[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 40 (Monday, March 2, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 10180]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5237]



[[Page 10180]]

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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 1

[MM Docket No. 97-247; DA 98-354]


Fees for Ancillary or Supplementary Use of Digital Television 
Spectrum Pursuant to Section 336(e)(1) of the Telecommunications Act of 
1996

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: On December 18, 1997, the Commission adopted a Notice of 
Proposed Rule Making in this proceeding (FCC 97-414) (``NPRM'') 
regarding the assessment of fees for the use of digital television 
bitstream for the provision of ancillary or supplementary services. 
Comments in this proceeding are presently due March 3, 1998, and reply 
comments are due April 2, 1998. On February 19, 1998, the National 
Association of Broadcasters (``Petitioner'') submitted a Motion for 
Extension of Time to file comments in response to the NPRM, requesting 
that the Commission extend the comment deadline to May 4, 1998, and the 
reply comment deadline to June 2, 1998. The Motion for Extension of 
Time is granted.

DATES: Comments are due on or before May 4, 1998 and Reply Comments are 
due on or before June 2, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to the Office of the Secretary, 
Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M St., N.W., room 222, 
Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerry Duvall, Chief Economist, Mass 
Media Bureau (202) 418-2600, Susanna Zwerling, Policy and Rules 
Division, Mass Media Bureau (202) 418-2140, or Jonathan Levy, Office of 
Plans and Policy (202) 418-2030.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Mass Media Bureau's 
Order Granting Extension of Time for Filing Comments, DA 98-354 adopted 
February 23, 1998 and released February 23, 1998. The full text of this 
Mass Media Bureau Order is available for inspection and copying during 
normal business hours in the FCC Dockets Branch (Room 239), 1919 M 
Street N.W., Washington, D.C. The complete text of this Order may also 
be purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, International 
Transcription Services (202) 857-3800 2100 M Street, N.W., Suite 140, 
Washington, D.C. 20037.

Synopsis of Order

    On December 18, 1997, the Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed 
Rule Making in this proceeding (FCC 97-414) (``NPRM'') regarding the 
assessment of fees for the use of digital television bitstream for the 
provision of ancillary or supplementary services. Comments in this 
proceeding are presently due March 3, 1998, and reply comments are due 
April 2, 1998.
    On February 19, 1998, the National Association of Broadcasters 
(``Petitioner'') submitted a Motion for Extension of Time to file 
comments in response to the NPRM. Petitioner contends that additional 
time is necessary for the preparation of research studies in response 
to the NPRM which have been commissioned by petitioner in conjunction 
with broadcast television networks. It requests that the Commission 
extend the comment deadline to May 4, 1998, and the reply comment 
deadline to June 2, 1998.
    In section 1.46 of the Commission's Rules, it is our policy that 
extensions of time for filing comments in rulemaking proceedings shall 
not be routinely granted. However, because of the complexity of the 
instant proceeding, and the potential benefits of the petitioner's 
studies, we believe an extension of the comment deadline for the NPRM 
is warranted. In the NPRM, at paragraph 27, the Commission 
``encouraged[d] commenters to make specific recommendations as to the 
level of the fee and type of fee assessment program to which the fee is 
to be tied and to provide evidence to build a record supporting those 
recommendations.'' To facilitate such efforts, we will grant petitioner 
additional time to complete its research studies which can provide the 
Commission a more complete record in this proceeding.
    Accordingly, It is ordered that the Motion for Extension of Time 
filed in MM Docket No. 97-247 by the National Association of 
Broadcasters Is granted. The time for filing comments Is extended to 
May 4, 1998.
    It is further ordered that the time for filing reply comments Is 
extended to June 2, 1998.
    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. 
154(i) and 303(r), and sections 0.204(b), 0.283, and 1.45 of the 
Commission's Rules, 47 CFR 0.204(b), 0.283, and 1.45.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 1

    Television, Television broadcasting.

Federal Communications Commission.
Roy J. Stewart,
Chief, Mass Media Bureau.
[FR Doc. 98-5237 Filed 2-27-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-07-P