DAILY DIGEST

Vol. 17, No. 94                                               May 15,1998

The following items were adopted at the May 14, 1998, Commission meeting and released later that day.

COMMON CARRIER ACTION - COMMISSION PROPOSES WAYS TO IMPROVE TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY SERVICES, EXTEND SERVICES TO MORE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES (CC DOCKET NO. 98-67) - REPORT NO. CC 98-15. The Commission proposed ways to enhance the quality of existing telecommunications relay services and expand those services for better use by the 2.5 million Americans with speech disabilities. Action by the Commission May 14, 1998, by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 98-90). Adopted: May 14, 1998. News Media Contact: Rochelle Cohen (202) 418-0253. CCB Contact: Kris Monteith at (202) 418-1098; TTY (202) 418-0484. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/News_Releases/1998/nrcc8036.html

GENERAL ACTION - FCC ADOPTS INTERIM PROCEDURE FOR GLOBAL MOBILE SATELLITE EQUIPMENT APPROVAL -- ACTION SPEEDS DEPLOYMENT OF NEW VOICE AND DATA SERVICES FOR CONSUMERS (GEN DOCKET 98-68) - REPORT NO. GN 98-7. The Commission took an important step toward implementing the international arrangements governing Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite (GMPCS) systems adopted in Geneva this past March. The Commission voted unanimously in favor of an interim procedure for the type approval of GMPCS terminals which will facilitate their transport across national borders. In addition, the Commission adopted a set of proposed modifications to the FCC's equipment approval process and a proposal to implement the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) that was completed between the United States and the European Community (EC) last year. Action by the Commission May 14, 1998, by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 98-92). Adopted: May 14, 1998. News Media Contact: Rosemary Kimball (202) 418-0500. OET Contact: Thomas Tyzcz at (202) 418-0735 and Tracey Weisler at (202) 418-0744. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering_Technology/News_Releases/1998/nret8009.wp

GENERAL ACTION - COMMISSION PROPOSES STREAMLINING EQUIPMENT APPROVAL PROCEDURES TO INCREASE SPEED TO MARKET AND REDUCE BARRIERS TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE (GEN. DOCKET 98-68) - REPORT NO. GN 98-6. As part of its biennial review of its rules and processes, the Commission has proposed modifications to its authorization rules for devices that emit radio frequency energy and for terminal equipment that may be attached to the telephone network. Action by the Commission May 14, 1998, by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 98-92). Adopted: May 14, 1998. News Media Contact: Rosemary Kimball (202) 418-0500. OET Contact: OET Contact: Hugh Van Tuyl at (202) 418-7506 or Julius Knapp at 9202) 418-2468; CCB Contact: Geraldine Matise at (202) 418-2320 or Vincent Paladini at (202) 418-2332; IB Contact: Tracey Weisler at (202) 418-0744. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering_Technology/News_Releases/1998/nret8006.html

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACTION - FCC ADOPTS THIRD ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRES ON STATE OF CMRS COMPETITION - REPORT OBSERVES THAT COMPETITION IN MOBILE TELEPHONY AND OTHER SERVICES IS HEALTHY - REPORT NO. WT 98-13. The Commission adopted its Third Annual Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS) Competition Report which evaluates various CMRS product categories and concludes that progress has been made toward competition over the past year, particularly in the mobile telephony market. Action by the Commissin May 14, 1998, by Third Report (FCC 98-91). Adopted: May 14, 1998. News Media Contact: Meribeth McCarrick (202) 418-0500. WTB Contact: Alexander Byron at (202) 418-0629 or Cynthia Schieber at (202) 418-7530. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Wireless/News_Releases/1998/nrwl8020.html

The following items are dated for and released on May 15, 1998:

FCC HOSTS SECOND WORKSHOP WITH TELECOM REGULATORS FROM 9 COUNTRIES. Workshop to be held at the FCC from May 18-21. News Media Contact: Rosemary Kimball (202) 418-0500. IB Contact: Laurie Sherman at (202) 418-0429. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/International/News_Releases/1998/nrin8013.wp

FCC FILINGS. OPA. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/filings.html

FCC CALENDAR OF EVENTS. OPA. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/calendar.html

FCC OPEN PROCEEDINGS. OPA Contact: Martha Contee, Public Service Division at (202) 418-0260. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Miscellaneous/News_Releases/1998/nrmc8033.wp

Released: May 15, 1998. EX PARTE PRESENTATIONS AND POST-REPLY COMMENT PERIOD FILINGS IN PERMIT-BUT-DISCLOSE PROCEEDINGS. Contact: Barbara Lowe at (202) 418-0310.

Released: May 15, 1998. TARIFF TRANSMITTAL PUBLIC REFERENCE LOG - MAY 14. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/Public_Notices/Tariffs/combined/tt051498.pdf

Report No: TEL-154-A. Released: May 15, 1998. STREAMLINED INTERNATIONAL SECTION 214 AND SECTION 310(B)(4) APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FOR FILING (FORMAL SECTION 63.18). Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/International/Public_Notices/1998/pnin8123.txt

Report No: TEL-154-B. Released: May 15, 1998. NON-STREAMLINED INTERNATIONAL SECTION 214, CABLE LANDING LICENSE AND SECTION 310(B)(4) APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FOR FILING (FORMAL SECTION 63.18 AND 1.767). Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/International/Public_Notices/1998/pnin8124.txt

Report No: 44242. Released: May 15, 1998. BROADCAST ACTIONS. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Public_Notices/Brdcst_Actions/ac980515.txt

Report No: 24242. Released: May 15, 1998. BROADCAST APPLICATIONS. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Public_Notices/Brdcst_Applications/ap980515.txt

Report No: 331. Released: May 15, 1998. MASS MEDIA BUREAU CALL SIGN ACTIONS. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Public_Notices/Call_Sign_Changes/pnmm8074.wp

Report No: LB-98-42. Released: May 15, 1998. WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU COMMERCIAL WIRELESS SERVICE INFORMATION. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Wireless/Public_Notices/1998/pnwl8047.wp

Report No: LB-98-41. Released: May 15, 1998. WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACTION - WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU APPROVES TRANSFER OF CONTROL OF PRICECELLULAR CORPORATION LICENSES TO AMERICAN CELLULAR CORPORATION. Contact: James Loughry or Elizabeth Williams, Commercial Wireless Division at (202) 418-7240; Tracy Simmons, Gettysburg, PA at (717) 338-2657. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Wireless/Public_Notices/1998/pnwl8046.wp

RICHARD N. CLARKE - AT&T. Asked Mr. Clarke to comment on an analysis prepared by FCC CCB staff members that deals with the HAI model's customer location algorithm. Dkt No.: CC- 96-45, CC- 97-160. Action by Chief, Accounting Policy Division. Adopted: May 13, 1998. by Letter. CCB

MEDIAONE, INC. Granted request to withdraw a rate complaint against the rate charged by MediaOne, Inc. for cable programming services tier in Dekalb County, GA. Action by Chief, Financial Analysis and Compliance Division. Adopted: May 12, 1998. by Order. (DA No. 98-895). CSB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/Orders/1998/da980895.wp

COMCAST SCH HOLDINGS, INC. Denied a complaint filed against the rates charged by Comcast SCH Holdings, Inc. for cable programming services tier in the City of Leesburg, FL. Action by Chief, Financial Analysis and Compliance Division. Adopted: May 12, 1998. by Order. (DA No. 98-894). CSB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/Orders/1998/da980894.wp

TRIAX MIDWEST ASSOCIATES, L.P. Denied a complaint filed against the rate charged by Triax Midwest for cable programming services tier in the City of Paxton, IL. Action by Chief, Financial Analysis and Compliance Division. Adopted: May 12, 1998. by Order. (DA No. 98-893). CSB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/Orders/1998/da980893.wp

CHARTER COMMNICATIONS ENTERTAINMENT I, L.P. Dismissed a complaint regarding the cable programming services tier rate that Charter Communications was charging in Glen Carbon, IL because the complaint was outside the jurisdiction of the FCC. Action by Chief, Financial Analysis and Compliance Division. Adopted: May 12, 1998. by Order. (DA No. 98-892). CSB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/Orders/1998/da980892.wp

TELEFONICA LARGA DISTANCIA DE PUERTO RICO, INC. Granted Telefonica Larga Distancia de Puerto Rico, Inc. authority, pursuant to Section 214 of the Communications Act, to acquire and operate capacity on a common carrier high capacity digital submarine cable system, the COLUMBUS II Cable System, for the provision of international telecommunications services between the United States and Spain. Action by Chief, Telecommunications Division. Adopted: May 11, 1998. by MO&O and Auth. (DA No. 98-883). IB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/International/Orders/1998/da980883.wp

TELEFONICA LARGA DISTANCIA DE PUERTO RICO, INC. Granted the application of Telefonica Larga Distancia de Puerto Rico, Inc. (TLD) for authority pursuant to Section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, to (1) construct, acquire and operate capacity in a digital submarine cable system, the PAN AMERICAN Cable System, between the U.S. Virgin Islands, Aruba, Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, Peru and Chile; (2) acquire ownership in two fiber pairs, to be included in PAN AMERICAN, from the owner of the St. Thomas - St. Croix Cable System; (3) acquire by lease or other comparable means extension facilities as may be required to extend the capacity of PAN AMERICAN; and (4) activate capacity in PAN AMERICAN and in the aforementioned facilities for the provision of services already authorized by the Commission. Classified TLD as a dominant carrier in its provision of services to Peru, Chile, and Argentina. Conditioned TLD's authorization to use these facilities for service to Peru, Chile, and Argentina upon TLD's affiliates' offering U.S. carriers settlement rates at or below the relevant benchmark. Action by Chief, Telecommunciations Division. Adopted: May 11, 1998. by MO&O and Auth. (DA No. 98-884). IB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/International/Orders/1998/da980884.wp

TELEFONICA LARGA DISTANCIA DE PUERTO RICO, INC. Modified the cable landing license recently granted to several parties for authority to land and operate a digital submarine cable system to be called the PAN AMERICAN Cable System. Granted the application of Telefonica Larga Distancia de Puerto Rico, Inc. (TLD) under the Cable Landing License Act to add TLD as a licensee of PAN AMERICAN. Action by Chief, Telecommunications Division. Adopted: May 12, 1998. by Mod. of C.L. Lic. (DA No. 98-911). IB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/International/Orders/1998/da980911.wp

TELEFONICA LARGA DISTANCIA DE PUERTO RICO, INC. Modified the cable landing license granted to several parties for authority to land and operate a digital submarine cable system, COLUMBUS II Cable system. Granted application of Telefonical Larga Distancia de Puerto Rico, Inc. (TLD) under the Cable Landing License Act to add TLD as a licensee of COLUMBUS II for the provision of service between the United States and Spain. Action by Chief, Telecommunications Division. Adopted: May 12, 1998. by Mod. of Cable Lic. (DA No. 98-910). IB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/International/Orders/1998/da980910.wp

PALM BEACH RADIO BROADCASTING, INC. Issued Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture against Palm Beach Radio Broadcasting, Inc. (PBR) in the amount of $18,500 as a result of the Commission's inquiry into agreements between PBR and American Radio Systems Corporation concerning the acquisition of PBR's stations in the West Palm Beach, Florida area as well as the operation and control of these stations. Action by Bureau Chief. Adopted: May 15, 1998. by NAL Letter. (DA No. 98-920). MMB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Notices/1998/da980920.wp

AMERICAN RADIO SYSTEMS CORPORATION. Issued Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture against American Radio Systems Corporation (ARSC) in the amount of $18,500 as a result of the Commission's inquiry into agreements between Palm Beach Radio Broadcasting, Inc. (PBR) and ARSC concerning PBR's stations in the West Palm Beach, Florida area as well as the operation and control of these stations. Action by Bureau Chief. Adopted: May 15, 1998. by NAL Letter. (DA No. 98-919). MMB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Notices/1998/da980919.wp

SPECULATOR, NY. Effective June 29, 1998, amended Section 73.202(b) of the Commission's Rules, the Table of FM Allotments, to allot Channel 243A to Speculator, New York, as the community's first local aural service; terminated proceeding. Dkt No.: MM- 98-12. Action by Chief, Allocations Branch, Policy and Rules Division, Mass Media Bureau. Adopted: May 6, 1998. by R&O. (DA No. 98-898). MMB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Orders/1998/da980898.wp

ST. ANNE, IL. Proposed amending FM Table to Allot Channel 293A to St. Anne, Illinois, as the community's first local aural transmission service; comments due July 6; replies July 21. Dkt No.: MM- 98-64. Action by Chief, Allocations Branch, Policy and Rules Division, Mass Media Bureau. Adopted: May 6, 1998. by NPRM. (DA No. 98-900). MMB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Notices/1998/da980900.wp

BRINKLEY AND COLT, AR. Effective June 29, 1998, amended Section 73.202(b) of the Commission's Rules, the Table of FM Allotments, to reallot Channel 272C2 to Colt, Arkansas, as that community's first local aural transmission service, and modify Station KQMC-FM's license accordingly; terminated proceeding. Dkt No.: MM- 98-15. Action by Chief, Allocations Branch, Policy and Rules Division, Mass Media Bureau. Adopted: May 6, 1998. by R&O. (DA No. 98-901). MMB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Orders/1998/da980901.wp

VERGENNES, VT, WILLSBORO AND MALONE, NY. Effective June 29, 1998, amended Section 73.202(b) of the Commission's Rules, the Table of FM Allotments, to reallot Channel 244A from Vergennes, Vermont to Willsboro, New York, and modify Station WXPS(FM)'s license accordingly, and to substitute Channel 243C3 for Channle 243A at Malone, New York and modify Station WVNV(FM)'s license accordingly; terminated proceeding. Dkt No.: MM- 97-185. Action by Chief, Allocations Branch, Policy and Rules Division, Mass Media Bureau. Adopted: May 6, 1998. by R&O. (DA No. 98-240). MMB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Orders/1998/da980240.wp

AMENDMENT OF THE SCHEDULE OF APPLICATION FEES SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 1.1102 THROUGH 1.1107 OF THE COMMISSION'S RULES. Amended Commission's Schedule of Application Fees, 47 C.F.R. Section 1.1102 et seq., to adjust the fees for processing applications and other filings. Dkt No.: GE-N 86-28. Action by Secretary. Adopted: May 8, 1998. by Order. (FCC No. 98-87). OMD Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Miscellaneous/Orders/1998/fcc98087.wp

Released: May 14, 1998. THE NATIONAL EXCHANGE CARRIER ASSOCIATION, INC. FILED A PETITION FOR WAIVER OF SECTION 36.2(A)(3) OF THE COMMISSION'S RULES - CC DOCKET NO. 80-286.The Commission is seeking comments on the National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc.'s Petition for Interim Waiver requesting the FCC to waive section 36.2(a)(3) of its rules - which require telephone companies to determine actual use measurements based on studies of traffic handled during a representative period for all traffic - on an interim basis. Comments due June 4; replies June 18. (DA No. 98-909). Contact: Sharon Webber, Accounting Policy Division at (202) 418-7400. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/Public_Notices/1998/da980909.wp

Released: May 14, 1998. NEVADA BELL, PACIFIC BELL AND SOUTHWESTERN BELL PETITION COMMISSION FOR PERMISSION TO IMPLEMENT NEW SERVICE RATE ELEMENTS - PLEADING CYCLE ESTABLISHED.The Commission is seeking comments on Nevada Bell, Pacific Bell and Southwestern Bell Telephone Company's petition requesting permission to implement a Service Provider Number Portability Query Service rate element. In addition, Pacific Bell and Southwestern Bell each filed an amended petition for establishment of new service rate elements. Comments due May 26, 1998. (DA No. 98-904). Contact: Yvonne Hawking, Competitive Pricing Division at (202) 418-1530. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/Public_Notices/1998/da980904.wp

DAVID E. HUFFMAN. Dismissed petitions for reconsideration filed by David E. Huffman against the dismissal of his request for finder's preference targeting Station WNXR246, Natchez, MS, which is licensed to NICOMM, Inc. Action by Chief, Commercial Wireless Division. Adopted: May 13, 1998. by Order. (DA No. 98-781). WTB

Released: May 13, 1998. CARRIERS FILE REVISIONS TO THEIR COST ALLOCATION MANUALS - PUBLIC COMMENT INVITED.The Commission is seeking comment to various local exchange carriers' updates to their cost allocation manuals (CAMs). The CAM changes reflect E-911 revisions. Coments due June 15; replies June 29. (DA No. 98-896). Contact: Ed Dashkin at (202) 418-0806. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/Public_Notices/1998/da980896.wp

Report No: D-986-A. Released: May 13, 1998. MASS MEDIA BUREAU MULTIPOINT DISTRIBUTION SERVICE APPLICATIONS ACTIONS. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Public_Notices/MDS_Notices/md980513.pdf

Report No: D-986. Released: May 13, 1998. MASS MEDIA BUREAU MULTIPOINT DISTRIBUTION SERVICE APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FOR FILING. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Public_Notices/MDS_Notices/md980513.pdf