DAILY DIGEST

Vol. 17, No. 181                                         September 18,1998

The following items were adopted at the September 17, 1998, Commission meeting and released later that day.

FCC PROPOSES TO MAKE TELEPHONE BILLS CLEARER, MORE HELPFUL TO CONSUMERS. The Commission proposed to make telephone bills more consumer-friendly by providing customers with information they need to make informed choices in a competitive telecommunications marketplace and to protect themselves against unscrupulous practices. Report No: CC-98-28. by NPRM. Action by: the Commission. Adopted: September 17, 1998. Dkt No.: CC-98-170. (FCC No. 98-232) News Media Contact: Rochelle Cohen (202) 418-0253. CCB Contact: Common Carrier Bureau: Anita Cheng at (202) 418-0996, TTY: (202) 418-2555. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/News_Releases/1998/nrcc8063.html

COMMISSION PROPOSES TO STREAMLINE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS. The Commission initiated a proceeding to reduce regulatory burdens on all telecommunications carriers by proposing to consolidate and streamline up to six carrier reporting requirements into one report. Report No: 98-29. by NPRM & NOI. Action by: the Commission. Adopted: September 17, 1998. Dkt No.: CC-98-171. (FCC No. 98-233) News Media Contact: Rochelle Cohen (202) 418-0253. CCB Contact: Common Carrier Bureau: Scott Bergmann at (202) 418-7102, TTY: (202) 418-2555. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/News_Releases/1998/nrcc8064.html

**COMMISSION ADOPTS MODIFICATIONS TO CLOSED CAPTIONING RULES FOR VIDEO PROGRAMMING. The Commission has adopted an order revising the video programming closed captioning rules. Report No: CS-98-15. by Order. Action by: the Commission. Adopted: September 17, 1998. Dkt No.: MM-95-176. (FCC No. 98-236) News Media Contact: Morgan Broman (202) 418-2358. CSB Contact: Cable Services Bureau: Marcia Glauberman, John Adams at (202) 418-7200, TTY: (202) 418-7172. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/News_Releases/1998/nrcb8021.html

COMMISSION PROPOSES TO REDESIGNATE PORTIONS OF THE 18 GHZ BAND; ALLOW BLANKET LICENSING OF FIXED SATELLITE SERVICE EARTH STATIONS IN THE KA-BAND; AND ALLOCATE ADDITIONAL SPECTRUM FOR THE BROADCAST SATELLITE SERVICE. The Commission proposed to redesignate portions of the 17.7-20.2 GHz band, also called the 18 GHz band, among the various currently allocated services in order to make more efficient use of this spectrum. Report No: IN-98-52. by NPRM. Action by: the Commission. Adopted: September 17, 1998. Dkt No.: IN-98-172. (FCC No. 98-235) News Media Contact: Rosemary Kimball (202) 418-0500. IB Contact: International Bureau: Charles Magnuson at (202) 418-2159. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/International/News_Releases/1998/nrin8033.html

TWO-WAY DIGITAL ITFS AND MDS COMMUNICATIONS APPROVED; NEW SERVICES, FASTER INTERNET ACCESS AVAILABLE FOR CONSUMERS. The Commission cleared the way for Multipoint Distribution Service and Instructional Television Fixed Service licensees to offer two-way digital services. Report No: MM-98-52. by R&O. Action by: the Commission. Adopted: September 17, 1998. Dkt No.: MM-97-217. (FCC No. 98-231) News Media Contact: Rosemary Kimball (202) 418-0500. MMB Contact: Mass Media Contact: Charles Dziedzic and Dave Roberts at (202) 418-1600; Michael Jacobs at (202) 418-7066; and Keith Larson at (202) 418-2600, TTY: (202) 418-2555. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/News_Releases/1998/nrmm8030.html

COMMISSION ADOPTS RULES TO IMPLEMENT UNIVERSAL LICENSING SYSTEM FOR WIRELESS SERVICES. Adopted rules that consolidate, revise, and streamline its license application procedures for radio services licensed by the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (Wireless Bureau). Changes will implement the Universal Service Licensing System, the integrated database and automated processing system developed by the Wireless Bureau to facilitate electronic filing of wireless applications, licensing information, and public access to such information for all wireless radio services. Report No: WT-98-34. by R&O. Action by: the Commission. Adopted: September 17, 1998. Dkt No.: WT-98-20, WT-96-188. (FCC No. 98-234) News Media Contact: Meribeth McCarrick (202) 418-0654. WTB Contact: WTB: David Furth at (202) 418-0632, Karen Wrege at (202) 418-0667 or Ira Keltz at (202) 418-0616, TTY: (202) 418-7233, Ramona Melson or Wilburt Nixon at (202) 418-7240, Susan Magnotti at (202) 418-0680. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Wireless/News_Releases/1998/nrwl8040.html

The following items are dated for and released on September 18, 1998:

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

FCC FILINGS. OPA. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Miscellaneous/Filings/fl980918.html

OPEN PROCEEDINGS. OPA Contact: Public Services Division: Martha Contee at (202) 418-0260, TTY: (202) 418-2555. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Miscellaneous/Open_Proceedings/op980918.html

Released: September 18, 1998. TARIFF TRANSMITTAL PUBLIC REFERENCE LOG.Public Reference Log: 09/17/98. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/Public_Notices/Tariffs/combined/tt091798.pdf

Report No: 1200. Released: September 18, 1998. CABLE TELEVISION SERVICE REGISTRATIONS; SPECIAL RELIEF AND OTHER FILINGS.

Report No: TEL-00010S. Released: September 18, 1998. STREAMLINED INTERNATIONAL SECTION 214 CABLE LANDING LICENSE AND SECTION 310(B)(4) APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FOR FILING.(Formal Section 63.18 and 1.767). Contact: International Bureau Reference Center: (202) 418-1492. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/International/Public_Notices/1998/pnin8227.pdf

Report No: 44329. Released: September 18, 1998. BROADCAST ACTIONS. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Public_Notices/Brdcst_Actions/ac980918.txt

Report No: 24329. Released: September 18, 1998. BROADCAST APPLICATIONS. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Public_Notices/Brdcst_Applications/ap980918.txt

Report No: 340. Released: September 18, 1998. MASS MEDIA BUREAU CALL SIGN ACTIONS. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Public_Notices/Call_Sign_Changes/pnmm8139.wp

Released: September 18, 1998. AVAILABILITY OF LOCALLY MAINTAINED RECORDS FOR INSPECTION BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. (DA No. 98-1895). Contact: Mass Media Contact: Vicky McCauley at (202) 418-2130. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Public_Notices/da981895.wp

Released: September 18, 1998. GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SOURCES. Contact: Office of the Secretary: Diane Murphy: (202) 418-0300. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Miscellaneous/Public_Notices/1998/pnmc8057.wp

Report No: 2297. Released: September 18, 1998. CORRECTED - PETITIONS FOR RECONSIDERATION AND CLARIFICATION OF ACTION IN DOCKETED PROCEEDINGS.

Report No: LB -98-68. Released: September 18, 1998. WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU COMMERCIAL WIRELESS SERVICE INFORMATION.

Released: September 18, 1998. AMATEUR SERVICE INTERNATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS. (DA No. 98-1876). Contact: Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau: (202) 418-0680. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Wireless/Public_Notices/1998/da981876.wp

PARAGON COMMUNICATIONS. Granted petitions filed by Paragon Communications seeking special relief to modify the Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas ADI to exclude Television Broadcast Station KMPX (Channel 29), Decatur, Texas from carriage on its Palestine and Commerce, Texas cable systems. Action by Deputy Chief, Cable Services Bureau. Adopted: September 15, 1998. by MO&O. (DA No. 98-1875). CSB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/Orders/1998/da981875.wp

COX CABLE RHODE ISLAND, INC. Granted complaint filed against the January 1, 1998 rate increase for cable programming services tier in East Providence, RI. Action by Deputy Chief, Cable Services Bureau. Adopted: September 16, 1998. by Order. (DA No. 98-1878). CSB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/Orders/1998/da981878.wp

BRESNAN COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY. Granted complaint filed against the April 1, 1998 rate increase for cable programming services tier in Midland, MI. Granted in part Operator's Petition for Reconsideration of DA-97-2033. Action by Deputy Chief, Cable Services Bureau. Adopted: September 16, 1998. by Order. (DA No. 98-1877). CSB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/Orders/1998/da981877.wp

TCI CABLEVISION OF GREATER MICHIGAN, INC. Denied complaint filed against the June 1, 1998 cable programming services tier rate increase in Bear Creek Township, MI. Action by Chief, Financial Analysis and Compliance Division, Cable Services Bureau. Adopted: September 15, 1998. by Order. (DA No. 98-1823). CSB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/Orders/1998/da981823.wp

TIME WARNER ENTERTAINMENT - ADVANCE/NEWHOUSE PARTNERSHIP, D/B/A TIME WARNER CABLE. Granted petition filed by Time Warner Cable, seeking special relief to modify the Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas ADI to exclude Television Broadcast Station KMPX (Channel 29), Decatur, Texas, from carrirage on its Greenville, Texas cable system. Action by Deputy Chief, Cable Services Bureau. Adopted: September 15, 1998. by MO&O. (DA No. 98-1874). CSB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/Orders/1998/da981874.wp

TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC., D/B/A TCI CABLEVISION OF WESTERN MICHIGAN, INC. Denied complaint filed against the June 1, 1998 cable programming services tier rate increase in Grand Rapids Township, MI. Action by Chief, Financial Analysis and Compliance Division, Cable Services Bureau. Adopted: September 15, 1998. by Order. (DA No. 98-1824). CSB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/Orders/1998/da981824.wp

CABLE & WIRELESS, INC. Granted Cable & Wireless, Inc. (CWI) authority to provide facilities-based switched and private line international telecommunications services, and to provide resold, non-interconnected private line serivces, between the United States and Macau, Barbados, Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, Maldives, Solomon Islands, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. Also granted CWI authority to provide facilities-based switched and private line services between the United States and Jamaica. Action by Chief, Telecommunications Division, International Bureau. Adopted: September 17, 1998. by Order. (DA No. 98-1887). IB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/International/Orders/1998/da981887.wp

ARCADIA, MO, ET AL. Effective November 2, 1998, amended the FM Table of Allotments by assigning Channel 247A to Arcadia, MO, substituting Channel 268C1 for Channel 268B at Carbondale, IL and modifying the license for WCIL(FM) accordingly; and substituting Channel 294A for Channel 280A at Ellington, MO and modifying the construction permit for KAUL accordingly; terminated the proceeding. Dkt No.: MM-97-168. Action by Chief, Allocations Branch, Policy and Rules Division, Mass Media Bureau. Adopted: September 9, 1998. by R&O. (DA No. 98-1873). MMB

REVIEW OF THE COMMISSION'S RULES REGARDING THE MAIN STUDIO AND LOCAL PUBLIC INSPECTION FILES OF BROADCAST TELEVISION AND RADIO STATIONS. Stayed until November 4, 1998, the effective date of the provisions of 47 CFR Section 73.3526(c)(2) pertaining only to telephone requests for political file materials in stations' public files. Dkt No.: MM-97-138. Action by the FCC. Adopted: September 16, 1998. by Order. (FCC No. 98-229). MMB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Orders/1998/fcc98229.wp

1998 BIENNIAL REGULATORY REVIEW -- AMENDMENT OF PART 0 OF THE COMMISSION'S RULES TO CLOSE THE WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU'S GETTYSBURG REFERENCE FACILITY. Proposed to amend rules to eliminate the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau's Reference Room in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Dkt No.: WT-98-160. Action by the Commission. Adopted: August 31, 1998. by NPRM. (FCC No. 98-217). WTB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Wireless/Notices/1998/fcc98217.wp

Released: September 17, 1998. REALWORLD ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY REQUEST FOR WAIVER.Pleading Cycle Established, Comments Due: October 2, 1998; Reply Comments Due: October 13, 1998. (DA No. 98-1872). Dkt No.: CC-96-45. Contact: Accounting Policy Division, Common Carrier Bureau: Sheryl Todd or Linda P. Armstrong at (202) 418-7400, TTY: (202) 418-0484, or via email:stodd@fcc.gov or larmstro@fcc.gov. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/Public_Notices/1998/da981872.pdf

Released: September 17, 1998. CABLE SERVICES BUREAU ACTION.Metropolitan Fiber Systems/New York, Inc. d/b/a MFS Telecom of New York Files Open Video System Certification Withdrawal. (DA No. 98-1885). Contact: Legal: Allan Manuel at (202) 418-1047, TTY: (202) 418-7172. News Media Contact: Morgan Broman (202) 418-2358. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/Public_Notices/1998/da981885.wp

Released: September 17, 1998. CABLE SERVICES BUREAU ACTION.Metropolitian Fiber System/McCourt, Inc. Files Open Video System Certification Withdrawal. (DA No. 98-1886). Contact: Legal: Allan Manuel at (202) 418-1047, TTY: (202) 418-7172. News Media Contact: Morgan Broman (202) 418-2358. Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/Public_Notices/1998/da981886.wp

TRUTH-IN-BILLING AND BILLING FORMAT. Proposed to make telephone bills more consumer-friendly by providing customers with information they need to make informed choices in a competitive telecommunications marketplace. Comments Due: 30 days from Federal Register publication, Reply Commnents Due: 45 days from Federal Register publication. Dkt No.: CC-98-170. Action by the Commission. Adopted: September 17, 1998. by NPRM. (FCC No. 98-232). CCB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/Notices/1998/fcc98232.wp

AMENDMENT OF THE COMMISSION'S RULES REGARDING MULTIPLE ADDRESS SYSTEMS. Dismissed all pending Multiple Address System applications for use of the 932-932.5/941 - 941.5 MHz bands, which were filed in anticipation of the Commission awarding licenses for these channels through random selection of lottery. Dkt No.: WT-97-81. Action by Chief, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. Adopted: September 17, 1998. by Order. (DA No. 98-1889). WTB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Wireless/Orders/1998/da981889.wp

REQUEST FOR LETTER RULING REGARDING APPLICATION OF 47 C.F.R. SECTION 24.709(B)(7) LETTERS TO CHERYL A. TRITT, ESQ. & MICHAEL K. KURTIS, ESQ. Responded to request for letter ruling filed on behalf of DiGiPH PCS, Inc. regarding a proposed modification to a financing arrangement between DiGiPH and its foreign lender. Action by Chief, Auctions and Industry Analysis Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. by Letter. (DA No. 98-1888). WTB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Wireless/Orders/1998/da981888.wp

AMENDMENT OF PART 95 OF THE COMMISSION'S RULES TO PROVIDE REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY IN THE 218-219 MHZ SERVICE/AMENDMENT PART 95 OF THE COMMISSION'S RULES TO ALLOW INTERACTIVE VIDEO AND DATA SERVICE LICENSES TO PROVIDE MOBILE SERVICES. Undertook a comprehensive examination of the Commisison's regulations governing the licensing and use of frequencies in the 218-219 MHz band, allocated to the interactive Video and Data Services (IVDS) in the Personal Radio Services. Comments Due: October 30, 1998; Reply Comments Due: November 25, 1998. Comments to be filed in WT Docket No. 98-169 only. Dkt No.: WT-98-169. Action by the Commission. Adopted: September 15, 1998. by Order, MO&O & NPRM. (FCC No. 98-228). WTB Internet URL: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Wireless/Orders/1998/fcc98228.wp