May 14, 1998
                                                               
FCC CHIEF ECONOMIST MICHAEL RIORDAN TO RETURN TO BOSTON UNIVERSITY

     Michael Riordan, Chief Economist of the FCC since March 1997, will leave at the end of
May and return to his position as Professor of economics at Boston University.  

     While at the FCC Riordan was involved in a wide range of matters before the Commission
that required economic analysis, and was instrumental in developing the Commission's
competitive analysis of the Bell Atlantic-Nynex merger and subsequent mergers.

     He will be  on sabbatical at Yale University next year pursing research on topics relevant
for telecommunications policy.

     FCC Chairman William Kennard said "Mike has continued a fine tradition of chief
economists who have greatly strengthened the role of economic analysis at the FCC.  Economics
has always been important to the Commission's work, and it is especially so during this
challenging transitional period as we steer a course toward a more competitive telecommunications
marketplace.  We thank Mike for his hard work and insightful advice."

                             - FCC -