FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:           NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: 
  January 4, 2000                       Mike Balmoris at (202) 418-0253
                                   Email:    mbalmori@fcc.gov
  
  
       Statement of FCC Chairman William E. Kennard 
         regarding U.S. COURT APPEALS Decision to 
           deny an emergency stay in AT&T v. FCC
  
  
  Washington, D.C.   "I'm pleased that the court has denied AT&T's motion for a
  stay and allowed the FCC's authorization of Bell Atlantic entry into long distance to take
  effect.  This is good news for consumers.  As I have said repeatedly, it's time for the
  industry to take their battles out of the courtroom and into the competitive marketplace."
  
  
                           -FCC-
  
News about the Federal Communications Commission can also be found
         on the Commission's web site www.fcc.gov.