[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 28 (Thursday, February 11, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 6852]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-3328]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 73

[MM Docket No. 98-203; DA 99-255]


Ancillary or Supplementary Use of Digital Television Capacity by 
Noncommercial Licensees

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: This action extends the deadline for filing comments and reply 
comments to the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM), released 
November 23, 1998. It is taken in response to the request to extend the 
comment and reply comment period submitted by the Association of 
America's Public Television Stations (AAPTS). The intended effect of 
this action is to allow AAPT's membership to have additional time in 
which to file comments and reply comments.

DATES: Comments are due on or before February 16, 1999; reply comments 
are due on or before March 16, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, Room TW-
A325, SW, Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jane Gross or Robert Somers, Policy 
and Rules Division, Mass Media Bureau (202) 418-2130.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a synopsis of the Order granting an 
extension of time for filing comments and reply comments in MM Docket 
No. 98-203; DA 99-255, adopted January 28, 1999. The complete text of 
this Order is available for inspection and copying during normal 
business hours in the FCC Reference Center (Room 239), 1919 M Street, 
NW., Washington, DC. The complete text of this decision may also be 
purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, International 
Transcription Services, Inc., 1231 20th Street, NW., Washington, DC 
20036, (202) 857-3800.

Synopsis of Order Granting Extension of Time for Filing Comments

    1. On November 23, 1998, the Commission released an NPRM in this 
proceeding, 63 FR 68722 (December 14, 1998), regarding the ancillary or 
supplementary use of digital television capacity by noncommercial 
educational (NCE) television licensees. Comments in this proceeding are 
presently due January 28, 1999, and reply comments are due March 1, 
1999.
    2. On January 27, 1998, AAPTS submitted a Motion for Extension of 
Time to file comments in response to the NPRM. AAPTS states that 
additional time is necessary to allow the AAPTS board to reflect in its 
filing industry-wide discussions scheduled for the end of January, and 
to review in its end of January board meeting the policy positions that 
it plans to present to the Commission. AAPTS requests a brief extension 
of the comment and reply comment deadlines, which it contends will 
serve the Commission's goal of generating a full and complete record 
that reflects the views of all affected parties.
    3. As set forth in Section 1.46 of the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR 
1.46, it is our policy that extensions of time for filing comments in 
rulemaking proceedings shall not be routinely granted. However, because 
of the importance of the instant proceeding to the future of public 
television, and the potential benefits of the petitioner's developing a 
more complete record through discussion of these issues with its 
members, we believe an extension of the comment and reply deadlines for 
the NPRM is warranted.
    4. Accordingly, It is ordered that the Motion for Extension of Time 
filed in MM Docket No. 98-203 by the Association of America's Public 
Television Stations Is granted. The time for filing comments Is 
extended to February 16, 1999.
    5. It is further ordered that the time for filing reply comments Is 
extended to March 16, 1999.
    6. This action is taken pursuant to authority found in Sections 
4(i) and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 USC 
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 73

    Radio broadcasting.

Federal Communications Commission.
Magalie Roman Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-3328 Filed 2-10-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P