FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
JUNE 10, 1999                                     Meribeth McCarrick at (202) 418-0654

 FCC INITIATES PROCEEDING TO PROMOTE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPETITIVE NETWORKS

     Today the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) initiated a proceeding intended to
facilitate the development of competitive telecommunications networks that will provide
consumers with alternatives to services provided by the incumbent wireline local exchange
carriers (LECs). 

     A major goal of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (1996 Act) is the availability of
competitive local telecommunications services, including advanced and innovative services, to all
Americans.  The 1996 Act contemplates that competitors will offer local telecommunications
services by reselling the incumbent LECs' services, using unbundled elements of the incumbent
LECs' networks, and using their own network facilities.  Only facilities-based competition,
however, can bring the fullest benefits of competition to consumers and fully break down the
incumbent LECs' dominant position.  The adopted Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and
Notice of Inquiry (NOI) furthers the FCC's ongoing efforts to promote facilities-based local
competition by seeking comment on potential action in several specific areas.
 
     Specifics of Today's Item: 

          Section 224: The NPRM tentatively concludes that section 224 requires utilities to permit
     telecommunications and cable service providers access to rooftop and other rights-of-way and
     riser conduit that they own or control in multiple tenant environments under just, reasonable,
     and nondiscriminatory rates, terms, and conditions.  The NPRM requests comment on several
     issues regarding how this tentative conclusion would be implemented and other related issues. 

          Unbundled Network Elements: Subject to the FCC's future interpretation of sections
     251(c)(3) and 251(d)(2) of the Communications Act, the NPRM seeks comment on whether
     incumbent LECs should make available to any requesting telecommunications carrier
     unbundled access to riser cable and wiring that they control within multiple tenant
     environments.




     Nondiscriminatory Access to Facilities Controlled by Premises Owners: The NPRM seeks
comment on whether the Commission should require building owners who allow access to their
premises to any telecommunications provider to make comparable access available to all such
providers on a nondiscriminatory basis, and on the constitutional and statutory authority issues
raised by  such a requirement.  The item asks questions regarding how any such obligation should
be implemented.

     State and Local Government Policies on Rights-of-Way and Taxes: The NOI seeks to develop
a record on whether and how State and local rights-of-way and tax policies are having an impact
on facilities-based competition.  

     Action by the Commission, June 10, 1999, by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of
Inquiry (FCC 99-141).  Chairman Kennard, Commissioners Ness and Tristani with Commissioner
Furchtgott-Roth concurring in part, dissenting in part and issuing a statement, Commissioner
Powell concurring and issuing a statement.
News Media contact:  Meribeth McCarrick at 202-418-0654, TTY at (202) 418-7233, or 
e-mail at mmccarri@fcc.gov

Wireless Telecommunications Bureau contacts:  Jeffrey Steinberg at 202-418-0896, e-mail at
jsteinbe@fcc.gov; Joel Taubenblatt at 202-418-1513, e-mail at jtaubenb@fcc.gov.

WT Docket No. 99-217
CC Docket No. 96-98
WT Report No. 99-17
                              -FCC-