May 15, 1998
                                                               
STATEMENT OF FCC CHAIRMAN WILLIAM E. KENNARD ON COURT RULING IN
                      BELLSOUTH V. FCC   
                                                               
                                                               
     This decision clearly upholds Congress' power to write laws, and the FCC's ability to
implement those laws, setting fair rules for competition.  The Constitution does not protect
monopolies against rational, market-opening rules.  This decision will give a boost to federal
and state efforts to open our country's telecommunications markets to competition.

                             - FCC -