PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION  
1919 M STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554                                 DA 97-621

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

          SOUTH PARK TELEPHONE COMPANY FILED A PETITION 
            FOR WAIVER OF SECTIONS 36.611 AND 36.612 
        "UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND" OF THE COMMISSION'S RULES
                            AAD 97-41

                                        Released Date:  March 26, 1997

Comment Date:  April 15, 1997
Reply Date:         April 25, 1997


     On March 7, 1997, South Park Telephone Company ("South Park") filed a petition for waiver
of 47 C.F.R. Sections 36.611 and 36.612 of the Commission's rules.  South Park is a new company
that will be serving unserved portions of Park County, Colorado.  This waiver would permit South
Park to receive universal service fund ("USF") support for a 20-month period of May 1997 through
December 1998; and would direct the National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc. to make payments
to South Park using current projections of costs that would be subject to quarterly adjustments based
on actual incurred costs.   

     Under our existing rules, eligibility for USF support payment is determined on the basis of
historical cost data.  For example, 1997 USF support is based on 1995 cost data.  South Park states
that it will be providing telephone service to a high-cost rural area and will, therefore, be eligible to
receive USF support.  South Park states, however, that as a new exchange carrier it has no historical
cost data.  As a consequence, South Park states that application of the Commission's rules would
preclude it from receiving USF support payments until 1999.  South Park requests that this waiver
be granted to permit it to expedite reasonably-priced local telephone service to currently unserved
portions of Park County, Colorado.   

     Interested parties may file comments on the petition on or before April 15, 1997, and reply
comments on or before April 25, 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 97-41.  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