NEWS                                                          March 5, 1998


         COMMISSION ANNOUNCES PANELISTS FOR MARCH 6, 1998, EN BANC
        IN CONNECTION WITH REPORT TO CONGRESS ON UNIVERSAL SERVICE


       On March 6, 1998, the Federal Communications Commission will hold an En Banc in
connection with the Report to Congress on Universal Service required by statute.  The En
Banc with begin at 9:00 am in the Commission meeting room, Room 856, 1919 M Street,
NW, Washington, DC.  

       The agenda is as follows:

       I.     Commissioners' Introductory Remarks

       II.    Overview

              Richard Metzger
              Chief, Common Carrier Bureau 

        III.  State Panel

              Commissioner Bruce Hagen
              North Dakota Public Service Commission

              Chairperson Marlene Johnson
              District of Columbia Public Service Commission

              Chairman Thomas Welch
              Maine Public Utilities Commission

              Chris McLean
              Rural Utility Service
              Department of Agriculture

       IV.    Industry Panel

              Thomas J. Tauke
              Senior VP -- Government Relations
              Bell Atlantic

              Joan Mandeville
              Assistant Manager
              Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative

              Joel Lubin
              Regulatory VP -- Law and Public Policy
              AT&T

              Jim Smiley
              VP - Minnesota
              US West

              Haynes Griffin
              Chairman, Co-CEO
              Vanguard Cellular Systems, Inc.

News Media Contact:  Rochelle Cohen (202) 418-0253
Report Working Group Contact:  Jonathan Radin (202) 418-7240


                                  - FCC -