NEWS
	Federal Communications Commission 1919 - M Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20554	News media information 202 / 418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov
	This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
	July 15, 1997
	FCC CREATES LOCAL COMPETITION ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCE
	The Federal Communications Commission has created an Enforcement Task Force to ensure meaningful enforcement of the pro-competitive policies of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and the Commission's local competition rules. The Task Force will investigate actions that may be delaying competition in telecommunications markets, especially in the local phone market, and ensure that all participants can receive rapid investigation and adjudication of disputes. "There's an immediate need for swift and certain enforcement actions to ensure delivery of the benefits of competition of the 1996 Act to the public," said FCC Chairman Reed Hundt. "Enforcement will be fast, fair and predictable." The Enforcement Task Force will use the full panoply of available investigative and enforcement tools to ensure that the pro-competitive policies of the Telecommunications Act and the Commission's rules implementing the Act are enforced. The Task Force will: identify trouble spots and initiate enforcement actions to ensure open entry to local markets; coordinate the Commission's overall enforcement efforts to ensure speed and consistency; assist the Commission in developing and articulating enforcement policy; provide guidance to the public on available enforcement mechanism. The Task Force will be led by senior-level Commission staff and will include representatives from the Commission's operating bureaus and the Office of General Counsel. -- FCC --