PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
1919 M STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554                                           DA 97-2136

News media information 202/418-0500     Fax-On-Demand  202/418-2830     Internet:  http://www.fcc.gov    ftp.fcc.gov
                                                  Released: October 3, 1997

                                     

                    UNITED STATES TELEPHONE ASSOCIATION
                      FILES PETITION FOR WAIVER OF 
                    PART 32 OF THE COMMISSION'S RULES
                                    
                         PUBLIC COMMENT INVITED


       On September 16, 1997, the United States Telephone Association ("USTA") filed a
petition for waiver of Part 32 of the Commission's rules to the extent necessary to permit
telecommunications companies to record revenues from nonregulated payphone services in
Account 5280, Nonregulated operating revenue, rather than in Account 5010, Public telephone
revenue.

       In its Payphone Order (see Payphone Order, CC Docket No. 96-128, FCC 96-388 (rel.
Sept. 20, 1996)), the Commission required local exchange carriers, subject to its joint cost
rules, to classify their payphone operations as nonregulated for Part 32 accounting purposes. 
The Commission further directed all carriers required to file cost allocation manuals to use
only Account 5010 to record revenues from nonregulated payphone service (see Payphone
CAM Order, DA 97-1244 (rel. Jun. 13, 1997)).  USTA states that the use of Account 5280
would be entirely consistent with the original purpose for which it was established, i.e., to
avoid spreading nonregulated revenue over numerous accounts, and would not result in the
dissemination of competitively-sensitive information or force carriers to undertake duplicative
and costly reporting measures.  Concurrent with the filing of the petition for waiver, USTA
filed a petition for rulemaking to address the use of Account 5280, which is related to the
issue herein.

       Parties may file comments on the petition for waiver no later than November 3, 1997. 
Replies should be filed by November 17, 1997.  Comments should reference file number
AAD 97-103.  A copy of each pleading should be sent to Debbie Weber, FCC, Common
Carrier Bureau, 2000 L Street, N.W., Suite 812, Washington, D.C. 20554 and the
International Transcription Service (ITS), 1231 20th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036. 
Copies are available for public inspection and copying in the Accounting and Audits Division
Public Reference Room at 2000 L Street, N.W., Suite 812, Washington, D.C. 20554.  Copies
are also available from ITS, (202) 857-3800.

       For further information contact Debbie Weber at (202) 418-0812.