PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION    
1919 M STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554                                                     DA 97-2632

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

Revisions to the Access Charge Reform Tariffs
       To Reflect Revised Universal Service Contribution Factors

           Released:  December 17, 1997
                                             

     Pursuant to the Access Charge Reform proceeding local exchange carriers (LECs)
are required to revise their access tariffs on or before December 17, 1997, to become
effective January 1, 1998.

     On December 16, 1997, the Commission released an Order and a Public Notice.  
The Order revised the amount of money that may be collected during the first six months of
1998 for the federal universal service support mechanisms for schools and libraries and rural
health care providers.  In the Public Notice the Common Carrier Bureau (Bureau) revised the
contribution  factors which will be used to calculate contributions by those required to pay
into the universal service support fund.
  
     The Bureau recognizes that, while some LECs will be able to take into account the
revised contribution factors in the Access Charge Reform tariff filings that they will make on
December 17, 1997, some LECs may not be able to do so.  The Bureau requests that any
LEC that made its tariff filing on or before December 17, 1997, and that has not taken the
revised contribution factors into account, do so in a separate tariff filing no later than Friday,
December 19, 1997, with an effective date of January 1, 1998.  For this purpose, the Bureau
waives Sections 61.58 and 61.59 of the Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R.  61.58, 61.59. 
LECs should cite DA 97-2632 as their authority for making this tariff filing.

     LECs making tariff filings on December 19, 1997, should distribute copies of their
filings in accordance with the Bureau's November 7th Order. 

     In accordance with the November 7th Order, petitions against tariffs filed on
December 17, 1997, will be due on December 23, 1997, and reply comments will be due on
December 29, 1997.  Petitions against tariff filings made no later than December 19, 1997,
will also be due on December 23, 1997, and reply comments will also be due on December
29, 1997.

     For further information, contact Jim Lichford at (202) 418-1526.