PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
1919 M STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554                                 DA 98-2049

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


                                        Released: October 9, 1998


 AT&T Petition for Revocation of Information Surcharge Waivers
                                
            Pleading Cycle EstablishedCCB/CPD 98-61


COMMENTS:  November 12, 1998

REPLY COMMENTS:  November 27, 1998

     On October 6, 1998, pursuant to Sections 1.1 and 1.3 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R.  1.1,
and 1.3, AT&T Corp. (AT&T), filed a petition for revocation of a thirteen-year old set of waivers that permit
incumbent local exchange carriers (LECs) to recover certain information costs through a usage-sensitive
"information surcharge."

     In its petition, AT&T states that this surcharge traffic-sensitive access charge designed to recover non-
traffic-sensitive costs relating to white pages and other undefined directory assistance costs.  AT&T contends
that the Commission granted these waivers on an interim basis, pending its investigation in 1987, of certain
questions concerning the nature of these costs.  AT&T asserts that the Commission, after conducting its
investigation decided to retain the pre-existing rule that such costs must be recovered through the information
element. 

     AT&T maintains that the waivers were inexplicably continued, and today, thirteen years later, the
LECs continue to recover these information costs through the "information surcharge."    AT&T argues that
the waivers should now be rescinded for three reasons: (1) the LECs have never shown "good cause" for the
waivers; (2) the information surcharge violates principles of cost-causation; and (3) granting these waivers to
the entire industry has repealed the rule, in violation of settled principles of administrative law.

     Interested parties may file comments on AT&T Corp.'s petition no later than November 12, 1998. 
Replies must be filed by November 27, 1998.  When filing comments and/or replies, please reference the
internal file number:  CCB/CPD 98-61.

     An original and four copies of all comments and replies 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, Room
518 at 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554.

     For further information contact Wanda M. Harris, (202) 418-1530 or Harold Watson, (202) 418-1520,
TTY: (202) 418-0484.

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