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                                                                                DA 00-271
                                        February 11, 2000
                                     
                                    
       EXTENSION OF FILING DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS TO THE PETITIONS 
    FILED BY SBC COMMUNICATIONS INC. AND NEXTEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC. 
                    REGARDING PCS C AND F BLOCK RULES

Comment Date: February 22, 2000    
               Reply Date: March 1, 2000


In a Public Notice released on February 3, 2000, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (the "Bureau")
sought comment on Nextel Communications, Inc.'s ("Nextel") petition regarding the PCS C and F block
spectrum and extended the filing deadline for comments to SBC Communications Inc.'s ("SBC") request for
waiver of the eligibility requirements for PCS C and F block licenses.  Specifically, the Public Notice requested
that comments addressing any issues raised by SBC and/or Nextel be filed by February 14, 2000 and that reply
comments be filed by February 22, 2000.

The National Telephone Cooperative Association ("NTCA"), the Office of the Advocacy of the United States
Small Business Administration ("Advocacy") and the Rural Cellular Association ("RCA") have filed requests for
extension of the filing deadline for comments to the petitions filed by SBC and Nextel.  These parties all contend
that the comment filing period set by the Bureau does not allow interested parties sufficient time to address the
complex issues raised in SBC's and Nextel's submissions.

It is the policy of the Commission that extensions of time shall not be routinely granted.  Upon review, however,
we agree that an extension will afford parties the time to coordinate and file comments that will facilitate the
compilation of a more complete record in this proceeding, without causing undue delay to the Commission's
consideration of the issues.

Accordingly, we extend the filing deadline for comments to petitions filed by SBC and Nextel.  Comments
addressing any issues raised by SBC and/or Nextel must be filed by February 22, 2000, and reply comments are
due by March 1, 2000.  Adoption of these deadlines should provide interested parties with an adequate
opportunity to prepare and file meaningful comments in this proceeding.  Further delay here, however, could
have the effect of creating uncertainties for bidders in other spectrum auctions scheduled for this year.

In all other respects, the terms and filing instructions set forth in the Public Notice released on February 3, 2000
(DA 00-191) apply. 

We reiterate that both SBC's waiver request and Nextel's petition are available for public inspection and copying
in the Reference Center, Room CY A257, 445 12th St., S.W., Washington, DC 20554.  Copies of the request
and the petition are also available from ITS at 1231 20th St. N.W., Washington, DC 20036, or by calling (202)
857-3800.

For further information, contact Leora Hochstein of the Auctions and Industry Analysis Division at (202) 418-
0660.

By the Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau


                                  -FCC-