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


In the Matter of                )
                                )
Bell Atlantic Progress Report   )
On Compliance With              )       AAD File No. 98-24
Bell Atlantic/NYNEX Merger Order Conditions)
                                )


                             ORDER

   Adopted:  March 22, 1999             Released:  March 23, 1999

By the Chief, Accounting Safeguards Division, Common Carrier Bureau

     1.  On February 5, 1999, the Common Carrier Bureau ("Bureau") released a Public Notice seeking
comment on Bell Atlantic's progress report regarding its compliance with the conditions imposed in the Bell
Atlantic/NYNEX Merger Order.  The Bureau invited interested parties to present their views on Bell Atlantic's
progress report and the effectiveness of the Merger Order conditions in promoting competition in the post-
merger Bell Atlantic region.  The Bureau established a deadline of March 8, 1999 for interested parties to file
comments, with reply comments due by March 23, 1999.  For the reasons below, we extend the deadline for
filing reply comments until March 31, 1999.

     2.  The Commission, on its own motion or on petition, may waive any provision of its rules or orders
if good cause is shown.  Although the Commission does not routinely grant extensions of time, the
Commission is committed to providing interested parties a reasonable time for submission of comments and
replies.  After the Bureau released its Notice, we received several ex parte contacts providing extensive detail
about various technical and operational issues related to the Merger Order.  Some commenters encountered
difficulty with the Commission's electronic filing system and therefore their comments were not readily
available to the public until after the comment filing date.  These parties have requested that we grant a brief
extension of time and accept their comments as timely filed, and we hereby grant their requests.  

     3.  The Bureau recognizes the broad public policy issues involved in this proceeding and wishes to
ensure that all parties have an opportunity to review the ex parte filings and the comments regarding Bell
Atlantic's progress report.  Therefore, in the interest of developing a full and complete record, we find, on our
own motion, good cause to extend the deadline for filing reply comments in this proceeding.  
     4.  Interested parties may file reply comments no later than March 31, 1999.  All filings should
reference the original delegated authority number assigned to this proceeding, DA 99-296, and the applicable
file number, AAD File. No. 98-24.  An original and 4 copies of all pleadings, in accordance with Section
1.51(c) of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R.  1.51(c), must be filed with the Commission's Secretary,
Magalie Roman Salas, 445 12th Street, S.W., Counter TWA 325, Washington, D.C. 20554.  Comments are
no longer accepted at the Commission's facilities located at 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20554. 
In addition, commenters should provide four copies of their reply comments to Debbie Byrd of the Accounting
Safeguards Division, 2000 L Street, N.W., Suite 201, Washington, D.C. 20554, and one copy to the
Commission's duplicating contractor, International Transcription Service, Inc., at its office at 1231 20th Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, telephone (202) 857-3800.  Commenters should note that, because a
"Common Carrier Docket Number" was not assigned to the Bell Atlantic/NYNEX Merger Order, the
Commission's electronic filing system is not available to receive reply comments, or to obtain copies of
comments filed with the Commission.     
                                        
     5.  Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to Sections 0.91 and 0.291 of the Commission's Rules,
47 C.F.R.  0.91 and 0.291, that the time for filing reply comments in the above-captioned proceeding is
extended to March 31, 1999.

     6.  IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, pursuant to Sections 0.91, 0.291, and 1.46 of the Commission's
Rules, 47 C.F.R.  0.91, 0.291, and 1.46, that the motions to accept late-filed comments filed by Cablevision
Lightpath, Community Networks, and Nextlink are GRANTED, so that these comments are considered timely
filed.


                              FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION


                              Kenneth P. Moran
                              Chief, Accounting Safeguards Division