DAILY DIGEST

Vol. 17, No. 34                                          February 20,1998

**Before an entry denotes that the item is part of the FCC's implementation of the 1996 Telecom Act. While we will attempt to flag all Telecom Act-related items, this marking is unofficial and informational only.

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The following items were adopted at the February 19, 1998, Commission meeting and released later that day.

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NEWS RELEASES

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COMMON CARRIER ACTION -- FCC CLARIFIES CUSTOMER PRIVACY PROVISIONS OF 1996 ACT; CUSTOMERS TO CONTROL USE AND DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION -- REPORT NO. CC 98-5 -- CC DOCKET NOS. 96-115, 96-149. The Commission adopted an Order that furthers the privacy rights of telecommunications customers while promoting the convenience by which customers may receive telecommunications service. Action by the Commission February 19, 1998, by Second R&O and FNPRM (FCC 98-27). Adopted: February 19, 1998. News Media Contact: Rochelle Cohen (202) 418-0253. CCB Contact: Dorothy Attwood or Tonya Rutherford at (202) 418-1580; TTY (202) 418-2555. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/News_Releases/1998/nrcc8019.html

INTERNATIONAL ACTION -- COMMISSION PROPOSES CONSOLIDATION AND SIMPLIFICATION OF DBS SERVICE RULES, UPDATE OF DBS TECHNICAL RULES AND SEEKS COMMENT ON DBS OWNERSHIP LIMITATIONS -- REPORT NO. IN 98-7 -- IB DOCKET 98-21. In order to facilitate the licensing of advanced satellite services and to promote competition in the multichannel video programming delivery market, the Commission has proposed streamlining and consolidating its service rules governing the Direct Broadcast Satellite service. Action by the Commission February 19, 1998, by NPRM (FCC 98-26). Adopted: February 19, 1998. News Media Contact: Maureen Peratino (202) 418-0500. IB Contact: Peter Pappas at (212) 418-0746, Chris Murphy at (202) 418-2372, Tom Boasberg at (202) 418-2169 or Doug Webbink at (202) 418-1494; TTY (202) 418-2555. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/International/News_Releases/1998/nrin8004.html

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACTION -- COMMISSION ADOPTS NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING TO IMPLEMENT UNIVERSAL LICENSING SYSTEM --REPORT NO. WT. 98-3 -- WT DOCKET 98-20. In a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Federal Communications Commission proposed to facilitate its implementation of the Universal Licensing System (ULS), and to consolidate, revise, and streamline rules governing application procedures for radio services licensed by the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. Action by the Commission, February 19, 1998, by NPRM (FCC 98-25). Adopted: February 19, 1998. News Media Contact: Meribeth McCarrick (202) 418-0500. WTB Contact: Mika Savir at (202) 418-0620; Susan Magnotti at (202) 418-0871; Karen Wrege at (202) 418-0600; TTY (202) 418-7233. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Wireless/News_Releases/1998/nrwl8004.html

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The following items are dated for and released on February 20, 1998:

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NEWS RELEASES

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FCC CALENDAR OF EVENTS. OPA.

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PUBLIC NOTICES

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Released: February 20, 1998. EX PARTE PRESENTATIONS AND POST-REPLY COMMENT PERIOD FILINGS IN PERMIT-BUT-DISCLOSE PROCEEDINGS (1 OF 2). Contact: Barbara Lowe at (202) 418-0310.

Released: February 20, 1998. EX PARTE PRESENTATIONS AND POST-REPLY COMMENT PERIOD FILINGS IN PERMIT-BUT-DISCLOSE PROCEEDINGS (2 OF 2). Contact: Barbara Lowe at (202) 418-0310.

Released: February 20, 1998. TARIFF TRANSMITTAL PUBLIC REFERENCE LOG - FEBRUARY 19. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/Public_Notices/Tariffs/combined/tt021998.pdf

Report No: NCD-136. Released: February 20, 1998. COMMON CARRIER BUREAU NETWORK CHANGE NOTIFICATION. Contact: Ginny Kennedy, Network Services Division at (202) 418-2328.

Report No: NCD-135. Released: February 20, 1998. COMMON CARRIER BUREAU NETWORK CHANGE NOTIFICATION. Contact: Ginny Kennedy, Network Services Division at (202) 418-2328.

Report No: NCD-134. Released: February 20, 1998. COMMON CARRIER BUREAU NETWORK CHANGE NOTIFICATION. Contact: Ginny Kennedy, Network Services Division at (202) 418-2328.

Report No: TEL-133-A. Released: February 20, 1998. STREAMLINED INTERNATIONAL SECTION 214 APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FOR FILING (FORMAL SECTION 63.18). Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/International/Public_Notices/1998/pnin8043.txt

Report No: TEL-133-B. Released: February 20, 1998. NON-STREAMLINED INTERNATIONAL SECTION 214 AND CABLE LANDING LICENSE APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FOR FILING (FORMAL SECTION 63.18 AND 1.767). Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/International/Public_Notices/1998/pnin8044.txt

Report No: LB-98-25. Released: February 20, 1998. WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU COMMERCIAL WIRELESS SERVICE INFORMATION.

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TEXTS

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CHANNEL 39, INC. Granted in part petition filed by Channel 39, Inc., licensee of television broadcast station WDZL (Channel 39), Miami, Florida, seeking special relief to modify the Miami, Florida ADI to include certain Palm Beach County, Florida communities within WDZL's market for must carry purposes. Action by Deputy Bureau Chief. Adopted: February 17, 1998. by MO&O. (DA No. 98-317). CSB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/Orders/1998/da980317.txt

STEPHEN H. SMITH. Dismissed complaint for leased access information as moot because TCI Cablevision of Texas, Inc. has provided the information and ruled that cable operators must respond to an oral or written request made under Section 76.970(h), 47 C.F.R. for leased access information within 15 days of the request. Action by Deputy Bureau Chief. Adopted: February 18, 1998. by MO&O. (DA No. 98-319). CSB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/Orders/1998/da980319.txt

TCI CABLEVISION OF EASTERN IOWA. Denied appeal of two related rate orders issued by Iowa City, Iowa. Action by Deputy Bureau Chief. Adopted: February 13, 1998. by MO&O. (DA No. 98-309). CSB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/Orders/1998/da980309.txt

APACHE CABLEVISION. Granted Petition for Special Relief filed by Apached CableVision seeking small cable operator relief in San Carlos, Peridot, and Bylas, Arizona. Action by Chief, Financial Analysis and Compliance Division. Adopted: February 17, 1998. by Order. (DA No. 98-302). CSB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/Orders/1998/da980302.txt

SCRIPPS HOWARD CABLE COMPANY. Denied a complaint filed against the rates charged by Sripps Howard Cable Company for cable programming services tier in Newberry, South Carolina. Action by Chief, Financial Analysis and Compliance Division. Adopted: February 17, 1998. by Order. (DA No. 98-301). CSB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/Orders/1998/da980301.txt

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS II, L.P. Granted Operator's request for small system relief and denied a complaint concerning the cable programming services tier rate charged by Charter Communications in the City of Grovetown, Georgia. Action by Chief, Financial Analysis and Compliance Division. Adopted: February 18, 1998. by Order. (DA No. 98-316). CSB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/Orders/1998/da980316.txt

C-TEC CABLE SYSTEMS OF MICHIGAN, INC. Dismissed a complaint filed against the rate charged by C-TEC for cable programming service tier in Tyrone Township, Michigan, based on prior finding of effective competition in franchise area. Action by Chief, Financial Analysis and Compliance Division. Adopted: February 17, 1998. by Order. (DA No. 98-300). CSB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/Orders/1998/da980300.txt

FRONTIERVISION OPERATING PARTNERS, L.P. Dismissed complaint regarding the cable programming services tier rates that FrontierVisiion Operating Partners, L.P. was charging in Washington Court House, Ohio. Action by Chief, Financial Analysis and Compliance Division. Adopted: February 17, 1998. by Order. (DA No. 98-298). CSB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/Orders/1998/da980298.txt

LENFEST NEW CASTLE COUNTY D/B/A SUBURBAN CABLE TV. Denied complaint filed against the July 1, 1997 rate increase for cable programming services tier in Newark, Delaware. Action by Chief, Financial Analysis and Compliance Division. Adopted: February 17, 1998. by Order. (DA No. 98-314). CSB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/Orders/1998/da980314.txt

SWISSCOM NORTH AMERICA, INC. Granted Swisscom North America, Inc. authority pursuant to Section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, to: (1) acquire and operate facilities for the provision of international switched and private line services between the United States and Switzerland; and (2) resell international switched and non-interconnected private line services between the United States and Switzerland. Found that Swisscom should be regulated as dominant on the U.S.-Switzerland route. Action by Chief, Telecommunications Division. Adopted: February 19, 1998. by MO&O and Cert. (DA No. 98-331). IB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/International/Orders/1998/da980331.txt

RONAN TELEPHONE COMPANY. Issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture for $4,000 to Ronan Telephone Company for failing to timely notify the Commission of the commencement of service of Rural Radio Station KNKL982, in apparent violation of Section 22.142(b) of the Commission's Rules. Action by Chief, Enforcement and Consumer Information Division. Adopted: February 19, 1998. by NAL for Forf. (DA No. 98-327). WTB

ADDENDA: The following items, released February 19, 1998, did not appear in Digest No. 33:

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PUBLIC NOTICES

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Report No: CCB/CPD 98-7. Released: February 19, 1998. PROTESTED TARIFF TRANSMITTALS ACTIONS TAKEN. (DA No. 98-318). Contact: Judith A. Nitsche at (202) 418-1540.

Report No: I-8289. Released: February 19, 1998. FOREIGN CARRIER AFFILIATION NOTIFICATION. Contact: Joanna Lowry, Telecommunications Division at (202) 418-1470.


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