PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
1919 M STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554                                           DA 96-1654

News media information 202/418-0500     Fax-On-Demand  202/418-2830     Internet:  http://www.fcc.gov    ftp.fcc.gov


                                                  Released: October 4, 1996


                         PUBLIC COMMENT INVITED

       AMERICAN MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION, INC. FILES
      PETITION FOR RULEMAKING TO EXPAND GEOGRAPHIC PARTITIONING AND
           SPECTRUM DISAGGREGATION PROVISIONS FOR 900 MHZ SMR
                                (RM-8887)

     On September 30, 1996, the American Mobile Telecommunications Association, Inc.
(AMTA) filed a petition for rulemaking seeking modifications to the 900 MHz  SMR rules to
allow geographic partitioning to include all 900 MHz MTA licenses and to permit spectrum
disaggregation.   AMTA believes that its proposal will facilitate the efficient use of  900 MHz
spectrum by providing licensees with additional flexibility to tailor their business strategies, will
increase competition by allowing market entry by new players, and will expedite the provision
of this telecommunications option to areas that may not otherwise receive 900 MHz SMR or
other wireless services in the near term.  Because of the overlap with issues we are currently
considering in our 800 MHz proceeding, PR Docket No. 93-144, we will incorporate AMTA's
petition into that proceeding, with the objective of developing a single set of rules to govern
partitioning and disaggregation in the SMR service.

     Interested parties may file comments on AMTA's petition no later than October 21, 1996. 
Reply comments may be filed no later than October 31, 1996.  All comments should make
reference to RM-8887 and to PR Docket No. 93-144,  and be sent to the Office of the Secretary,
Federal Communications Commission, Washington, D.C. 20554.  A copy of each filing should
be sent to International Transcription Service, Inc. (ITS), 2100 M Street, N.W., Suite 140,
Washington, D.C. 20037, (202) 857-3800 and Mika Savir, Esq., Federal Communications
Commission, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB), Commercial Wireless Division, Legal
Branch, 2025 M Street, N.W., Room 7130, Washington, D.C. 20554.
     
     The full text of the petition is available for public inspection and duplication during regular
business hours in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Reference Room, Federal
Communications Commission, 2025 M Street, N.W., Room 5608, Washington, D.C. 20554. 
Copies may also be obtained from ITS.

     For further information contact Mika Savir or David Kirschner, Wireless Telecommunications
Bureau, Commercial Wireless Division, at (202) 418-7240.