FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:        NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
  June 29, 1999                 Linda Paris at (202) 418-0500
  
  Statement of FCC Chairman William E. Kennard Regarding 
  SBC/Ameritech Proposal on Market Opening Conditions to 
             Address April 1st Letter on Merger
  
       The Common Carrier Bureau's merger review team has reported to me that they
  have completed discussions with SBC and Ameritech concerning conditions which
  mitigate the public interest concerns associated with their proposed merger.  The staff
  team has indicated that they expect to recommend to the Commission that the merger
  should be approved with the proposed conditions, subject to review of the proposal and
  the comments and reply comments from interested parties.
  
       I am encouraged by SBC and Ameritech's commitment to open their markets to
  competition, and their agreement to suffer stiff penalties if they do not.  I look forward to
  working with my colleagues to closely evaluate the companies' proposal.  I also look
  forward to receiving comments on the proposal from the public.  Our paramount goal
  must be to hasten the day when consumers enjoy the benefits of more competition in local
  and long distance phone service.
  
                          - FCC -