NEWSReport No. DC 96-16              ACTION IN DOCKET CASE      February 26, 1996

               COMMISSION PROPOSES TO ELIMINATE OR REDUCE 
                  COMMON CARRIER REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
                             (CC DOCKET 96-23)

     The Commission today took steps to reduce significantly reporting burdens associated
with the Commission's oversight of the telecommunications industry under the
Communications Act.  The Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), 
seeking comment on its proposal to eliminate thirteen reporting requirements and to reduce
the frequency of six other reporting requirements.  This proposal is part of the Commission's
ongoing initiative to eliminate unnecessary regulation and to improve internal processes and
procedures.  

     Specifically, the Commission proposed to eliminate divestiture-related reports
applicable to AT&T and the Bell Operating Companies (BOCs), non-discrimination reporting
requirements applicable to AT&T and the BOCs, and reporting requirements concerning
billing and collection contracts, circuit reports, and record carrier letters variously applicable
to BOCs, other local telephone companies, and interexchange carriers.  The Commission
proposed to reduce the frequency of the ARMIS Service Quality Reports, Rate-of-Return
Reports, and payphone compensation reports applicable to local exchange and interexchange
carriers.   

     In August 1995 the Common Carrier Bureau eliminated three other reporting
requirements and reduced the frequency of two additional reports.  See Public Notice,
"Common Carrier Bureau Eliminates and Reduces Reporting Requirements," Mimeo No.
55228, August 10, 1995.

       Action by the Commission, February 20, 1996, by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
(FCC 96-64).  Chairman Hundt, Commissioners Quello, Barrett, Ness and Chong.

                                  - FCC -

       News Media contact:  Mindy J. Ginsburg at (202) 418-1500.
       Common Carrier Bureau contact:  Nasir Khilji at (202) 418-0958.