PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
1919 M STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554                                           DA 98-1038

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


                                                     Released: June 2, 1998

Gallatin River Communications Petitions for Waiver of Part 69 of the Commission's rules

                        Pleading Cycle Established

                            CCB/CPD NO. 98-37


COMMENTS:  June 22, 1998

REPLY COMMENTS:  July 2, 1998

        On April 23, 1998, Gallatin River Communications L.L.C (Gallatin River) filed a petition for
waiver of sections 69.3(e)(9) and 61.41(c)(2) of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R.  69.3(e)(9) and
61.41(c)(2).  Gallatin River seeks to rejoin the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) carrier
common line pool and to be regulated under the Commission's rate of return rules.

        In its Petition, Gallatin River states that it is a newly organized local exchange carrier (LEC) in
Illinois which has a contract to acquire all of the current study area of Central Telephone Company of
Illinois (Central), a subsidiary of Sprint Corporation.  Gallatin River further states that it will have no
affiliation with Central after the closing of the contract.  On April 1, 1989, Central along with all the
affiliates of its then- parent company exited the NECA carrier common line pool.

        Gallatin River argues that granting its waiver to return the now substantially reduced study area
to the common line pool is in the public interest.  Specifically, Gallatin River argues that pool
participation will benefit its subscribers through cost reductions of tariff filings and increased stability
through the pooling process as well as reduce Commission resources that are allocated to the tariff review
and enforcement process.  Gallatin River also argues that reentry into the common line pool will not harm
the pooling structure, will not have a substantial adverse effect on the pool's revenue requirement, and will
not significantly increase the long term support fund and/or the four-year transitional fund obligations of
the contributors to the Universal Service Support Mechanism.  In support of its request to be regulated
under the rate of return methodology, Gallatin River maintains that it will have the same cost and financial
characteristics of other companies for which the Commission has recognized that price caps were not
appropriate.

        Interested parties may file comments no later than June 22, 1998.  Reply comments may be filed
no later than July 2, 1998.  When filing comments, please reference the internal file number:  CCB/CPD
98-37.

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

                                 - FCC -