NEWS                                                     
February 27, 1996

           CHAIRMAN REED HUNDT ANNOUNCES INTENTION TO APPOINT 
                HIMSELF, COMMISSIONERS BARRETT AND NESS 
                   TO JOINT BOARD ON UNIVERSAL SERVICE

        Chairman Reed Hundt announced today at the National
Association of Regulatory Utility
Commissioners' Winter Meeting his intention to nominate himself,
Commissioner Andrew C. Barrett, and Commissioner Susan Ness to
serve on the Federal-State Joint Board required to
implement the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The Joint Board
will make recommendations to the Federal Communications
Commission with respect to the implementation of the universal
service provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. 

        Commissioner Barrett remarked on his impending
nomination, "The Joint Board will be tackling difficult and
important questions, including defining universal service for the
next generation. I look forward to being a part of this process."

        Commissioner Ness remarked on her impending nomination
that she is "delighted to continue to work closely with the
States, who are our partners in ensuring that this Act achieves
its laudable goals."

        The Telecommunications Act of 1996 requires that the FCC
institute and refer to a Federal-State Joint Board a proceeding
to recommend changes to its universal service rules. Joint
Boards are established in cases where state and federal
jurisdictions might overlap and consist of members of the FCC and
state regulatory commissions.

                                  - FCC -