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To: Caxton Rhodes who wrote (3601)	12/18/1998 12:36:00 PM
From: stock_bull69	Respond to of 11568

Perhaps this has something to do with today's pop in WCOM: CPUC Hangs-Up On PacBell Long Distance Application; Monopoly Has Not Opened Local Phone Market to Competition & Customer Choice SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The following was release by MCI WorldCom: Background: The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today issued its final decision rejecting Pacific Bell's application to provide in- state long distance service, under Section 271 of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996. Section 271 requires all Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs) to satisfy a 14-point competitive checklist and public interest test to prove there is irreversible competition in its statewide local telephone market before it can offer long distance. The Act further requires each state regulatory commission to provide the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the ultimate decision-maker on any RBOC long distance application, with a recommendation for approval or denial of these applications. Although Pacific Bell has not yet filed a Section 271 application at the FCC, today's CPUC decision -- reached after an exhaustive nine-month investigation and unfavorable recommendations from commission staff and an administrative law judge -- demonstrates that Pacific Bell has not opened its local phone market to competition. Thus, it has not earned the privilege to offer competitive long distance service in California. By its decision, the CPUC has shown that it would oppose such a request if submitted to the FCC by Pacific Bell, a subsidiary of Texas-based SBC Communications, Inc. The following statement should be attributed to Richard B. Severy, regional director for MCI WorldCom Public Policy. "Today the Public Utilities Commission acted in the best interests of California consumers by upholding the pro-competitive requirements of the Telecom Act requiring that Pacific Bell open its monopoly market to new competitors before it can provide in-state long distance service. "Throughout this nine-month process, PacBell has focused more on rhetoric and advertising campaigns than releasing its hold over the local phone market. It has fought competitors, ignored its legal obligations and tried to lobby and litigate its way around the Act's requirements. Hopefully PacBell now realizes those tactics don't work and it will comply with the law and the commission's explicit recommendations. "MCI WorldCom commends the commission staff, who have worked so diligently on this long process, and Commissioners for rendering a decision that provides needed guidance and helps ensure California consumers will see the benefits of local phone competition." SOURCE MCI WorldCom -0- 12/17/98 /CONTACT: Barbara Gibson of MCI WorldCom, 415-228-1052, 800-644-NEWS, pager, 888-872-5940, or cellular 415-305-7733/ -- DCTH055 -- 1894 12/17/98 15:24 EST prnewswire.com Copyright PR Newswire 1998. All rights reserved.