PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 1919 M STREET N.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 News media information 202/418-0500 Recorded listing of releases and texts 202/418-2222. ______________________________________________________________________ DA 98-280 February 13, 1998 COMMISSION TO HOLD EN BANC FEBRUARY 19, 1998 IN CONNECTION WITH REPORT TO CONGRESS ON UNIVERSAL SERVICE The Federal Communications Commission will hold an En Banc on Thursday, February 19, 1998, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 pm, in Room 856 at 1919 M. Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. The En Banc is in connection with the Report to Congress on Universal Service required by statute. The 1998 appropriations legislation for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, Pub. L. No. 105-119, directs the Commission to undertake a review of the implementation of the provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (1996 Act) relating to universal service, and to submit a report to Congress no later than April 10, 1998. At the En Banc, the Commission will hear from panels of experts addressing issues regarding various definitions in the 1996 Act, as well as the payment and receipt of Universal Service contributions by information service providers and telecommunications carriers. The En Banc is open to the public, and seating will be available on a first come, first served basis. A transcript of the En Banc will be available 10 days after the event on the FCC's Internet site. The URL address for the FCC's Internet Home Page is . The En Banc will also be carried live on the Internet. Internet users may listen to the real-time audio feed of the En Banc by accessing the FCC Internet Audio Broadcast Home Page. Step-by-step instructions on how to listen to the audio broadcast, as well as information regarding the equipment and software needed, are available on the FCC Internet Audio Broadcast Home Page. The URL address for this home page is http://www.fcc.gov/realaudio/. News Media Contact: Rochelle Cohen (202) 418-0253 Report Working Group Contacts: Melissa Waksman (202) 418-1580 Marcelino Ford-Livene (202) 418-2030