PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION  
1919 M STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554                                 DA 97-917

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

         CASS COUNTY TELEPHONE COMPANY FILED A PETITION 
          FOR WAIVER OF SECTION 36.612(A) OR 36.631(D) 
                    OF THE COMMISSION'S RULES
                            AAD 97-59

                                        Released Date:  May 1, 1997

Comment Date:  May 21, 1997
Reply Date:         June 2, 1997


     On April 9, 1997, Cass County Telephone Company ("Cass County") filed a petition for
waiver of Sections 36.612(a) or 36.631(d) of the Commission's rules to enable it to receive universal
service fund ("USF") support in 1997.  Under our rules, eligibility for USF support is based of
historical cost data.  Cass County claims that, absent a waiver, it will not receive USF support until
1998, and that the delay will adversely affect its planned plant upgrade program.  
     Interested parties may file comments on the petition on or before May 21, 1997, and reply
comments on or before June 2, 1997, with the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission,
1919 M Street, N.W., Room 222, Washington, D.C. 20554. Comments and reply comments should
reference AAD 97-59.  Four (4) copies should also be sent to Adrian Wright, Competitive
Safeguards Branch, Common Carrier Bureau, Room 257, 2000 L Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20554, and one (1) copy should be sent to the Commission's contractor for public service record
duplication: International Transcription Service (ITS), 2100 M Street, N.W., Suite 140, Washington,
D.C. 20037.  Copies of the petition may be obtained from the Accounting and Audits Division's
public reference room, Room 812, 2000 L Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.  Copies are also available
from ITS at (202) 857-3800. 

     We will treat this proceeding as non-restricted for purposes of the Commission's ex parterules.  See generally, 47 C.F.R.  1.1200-1.1206.  However, if this waiver petition is opposed, it
will be treated as a restricted proceeding under the Commission's ex parte rules.  See generally, 47
C.F.R.  1.1208-1.1216.  For further information contact Adrian Wright at (202) 418-0840.
                                 
                FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION