Released:  March 29, 1995                                   DA 95-651


Comment Sought on TEC Request to Waive Entrepreneurs' Block Eligibility Rules
Rural Telco Holding Company Seeks Limited Participation in C and F Block Auctions


     The Federal Communications Commission seeks comment on a request for waiver of
Section 24.709(a)(1) of the rules filed by Telephone Electronics Corporation (TEC) on March
28, 1995.  TEC controls six rural telephone companies that are presently ineligible to
participate in the competitive bidding of "entrepreneurs block" licenses in the broadband
Personal Communications Service (PCS).  TEC requests that the Commission waive its
eligibility rules to the extent necessary to allow its rural telephone companies to bid on C and
F block licenses in Basic Trading Areas (BTAs) where they provide telephone service and the
population is less than 300,000 as defined in the 1990 U.S. Census Report.  TEC is also
asking for treatment as a "small business" for purposes of qualifying for a 10 percent bidding
credit, and to pay for any winning bids in ten annual installments under the same procedures
that apply to all other entrepreneurs' block bidders.

     Comment is solicited on all aspects of the waiver request filed by TEC.  Comments
should be filed on or before April 3, 1995.  Reply comments may be filed by TEC on or
before April 5, 1995.  Pursuant to Section 1.3 of its rules, the Commission is expediting the
normal comment period.  See 47 C.F.R.  1.3, 1.45.  Comments should be addressed to: 
Commercial Wireless Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Room 5202, STP
1700A1, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, D.C.  20554.  

     A copy of the TEC waiver request may be obtained from the Commission's duplicating
contractor, International Transcription Service, Inc. (ITS), 2100 M Street, N.W., Suite 140,
Washington, D.C.  20037, (202) 857-3800.  A copy is also available for public inspection
during regular business hours in Room 5202, 2025 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.  20554.

     For further information contact Lawrence D. Atlas at (202) 418-0600, or Rosalind K.
Allen at (202) 418-0620 in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. 

     

                                   -FCC-