PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
1919 M STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554                               DA 98-945   

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


                                           Released: May 18, 1998

        Petition for Declaratory Ruling of Connie L. Smith

                    Pleading Cycle Established

                       CCB/CPD NO. 98-30


COMMENTS:  June 17, 1998
REPLY COMMENTS:  July 2, 1988

     On March 30, 1998, Ms. Connie L. Smith (Petitioner) filed a petition requesting that the Commission
issue a declaratory ruling that Sprint Communications Company (Sprint) has violated the Communications Act
of 1934 (Communications Act) by failing to adequately disclose in its tariff filed with the Commission that
Sprint rounds-up its charges for interstate telephone calls to the next full minute.  On June 5, 1996, the
Petitioner filed a class action complaint in the United States District Court in Northern California regarding
Sprint's rounding-up billing practices.  On September 16, 1996, the Court  referred the proceeding, in part, to
the Commission to determine whether Sprint's tariff filed with the Commission fails to adequately disclose its
rounding-up billing practices in violation of section 203 of the Communications Act. 

     Interested parties may file comments no later than June 17, 1998.  Reply comments may be filed no
later than July 2, 1988.  When filing comments, please reference the internal file number:  CCB/CPD 98-30.

     An original and four copies of all comments must be filed in accordance with Section 1.51(c) of the
Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R.  1.51(c).  In addition, one copy of each pleading must be filed with
International Transcription Services (ITS), the Commission's duplicating contractor, at its office at 1231 20th
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, and one copy with the Chief, Competitive Pricing Division, 1919 M
Street, N.W., Room 518, Washington, D.C. 20554.
     
     We will treat this petition as a non-restricted proceeding for purposes of the Commission's ex parte
rules.  See 47 C.F.R.  1.1200 (a).  Thus, this proceeding will be subject to the "permit but disclose" ex parte
rules applicable to non-restricted proceedings.  See 47 C.F.R.  1.1206.  This will enable the Commission to
gather a more complete record and also protect the parties by fully disclosing all communications on the record.

     For further information, contact Yvonne Hawkins, Competitive Pricing Division, Common Carrier
Bureau, (202) 418-1530.

                             - FCC -