Advanced Television Services

This is a synopsis of the Order Granting Extension of the Time for Filing Reply Comments in MM Docket No. 87- 268, DA 96-8, adopted January 11, 1996 and released January 11, 1996. The complete text of this Order is available for inspection and copying during normal business hours in the FCC Reference Center (Room 239), 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., and also may be purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, International Transcription Service, (202) 857-3800, 2100 M Street, N.W., Suite 140, Washington, DC 20037.

Synopsis of Order Granting Extension of Time for Filing Reply Comments

1. On July 28, 1995, the Commission, as part of its ongoing Advanced Television rulemaking proceeding, adopted a Fourth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Third Notice of Inquiry (``Fourth Further Notice''), 10 FCC Rcd 10540, 60 FR 42130 (August 15, 1995). Comments on the Fourth Further Notice were due October 18, 1995, and reply comments on December 4, 1995. These deadlines were subsequently extended to November 15, 1995 and January 12, 1996, respectively in Order Granting Extension of Time for Filing Comments and Reply Comments, DA 95-2137, 60 FR 53902 (October 18, 1995). By Public Notice, DA 96-2, released July 11, 1996, the Commission, by delegated authority, provided that documents due to be filed on January 11 or 12, 1996 would be due instead on January 16, 1996. 2. An extension of time to reply comments until January 26, 1996 was requested by Robert K. Graves of R. K. Graves Associates, on behalf of the HDTV Grand Alliance (``Graves''), on the grounds that: (1) the volume of the comments covering a broad range of issues has made it difficult to prepare thoughtful and thorough responses within the current time frame; (2) the closure of the Commission as part of the partial federal government shutdown last November caused the comments to be filed on November 20 or later, at least five days after the scheduled due date; (3) the preoccupation of the Grand Alliance and other parties with preparations for the December 12 en banc hearing made it impossible to begin preparing reply comments until after the hearing and demonstrations; (4) a substantial body of additional testimony was filed in connection with the hearing, requiring further analysis; and (5) the blizzard of 1996 has made it very difficult for those involved in preparing the reply for the Grand Alliance to communicate and share information effectively during the last week. Graves also notes that it has been impossible to request and extension earlier because the Commission has been closed, first because of the partial Government shutdown due to lack of appropriations and then because of the bad weather. 3. We find that good cause exists for granting a short extension of the reply comment deadlines in order to afford the parties an adequate opportunity for reasoned replies to the comments in this proceeding and are aware that the Fourth Further Notice raised many complex issues. Further, the blizzard of 1996, an extremely unusual event, has stalled mail deliveries, disrupted transit, and forced many workplaces to close, among other things, and has therefore undoubtedly complicated efforts to complete the reply comments, particularly for those parties whose comments required coordination among multiple entities or persons. However, we hesitate to extend the reply comment date until January 26, 1996, as requested because we do not want to unnecessarily delay the conclusion of this lengthy proceeding. Accordingly, we will grant a short extension of the reply comment deadline until January 22, 1996. 4. Accordingly, it is ordered, that the letter request, filed by Robert K. Graves on behalf of the HDTV Grand Alliance, seeking an extension of time in which to file reply comments in response to the Fourth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Third Notice of Inquiry in MM Docket No. 87-268, is granted to the extent indicated herein and, in all other respects is denied. 5. It is further ordered, that the time for filing reply comments in the above-captioned proceeding is extended to January 22, 1996. 6. This action is taken pursuant to authority found in Sections 4(i) and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. Secs. 154(i) and 303(r), and Sections 0.204(b), 0.283 and 1.45 of the Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R. Secs. 0.204(b), 0.283 and 1.45.

Federal Communications Commission. Roy J. Stewart, Chief, Mass Media Bureau. [FR Doc. 96-706 Filed 1-18-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712-01-M