NEWS
	Federal Communications Commission 1919 - M Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20554	News media information 202 / 418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov
	This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
	January 5, 1998
	FCC DESIGNATES WORKING GROUP TO PREPARE REPORT TO CONGRESS ON UNIVERSAL SERVICE UNDER THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 1996
	The 1998 appropriations legislation for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, H.R. 2267, directs the Commission to undertake a review of the implementation of the provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (1996 Act) relating to universal service, and to submit a report to Congress no later than April 10, 1998. The Common Carrier Bureau today released a public notice (DA 98-2) establishing a pleading cycle for comments on the issues to be addressed in the Commission's report to Congress. The Federal Communications Commission has designated a Universal Service Report Working Group, operating under the direction of the Common Carrier Bureau. The Working Group will conduct the review, will make recommendations to the Commission, and will prepare the report to Congress. The Working Group will be led by Melissa Waksman, a senior attorney in the Common Carrier Bureau. The Working Group will include representatives of the Common Carrier Bureau and other Commission bureaus and offices, including the Office of General Counsel and the Office of Plans and Policy. -- FCC --