PUBLIC NOTICE

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


                                                  DA 97-599

            PLEADING CYCLE ESTABLISHED FOR COMMENTS ON
                    PETITIONS FOR FORBEARANCE
    FROM APPLICATION OF SECTION 272 OF THE COMMUNICATIONS ACT
                TO PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED SERVICES

                       CC Docket No. 96-149

                                        Released:  March 21, 1997 

     Three petitions for forbearance were filed pursuant to section 10 of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996.  The petitions were filed by
Bell Atlantic (March 6, 1997), US West (March 14, 1977), and Pacific Telesis Group (March 19,
1997).  In their petitions, Bell Atlantic and US West request that the Commission forbear from
applying the separation requirements of section 272 of the Act to the carriers' E911 services.  
Pacific Telesis asks that the Commission forbear from applying these requirements to its "reverse
directory service" as well as its E911 service.

     Interested parties should file comments on the petitions for forbearance by April 21,
1997, and reply comments by May 6, 1997, with the Secretary, FCC, 1919 M Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20554.  In addition two copies should be sent to Janice Myles, Common
Carrier Bureau, FCC, Room 544, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554, and one copy
to International Transcription Service, Inc, (ITS), the Commission's contractor for public service
records duplication.  Petition's for forbearance are available for public 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 2100 M Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20037, or by calling (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.  1.1200-1.1216.  For further information contact Janice Myles,
Policy and Program Planning Division, Common Carrier Bureau, at (202) 418-1577.  
                             - FCC -
     $// PN, Bell Atlantic' Pet. for Forbearance, DA 96-937 //$
$/ 47 U.S.C.  272 /$