WPC: 2 ZB 0XXx6X@7X@Ыx6X@7X@<6X9`(CourierXXj\  PG;XP%\  `$Times New RomanX2083|j#Xj\  PG;XP# ` `  hh#(-pp2DA 98303 ` `  hh#( ` `  hh#(-pp2Released: February 17, 1998 Timothy E. Welch Hill & Welch 1330 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W. Suite 113 Washington, D.C. 20036 Re:` ` Confidentiality Request of Northeast Communications of Wisconsin, Inc., ` `  Dear Mr. Welch: This letter responds to the January 23, 1998 request of Northeast Communications of Wisconsin, Inc. ("Northeast") for confidential treatment of the information contained in Exhibit C of its 175 application. Specifically, Northeast requests the nondisclosure of financial information regarding its "small business" status submitted in Exhibit C because it is a privatelyheld company. We review requests for confidentiality and nondisclosure on a casebycase basis. Section 0.459 of the Commission's rules requires an entity requesting confidential treatment of material to submit a statement of the reasons for withholding the materials from inspection and of the facts upon which those reasons are based. Mere conclusory or generalized allegations cannot support a request for nondisclosure. Rather, the submissions must show by a preponderance of the evidence that nondisclosure is consistent with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C.  552. We find that your request does not meet the requirements set forth in Section 0.459 of the Commission's rules. Northeast's status as a privately held company does not justify withholding from inspection materials that bear upon its qualifications to participate in the LMDS auction as a "small business". See Sections 101.1104, 101.1107, 101.1109 and 101.1112. Therefore, your request for confidentiality IS HEREBY DENIED. ` `  hh#(Sincerely, ` `  hh#(Kathleen O'Brien Ham ` `  hh#(Chief, Auctions and Industry Analysis Division ` `  hh#(Wireless Telecommunications Bureau  F ` `   ` `