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                                                            PUBLIC NOTICE
                                                                         
                                        Federal Communications Commission
                                                       445 12th St., S.W.
                                                   Washington, D.C. 20554
                                                                         
                                                    
                                                      DA 99-2370

                                                                                 Released:  November 2, 1999

            MASS MEDIA BUREAU ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY
          OF INFORMATION PREVIOUSLY AVAILABLE ON BAPS


          Effective immediately, the Mass Media Bureau's new Consolidated Database
     System (CDBS) can be accessed by the general public from the Commission's
     Reference Information Center (RIC).  The CDBS has replaced the Broadcast
     Application Processing System (BAPS) and contains application data for AM, FM,
     FM Translator, TV, DTV, LPTV, and TV Translator stations.  
          
          Icons installed on each terminal provide a link to a help file that provides an
     introduction to the CDBS and how to locate information.  Using the queries
     available to the public, CDBS provides access to:
          
                    Information about existing broadcast stations.
          
                         Information concerning the status of applications for new or modified    
             facilities and for changes of ownership.
          
                         Electronic representations of various granted construction permit,          
             license, assignment and transfer authorizations.
          
          The Commission's Reference Information Center (RIC) is located on the
     Courtyard level, Room CY-A257 at the Portals II building, 445 12th Street, S.W.,
     Washington, DC.  Hours of operation are Monday between 9:45 and 4:30 and
     Tuesday through Friday between 9:00 and 4:30.  There are 20 computer terminals
     available to the public with the capability of accessing CDBS.  In addition, the
     FCC copy contractor provides debit cards that permit various screens to be printed
     from CDBS.
          
          By:       Chief, Mass Media Bureau