445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554
Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
ftp.fcc.gov
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
OPEN PROCEEDINGS
The following is a listing of current FCC Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRMs) and Notices of Inquiry (NOIs) open for public comment, except routine petitions to amend the Table of Allotments. This listing also includes pertinent Public Notices (PNs) announcing comment subjects and dates. For additional information, contact Martha Contee, Public Service Division at (202) 418-0190, TTY (202) 418-2555, email mcontee@fcc.gov. Please note: as comment and reply comment periods expire, they are deleted from this listing. *Asterisk indicates comment period deadline is past, but reply comment period still is open.
COMMON CARRIER BUREAU
CC 96-45; FNPRM 9/3 (adopted 8/5); FCC 99-240
Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service
The Commission addressed the unique issues that may limit telecommunications deployment and subscribership in the unserved or underserved regions of our Nation, including on tribal lands and insular areas. Comments due 60 days after publication in the Federal Register, Replies 90 days after publication in the Federal Register.
CC 96-262, CC 94-1, CC 99-249, CC 96-45; NPRM 9/15 (adopted 9/14); FCC 99-235
Access Charge Reform/Price Cap Performance Review for Local Exchange Carriers/Low-Volume Long Distance users/Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service
The Commission is seeking comment on a proposal submitted by the Coalition for Affordable and Long Distance Services (CALLS) to the Commission. Comments due October 29; reply comments due November 19.
CC 96-262, 94-1, 99-249, 96-45; PN 10/20; DA 99-2254
CCB Announces Extension of Time to File Comments on CALLS Proposal
Granted NARUC's request for extension of time. Comments now due November 12; replies December 13.
PN 9/29; DA 99-2016
Common Carrier Bureau Seeks Comment on the Ohio Public Utilities Commission's Petition for Delegation of Additional Authority to Implement Number Conservation Measures
The Ohio Public Utilities commission filed a petition requesting a grant to the Petitioner of additional authority to implement certain area code conservation measures in the State of Ohio. Comments due October 20*; replies November 3.
CC 99-295; PN 9/29; DA 99-2014
Comments Requested on Application by Bell Atlantic for Authorization Under Section 271 of the Communications Act to Provide In-Region, Interlata Service in the State of New York
New York Telephone Company, d.b.a Bell Atlantic- New York, Bell Atlantic Communications, Inc., NYNEX Long Distance Company, and Bell Atlantic Global Networks, Inc. filed an application for authorization to provide in-region, interLATA service in the State of New York. Comments due October 19. State Commission Written Consultations due October 19; Department of Justice Written Consultations due November 1; replies due November 8. Contact: Andrea Kearney at (202) 418-1580.
CC 96-61; PN 10/1; DA 99-2065
Pleading Cycle Established for Comments on Union Telephone Company Petition for Waiver of Sections 64.1903(a) and 64.1903(b) of the Commission's Rules
Union Telephone Company filed a petition for waiver of sections 64.190(a)(2) and 64.1903(b) of the commission's rules to allow the continued provision of long distance services to its rural customers without structural changes. Comments due November 1; replies November 12. Contact: Janice M. Myles at (202) 418-1580.
PN 10/4; DA 99-2061
Oklahoma Independent Telephone Companies file Petition for Declaratory Ruling
The Oklahoma Independent Telephone Companies filed a petition seeking a declaratory ruling that a number of incumbent local exchange carriers must be allowed to establish cost-based, unsubsidized pay telephone access rate lines, in order to ensure that the pay telephone services provided by Oklahoma local exchange carriers to pay telephone service providers are tariffed in accordance with the Commission's pay telephone orders. Comments due November 4; replies November 19. Contacts: Lynne Milen or Renee Terry at (202) 418-1520; TTY: (202) 418-0484.
PN 10/7; DA 99-2015
Pleading Cycle Established for Comments on National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc. 2000 Modification of Average Schedule Universal Service Formulas
The National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc. filed its 2000 Modifications of Average Schedule Universal Service Formulas. Comments due November 3; replies November 17. Contact: George Williams at (202) 418-0867; TTY: (202) 418-0484.
CC 96-45; WT 99-266; PN 10/14; DA 99-2190
Common Carrier Bureau and Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Announce Comment Dates for Two Rulemaking Proceedings Concerning Tribal Areas and New FCC Website for Indian Issues- CC Docket 96-45, WT Docket 99-266
The Commission announces comment dates for two notices of proposed rulemaking concerning telecommunications service in tribal areas, as well as the creation of a new FCC website dealing specifically with telecommunications issues affecting Indians. Comments on WT 99-266 NRPM FCC 99-205 re: the potential of wireless and satellite technologies to provide telecommunications services to tribal lands and other unserved areas of the Nation, due November 9; replies December 9. Comments on CC Docket 99-65, FNPRM FCC 99-204 re: availability of and possible impediments to telecommunications deployment and subscribership in unserved and underserved areas of the Nation due November 29; replies December 29. Contact for WTB: Joel Taubenblatt at (202) 418-1513. Contact for CCB: Jack Zinman at (202) 418-7400.
PN 10/15; DA 99-2174
North Carolina Payphone Association Files Petition for Declaratory Ruling - Pleading Cycle Established
On August 13, the North Carolina Payphone Association filed a petition for expedited review and/or declaratory ruling of the basic payphone service tariffs of the local exchange carriers in North Carolina for compliance with 47 U.S.C. Section 276 and the Commission's rules and orders. Comments due November 30; replies December 15. Contact: Lynne Milne or Renee Terry at (202) 418-1520; TTY: (202) 418-0484.
PN 10/22; DA 99-2281
Common Carrier Bureau Seeks Comment on A Petition filed by Alcatel USA for Waiver of 47 C.F.R. Section 68.308(e)(1)
On October 18, Alcatel USA, Inc. filed a Petition for waiver of the out-of-band signal power limitations contained in Section 68.308(e)(1) of the Commission's rules so that it may register under Part 68 its Model 1000 ADSL modem. Comments due November 19; replies December 3. Contact: Bill Howden at (202) 418-2343.
INTERNATIONAL BUREAU
IB 98-96; R&O/NPRM 7/13 (adopted 6/21); FCC 99-150
1998 Biennial Regulatory Review - Review of Accounts Settlement in the Maritime Mobile and Maritime Mobile-Satellite Radio Services
Commission concluded that Commission shall cease operating as an accounting authority for settling accounts for maritime mobile, maritime satellite, aircraft and handheld terminal radio services. Will transition to full privatization of the account-settlement function and sought comment on a number of proposals regarding how best to implement this transition. Comments due August 23*; replies September 8*.
IB 98-96; Order 8/18 (adopted 8/17)l DA 99-1653
1998 Biennial Regulatory Review- Maritime Mobile and Maritime Mobile- Satellite Radio Services
Extended comment period in this proceeding until October 25* and reply comment period until November 29.
MASS MEDIA BUREAU
MM 93-177; NPRM 6/11 (adopted 5/28); FCC 99-126
An Inquiry Into the Commission's Policies and Rules Regarding AM Radio Service Directional Antenna Performance Verification
Proposed reductions in testing procedures for AM directional antennas. Comments due 45 days after publication in the Federal Register; replies due 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.
MM 93-177; Order 8/31 (adopted 8/31); DA 99-1755
Directional Antenna Performance Verification
Granted an extension of the comment and reply comment periods. Comments due November 9; replies November 24.
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU
CC 95-116; MO&O 9/1/98 (adopted 9/1/98); DA 98-1763
Telephone Number Portability
Granted a petition filed by the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) requesting a nine-month stay of the requirement that all cellular, broadband personal communications service (PCS), and covered specialized mobile radio (SMR) carriers provide service provider number portability by June 30, 1999, while supporting nationwide roaming. The Bureau finds that extending the deadline from June 30, 1999 to March 31, 2000, is necessary to ensure the efficient development of wireless number portability.
WT 99-217, CC 96-98; NPRM/NOI/3rd FNPRM 7/7 (adopted 6/10); FCC 99-141
Promotion of Competitive Networks in Local Telecommunications Markets
The Commission initiated a proceeding intended to facilitate the development of competitive telecommunications networks that will provide consumers with alternatives to services provided by the incumbent wireline local exchange carriers (LECs). Comments due August 13*; replies September 3.*
WT 99-217, CC 96-98; Order 8/6 (adopted 8/6); DA 99-1563
Promotion of Competitive Networks
Granted Utilities and LSGAC's requests for extension of time. Comments due August 27*; replies Sept 27* for NPRM in WT 99-217 and FNPRM in CC Docket 96-98. Comments due October 12* and replies December 13 for NOI in WT Docket 99-217.
WT 99-266; NPRM 8/18 (adopted 8/5); FCC 99-205
Extending Wireless Telecommunications Services to Tribal Lands
The Commission is seeking comment on potential terrestrial wireless and satellite policy initiatives to address telecom needs of Indian living on tribal lands. Comments due 60 days after publication in the Federal Register; reply comments due 90 days after publication in the Federal Register.
PN 8/30; DA 99-1734
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Extends Waiver of Limitations on Payments in Settlement Agreements Among Parties in Contested Licensing Cases
Extended the waiver of the "greenmail" rules that was granted in the Settlement Window Public Notice, released April 16, 1999. Waiver extended until October 30. Contact: Don Johnson, Commercial Wireless Division at (202) 418-7240.
PN 9/27; DA 99-1986
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Seeks Comment on Tenneco communications Corporation Request for Waiver to Permit Permanent Authorization on Developmental Frequencies
On February 25, 1997, Tenneco Communications Corporation filed a request for waiver of Section 90.65(e)(2) of the Commission's rules to convert 11 developmental licenses into regular licenses. Comments due October 27*; replies November 11. Contact: Pam Slipakoff, Policy and rules Branch, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division at (202) 418-0680.
WT 96-198; R&O/FNOI 9/29 (adopted 7/14); DA 99-181
Implementation of Sections 255 and 251(a)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934, as Enacted by the Telecommunications Act of 1996: Access to Telecommunications Service, Equipment and Customer Premises Equipment by Persons With Disabilities
Adopted rules and policies to implement sections 255 and 251(a)(2) of the Communications At of 1934, as amended. Comments due November 14; replies December 14.
OFFICE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
ET 99-231; NPRM 6/24 (adopted 6/21); FCC 99-149
Amendment of Part 15 of the Commission's Rules Regarding Spectrum Devices
The Commission proposed to amend the Part 15 rules regarding the operation of non-licensed spread spectrum systems, specifically, to revise the rules for frequency hopping systems operating in the 2.4 GHz band (24000-2483.5 MHz) to allow for wider operational bandwidths. Comments due 75 days after Federal Register publication; replies 105 days after publication.
ET 99-254; NPRM 7/15 (adopted 7/14); FCC 99-180
Closed Captioning Requirements for Digital Television Receivers
Proposed amendment of Part 15 of rules to adopt technical standards for the display of closed captions on digital television (DTV) receivers, and proposed to require the inclusion of closed captioning decoder circuitry in DTV receivers. The proposals will help ensure access to digital programming for people with disabilities. Comments due 75 days after publication in Federal Register; reply comments due 105 days after publication in the Federal Register.
ET 99-255; NPRM 7/16 (adopted 7/14); FCC 99-182
In the Matter of Amendment of Parts 2 and 95 of the Commission's Rules to Create a Wireless Medical Telemetry Service
The Commission proposed to amend Parts 2 and 95 of the rules to allocate spectrum and to establish rules for a Wireless Medical Telemetry Service. Action by the Commission. Comments due 45 days from publication in Federal Register; replies due 75 days from date of publication in Federal Register.
ET 98-80; NPRM 10/18 (adopted 10/13); FC 99-296
In the Matter of 1998 Biennial Regulatory Review - Conducted Emissions Limits Below 30 MHz for Equipment Regulated Under Parts 15 and Part 18 of the Commission's Rules.
The Commission proposed to amend Parts 15 and 18 of its rules to revise the limits on the amount of radio frequency energy that is permitted to be conducted onto the AC power lines. Proposed to harmonize standards on conducted emission limits with the international standards developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission, International Special Committee on Radio Interference. Comments due 75 days from publication in the Federal Register. Replies due 105 days from publication in the Federal Register.
MISCELLANEOUS
PN 9/24
FCC Seeks Comment Regarding Possible Revision or Elimination of Rules Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. Section 610
The FCC published a plan for the review of rules issued by the agency in calendar years 1986-1989, which have or might have significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Comments due December 10.