[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 174 (Friday, September 8, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46835-46836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-22033]



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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[DA 95-1854]


Pleading Cycle Established for Comments on Request for 
Declaratory Ruling on the Use of Digital Modulation by Multipoint 
Distribution Service and Instructional Television Fixed Service 
Stations

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Public notice.

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SUMMARY: This Public Notice established a pleading cycle for comments 
on a Request for Declaratory Ruling filed by a group of parties 
regarding the use of digital modulation by Multipoint Distribution 
Service and Instructional Television Fixed Service Stations. The 
Commission intends to promptly facilitate the use of digital equipment 
for these services.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 22, 1995, and 
reply comments must be received on or before October 10, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Comments and reply comments may be mailed to Office of the 
Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Charles E. Dziedzic or Brandon J. Bullis at (202) 418-1600, Video 
Services Division, Mass Media Bureau.
    The complete text of the Public Notice follows. The Public Notice 
and a copy of the Request for Declaratory Ruling are available for 
public inspection in room 207, 2033 M Street, NW., Washington, DC and 
may also be obtained from the Commission's copy contractor, ITS, Inc. 
at (202) 418-0620.

Report No. MM 95-83

Released: August 23, 1995

    On July 13, 1995, a request for declaratory ruling on the use of 
digital modulation by Multipoint Distribution Service (MDS) and 
Instructional Television Fixed Service (ITFS) stations was filed by a 
group of ninety-nine parties consisting of MDS and ITFS licensees, 
wireless cable operators, equipment manufacturers, industry engineers 
and associations (Petitioners).
    Petitioners request that the Commission examine the current MDS and 
ITFS operational requirements that were adopted before digital 
compression technology was envisioned and reinterpret them 
appropriately for digital operations. According to Petitioners, testing 
conducted in support of this petition demonstrates that the 
Commission's current MDS and ITFS interference protection rules will 
safely ensure protection of analog and digital systems during an 
initial digital transition, with only minimal rule clarifications and 
waivers necessary. Specifically, Petitioners propose that the 
Commission apply its current co-channel and adjacent channel desired-
to-undesired interference ratios, and for those utilizing digital 
transmissions, relax the limitations on out-of-band emissions and 
permit licensees to operate at less than authorized power for an 
interim period. See 47 CFR 21.902, 74.903, 21.908, 74.936(b), 21.107(c) 
and 74.951(f). Petitioners ask the Commission to clarify whether, under 
the minimum ITFS programming requirements, additional ITFS programming 
must be reserved by licensees who expand capacity of their spectrum by 
utilizing digital compression technology. See 47 CFR 74.931. In 
addition, Petitioners ask the Commission to reinterpret several other 
requirements that were adopted before digital compression technology 
was envisioned. For example, Petitioners ask that the Commission 
determine whether ITFS station identification through the periodic 
transmission of ITFS call signs must be made over one or all of the 
channels created through use of digital compression. See 47 CFR 74.982.
    Petitioners contend that the rapid introduction of digital 
technology by wireless cable system operators is in the public interest 
because it will increase the competitive viability of the wireless 
cable industry and it will also permit educators to increase their 
transmission capacity. Thus, Petitioners ask the Commission to act 
promptly on the request in order to have a regulatory framework in 
place that will permit MDS and ITFS operators to quickly implement 
digital transmission as soon as equipment is commercially available. 
Finally, Petitioners suggest that although future testing and 
information may indicate that further rule changes 

[[Page 46836]]
are appropriate, use of the current rules, with minor rule 
clarifications and waivers, offered a conservative transitional 
approach.
    Interested parties should file comments on this request by 
September 22, 1995, and reply comments by October 10, 1995, with the 
Secretary, FCC, 1919 M Street, NW., Washington, DC 20554. A copy should 
also be sent to Brandon J. Bullis, Mass Media Bureau, FCC, room 702, 
1919 M Street, NW., Washington, DC 20554, and to the Commission's 
contractor for public service records duplication: ITS, Inc., 2100 M 
Street, NW., suite 140, Washington, DC 20037. Copies of the above-
referenced filings are available for public inspection in room 207, 
2033 M Street, NW., Washington, DC and may also be obtained from the 
Commission's copy contractor, ITS, Inc. at (202) 418-0620. For further 
information, please contact Charles E. Dziedzic or Brandon J. Bullis at 
(202) 418-1600.

Federal Communications Commission.

William F. Caton,

Acting Secretary.

[FR Doc. 95-22033 Filed 9-7-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-M