*********************
*********************
**************    
                         NOTICE
*********************
*********************
**************

This document was
converted from
WordPerfect or Word to
ASCII Text format.

Content from the original
version of the document
such as
headers, footers, footnotes,
endnotes, graphics, and
page numbers
will not show up in this
text version.

All text attributes such as
bold, italic, underlining,
etc. from the
original document will not
show up in this text
version.

Features of the original
document layout such as
columns, tables, line and
letter spacing, pagination,
and margins
will not be preserved in
the text version.

If you need the complete
document, download the
WordPerfect version or
Adobe Acrobat version, if
available.

*********************
*********************
*********************
**
PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
445 12th STREET, S.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554                                            DA 00-774

News media information 202/418-0500     Fax-On-Demand  202/418-2830     Internet:  http://www.fcc.gov    ftp.fcc.gov
                    
                                        Released: April 7, 2000

           COMMON CARRIER BUREAU RELEASES ESTIMATED 
          STATE-BY-STATE UNIVERSAL SERVICE HIGH-COST 
            SUPPORT AMOUNTS FOR NON-RURAL CARRIERS 
                                
                      CC Docket No. 96-45

Today the Commission released an order clarifying the method by which certain line count
data will be used in the new high-cost universal service support mechanism for non-rural carriers. 
Specifically, the Commission clarified how the quarterly line count data filed by non-rural carriers
pursuant to the Commission's rules will be incorporated in the new high-cost mechanism for
purposes of calculating and targeting support amounts.   In addition, the Commission clarified
that, until it adopts new line count input values for use in the Commission's forward-looking cost
model, forward-looking costs for universal service purposes shall continue to be estimated using
the line count input values adopted by the Commission in October 1999. 

The spreadsheet attached to this Public Notice shows the estimated state-by-state support
amounts based on the quarterly line count data filed by non-rural carriers and the clarification
adopted in the Twentieth Reconsideration Order.  These support estimates supercede the state-
by-state support amounts previously released by the Common Carrier Bureau (Bureau).  On
January 20, 2000, the Bureau announced the procedures for releasing support amounts for non-
rural carriers under the new high-cost mechanism and released corrected estimated support
amounts.  The Bureau emphasized that these support amounts were estimated support amounts
based on the line counts used as input values in the Commission's cost model, and would be
superceded by estimates based on the line counts reported by non-rural carriers on a quarterly
basis.  

As discussed in the Twentieth Reconsideration Order, by incorporating the reported lines
in the non-rural high-cost universal service support mechanism, support will vary based on the
number of lines reported to account for a growth or reduction in lines served by a particular
carrier.  The aggregate estimated support amount available under the new mechanism changes
from approximately $210 million to $220 million.  The state-by-state hold-harmless support
amounts and the state-by-state support amounts for rural carriers are the same as those released in
the Jan. 20 Public Notice and are based on the Universal Service Administrative Company's
(USAC) projections for the first quarter of the year 2000.

     For further information regarding this Public Notice, please contact Katie King at (202)
418-7400.

                            - FCC -