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                                Before the
                     Federal Communications Commission
                          Washington, D.C. 20554


In the Matter of                     )                 
                                     )                 
Cable Telecommunications Association )     
of Maryland, Delaware & District of  )           P.A. No. 97-008
Columbia, et al.                     )                 
                                     )                 
                  Complainants       )           
v.                                   )                 
                                     )                 
Bell Atlantic - Maryland, Inc.       )           
                                     )                 
                  Respondent         )           
                                     

                                  ORDER

        Adopted:  November 19, 1997                Released:  November 20, 1997  

By the Chief, Cable Services Bureau:

        1.    In this Order, we address a Motion for Extension of Time to Answer Complaint and
Declaratory Ruling ("Motion") filed by Bell Atlantic - Maryland, Inc. ("Respondent") on November 19,
1997.  The Respondent moves for an extension of time to November 26, 1997 within which to file its
Answer in this proceeding.  Cable Telecommunications Association of Maryland, Delaware & District
of Columbia, et al ("Complainants") have indicated that they support this Motion. As discussed below,
we grant the Motion.

        2.    Pursuant to Section 1.46 of the Commission's rules concerning extensions of time,
Respondent requests that we extend the deadline for filing its Answer in this proceeding from
November 19, 1997 to November 26, 1997.  Respondent asserts that good cause exists for granting the
requested extension because the parties are in the process of settlement negotiations.  

        3.    Complainants have indicated their support for this motion stating, inter alia, that such an
extension of time will facilitate their on-going settlement discussions.  Although it is the policy of the
Commission that extensions of time shall not be routinely granted, we believe that the parties' agreement
to the extension in this proceeding warrants granting Respondent's request.   
        5.    Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to Section 1.46 of the Commission's rules, 47
C.F.R. Section 1.46, that the Motion for Extension of Time to Answer Complaint and Request for
Declaratory Ruling filed by Bell Atlantic - Maryland, IS GRANTED.

        6.    This action is taken pursuant to delegated authority under Section 0.321 of the
Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R Section 0.321. 

        FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 



        Meredith J. Jones
        Chief, Cable Services Bureau