PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
445 12th Street, S.W., TW-A325
WASHINGTON, DC  20554                                    DA 00-731
News media information 202/418-0500 Fax-On Demand 202/418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov   ftp.fcc.gov 


                                       Released: March 30, 2000


     WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU GRANTS CONSENT FOR
    TRANSFER OF CONTROL OF CELLULAR AND RELATED  MICROWAVE 
         LICENSES FROM  BELL ATLANTIC CORPORATION AND 
          VODAFONE AIRTOUCH PLC TO ALLTEL CORPORATION

     Pursuant to sections 4(i) and 310(d) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47
U.S.C.  154(i), 310(d), and section 0.331 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R.  0.331, the
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau approves the applications requesting Commission consent to
transfer control of certain licenses currently controlled by Bell Atlantic Corporation ("Bell Atlantic")
and various affiliates and Vodafone AirTouch Plc ("Vodafone") to ALLTEL Corporation
("ALLTEL").  These applications pertain to licenses for certain cellular and related microwave
services.  No comments or petitions to deny were received in response to the public notice
announcing that the applications had been accepted for filing.  See DA 00-277, released February 11,
2000.  These transactions will eliminate cellular system ownership overlaps between Bell Atlantic and
Vodafone by transferring interests in markets in Arizona and New Mexico to ALLTEL.  As part of
the transactions, ALLTEL will transfer its cellular system interests in certain other markets to Bell
Atlantic, none of which will create any new overlapping interests between Bell Atlantic and
Vodafone.

     Pursuant to section 1.103 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R.  1.103, the consent granted
herein is effective upon release of this Public Notice.  Pursuant to sections 1.106(f) and 1.115(a) of
the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R.  1.106(f), 1.115(a), petitions for reconsideration and
applications for review may be filed within thirty days of the release of this public notice.  

     For further information, contact Lauren Kravetz or Michael Samsock, Wireless
Telecommunications Bureau, Commercial Wireless Division, at (202) 418-7240, or Monica Desai,
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, at (202) 418-
0680.  

                             -FCC-