PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
1919 M STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554                                           DA 98-1119

News media information 202/418-0500     Fax-On-Demand  202/418-2830     Internet:  http://www.fcc.gov    ftp.fcc.gov

          Released: June 12, 1998

     MM Docket No. 97-217

ESTABLISHMENT OF PERIOD TO COMMENT ON EX PARTE PRESENTATIONS
RESPO   NSIVE TO NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING TO AMEND PARTS 1,
21 AN      D 74 OF THE COMMISSION'S RULES TO ENABLE MULTIPOINT
DISTR  IBUTION SERVICE AND INSTRUCTIONAL TELEVISION FIXED SERVICE
LICEN        SEES TO ENGAGE IN FIXED TWO-WAY TRANSMISSIONS 

                                       On October 10, 1997, the Commission released a notice of proposed rulemaking in this
docket.  Amendment of Parts 1, 21 and 74 to Enable Multipoint Distribution Service and
Instructional Television Fixed Service Licensees to Engage in Fixed Two-Way Transmissions,
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 12 FCC Rcd 22174 (1997) (hereinafter Notice).  Comments on
the Notice were due by January 8, 1998, and reply comments by February 9, 1998, after we
extended the comment period to allow commenters to consider issues raised by the Catholic
Television Network relating to the potential for "brute force overload" interference and proposals
for frequency separation to protect against interference.  Amendment of Parts 1, 21 and 74 to
Enable Multipoint Distribution Service and Instructional Television Fixed Service Licensees to
Engage in Fixed Two-Way Transmissions, Order Extending Time for Filing Comments and Reply
Comments, DA 97-2547 (Mass Media Bur. rel. Dec. 5, 1997)

     Since the expiration of the comment period, several parties have made oral and/or written
ex parte presentations under the Commission's "permit-but-disclose" ex parte rules governing
informal rulemaking proceedings upon release of a notice of proposed rulemaking.  See 47 C.F.R.
 1.1206.  Recently, the parties who commenced this proceeding submitted substantial ex parte
filings aimed at resolving outstanding issues with respect to the engineering environment
contemplated for two-way transmission systems in the band shared by the Multipoint Distribution
Service and Instructional Television Fixed Service.  These filings, submitted on May 13, 15, 19
and 22, 1998, and on June 5, 1998, contain some significantly revamped technical proposals and
a few entirely new proposals.  Because these filings potentially are critical to the outcome of this
proceeding, we believe that interested parties should be afforded an opportunity to comment on
these proposals.  We also believe that comment on these proposals will prove useful in assisting
the Commission in assembling the most complete possible record in this proceeding.

     For these reasons, by this Public Notice, we establish a 20-day comment period on the
ex parte presentations subsequent to February 9, 1998 in this docket.  Interested parties who wish
to file such comments should do so by July 2, 1998, with the Secretary, FCC, 1919 M Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554.  For further information, please contact Michael Jacobs at (202)
418-7066 or Chuck Dziedzic at (202) 418-1600, Video Services Division, Mass Media Bureau.