[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 39 (Monday, March 1, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9960-9961]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-4687]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 1

[WT Docket No. 96-86; DA 99-331]


The Development of Operational, Technical and Spectrum 
Requirements for Meeting Federal, State and Local Public Safety Agency 
Communication Requirements Through the Year 2010

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension for filing comments.

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SUMMARY: This document extends the time to file replies to oppositions 
to petitions for reconsideration and replies to comments concerning the 
Commission's combined First Report and Order and Third Notice of 
Proposed Rule Making (``First Report or ``Third Notice'' as applicable) 
adopted on August 6, 1998.

DATES: Replies to oppositions to petitions for reconsideration of the 
First Report are due on or before February 23, 1999, and reply comments 
regarding the Third Notice are due on or before February 25, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, Office of the Secretary, 
Publications Branch, Room TW-A325, The Portals II, 445 12th ST., SW, 
Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Daronco or Michael Pollak, at 
the Public Safety & Private Wireless Division, (202) 418-0680.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The full text of the Order is as follows:
    1. On August 6, 1998, the Commission adopted a combined First 
Report and Order (First Report) and Third Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
(Third Notice) in this proceeding. See 63 FR 58685 (Nov. 2, 1998). 
Petitions for reconsideration of the First Report were filed and 
oppositions to these petitions were filed on February 5, 1999. The 
current deadline for filing replies to these oppositions is February 
16, 1999. See 64 FR 3298 (Jan. 21, 1999). Comments were also filed 
regarding the Third Notice and the current deadline for filing reply 
comments is February 18, 1999. See 64 FR 1003 (Jan. 7, 1999).
    2. On February 8, 1999, the Commission received a Motion for 
Extension of Time filed by the Association of Public-Safety 
Communications Officials-International, Inc. (APCO). APCO requests 
seven (7) day extensions of time both for filing replies to oppositions 
to petitions for reconsideration of the First Report, and for filing 
reply comments regarding the Third Notice. APCO states these short 
extensions would afford interested parties adequate time to prepare 
full and complete comments because most parties are simultaneously 
participating in both the ``reconsideration'' and ``Third NPRM'' 
elements of this proceeding. Specifically, APCO contends that the 
proximity of the two related deadlines, combined with the upcoming 
Federal holiday on February 15, 1999, will limit the ability of public 
safety agencies and organizations to provide adequate and timely 
submissions in both aspects of this critical proceeding. APCO adds 
while a 30-day period was allotted for reply comments regarding the 
Third Notice, many parties have been occupied during that period with 
preparing oppositions to the petitions for reconsideration.
    3. It is the policy of the Commission that extensions of time are 
not routinely granted. Upon review, however, we agree that an extension 
will afford parties the necessary time to coordinate and file comments 
that will facilitate the compilation of a more complete record in this 
proceeding. We believe that seven-day extensions of time, both for 
filing replies to oppositions to petitions for reconsideration of the 
First Report and reply comments regarding the Third Notice, should 
provide an adequate opportunity for all parties to prepare and file 
responsive and complete pleadings in this proceeding without causing 
undue delay to the Commission's consideration of this proceeding.
    4. Accordingly, it is ordered that the Motion for Extension of Time 
filed by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-
International, Inc., on February 8, 1999, is granted. Parties shall 
file replies to oppositions to petitions for reconsideration of the 
First Report no later than February 23, 1999, and reply comments 
regarding the Third Notice no later than February 25, 1999.
    5. This action is taken pursuant to the authority provided in 
Section 1.46 of the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR 1.46 and under delegated 
authority pursuant to Sections 0.131 and 0.331 of the

[[Page 9961]]

Commission's Rules, 47 CFR 0.131, 0.331.

Federal Communications Commission.
Herbert W. Zeiler,
Deputy Chief, Public Safety & Private Wireless Division, Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau.
[FR Doc. 99-4687 Filed 2-26-99; 8:45 am]
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