PUBLIC NOTICE

       Federal Communications Commission
       1919 M St., N.W.
       Washington, D.C. 20554


                                                       DA 97-506 

            PLEADING CYCLE ESTABLISHED FOR COMMENTS ON
            ARMSTRONG PETITION FOR DECLARATORY RULING
     REGARDING THE DEFINITION OF PROVIDING VIDEO PROGRAMMING
              UNDER SECTION 251(f)(1)(C) OF THE ACT

                           CCBPol 97-02

                                        Released:  March 10, 1997 

     On February 26, 1997, Armstrong Communications, Inc. (Armstrong) filed a petition for
declaratory ruling  with respect to application of the exemption from interconnection obligations
that exists for certain rural telephone companies pursuant to section 251(f)(1)(C) of the
Telecommunications Act of 1996 (1996 Act).  Specifically, Armstrong petitions the Commission
to issue a declaratory ruling that rural telcos that received authorization to provide video
programming prior to the February 8, 1996 enactment of the 1996 Act, but which commenced
provision of video services after the 1996 Act's enactment, cannot, pursuant to section 
251(f)(1)(C) of the 1996 Act, avail themselves of the exemption from interconnection obligations
otherwise applicable to certain rural telcos. 

     Interested parties should file comments on the Armstrong petition by April 10, 1997, and
reply comments by April 24, 1997, with the Secretary, FCC, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20554.  A copy should also be sent to Janice Myles, Common Carrier Bureau, FCC, Room
544, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554, and to the Commission's contractor for
public service records duplication, ITS, Inc., 2100 M Street, N.W., Suite 140, Washington, D.C.
20037.  Parties filing comments in this non-docketed proceeding should include the Policy
Division internal reference number, CCBPol 97-02, on their pleadings.  The Armstrong petition
is available for inspection and copying in the Common Carrier Bureau's Public Reference Room,
Room 575, 2000 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554.  Copies can also be obtained from
ITS by calling (202) 857-3800.

     We will treat this proceeding as non-restricted for purposes of the Commission's ex parte
rules.  See generally 47 C.F.R.  1.1200-1.1216.  For further information contact Janice Myles,
Policy and Program Planning Division, Common Carrier Bureau, at (202) 418-1577.  

                             - FCC -
     $// PN, Armstrong' Pet. for Declaratory Ruling, DA 97-506 //$
$/ 47 U.S.C.  251(f)(1)(C) /$
"FOR RECORD ONLY"