INTERNATIONAL ACTION February 7, 1997 BELL ATLANTIC AND NYNEX GRANTED SECTION 214 AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE OUT-OF-REGION INTERNATIONAL FACILITIES-BASED SERVICES On February 6, 1997, the International Bureau (Bureau) granted Bell Atlantic Communications, Inc. (BACI) and NYNEX Long Distance Company (NYNEX LD) authority to provide international facilities-based telecommunications services originating from "out-of region" points in the United States and terminating at various international points. The Bureau's action marks an important milestone in implementing the Telecommunications Act of 1996 as it is the first authorization of Bell Operating Companies (BOCs) to provide international services on a facilities basis. The Bureau also determined that BACI and NYNEX LD qualify as non-dominant providers of international facilities-based services on all routes for which they were authorized. As such, BACI and NYNEX LD are free from the rate regulation and more stringent tariffing requirements that are imposed on dominant carriers. The Bureau required BACI and NYNEX LD to comply with the interim safeguards that it attached to its grant of their applications to resell out-of-region international switched services in an Order adopted on July 19, 1996 (DA 96-1169). The interim safeguards are the same as those that the Commission adopted as a condition for non-dominant treatment of the BOCs' out-of- region, domestic interstate, interexchange services in an Order adopted on June 28, 1996 (FCC 96-288, CC Docket No. 96-21). The Bureau reserved the right to modify the conditions that it attached to its grant of BACI's and NYNEX LD's Section 214 international facilities-based applications pending Commission action on final rules for BOC out-of-region, interstate, interexchange services in a rulemaking proceeding that was initiated on March 21, 1996 (CC Docket No. 96-61). In light of Bell Atlantic Corp.'s and NYNEX Corp.'s announced agreement to combine their business operations, the Bureau granted NYNEX LD's application subject to the condition that it refrain from initiating international facilities-based services originating in BACI's service territory until an order is issued determining the regulatory treatment of such services. BACI did not request and was not granted authority to provide international facilities-based services originating in NYNEX LD's service territory. Action by the International Bureau on February 6, 1997, by Order, Authorization and Certificate (DA 97-285). - FCC - International Bureau contact: Joanne Wall at (202) 418-0429. News Media contact: Meribeth McCarrick at (202) 418-0256.