NEWS                                         January 19, 1996

                  FCC RELEASES INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC DATA

     The FCC has released a report titled 1994 Section 43.61
International Telecommunications Data, prepared by the Common
Carrier Bureau's Industry Analysis Division.

     Traffic between the United States and other countries is
reported on a country-by-country basis for telephone, telegraph,
telex and private line services.  Although international traffic
data is reported in great detail, it is not reported until after 
U.S. and foreign carriers can reconcile their books.  The final 
versions of the traffic data were due by October 31, 1995.  

     The report shows that U.S. carriers billed about $13.0
billion for international services in 1994, up about $1 billion
from 1993.  In 1994, U.S. customers made about 2.3 billion 
international telephone calls  and received about 1.4 billion
calls.  United States carriers provided 16,238 private line
circuits between the United States and international points as of
year end 1994.  

     U.S. carriers and foreign carriers compensate each other for
completed calls.  Because U.S. customers place more calls than do
foreign customers, U.S. carriers make a net payment to foreign
carriers.  The net amount was $4.3 billion in 1994, up from $3.7
in 1993.  U.S. carriers retained about $8.7 billion of
international revenues, up from $8.3 billion in 1993.   
   
     The report and its underlying data are available for
reference in the Common Carrier Bureau Reference Room, 1919 M
Street, N.W., 5th Floor.  The report and spreadsheets containing
statistical tables are also available on the FCC-State Link
electronic bulletin board at (202) 418-0241.  [BBS file names
4361A94.ZIP, 4361B94.ZIP, 4361C94.ZIP, 4361D94.ZIP, and
4361E94.ZIP].  Copies of the report may be purchased by calling
International Transcription Services (ITS) at (202) 857-3800.

   FCC

     For additional information, contact Linda Blake or Jim Lande
of the Bureau's Industry Analysis Division, (202) 418-0940.