DA 97-649
 
                            Before the
                FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
                      Washington D.C.  20554



In the Matter of                   )                        
                                                  )
Installment Payments for                )              
PCS Licenses                  )                        
                              )
                         
                              ORDER


     Adopted:  March 31, 1997                Released:  March 31, 1997


By The Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau: 


     1.  In order to implement the requirement of Section 309(j) of the Communications Act
that the Federal Communications Commission promote the dissemination of licenses among a
wide variety of auction applicants, the Commission has adopted a program to allow small
businesses to pay for their licenses in installment payments.  The auction of 986 broadband
Personal Communications Service (PCS) licenses for the C and F blocks, in particular, has
resulted in the Commission amassing a significant installment payment loan portfolio. 
Commission staff has actively been working with other federal agencies regarding the transfer of
responsibilities for certain debt functions related to this program.  These discussions may result in
a change in the procedures for making and collecting installment payments in the near term. 
Additionally, on March 13, 1997, several C block licensees filed a joint request with the
Commission, seeking to modify their existing installment payment obligations by moving from a
quarterly to an annual payment schedule.
  

     2.  Pending resolution of these matters, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau will
today suspend the March 31, 1997 deadline for all installment payments for the C block
broadband PCS licensees until further notice.  This action today applies to broadband PCS
licenses that have already been issued.  Broadband PCS licensees that have not yet been issued
their F block licenses, and that are eligible for installments, will be treated similarly by Public
Notice.  This Order, however, has no effect on the down payments required for such licenses.
     

                         ORDERING CLAUSE
     3.   Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that the installment payment deadline for all
broadband PCS installment payments is suspended pending further action that will reinstate such
deadlines.  Interest will continue to accrue on all unpaid installment payments until such action is
taken and this Order is lifted.  This action is taken pursuant to delegated authority, 47 C.F.R. 
0.331.


                         FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION



                         Michele C. Farquhar
                         Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau