Implementation of the Local Competition Provisions in the Telecommunications Act of 1996; Increase in Page Limits for Comments and Reply Comments on Proposed Rule

摘要

On April 19, 1996, the Commission adopted and released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to implement provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 that address local competition. In addition to seeking comment on substantive rules, the NPRM established a limit of seventy-five (75) pages for the initial round of comments and thirty-five (35) pages for reply comments. Exhibits, appendices, and affidavits of expert witnesses are counted towards these page limits. In response to motions filed by GTE Service Corporation and the Consumer Federation of America, the Commission hereby increases the limit for initial comments from 75 to 120 pages and the limit for replies from 35 to 50 pages. In addition, the Commission expands the exclusion from these page limits to include any technical diagrams submitted by commenters in addition to the previously excluded documents. These modifications are intended to permit the development of the best possible record in light of the statutory deadline.