[Federal Register: March 1, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 41)]
[Notices]
[Page 11060-11061]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01mr00-67]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[WT Docket No. 99-168; DA 00-397]
Notice
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This document invites oppositions to petitions for
reconsideration of the First Report and Order in this proceeding, which
established service rules for the auction of spectrum on the 700 MHz
bands, and replies to the oppositions. The accelerated schedule for
opposition and
[[Page 11061]]
reply comments to these petitions for reconsideration is necessary to
expedite resolution of issues affecting the auction beginning May 10,
2000.
DATES: Submit oppositions on or before March 10, 2000, submit reply on
or before March 17, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Send oppositions and replies to the Office of the Secretary,
Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC 20554. Oppositions
and replies may be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to
http://www.fcc.gov/e-file/ecfs.html, or by e-mail to ecfs@fcc.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stan Wiggins, 202-418-1310.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Notice is hereby given that the parties listed below have
petitioned the Commission for reconsideration of the First Report and
Order in WT Docket No. 99-168. (65 FR 3139, January 20,2000.) The First
Report and Order established service rules for the auction of spectrum
on the 700 MHz bands, that is scheduled to commence May 10, 2000. The
auction schedule in turn reflects the Congressional mandate that
receipts from auctioning this spectrum be deposited into the U.S.
Treasury by September 30, 2000. (See Public Law. 106-113, 113 Stat.
1501, Appendix E, Section 213. See also 145 Cong. Rec. at H12494,
H12501 ((Nov. 17, 1999)), ``Making consolidated appropriations for the
fiscal year ending September 30, 2000, and for other purposes.'')
2. In light of the auction schedule necessary to implement the
Congressional mandate, and the separate statutory requirement that
interested parties have a sufficient time after issuance of bidding
rules ``to develop business plans, assess market conditions, and
evaluate the availability of equipment for the relevant services'' (See
47 U.S.C. 309(j)(3)(E)(ii). the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau has
determined that good cause exists in this instance to alter the periods
specified in Sec. 1.429 of the Commission's Rules for oppositions and
replies to petitions for reconsideration. (See 47 CFR 0.331 ((authority
delegated to Wireless Telecommunications Bureau)); 47 CFR 1.3
((suspension, amendment, and waiver of Commission Rules)). See also 5
U.S.C. 553((b))((B).)The bidding rules for the auction have been
announced. Auction of Licenses in the 747-762 and 777-792 MHz Bands,
Auction Notice and Filing Requirements for 12 Licenses in the 700 MHz
Bands, Auction Scheduled for May 10, 2000, DA 00-292 ((Feb. 18, 2000)).
3. Preliminary review of the petitions indicates they raise certain
issues that potentially affect petitioners' decision whether to
participate in the auction. To preserve the possibility of considering
and resolving such issues sufficiently in advance of the auction to
provide timely guidance to prospective bidders, we must close the
record on reconsideration issues on an expedited schedule. Accordingly,
oppositions to petitions for reconsideration of the First Report and
Order shall be filed no later than March 10, 2000, and replies shall be
filed no later than March 17, 2000.
4. The list of petitions reflects Commission records as of February
23, 2000. Any petitions subsequently posted on the ECFS system, or
received in paper form, that were timely filed will be subject to the
filing schedule for oppositions and replies adopted herein.
Procedural Matters
5. Parties submitting oppositions and replies should address the
petitions for reconsideration in light of the requirements of 47 U.S.C.
309, 47 CFR 1.429 and any other public interest considerations. All
oppositions and replies should reference the docket number of this
proceeding, WT 99-168.
6. This proceeding has been designated as a ``permit-but-disclose''
proceeding in accordance with the Commission's ex parte rules. 47 CFR
1.1200(a) and 1.1206. Persons making oral ex parte presentations are
reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentations must contain
summaries of the substance of the presentations and not merely a
listing of the subjects discussed. More than a one or two sentence
description of the views and arguments presented is generally required.
See 47 CFR 1.1206(b). Other rules pertaining to oral and written ex
parte presentations in permit-but-disclose proceedings are set forth in
Sec. 1.1206(b) of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 1.1206(b).
7. Parties may obtain the First Report and Order and petitions for
reconsideration at the FCC website, http://www.fcc.gov/e-file/
ecfs.html. The petitions are also available for public inspection and
copying in the Reference Center, Room CY A257, 445 12th St., SW,
Washington, DC 20554. Copies of the petitions are also available from
ITS at 1231 20th St. NW, Washington, DC 20036, or by calling (202) 857-
3800.
8. Oppositions to petitions for reconsideration, and replies, may
be filed using the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS)
or by filing paper copies. Oppositions and replies filed through the
ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to http://
www.fcc.gov/e-file/ecfs.html. Generally, only one copy of an electronic
submission must be filed. In completing the transmittal screen, parties
should include their full name, Postal Service mailing address, and the
applicable docket or rulemaking number. Parties may also submit an
electronic opposition or reply by Internet e-mail. To get filing
instructions for e-mail filings, parties should send an e-mail to
ecfs@fcc.gov, including ``get form your e-mail address> in the body of
the message. A sample form and directions will be sent in reply.
9. Interested parties who choose to file by paper must file an
original and four copies of their filings with the Office of the
Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, TW B204, 445 12th St. SW
Washington, DC 20554. In addition, parties should send two copies to
Stan Wiggins, Policy Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th St. SW Washington, DC
20554, and one copy to ITS, at 1231 20th Street, NW, Washington, DC
20036.
Parties Filing Petitions for Reconsideration in WT Docket 99-168
Adaptive Broadband Corporation (Feb. 22, 2000)
ArrayComm, Inc. (Feb. 22, 2000)
Association of Local Television Stations, Inc. (Feb. 22, 2000)
Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International,
Inc. (Feb. 22, 2000)
Association for Maximum Service Television, Inc. (Feb. 22, 2000)
National Association of Broadcasters (Feb. 22, 2000)
Nelson Repeater Services, Inc. (Feb. 22, 2000)
Northcoast Communications, LLC (Feb. 7, 2000)
Rand McNally & Company (Feb. 22, 2000)
TRW Inc. (Feb. 11, 2000)
U.S. GPS Industry Council (Feb. 22, 2000)
US WEST Wireless, LLC (Feb. 3, 2000)
Federal Communications Commission.
Kris A. Monteith,
Chief, Policy Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.
[FR Doc. 00-4927 Filed 2-29-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P