February 29, 1996


                   REPORT ON FCC IMPLEMENTATION OF    
                  TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 1996       

The following is a report by Ruth Milkman, Senior Legal
Advisor to Chairman Hundt, at the open Commission
meeting on February 29, detailing the progress made in
implementing the provisions of the Telecommunications
Act of 1996.  

               Report on Telecom Act Implementation  2/29/96


     Since the February 8, 1996, Commission meeting, the Commission has taken the
following steps to implement the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Commission Actions

1.   Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to allow Bell Operating Companies offering out-of-
region interLATA service to be treated as nondominant under certain conditions.  (CCB,
released 2/14).

2.  Dismissal of 19 pending Section 214 applications filed by carriers planning to provide
video programming.  (CCB, released 2/16 )

3.  Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing to eliminate 13 common carrier reporting
requirements, and reduce the frequency of 6 other reports.  (CCB, 2/26)

4.  Public Notices requesting comments on applications to provide telecommunications
services filed by two utility companies, CSW Communications, Inc., and Entergy
Technology Co.  (OGC, released 2/13 and 2/23)

5.  Public Notice requesting nominations for Telecommunications Development Fund Board.
(OGC and OCBO, released 2/13)

6.  Transfer of $780 million in auction upfront payments into an interest bearing account to
earn interest for the Telecommunications Development Fund, after consultation with the
Department of Treasury.  (OCBO, OGC, OMD, 2/20).

7.  Extension of the comment period for the Notice of Inquiry on closed captioning and
video description, so that parties have an opportunity to comment on the Telecom Act
provisions affecting these issues. (CSB, released 2/27)

8.  Public Notice announcing that cable operators should no longer inform subscribers that
they may file complaints concerning rate changes for cable service programming tiers
directly with the FCC.  The Telecom Act permits franchising authorities, not subscribers, to
file complaints for CPS tiers with the FCC.  (CSB, released 2/27)

9.  Order extending time for cable operators to file their annual equipment forms, because
Telecom Act permits cable operators to aggregate equipment costs, and requires the FCC to
modify its rules and forms within 120 days of enactment.  (CSB, released 2/27).

10.  Order Streamlining Amateur Radio Examination Procedures.  (WTB, adopted 2/27).

11.  Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order extending comment date for
LEC-CMRS Interconnection proceeding.  (WTB, released 2/16).

Facilitating Public Information

1.  Public Forums with CCB, WTB and CSB to discuss schedule for Telecom Act items. 
We received excellent feedback from the people who attended the forums that helped us
further organize our process.  (WTB, 2/13;  CCB,  2/23; CSB, 2/27)

2.  New Daily Digest format to assist in tracking items that implement the new Telecom law.
(OPA, 2/28)

3.  Establishment of Telecom Act home page at FCC web site (www.fcc.gov) to provide a
central location for all public information regarding FCC actions to implement the new law. 
(OPA, 2/27).  We have already had 68 hits on the home page, and 1,849 hits on the
Telecom Act implementation schedule that had previously been posted at the FCC's web site.