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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974). |
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June 25, 1999 | ||
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The following is a listing of current FCC Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRMs) and Notices of Inquiry (NOIs) open for public comment, except routine petitions to amend the Table of Allotments. This listing also includes pertinent Public Notices (PNs) announcing comment subjects and dates. For additional information, contact Martha Contee, Public Service Division at (202) 418-0190, TTY (202) 418-2555, email mcontee@fcc.gov. Please note: as comment and reply comment periods expire, they are deleted from this listing. *Asterisk indicates comment period deadline is past, but reply comment period still is open. CABLE SERVICES BUREAU PN 6/8; DA 99-1104 Cable Services Action - Petition Seeking Declaratory Ruling That Internet Service Providers Are Entitled to Commercial Leased Access to Cable Facilities under Section 612 of the Communications Act of 1934, As Amended
COMMON CARRIER BUREAU BO Docket 99-11; PN 3/1/99; DA 99-430 Federal Communications Commission Will Hold a Series of Public Hearings on Telephone Service for Indians on Reservations; Set for March 23 in Chandler Arizona. Comment period closes May 28, 1999.* Contact: Eric Jensen at (202) 418-0990 or Belford Lawson at (202) 418-7264.
CC 96-45; PN 3/16/99; DA 99-459 Common Carrier Bureau Sends Updated Lists of Rural and Non-Rural Telephone Companies to the Universal Service Administrative Company and Changes 1999 Self-Certification Filing Deadline On May 8, 1997, the Commission established in the Universal Service Order that rural and non-rural local exchange carriers (LECs) will receive federal universal service support determined by separate mechanisms. This PN revises the annual deadline for local exchange carriers to be classified as rural telephone companies to file letters certifying that they meet the statutory definition of rural telephone company. The new deadline for filing self-certification letters with the Commission is July 1 of each year. Contact: Adrian Wright, Accounting Policy Division at (202) 418-7400. CC 96-98, CC 95-185; 2nd FNPRM 4/16 (adopted 4/8); FCC 99-70 Implementation of the Local Competition Provisions in the Telecommunications Act of 1996 The FCC, in a 2nd FNPRM, sought comment on what network elements incumbents must make available to new entrants in the local telecommunications market. Comments due 30 days after publication in the Federal Register; replies due 45 days after publication in the Federal Register. CC 92-105; PN 4/20/99; DA 99-761 Petition by the United States Department of Transportation for Assignment of an Abbreviated Dialing Code (N11) To Access Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Services Nationwide - CC Docket No. 92-105 - Pleading Cycle Established On March 8, 1999, the United States Department of Transportation filed a Petition for assignment of a nationwide standard abbreviated dialing number (N11). Petitioner proposes that state and local governments use the abbreviated dialing number to deliver travel-related information to the public. Comments due July 20; replies August 20. Contact: Helene Schrier Nankin, Network Services Division at (202) 418-2320; TTY: (202) 418-0484. CC 96-128; PN 5/6; DA 99-841 The Common Carrier Bureau Asks Parties to update and Refresh Record for the Inmate Payphone Service Proceedings - Pleading Cycle Established - CC Docket No. 96-128 In a series of orders, the Commission has promulgated regulations to implement section 276 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 regarding the provision of payphone service. In this PN, the Commission invites parties to update their comments and refresh the record on the specific issues discussed in this PN in order to provide a full and up-to-date record of the inmate issues in this proceeding. Comments due June 21*; replies July 21. Contacts: Lynne Milne or Renee Terry, Competitive Pricing Division at (202) 418-1520; TTY: (202) 418-0484. CC 98-170; First R&O and FNPRM 5/11 (adopted 4/15); FCC 99-72 Truth-in-Billing and Billing Format Adopted truth-in-billing principles to ensure that consumers receive thorough, accurate and understandable bills from their telecommunications carriers. Adopted minimal, basic guidelines that explicate carriers' binding obligations pursuant to these broad principles. Comments concerning standardized labels for charges relating to federal regulatory action due 14 days from Federal Register publication. Replies due 21 days from Federal Register publication. Comments concerning applicability of truth-in-billing principles and guidelines to CMRS carriers due 30 days from Federal Register publication. Replies due 45 days from Federal Register publication. PN 5/14; DA 99-928 Common Carrier Bureau Seeks Comment on a Petition of the California Public Utilities Commission and the People of the State of California for Delegation of Additional Authority Pertaining to Area Code Relief and to NXX Code Conservation Measures - Pleading Cycle Established On September 28, 1998, the FCC released an order in the matter of a Petition for Declaratory Ruling and Request for Expedited Action on an Order of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission regarding various area codes and local competition provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. On April 23, 1999, the California Public Utilities Commission and the People of the State of California filed a petition requesting delegation of additional authority pertaining to area code relief planning and implementation and to the NXX code conservation measures. Comments due June 14*, replies due June 28. Contact: Jared Carlson, Network Services Division at (202) 418-2320. PN 5/14; DA 99-929 Common Carrier Bureau Seeks Comment on a Petition of the California Public Utilities Commission and the People of the State of California for a Waiver to Implement a Technology Specific of Service-Specific Area Code On September 28, 1998, the FCC released an order in the matter of a Petition for Declaratory Ruling and Request for Expedited Action on an Order of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission regarding various area codes and local competition provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. On April 23, 1999, the California Public Utilities Commission and the People of the State of California filed a petition requesting a waiver of 47 C.F.R. Section 52.19(c) to allow the California Commission to implement a technology-specific or service-specific area code. Comments due June 14*; replies June 28. Contact: Jared Carlson, Network Services Division at (202) 418-2320. PN 5/28; DA 99-1032 Bell Atlantic Petitions for Establishment of New Rate Elements to Provide Switched Access Facilities Management Service - Pleading Cycle Established On May 24, 1999, Bell Atlantic filed a petition to initiate switched access facilities management service. Comments due June 28; replies July 13. Contact: Jennifer McKee, Competitive Pricing Division at (202) 418-1520; TTY (202) 418-0484. CC 96-45, CC 96-262; 7th R&O, 13th Order on Recon in CC Docket No. 96-45, 4th R&O in CC Docket No. 96-262, and FNPRM 5/28 (adopted 5/27); FCC 99-119 Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service - Access Charge Reform Took a major step in reforming the high-cost universal service support mechanism for non-rural carriers. Issued FNPRM on the model input and operational issues and another FNPRM seeking comment on several specific implementation issues. Comments due July 2; replies July 16. CC- 96-45, CC- 97-160; FNPRM 5/28 (adopted 5/27); FCC 99-120 Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service - Forward-Looking Mechanism for High Cost Support for Non-Rural LECs Took a major step in reforming the high-cost universal service support mechanism for non-rural carriers. Issued FNPRM proposing input values for the model, such as the cost of cables, switches and other network components, in addition to various capital cost parameters. Sought to supplement the record regarding certain inputs to the model. Comments due July 2; replies July 16. CC 97-21, CC 96-45; 5th Ord. on Recon. in CC Docket No. 97-21; 11th Ord. On Recon. in CC Docket No. 96-45 and FNPRM 5/28 (adopted 3/18); FCC 99-49 Changes to the Board of Directors of the National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc. - Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service Clarified certain portions of the Commissions funding priority rules for the schools and libraries universal service support mechanism to remove any ambiguity that may exist in the application of such rules. Reconsidered on its own motion the Commission's rule that prohibits the disbursement of funds during the pendency of an appeal of a decision issued by the Administrator. Proposed a method for allocating funds in the event that the Administrator's initial denial of a request for support is reversed by the Administrator of the Commission or in the event that sufficient funds are not available for all priority one service appeals. Comments due June 30. NPRM 6/2 (adopted 5/27); FCC 99-122 Numbering Resource Optimization Proposed examining a variety of measures intended to increase the efficiency with which telecommunications carriers use telephone numbering resources. Comments due July 30; replies August 30. Dkt No.: CC- 99-117; Order 6/2 (adopted 6/2); DA 99-1072 CCB's Continuing Property Records Audits of the Regional Bell Operating Companies Granted MCI Worldcom, Inc.'s request for a thirty-day extension of time to file comments and reply comments in the NOI seeking comment on ten issues arising out of the Common Carrier Bureau's continuing property records audits of the Regional Bell Operating Companies. Comments now due July 7 and replies now due August 6. PN 6/2; (DA No. 99-1082) American Sterling Communications, LLC Seeks Commission Determination of "Exempt Telecommunications Company" Status Under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, As Amended by Section 103 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 American Sterling Communications, LLC is seeking Commission Determination of "Exempt Telecommunications Company" status under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended by section 103 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Comments due: June 18, 1999*; reply comments due: June 25, 1999; contact Marty Schwimmer or Al McCloud in the Network Services Division at (202) 418 - 2320, TTY: (202) 418 - 0484. Letter 6/3 (adopted 6/3); DA 99-1083 American Sterling Communications, L.L.C. Placed application for designation as exempt telecommunication company on public notice. Comments due: June 18*; replies June 25. Order 6/4 (adopted 6/4); DA 99-1094 Value Call International, Inc., V. MCI Telecommunications Corporation Granted joint motion to extend filing deadlines.; Initial briefs due June 25; reply briefs due July 9. Action by Formal Complaints and Investigations. PN 6/14 Comment Sought on Southwestern Bell Telephone Requests for Limited Modification of LATA Boundaries to Provide Expanded Local Calling Service Between Various Exchanges in Texas On April 22, 1999, Southwestern Bell Telephone filed six petitions requesting modification of local access transport area boundaries to provide two-way, non-optional, flat-rated expanded local calling service between various exchanges in Texas. Comments due June 29; replies July 6. Contact: Alan Thomas, Network Services Division at (202) 418-2338; TTY: (202) 418-0484. PN 6/22; DA 99-1198 Common Carrier Bureau Seeks Comment on State Utility Commission Requests for Additional Authority to Implement Telecommunications Numbering Conservation Measures -Pleading Cycle Established On September 28, 19998, the FCC released an order in the matter of a Petition for Declaratory Ruling and Request for Expedited Action on the July 15, 1997 Order of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Regarding Area Codes 412, 610, 215, and 717, and Implementation of the Local Competition Provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, MO&O on Recon, FCC 98-224, CC Docket No. 96-98. This order delegated additional authority to state public utility commissions to order NXX code rationing, under certain circumstances and encouraged state commissions to seek further limited delegations of authority to implement other innovative number conservation methods. Several state utility commissions have filed requests for additional delegations of authority to implement number conservation methods in their states. Comments due July 16. Contact: Al McCloud, Network Services Division at (202) 418-2320; TTY: (202) 418-0484. PN 6/23; DA 99-1211 FCC to Seek Comments on a Letter from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Relating to Communications Transmission Facilities Located at Lookout Mountain, CO The FCC is seeking comment on the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's letter regarding the proposed construction of the transmissions tower and maintenance facility on Lookout Mountain, Colorado. Comments due July 23; replies August 9. Contact: Robert Cleveland at (202) 418-2422. INTERNATIONAL BUREAU IB 99-67; NPRM 3/5/99 (adopted 2/25/99); FCC 99-37 Amendment of Parts 2 and 25 to Implement the global Mobile Personal Communications By Satellite Memorandum of Understanding and Arrangements Proposed amending the Commission's Rules to facilitate the global transport of portable telecommunications terminals used in connection with satellite systems providing global data, voice, Internet and other broadband services. Comments due June 21*; replies July 21. IB 99-81; NPRM 3/25 (adopted 3/18); FCC 99-50 Establishment of Policies and Service Rules for the Mobile Satellite Service in the 2 GHz Band Proposed initiating the process for licensing a new generation of innovative mobile satellite services. Comments due June 24*, replies July 26. Order 4/21 (adopted 4/21); DA 99-765 Skybridge L.L.C. et al Extended deadlines for filing comments, petitions to deny and responsive pleadings with respect to applications to be considered in the non-geostationary fixed-satellite service Ku-band. Comments and/or petitions to deny due June 30; replies July 21; replies to opposition due August 2. Order 5/28 (adopted 5/28); DA 99-1012 Satellite Radio Applications for Earth Stations to Operate with INTELSAT Satellites Transferred to New Skies Satellites N.V. Extended until June 30, 1999 Commission's November 30, 1998 grants of Special Temporary Authority to over 90 earth stations operating with the satellites that transferred from INTELSAT to New Skies Satellites, N.V. Order 6/18 (adopted 6/17); DA 99-1179 Authority to Launch and Operate Geostationary and Non-Geostationary Satellite Systems at KA-Band Granted Pegasus Development Corporation's Motion for Extension of Time to file replies in various companies' applications for authority to launch and operate geostationary and non-geostationary satellite systems at Ka-band. Replies due July 2. MASS MEDIA BUREAU MM 99-25; NPRM 2/3/99 (adopted 1/28/99); FCC 99-6 Creation of a Low Power Radio Service Proposed to establish rules authorizing the operations of new, low power FM (LPFM) radio stations. Comments due April 12*; replies May 12.*
PN 6/2; DA 99-1057 Commission Seeks Comment on "Request for Determination of Eligibility for DBS Set-Aside" Filed by "Noggin," A Joint Venture of the Children's Television Workshop and Nickelodeon The Commission is soliciting comment on a "Request for Determination of Eligibility for DBS Set-Aside" filed by "Noggin," a joint venture of the Children's Television Workshop and Nickelodeon. That Request seeks a Commission determination that Noggin is eligible for the DBS channel capacity reserved for noncommercial educational programming under Section 335(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended and Section 100.5(c) of the Commission's Rules. Comments due July 6; replies July 21. MM 93-177; NPRM 6/11 (adopted 5/28); FCC 99-126 An Inquiry Into the Commission's Policies and Rules Regarding AM Radio Service Directional Antenna Performance Verification Proposed reductions in testing procedures for AM directional antennas. Comments due 45 days after publication in the Federal Register; replies due 60 days after publication int he Federal Register. WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU CC 95-116; MO&O 9/1/98 (adopted 9/1/98); DA 98-1763 Telephone Number Portability Granted a petition filed by the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) requesting a nine-month stay of the requirement that all cellular, broadband personal communications service (PCS), and covered specialized mobile radio (SMR) carriers provide service provider number portability by June 30, 1999, while supporting nationwide roaming. The Bureau finds that extending the deadline from June 30, 1999 to March 31, 2000, is necessary to ensure the efficient development of wireless number portability. WT 99-87; NPRM 3/25 (adopted 3/19); FCC 99-52 Establishment of Public Service Radio Pool in the Private Mobile Frequencies Below 800 MHz Proposed changes to the FCC's rules and policies to implement the revised auction authority. Comments due 60 days and replies 90 days after Federal Register publication.
CC 96-61; FNPRM 4/21 (adopted 3/8); FCC 99-43 Policy and Rules Concerning the Interstate Interexchange Marketplace Seeking further comment on several issues regarding the application of rate integration to the interstate, interexchange services offered by commercial mobile radio service providers. Comments due May 27*; replies June 28. PN 5/14; DA 99-920 Ameritech and GTE Seek FCC Consent to Transfer Control of Licenses from Ameritech to GTE Ameritech Corporation and GTE Corporation have filed application pursuant to Section 310(d) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended seeking Commission consent to transfer control of licenses currently controlled by subsidiaries and affiliates of Ameritech to subsidiaries of GTE. Comments due June 15*; oppositions due June 25*; replies to oppositions due June 30. Contact: Jonathan Radin or Elizabeth Williams, Commercial Wireless Division at (202) 418-7240. PN 5/14; DA 99-921 Frontier and Global Crossing Seek FCC Consent to Transfer Control of Licenses and Authorizations from Frontier to Global Crossing Frontier Corporation and Global Crossing Ltd. have filed applications pursuant to Sections 214 and 310(d) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, seeking Commission consent to transfer control of licenses and authorizations currently controlled by subsidiaries and affiliates of Frontier to Global Crossing. Comments due June 15*; oppositions due June 25; replies to such oppositions due June 30. Contact: Jonathan Radin or Elizabeth Williams, WTB, Commercial Wireless Division at (202) 418-7240. Susan O'Connell or JoAnna Lowry, IB, at (202) 418-1484; Sunil Daluvoy, CSB, at (202) 481-1032. PR 93-144; PN 5/21; DA 99-974 Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Requests Comment on the Construction Requirements for Commercial Wide-Area 800 MHz Licensees Pursuant to Fresno Mobile Radio, Inc. v. FCC Commission requested comment on the construction requirements that the Commission should impose on 800 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio commercial licensees that are part of a wide area system. Comments due June 21*; replies July 6. Contact: Scott A. Mackoul or Don Johnson, Commercial Wireless Division at (202) 418-7240. PR 93-144; PN 6/15; DA 99-1168
PN 5/28; DA 99-1027 Geotek Communications Inc. Seeks FCC Consent to Assign 900 MHz SMR Licenses On March 5, 1999, Geotek Communications, Inc., Debtor in Possession (Geotek), filed applications pursuant to Section 310(d) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, seeking Commission consent to assign its 900 MHz SMR licenses to its creditors, Hughes Electronics Corporation and Wilmington Trust Company, as the first step in a two-step transaction. Comments or petitions to deny due June 28; oppositions to such pleadings due July 8; replies to such oppositions due July 15. Contact: Pieter van Leeuwen, Paul D'Ari, Commercial Wireless Division at (202) 418-0620 or Terry Fishel, Commercial Wireless Division (Gettysburg) at (717) 338-2602. PN 5/28; DA 99-1035 Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Seeks Comment on Request for Waiver by Borough of Sayreville, NJ to Permit the Use of Certain Public Land Mobile Radio Service Channels On October 28, 1998,. the Borough of Sayreville, New Jersey, filed a Petition for Waiver of any and all applicable provisions of part 22 and 90 of the Commission's Rules in order to permit it to use certain UHF frequencies in the Public Land Mobil Radio Service. Comments due June 28; replies July 13. Contact: Maurice J. DePont, Policy and rules Branch of the Public Safety and Private Wireless Division at (202) 418-0690.. PN 5/28; DA 99-1039 Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Seeks Comment on Request for Waiver by Burlington County, NJ, to Obtain a License for Thirty Frequencies Allocated for Paging Control Operations (500 MHz) On November 6, 1998, the County of Burlington, New Jersey filed applications and a Request for Waiver of Section 22.621 of the Commission's Rules requesting a waiver to permit it to use 30 frequencies for public safety purposes that are now allocated for point-to-multipoint paging control operation in the Philadelphia area. Comments due June 28; replies July 13. Contact: John Fernandez, Policy and Rules Branch of the Public Safety and Private Wireless Division at (202) 418-0680. CC 94-102; PN 6/1; DA 99-1049 Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Requests Targeted Comment on Wireless E911 Phase II Automatic Location Identification Requirements - CC Docket No. 94-102 The Commission's rules governing Enhanced 911 services currently require that covered wireless carriers deploy Automatic Location Identification (ALI) as part of E911 service beginning October 1, 2001, provided certain conditions are met. In the E911 Reconsideration Order, the Commission noted its concern that the effect of Section 20.18(e) might not be technologically and competitively neutral for some technologies that might be used to provide ALI, particularly handset-based technologies such as those using the Global Positioning Satellite system. In order to expedite decisionmaking on whether or not to promulgate Phase II standards in light of the potential availability of handset-based technologies, the Bureau is seeking comment. Comments due June 17*; replies July 2. Contacts: Mindy Littell or Dan Grosh, Policy Division at (202) 418-1310. Dkt No.: WT-99-168; NPRM 6/3 (adopted 5/13); FCC 99-97. In the Matter of Service Rules for the 746-764 and 776-794 MHz Bands, and Revisions to Part 27 of the Commission's Rules These proposed service rules include provisions for application licensing, technical and operating rules, and competitive bidding. The revised spectrum allocation in the Reallocation Report and Order provided for the potential provision of Fixed, Mobile, and Broadcasting services on these bands. Comments Due: July 19, 1999*; Reply Comments Due: August 13, 1999. Dkt No.: WT- 99-168; NPRM 6/4 (adopted 5/13); FCC 99-97 New Service Rules Proposed new service rules for commercial licensing in the 746-764 MHz and 776-794 MHz bands that have been reallocated from use solely for the broadcasting service. Comments due: July 19, 1999.* Replies due: August 13, 1999. PN 6/7; DA 99-1103; Report AUC-99-26-A First Paging Service Spectrum Auction Scheduled for December 7, 1999 - Comment Sought on Reserve Prices or Minimum Opening Bids and Other Auction Procedural Issues WTB announces the first in a series of auctions of Paging service licenses, scheduled to commence on December 7, 1999. Comment sought on procedural issues relating to the Upper Bands Auction (Auction No. 26) as well as on reserve prices or minimum opening bids. Comments due June 30; replies July 13. Contact: Lisa Hartigan or Anne Napoli, at (202) 418-0660, or Bob Reagle at (717) 338-2801, Auctions and Industry Analysis Division. PN 6/18; DA 99-1036 FCC Seeks Comment on Requests for Waivers to Permit Provision of Common Carrier Service on 2GHz Private Operational Fixed Microwave Service Frequencies In 1996, the Commission consolidate the rules for Common Carrier Fixed Point-to-Point Microwave Service and the Private Operational Fixed Point-to-Point microwave Service, and eliminated the prohibition on using common carrier transmitters for non common carrier purposes. It nonetheless retained the prohibition against stations licensed as private systems offering common carrier services. While the Commission set forth how private licensees above 2 MHz could elect common carrier status, it excluded the 2 GHz bands. On February 26, 1997, August 4, 1997, and September 11, 1998, respectively, Westinghouse Communications Services, Inc., AT&T Wireless, Inc. and Nextel Communications, Inc. applied to modify the status of private systems using 2 GHz band frequencies allocated exclusively to POFS licensees to common carrier or hybrid private/common carrier status, and sought rule waivers to permit the use of those frequencies for common carrier services. Comments due July 6; replies July 16. Contact: Scot Stone or Edgar Class, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division at (202) 418-0680. OFFICE OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR MD 98-200; NOI 12/4/98 (adopted 11/10/98); FCC 98-298 Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 1999 The Commission began a rulemaking proceeding seeking comments and suggestions for revising its Schedule of Regulatory Fees in order to recover the amount of regulatory fees that Congress requires it to collect for Fiscal Year 1999. OMD Contact: Fee Hotline at (202) 418-0192. |