commission website, where members of the public can share 
information and ideas with Bureau staff while weighing the advantages and disadvantages of 
different approaches for meeting the goals established in the USF/ICC Transformation Order.  
The virtual workshop will take place over a period of weeks sufficient to allow public input 
on all material issues.  Discussion of particular topics may start and end at specific times as 
determined by the Bureau.  
Comments from the virtual workshop will be included in the official public record of this 
proceeding.  The Bureau will not rely on anonymous comments posted during the workshop in 
reaching decisions regarding the model.  Participants should be aware that identifying information 
from parties that post material in the virtual workshop will be publicly available for inspection upon 
request, even though such information may not be posted in the workshop forums.  
Reasonable accommodations, including materials in accessible formats (Braille, large print, 
electronic files, and audio format) for people with disabilities are available upon request.  Please 
include a description of the accommodation you will need, and tell us how to contact you if we need 
more information. Please make your request as early as possible. Last minute requests will be 
accepted but may be impossible to fill.  Accommodation requests should be sent to Kelly Jones, 
Kelly.Jones@fcc.gov, at 202-418-7078 (voice), 202-418-1169 (TTY), or 845-474-0054 (video).
For further information, please contact Katie King, 202-418-7491, Katie.King@fcc.gov or 
Ted Burmeister, 202-418-7389, Theodore.Burmeister@fcc.gov.
 
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