Groups Ask FCC to Keep Clock Stopped on Verizon/Cable Deal

Cite July 4 holiday and opportunity to vet more comments in Verizon–T-Mobile

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 7/5/2012 4:38:20 PM

Public Knowledge and the Rural Telecommunications Group have asked the FCC for more time -- until July 24 -- to comment on the impact of the proposed Verizon–T-Mobile spectrum license exchange on Verizon's proposed purchase of spectrum from cable operators.

The FCC last week agreed to stop the clock on its vetting of the Verizon–SpectrumCo cable spectrum deal until July 10 to allow for comment, also due July 10, but PK and the rural group say they need until July 24 and want both the deadline for comment and the clock-stoppage extended.

They argue in a motion for extension of time that the July 4 holiday has made it more difficult to meet that July 19 deadline. They also say that moving the deadline will allow them to respond to any relevant info in Verizon and T-Mobile's oppositions to petitions to deny their spectrum swap, which are due July 17.