*Pages 1--12 from Microsoft Word - 8514.doc* 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). April 24, 2001 OPEN PROCEEDINGS The following is a listing of current FCC Notices of Proposed Rulemaking and Notices of Inquiry open for public comment, except routine petitions to amend the Table of Allotments. This listing also includes pertinent Public Notices announcing comment subjects and dates. For additional information, contact Marilyn Abraham, Consumer Information Bureau at (202) 418- 2374. Please note: as comment and reply comment periods expire, they are deleted from this listing. *Asterisk indicates comment period deadline is past, but reply comment period still is open. CABLE SERVICES BUREAU PN 03/ 28/ 01; DA 01- 780 Carriage of Digital Television Broadcast Signals, Amendments to Part 76 of the Commission's Rules, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Published in the Federal Register, March 26, 2001. Carriage of Digital Television Broadcast Signals, Amendments of Part 76 of the Commission's Rules, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 01- 22 (CS Docket Nos. 98- 120, 00- 96, 00- 2) regarding cable carriage of broadcast digital television pursuant to mandatory carriage and retransmission consent has been published in the Federal Register, 66 Fed. Reg. 16523, 16532 (March 26. 2001). Comments due May 10; replies due June 25. Contact: Michelle Russo at 418- 2358. TTY: (202) 418- 7172. CS 01- 7; ORDER 04/ 10/ 01 (adopted 04/ 09/ 01); DA 01- 905 Nondiscrimination in the Distribution of Interactive Television Services Over Cable. The Commission granted in part an extension of time to file reply comments filed by the Media Access Project and extended the deadline for filing reply comments until May 11, 2001. 1 2 COMMON CARRIER BUREAU CC 96- 61; ORDER 11/ 17/ 00 (adopted 11/ 16/ 00); DA 00- 2586 In the Matter of Policy and Rules Concerning the Interstate, Interexchange Marketplace/ Implementation of Section 254( G) of the Communications Act of 1934, as Amended. The Commission extend the deadline for detariffing mass- market consumer services from January 31* to April 30, 2001. CC 96- 98; PN 02/ 23/ 01; DA 01- 501 Common Carrier Bureau Grants Motion for Limited Extension of Time for Filing Comments and Reply Comments on the use of Unbundled Network Elements to Provide Exchange Access Service. Revised filing dates. The Commission granted a limited extension of time in the above listed proceeding. Comments due April 5*; replies due April 30. Contact: Jodie Donovan- May or Tom Navin at (202) 418- 1580. CC 96- 45; PN 03/ 07/ 01; DA 01- 584 State of Alaska Seeks a Declaratory Ruling and Waiver of Section 54.504( B)( 2)( II) of the Commission's Rules. On January 30, 2001, the State of Alaska, on behalf of its rural school districts and libraries, filed a petition for waiver of section 54.504( b)( 2)( ii) of the Commission's rules, which requires that the services funded by the schools and libraries universal service support program are used solely for educational purposes. Comments due April 6*; replies due May 7. Contact: Adrian Wright at (202) 418- 0854. CC 95- 20, 98- 10; PN 03/ 07/ 01; DA 01- 620 Further Comment Requested to Update and Refresh Record on Computer III Requirements. The Commission is seeking comment on whether ISPs can obtain, under the ONA framework, the telecommunications service inputs that they require from the BOCs, including Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) service. Comments due 30 days after publication in the Federal Register; replies due 45 days after publication in the Federal Register. Contact: Jodie Donovan- May or Jessica Rosenworcel at (202) 418- 1580. 2 3 CC 91- 281; PN 03/ 09/ 01; DA No. 01- 640 Macro International Requests a Declaratory Ruling on Interpretation of 47 C. F. R. § 64.1601( d) (2). On September 12, 2000, Macro International, Inc. filed a petition for declaratory ruling regarding section 64.1601 (d)( 2) of the Commission's rules, 47 C. F. R. 64. 1601 (d) (2). Comments due April 9*; replies due April 24. Contact: Susan Magnotti at (202) 418- 0871, TTY: (202) 418-0484. CC 96- 45; PN 03/ 14/ 20; DA 01- 622 Commonwealth of the Northern Marian Islands Requests Enhanced Lifeline and Expanded Link up Support for Low- Income Consumers. Pleading Cycle Established. The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Island has filed a request for expanded universal service support for low- income consumers in the Commonwealth, similar to the measures adopted in the Commission's Tribal Order for low- income subscribers living on tribal lands. Comments due April 13*; replies due April 30. Contact: Mark Nadel at (202) 418- 7400. PN 03/ 16/ 01; DA 01- 684 MPower Communications Corp. Files Petition for Expedited Declaratory Ruling on Telric Pricing Standards for Loop Conditioning Charges. Pleading Cycle Established. On March 6, 2001, Mpower Communications Corp., a competitive local exchange carrier, filed a petition for a declaratory ruling seeking expeditious clarification of the total element long- run incremental cost pricing methodology. Comments due April 16*; replies due May 7. Contact: Shannon Lipp at (202) 418- 1520, TTY (202) 418- 0484. CC 01- 73; PN 03/ 20/ 01; DA No. 01- 715 Commission Seeks Comment on Application for Consent to Transfer Control Filed by Chorus Communications, Ltd. and Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. Pleading Cycle Established. On March 7, 2001, Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and Chorus Communications, Ltd. filed applications pursuant to sections 214 and 310( d) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U. S. C. §§ 214,310( d), requesting Federal Communications Commission approval to transfer control to TDS of Commission licenses and authorizations held by Chorus and its subsidiaries to provide domestic and international telecommunications services pursuant to parts 22, 63 and 90 of the Commission's rules. Comments due April 19*; replies due May 4. Contact: Aaron Goldberger at (202) 418- 1580. 3 4 CC 01- 77; PN 03/ 22/ 01; DA No. 01- 728 Pleading Cycle Established for Comments on Petition of Coalition of Competitive Fiber Providers for Declaratory Ruling of Sections 251( B)( 4) and 224( F)( 1). On March 15, 2001, the Coalition of Competitive Fiber Providers filed a petitionrequesting a declaratory ruling pursuant to sections 25 (b)( 4) and 224( f)( 1) of the Communications Act, that incumbert local exchange carriers (ILEC's) must provide to telecommunications carriers nondiscriminatory access to any "duct, conduit, or right- of- way owned or controlled by "an ILEC leading to or located in, ILEC central offices. Comments due April 23; replies due May 8. Contact: Janice M. Myles at (202) 418- 1577. CC 98- 141, 98- 184; PN 03/ 26/ 01; DA 01- 764 Pleading Cycle Established for Comments on Worldnet Telecommunications, Inc. Ex Parte Letter Concerning Bell Atlantic/ GTE Merger Conditions. On February 12, 2001, WorldNew Telecommunications, Inc. filed an Ex Parte Letter requesting that the Commission reopen the above referenced docket. Comments due April 25; replies due May 10. Contact: Janice M. Myles 202- 418- 1577. CC 96- 45; PN 03/ 27/ 01; DA 01- 757 Petition of Genesis Communications International, Inc. for Declaratory Ruling Regarding Lifeline Assistance Revenues. Pleading Cycle Established. On November 17, 2000, Genesis Communications International, Inc. filed a Petition for Declaratory Ruling. Genesis requests declaratory rulings regarding: (1) Whether Commission certification of Genesis' eligibility was a prerequisite to obtaining reimbursement from the National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc. for Lifeline discounts given to eligible end users under California's Universal Lifeline Telephone Service program; and (2) whether Genesis was entitled to submit claims and receive reimbursement from NECA on a retroactive basis. Comments due April 26; replies due May 11. Contact: Sheryl Todd at (202) 418- 7400, TTY (202) 418- 0484. CC 98- 141, CC 98- 184; PN 03/ 30/ 01; DA 01- 722 CCB Seeks Comment on Letters Filed by Verizon and Birch Re: Most- Favored Nation Condition of SBC/ Ameritech and Bell Atlantic/ GTE Orders. The Commission seeks comment on both letters and as to whether there are grounds to waive or modify the relevant MFN conditions. Comments due April 30; replies due May 14. Contact: Mark Stone at (202) 418- 0816. CC 96- 45; PN 04/ 02/ 01; DA 01- 814 4 5 Smith Bagley, Inc. Petitions to Redefine the Service Area of Table Top Telephone Company on Tribal Lands Within the State of Arizona. The Common Carrier Bureau provides notice that Smith Bagley, Inc. has filed a petition, pursuant to section 54.207 of the Commission's rules, requesting the Commission's consent to the Arizona Corporation Commission's proposed "service area" definition for areas served by Table Top Telephone Company within Arizona. Comments due April 30; replies due May 14. Contact: Richard D. Smith or Anita Cheng at (202) 418- 7400, TTY (202) 418- 0484. CC 01- 88; PN 04/ 04/ 01; DA 01- 768 Comments Requested on the Application by SBC Communications Inc. for Authorization under Section 271 of the Communication Act to Provide in- region, Interlata Service in the State of Missouri. On April 4, 2001, SBC Communications Inc. and its subsidiaries, Southwestern Bell Telephone company and Southwestern Bell Communications Services, Inc., d/ b/ a Southwestern Bell Long Distance filed an application for authorization to provide in- region, interLATA service in the State of Missouri, pursuant to section 271 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended 47 U. S. C. § 271. Comments must be filed on or before April 24. Contact: Michael Balmoris at (202) 418- 1500 or Janice Myles at (202) 418- 1580. CC 96- 45; ORDER 04/ 05/ 01 (adopted 04/ 04/ 01); DA 01- 835 St Jean Vianney School, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Cleveland Municipal School District, Cleveland, Ohio, Total Com USA, Ltd., Doolittle West School, Chicago, Illinois, Seventh Day Adventist School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Commission extended the time period for taking action in the above captioned Requests for Review of decisions by the Schools and Libraries Division is extended by 30 days to April 19, 2001, for the Request for Review filed by St. Jean Vianney School, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; to May 10, 2001 for the Requests for Review filed by Cleveland Municipal School District, Cleveland, Ohio, for Funding Request Numbers 418921 and 421840; to May 10, 2001, for the Request for Review filed by Total Com USA, Ltd.; to May 14, 2001 for the Request for Review filed by Doolittle West School, Chicago, Illinois, and; to May 16, 2001 for Request for Review filed by Seventh Day Advantist School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. PN 04/ 05/ 01; DA 01- 864 Comments Sought on Century Tel of Washington Cost Allocation Manual. On April 2, 2001, Century Tel of Washington, Inc. filed revisions to its cost allocation manual, in accordance with Section 64.903 of the Commission's rules. Comments due May 7; replies due May 22. Contact: Debbie Weber at (202) 418- 0812, TTY (202) 418- 0484. 5 6 CC 96- 98; PN 04/ 10/ 01; DA 01- 911 Pleading Cycle Established for Comments on Joint Petition of BellSouth , SBC and Verizon. On April 5, 2001, BellSouth Corporation and BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. and Verizon Telephone Companies filed a Joint Petition asking the Commission to find that high- capacity loops and dedicated not be subject to mandatory unbundling. Contact: Janice M. Myles at (202) 418- 1577. PN 04/ 11/ 01; DA 01- 912 Citizens Communications Company and QWEST Corporation’s Petition for Waiver of Section 61.48( o)( 2), Pleading Cycle Established. On March 23, 2001, Citizens Communications Company and Qwest Corporation, filed a petition requesting a waiver to extend the provisions of Section 61.48( o)( 2). Comments due April 18*; replies due April 25. Contact: Aaron Goldschmidt at (202) 418- 1530 ORDER 04/ 03/ 01 (adopted 04/ 02/ 01); DA 01- 772 ComSat Communications. The Commission granted COMSAT's request for an extension of time from April 1 until June 1, 2001, to file its annual Joint Cost Report and independent audit report on its cost allocation manual. PN 04/ 13/ 01; DA 01- 937 Pleading Cycle Established for Comments on National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc. Petition for Interim Waiver of Section 69.602 of Commission Rules. On April 10, 2001, the National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc. filed a Petition for Interim Waiver of Section 69.602 of the Commission Rules concerning annual election requirements for NECA's Board of Directors. (See 47 C. F. R. § 69. 602). Comments due April 23; replies due April 30. Contact: Andrew Mulitz at (202 418- 0850. ENFORCEMENT BUREAU EB 01- 66; NPRM 03/ 20/ 01 (adopted 03/ 13/ 01); FCC 01- 88 Amendment of Part 11 of the Commission's Rules Regarding the Emergency Alert System (EAS). 6 7 The Commission is seeking comment on requested revisions to the Part 11 rules governing the Emergency Alert System (EAS) set forth in petitions for rulemaking filed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service and the Society of Broadcast Engineers. In addition, the Commission propose to revise Part 11 of the Rules to eliminate references to the now- defunct Emergency Action Notification network and its participants. Further, the Commission propose to amend Part 11 to delete the requirement that international High Frequency broadcast stations purchase and install EAS Equipment. Comments due 75 days after publication in the Federal Register; replies due 105 days after publication in the Federal Register. INTERNATIONAL BUREAU IB 00- 248; NPRM 12/ 14/ 00; (adopted 12/ 11/ 00); FCC 00- 435 2000 Biennial Regulatory Review -- Streamlining and Other Revisions of Part 25 of the Commission's Rules et al. The Commission is seeking comment on steps to facilitate licensing of earth stations. Comments due March 26*; replies due April 23. PN 03/ 02/ 01; DA 01- 554 International Bureau Seeks Comment on a Proposal by City of Laredo, Texas, and City of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, to Create a Cross- Border Local Calling Area. On November 30, 2000, the City Manager of the City of Laredo, Texas filed with the Commission a copy of a "Collaborative Agreement between the Municipality of Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas (Mexico) and the City of Laredo, Texas." The Commission is seeking comment on the Collaborative Agreement and its proposed cross- border calling area. Comments due April 16*; replies due April 30. Contact: John Copes at (202) 418- 1478, TTY: (202) 418- 2555. PN 04/ 12/ 01 Satellite Policy Branch Information Inmarsat Ventures PLC. The Commission has received a request from Inmarsat Ventures PLC for an extension of a July 1, 2001, deadline established under Section 621( 5)( A)( ii) of the Open- market Reorganization for the betterment of international Telecommunications Act (Pub. Law 106- 180, 114 Stat. 48 (2000)). Comments due April 27; replies due May 7. Contact: Kathleen Campbell at (202) 418- 0753 or James Ball at (202) 418- 0427. 7 8 PN 04/ 13/ 01 International Bureau Information Report to Congress Regarding the Orbit Act. Section 646 of the Open- Market Reorganization for the Betterment of International Telecommunication Act, requires the Commission to an report to the Committees on Commerce and International Relations of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and Foreign Relations of the Senate on the progress made to achieve the objectives and carry out and provisions of the ORBIT Act. Comments due April 27; replies due May 7. Contact: James Ball 202- 418- 0427 or Alexandra Field at (202) 418- 2064. MASS MEDIA BUREAU MM 00- 39; R& O and FNPRM 01/ 19/ 01 (adopted 01/ 18/ 01) FCC 01- 24 Review of the Commission's Rules and Policies Affecting the Conversion to Digital Television. The Commission resolved several issues crucial to the rapid conversion of the nation's broadcast television system from analog to digital. Comments due April 6*; replies due May 7. Contact: Roger Holberg at (202) 418- 2134. ORDER 04/ 03/ 01 (adopted 03/ 28/ 01); FCC 01- 111 Request for Further Extension of the November 1, 2000, Digital Television Construction Deadline. Granted extension of the November 1, 2000 DTV construction deadline, depending on the facts and circumstances of each case, and denied the petition to deny filed by Canyon Area Residents for the Environment. OFFICE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY ET 00- 47; NPRM 12/ 08/ 00 (adopted 12/ 07/ 00) FCC 00- 430 Authorization and Use of Software Defined Radios. Proposed amending Part 2 of rules to streamline the equipment authorization procedures for software defined radios. Comments due 75 days and replies due 135 days from publication in the Federal Register. ET 98- 153; PN 03/ 23/ 01; DA 01- 753 Comments Requested on Reports Addressing Potential Interference from Ultra- Wideband Transmission Systems. 8 9 The Commission is requesting comments on four reports it has received regarding the potential for ultra- wideband transmission systems to cause harmful interference to other radio operations. Comments due April 23; replies due May 8. Contact: John A. Reed at (202) 418- 2455. ET 98- 153; PN 03/ 26/ 01; DA 01- 753 Revised - Comments Requested on Reports Addressing Potential Interference from Ultra-Wideband Transmission Systems The Commission is requesting comments on five reports it has received regarding the potential for ultra- wideband transmission systems to cause harmful interference to other radio operations. Comments due April 25; replies due May 10. Contact: John A. Reed at (202) 418- 2455. ET 98- 206; ORDER 3/ 26/ 01 (adopted 3/ 26/ 01) Erratm - Part 2 and Part 25. Extended the Reply Comment period from March 26, 2001 to April 5, 2001, DA 01- 754, released March 23, 2001. On March 21, 2001, DIRECTV, Inc., and EchoStar Satellite Corporation jointly filed a motion, Pursuant to Section 1.46 of the Commission's Rules, to extend the period for filing reply comments to the Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making in the above- captioned proceeding from March 26, 2001 to April 26, 2001. GN 01- 74; NPRM 03/ 28/ 01 (adopted 03/ 16/ 01); FCC 01- 91 Reallocation and Service Rules for the 698- 746 MHz Spectrum Band (Television Channels 52- 59). The Commission proposed to reallocate the 698- 746 MHz spectrum band, currently comprising television (" TV") Channels 52- 59. Comments due May 14; replies due June 4. OFFICE OF MANAGING DIRECTOR MD 01- 76; NPRM 03/ 29/ 01 (adopted 03/ 19/ 01); FCC 01- 97 Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2001. Proposed to revise its Schedule of Regulatory Fees to collect the amount of regulatory fees that Congress, as amended, has required us to collect for Fiscal Year 2001. Comments due April 27; replies due May 7. WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU WT 96- 86; 4 th R& O and 5 th NPRM 01/ 17/ 01 (adopted 01/ 11/ 01) FCC 01- 10 9 10 In the Matter of the Development of Operational, Technical and Spectrum Requirements for Requirements for Meeting Federal, State and Local Public Safety Communication Requirements through the Year 2010. The Commission adopted various technical and operational rules and policies regarding the use of frequencies in the764- 776 MHz and 794- 806 MHz bands designated for interoperability uses. The Commission is seeking comments on the NCC's recommendations and certain related issues. Comments due 30 days after publication in the Federal Register; replies due 45 days after publication in the Federal Register. PN 03/ 15/ 01; DA 01- 688 Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Seeks Comment on Request for Rule Change and Conditionally Waives Section 1.929( C)( 1) to Permit Expansion of Paging Contours Over Water on a Secondary Basis. Pursuant to Section 1.925 of the Commission's rules, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau seek Comment on a Request for Rule Change filed by the Paging and Messaging Alliance of the Persona Communications Industry Association. Comments on the Waiver Request due April 16*; replies due May 1. Contact: Leon Jackler at (202) 418- 0946. PN 03/ 16/ 01; DA 01- 686 Correction - Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Seeks Comment Regarding Intelligent Transportation System Applications Using Dedicated Short Range Communications. The Commission is seeking information regarding current, emerging and potential intelligent Transportation System applications that use Dedicated Short Range Communication. The information will be used to assist in developing the licensing and service rules that will apply to DSRC- based ITS applications. Comments due: April 16*; replies due May 1. Contact: Nancy M. Zaczek at (202) 418- 7590, (TTY) 202- 418- 7233. PN 03/ 19/ 01; DA 01- 698 Wireless Telecommunication Bureau Seeks Comment on Request by Maritel, Inc. to Assign Maritime Mobile Service Indentities (MMSIS) to Vessel that are Required to be Licensed. On March 6, 2001, Maritel, Inc. filed an informal request to permit private entities to assign MMSIs to vessels required by FCC rules and international regulations to obtain FCC authorization. Comments due April 18*; replies due May 3. Contact: Jim Shaffer at (202) 418- 0687, TTY (202) 418- 7233. WT 94- 102; PN 04/ 06/ 01; DA 01- 894 WTB Seeks Comment on Wireless E911 Phase 2 Waiver Request Filed by AT& T Wireless Services, Inc. 10 11 The Commission seeks comment on the above caption proceeding. Comments due May 7; replies due May 21. Contact: Dan Grosh or Patrick Forster at (202) 418- 1310. CC 94- 102; PN 04/ 05/ 01; DA 01- 886 Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Seeks Comment on Requests for Clarification or Declaratory Ruling Concerning Public Safety Answering Point Requests for Phase 2 Enhanced 911. The Commission seeks comment on a petition filed April 5, 2001, by the City of Richardson, Texas seeking clarification and/ or a declaratory ruling concerning the process by which a Public Safety Answering Point requests Phase II enhanced 911 service from a wireless carrier. Comments due April 23; replies due May 3. Contact: Wendy Austrie at (202) 418- 1310. WT 01- 72; PN 04/ 05/ 01; DA 01- 887 Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Extends Deadline for Reply Comments on CTIA Request to Commence Rulemaking to Establish Fair Location Information Practices. The Commission granted Sprint's motion, in part, and extended the deadline for the filing of reply comments from April 17 to April 24, 2001. Contact: Barbara Reideler at (202) 418- 1310. PN 04/ 11/ 01; DA 01- 910 Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Seeks Comment on Request for Waiver by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to Obtain a License for Twelve Unassigned UHF Paging Control Frequencies. Comments due April 23; replies due April 30. Contact: Michael Connelly at (202) 418- 0680, TTY (202) 418- 7233. ORDER 04/ 13/ 01 (adopted 04/ 12/ 01); DA 01- 932 Intelligent Transportation System Applications Using Dedicated Short Range Communications. The Commission extended the comment period to May 16, 2001 and the reply period to May 31, 2001. 11 12 PN 04/ 18/ 01; DA 01- 970 Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Seeks Comment on Space Data Research, LLC'S Request for Declaratory Ruling or Waiver Regarding the Narrowband PCS Rules. On April 10, 2001, Space Data Research, LLC, filed with the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau a Request for Declaratory Ruling or, in the Alternative a Waiver (Request), regarding three Commission rules that affect Space Data operation Bureau seeks comment on the Request. Comments due May 18; replies due May 28. Contact: Melvin Spann 202- 418- 1333. 12