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


In the Matter of Applications of                  )
                                        )
COLUMBIA CAPITAL CORPORATION AND        )
COLUMBIA MILLIMETER COMMUNICATIONS, L.P.     )    File Nos. 9503107
                                        )              9507741
                                        )              9507775
to Provide 39 GHz Point-to-Point Microwave Radio       )
Service in Santa Barbara, California;                  )
New Orleans, Louisiana; and Eugene, Oregon             )


                    ORDER ON RECONSIDERATION
                                
Adopted:  March 2, 1999                           Released:  March 3, 1999

By the Chief, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau:

     1.  In this Order on Reconsideration, we grant a Petition for Reconsideration and Reinstatement Nunc
Pro Tunc (Petition), filed on January 9, 1997, by Columbia Capital Corporation and Columbia Millimeter
Communications, L.P. (Columbia).  Accordingly, Columbia's Applications requesting authorization to operate
systems in the 38.6 to 40.0 GHz (39 GHz) band are reinstated for further processing and review.

     2.  Background.  Columbia filed an application for a new microwave radio station license with the
Federal Communications Commission (Commission) on March 20, 1995, proposing to establish service over
the 39 GHz band in Eugene, Oregon.  This application was accepted for filing on April 5, 1995.  On July 19,
1995, Columbia filed two additional applications proposing service over the 39 GHz band in Santa Barbara,
California, and New Orleans, Louisiana respectively.  These applications were accepted for filing on August
2, 1995. 

     3.  On November 13, 1996 and November 14, 1996, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
(Bureau), dismissed the Columbia applications for failure to demonstrate compliance with Section 101.147(u)
of the Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R.  101.147(u).  Under Section 101.147(u), a 39 GHz band application
should request a rectangular service area that must be as small as practical, consistent with the local service
requirements of the carrier.  The dismissals were placed on Public Notice on December 10, 1996.  On January
9, 1997 Columbia filed the Petition seeking reconsideration of the dismissals. 

     4.  Discussion.  Columbia raises three arguments in its Petition.  First, Columbia argues that it
demonstrated in each of its applications that it needed the requested service areas to execute its business plans
and effectively compete in those markets, thus satisfying the requirements of Section 101.147(u) of the
Commission's Rules.  Second, Columbia argues that the Commission's action is unfair and arbitrary because
it denies Columbia any opportunity to cure alleged defects in its applications, despite Columbia's good faith
effort to comply with the vague standards set forth by the Commission.  Finally, Columbia asserts that no
mutual exclusivity exists as to any of the three applications.    
     
     5.  On reconsideration, we find that Columbia's proposed service areas for Eugene, Oregon; Santa
Barbara, California; and New Orleans, Louisiana are consistent with the Commission's rules.  Specifically,
as set forth in further detail below, we find that the proposed service areas are as small as practical consistent
with Columbia's local service requirements, and that Columbia had reasonable projected requirements for a
multiplicity of service points or transmission paths within the subject areas.  As to each requirement, in each
of the three proposed service areas, Columbia set forth detailed information establishing its need for the
requested spectrum and service area assignments that would enable it to compete effectively with existing
service providers. 

     6.  Eugene, Oregon Application.  Columbia submitted a Confidential Supplement which provided
extensive information showing Columbia's need for the requested assignment.  The Confidential Supplement
included comprehensive market analysis demonstrating the clear and present need in the requested service area
for the wireless point-to-point services proposed in its Eugene, Oregon application.  The market analysis
indicated a substantial existing market demand for the proposed services in the requested service area, based
on detailed customer demographic studies.  Columbia indicates that its customers in the Eugene, Oregon, area
are likely to be geographically dispersed during the early stages of network operation.  For this reason,
Columbia contends that it requires access to a customer base that extends throughout the requested service
area.  Without such access, Columbia states that its ability to compete effectively with existing service
providers in the Eugene, Oregon market would be diminished.  Columbia demonstrated that its system would
provide customers with a cost-effective alternative to local telephone companies, and would meet the demands
of the business community for wideband capacity service currently unavailable in the market.  Columbia
further demonstrates the sizeable unfulfilled demand in the requested service area for high-speed digital circuits
for local connectivity, which it could meet using its capacity to transmit wideband signals concurrently to
numerous different subscribers within the local area at very low cost.  Columbia also shows that its system
could be used to meet the growing need for wireless transmission and connectivity between local area networks
(LANs) at different locations and between wide area networks (WANs).  In addition, Columbia details the
manner in which its system was designed to meet the developing market demands for distance learning
(including telemedicine), two-way video-conferencing, business (or vertical market) television, and data
distribution services.  Based on these showings by Columbia in the context of its Eugene, Oregon application,
we conclude that the application is consistent with the applicable rule requirements regarding proposed service
areas.

     7.  Santa Barbara, California and New Orleans, Louisiana Applications.  We find that the factual
showings in the Santa Barbara and New Orleans applications also are sufficient.  Both applications are based
on market research indicating that the common carrier facilities currently serving the requested service areas,
at the time of the filing of the applications, failed to sufficiently fulfill market demand for the types of services
proposed in Columbia's applications.  As in the Eugene application, Columbia contends that its customers in
the Santa Barbara and New Orleans markets would be geographically dispersed.  It further contends that
effective competition in these areas dictate that Columbia secure a service area in each market large enough
to reach its geographically dispersed customer base.  The services Columbia proposes to provide in Santa
Barbara and New Orleans include point-to-point access and local exchange services, basic and advanced data
transmission, point-to-point local connectivity, backhaul for the established cellular industry and Personal
Communications Services networks, wireless connectivity of LANs and WANs, telemedicine, distance
education and other education-related services, network redundancy for businesses which cannot risk
interruption in telecommunication services, and relief in the event of disruption of wireline networks due to
man-made or natural disaster.  In addition, Columbia demonstrates that unlike the wireline facilities available
in the Santa Barbara and New Orleans markets when its applications were filed, its system could be rapidly
deployed and utilized.  Further, Columbia states that it would be able to provide service less expensive than
that offered by alternate wireline service providers, by installing more cost-effective system components and
through careful network design.  

Based on these showings, we conclude that Columbia's Santa Barbara and New Orleans applications also are
consistent with the applicable rule requirements governing proposed service areas.

     8.  Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that pursuant to sections 4(i) and 405 of the Communications Act
of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C.  154(i), 405 and Section 1.106 of the Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R. 
1.106, the Petition for Reconsideration and Reinstatement Nunc Pro Tunc filed by Columbia Capital
Corporation and Columbia Millimeter Communications, L.P. on January 9, 1997 IS GRANTED.

     9.  IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, pursuant to Sections 4(i) and 308 of the Communication's Act, as
amended 47 U.S.C.  154(i), 308, that the signed original applications filed by Columbia Capital Corporation
and Columbia Millimeter Communications, L.P. on March 20, 1995 and July 19, 1995, respectively are to be
resubmitted within thirty (30) days from the release of this Order on Reconsideration  for further review and
processing.

     10.  This action is taken under delegated authority pursuant to Sections 0.131 and 0.331 of the
Commission's, 47 C.F.R.  0.131 and 0.331.  

                              FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION




                              D'wana R. Terry
                              Chief, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division
                              Wireless Telecommunications Bureau