PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION  
1919 M STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554                                 DA 97-231

News media information 202/418-0500     Fax-On-Demand  202/418-2830     Internet:  http://www.fcc.gov    ftp.fcc.gov

                 GUAM TELEPHONE AUTHORITY REQUEST
                      FOR DECLARATORY RULING
                            AAD 97-27
                                   
                                                Released:  February 3, 1997

Comment Date:  February 19, 1997
Reply Date:         February 26, 1997

     On January 16, 1997, Guam Telephone Authority ("GTA") filed a petition for declaratory
ruling of the definition of "Study Area" as set forth in the Appendix-Glossary of Part 36 of the
Commission's rules.  That definition constitutes a rule freezing all study area boundaries, effective
November 15, 1984.  This requested waiver would allow GTA to establish a new study area
encompassing the Territory of Guam.  The new study area will serve approximately 69,000 access
lines. 

     GTA states that it was not considered by the Commission at the time the Commission froze
the study area boundaries and was not included within the "frozen" study areas.  GTA also states that
in 1992, the Commission determined that Guam was a domestic point for tariffing purposes. 
Further, GTA states that establishment as a new study area is a prerequisite to the filing of tariffs and
GTA's full compliance with the Commission requirements.

     Interested parties may file comments on the petition on or before February 19, 1997, and
reply comments on or before February 26, 1997, with the Secretary, Federal Communications
Commission, 1919 M Street, N.W., Room 222, Washington, D.C. 20554. Comments and reply
comments should reference AAD 97-27.  Four (4) copies should also be sent to Adrian Wright,
Competitive Safeguards Branch, Common Carrier Bureau, Room 257, 2000 L Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20554, and one (1) copy should be sent to the Commission's contractor for public
service record duplication: International Transcription Service (ITS), 2100 M Street, N.W., Suite
140, Washington, D.C. 20037.  Copies of the petition may be obtained from the Accounting and
Audits Division's public reference room, Room 812, 2000 L Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.  Copies
are also available from ITS at (202) 857-3800.

     We will treat this proceeding as non-restricted for purposes of the Commission's ex parterules.  See generally, 47 C.F.R.  1.1200-1.1206.  However, if this waiver petition is opposed, it
will be treated as a restricted proceeding under the Commission's ex parte rules.  See generally, 47
C.F.R.  1.1208-1.1216.  For further information contact Adrian Wright at (202) 418-0840.
                                 
                FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION