PUBLIC NOTICE
	Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., SW Washington, D.C. 20554	News media information 202 / 418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 202/418-2555
	DA 00-2788 Released: December 8, 2000
	MARKET ENTRY BARRIER STUDIES WILL BE RELEASED AT THE COMMISSION ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2000
	As announced on December 1, 2000, a public forum will be convened at the FCC to discuss a series of studies examining the extent, if any, to which small, women- and minority-owned firms in the communications industry experience market entry barriers. The studies will be presented at a policy forum on Tuesday, December 12, 2000, from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM. The policy forum will be held in the FCC's Commission Meeting Room, TW-C305, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, D.C. The purpose of the forum is to present the findings of the studies. The studies were commenced pursuant to Section 257 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, 47 U.S.C. § 257, which requires that the FCC identify and eliminate market entry barriers for entrepreneurs and other small telecommunications businesses, and Section 309(j) of the Act, which requires the FCC to further opportunities in the allocation of spectrum-based services for small businesses and businesses owned by women and minorities. The forum will begin with presentations by the experts who conducted studies, and will be followed by a roundtable discussion with industry practitioners, civil rights experts, and the authors to further explore and discuss the findings reached in the reports. A list of the study authors and expected roundtable participants is attached. FCC Chairman William E. Kennard, Commissioner Susan Ness, and Commissioner Gloria Tristani will moderate and participate in the roundtable discussion. The forum is open to the public, and seating will be available on a first come, first served basis. At the end of the roundtable, we will provide the audience with an opportunity for a short question-and-answer period. All interested persons are invited to attend. Individuals with disabilities may arrange for accommodations by contacting Brian Millin at (202) 418-7426 (Voice), (202) 418-7365 (TTY), or by sending an email to access@fcc.gov. Office of General Counsel contacts: Cornell William Brooks, Sharon Bradford Franklin, or Steven C. Rangel at (202) 418-1700. Office of Communications Business Opportunities contact: C. Anthony Bush at (202) 418-0990. Tentative List of Participants Mr. William Bradford, University of Washington Mr. Tom Castro, El Dorado Communications Mr. Allen Hammond, Santa Clara University Mr. David Honig, Minority Media Telecommunications Council Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rainbow Push Coalition Ms. Laurie Mason, Santa Clara University Rev. Everett C. Parker, United Church of Christ Mr. John Relman, Relman & Associates Ms. Shelley Sadowsky, American Women in Radio & Television Mr. Jon Silverman, KPMG Ms. Janet C. Smith, Ivy Planning Group Ms. Diane Sutter, Shooting Star Broadcasting Mr. Darrell Williams, Telecommunications Development Fund Mr. James Winston, National Assoc. of Black-Owned Broadcasters Ms. Patricia Worthy, Howard University