PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 1919 M STREET, N.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 News Media Information: (202) 418-0500 Fax-On-Demand: (202) 418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov WT Docket 97-82 DA 97-679 June 2, 1997 WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON BROADBAND PCS C AND F BLOCK INSTALLMENT PAYMENT ISSUES The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau ("Bureau") has received a request from several broadband Personal Communications Services ("PCS") licensees requesting that the Commission modify the payment frequency for broadband PCS C and F block licensees from quarterly to annual installments. As a result of the pendency of this request and other issues regarding certain debt functions, the Bureau released an Order which suspended the deadline for broadband PCS C block installment payments. PCS F block installment payments were later suspended as well. The Bureau subsequently received several letters that propose alternative financing arrangements for broadband PCS C and F block licensees. The Bureau also recently received a petition for rulemaking regarding the issue of broadband PCS C and F block payments. In order to consider which options would be most appropriate for a restructuring of broadband PCS C and F block debt, the Bureau seeks comment on the proposals received to date, as set forth in the Gutierrez Letter, the Sawicki Letter, the Barker Letter, and the Cook Inlet Petition. In addition, we note that other proposals have been informally raised with the Bureau. The Bureau invites any additional proposals for addressing the C and F block broadband PCS financing terms. Comments received in response to this Public Notice will be incorporated into the record for the WT Docket No. 97-82 proceeding. Copies of the cited proposals are attached to this Public Notice as Appendices A through H. These proposals can also be found in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Reference Room, Room 5608, 2025 M Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20554. In addition, the Bureau will hold a public forum to discuss the issues of C and F block restructuring and the current capital markets for financing these licenses. The Bureau plans to conduct the forum on June 30, 1997 in Washington, D.C. Further information concerning this event will be provided in a subsequent Public Notice. Finally, the Bureau has received numerous refund requests from licensees that submitted timely payments prior to the suspension of the installment payments. The Bureau seeks comment on whether these licensees should be offered any credit for the time value of their payments as a means to compensate these licensees for the cost of retaining their money during the period of payment suspension. The Bureau seeks comment on how such compensation could be formulated. Parties should file comments by June 23, 1997 and replies to comments by July 8, 1997, with the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M Street, N.W., Room 222, Washington, DC 20554. In addition, two copies should be hand delivered to: (1) Auctions and Industry Analysis Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Room 5322, 2025 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554, Attention: Sande Taxali. Copies of the petitions, comments, and reply comments may be obtained from the Commission's duplicating contractor, International Transcription Service, Inc. (ITS), 2100 M Street, N.W. Suite 140, Washington, D.C., 20037, (202) 857-3800. Copies are also available for public inspection during regular business hours in Room 5608, 2025 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. When requesting copies, please refer to DA-679. For further information contact Rachel Kazan or Sande Taxali, Auctions and Industry Analysis Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau at (202) 418-0660. Action by the Acting Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.