NEWSReport No. CC 97-26   COMMON CARRIER ACTION                 May 20, 1997
                                    
      Commission Streamlines Reporting Requirements for Common Carriers
                           (CC Docket No. 96-193)
                                    
       The Commission today released a Report and Order that furthers the
deregulatory goals of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (1996 Act) by reducing
the reporting requirements for common carriers. 

       In the Order released today, the Commission modified its rules to facilitate
the 1996 Act's requirement that carriers be permitted to file Cost Allocation Manuals
(CAMs) and Automated Reported Management Information System (ARMIS) reports
on an annual basis.  On September 12, 1996, the Commission modified its rules to
allow carriers to file CAMs and ARMIS reports annually.  The Order released today
further simplifies the CAM and ARMIS filing and reporting process by providing for
a uniform filing date of April 1 for all ARMIS reports; reducing the 60-day notice
period for a carrier to make changes to its CAM to 15 days; and eliminating certain
annual filings that are no longer necessary.  Moreover, this Order sets forth
permanent rules to revise carrier classification and reporting requirements by
adjusting for inflation references to carrier revenues.  

       In addition, the Order grants Anchorage Telephone Utility (ATU) a limited
two-year waiver of the ARMIS reporting requirements.  The Commission said ATU
demonstrated it would suffer individualized hardship should it have to comply fully
with the ARMIS reporting and filing requirements.

       Action by the Commission April 23, 1997, by Report and Order 
(FCC 97-145).  Chairman Hundt, Commissioners Quello, Ness, and Chong.
                                    
                                     -FCC-

       News media contact:  Rochelle Cohen at (202) 418-0253.
       Common Carrier Bureau contact:  Warren Firschein at (202) 418-0844.