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                                                                   NOTICE
                                                                         
                                   Federal Communications Commission
       445 12th St., S.W.                                             
       Washington, D.C. 20554

       DA 99-1616
       Released August 13, 1999

          
              COMMON CARRIER BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON 
               PETITIONS RELATING TO TRUTH-IN-BILLING 
                  FILED BY THE FOLLOWING PARTIES:
                             AMERITECH;
       CABLE PLUS, L.P. AND MULTITECHNOLOGY SERVICES, L.P.; 
                     SBC COMMUNICATIONS INC.; 
                        SPRINT CORPORATION; 
               UNITED STATES TELEPHONE ASSOCIATION; 
                   U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
                                  
                         CC DOCKET 98-170 
                                  
     On May 11, 1999, the Commission released Truth-in-Billing and Billing Format, First
Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, CC Docket No. 98-170 (Order). 
In the Order, the Commission adopted principles and guidelines to ensure that telephone bills
provide consumers with the information they need to make informed decisions in the
telecommunications marketplace, as well as with tools to protect themselves against
telecommunications-related fraud such as slamming and cramming.

     The Commission has received several petitions for waiver, stay, and other forms of relief
from the guidelines adopted in the Order.  The Commission has determined that these petitions
have broad implications that reach beyond the parties to the proceeding.  In this Public Notice, we
seek comment on the following petitions:  

             Ameritech Petition for Stay, and Clarification or Reconsideration (filed July 26, 1999).

             Cable Plus, L.P. and MultiTechnology Services, L.P. Petition for Expedited,
       Temporary Waiver (filed July 20, 1999).  

             SBC Communications Inc. Petition for Waiver or Stay (filed July 26, 1999).

             Sprint Corporation Petition for Stay or Waiver and Partial Clarification (filed July 26,
       1999).  


             United States Telephone Association Petition for an Expedited Waiver or Stay (filed
       July 16, 1999).  

             U S West Communications Inc. Petition for Relief from Two Truth-in-Billing
       Mandates Pending Conclusion of Reconsideration Process (filed July 19, 1999).

     Comments on the above-mentioned waiver proceedings are due on or before September 3,
1999 and reply comments are due on or before September 10, 1999.  We also designate the
above-mentioned waiver proceedings as permit-but-disclose.  While waiver proceedings are
restricted under the Commission's ex parte rules, the Commission has discretion under 47 C.F.R.
Section 1.1200(a) to conclude that certain waiver proceedings involve broad policy issues and
should be classified as permit-but-disclose.

     Copies of these filings are available for inspection and copying during normal business
hours in the FCC Reference Center, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554.  Copies
may also be purchased from the Commission's duplicating contractor, International Transcription
Services, 1231 20th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036.

By the Chief, Common Carrier Bureau.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Anita Cheng at (202) 418-0996.  The fax
number is (202) 418-0236.