PUBLIC NOTICE
                                                                              
   Federal Communications Commission
   1919 M St., N.W.
   Washington, D.C. 20554

                                                                              

                                                                              

                                                                              
DA 96-296
                                                                         
                                                                         
                PLEADING CYCLE ESTABLISHED FOR COMMENTS ON
            BELLSOUTH CORPORATION'S  PETITION FOR WAIVER OF THE
      COMMISSION'S COMPUTER III RULES FOR REVERSE SEARCH CAPABILITY  

                          CC Docket No. 90-623


Released:  March 6, 1996

On March 1, 1996, BellSouth Corporation (BellSouth) filed a petition requesting a
waiver of the Commission's Computer III Comparably Efficient Interconnection (CEI) Rules
so that it may offer a reverse-search capability in conjunction with its electronic white pages
(EWP) service.  

Specifically, BellSouth requests the waiver in order to provide reverse-search
capability with its EWP offering on an integrated basis.  BellSouth states that the current
EWP offering supports customers in either an Electronic Directory Assistance (EDA) or
Direct Customer Access (DCA) environment, which enables searches by name only. 
BellSouth states that the proposed EWP reverse-search service will allow customers to search
the database of telephone subscribers by telephone number, rather than only by name.

   BellSouth states that it will provide the reverse-search capability by changing the
existing functionalities in the current EWP offering.   BellSouth states that it would remove
all of the costs associated with providing the service from its regulated accounts  in
accordance with the Commission's Joint Cost Rules and BellSouth's approved Cost
Allocation Manual (CAM).    

BellSouth states that it is not asking for authority to use unique telephone company
facilities that others require in order to provide reverse-search capabilities.  BellSouth adds
that technological constraints will not permit it to offer this service economically on an equal
access basis.  BellSouth requests expedited consideration of its petition.   

Interested parties should file comments on BellSouth's petition by March 20, 1996
and reply comments by March 27, 1996 with the Secretary, FCC, 1919 M Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20554.  A copy should also be sent to Janice Myles, Common Carrier
Bureau, FCC, Room 544, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554, and to the
Commission's contractor for public service records duplication: ITS, Inc., 2100 M Street,
N.W., Suite 140, Washington, D.C. 20037.  BellSouth's petition is available for
inspection and copying during normal business hours, in the FCC's Public Reference
Center (Room 239), 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554.  Copies can also be
obtained from ITS at (202) 857-3800.

We will treat this proceeding as non-restricted for purposes of the Commission's ex
parte rules.  See generally 47 C.F.R.  1.1200-1.1216.  For further information contact
Janice Myles, Policy and Program Planning Division of the Common Carrier Bureau, at
(202) 418-1577.  
                                  - FCC -
$// PN, BellSouth's Pet. for Waiver of Computer III Rules DA 96-296 //$
$/ 47 CFR  64.702 /$
"FOR RECORD ONLY"