Licensees in the Educational Broadband Service can breathe easier now. Their deadline for demonstrating substantial service has been extended six months, to November 1, 2011.
As we reported in February, the Catholic Television Network (CTN) and the National EBS Association (NEBSA) asked the Commission for an extension of the original May 1, 2011 substantial service deadline. Their request was made on behalf of all EBS licensees – BUT it did not include any Broadband Radio Service (BRS) licensees. Acting with impressive speed, the Commission sought public comment on the request and has now issued a Memorandum Opinion and Order granting the CTN/NEBSA petition. (The fact that a total of only 18 responsive comments were filed probably helped move things along, particularly since none of the commenters opposed the extension.)
Bottom line: EBS licensees now face a November 1, 2011 deadline for demonstrating substantial service. (The bad news for BRS licensees is that they remain subject to the original May 1 date.)