# PUBLIC NOTICE

## FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

445 12^th^ Street, NW, TW-A325

Washington, DC 20554

News media information 202/418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202/418-2830 Internet:
[http://www.fcc.gov](http://www.fcc.gov/)
[ftp.fcc.gov](ftp://ftp.fcc.gov/) TTY's-Network Services 202/418-0484
and Informal Complaints 202/418-0485

###  **DA 99-2556**

#### **PLEADING CYCLE ESTABLISHED FOR COMMENTS ON**

**BELLSOUTH, SBC, AND BELL ATLANTIC PETITIONS FOR FORBEARANCE**

**FOR NATIONAL DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE**

**CC Docket No. 97-172**

###  Released: November 17, 1999

BellSouth Corporation (BellSouth), SBC Communications Inc. (SBC) on
behalf of its Bell Operating Company (BOC) subsidiaries, (Ameritech,
Pacific Bell, Nevada Bell and Southwestern Bell Telephone Company), and
Bell Atlantic filed petitions for forbearance pursuant to section 272 of
the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, on October 8, 1999, November
2, 1999, and November 5, 1999 respectively. These petitions seek
forbearance from application of the requirements of section 272 so as to
allow these companies to provide nonlocal directory assistance service
on an integrated basis with local directory assistance. In addition,
BellSouth, SBC and Bell Atlantic request the Commission to grant them
the same amount of time granted to U S WEST in which to make the
accounting changes specified in the *U S WEST Forbearance Order*,
*Memorandum Opinion and Order*, CC Dockets Nos. 97-172, 92-105, FCC
99-133 (rel. Sept. 27, 1999) (*U S WEST Forbearance Order)*

Interested parties may file comments regarding the BellSouth, SBC and
Bell Atlantic petitions no later than **November 29, 1999**, with the
Secretary, FCC at 445 12^th^ Street, SW, TW-A325, Washington, DC 20554.
Oppositions or responses to these comments may be filed with the
Secretary, FCC no later than **December 8, 1999**. All pleadings are to
reference CC Docket No. 97-172. Interested parties should file an
original and seven copies of all pleadings. An additional copy of all
pleadings must also be sent to Janice M. Myles, Common Carrier Bureau,
FCC, Room 5-C327, 445 12^th^ Street, SW, TW-A325, Washington, DC 20554,
and to the Commission's contractor for public services records
duplication, International Transcription Services, Inc. (ITS), 1231
20^th^ Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036. The BellSouth, SBC and Bell
Atlantic petitions are available for inspection and copying during
normal business hours in the FCC's Reference Center, Room CY-A257, 445
12^th^ Street, SW, TW-A325, Washington, DC 20554. Copies also can be
obtained from ITS at 1231 20^th^ Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036 or by
calling ITS at (202) 857-3800 or faxing ITS at (202) 857-3805.

Comments filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via
the Internet to <http://www.fcc.gov/e-file/efcs.html>. Generally, only
one copy of an electronic submission must be filed. If multiple docket
or rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of this proceeding, however,
commenters must transmit one electronic copy of the comments for each
docket or rulemaking number referenced in the caption. In completing the
transmittal screen, commenters should include their full name, Postal
Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking number.
Parties may also submit an electronic comment by Internet e-mail. To get
filing instructions for e-mail comments, commenters should send an
e-mail to <efcs@fcc.gov>, and should include the following words in the
body of the message, "get form \<your e-mail address." A sample form and
directions will be sent in reply.

We will treat this proceeding as permit, but disclose for purposes of
the Commission's *ex parte* rules. *See generally* 47 C.F.R. §§
1.1200-1.1216. Parties making oral *ex parte* presentations are reminded
that memoranda summarizing the presentation must contain a summary of
the substance of the presentation and not merely a listing of the
subjects discussed. More than a one or two sentence description of the
views and arguments presented is generally required. *See* 47 C.F.R. §
1.1206(b)(2), as revised. Other rules pertaining to oral and written
presentations are set forth in section 1.1206(b) as well. Interested
parties are to file with the Secretary, FCC, and serve Janice M. Myles
and ITS, with copies of any written *ex parte* presentations or
summaries of oral *ex parte* presentations in these proceedings in the
manner specified above.

For further information, contact Janice M. Myles, Policy and Program
Planning Division, Common Carrier Bureau, at (202) 418-1580, e-mail
<jmyles@fcc.gov>.

\- FCC -