[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 58 (Thursday, March 25, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 15288]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-6720]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Parts 0, 25 and 64

[IB Docket No. 02-10; DA 04-579]


Procedures to Govern the Use of Satellite Earth Stations on Board 
Vessels in the 5925-6425 MHz/3700-4200 MHz Bands and 14.0-14.5 GHz/
11.7-12.2 GHz Bands

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: On January 22, 2004, the Federal Communications Commission 
published a proposed rule document seeking comment on proposals 
regarding the terrestrial fixed service and fixed satellite service 
operators in the C and Ku-bands. In response to a request filed by 
Maritime Telecommunications Network, Inc., the Commission extended the 
reply comment pleading cycle.

DATES: Reply Comments are due on or before March 24, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, Office of the Secretary, 
445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peggy Reitzel, Policy Division, 
International Bureau, (202) 418-1460.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    1. On November 24, 2003, the Commission released a Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in this proceeding (69 FR 3056, January 22, 
2004). The NPRM seeks comment from the public on proposals that seek to 
provide regulatory certainty to both terrestrial fixed service (FS) and 
fixed satellite service (FSS) operators in the C- and Ku-bands by 
protecting existing terrestrial FS and FSS operations from harmful 
interference that may be caused by ESVs; by allowing for future growth 
of FS and FSS networks; and by promoting more efficient use of the 
spectrum by permitting new uses of the bands by ESVs, thereby enabling 
important new communications services to be provided to consumers on 
board vessels.
    2. On February 25, 2004, Maritime Telecommunications Network, Inc. 
(``MTN'') filed a motion for an extension of time requesting the 
Commission to extend the reply comment filing deadline in this 
proceeding. MTN argued that additional time was necessary to address 
the intricate issues and the number of comments filed in this 
proceeding.
    3. The Commission agrees that the proceeding raises complex issues 
and that a large number of parties filed comments. Thus, the Commission 
granted MTN's request and extended the reply comment pleading cycle 
until March 24, 2004. The Commission believes that the public interest 
will be served by this extension to allow for a more complete record in 
this proceeding.
    4. Accordingly, pursuant to Sec.  1.46 of the Commission's rules, 
47 CFR 1.46, the request of Maritime Telecommunications Network Inc. is 
granted.
    5. The deadline for filing reply comments in this proceeding is 
extended to March 25, 2004.
    6. This action is taken under delegated authority pursuant to 
Sec. Sec.  0.51 and 0.261 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 0.51, 
0.261.

Federal Communications Commission.
James Ball,
Chief, Policy Division, International Bureau.
[FR Doc. 04-6720 Filed 3-24-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P