PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION  
1919 M STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554                                 DA 97-1854

News media information 202/418-0500     Fax-On-Demand  202/418-2830     Internet:  http://www.fcc.gov    ftp.fcc.gov
                                
   FLORALA TELEPHONE COMPANY, GULF TELEPHONE COMPANY, AND ST.
JOSEPH TELEPHONE & TELEGRAPH 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 97-81
                                                Released:  August 28, 1997

Comment Date:  September 18, 1997
Reply Date:         September 29, 1997

     On July 8, 1997, Florala Telephone Company ("Florala"), Gulf Telephone Company
("Gulf"), and St. Joseph Telephone & Telegraph Company ("St. Joe") 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.  This waiver would allow the consolidation of the Florala and Gulf study areas with that of
the St. Joe study area in conjunction with the merger of the three affiliated operating companies.  The
petitioners also request that, upon grant of the petition, the study area consolidation be effective as
of October 1, 1997.  On August 25, 1997, the petitioners submitted a Florida Public Service
Commission ("Florida PSC") order indicating that it does not object to the changes in the study area
boundaries caused by the merger of the three operating companies.  In addition, the Florida PSC
indicated that it prefers that the service areas of the three companies remain separate for the purpose
of designating eligible telecommunications carriers for universal service funding.     

     Interested parties may file comments on the petition on or before September 18, 1997, and
reply comments on or before September 29, 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 97-81.  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), 1231 20Th Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20036.  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 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.  1.1208-1.1216.  For further information contact Adrian Wright at (202) 418-0840.

                FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION