FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 
  August 2, 1999
                              
                              
  STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER FURCHTGOTT-ROTH IN ASSOCIATION
        WITH MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER RELEASED 
       DECEMBER 31, 1998, CONCERNING RATE INTEGRATION
               RECONSIDERATION ORDER RELEASED
  
       On December 31, 1998, the Commission released a Memorandum Opinion and
  Order (FCC 98-347, CC Docket 96-61) upholding and clarifying an earlier decision in
  which the Commission found that the rate integration requirements of section 254(g) of
  the Communications Act apply to the interstate, interexchange services of CMRS
  providers. 
  
       At that time Commissioner Harold Furchtgott-Roth voted to approve in part and
  concur in part in the decision and indicated he would release a separate statement at a
  later date.  That statement follows:
  
  
  
                   SEPARATE STATEMENT OF
            COMMISSIONER HAROLD FURCHTGOTT-ROTH 
  
        Re: Implementation of Section 254(g) of the Communications Act of 1934; CC Docket
       No. 96-61.
  
       I support this item's ultimate conclusion, but do have some reservations with the
  overall approach that the Commission has taken to this and other forbearance petitions. 
  As Commissioner Powell explains in his statement, I am concerned that the Commission
  is placing too high a burden on the parties requesting forbearance relief.  I believe that the
  Section 10 forbearance scheme requires the Commission to justify continued regulation
  in light of the competitive conditions in the marketplace, a burden which I believe is met
  here.  The Commission cannot meet their section 10 statutory obligations by simply
  shifting the burden to petitioners to justify the forbearance requested.  
  
                           -FCC -