[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 23, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8976-8977]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-4174]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[DA 00-271]


Extension of Filing Deadline for Comments to the Petitions Filed 
by SBC Communications Inc. and Nextel Communications, Inc. Regarding 
PCS C and F Block Rules

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This Public Notice announces an extension of the filing 
deadline for comments to petitions filed by SBC Communications Inc. and 
Nextel Communications, Inc.

DATES: Comments are due February 22, 2000 and reply comments are due 
March 1, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be filed with the Office of the Secretary, 
Federal Communications Commission, TW B204, 445 12th St. SW Washington, 
DC 20554. Comments also should be provided to Amy Zoslov, Chief, 
Auctions and Industry Analysis Division, Room #4-A624, Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th 
St. SW Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leora Hochstein of the Auctions and 
Industry Analysis Division at (202) 418-0660.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of Public Notice, DA 00-
271 released February 11, 2000. The complete text of the public notice 
is available for inspection and copying during normal business hours in 
the FCC Reference Center (Room CY-A257), 445 12th Street, SW, 
Washington, DC. It may also be purchased from the Commission's copy 
contractor, International Transcription Services, Inc. (ITS, Inc.) 1231 
20th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 857-3800. It is also 
available on the Commission's website at http://www.fcc.gov.
    1. In a Public Notice released on February 3, 2000, the Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau (Bureau) sought comment on Nextel 
Communications, Inc.'s (``Nextel'') petition regarding the PCS C and F 
block spectrum and extended the filing deadline for comments to SBC 
Communications Inc.'s (``SBC'') request for waiver of the eligibility 
requirements for PCS C and F block licenses.\1\ Specifically, the 
Public Notice requested that comments addressing any issues raised by 
SBC and/or Nextel be filed by February 14, 2000 and that reply comments 
be filed by February 22, 2000.
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    \1\ ``Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Seeks Comment on Nextel 
Communications, Inc.'s Petition Regarding PCS C and F Block 
Spectrum; Extension of Filing Deadline for Comments to SBC 
Communications Inc.'s Request for Waiver,'' Public Notice, DA 00-191 
(released February 3, 2000). See also ``Wireless Telecommunications 
Bureau Seeks Comment on SBC Communications Inc.'s Request for Waiver 
of the Eligibility Requirements for Participation in the Upcoming 
PCS C and F Block Auction,'' Public Notice, DA 00-145 (rel. January 
31, 2000) (requesting that comments be filed by February 10, 2000 
and that reply comments be filed by February 15, 2000).
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    2. The National Telephone Cooperative Association (``NTCA''), the 
Office of the Advocacy of the United States Small Business 
Administration (``Advocacy'') and the Rural Cellular Association 
(``RCA'') have filed requests for extension of the filing deadline for 
comments to the petitions filed by SBC and Nextel.\2\ These parties all 
contend that the comment filing period set by the Bureau does not allow 
interested parties sufficient time to address the complex issues raised 
in SBC's and Nextel's submissions.
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    \2\ See National Telephone Cooperative Association Expedited 
Request for Extension of Filing Deadline for Comments to SBC 
Communications Inc.'s and Nextel Communications, Inc.s' Request for 
Waiver of the Commission's Rules, DA 00-191, filed by NTCA on 
February 4, 2000; Request for Additional Time to File Comments, DA 
00-191, filed by Advocacy on February 7, 2000; Request for Extension 
of Time, DA 00-191, filed by RCA on February 9, 2000.
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    3. It is the policy of the Commission that extensions of time shall 
not be routinely granted.\3\ Upon review, however, we agree that an 
extension will afford parties the time to coordinate and file comments 
that will facilitate the compilation of a more complete record in this 
proceeding, without causing undue delay to the Commission's 
consideration of the issues.
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    \3\ 47 CFR 1.46.
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    4. Accordingly, we extend the filing deadline for comments to 
petitions filed by SBC and Nextel. Comments addressing any issues 
raised by SBC and/or Nextel must be filed by February 22, 2000, and 
reply comments are due by March 1, 2000.\4\ Adoption of these deadlines 
should provide interested parties with an adequate opportunity to 
prepare and file meaningful comments in this proceeding. Further delay 
here, however, could have the effect of creating uncertainties for 
bidders in other spectrum auctions scheduled for this year.
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    \4\ To the extent that the Bankruptcy Court's February 7, 2000 
order may have constrained the Commission in acting on SBC's and 
Nextel's petitions, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals' order of 
February 10, 2000 clarifies that the Commission may take this 
action.
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    5. In all other respects, the terms and filing instructions set 
forth in the Public

[[Page 8977]]

Notice released on February 3, 2000 (DA 00-191) apply.\5\
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    \5\ See ``Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Seeks Comment on 
Nextel Communications, Inc.'s Petition Regarding PCS C and F Block 
Spectrum; Extension of Filing Deadline for Comments to SBC 
Communications Inc.'s Request for Waiver,'' Public Notice, DA 00-191 
(released February 3, 2000).
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    6. We reiterate that both SBC's waiver request and Nextel's 
petition are available for public inspection and copying in the 
Reference Center, Room CY A257, 445 12th St., SW, Washington, DC 20554. 
Copies of the request and the petition are also available from ITS at 
1231 20th St. NW, Washington, DC 20036, or by calling (202) 857-3800.

Federal Communications Commission.
Louis J. Sigalos,
Deputy Chief, Auctions & Industry Analysis Division.
[FR Doc. 00-4174 Filed 2-22-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P