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                           Before the
                Federal Communications Commission
                     Washington, D.C. 20554



MCI WORLDCOM  Network  Services, )
Inc.,                            )
                                )
     Complainant,                )
                                )    File No. EB-02-MDIC-0037
v.                               )
                                )
Allegiance Telecom, Inc.,        )
                                )
     Defendant.


                              ORDER

       Adopted:  January 7, 2003        Released:    January   8, 
     2003

By the Chief, Market Disputes Resolution Division, Enforcement 
Bureau:

On May 31, 2002, pursuant to section 1.716 of the Commission 
rules,1 MCI WORLDCOM Network Services, Inc. (``WorldCom'') filed 
an informal complaint against defendant Allegiance Telecom, Inc. 
(``Allegiance'') in the above-captioned matter.2  On July 15, 
2002, Allegiance filed a report pursuant to section 1.717 of the 
Commission's rules3 denying the allegations in WorldCom's 
Informal Complaint.4  Pursuant to section 1.718 of the 
Commission's rules,5 WorldCom must convert its Informal Complaint 
into a formal complaint within six months of the date of 
Allegiance's report to ensure that the formal complaint relates 
back to the May 31, 2002 filing date of the Informal Complaint 
for statute of limitations purposes. 

Since the filing of the Informal Complaint, with some assistance 
from Commission staff, WorldCom and Allegiance have engaged in 
negotiations to resolve the alleged disputed issues.6  Although 
the parties report that these negotiations have been productive, 
their discussions have taken longer than anticipated and have 
been delayed by a number of factors.7  Both parties believe that 
an extension will allow for additional time to continue their 
good faith negotiations, which may obviate the need to file a 
formal complaint.8  Accordingly, WorldCom requests a waiver of 
section 1.718 of the Commission's rules and an extension of time 
until January 29, 2003, to convert its Informal Complaint against 
Allegiance into a formal complaint, if necessary.9  Allegiance 
has consented to WorldCom's request.10

We are satisfied that granting WorldCom's consent motion will 
serve the public interest by promoting the private resolution of 
disputes and by postponing the need for further litigation and 
expenditure of further time and resources of the parties and of 
this Commission until such time as may actually be necessary.

Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to sections 4(i), 4(j), and 
208 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. §§ 
154(i), 154(j), and 208, and sections 1.3 and 1.718 of the 
Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.3, 1.718, and the authority 
delegated in sections 0.111 and 0.311 of the Commission's rules, 
47 C.F.R. §§ 0.111, 0.311, that the Consent Motion of MCI 
WORLDCOM Network Services, Inc. Requesting Waiver of Section 
1.718 of the Commission's Rules and an Extension of Time In Which 
to Convert Its Informal Complaint to a Formal Complaint and Toll 
the Limitations Period IS GRANTED.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED pursuant to sections 4(i), 4(j), and 208 of 
the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. §§ 154(i), 
154(j), and 208, and sections 1.3 and 1.718 of the Commission's 
rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.3, 1.718, and the authority delegated in 
sections 0.111 and 0.311 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 
0.111, 0.311, that, unless otherwise extended by order, the 
deadlines that would otherwise apply under section 1.718 of our 
rules, 47 C.F.R. § 1.718, are hereby waived, and the date on 
which MCI WORLDCOM Network Services, Inc. must convert its 
Informal Complaint against Allegiance Telecom, Inc. into a formal 
complaint pursuant to section 1.718 of our rules, 47 C.F.R. § 
1.718, is extended to January 29, 2003.

                         FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION




                         Alexander P. Starr
                         Chief,   Market   Disputes    Resolution 
                    Division
                         Enforcement Bureau
_________________________

1  47 C.F.R. § 1.716.

2   Letter  from Kecia  Boney-Lewis,  Counsel for  MCI  WorldCom 
Network Services,  Inc., to  Alexander P.  Starr, Chief,  Market 
Disputes Resolution  Division,  Enforcement Bureau,  FCC  (filed 
June 3, 2002) (``Informal Complaint'').

3  47 C.F.R. § 1.717.

4  Letter from Mary C.  Albert, Counsel for Allegiance  Telecom, 
Inc., to Alexander P.  Starr, Chief, Market Disputes  Resolution 
Division, Enforcement  Bureau,  FCC,  File  No.  EB-02-MDIC-0037 
(filed July 15, 2002).

5  47 C.F.R. § 1.718.

6   Consent  Motion  of  MCI  WORLDCOM  Network  Services,  Inc. 
Requesting Waiver of Section 1.718 of the Commission's Rules and 
an Extension of Time In Which to Convert Its Informal  Complaint 
to a Formal Complaint and Toll the Limitations Period, File  No. 
EB-02-MDIC-0037 (filed Dec. 31, 2002) (``Consent Motion'').

7   Consent Motion at 2.

8   Id. at 3.

9   Id. at 2-3.

10  Id.