Report No. CC95-4          COMMON CARRIER ACTION           January 11, 1995


      FCC AFFIRMS AUTHORIZATION OF OKLAHOMA WESTERN TELEPHONE COMPANY
             TO OPERATE A CABLE TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

     The Commission has denied the application for review and
motion to dismiss filed by Cablevision of Texas III, L.P.
regarding the Common Carrier Bureau's authorization of Oklahoma
Western Telephone Company to operate a cable television system in
Clayton, OK, and surrounding areas under the rural exemption to
the cross ownership restrictions, and under Section 214 of the
Communications Act. 
     
     Western, an independent telephone company in Oklahoma, filed
an application under Section 214 of the Act seeking authorization
to construct and operate a cable television system within its
telephone service area.  Cablevision objected to the proposal. 
However, the Common Carrier Bureau's Domestic Facilities Division
found that Western's proposed cable television service area was a
rural area under the Act, and that Western had complied with the
appropriate filing requirements.  Therefore, Western was granted
authorization to construct and operate its system.  Cablevision
sought review of the Bureau's decision.

     Denying review, the Commission found that the Bureau had not
erred in granting Western its Section 214 authorization and rural
exemption to operate a cable television distribution system in
Clayton, OK, and the surrounding areas.  Moreover, the Commission
found that Western's operation of a cable television systems
would not violate the cross ownership restricttions of the Cable
Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992,
enacted since the Authorization was granted.  The Commission also
affirmed the Bureau's finding that Western's cable project serves
the public interest, convenience and necessity.

     Action by the Commission January 3, 1995, by Order (FCC 95-
3).  Chairman Hundt, Commissioners Quello, Barrett, Ness, and
Chong.

                                   -FCC-

     News Media contact: Patricia A. Chew at (202) 418-0500.
     Common Carrier Bureau contact: Robert Kimball at (202) 634-
7150.