FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:             News Media contact:
  June 8, 1999                            Emily Hoffnar at (202) 418-0253
  
STATEMENT OF FCC CHAIRMAN WILLIAM E. KENNARD ON D.C. CIRCUIT
              COURT DECISION IN US WEST V. FCC
                              
       The court's opinion unequivocally upholds our implementation of the pro-
  competitive framework established by Congress in the 1996 Act.  Congress said the Bell
  companies could get into long distance when they open their local markets to competition. 
  There are no shortcuts.  The message is simple: open your local markets so consumers can
  finally have choice in all telecommunications services. 
  
                                                               - FCC -