DA 99-2567
                                    Released: November 18, 1999
                                                               
                                                               
   FCC COMMISSIONERS TO JOIN SEN. BYRON DORGAN AND THE NORTH
 DAKOTA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AT PUBLIC HEARING ON BRINGING
              BROADBAND SERVICES TO RURAL AMERICA
                                

     Members of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Sen. Byron Dorgan and the
North Dakota Public Service Commission will conduct a Public Hearing on November 22, 1999
to examine issues related to the deployment of broadband services to rural America.

     The Hearing will be held November 22, 1999 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the
Bismarck State College Student Union, Missouri Room, 1500 Edwards Avenue, Bismarck, North
Dakota.  FCC Chairman William Kennard,  FCC Commissioner Susan Ness, FCC Commissioner
Harold Furtchgott-Roth, Sen. Byron Dorgan, State Commissioner Bruce Hagen and State
Commissioner Susan Wefald are expected to attend.

     Prior to the hearing, at 12:15 p.m. the FCC  Commissioners and Sen. Dorgan will hold a
brief press conference at the Bismarck State College Student Union, Alumni Room.
     
     The FCC is committed to ensuring that all Americans have access to the advanced
telecommunications services that are an essential link to the new economy.  At this hearing
witnesses will discuss efforts to invest in broadband infrastructure to deliver services to rural
America; any obstacles that may impede investment; the role of  universal service mechanisms; the
importance of access to this infrastructure to the economy of rural areas and what state and
federal governments can do to accelerate investment.

       For further information please contact: Ellen Blackler, eblackle@fcc.gov, (202) 418-
0491.  Media Contact:  Michael Balmoris, mbalmoris@fcc.gov, (202) 418-0253.


                            -- FCC--