The Federal Communications Commission is taking public comments and petitions regarding AT&T's proposed $48.5 billion purchase of DirecTV until September 16, the commission announced today.

This is one of the first steps of a review process in which the FCC will determine whether the acquisition is in the public's interest.

You can submit filings to the FCC at this link. Comments began coming in shortly after AT&T announced the deal, but today's announcement sets a deadline.

By September 16, all initial comments and petitions to deny the merger must be submitted. Responses to initial comments and oppositions to petitions can be filed until October 16. A third round consisting of replies to the responses and oppositions will then begin and continue until November 5.

"Persons and entities that do not file petitions to deny... generally may not seek reconsideration of the Commission’s decision regarding the transfer of control of the licenses or other authorizations at issue or appeal a final decision to the courts," the FCC said.

AT&T said upon announcing the deal in May that it expects the transaction to close within 12 months. The FCC—and Justice Department—will simultaneously be reviewing the AT&T/DirecTV merger and Comcast's proposed purchase of Time Warner Cable.

Initial comments and petitions on the Comcast/TWC merger are due August 25.