News media information 202 / 418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.govPUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 DA 99-1605 August 12, 1999 INTERNATIONAL BUREAU SATELLITE POLICY BRANCH INFORMATION: SAT-PDR-19990803-00077 AMERICAN DISTANCE EDUCATION CONSORTIUM REQUEST FOR AN EXPEDITED DECLARATORY RULING AND INFORMAL COMPLAINT On August 3, 1999, American Distance Education Consortium ("ADEC") filed a request for an expedited declaratory ruling and informal complaint against EchoStar Communications Corporation ("EchoStar") asserting violations of its public interest obligations under Section 335 of the Communications Act. In seeking compliance with the rules, ADEC requests that EchoStar be required to provide: (1) channel space on a satellite with full broadcast coverage of the United States; (2) a justification of monthly charges; and (3) the ability to negotiate directly with EchoStar for access. Interested parties may file comments or other pleadings regarding this matter within 15 days of the date of this Public Notice. For more information concerning this Notice contact Alyssa Roberts, Satellite Policy Branch, (202) 418- 7276; TTY (202) 418-2555.