PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION  
1919 M STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554                                 DA 97-918

News media information 202/418-0500     Fax-On-Demand  202/418-2830     Internet:  http://www.fcc.gov    ftp.fcc.gov
                                
     BETTLES TELEPHONE, INC. AND TELEPHONE UTILITIES OF THE
NORTHLAND, INC.  FILED A PETITION FOR WAIVER OF THE DEFINITION OF
"STUDY AREA" CONTAINED IN THE APPENDIX-GLOSSARY Y OF PART 36 OF
                     THE COMMISSION'S RULES
                            AAD 97-60
                                                Released:  May 1, 1997

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

     On April 23, 1997, Bettles Telephone, Inc. ("Bettles") and Telephone Utilities of the
Northland, Inc. d/b/a PTI Communications ("Northland") filed a petition for waiver of the definition
of "study area" as set forth in the Appendix-Glossary of Part 36 of the Commission's rules.  That
definition constitutes a rule freezing all study area boundaries.  The requested waivers would allow
the petitioners to alter the boundaries of their Alaska study areas to allow for the transfer of one
small exchange (60 access lines) from Northland to Bettles. In addition, the petitioners request that
the Commission expeditiously grant this request without requiring the submission of the detailed
information required when considering larger study area waiver requests.  The petitioners submitted
an Alaska Public Utilities Commission ("Alaska PUC") Order indicating that the Alaska PUC does
not object to the changes in the study area boundaries caused by transferring the exchange from
Northland to Bettles.    

     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 97-60.  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