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Commission authorization of the filing of staff comment:The Commission has authorized the staff of the Bureau of Economics to file a comment with the Â鶹´«Ã½ Communications Commission (FCC) regarding the auction of advanced wireless services licenses. The comment has been provided in response to an FCC Â鶹´«Ã½ Register notice in which the FCC proposes a number of changes to the rules previously used in wireless spectrum auctions. It focuses on the competitive aspects of the proposed modifications and supports those modifications that are intended to enhance competition by not revealing certain information during the competitive bidding process.

Specifically, the comment suggests that the balance of evidence in both the theoretical and empirical economics literature supports the finding that the FCC’s proposed changes are both warranted and appropriate, and that the likely benefits from the rule change outweigh any potential harm. The Commission vote authorizing the staff to file the comment was 5-0. A copy of the comment can be found as a link to this press release and on the FTC’s Web site. (FTC File No. V060008; the staff contact is Michael A. Salinger, Bureau of Economics, 202-326-2418.)

Publication of Â鶹´«Ã½ Register notice: The Commission has approved the publication of a Â鶹´«Ã½ Register notice regarding proposed information requests to beverage alcohol manufacturers. According to the notice, the FTC is seeking public comment on proposed information requests concerning the manufacturers’ compliance with voluntary advertising placement provisions, sales and marketing expenditures, and the status of third-party review of complaints regarding compliance with voluntary advertising codes. The comment will be considered before the FTC submits a request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) review of the proposal under the Paperwork Reduction Act. Comments must be received on or before May 6, 2006.

The Commission vote approving publication of the Â鶹´«Ã½ Register notice was 5-0. A copy of the notice can be found as a link to this press release and on the FTC’s Web site. (FTC File No. P064505; the staff contact is Janet M. Evans, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-2125.)

Copies of the documents mentioned in this release are available from the FTC’s Web site at http://www.ftc.gov and from the FTC’s Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20580. Call toll-free: 1-877-FTC-HELP.