PUBLIC NOTICE 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 TTYs-Network Services 202/418-0484 and Informal Complaints 202/418-0485 DA 98-1183 CHANGE IN EX PARTE TREATMENT OF SPRINT'S PETITION FOR DECLARATORY RULING REGARDING AMERITECH RFP PRACTICES COMMON CARRIER BUREAU CONSOLIDATES AMERITECH'S AND U S WEST'S PETITIONS FOR DECLARATORY RULING INTO SINGLE PROCEEDING WITH SPRINT'S PETITION FOR DECLARATORY RULING CC DOCKET NO. 98-62 Released: June 18, 1998 The ex parte status of Sprint's petition for declaratory ruling (CC Docket No. 98-62) is being changed from "permit-but-disclose" to "restricted." On June 15, 1998, AT&T Corporation, MCI Telecommunications Services, Inc., Association of Local Telecommunications Services, MGC Communications, Inc., Time Warner Communications Holdings, Inc., NEXTLINK Illinois, Inc., and NEXTLINK Ohio, L.L.C. filed a complaint against Ameritech Corporation, pursuant to section 208 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (File No. E-98-41). On June 16, 1998, AT&T Corporation, MCI Telecommunications Services, Inc., Association of Local Telecommunications Services, and NEXTLINK Washington, L.L.C. filed a similar complaint against U S WEST Corporation (File No. E-98-42). These complaint proceedings are restricted proceedings, pursuant to the Commission's ex parte rules for formal complaint proceedings. See Public Notice, DA 98-1109, rel. June 11, 1998. In restricted proceedings, ex parte presentations are prohibited. See 47 C.F.R. 1.1208. Because the complaints filed by AT&T et al. against Ameritech and U S WEST raise issues that are substantially similar to the issues raised by Sprint's petition for declaratory ruling, the Common Carrier Bureau has determined that the public interest would best be served by applying the same ex parte rules to each proceeding. Therefore, we will now treat Sprint's petition for declaratory ruling as a restricted proceeding. Although declaratory ruling proceedings are permit-but-disclose proceedings under the Commission's ex parte rules, the Common Carrier Bureau retains the discretion to modify the applicable ex parte rules in a particular proceeding when the public interest so requires. See 47 C.F.R.  1.1200(a) and 1.1206(a)(3). In the Matter of Amendment of 47 C.F.R.  1.1200 et. seq. Concerning Ex Parte Presentations in Commission Proceedings, 12 FCC Rcd 7348 (1997); 62 Fed. Reg. 15852 (Apr. 3, 1997). On June 11, 1998, Ameritech Corporation filed a petition for declaratory ruling seeking a Commission ruling that its teaming arrangement with Qwest Communications Corporation is lawful. Similarly, on June 11, 1998, U S WEST Communications, Inc. filed a petition for declaratory ruling seeking a Commission ruling that its teaming arrangement with Qwest Communication Corporation is lawful. Because these petitions raise issues that are substantially similar to the issues raised by Sprint's petition for declaratory ruling against Ameritech (CC Docket No. 98-62), the Common Carrier Bureau will consolidate the petitions filed by Ameritech and U S WEST into a single proceeding with the petition filed by Sprint. Therefore, the ex parte status of the petitions filed by Ameritech and U S WEST will also be restricted. Any oppositions and replies to the Ameritech and U S WEST petitions should be filed in conformance with section 1.45 of the Commission's rules. 47 C.F.R.  1.45. For further information, contact Brent Olson, Policy and Program Planning Division, Common Carrier Bureau, at (202) 418-1580. - FCC - $// PN, Change in Ex Parte Treatment, DA 98-1183, CC 98-62 //$ $/ 47 U.S.C.  251(g) /$