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                                                                                                               Before the
                     Federal Communications Commission
                          Washington, D.C. 20554


In the Matter of                     )
                                     )
Application of Southwestern Bell Telephone)
Company to Sell a Local Exchange Facility in )    NSD File No. W-P-D-431            
Missouri to Rock Port Telephone Company)
Pursuant to 47 U.S.C.  214          )


                          ORDER AND CERTIFICATE

Adopted:  October 21, 1998                                               Released:  October 21,
1998

By the Deputy Chief, Network Services Division, Common Carrier Bureau:

1.  On August 18, 1998, Southwestern Bell Telephone Company ("SWBT"), a subsidiary of SBC
Communications Inc., filed a letter seeking to obtain authority to sell a local exchange facility
in Missouri to Rock Port Telephone Company ("Rock Port").   The facility covers a small
portion of Missouri known as the South Hamburg Exchange.  The South Hamburg Exchange
serves approximately 65 access lines.    

2.  On September 15, 1998, the Commission released a Public Notice accepting SWBT's letter
for filing as an application for discontinuance of service under section 214 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C.  214, and Part 63 of the Commission's
rules, 47 C.F.R. Part 63.  No comments or opposition statements were filed in response to the
Public Notice.

3.  SWBT states in its August 18, 1998 letter  that it provides telephone exchange service and
exchange access, as well as calling card, payphone, operator and directory assistance services,
and other services customarily provided by local exchange carriers, and that the service available
to the affected communities will be unchanged as a result of the granting of this application. 
SWBT states that it expects that Rock Port will provide service subject to its own tariffed rates,
that the efficiencies created by this transaction likely will help Rock Port better serve the
residents of the affected exchange, and that local subscribers will enjoy lower local rates after
completion of the transaction.   In response to section 63.505(l) of the Commission's rules,
which requires the submission of information regarding the number of toll messages sent-paid
and received-collect and the revenues from such traffic in connection with the service proposed
to be discontinued, reduced, or impaired, SWBT states, "There will be no discontinuance,
reduction or impairment of the services currently provided to the affected community."  We
interpret SWBT's statement as a request for waiver of section 63.505(l).

     4.  SWBT further states in its August 18, 1998 letter, pursuant to Section 63.90(a) - (b), 
that a public notice was posted in the Rock Port Post Office and publication was planned for two
local newspapers, the Hamburg Reporter on August 26 and September 2, 1998 and the Atchison
County Mail for August 27 and September 3, 1998.   SWBT also states that a copy of the
application was sent to the Missouri Public Service Commission.   

     5.  We conclude that SWBT has complied with section 63.90 of the Commission's rules
and that substantial notice has been given directly to the affected customers.  SWBT has sought
approval before the Missouri Public Service Commission.  The purposes of section 63.90 have
been satisfied.   We require that SWBT notify its affected customers of the release of this Order
and Certificate within 15 days of the sale of its local exchange facilities.

     6.  Having reviewed the application, we find that it complies with the requirements of
section 214 of the Communications Act and Part 63 of our rules.  Furthermore, for the reasons
stated in the application, we find that the transaction described will not adversely affect the
present or the future public convenience and necessity. 

     7.  Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to section 214(a) of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended, , 47 U.S.C.  214(a), and sections 0.91, 0.291, and 1.3 of the
Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R.  0.91, 0.291, and 1.3, that section 63.505(l) of the
Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R.  63.505(l),  IS WAIVED and the above-referenced application,
File No. W-P-D-431, IS GRANTED.  Southwestern Bell Telephone Company  IS
AUTHORIZED to discontinue service over the facility described in this application.

     8.  IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the grant of this application IS SUBJECT TO
THE CONDITION that Southwestern Bell Telephone Company notify its affected customers
of the release of this Order and Certificate within 15 days of the sale of the local exchange
facilities.

     9.  This Order and Certificate IS EFFECTIVE upon release.  Failure of the applicant
to decline the authorization in writing within thirty-one days from the release date will be
construed as formal acceptance.


     FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION



     Kurt A. Schroeder, Deputy Chief
     Network Services Division
     Common Carrier Bureau