News from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Patrick K. Petree Reference: PUD21298-9

OCC Delays Consideration of SW Bell's Long-Distance Application

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Corporation Commission Thursday (Feb. 12) voted unanimously to delay a hearing on Southwestern Bell's application to provide long distance service in Oklahoma.

The continuance is tied to a pending ruling by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on a stay granted on Wednesday (Feb.11) by U.S.District Judge Joe Kendall on his ruling of Dec.31, 1997, that Southwestern Bell is not required to obtain Federal Communications Commission approval to enter the long-distance market.

The commissioners voted to delay consideration of Southwestern Bell's application until the court of appeals rules on the stay issue. If the stay is upheld, Bell's application will be dismissed without prejudice. If the stay is overturned, the application will be rescheduled for a hearing, the commissioners ruled.

There were no objections to the Corporation Commission's decision to delay consideration of Southwestern Bell's application.

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