*Pages 1--1 from Microsoft Word - 15940* NEWS News media Information 202 / 418- 0500 TTY 202 / 418- 2555 Fax- On- Demand 202 / 418- 2830 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov ftp. fcc. gov Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street, S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D. C. Circ 1974). FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: David Fiske, 202/ 418- 1513 March 19, 2002 Mike Balmoris, 202/ 418- 0253 STATEMENT OF FCC CHAIRMAN MICHAEL POWELL ON WITHDRAWAL OF VERIZON’S 271 APPLICATION IN NEW JERSEY Washington, DC – Verizon has withdrawn its application to provide long distance service in New Jersey. The FCC cannot approve such applications by the Bell Companies unless they satisfy the requirements of section 271 of the Communications Act. Despite extensive conversation on this application, questions remain regarding whether Verizon has satisfied the rigorous substantive requirements of the statute and the FCC’s precedents. Moreover, the omission of critical evidence in this application underscores the importance of the Commission’s requirement that applications be complete when filed. The Commission would like to thank the New Jersey state utility commission for its enormous contribution to this proceeding. -FCC- 1