NEWS
	Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554	News media information 202 / 418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 202/418-2555
	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).
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 8, 1999 News Media contact: Emily Hoffnar at (202) 418-0253
	STATEMENT OF FCC CHAIRMAN WILLIAM E. KENNARD ON D.C. CIRCUIT COURT DECISION IN US WEST V. FCC
	The court's opinion unequivocally upholds our implementation of the pro- competitive framework established by Congress in the 1996 Act. Congress said the Bell companies could get into long distance when they open their local markets to competition. There are no shortcuts. The message is simple: open your local markets so consumers can finally have choice in all telecommunications services. - FCC -