[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 40 (Monday, March 2, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 10153]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5335]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Parts 1 and 24
[WT Docket No. 97-82, FCC 98-28]
Installment Payment Financing for Personal Communications
Services (PCS) Licensees
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Commission changed the February 26, 1998 election deadline
for broadband Personal Communications Services (PCS) C block licensees
to elect to continue under the existing installment payment plan or to
elect one of the three alternative payment options. The deadline will
be 60 days after publication of the Commission's forthcoming Order on
Reconsideration in the Federal Register. The Commission also changed
the payment resumption date for C and F block licensees to at least 30
days after the revised election date.
DATES: Effective February 24, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M Street, N.W., Room
222, Washington, D.C. 20554.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Shiffrin, Auctions and Industry
Analysis Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, at (202) 418-
0660.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following is a synopsis of an Order in
WT Docket No. 97-82, FCC 98-28 which was adopted on February 24, 1998
and released on February 24, 1998. A copy of the complete item is
available for inspection and copying during normal business hours in
the FCC Reference Center, Room 239, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20554. The complete text may be purchased from the Commission's
copy contractor, International Transcription Service, Inc., 1231 20th
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, (202) 857-3800. The complete
Order also is available on the Commission's Internet home page (http://
www.fcc.gov).
Summary of Action
1. On September 25, 1997, the Commission adopted a Second Report
and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making, 62 FR 55348,
October 24, 1997 (``Second Report and Order'') which established
January 15, 1998 as the deadline for broadband Personal Communications
Services (PCS) C block licensees to elect to continue under the
existing installment payment plan or to elect one of the three
alternative payment options. On January 7, 1998, we changed that
election date to February 26, 1998 in order to allow us time to respond
to petitions seeking reconsideration of the Second Report and Order.
See Order, 63 FR 2170, January 14, 1998. In the Order, we stated that
``[m]oving the election date will serve the public interest by
permitting licensees to submit their election after final disposition
of arguments raised on reconsideration.''
2. Although we initially believed a February 26 election date would
provide us sufficient time to respond to the arguments raised by
petitioners, we now find it will take additional time to consider the
numerous and wide-ranging issues involved. In their joint petition for
reconsideration, Northern Michigan PCS Consortium L.L.C. and Wireless
2000, Inc. request that we extend the election deadline to a date that
is 60 days after issuance of the reconsideration order. We agree with
these petitioners that 60 days would provide licensees an adequate
review period. Accordingly, we will move the election date for C block
licensees to 60 days after publication of our forthcoming Order on
Reconsideration in the Federal Register.
3. In order to provide licensees adequate time between the election
date and the resumption of payment deadline, we will move the March 31,
1998 payment deadline for both C and F block licensees to a date that
is at least 30 days after the revised election date. To avoid any
potential confusion, the specific dates for election and payment
resumption will be set forth in a public notice issued under delegated
authority by the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.
4. Accordingly, It Is Ordered that, pursuant to sections 4(i),
303(r), and 309(j) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47
U.S.C. 154(i), 303(r), and 309(j), the election deadline for C block
licensees and the March 31, 1998 payment deadline for C and F block
licensees are extended as specified herein and the petition for
reconsideration filed by Northern Michigan PCS Consortium L.L.C. and
Wireless 2000, Inc. is hereby Granted in Part. This Order shall become
effective upon its release. See 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(1).
List of Subjects
47 CFR Part 1
Practice and procedure.
47 CFR Part 24
Personal Communications Service.
Federal Communications Commission.
Magalie Roman Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-5335 Filed 2-27-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
