NEWSReport No. WT 98-7WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACTIONMarch 16,
1998

                           
        FCC ISSUES NOTICES OF APPARENT LIABILITY FOR FORFEITURE TO 
US WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC.  AND WESTERN PCS BTA I CORP. 


     Today the Commission issued Notices of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture to US West
Communications, Inc. ("US West") and Western PCS BTA I Corporation ("Western") in the
amount of $1.2 million each.  The Commission found that both companies apparently
violated 47 CFR  1.2105(c) -- the Commission's "anti-collusion" rule -- during the
Commission's broadband Personal Communications Systems (PCS) D/E/F block auction that
took place between August 26, 1996 and January 14, 1997.  The Commission also found that
both companies apparently violated 47 CFR  1.65, which requires auction participants to
maintain the accuracy of information furnished in FCC Form 175, the "short form" that is
required of all applicants in advance of the auction.

     The Commission stated that the competing bidders engaged in prohibited
communications concerning bidding in the Olympia, Washington market during the course of
the D/E/F block auction.  The Commission indicated that the contacts, which were by phone
and voicemail, unfairly disadvantaged other bidders in the market.  US West and Western
must pay the assessed fine within 30 days or appeal the ruling. 

     Actions by the Commission, March 16, 1998, by Notices of Apparent Liability for
Forfeiture (FCC 98-42 and FCC 98-41).  Chairman Kennard, Commissioners Ness, 
Furchtgott-Roth, Powell and Tristani.
.
                                   -FCC-

     News Media contact:  Meribeth McCarrick at 202-418-0654
     Wireless Telecommunications Bureau contact:  Jamie Rubin at 202-418-0600