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PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION  
1919 M STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554                                 DA 98-2559

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

 BUREAU GRANTS CLASSIC TELEPHONE, INC.'S MOTION TO DISMISS ITS
                  PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION
                                
                      CC Docket No. 96-45
                           AAD 97-73

Release Date:  January 11, 1999

     On October 16, 1997, Classic Telephone, Inc. (Classic) filed a Petition for
Reconsideration of the October 9, 1997 Memorandum Opinion and Order, granting the Joint
Petition for Waiver of the Definition of "Study Area" contained in Part 36, Appendix-Glossary of
the Commission's Rules, and of Section 61.41(c) of the Commission's rules filed by Rural
Telephone Service Company and United Telephone Company of Kansas.  In the Petition for
Reconsideration, Classic requested that the Common Carrier Bureau (Bureau) reconsider the
Rural Telephone Order under the public interest standard and deny the requested waiver so as to
avoid rewarding Rural Telephone Service Company, Inc. for its alleged anticompetitive behavior
and intentions.  Rural Telephone Service Company, Inc. filed an Opposition to the Petition for
Reconsideration filed by Classic Telephone, Inc. and Classic filed a reply comment.  

     On November 20, 1998, Classic filed a Motion to Dismiss its Petition for Reconsideration
with the Commission requesting that its Petition for Reconsideration of the Memorandum
Opinion and Order issued in the study area waiver proceeding be dismissed with prejudice. 
Classic explains that it has decided not to provide telephone service to the communities of
Wakeeney and Quinter, Kansas that were the subject of the study area waiver request and
consequently, the reasons for seeking reconsideration of the Commission's action in this
proceeding are now moot.    

     The Bureau grants Classic's motion to dismiss its petition for reconsideration with
prejudice.

     For further information, contact Adrian Wright, Accounting Policy Division, Common
Carrier Bureau, at (202) 418-7400.