PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION    
1919 M STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554                                                     DA 98-43

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

BEK COMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVE AND BEK COMMUNICATIONS I, INC.;
         CONSOLIDATED TELEPHONE COOPERATIVE AND CTC COMMUNICATIONS,
INC.; DAKOTA CENTRAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVE AND
DAKOTA CENTRAL TELECOM I, INC.; INTER-COMMUNITY TELEPHONE
COMPANY AND INTER-COMMUNITY TELEPHONE COMPANY II, INC.; AND
RESERVATION TELEPHONE COOPERATIVE FILED AN EXPEDITED REQUEST
FOR ELIMINATION OR MODIFICATION OF WAIVER CONDITIONS
AAD 97-117

                                                            Released Date:  January 14, 1998

Comment Date:  February 4, 1998
Reply Date:        February 17, 1998


       On December 22, 1997, the above-captioned petitioners (collectively "Petitioners") filed
an Expedited Request for Elimination or Modification of Waiver Conditions ("Request").  The
Petitioners file this Request to eliminate or modify the annual universal service fund ("USF")
support conditions imposed in an April 4, 1996 Order granting study area waivers for the
carriers involved in exchange acquisitions in North Dakota.  The Petitioners request that the
Bureau confirm that the new Universal Service rules adopted in CC Docket No. 96-45 on May
8, 1997, effectively eliminate the interim USF support limits for the Petitioners beginning
January 1, 1998.  
       In the alternative, the Petitioners state that the Bureau should allow them to update loop
cost data to establish changes in their annual USF support limits.  The Petitioners state that if
the annual USF support limits are not overridden by the new rules, this updated loop cost
information should form the basis for new, more reasonable, interim limits.  

       The Accounting and Audits Division of the Common Carrier Bureau will be considering
this action.  Interested parties may file comments on the petition on or before February 4, 1998,
and reply comments on or before February 17, 1997, with the Secretary, Federal
Communications Commission, 1919 M Street, N.W., Room 222, Washington, D.C. 20554.
Comments and reply comments should reference AAD 97-117.  Four (4) copies should also be
sent to Adrian Wright, Competitive Safeguards Branch, Common Carrier Bureau, Room 257,
2000 L Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554, and one (1) copy should be sent to the
Commission's contractor for public service record duplication: International Transcription
Service (ITS), 1231 20th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036.  Copies of the petition may
be obtained from the Accounting and Audits Division's public reference room, Room 812, 2000
L Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.  Copies are also available from ITS at (202) 857-3800.


       We will treat this proceeding as permit-but-disclose proceeding for purposes of the
Commission's ex parte rules.  See generally, 47 C.F.R.  1.1200-1.1206.  However, if this
waiver petition is opposed, it will be treated as a restricted proceeding under the Commission's
ex parte rules.  See generally, 47 C.F.R.  1.1208.  For further information contact Adrian
Wright at (202) 418-0840.
                                     
                                     
                     FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION