[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