Attachment 20161213130655-403.p

20161213130655-403.p

SUPPLEMENT

Supplement

2000-07-13

This document pretains to ITC-T/C-20000713-00397 for Transfer of Control on a International Telecommunications filing.

IBFS_ITCTC2000071300397_1381086

                                                      Non—Streamlined    ITC—TIZC—2000071 3—
                                                      GTE WIRELESS SEATTLE,
                                                                            LLC                in‘




                                         July 13, 2000




BY HAND

Magalie Roman Salas
Secretary
Federal Communications Commission
445 Twelfth Street, S.W., Room TW—B204
Washington, D.C. 20554

       Re:    Application for Authority to Transfer Control of Derivative International
                 Section 214 Authority Held by GTE Wireless Seattle LLC, GTE
                 Wireless Victoria LLC, GTE Mobilnet of Austin Limited Partnership,
                 GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #11 Limited Partnership, GTE Mobilnet of
                 Texas RSA #16 Limited Partnership, and Texas RSA 10B3 Limited
                 Partnership

Dear Ms. Salas:

       Enclosed for filing please find an original and five paper copies of an application
seeking Commission consent to transfer control from GTE Wireless Incorporated ("GTE
Wireless") to SBC Communications Inc. of the derivative international Section 214
authority held by certain subsidiaries and controlled partnerships of GTE Wireless —
specifically, GTE Wireless Seattle LLC, GTE Wireless Victoria LLC, GTE Mobilnet of
Austin Limited Partnership, GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #11 Limited Partnership, GTE
Mobilnet of Texas RSA #16 Limited Partnership, and Texas RSA 10B3 Limited
Partnership. The Applicants seek streamlined processing for this application pursuant
to Section 63.12 of the Commission‘s Rules. The Applicants will not transfer these
authorizations unless and until the Commission grants the underlying license transfer
applications in WT Docket No. 00—81.


Magalie Roman Salas
July 13, 2000
Page 2




       The prescribed fee for the instant application is $780.00. This amount has been
paid electronically and the electronic audit code for the fee receipt is
167552201951452.

       Please direct questions concerning the transferee‘s portion of the application to:

                            Philip W. Horton
                            Arnold & Porter
                            555 12" Street, N.W.
                            Washington, D.C. 20004—1202
                            (202) 942—5000

Please direct questions concerning the transferor‘s portion of the application to the
undersigned counsel for GTE Wireless.


                                               Respectfully submitted,




                                               Nancy J. Victory




cc: J. Breck Blalock
    Elizabeth Nightingale


                                  Before the
                   FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20554




                                                N) N) N) N) N) N N N N/
In the Matter of

GTE WIRELESS INCORPORATED
Transferor,

and

SBC COMMUNICATIONS INC.                                                         File No. ITC—
Transferee.
                                            N/ NN N NY N N N N N) Ne Ne N) N)


Application for Authority, Pursuant to
Section 214 of the Communications Act
of 1934, as Amended, to Transfer Control
of Derivative International Section
214 Authority Held by GTE Wireless
Seattle LLC, GTE Wireless Victoria
LLC, GTE Mobilnet of Austin Limited
Partnership, GTE Mobilnet of Texas
RSA #11 Limited Partnership, GTE
Mobilnet of Texas RSA #16 Limited
Partnership and Texas RSA 10B3
Limited Partnership




              JOINT APPLICATION FOR TRANSFER OF CONTROL
                       OF SECTION 214 AUTHORITY



       Pursuant to Section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended,

47 U.S.C. § 214, and Section 63.18 of the Rules of the Federal Communications

Commission ("Commission"), 47 C.F.R. § 63.18, GTE Wireless Incorporated ("GTE

Wireless") and SBC Communications Inc. ("SBC") (collectively, "Applicants") hereby

request Commission approval to transfer control to SBC of the derivative international


Section 214 authority held by GTE Wireless Seattle LLC ("Seattle LLC"), GTE Wireless

Victoria LLC ("Victoria LLC"), GTE Mobilnet of Austin Limited Partnership ("Austin‘),

GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #11 Limited Partnership ("RSA #11"), GTE Mobilnet of

Texas RSA #16 Limited Partnership ("RSA #16"), and Texas RSA 10B3 Limited

Partnership ("RSA 10B3") (collectively, the "Licensed Entities"). The Applicants seek

streamlined processing for this application pursuant to Section 63.12 of the Commission‘s

Rules.

         In support of this application, the Applicants submit the following information.


T.       INTRODUCTION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PARTIES AND
         TRANSACTION


         The Licensed Entities currently possess international Section 214 authority through

the global blanket international Section 214 authorization held by their parent company,

GTE Wireless.‘    This authorization permits the resale, on a non—dominant carrier basis, of

the international switched services of authorized, unaffiliated United States international

carriers for the provision of international switched services originating from U.S. points and

terminating at all international points, with the exception of the Dominican Republic and

Venezuela. The transfer of the derivative Section 214 authority held by the Licensed

Entities is part of a transaction in which GTE Wireless is transferring control of certain

cellular and PCS systems, and their corresponding FCC authorizations, to SBC." This



‘ File No. ITC—95—561.
* Applications to transfer control of these Title III licenses were filed on July 6, 2000.


transaction, which is being undertaken to implement divestitures required as a result of the

merger of GTE and Bell Atlantic Corporation ("Bell Atlantic‘"), will allow SBC, one of the

nation‘s leading CMRS providers, to expand its cellular footprint to better serve its

customers. The Applicants, the transaction into which they propose to enter, and the

derivative international Section 214 authority to be transferred, are summarized below. As

demonstrated herein, the proposed transfer of control will serve the public interest,

convenience and necessity.

A.      TheParties

        GTE Wireless is the parent of numerous subsidiaries and affiliated partnerships

licensed to provide a variety of wireless services to the public. Among these are wholly

owned subsidiaries, Seattle LLC and Victoria LLC, and controlled partnerships, Austin,

RSA #11, RSA #16 and RSA1IOB3. Seattle LLC‘s business consists primarily ofthe

provision of wireless services in the Seattle and Spokane—Billings, Washington MTAs and

the Yakima, Washington BTA. Victoria LLC‘s business consists primarily of the provision

of wireless services in the Victoria, Texas MSA. Austin‘s business consists primarily of the

provision of wireless services in the Austin, Texas MSA. RSA #11‘s business consists

primarily of the provision of wireless services in Texas RSA 11B1. RSA #16‘s business

consists primarily of the provision of wireless services in Texas RSA 16. RSA 10B3‘s

business consists primarily of the provision of wireless services in Texas RSA 10B3. As

part of their wireless service offerings, these licensees provide resold international

communications services to their wireless customers.


        SBC‘s principal businesses consist of local exchange, wireless and directory

publishing services provided by operating subsidiaries of SBC. SBC has foreign affiliations

within the meaning of Section 63.09(e) of the Commission‘s Rules® with carriers in South

Africa, Switzerland, Hungary, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Canada,

Lithuania and Belgium. SBC‘s subsidiaries hold a number of international Section 214

authorizations, which are described more fully below.


B.     The Transaction

       GTE Wireless and SBC have entered into an agreement under which GTE Wireless

will transfer control of the Licensed Entities to SBC. Following consummation of the

transaction, the Licensed Entities will be wholly—owned subsidiaries of or partnerships

controlled by SBC. The proposed transaction is described in detail in Exhibit 1.‘


II.    PUBLIC INTEREST CONSIDERATIONS



       The Applicants believe that the proposed transfer of control will serve the public

interest, convenience and necessity. As described fully in Exhibit 1, the proposed transfer of

the wireless properties to SBC will plainly result in public interest benefits and will not

trigger anti—competitive effects in any market. Moreover, SBC is highly qualified to be in

ultimate control of these authorizations. The transfer of control of the derivative




* See, 47 C.F.R. § 63.09(c).
* Exhibit 1 is the Description of the Transaction, Public Interest Showing and Related
Demonstrations filed with the Commission on July 6, 2000 in connection with the transfer of
the Title III licenses held by the Licensed Entities.


international Section 214 authority held by the Licensed Entities is incidental to this larger

transaction. Nevertheless, grant of the instant application is essential to preserve

international calling capabilities in the affected markets upon transfer. Failure to grantthis

request would not only deprive customers in these markets of critical calling capabilities on

which they have come to rely, but it would also reduce the ability of these systems to

compete fully and fairly in the communications marketplace.

       Because the proposed transfer of control is in the public interest, convenience and

necessity and otherwise complies with applicable law and regulations, the Applicants

respectfully request that the Commission grant this Application expeditiously.


III.   OTHER INFORMATION PROVIDED PURSUANT TO SECTION 63.18
       OF THE COMMISSION‘®S RULES


       The Applicants hereby submit the informationrequired under Section 63.18 of the

 Commission‘s Rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 63.18(a)—(p), andin support of the Applicants‘ request.

 The information set fofih below is labeled according to the corresponding rule éection to

 which it is responsive.

       Section 63.18(a) Identifying Information. The names, addresses and telephone

 numbers of the Applicants are:

            GTE Wireless Incorporated
            One GTE Place
            Alpharetta, GA 30004
            678—339—4271°


° The addresses and phone numbers of the Licensed Entities are identical to that of GTE
Wireless.


          SBC Communications Inc.
          175 E. Houston Street
          San Antonio, TX 78205
          210—351—3476

      Section 63.18 (b) State of Organization. GTE Wireless is a corporation organized

under the laws of the State of Delaware. SBC is a corporation organized under the laws of

the State of Delaware.

     Section 63.18 (c) Contact Information. All correspondence concerning this

application should be addressed to:

      For GTE Wireless:

        Mike Mott
        Manager, Regulatory Matters
        GTE Wireless Incorporated
        One GTE Place
        Alpharetta, GA 30004

        687—339—4268 (voice)
        678—339—8551 (facsimile)

     with a copy to

        Nancy J. Victory
        Wiley, Rein & Fielding
        1776 K Street, NW.
        Washington, D.C. 20006

        202—719—7388 (voice)
        202—719—7049 (facsimile)


        For SBC:

             Wayne Watts
             V.P. & Assistant General Counsel
             SBC Communications Inc.
             175 E. Houston Street
             San Antonio, TX 78205

             210—351—3476 (voice)
             210—351—3257 (facsimile)

        with a copy to

             Philip Horton
             Arnold & Porter
             555 12th Street, N.W.
             Washington, DC 20004

             (202) 942—5787 (voice)
             (202) 942—5999 (facsimile)
       Section 63.18(d) Existing Authorizations.

1.      SBC‘s subsidiaries currently hold the following international Section 214

authorizations to provide both resold and facilities—based switched (voice and data) and

private line international services:      |

        a.               FCC File No. ITC—214—19960418—00152 (Ameritech Mobile) (public

                 notice of approval, Report No. I—8180, DA 96—933, June 13, 1996; effective

                 June 10, 1996).°




° This international section 214 authorization is the subject of a pending transfer of control
application filed with the Commission on May 4, 2000, to transfer control of this
authorization to Alloy LLC, a joint venture between SBC and BellSouth Corporation.


       b.              FCC File No. ITC—94—100 (CCPR Services) (public notice of

               approval, Report No. I—6941, March 16, 1994; effective March 13, 1994)."

                       FCC File No. ITC—93—128 (USVI Cellular) (public notice of approval,

               Report No. 1—6796, May 12, 1993; effective May 8, 1993).‘

       d.              Southwestern Bell Communications Services—Massachusetts, Inc.,

               FCC File No. ITC—96—496 (Oct. 25, 1996) (public notice of approval, DA 96—

                1796, Oct. 31, 1996; effective Oct. 25, 1996).

                       Southwestern Bell Communications Services—Maryland, Inc., FCC

               File No. ITC—96—498 (public notice of approval, DA 96—1796, Oct. 31, 1996;

               effective Oct. 25, 1996).

                       Southwestern Bell Communications Services—New York, Inc., FCC

               File No. ITC—96—499 (public notice of approval, DA 96—1796, Oct. 31, 1996;

               effective Oct. 25, 1996).

       S               Southwestern Bell Communications Services—Illinois, Inc., FCC File

               No. ITC—96—500 (Oct. 25, 1996) (public notice of approval, DA 96—1796, Oct.

               31, 1996; effective Oct. 25, 1996).




‘ This international section 214 authorization is the subject of a pending transfer of control
application filed with the Commission on May 4, 2000, to transfer control of this
authorization to Alloy LLC, a joint venture between SBC and BellSouth Corporation.
8 This international section 214 authorization is the subject of a pending transfer of control
application filed with the Commission on May 4, 2000, to transfer control of this
authorization to Alloy LLC, a joint venture between SBC and BellSouth Corporation.


         Southwestern Bell Communications Services, Inc., FCC File No.

ITC—96—497 (public notice of approval, DA 96—1796, Oct. 31, 1996; effective

Oct. 25, 1996).

         Southwestern Bell Communications Services, Inc., FCC File No.

ITC—214—19971108—00689 (public notice, DA 99—1613, released August 13,

1999).

         Pacific Bell Communications, FCC File No. ITC—96—689 (public

notice of approval, DA 97—327, Feb. 13, 1997; effective Feb. 7, 1997).

         SBC Global Communications, Inc., FCC File No. ITC—96—692 (order,

authorization and certificate, DA 97—1928, Sept. 9, 1997; effective Sept. 5,

1997).

         SNET America, Inc., FCC File Nos. ITC—93—256 (public notice of

approval, Report No. 1—6858, Sept. 15, 1993), ITC—95—145 (public notice of

approval, Report No. 1—8030; Mar. 22, 1995; effective Mar. 17, 1995) and

ITC—96—172 (public notice of approval, Report No. I—8171, DA 96—668, May

2, 1996; effective Apr. 26, 1996).

         SNET Diversified Group, Inc., FCC File No. ITC—96—538 (public

notice of approval, Report No. I—8218, DA 96—1988, Nov. 27, 1996; effective

Nov. 22, 1996).

         Ameritech Communications, Inc., FCC File No. ITC—96—272 (order,

authorization and certificate, DA 96—1169, 11 FCC Red. 8685, July 24, 1996;


        effective July 19, 1996; memorandum, opinion and order removing interim

        separation safeguards, DA 97—1662, 12 FCC Red. 11654, August 4, 1997).

               Ameritech Communications, Inc., FCC File No. ITC—96—441 (public

       notice of approval, Report No. I—8202, DA 96—1551, Sept. 19, 1996; effective

       Sept. 13, 1996).

p.             Ameritech Communications, Inc., FCC File No. ITC—97—289 (public

       notice of approval, Report No. I—8251, DA 97—1442, July 10, 1997; effective

       July 9, 1997).

q.             Southwestern Bell Communications Services, Inc., FCC file No. ITC—

       214—20000301—00125 (public notice of approval, Report No. TEL—00212, DA

       00—768, April 6, 2000; effective March 31, 2000).

               Southwestern Bell Communications Services, Inc. FCC file No. ITC—

       214—20000127—00027 (public notice of approval, DA 00—1474, June 30, 2000,

       effective June 30, 2000).

SBC‘s subsidiaries have applied for the following international Section 214

authorizations to provide global international resale services:

               Pacific Telesis Mobile Services has an application pending before the

       Commission requesting authority to provide global international resale

       services. FCC file No. ITC—214—20000516—00368.

               SNET Mobility, Inc. has an application pending before the

       Commission requesting authority to provide global international resale

       services. FCC file No. ITC—214—20000516—00367.




                                       10


       g.              SNET Cellular, Inc. has an application pending before the

               Commission requesting authority to provide global international resale

               services. This application was filed on May 16, 2000.

       d.              Radiofone, Inc. has an application pending before the Commission

               requesting authority to provide global international resale services. This

               application was filed on May 16, 2000.

       e.              SBC Wireless, Inc. has an application pending before the Commission

               requesting authority to provide global international resale services. This

               application was filed on May 16, 2000.

3.     GTE Wireless holds only the international Section 214 authorization referenced

       above from which the authority to be transferredis derived.

       Section 63.18(e) Authority Requested. SBC is applying for authority under Section

63.18(e)(3), 47 C.F.R. § 63.18(e) of the Commission‘s Rules, to transfer control of common

carriers (the Licensed Entities) authorized to provide global international resale services

derived from the global blanket international Section 214 authorization held by GTE

Wireless.

       Section 63.18(f) Separate Applications. No response required.

       Section 63.18(g) Categorical Exclusion ofFacilities—Based Operations. The

Applicants are not seeking facilities—based authority under Section 63.18(e)(4) of the




                                               11


Commission‘s Rules. 47 C.F.R. § 63.18(e)(4). Therefore, and in acee          1w1

63 8          Section 63.18(g) requires no response from the Applicant

                             a——*
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             BC/Ameritech Order," us Commi                 det    ed that diAx lacks market
             ower in Switzerland, and that SBC             is S   aries are entitled to non—
             ominant carrier treatment on the U.S.—Switzerland route. "‘

            3. MATAV Rt (Hungary). MagyarCom, a consortium formed indirectly
            between Ameritech Corporation, a wholly—owned subsidiary of SBC
            ("Ameritech"), and Deutsche Telekom owns approximately 60 percent of

° See, 47 C.F.R. §§ 63.18(e)(3) & 63.18(g).
‘° In re Ameritech Corp. and SBC Communications Inc., 14 FCC Red. 14,712 (Oct. 8, 1999)
("SBC/AmeritechOrder").
" Id. at   533.



                                              12


                   MATAV Rt., the incumbent telecommunications operator in Hungary. Through
                   its interest in MagyarCom, Ameritech, and therefore SBC, holds a non—
                   controlling, 29.8 percent interest in MATAV.

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             M           i        has                      E2         »xim:      p rce      a
             1        3e         gaw:                      s1         50 p«      k ts       3         e
             10—      Sss         tran                     ‘a.

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             1    lly   ned1                              ns    ontly.        ‘k aolds       re
             c    —_ro  ; inte                            lit    auth:        )r vide 1
             c—   m     ations s                 Germany ;       esolé        ie_ ce 11
             1    ae    is. Talk                 x less than    ) perc        t share «e  _
             interni .uual trans;           ar   »cal access markets in uermany and the Netherlands.
             In the ~_BC/Ameritecn Oruer, the Commuission held that Talkline lacks market
             power in Germany and the Netherlands, and that SBC subsidiaries are entitled to
             regulation as non—dominant carriers along the U.S.—Germany and U.S.—
             Netherlands routes."

             8. UAB Mobilios Telekomunikacijos ("Bite") (Lithuania). Bite is a wholly—
             owned subsidiary of Tele Danmark. Consequently, Ameritech holds an indirect,
             controlling interest in Bite. Bite is authorized to provide wireless services in


" 1Id. at 4 537.
5 14.



                                                      13


                and SBC is entitled to a presumption of non—dominance along the U.S.—Norway
              route."

                11. Belgacom S.A. ("‘Belgacom") (Belgium). SBC, through its subsidiary
                Ameritech, indirectly has an affiliation with Belgacom." Belgacom is the
                incumbent telecommunications carrier in Belgium.

        Section 63.18(j) Destination Markets. SBC certifies that the Licensed Entities will

provide international telecommunications services to the following destination markets

identified in response to Section 63.18(1) above in which it currently holds controlling

ownership interests in their foreign carrier affiliates:

        1.                Denmark (Tele Danmark);

        2.                Germany (Talkline);

        3.                Netherlands (Talkline);

        4,                Lithuania (Bite);

        8.                Canada (ACII);

        6.                Norway (ETO);

        Section 63.18(k) WTO Membership/Market Power. Pursuant to Section 63.18(k) of

the Commission‘s rules, 47 C.F.R. § 63.18(k), for each of the destination countries listed in

subsection (j) of this application, SBC provides the following information.

        (1)               Tele Danmark (Denmark). Denmark is a member of the World Trade
                   Organization.

        (2)                Talkline (Germany and the Netherlands). Both Germany and the
                   Netherlands are members of the World Trade Organization. Talkline has far
                   less than 50 percent market share of the international transport and local

" Id. at 4—5.
° In The Matter of Southwestern Bell Communications Services, Inc., DA 00—1474 (June 30,
2000) 21.



                                                15


               access markets in Germany and the Netherlands, and therefore is presumed
               not to have market power in Germany and the Netherlands." Additionally, as
               noted above, the Commission has already concluded that Talkline lacks
               market power in Germany and the Netherlands.*‘

        (3)            Bite (Lithuania). Lithuania is not a member of the World Trade
               Organization. However, Bite has far less than a 50 percent market share in
               the international transport and local access markets in Lithuania, and
               therefore is presumed not to possess market power in any relevant market on
               the U.S.—Lithuania route." For this reason, the Commission has already
               concluded that Bite lacks sufficient market power to affect competition
               adversely in the United States."

        (4)            ACII (Canada). Canada is a member of the World Trade
               Organization. ACII is a nascent carrier with far less than 50 percent of the
               international transport and local access markets in Canada, and therefore is
               presumed not to possess market power in any relevant market on the U.S.—
               Canada route."" In addition, as noted in Section(i)(8) of this application, the
               Commission apparently already has concluded that ACII lacks market power
               in Canada.

        (5)            ETO (Norway). Norway is a member of the World Trade
               Organization. ETO is a nascent carrier with a miniscule share ofthe
               international transport and local access markets in Norway, and therefore is
               presumed not to possess market power in any relevant market on the U.S.—
               Norway route."


        Section 63.18(l) International Switched Resale Condition. Through the transfer of

control of the derivative international Section 214 authority held by the Licensed Entities,

SBC, through these entities, proposes to resell the international switched services of


"° Foreign Participation Order, supra at JC 150—70.
*‘ SBC/Ameritech Order, at J 537.
* Foreign Participation Order, supra at $« 150—70.
* SBC/Ameritech Order, at C 534—538.
** Foreign Participation Order, supra at $ 150—70.
* Id.




                                              16


unaffiliated U.S. carriers for the purpose of providing international communications services

to permitted foreign countries. SBC provides the following information with respect to the

foreign carriers with which it has an affiliation and as to which the Licensed Entities will

either satisfy Section 63.10(a)(3) of the Commission‘s Rules, 47 C.F.R. § 63.10(a)(3), or file

the quarterly traffic reports required by Section 43.61(c) of the Commission‘s Rules, 47

C.ER. § 43.61(c):

         On all international routes the Licensed Entities will provide service solely via resale

of the international switched services of an unaffiliated U.S. carrier. Since all of SBC‘s

foreign affiliated carriers, except Telkom S.A., Tele Danmark, MATAV Rt and Belgacom

lack 50 percent market share in the international transport and the local access markets on

the foreign end of the route, the Licensed Entities will satisfy Section 63.10(a)(3) of the rules

for all international communications services covered by this application, other than those to

South Affrica, Denmark, Hungary and Belgium. With respect to those four countries, the

Licensed Entities will file the quarterly traffic reports required by Section 43.61(c) of the

rules.

         Section 63.18(m) Non—Dominant Treatment. Pursuant to Section 63.18(m) of the

Commission‘s Rules, and in accord with the standards set forth in Section 63.10 of those

Rules, SBC requests that the Licensed Entities be treated as non—dominant for the provision

of the communications services on all U.S. international routes for all of SBC‘s foreign

affiliations. The Licensed Entities should be treated as non—dominant on its foreign

affiliations for the following reasons:




                                                17


1. The Licensed Entities would satisfy Section 63.10(a)(4) for the provision of
international communications service to South Africa through the resale of an
unaffiliated U.S facilities—based carriers‘ international switched services.

2. diAx lacks 50 percent market share in the international transport andlocal
access markets in Switzerlandand thus the Licensed Entities would satisfy
Section 63.10(a)(3) of the Commussion‘s Rules for all international
communications services which are covered by this application.

3. The Licensed Entities would satisfy Section 63.10(a)(4) for the provision of
international communications service to Hungary through the resale of an
unaffiliated U.S facilities—based carriers‘ international switched services.

4. BEN lacks 50 percent market share in the international transport and local
access market in the Netherlands and thus the Licensed Entities would satisfy
Section 63.10(a)(3) of the Commussion‘s Rules for all international
communications services which are covered by this application.

5. NetComis a wireless carrier which lacks 50 percent market share in the
international transport and local access market in Norway and thus the Licensed
Entities would satisfy Section 63.10(a)(3) of the Commission‘s Rules for all
international communications services whicharecovered by this application.

6. The Licensed Entities would satisfy Section 63.10(a)(4) for the provision of
international communications service to Denmark through the resale of an
unaffiliated U.S. facilities—based carriers‘ international switched services.

7. Talkline provides mobile communications services by connecting customers
to different mobile operators‘ networks, and hasfar below 50 percent of the
market share of the international transport and local access markets in Germany
and the Netherlands and thus the Licensed Entities would satisfy Section
63.10(a)(3) of the Commussion‘s Rules for all international communications
services which are covered by this application.

8. Bite provides only mobile wireless communications services and lacks 50
percent market share in the international transport and local access markets in
Lithuania and thus the Licensed Entities would satisfy Section 63.10(a)(3) of the
Commission‘s Rules for all international communications services which are
covered by this application.

9. ACII received authorization to provide international telecommunications
services in Canada last year, and therefore became a foreign carrier, as that term
is defined in section 63.09. ACII has a minuscule share of the international
transport and local access market in Canada and lacks 50 percent market share in


                                  18


           the international transport and local access markets in Canada and thus the
           Licensed Entities would satisfy Section 63.10(a)(3) of the Commission‘s Rules
           for all international communications services which are covered by this
           application.

           10. ETO, which provides competitive fixed network, broadband and internet
           services in Norway, has far below 50 percent of the market share of the
           international transport and local access markets in Norway and thus the Licensed
           Entities would satisfy Section 63.10(a)(3) of the Commission‘s Rules for all
           international communications services which are covered by this application.

           11. The Licensed Entities would satisfy Section 63.10(a)(4) for the provision of
           international communications service to Belgium through the resale of an
           unaffiliated U.S. facilities—based carriers‘ international switched services.


       Section 63.18(n) Special Concessions Certification. SBC herebycertifies that it

has not agreed to accept special concessions directly or indirectly from any foreign carrier

with respect to any U.S. international route where the foreign carrier possesses market power

on the foreign end ofthe route and will not enter into such agreements in the future.

       Section 63.18(0) Anti—Drug Abuse Act Certification. SBC is not subject to a denial

of Federal benefits pursuant to Section 5301 of the Anti—Drug Abuse Act of 1988. Attached

hereto is a certification, pursuant to Sections 1.2001 through 1.2003 of the Commission‘s

Rules (implementing the Anti—Drug Abuse Act of 1988, 21 U.S.C. § 862), of SBC.

       Section 63.18(p) Streamlining. The Applicants request streamlined processing of

this application. This application qualifies for streamlined processing pursuant to Section

63.12 of the Commission‘s Rules because, although SBC is affiliated with foreign carriers

within the meaning of Section 63.09(e) in South Africa, Switzerland, Hungary, Norway, the

Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Canada, and Belgium, these affiliated destination markets

are World Trade Organization member countries and SBC qualifies for a presumption of




                                              19


non—dominance under Section 63.10(a)(4) of the Commussion‘s Rules as the international

service which is the subject of this application would be provided solely through the resale

of an unaffiliated U.S. facilities—based carrier‘s international switched services (either

directly or indirectly through resale of another U.S. resale carrier‘s international switched

services).

               In addition, although SBC is affiliated with a foreign carrier within the meaning of

Section 63.09(e) in Lithuania, the Commussion has previously found that Bite lacks market

power in the destination market."° For this reason, the Commission has already concluded

that Bite lacks sufficient market power to affect competition adversely in the United States.""




26
          d.
     I=




*‘ SBC/Ameritech Order, at J 534—538.



                                                     20


IV.     CONCLUSION

        In view of the foregoing, the Applicants respectfully request the Commission to

grant this application.


                Respectfully submitted,


                SBC COMMUNICATIONS INC.


               By:
                     T. Michael Payne




DATE:




                                             21


             GTE Wireless Incorporated


             By:
                   Alan F. Ciamporcero




DATE: July 13, 2000


                       CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
             SECTIONS 1.2001—1.2003 OF THE COMMISSION®S RULES

        Pursuant to Sections 1.2001—1.2003 of the Commission‘s Rules, 47 C.F.R.

§§ 1.2001—1.2003, SBC Communications Inc. hereby certifies that neither it, nor any of its

officers or directors, nor any of the shareholders holding 5 percent or more of the

outstanding stock or shares (voting and/or non—voting) of SBC Communications Inc. is

subject to a denial of federal benefits that include FCC benefits pursuant to Section 5301 of

the Federal Anti—Drug Abuse Act of 1988, 21 U.S.C. § 862.


               SBC COMMUNICATIONS INC.

               By:
                     T. Michael Payne




DATE:




                                             23


                                                                             214 Application
                                                                                   Exhibit 1
                                                                                 Page 1 of 9




               DESCRIPTION OF TRANSACTION, PUBLIC INTEREST
                  SHOWING AND RELATED DEMONSTRATIONS

    I.     INTRODUCTION

           These applications seek Commission approval for the transfer ofcontrol of

    certain FCC authorizations heldby subsidiaries and affiliates of GTE Corporation

    ("GTE")‘ to SBC Communications Inc. ("SBC")." The authorizations relate to PCS

    systems in the Seattle and Spokane—Billings, Washington MTAs and the Yakima,

Washington BTA, and to cellular and microwave systems in the Austin, Texas and

Victoria, Texas MSAs, as well as to cellular systems in Texas RSAs 10B3, 11B1 and

    16. The authorizations are for cellular, PCS and microwave services (the "GTE

Authorizations"). Atotal of six applications are being filed.

           This transaction, which is being undertaken to implement divestitures required

as a res_ult of the merger of GTEand Bell Atlantic Corporation v(“Bell Atlantic‘), will

allow SBC, which is one of the nation‘s leading CMRSproviders, to expand its cellular

footprint to better serve its customers. The Commission has repeatedly found that the

expansion of CMRS systems brings benefits to consumers and is pro—competitive, and

this transaction will bring about the same benefits that the Commussion has

acknowledged in approving similar transactions in the past. Accordingly, the

Commission should approve these applications expeditiously.



1         On Friday, June 30, 2000, the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE closed. As a
result, the ultimate parent entity of these licensees is Verizon Communications.
*
2
          SBC and GTE are jointly referred to herein as the "Applicants."


                                                                            214 Application
                                                                                  Exhibit 1
                                                                                Page 2 of 9


IL.     THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION

        Pursuant to the terms of a court—approved Consent Decree among GTE, Bell

Atlantic, Vodafone AirTouch Ple and the Department of Justice ("DOJ")," the licenses

at issue here are amongthose required to be divested by GTEas a condition ofthe

merger of GTE and Bell Atlantic. Such divestiture is also required by the

Commission‘s Rules and the Commission‘s order approving the merger.* The proposed

sale of these properties to SBC will permit the merger parties to comply with these

governmental directives and will enable the closing of a merger already found to bring

substantial public benefits to consumers."

       Thesale of these properties will take place pursuant to a series of agreements

(the "Agreements") entered into between GTE and SBC on June 30, 2000. Pursuant to


   *   See Final Judgment, U.S. v. Bell Atlantic Corp., Civ. No. 1:99CVO1119 (LFO)
(D.D.C. Apr. 18, 2000).
      iSee In re Application of GTE Corporation and Bell Atlantic Corporation for
Consent to Transfer of Control, FCC 00—221 (rel. June 16, 2000).
    °*   The merger of GTE and Bell Atlantic was consummated on June 30, 2000.
Pursuant to a waiver of the CMRS spectrum cap from the FCC and the grant by DOJ of
the first of two 30—day extensions of time permitted under the Consent Decree to divest
the properties, the merged entity has been able temporarily to retain these properties
pending sale to SBC. Applicants expect to receive an additional 30—day extension of
time if necessary to obtain FCC approval and close the deal. In the event that the
transfer to SBC is not consummated within the allotted time and necessary extensions
or waivers are not procured, GTE will be required to place these properties into trust
under the direction of a DOJ—appointed and court—approved trustee. Such authority for
transfer to the trustee, if needed, has already been received. See In re Applications of
GTE Corporation, Vodafone AirTouch Plc, and Bell Atlantic Corporation for Consent
to Transfer Control of or Assign Properties to Divestiture Trust, DA 00—1414 (rel. June
26, 2000), Letter to Nancy J. Victory, Esq., Counsel to GTE Corporation, from William
W. Kunze, Deputy Chief, Commercial Wireless Division, Wireless
Telecommunications Bureau, FCC (June 29, 2000).


                                                                          214 Application
                                                                                Exhibit 1
                                                                              Page 3 of 9


the Agreements, SBC will purchase GTE‘s interest in the following entities: (1) GTE

Wireless Seattle LLC ("GTE Seattle") (which holds 20 MHz PCS licenses for the

Seattle and Spokane—Billings, Washington MTAs and the Yakima BTA)®; (2) GTE

Mobilnet of Austin Limited Partnership (the "Austin Partnership") (which holds the B

band cellular license in the Austin, Texas MSA)‘; (3) GTE Wireless Victoria LLC

("GTE Victoria") (which holds the B band cellular license in the Victoria, Texas

MSA)*; (4) Texas RSA 10B3 Limited Partnership (the "RSA 10B3 Partnership")

(which holds a portion of the B band cellular license in Texas RSA 10)°; (5) GTE

Mobilnet of Texas RSA #11 Limited Partnership (the "RSA 11 Partnership") (which

holds a portion of the B band cellular license in Texas RSA 11)""; and (6) GTE


°       Pursuant to a forbearance notification dated June 28, 2000, the Commission was
notified of the recent pro forma assignment of these licenses from (GTE Wireless of the
Pacific Incorporated to GTE Seattle. See File No. 0000178947. In addition, pursuant
to a forbearance notification dated June 29, 2000, the Commission was notified of the
recent disaggregation of 10 MHz from the Spokane and Yakima licenses and the pro
forma assignment of these newly created 10 MHz licenses to an affiliated GTE entity.
See File No. 0000179481. With respect to the Seattle license, 10 MHz was
disaggregated from this license several years ago. Accordingly, all of the PCS licenses
to be transferred to SBC are 20 MHz licenses. The Applicants note that the Yakima
authorization is the subject of a pending request for waiver of the Commission‘s five—
year construction requirement. See File No. 0000176449. Should this request for
waiver and extension of time to construct facilities be denied, however, the Yakima
authorization will not be included as part of this transaction.
7       GTE has a 40% general partnership interest and a 21.68% limited partnership
interest in the Austin Partnership.
8      Pursuant to a forbearance notification dated June 22, 2000, the Commission
was notified of the recent pro forma assignment of this license from GTE
Wireless of Houston Incorporated to GTE Victoria. See File No. 0000174048.
T       GTE has a 25% general partnership interest and a 50% limited partnership
interest in the RSA 10B3 Partnership.


                                                                               214 Application
                                                                                     Exhibit 1
                                                                                   Page 4 of 9


Mobilnet of Texas RSA # 16 Limited Partnership (the "RSA 16 Partnership") (which

holds the B band cellular license in Texas RSA 16)." The identity of the licensees will

not change," but SBC will control and become the ultimate parent company of the

licensees."

        In addition to the interests that are the subject of these applications, as part of

the transaction SBC will purchase GTE‘s minority positions in the SBC—controlled

partnerships that hold the B band cellular licenses in Dallas and San Antonio, and will

also purchase a minority interest in the B band cellular license for Texas RSA 20B2.

Finally, SBC will sell to GTE its minority interest in the B band Houston cellular

licensee, which is currently controlled by GTE. These portions of the transaction do

not involve the transfer of controlling interests, and thus do not require advance

Commission approval.

III.    DESCRIPTION OF THE TRANSFEREE

        SBC is a holding company whose affiliates provide wireline and wireless voice

and data communications, paging, high—speed Internet access and messaging, cable and

satellite television, security services and telecommunications equipment, as well as




10      GTE has a 20% general partnership interest and an 8% limited partnership
interest in the RSA 11 Partnership.
N       GTE has a 20% general partnership interest and a 3.2% limited partnership
interest in the RSA 16 Partnership.
12     The six GTE affiliates that hold the authorizations at issue are collectively
referred to herein as the "GTE Licensees."

13     Under the terms of the Agreements, SBC may assign its right to purchase the
interests being acquired to its wholly owned subsidiaries and affiliates.


                                                                            214 Application
                                                                                  Exhibit 1
                                                                                Page 5 of 9


directory advertising and publishing services. In the United States, SBC‘s affiliates

currently serve over 90 million voice grade equivalent lines, and SBC‘s CMRS

affiliates provide cellular and PCS service to a population of 120 million persons, both

within the 13 states where SBC‘s affiliates are incumbent local exchangecarriers and

elsewhere. SBC‘s CMRS affiliates currehtly serve approximately 11.2 million cellular

and PCS customers.

IV.     PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT

       A.              The Standard Of Review

       To approve the transfer of control ofthe GTE Authorizations to SBC, the

Commission must find that the transfers are consistent with the public interest,

convenience and necessity. See 47 U.S.C. § 310(d). In making that finding, the

Commission considers (1) what markets may be affected by the transaction; (ii) whether

the transaction will harm competition in any of those markets; and (iii) whether the

transaction will yield affirmative public interest benefits.‘"* In addition, the Commission

must determine whether SBC is qualified to hold the GTE Authorizations.

       Many transfer applications on their face show that a transaction will yield

affirmative public interest benefits and will not violate the Communications Act or

Commuission Rules, nor frustrate or undermine policies and enforcement of the



14     See In re Applications of Vodafone AirTouch, Plc and Bell Atlantic Corp., DA
99—2451, DA 00—721, Memorandum Opinion and Order, 2000 WL 332670, « 25
(WTB/IB Mar. 30, 2000) ("Bell Atlantic/Vodafone"); In re Applications ofAerial
Communications, Inc. and VoiceStream Wireless Holding Corp., DA 00—730,
Memorandum Opinion and Order, 2000 WL 339806, | 30 (WTB/IB Mar. 31, 2000)
("VoiceStream/Aerial").


                                                                              214 Application
                                                                                    Exhibit 1
                                                                                  Page 6 of 9


Communications Act by reducing competition or otherwise." Such applications do not

require extensive review and expenditures of considerable resources by the

Commission and interested parties. As explained in detail below, this is such a

transaction, and the Commission should approve the transfer applications expeditiously.

        B.              The Transfer is Consistent with the Public Interest,
                Convenience and Necessity

        The Commission should unconditionally approve the transfer of control to SBC

of the GTE Authorizations because (1) the addition of those licenses to SBC‘s CMRS

operations will result in public interest benefits; (ii) there will be no anticompetitive

effects in any market; and (i11) SBC is clearly qualified to hold these licenses.

       As the Commission has repeatedly found, the public interest is well served by

transactions like this one that expand the footprint of CMRS carriers.‘"" The ability of



&      See In re Tele—Communications, Inc. and AT&T Corp., Memorandum Opinion
and Order, 12 FCC Red. 3160, « 16 (1999) (citing In re Bourbeuse Tel. Co. and Fidelity
Tel. Co., 14 FCC Red. 803 (1998)); In re Applications ofAmeritech Corp. and SBC
Communications Inc., Memorandum Opinion and Order, 14 FCC Red. 14712, « 54
(1999) ("SBC/Ameritech").
to     See, eg., Bell Atlantic/Vodafone T 32—33; VoiceStream/Aerial 43—44; In re
Applications of Comcast Cellular Holdings, Co. and SBC Communications Inc.,
Memorandum Opinion and Order, 14 FCC Red. 10,604, 10 (WTB 1999) ("SBC/
Comecast");, In re Applications of Vanguard Cellular Systems, Inc. and Winston, Inc.,
Memorandum Opinion and Order, 14 FCC Red. 3844, 23—24 (WTB 1999); In re
Application of 360° Communications Co. and ALLTEL Corp., Memorandum Opinion
and Order, 14 FCC Red. 2005, « 41 (WTB 1998); In re Southern New England
Telecommunications Corporation and SBC Communications Inc., Memorandum
Opinion and Order, 13 FCC Red. 21292, [« 44—45 (1998) ("SBC/SNET"); In re Bell
Atlantic Mobile Systems, Inc. and NYNEX Mobile Communications Co., Memorandum
Opinion and Order, 10 FCC Red. 13368, [ 45—46 (WTB 1995) (citing In re
Application of Corpus Christi Cellular Tel. Co., Memorandum Opinion and Order, 3
FCC Red. 1889, 19 (MSD 1988)).


                                                                             214 Application
                                                                                   Exhibit 1
                                                                                 Page 7 of 9


the combined companies to offer a larger calling scope is clearly procompetitive

because it will enhance theability of SBC to provide wide—area, toll—free calling scopes,

competitive rate plans and one—stop shopping that other CMRS carriers are offering to

their customers. The creation ofintegrated networks will also enhance SBC‘s ability to

offer consistent features across markets, so that consumers will enjoy uniform service

features. In addition, the expansion of SBC‘s footprint will assist it in providing the

kind of single rate plans that consumers are demanding. These are the same kinds of

benefits that the Commussion has cited in approving the consolidation of other wireless

systems, and the same result is appropriate here. Moreover, the Commission has

already ruled that the merger of GTE and Bell Atlantic serves the public interest, and

the divestiture of these authorizations is a condition of that merger.

        Moreover, this transaction will have no anticompetitive effects. SBC and GTE

do not compete in any of the CMRS markets that are the subject of the applications.

Rather, for the reasons discussed above, the transaction will actually be procompetitive.

In addition, as noted, the divestiture of the GTE Authorizations is necessary to comply

with the requirements of the DOJ and the Commission to ensure that the merger of

GTE and Bell Atlantic would not have any anticompetitive effects. Finally, there can

be no question as to the qualifications of SBC. SBC‘s qualifications are well known to

the Commuission, which has repeatedly found that it is fully qualified to control the

types of authorizations at issue here.‘"‘ In view of the obvious qualifications of SBC, the


s     See, e.g., International Bureau and Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Grant
Consentfor Transfer of Control ofLicenses of Cellular Communications ofPuerto
Rico, Inc., to SBC Communications Inc., Public Notice, 14 FCC Red. 13506 (WTB/IB


                                                                             214 Application
                                                                                   Exhibit 1
                                                                                 Page 8 of 9


public interest benefits that the transaction will bring, and the lack of any possible

anticompetitive effects, the Commission should approve this transaction expeditious

v.     ADDITIONAL AUTHORIZATIONS

       While the lists of authorizations specified in the applications for approval of:

assignments are intended to be complete, the GTE Licensees may have on file, and n

file for, additional authorizations for new or modified facilities, some of which may |

granted during the pendency of the applications. Accordingly, Applicants request th

the grant of the applications include authority for SBC to acquire the followingitems

       (1)     any authorization issued to any of the GTE Licensees during the

               Commuission‘s consideration of the applications and the period require

               for consummation of the transaction following approval;

       (2)     construction permits held by any of the GTE Licensees that mature in

               licenses after closing and that were not included in the applications; ai

       (3)     any applications that have been filed by any of the GTE Licensees anc

               that are pending at the time of consummation of the transaction.

Such action would be consistent with prior decisions of the Commission."




1999); SBC/Ameritech T 568—573; SBC/Comcast 4—5; SBC/SNET < 26—27; In re
Applications ofPacific Telesis Group and SBC Communications, Inc., Memorandum
Opinion and Order, 12 FCC Red. 2624, € 11 (1997) ("SBC/Telesis").
18     See, eg., SBC/Ameritech « 583; SBC/SNET 49; SBC/Telesis « 93; In re
Applications of Craig O. McCaw and American Tel. & Tel. Co., FCC 94—238,
Memorandum Opinion and Order, 9 FCC Red. 5836, [ 137 n.300 (1994), affd sub
nom. SBC Communications Inc. v. FCC, 56 F.3d 1484 (D.C. Cir.), recons. in part, 10
FCC Red. 11786 (1995).


                                                                           214 Application
                                                                                 Exhibit 1
                                                                               Page 9 of 9


        None of the licenses at issue were obtained at auction within the past three

years; accordingly, transfer of control of the GTE Authorizations does not raise any

unjust enrichment concerns.

        On May 4, 2000, SBC and BellSouth Corporation filed applications seeking

consent to transfer control of most of their domestic mobile wireless authorizations to a

newly created joint venture. Assuming that the transfer of control applications for the

GTE authorizations are granted, SBC intends ultimately to contribute its interests in

those authorizations to the joint venture. In the event that the Commission approves the

SBC/BellSouth transaction before acting on these assignment applications, Applicants

will amend these applications in order to allow the joint venture to acquire control of

those authorizations and will request a waiver of Sections 1.927(h) and 1.929(a)(2) of

the Commission‘s Rules so that a new public notice will not be required.

VI._    CONCLUSION

        For the foregoing reasons, Applicants respectfully request that the Commission

conclude that this transaction serves the public interest, convenience and necessity and

that it grant the transfer applications expeditiously.



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Document Modified: 2019-04-19 15:57:08

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