FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          News Media Contacts:
October 26, 1999                                                                 Audrey Spivack (202) 418-0512 
                                            Nancy Plon (202) 418-2899                  
                                                                                                         
                                                                                                      

 FCC Releases Y2K Communications Sector Report Supplements for
   Broadcast, Cable, Satellite, and Emergency Communications

The FCC today released Y2K Communications Sector Report Supplements for Broadcast,
Cable, Satellite, and Emergency Communications.

The Broadcast Sector Supplement reports that broadcasters surveyed were considerably
farther along in their Y2K remediation in June 1999 than they were at the time of the
Commission's previous survey of Y2K readiness. Due to the high rate of actual remediation
already achieved (80%) among stations reporting, and the fact that the average expected
completion dates for theses phases have not slipped into the fourth quarter of calendar 1999, the
Supplement concludes that none of these elements or systems appear to be at risk for widespread
Y2K induced failure.  

The Cable Sector Supplement confirms that most cable system operations are expected to
function normally through the January 1, 2000 rollover. The respondents to the June 1999 survey
serve approximately 92 percent of cable subscribers and cover a similar cross-section of small,
medium and large operators. The response rate to our re-survey was 100 percent.

The Satellite Sector Supplement indicates that overall completion dates for some
companies slipped slightly, but that there is no significant variance from the first data. 
The survey response rate was moderately satisfactory. The Commission contacted 18 operators
who had responded to the first survey for updated information. We received 12 responses. As the
respondent companies constitute a large percentage of the satellite services industry, their
responses provide a viable Y2K industry analysis. 

     The Emergency Communications Sector Supplement indicates that telecommunications
carriers report high readiness to complete 911 calls, and that both broadcast licensees and cable
operators report high readiness with Emergency Alert System equipment.

On March 30, 1999, the FCC, in conjunction with Network Reliability and Interoperability
Council (NRIC), released a broad Y2K Communications Sector Report.   The Commission
subsequently initiated a resurvey of the industry in order to determine whether they are "on track"
with Y2K preparations. The results of the resurvey conducted in June/July have been issued as a
series of Report Supplements that are publicly available on the Commission's Y2K web site, at
www.fcc.gov/year2000. The FCC's Year 2000 Task Force also can be reached by e-mail at
year2000@fcc.gov. 
                                
                            - FCC -