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PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
1919 M STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554                                                                             DA 98-560

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


                                         Released: March 23, 1998


    U S WEST Petitions for New Switched Access Rate Elements 
   In Order to Provide Synchronous Optical Network Ring Service

                    Pleading Cycle Established

COMMENTS:  April 13, 1998

REPLY COMMENTS:  April 27, 1998

     On March 18, 1998, U S WEST Communications, Inc. (U S WEST) filed an expedited petition
requesting the Commission establish new switched access rate elements necessary to provide Synchronous
Optical Network (SONET) Ring Service (SRS).  

     In a Memorandum Opinion and Order, the Commission granted waivers to U S WEST and other local
exchange carriers to establish switched access rate elements for SONET-based switched transport.  The waiver
allowed local exchange carriers to use the same rate elements for both switched and special access SONET
transport service.  In its petition, U S WEST requests that the type of relief granted to SONET transport
service be extended to SRS, to allow U S WEST to offer SRS as a switched access product.

     U S WEST states that SRS is a high-capacity shared network service, capable of providing a transport
link with high performance and reliability parameters.  U S WEST states that SRS is currently provided at
speeds of 1.544 Mbps or 44.736 Mbps on fiber facilities configured in a ring architecture and available in
specific locations, and it expects to introduce OC3 level SRS at a speed of 155.52 Mbps.  U S WEST currently
offers SRS as a special access product, and expects to include OC3 level STS in its Special Access tariff
shortly.  U S WEST asserts that grant of its petition would serve the public interest by allowing it to respond
to customer requests for non-dedicated SRS, and will allow its switched access customers the option of sharing
SRS for the first time.

     Interested parties may file comments on U S WEST's petition no later than April 13, 1998.  Replies
must be filed by April 27, 1998.  When filing comments and/or replies, please reference the internal file
number:  CCB/CPD 98-21.

     An original and four copies of all comments and replies must be filed in accordance with Section
1.51(c) of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R.  1.51(c).  In addition, one copy of each pleading must be filed
with International Transcription Services (ITS), the Commission's duplicating contractor, at its office at 1231
20th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, and one copy with the Chief, Competitive Pricing Division, 1919
M Street, N.W., Room 518, Washington, D.C. 20554.

     For further information, contact Yvonne Hawkins, Competitive Pricing Division, Common Carrier
Bureau, (202) 418-1530.



                             - FCC -