*Pages 1--3 from Microsoft Word - 61566.doc* PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th St., S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov TTY: 1- 888- 835- 5322 DA 06- 2498 December 12, 2006 WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU GRANTS MOTION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME TO FILE COMMENTS AND REPLY COMMENTS ON TOPICS TO BE ADDRESSED IN HEARING AID COMPATIBILITY REPORT WT Docket No. 06- 203 Comments Due: January 12, 2007 Reply Comments Due: January 31, 2007 On December 5, 2006, the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS), Hearing Loss Association, CTIA, Gallaudet University, Research in Motion, Nokia, Samsung Telecommunications America, and T- Mobile (collectively referred to as the “moving parties”) filed a motion for extension of time in the above- captioned proceeding. 1 The moving parties request that the deadline for submitting comments on the topics to be addressed in the staff’s upcoming hearing aid compatibility report be extended from December 15, 2006, to January 12, 2007, and that the reply comment submission deadline be extended from January 5 to January 31, 2007. 2 Although requests for extension of time are not routinely granted, 3 granting an extension of time to file comments and reply comments in this proceeding is in the public interest to allow interested parties to more fully assess the impact of hearing aid compatibility measures implemented to date and the state of the technology. Specifically, the moving parties represent that the additional time will enable industry to complete and verify its analysis of test data that could be useful in reviewing the existing rules. 4 They further state that an extension will 1 In the Matter of Section 68. 4( a) of the Commission’s Rules Governing Hearing Aid Compatible Telephones, WT Docket No. 06- 203, Motion for Extension of Time filed on December 5, 2006 (“ Motion”). 2 Specifically, the topics to be addressed are: (1) the impact of the Commission’s rules in achieving greater compatibility between hearing aids and digital wireless phones; (2) the development of new technologies that could provide greater or more efficient accessibility of wireless telecommunications to hearing aid users; and (3) the impact of the Commission’s compatibility requirements on cochlear implant and middle ear implant users and their ability to use digital wireless phones. 3 47 C. F. R. § 1.46( a). 4 Motion at 4. 1 2 accommodate ongoing discussions between industry and consumers to ascertain if mutually beneficial implementation alternatives can be identified and developed. 5 We further note that the moving parties include representatives of service providers, telecommunications equipment manufacturers, and the deaf and hard- of- hearing community, and that the extension request received unanimous consent at a November 30 meeting of ATIS’ Hearing Aid Compatibility Incubator Support Program. 6 For all these reasons, we agree with the moving parties that granting the limited extension requested will facilitate the full participation of all parties and enable them to provide a more complete record to better assist us as we undertake our review. Interested parties therefore have until January 12, 2007, to file comments and until January 31, 2007, to file reply comments in this docket. Comments may be filed using the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) or by filing paper copies. See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 Fed. Reg. 24121 (1998). Comments filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to http:// www. fcc. gov/ cgb/ ecfs/. Generally, only one copy of an electronic submission must be filed. If multiple docket or rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of this proceeding, however, commenters must transmit one electronic copy of the comments to each docket or rulemaking number referenced in the caption. In completing the transmittal screen, commenters should include their full name, U. S. Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking number. Parties may also submit an electronic comment by Internet e- mail. To get filing instructions for e- mail comments, commenters should send an e-mail to ecfs@ fcc. gov, and should include the following words in the body of the message, “get form.” A sample form and directions will be sent in reply. Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and four copies of each filing. If more than one docket or rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding, commenters must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or rulemaking number. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first- class or overnight U. S. Postal Service mail (although we continue to experience delays in receiving U. S. Postal Service mail). The Commission’s contractor will receive hand- delivered or messenger- delivered paper filings for the Commission’s Secretary at 236 Massachusetts Avenue, N. E., Suite 110, Washington, D. C. 20002. -The filing hours at this location are 8: 00 a. m. to 7: 00 p. m. -All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. -Any envelopes must be disposed of before entering the building. 5 Id. 6 Id. 2 3 -Commercial overnight mail (other than U. S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. -U. S. Postal Service first- class mail, Express Mail, and Priority Mail should be addressed to 445 12 th Street, SW, Washington, D. C. 20554. -All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. Three (3) copies of the comments and reply comments should also be sent to the Spectrum & Competition Policy Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, 445 12 th Street, SW, Washington, D. C. 20554, Attn: Christina Clearwater and Peter Trachtenberg. Parties shall also send one copy to Best Copy and Printing, Inc., Portals II, 445 12 th Street, SW, Room CY-B402, Washington, D. C. 20554, (800) 378- 3160, or via e- mail to Joshir@ erols. com. Comments filed in response to the Public Notice are available for public inspection and copying during business hours in the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12 th Street SW, Room CY- A257, Washington, D. C. 20554. The comments may also be purchased from Best Copy and Printing, Inc., telephone (800) 378- 3160, facsimile (301) 816- 0169. For further information, contact Christina Clearwater or Peter Trachtenberg, Spectrum & Competition Policy Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, (202) 418- 1310. 3