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 98-820

COMMISSION SEEKS COMMENT ON PROPOSED PROTECTIVE ORDER FILED BY WORLDCOM AND MCI


                                           CC DOCKET NO. 97-211


    Released:  April 29, 1998
 

    On April 27, 1998, WorldCom, Inc (WorldCom) and MCI Communications
Corporation (MCI) filed a letter seeking confidential treatment of certain materials
requested by the Commission on April 21, 1998 and submitted a proposed protective
order. Where confidential treatment of materials is appropriate, we intend to adopt a
protective order.  This approach will ensure the confidentiality of such materials where
appropriate, but enable the parties that sign the protective order to have access to the
materials subject to the terms and conditions of the protective order.  To this end, we 
request public comment on the proposed protective order submitted by WorldCom and
MCI. 

    Interested parties are to file an original and 12 copies of their comments on the
proposed protective order no later than May 7, 1998, with the Secretary, FCC, 1919
M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554.  An original and 12 copies of all reply
comments are to be filed with the Secretary, FCC no later than May 13, 1998.  All
pleadings are to reference CC Docket No. 97-211.  An additional copy of all pleadings
must also be sent to Janice M. Myles, Common Carrier, Bureau, FCC, Room 544,
1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.  20554, and to the Commission's contractor
for public service records duplication, International Transcription Services, Inc. (ITS,
Inc.), 1231 20th Street, N.W., Washington, DC  20036.  The proposed protective
order is available for inspection and copying during normal business hours in the FCC's
Reference Center, Room 239, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. 
Copies also can be obtained from ITS at 1231 20th Street, N.W., Washington, DC
20036, or by calling ITS at (202)-857-3800 or faxing ITS at 202-857-3805. 

    Parties are also strongly encouraged to submit comments and reply comments
on diskette.  These diskettes may be used to post parties' comments on the Internet. 
Such diskette submissions would be in addition to and not a substitute for the formal
filing requirements addressed above.  Parties submitting diskettes should submit them
to Janice Myles of the Common Carrier Bureau, 1919 M Street, N.W., Room 544,
Washington, D.C., 20554.  Such a submission should be on a 3.5 inch diskette
formatted in an IBM compatible form using WordPerfect 5.1 for Windows software. 
The diskette should be submitted in "read only" mode.  The diskette should be clearly
labeled with the party's name, proceeding, Docket No., type of pleading (comment or
reply comments), date of submission, and filename with the "*.wp" extension.  The
diskette should be accompanied by a cover letter.
    

    
                                  - FCC -