July 18, 1997
                                  
              STATEMENT OF FCC CHAIRMAN REED HUNDT ON 
               8TH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS DECISION
                 ON TELEPHONE INTERCONNECTION CASE
                                  
     The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals decision today is a very regrettable setback for
the purpose and intent of the 1996 Telecommunications Act.
     In several significant respects, the decision is wholly inconsistent with the mandate and
intent of Congress.
     The antidote to the 8th Circuit decision can be found in the United States Supreme
Court.  That is where we should now go for relief
                                  
                              - FCC -