DA 00-1256
                                       Released:  June 12, 2000
                                                               
 MASS MEDIA BUREAU RECEIVES PETITONS TO POSTPONE INITIAL FILING
     WINDOW FOR TWO-WAY MULTIPOINT DISTRIBUTION SERVICE AND
             INSTRUCTIONAL TELEVISION FIXED SERVICE
                                
                   Pleading Cycle Established
                                
     On June 6, 2000, ITFS 2020, a limited liability company, filed an emergency petition
requesting that the Commission postpone the July 3 through July 10, 2000 filing window for
Multipoint Distribution Service ("MDS") and Instructional Television Fixed Service ("ITFS")
applications for two-way operations.  Subsequently, on June 7, 2000, The Association of Federal
Communications Consulting Engineers ("AFCCE") filed a similar petition requesting revision of
the initial filing window for MDS and ITFS.  In the respective petitions, ITFS 2020 requests a nine-
month postponement, while the AFCCE requests a 130-day postponement.  The Commission
requests comments on the petitions.  Comments to the petitions must be filed no later than June 19,
2000.  Replies to comments will not be considered.

     This proceeding will be treated as "permit-but-disclose" for purposes of the Commission's
ex parte rules.  As a "permit-but-disclose" proceeding, ex parte presentations will be governed by
the procedures set forth in Section 1.1206 of the Commission's rules applicable to non-restricted
proceedings.  47 C.F.R.  1.1206.

     An original and four copies of all pleadings must be filed with the Office of the Secretary,
Magalie Roman Salas, Federal Communications Commission, 445 Twelfth Street, S.W., Room
TW-A325, Washington, D.C. 20554, in accordance with 47 C.F.R.  1.51(c)(2).  In addition, it is
requested that a courtesy copy of all pleadings be delivered to David Roberts, Video Services
Division, Mass Media Bureau, 445 Twelfth Street, S.W., 2-A728, Washington, D.C. 20554.

     Copies of the petitions are available for public inspection and copying in the Commission's
Reference Information Center, 445 12th Street S.W., Room CY-A257, Washington, D.C. 20554. 
Copies are also available from ITS, (202) 857-3800.  The petitions can also be found at the FCC's
Internet website as cited above.

     For further information, contact Charles Dziedzic or David Roberts of the Video Services
Division at (202) 418-1600.