[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 57 (Friday, March 24, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15527-15528]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-7300]



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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Chapter I

[IC Docket No. 94-31; DA 95-421]


Preparation for International ITU World Radiocommunication 
Conferences

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extending comment period.

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SUMMARY: This order grants a request by COMSAT Mobile Communications 
Division of COMSAT Corporation to extend the time for filing reply 
comments in response to the Second Notice of Inquiry. The deadline for 
filing reply comments is extended from March 21, 1995, to April 14, 
1995.

DATES: Reply comments must be filed on or before April 14, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M St., N.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Audrey L. Allison, International Bureau, (202) 739-0557 or Damon C. 
Ladson, International Bureau, (202) 739-0510.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Order

    1. COMSAT Corporation's COMSAT Mobile Communications Division 
(COMSAT) requests that the time for filing reply comments to the Second 
Notice of Inquiry\1\ in this proceeding be extended from March 21, 
1995, to April 14, 1995. COMSAT represents that its request is 
supported by American Mobile Satellite Corporation, Iridium, Inc., 
Loral/Qualcomm Partnership, L.P., and TRW, Inc.

    \1\Second Notice of Inquiry in IC Docket No. 94-31, 60 FR 8994 
(Feb. 16, 1995).
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    2. This proceeding seeks comment on a broad range of complex and 
technical issues to assist the Commission in preparing draft U.S. 
proposals for the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-95) to be 
convened by the International Telecommunication Union 
[[Page 15528]] (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland from October 23 to November 
17, 1995. The FCC Draft U.S. proposals resulting from this proceeding 
will be considered by the Departments of State and Commerce in forging 
final U.S. proposals for WRC-95. Final U.S. proposals must be 
transmitted to the ITU by June 23, 1995.
    3. In its request, COMSAT states that it and many other interested 
parties are now actively participating in preparations for two 
international meetings taking place later this month relating to WRC 
preparations; in the Commission's WRC-95 Industry Advisory Committee 
(IAC); and in preparing comments to the Commission's 2 GHz allocation 
proceeding.\2\ COMSAT asserts that in view of these activities, and 
because of the complex nature and significance of the issues posed in 
the Second Notice of Inquiry, the March 21st deadline does not allow 
sufficient time for full development of reply comments. In particular, 
COMSAT notes that it and others are engaged in the U.S. preparations 
for the Conference Preparatory Meeting (CPM) for WRC-95 that will occur 
in Geneva from March 22 to April 5, 1995. The CPM will complete a 
Report to WRC-95 containing technical, operational, and regulatory/
procedural information on the WRC-95 agenda items. COMSAT contends that 
postponing the reply comment deadline until after the CPM's conclusion 
would enable the parties to incorporate the results of that meeting 
into their reply comments thereby making them more informative and 
valuable to the Commission. Finally, COMSAT recognizes that the 
Commission is under extreme time constraints to draft U.S. proposals in 
time for negotiation with other government entities. It avers that the 
requested extension will not disrupt this process nor the IAC's 
completion of its Final Report due to the Commission on May 1, 1995.

    \2\Notice of Proposed Rule Making in ET Docket No. 95-18, 60 Fed 
Reg. 11,644 (Mar. 2, 1995).
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    4. Although the Bureau does not routinely grant extension requests, 
we find that an extension of the reply comment deadline to April 14, 
1995 would be beneficial in this proceeding as it would enable the 
parties to include valuable and potentially critical information 
learned at the CPM. We ask the parties participating in the CPM to 
incorporate the results of the meeting into their reply comments and to 
include, where possible, their views on the likely success of potential 
U.S. proposals at WRC-95 and where known, the views of foreign 
delegations. The parties should note, however, that the Bureau remains 
committed to complete this proceeding on a timely basis and that no 
further extensions are contemplated.
    5. Accordingly, pursuant to Section 0.261 of the Commission's 
rules, 47 CFR 0.261, it is ordered That the deadline for filing reply 
comments in response to the Second Notice of Inquiry is extended to 
April 14, 1995.

Federal Communications Commission.
Scott Blake Harris,
Chief, International Bureau.
[FR Doc. 95-7300 Filed 3-23-95; 8:45 am]
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