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



In the Matter of

American Distance Education Consortium
Request for an Expedited Declaratory
Ruling and Informal Complaint
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File No. : SAT-PDR-19990803-00077


                             ORDER

   Adopted:  January 5, 2000            Released:  January 5, 2000

Before the Chief, Satellite Radiocommunication Division, International Bureau:


     1.   By this Order, we grant the American Distance Education Consortium's ("ADEC") Motion
For Extension of Time to file an opposition to the Petition for Reconsideration filed by EchoStar Satellite
Corporation ("EchoStar") in the above referenced proceeding.  EchoStar's Petition was filed on December 27,
1999.  Presently, oppositions are due January 6, 2000.

     2.   ADEC requests an extension to January 18, 2000.  In support of its request, ADEC notes that
it is preparing a response related to another matter in this proceeding, concerning cost information for access
to EchoStar's satellites, that is due January 7, 2000.  In addition, Counsel for ADEC states that ADEC's
offices were closed and counsel was unavailable during the holidays.  Further, additional time is needed to
address an issue in EchoStar's Petition not previously raised before the Commission.  Counsel for ADEC also
represents that EchoStar is not opposed to this Motion for Extension of Time.

     3.   Although the Commission does not routinely grant extensions of time, we find that a brief
extension in this case is warranted.  Therefore, we will grant the extension request and extend the deadline for
filing oppositions to January 18, 2000.

     4.   This action is taken pursuant to authority found in Section 4(i) of the Communications Act
of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C.  154(i), and Sections 0.261 and 1.46 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R.
 0.261 and 1.46.

5.   Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, that the Motion for Extension of Time filed by the American
Distance Education Consortium IS GRANTED.


                              FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
                              
                              
                              Thomas S. Tycz
                              Chief, Satellite and Radiocommunication Division
                              International Bureau