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                            Before the
                Federal Communications Commission
                      Washington, D.C. 20554


In the Matter of                )
                                )
The Development of Operational, )
Technical and Spectrum Requirements)
                                             For Meeting Federal, State and Local)        WT Docket No. 96-86
Public Safety Agency Communication)
Requirements Through the Year 2010)
                                )
Establishment of Rules and Requirements)
For Priority Access Service     )


                             ORDER


   Adopted:  February 12, 1999          Released:  February 12, 1999

By the Chief, Public Safety & Private Wireless Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau:

     1.  On August 6, 1998, the Commission adopted a combined First Report and Order (First Report)
and Third Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Third Notice) in the above-captioned proceeding.  See 63 FR
58685 (Nov. 2, 1998).  Petitions for reconsideration of the First Report were filed and oppositions to these
petitions were filed on February 5, 1999.  The current deadline for filing replies to these oppositions is
February 16, 1999.  See 64 FR 3298 (Jan. 21, 1999).  Comments were also filed regarding the Third Notice
and the current deadline for filing reply comments is February 18, 1999.  See 64 FR 1003 (Jan. 7, 1999).  

     2.  On February 8, 1999, the Commission received a Motion for Extension of Time filed by the
Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International, Inc. (APCO).  APCO requests seven
(7) day extensions of time both for filing replies to oppositions to petitions for reconsideration of the First
Report, and for filing reply comments regarding the Third Notice.  APCO states these short extensions would
afford interested parties adequate time to prepare full and complete comments because most parties are
simultaneously participating in both the "reconsideration" and "Third NPRM" elements of this proceeding. 
Specifically, APCO contends that the proximity of the two related deadlines, combined with the upcoming
Federal holiday on February 15, 1999, will limit the ability of public safety agencies and organizations to
provide adequate and timely submissions in both aspects of this critical proceeding.  APCO adds while a 30-
day period was allotted for reply comments regarding the Third Notice, many parties have been occupied
during that period with preparing oppositions to the petitions for reconsideration.  

     3.  It is the policy of the Commission that extensions of time are not routinely granted.  Upon review,
however, we agree that an extension will afford parties the necessary time to coordinate and file comments that
will facilitate the compilation of a more complete record in this proceeding.  We believe that seven-day
extensions of time, both for filing replies to oppositions to petitions for reconsideration of the First Report and
reply comments regarding the Third Notice, should provide an adequate opportunity for all parties to prepare
and file responsive and complete pleadings in this proceeding without causing undue delay to the Commission's
consideration of this proceeding.  

     4.  Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that the Motion for Extension of Time filed by the Association
of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International, Inc., on February 8, 1999, IS GRANTED.  Parties
shall file replies to oppositions to petitions for reconsideration of the First Report no later than February 23,
1999, and reply comments regarding the Third Notice no later than February 25, 1999.   

     5.  This action is taken pursuant to the authority provided in Section 1.46 of the Commission's Rules,
47 C.F.R.  1.46 and under delegated authority pursuant to Sections 0.131 and 0.331 of the Commission's
Rules, 47 C.F.R.   0.131, 0.331.

                              FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION



                              D'wana R. Terry
                              Chief, Public Safety & Private Wireless Division
                              Wireless Telecommunications Bureau