**************
**************
****************
************    
                        
NOTICE
****************
****************
****************
********

This document was
converted from
WordPerfect to ASCII
Text format.

Content from the
original version of the
document such as
headers, footers,
footnotes, endnotes,
graphics, and page
numbers
will not show up in this
text version.

All text attributes such
as bold, italic,
underlining, etc. from
the
original document will
not show up in this
text version.

Features of the original
document layout such
as
columns, tables, line
and letter spacing,
pagination, and
margins
will not be preserved in
the text version.

If you need the
complete document,
download the
WordPerfect version or
Adobe Acrobat
version, if available.

****************
****************
****************
*****************
PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
1919 M STREET N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20554
                                                                                                                        
 
          News Media Information 202/418-0500 Recorded listing of releases and texts 202/418-2222.
          
                                             DA 98-627

          COMMISSION SEEKS COMMENT ON PETITION REGARDING
           REGULATORY TREATMENT OF AFFILIATES OF ILECS

                       CC DOCKET NO. 98-39

                                             Released:  April  1, 1998
 
     On March 23, 1998, the Competitive Telecommunications Association
(CompTel), the Florida Competitive Carriers Association (FCCA), and the Southeastern
Competitive Carriers Associations (SECCA) (the petitioners) filed a petition for
declaratory ruling or, in the alternative, a petition for rulemaking "regarding the
regulatory status of affiliates of incumbent local exchange carriers . . . that provide
wireline local exchange or exchange access service within the ILEC's service territory
using the same or a similar brand name and common financial resources, personnel,
and/or other resources of the ILEC or another corporate affiliate."   

     In the alternative, the petitioners request that the Commission propose a rule
establishing a rebuttable presumption that an ILEC affiliate that provides wireline local
exchange or exchange access service within the ILEC's service area under the same
or a similar brand name is a comparable carrier under section 251(h)(2), and thus is
subject to the section 251(c) interconnection obligations of ILECs.
     
     Interested parties are to file an original and 12 copies of their comments on the
CompTel, FCCA and SECCA's petition no later than May 1, 1998, with the Secretary,
FCC, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554.  An original and 12 copies of
all reply comments are to be filed with the Secretary, FCC no later than May 18,
1998.  All pleadings are to reference CC Docket No. 98-39.  An additional copy of
all pleadings must also be sent to Janice M. 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, International
Transcription Services, Inc. (ITS), 1231 20th Street, N.W., Washington, DC  20036. 
The CompTel, FCCA and SECCA petition is available for inspection and copying
during normal business hours in the FCC's Reference Center, Room 239, 1919 M
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.  20554.  Copies also can be obtained from ITS at
1231 20th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036, or by calling ITS at (202)-857-3800
or faxing ITS at 202-857-3805. 

     We will treat this proceeding as permit, but disclose for purposes of the
Commission's ex parte rules.  See generally 47 C.F.R.  1.1200-1.1216.  Parties
making oral ex parte presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing the
presentation must contain a summary of the substance of the presentation and not
merely a listing of the subjects discussed.  More than a one or two sentence
description of the views and arguments presented is generally required.  See 47
C.F.R.  1.1206(b)(2), as revised.  Other rules pertaining to oral and written
presentations are set forth in section 1.1206(b) as well.  Interested parties are to file
with the Commission Secretary, and serve Janice Myles and ITS with copies of any
written ex parte presentations or summaries of oral ex parte presentations in these
proceedings in the manner specified above.  We also require all written ex parte
presentations or summaries of oral ex parte presentations in this proceeding to be
served on all parties to the proceeding.  

     
                             - FCC -$// PN, CompTel, FCCA and SECCA's Pet. for Declara. Ruling, DA 98-32, CC 98-1
//$
$/ 47 CFR  251 /$