Ancillary or Supplementary Use of Digital Television Capacity by Noncommercial Licensees

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 73

[MM Docket No. 98-203; DA 99-255]

Ancillary or Supplementary Use of Digital Television Capacity by

Noncommercial Licensees

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: This action extends the deadline for filing comments and reply

comments to the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM), released

November 23, 1998. It is taken in response to the request to extend the

comment and reply comment period submitted by the Association of

America's Public Television Stations (AAPTS). The intended effect of

this action is to allow AAPT's membership to have additional time in

which to file comments and reply comments.

DATES: Comments are due on or before February 16, 1999; reply comments

are due on or before March 16, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, Room TW-

A325, SW, Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jane Gross or Robert Somers, Policy

and Rules Division, Mass Media Bureau (202) 418-2130.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a synopsis of the Order granting an

extension of time for filing comments and reply comments in MM Docket

No. 98-203; DA 99-255, adopted January 28, 1999. The complete text of

this Order is available for inspection and copying during normal

business hours in the FCC Reference Center (Room 239), 1919 M Street,

NW., Washington, DC. The complete text of this decision may also be

purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, International

Transcription Services, Inc., 1231 20th Street, NW., Washington, DC

20036, (202) 857-3800.

Synopsis of Order Granting Extension of Time for Filing Comments

1. On November 23, 1998, the Commission released an NPRM in this

proceeding, 63 FR 68722 (December 14, 1998), regarding the ancillary or

supplementary use of digital television capacity by noncommercial

educational (NCE) television licensees. Comments in this proceeding are

presently due January 28, 1999, and reply comments are due March 1,

1999.

2. On January 27, 1998, AAPTS submitted a Motion for Extension of

Time to file comments in response to the NPRM. AAPTS states that

additional time is necessary to allow the AAPTS board to reflect in its

filing industry-wide discussions scheduled for the end of January, and

to review in its end of January board meeting the policy positions that

it plans to present to the Commission. AAPTS requests a brief extension

of the comment and reply comment deadlines, which it contends will

serve the Commission's goal of generating a full and complete record

that reflects the views of all affected parties.

3. As set forth in Section 1.46 of the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR

1.46, it is our policy that extensions of time for filing comments in

rulemaking proceedings shall not be routinely granted. However, because

of the importance of the instant proceeding to the future of public

television, and the potential benefits of the petitioner's developing a

more complete record through discussion of these issues with its

members, we believe an extension of the comment and reply deadlines for

the NPRM is warranted.

4. Accordingly, It is ordered that the Motion for Extension of Time

filed in MM Docket No. 98-203 by the Association of America's Public

Television Stations Is granted. The time for filing comments Is

extended to February 16, 1999.

5. It is further ordered that the time for filing reply comments Is

extended to March 16, 1999.

6. This action is taken pursuant to authority found in Sections

4(i) and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 USC

154(i) and 303(r), and Sections 0.204(b), 0.283, and 1.45 of the

Commission's Rules, 47 CFR 0.204(b), 0.283, and 1.45.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 73

Radio broadcasting.

Federal Communications Commission.

Magalie Roman Salas,

Secretary.

[FR Doc. 99-3328 Filed 2-10-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6712-01-P