FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                   NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: 
July 20, 2000                                 Mike Balmoris at (202) 418-0253
                                         Email:   mbalmori@fcc.gov
                                
    COMMON CARRIER BUREAU GRANTS SEVERAL STATES AUTHORITY TO
        IMPLEMENT MEASURES TO CONSERVE TELEPHONE NUMBERS
                                
Washington, D.C.   The Common Carrier Bureau of the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) today addressed several petitions for additional delegated authority to
implement numbering resource optimization strategies filed by the state utility regulatory
commissions.  By granting states authority to engage in various telephone number conservation
procedures, the FCC is empowering the State Commissions to optimize the use of telephone
numbering resources in the United States.

These orders follow similar grants of authority that the FCC and the Common Carrier
Bureau granted 10 other states last year.  Many of the numbering resource optimization measures
proposed by the state commissions were resolved by the FCC in the Numbering Resource
Optimization Order released on March 31, 2000.  
     
Summary of Action:
Arizona Commission - The Common Carrier Bureau grants the Arizona Commission
authority to institute a thousands-block number pooling trial and audit carriers' use of numbering
resources.

Colorado Commission - The Common Carrier Bureau grants the Colorado Commission
authority to institute a thousands-block number pooling trial.

Indiana Commission - The Common Carrier Bureau grants the Indiana Commission
authority to audit carriers' use of numbering resources and maintain rationing procedures for six
months following area code relief. 

Iowa Commission   The Common Carrier Bureau grants the Iowa Commission authority
to institute a thousands-block number pooling trial.

Missouri Commission   The Common Carrier Bureau grants the Missouri Commission
authority to institute a thousands-block number pooling trial; hear and address claims from
carriers seeking central office or NXX codes outside of the rationing process; audit carriers' use
of numbering resources; implement NXX code sharing; and maintain rationing procedures for six
months following area code relief.

Nebraska Commission   The Common Carrier Bureau grants the Nebraska Commission
authority to institute a thousands-block number pooling trial and audit carriers' use of numbering
resources.

North Carolina Commission   The Common Carrier Bureau grants the North Carolina
Commission authority to institute a thousands-block number pooling trial; hear and address claims
from carriers seeking central office or NXX codes outside of the rationing process; and maintain
rationing procedures for six months following area code relief.

Oregon Commission   The Common Carrier Bureau grants the Oregon Commission
authority to institute a thousands-block number pooling trial and audit carriers' use of numbering
resources.

Pennsylvania Commission   The Common Carrier Bureau grants the Pennsylvania
Commission authority to institute a thousands-block number pooling trial; implement central
office or NXX code sharing; and maintain rationing procedures for six months following area
code relief.

Tennessee Commission   The Common Carrier Bureau grants the Tennessee Commission
authority to institute a thousands-block number pooling trial and audit carriers' use of numbering
resources.

Utah Commission   The Common Carrier Bureau grants the Utah Commission authority
to institute a thousands-block number pooling trial; implement central office or NXX code
sharing; and maintain rationing procedures for six months following area code relief.

Virginia Commission   The Common Carrier Bureau grants the Virginia Commission
authority to institute a thousands-block number pooling trial; hear and address claims from
carriers seeking NXX codes outside of the rationing process; audit carriers' use of numbering
resources; and maintain rationing procedures for six months following area code relief.

Washington Commission   The Common Carrier Bureau grants the Washington
Commission authority to institute a thousands-block number pooling trial and audit carriers' use
of numbering resources.
          
Action by the Common Carrier Bureau July 20, 2000, by Order (DA 00-1616).  Yog
R.Varma, Deputy Bureau Chief, Common Carrier Bureau.
                                
                    -Common Carrier Bureau-
                                
CC Docket No. 96-98

Common Carrier contact:
Aaron N. Goldberger at (202) 418-2320; TTY (202) 418-0484.  


News about the Federal Communications Commission can also be found
           on the Commission's web site www.fcc.gov.