NEWS                                                        June 30, 1997


               FCC RELEASES REPORT ON LONG DISTANCE CARRIER
                             CODE ASSIGNMENTS


     The FCC has released the latest available information on Carrier Identification Codes
(CICs), 500 service, 555 line number assignments, toll-free 800 and 888 service, and 900
service as of March 31, 1997.  

     This  information is used within the telephone industry for a variety of purposes.  CICs
are used within the telephone industry to, among other things, identify access customers in order
to bill and route traffic to them.  As part of carrier access codes, CICs are also used by
customers to reach alternative carriers.  The codes assigned for 500 and 900 services identify
carriers and are used by local telephone companies to direct calls to the service provider.  Both
residential and business customers frequently seek information from the FCC about these codes
to identify particular carriers.
 
     The report is available for reference in the Common Carrier Bureau's Public Reference
Room, 2000 M Street N.W., Room 575.  Copies may be purchased by calling International
Transcription Services, Inc. (ITS) at (202) 857-3800.  The report can be downloaded [file name
LDC1Q97.ZIP] from the FCC-State Link internet site at http://www.fcc.gov/ccb/stats on the
World Wide Web.  The report can also be downloaded from the FCC-State Link computer
bulletin board system at (202) 418-0241.



                                  - FCC -


     For further information, contact Katie Rangos at (202) 418-0940.