[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 109 (Friday, June 6, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31002-31003]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14954]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR 24

[DA 97-1152]


Personal Communications Services; Licenses in C Block (Broadband 
PCS)

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final Rule; Waiver request.

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SUMMARY: On June 2, 1997, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau of the 
Federal Communications Commission released a Public Notice requesting 
comment on several requests for waiver of the 7 percent interest rate 
imposed on C block broadband Personal Communications Services (PCS) 
installment plan notes. The Public Notice summarizes the requests for 
waiver and announces that comments are due on or before June 23, 1997, 
and

[[Page 31003]]

that reply comments are due on or before July 8, 1997.

DATES: Comments are due on or before June 23, 1997. Reply comments are 
due on or before July 8, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be filed with the Secretary at 1919 M 
Street, N.W., Room 222, Washington, D.C. 20554, and a copy should be 
delivered to: Auctions Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, 
Room 5322, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, D.C. 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sande Taxali or Josh Roland, Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau, (202) 418-0660.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Public Notice 
released on June 2, 1997. The complete Public Notice is available for 
inspection and copying during normal business hours in the FCC 
Reference Center (Room 239), 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., 
20554, and also may be purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, 
International transcription Services, (202) 857-3800, 2100 M Street, 
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037. The complete Public Notice is also 
available on the Commission's Internet home page (http://www.fcc.gov).

Summary of the Public Notice

Comment Requested on 7 Percent Interest Rate; Imposed on C Block 
Installment Payment Plan Notes
    Comment Due Date: June 23, 1997.
    Reply Comment Due Date: July 8, 1997.

    The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (``Bureau'') has received 
several requests for waiver of the Federal Communications Commission's 
(``Commission'') rules imposing a 7 percent interest rate on eligible 
broadband PCS C block licensees whose licenses were conditionally 
granted on September 17, 1996, and who elected to utilize the 
Commission's installment payment plan. See Omnipoint Corporation, 
Broadband PCS Block C Installment Plan Interest Rate for Small Business 
Licensees--Request for Rule Waiver (December 16, 1996). In addition, 
the Bureau has received informal requests for waiver of 
Sec. 24.711(b)(3) filed by the following parties: Alpine PCS, 
Communications Venture PCS Limited Partnership, Eldorado 
Communications, L.L.C., Horizon Infotech, Inc., KMtel, L.L.C., Mercury 
PCS, L.L.C., Miccom Associates, Northern Michigan PCS Consortium, 
L.L.C., PCSouth, Inc., Savannah Independent PCS Corp., SouthEast 
Telephone, Ltd., Southern Wireless, L.P., Wireless 2000, Inc.
    Section 24.711(b)(3) of the Commission's Rules provides that, for 
small businesses, interest on installment payments ``shall be imposed 
based on the rate for ten-year U.S. Treasury obligations applicable on 
the date the license is granted.'' 47 CFR 24.711(b)(3). For licenses 
conditionally granted on September 17, 1996, the applicable interest 
rate is 7 percent. However, due to varying factors used to establish 
Treasury note obligations, licenses granted after the September 17 date 
are subject to a 6.5 percent interest rate. Those parties seeking a 
waiver of Sec. 24.711(b)(3) request a reduction in the interest rate on 
their installment payment plan notes from 7 percent to 6.5 percent.
    Comment is solicited on all aspects of the requests for waiver 
discussed above. We also seek comment on whether, if the Bureau 
determines that a waiver of Sec. 24.711(b)(3) is appropriate, such 
relief should be granted to all similarly situated parties, whether or 
not they have filed a request for waiver.
    Comments should specifically reference this Public Notice (DA 97-
1152) and must be filed on or before June 23, 1997. Reply comments may 
be filed on or before July 8, 1997. Comments should be filed with the 
Secretary at 1919 M Street, N.W., Room 222, Washington, D.C. 20554, and 
a copy should be delivered to: Auctions Division, Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau, Room 5322, Federal Communications 
Commission, Washington, D.C. 20554. Copies of waiver requests, 
comments, oppositions and replies may be obtained from the Commission's 
duplicating contractor, International Transcription Services, Inc. 
(ITS), 2100 M Street, N.W., Suite 140, Washington, D.C. 20037, (202) 
857-3800. Copies are also available for public inspection during 
regular business hours in Room 5608, 2025 M Street, N.W., Washington, 
D.C. 20554. When requesting copies, please refer to DA 97-1152.
    Pursuant to the Commission's ex parte rules, waiver requests become 
restricted proceedings upon the filing of formal oppositions. See 47 
CFR 1.1202(e)(1) and 1.1208(c)(1)(i)(B). Ex parte presentations are 
prohibited in restricted proceedings until the Commission's final 
disposition is no longer subject to reconsideration or judicial review.
    For further information, contact Sande Taxali or Josh Roland, 
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau at (202) 418-0660.

    Dated: June 2, 1997.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-14954 Filed 6-5-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P