651 Petition of rural incumbent local exchange carriers for a one-year extension of their section 251(b) and (c) interconnection suspension under Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission order en- tered July 10, 1997, at P-00971177; doc. no. P-00991633

Petition of Rural Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers for a One-Year Extension of their Section 251(b) and (c) Interconnection Suspension under Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Order Entered July 10, 1997, at P-00971177; Doc. No. P-00991633

[29 Pa.B. 2118]

   On February 10, 1997, Petitioners Yukon Waltz Telephone Company, Venus Telephone Company, South Canaan Telephone Company, Pymatuning Independent Telephone Company, Pennsylvania Telephone Company, Palmerton Telephone Company, North Pittsburgh Telephone Company, North Penn Telephone Company, The North-Eastern Pennsylvania Telephone Company, Marianna & Scenery Hill Telephone Company, Laurel Highland Telephone Company, Lackawaxen Telephone Company, Ironton Telephone Company, Armstrong Telephone Company-Pennsylvania, and Armstrong Telephone Company-North filed a Petition under Section 251(f)(2) of TA-96 seeking temporary suspension of their Section 251(b) and (c) interconnection obligations.

   On July 10, 1997, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (Commission) entered a Final Order granting Petitioners a 2-year suspension of their Section 251(b) and (c) interconnection obligations. The Order also expressly authorized subsequent petitions for up to three additional 1-year suspensions. The initial 2-year suspension period will expire on July 10, 1999.

   On January 11, 1999, Petitioners filed a petition for a 1-year extension of their Section 251(b) and (c) Interconnection Suspension under the procedure outlined in the July 10, 1997, Order. The Commission has determined that publication of notice of this Petition for comment is appropriate.

   Consequently, interested parties must submit comments to the Petition within 7 days of publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Reply Comments must be submitted within 14 days of publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

   Copies of the Petition may be obtained from Lisa Higley at [phone] in the Office of Secretary at the Commission's offices in Harrisburg, PA. The contact person at the Commission is Elizabeth H. Barnes, Assistant Counsel, Law Bureau, [phone].

JAMES J. MCNULTY,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 99-651. Filed for public inspection April 16, 1999, 9:00 a.m.]