PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
1919 M STREET N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20554
                                                                                                                            
            News Media Information 202/418-0500 Recorded listing of releases and texts 202/418-2222.
               
                                                            DA 98-532

                   COMMISSION SEEKS COMMENT ON U S WEST
                         PETITION FOR FORBEARANCE


                                            CC DOCKET NO. 97-172


                                                    Released:  March 19, 1998 
 
       On March 11, 1998, U S WEST filed a pleading styled as "Further Submission in
Support of Petition for Declaratory Ruling."  In accordance with U S WEST's request, the
Commission will treat this filing as a formal petition for forbearance under section 10 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended (Act).  In its petition, U S WEST requests that, if
the Commission finds that National Directory Assistance (NDA) service is subject to the
requirements of sections 271 and 272 of the Act, the Commission forbear from applying those
requirements.  U S WEST contends that NDA service qualifies as an incidental interLATA
service under section 271(g)(4) of the Act.  Although section 272 requires such services to be
provided through a separate affiliate, U S WEST maintains that the Commission should permit
it to provide NDA service on an integrated basis.  U S WEST submits that its provision of NDA
service is in the public interest and satisfies other requirements of section 10 of the Act. 

       Interested parties are to file an original and six copies of their comments on U S WEST's
Petition no later than April 9, 1998, with the Secretary, FCC, 1919 M Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20554.  An original and six copies of all reply comments are to be filed with
the Secretary, FCC no later than April 23, 1998.  All pleadings are to reference CC Docket
No. 97-172.  An additional copy of all pleadings should also be sent to Janice M. Myles,
Common Carrier, Bureau, FCC, Room 544, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.  20554,
and to the Commission's contractor for public service records duplication, International
Transcription Services, Inc. (ITS, Inc.), 1231 20th Street, N.W., Washington, DC  20036. 
The U S WEST petition is available for inspection and copying during normal business hours
in the FCC's Reference Center, Room 239, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. 
Copies also can be obtained from ITS at 1231 20th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036, or
by calling ITS at (202) 857-3800 or faxing ITS at (202) 857-3805. 

       We will treat this proceeding as permit, but disclose for purposes of the Commission's
ex parte rules.  See generally 47 C.F.R.  1.1200-1.1216.  Parties making oral ex parte
presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentation must contain a
summary of the substance of the presentation and not merely a listing of the subjects discussed. 
More than a one or two sentence description of the views and arguments presented is generally
required.  See 47 C.F.R.  1.1206(b)(2), as revised.  Other rules pertaining to oral and written
presentations are set forth in section 1.1206(b) as well.  Interested parties are to file with the
Commission Secretary, and serve Janice Myles and ITS with copies of any written ex parte
presentations or summaries of oral ex parte presentations in these proceedings in the manner
specified above.  We also require all written ex parte presentations or summaries of oral ex parte
presentations in this proceeding to be served on all parties to the proceeding.  

                                  - FCC -$// PN, U S WEST's Petition for Forbearance DA 98-532, CC 97-172 //$
$/ 47 CFR  253(d) /$