PUBLIC NOTICE
 FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
1919 M STREET, N.W.
       WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554DA 97-1808

News media information 202/418-0500     Fax-On-Demand  202/418-2830     Internet:  http://www.fcc.gov    ftp.fcc.gov
                                
  AMERITECH ILLINOIS AND CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY OF ILLINOIS
 FILED A PETITION FOR WAIVER OF THE DEFINITION OF "STUDY AREA"
CONTAINED IN THE APPENDIX-GLOSSARY OF PART 36 OF THE COMMISSION'S
                             RULES
                           AAD 97-100

                                       Released:  August 22, 1997

Comment Date:  September 8, 1997
 Reply Date:      September 18, 1997

     On August 20, 1997, Ameritech Illinois Metro ("Ameritech Metro"), a subsidiary of
Ameritech Corporation and Central Telephone Company of Illinois ("Central"), a subsidiary of
Sprint Corporation 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, effective November 15, 1984.  Ameritech Metro and Central seek to alter
the boundaries of their parents' existing Illinois study areas to reflect the sale of two exchanges from
Central to Ameritech Metro.  In addition, the petitioners submitted an Order from the Illinois
Commerce Commission indicating that it does not object to the changes in the study area boundaries
caused by transferring the two exchanges from Central to Ameritech Metro.    

     Interested parties may file comments on the petition on or before September 8, 1997, and
reply comments on or before September 18, 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 97-100.  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 permit-but-disclose proceeding for purposes of the
Commission's ex parte rules.  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.  For further information contact Adrian Wright at (202)
418-0840.
                                 
                FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION