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



 

PUBLIC NOTICE

		Federal Communications Commission
		445 12th St., S.W.
		Washington, D.C. 20554