NEWS
	Federal Communications Commission 1919 - M Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20554	News media information 202 / 418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov
	This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
	May 21, 1998
	STATEMENT OF FCC CHAIRMAN WILLIAM KENNARD ON U S WEST/AMERITECH/QUEST AGREEMENT
	There has been much attention in the press recently concerning arrangements by which U S WEST and Ameritech have agreed to market within their territories the long distance services of Qwest Communications Corporation. Commission staff are in the process of reviewing these arrangements. In order to help us in our review, I have asked the Chief of the Common Carrier Bureau and the General Counsel to request that U S WEST, Ameritech and Qwest submit to the Commission all contracts governing the terms and conditions of these arrangements, as well as any future modifications or amendments to those contracts. There have been suggestions that prior Commission precedents clearly address these specific types of arrangements. I do not believe that is the case. The Commission has not had occasion to evaluate these precise arrangements. The Commission will continue to review these arrangements to determine whether they are consistent with the Telecommunications Act and Commission precedent. - FCC -