*Pages 1--1 from Microsoft Word - 25925.doc* NEWS 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). News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov TTY: 1- 888- 835- 5322 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: March 14, 2003 David Fiske, 202- 418- 0513 FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION ISSUES BIENNIAL REGULATORY REVIEW REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2002 Washington, D. C. – Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued its biennial regulatory review report for year 2002. The Commission also concurrently released the 2002 Biennial Regulatory Review Staff Reports (Staff Reports). The Telecommunications Act of 1996 requires the Commission to review the rules issued under the Communications Act that apply to telecommunications service providers to determine whether any regulations are no longer necessary in the public interest due to meaningful economic competition and whether such regulations should be repealed or modified. The Commission’s 2002 Biennial Regulatory Review Report and the accompanying Staff Reports fulfill its statutory responsibility and identify current rules that should be modified or repealed. The Commission will issue Notices of Proposed Rulemaking as appropriate to effectuate the recommendations in the Staff Reports. Action by the Commission December 31, 2002, by Report (FCC 02- 342). Chairman Powell, Commissioners Abernathy, Copps and Adelstein with Commissioner Martin approving in part, dissenting in part; Chairman Powell and Commissioner Abernathy issuing a joint statement; Commissioners Copps and Adelstein issuing a joint statement; and Commissioner Martin issuing a separate statement. GC Docket No. 02- 390 -FCC- 1