[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 232 (Monday, December 2, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63811-63812]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-30542]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 73

[MM Docket No. 87-268; FCC DA96-1929]


Advanced Television Systems and Their Impact on the Existing 
Television Service

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of time.

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SUMMARY: The Commission is extending the time for filing reply comments 
relating to the Sixth Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making in this 
proceeding until January 10, 1997. The Commission also indicates that 
it will accept late-filed comments for a reasonable period of time 
after the November 22, 1996, due date for comments. This action will 
allow the development of a complete record on the matter of channel 
allotments for operation of digital TV service.

DATES: Comments received after the original November 22, 1996, due date 
will be accepted for a reasonable period of time; reply comments must 
be received on or before January 10, 1997.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bruce Franca (202-418-2470), Alan 
Stillwell (202-418-2470) or Robert Eckert (202-418-2470), Office of 
Engineering and Technology.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    1. On July 25, 1996, the Commission adopted a Sixth Further Notice 
of Proposed Rule Making (Sixth FNPRM) in MM Docket No. 87-268, 61 FR 
43209, August 21, 1996, that proposed policies for developing the 
initial channel allotments for digital TV (DTV) service, proposed 
procedures for assigning DTV allotments, and plans for spectrum 
recovery. The Sixth FNPRM also contains a draft DTV Table of 
Allotments. Comments and reply comments responding to the Sixth FNPRM 
were due November 22, 1996, and December 23, 1996, respectively.
    2. On November 13, 1996, Cohen, Dippell and Everist (CDE), a 
consulting engineering firm, submitted a request seeking to extend the 
dates for filing comments and reply comments in response to the Sixth 
FNPRM. It asks that the comment and reply dates be extended 60 days. 
CDE argues that this additional time is needed to study the multiple 
technical issues related to DTV operation, including propagation, 
protection ratios to and from other radio services, out-of band 
emissions, use of channel 6, alternative allotment possibilities, etc. 
that are addressed in the Sixth FNPRM.
    3. A number of parties representing broadcast interests, including 
ABC, ALTV, APTS, CBS, Chris Craft, MSTV, NAB, NBC PBS, and Tribune 
(Broadcasters) submitted a joint opposition to CDE's request for an 
extension of time. Broadcasters submit that it is important that the 
Commission adopt a DTV Table as soon as possible. They argue this is 
the only way to ensure that the long-awaited DTV service is licensed in 
the very near future. They observe that the DTV transmission standard 
and planning factors used to allot and assign DTV channels have been 
under study for nine years. Broadcasters further state, however, that 
they recognize the importance of providing an opportunity to fully 
study and to comment meaningfully on the Sixth FNPRM. They therefore 
urge that instead of extending the time in which to file all comments, 
the Commission should: (1) accept late filed comments for a reasonable 
period time, and (2) extend the time for filing reply comments to 
January 10, 1997. Broadcasters submit that, with the approach of the 
holiday season, this approach should give all parties an

[[Page 63812]]

opportunity to prepare fully developed comments.
    4. In a letter of November 19, 1996, CDE stated that after 
reviewing the Broadcasters opposition filing, it now intends to offer 
comments that advance an alternative procedure that would provide 
flexibility in resolving the numerous technical issues that impact DTV 
allotments. CDE therefore amended its earlier request to support the 
comment date plan suggested by the Broadcasters.
    5. We agree with the Broadcasters that it is desirable to complete 
our action adopting an initial DTV Table of Allotments as soon as 
possible. We find that the alternative plan for filing comments and 
reply comments suggested by the Broadcasters, rather than that 
originally suggested by CDE, is appropriate in the interests of 
developing a complete record on the DTV channel allotment matter and of 
accommodating the demands of the holiday season. We therefore are 
extending the date for filing reply comments to January 10, 1997. In 
addition, we will accept late-filed comments that are filed within a 
reasonable period of time after the November 22, 1996, due date for 
comments.
    6. Accordingly, It is ordered that Broadcasters' request that we 
accept late-filed comments for a reasonable period of time and that we 
provide additional time for the filing of reply comments, as supported 
by CDE in its supplemental filing, Is granted as indicated herein. It 
is further ordered the time for filing reply comments relating to the 
Sixth FNPRM is extended to January 10, 1997. This action is taken 
pursuant to authority found in Sections 4(i) and 303(r) of the 
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. Secs. 154(i) and 
303(r), and Sections 0.202(b), 0.283 and 1.45 of the Commission's 
rules, 47 CFR Secs. 0.204(b), 0.283 and 1.45.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-30542 Filed 11-29-96; 8:45 am]
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