March 16, 1999

  STATEMENT OF LAWRENCE STRICKLING, CHIEF, FCC COMMON CARRIER
     BUREAU ON OPINION OF D.C. CIRCUIT COURT IN CTIA V. FCC
                                
     In this case the wireless industry argued that wireless providers do not have to
contribute to a Texas fund designed to keep telephone service affordable.  The FCC argued 
that our state colleagues have an important role to play in keeping telephone service
affordable, and the court agreed with us.  Today's decision is a victory for consumers.

                                                            - FCC -


     (The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit today handed down its
opinion in Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association, et al . v  FCC  No. 97-1690
(and consolidated cases).  In these consolidated cases, the petitioners challenged the FCC's
conclusion that the Communications Act did not preempt a Texas statute that required
contributions to the state's universal service fund by providers of commercial mobile radio
services.  The court denied the petitions for review.)