FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                   NEWS MEDIA CONTACT
November 24, 1999                            Michelle Russo: (202) 418-2358 or
                                                  mrusso@fcc.gov

   Commission Reaffirms Over-the-Air Reception Devices Order

Washington, DC   The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted an Order on
Reconsideration regarding restrictions on over-the-air reception devices.  The FCC denied three separate
petitions asking the Commission to revisit its November 20, 1998 Second Report and Order (13 FCC Rcd
23874 (1998)).  

The Order on Reconsideration reaffirms the findings in the Second Report and Order and does
not consider or prejudge questions raised in the Promotion of Competitive Networks in Local
Telecommunications Markets Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Inquiry (FCC 99-141,
released July 7, 1999). 

     As directed by Congress in Section 207 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the FCC adopted
the Over-the-Air Reception Devices ("OTARD") rule concerning governmental and non-governmental
restrictions on viewers' ability to receive video programming signals from direct broadcast satellite service
("DBS"), television broadcast stations and wireless cable video providers. The rule prohibits restrictions
that impair the installation, maintenance or use of antennas used to receive video programming. The rule
applies to restrictions on video antennas installed where the viewer has an ownership or leasehold interest in
the property and that is within the viewer's exclusive use or control.  It applies to restrictions in
condominiums, cooperatives or rental buildings as long as the viewer installs the antenna in an area where
the viewer has exclusive use, such as a balcony or patio.

The three petitions were filed by the Community Associations Institute ("CAI Petition"); the
Personal Communications Industry Association, Teligent, Inc., Association for Local Telecommunications
Services, WinStar Communications, Inc., and Nextlink Communications, Inc. (collectively, "PCIA
Petition"); and by the Association for Maximum Service Television and the National Association of
Broadcasters (collectively, "NAB Petition"). The CAI petition argued that the OTARD rule was too
expansive while the PCIA and NAB petitions sought greater access to common or restricted access areas.

The Order on Reconsideration denied the petitions for reconsideration because the parties
presented no new arguments or facts that have not been previously considered or that cause the FCC to
change its prior determination. 

Action by the Commission, November 19, 1999, by Order on Reconsideration in CS Docket No.
96-83 (FCC 99-360). Chairman Kennard, Commissioners Ness, Furchtgott-Roth, Powell and Tristani.

                             -FCC-
                                
Cable Services Bureau contact: Eloise Gore at (202) 418-7200