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 FCC NEWS

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
445 12th STREET S.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554

News media information 202/418-0500
TTY 202/418-2555
Fax-On-Demand 202/418-2830
Internet http://www.fcc.gov
ftp://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. 516 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 January 18, 2001
 NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
 John Winston (202) 418-7450



ENFORCEMENT BUREAU PROPOSES $94,500 FINE AGAINST SBC
FOR VIOLATIONS OF LOCAL COMPETITION RULE

Washington, DC - Today, the Enforcement Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission announced that it has proposed a $94,500 fine against SBC Communications, Inc. (SBC) for apparently violating a Commission collocation rule, and conditions that the Commission imposed pursuant to its approval of the merger application of SBC and Ameritech Corp.

The Commission's collocation rules require incumbent telephone companies to allow competing telephone companies to place equipment in the incumbents' offices. One such rule requires the incumbents to promptly post notices of all incumbent owned sites that have run out of collocation space. The purpose of this rule is to ensure that competitors do not waste time and resources applying for collocation space where none exists. An independent audit of SBC's compliance with the Commission's collocation posting rules uncovered apparent violations. The information provided to the Enforcement Bureau, contained in the audit and supplied by SBC, revealed that SBC apparently violated the posting rule in numerous instances. In proposing a $94,500 fine, the Enforcement Bureau noted the importance of the local competition rules.

Action by the Chief, Enforcement Bureau, January 17, 2001, Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (DA 01-128).

- FCC -

Enforcement Bureau contacts: John R. Winston at (202) 418-7450, and Elizabeth H. Valinoti at (202) 418-1529.