NEWSReport No. CC 95-73                 COMMON CARRIER ACTIONDecember 14, 1995
                                    
               FCC PUTS COMMON CARRIER STATISTICS ON-LINE
New Edition of Statistics of Communications Common Carriers Goes to Print

     Each year since 1939, the FCC has published Statistics of Communications Common
Carriers, the most widely used reference work by academics, consultants, and other
researchers in the field of telecommunications.  This report includes a wealth of data on
telecommunications costs, revenues, prices, and usage.  For the first time, the FCC is now
making all data from the most recent edition of this report available electronically, while the
text is being printed.

     The report is prepared and sent to publication as soon as possible after final
international traffic data is reported each year on October 31.  In previous years,  the results
have not been generally available until published by the U.S. Government Printing Office in
late December or early the following year.  In order to expedite release of the information, the
FCC is making all of the data available electronically prior to the report's formal publication
and release.   A further notice will be issued when printed versions can be purchased from the
U.S. Government Printing Office.

     The Statistics book contains several new tables with data for the local telephone
companies on a state-by-state basis as well as data separated between state and interstate
jurisdictions.  These tables include revenues, operating expenses, taxes, plant, other
investments and reserves.  The Statistics book also publishes the final international traffic data
which was received the end of October.  Until now, only preliminary data was available.

     The 361-page volume is divided into eight sections:  general information on industry
structure; financial and operating data relating to telephone carriers; data relating to the
COMSAT Corporation and telegraph carriers; data on international communications; 
information on rates for long distance telecommunications services; historical financial data on
the communications industry; historical rate tables for AT&T, MCI, and Sprint; and data on
industry trends.
 
     The full report is available for reference in the Common Carrier Bureau's Public
Reference Room on the fifth floor of 1919 M Street N.W.  Tables can be downloaded from
the FCC-State Link computer bulletin board system at (202) 418-0241 [BBS directory name
SOCC].  The FCC-State Link can also be reached by using a gateway feature available
through the National Technical Information Service's FedWorld system.  FedWorld can be
reached via direct dial access  (703-321-3339), via internet telnet access (fedworld.gov), or via
the World Wide Web (http://www.fedworld.gov).   Copies of the tables may be purchased by
calling International Transcription Services, Inc. (ITS) at (202) 857-3800.

 - FCC -

     For additional information contact Mary Green or Katie Rangos of the Industry
Analysis Division at (202) 418-0940.