Report No. DC-2586         ACTION IN DOCKET CASE            
April 20, 1994


         FCC SEEKS COMMENT REGARDING ALLOCATION OF SPECTRUM BELOW

               5 GHZ TRANSFERRED FROM FEDERAL GOVERNMENT USE
                           (ET DOCKET NO. 94-32)

     The Commission is seeking information on potential
applications for 50 megahertz of spectrum that is being
transferred
immediately from Federal Government to private sector use.  

     The Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1993 (Reconciliation Act),
required the Department of Commerce to identify 200 megahertz of
spectrum below 5 GHz that can be reallocated from Federal
Government to private sector use within the next 15 years.  The
Reconciliation Act also required that 50 megahertz of the
spectrum
identified be available for immediate reallocation to private
sector use and that the FCC adopt regulations to allocate, and
propose regulations to assign, this first 50 megahertz of
spectrum
by February 10, 1995.  The spectrum identified for immediate
reallocation is at the bands 2390-2400 MHz, 2402-2417 MHz, and
4660-4685 MHz.  

     The Commission's goal is to ensure that spectrum reallocated
for private sector use will provide for the introduction of new
services, and the enhancement of existing services.  These new
and
enhanced services will create new jobs, foster economic growth,
and
improve access to communications by industry and the American
public.  Possible advances in communications will contribute to
the
development of the national information infrastructure which will
provide American industry and consumers access to rapid and
flexible information networks essential to competition and the
global market.

      The Commission is asking for comment as to the services to
which the 50 megahertz of spectrum should be allocated and on
specific rules for use of this spectrum to ensure that it is used
to its maximum potential in meeting the Commission's goal.  The
Commission noted, however, that there are a number of factors
associated with existing allocations of the bands that will
affect
their potential for private sector use.   


                                  (over)



                                    -2-


     The Commission emphasized that the focus of this Inquiry is
on
uses for the three bands available for immediate reallocation and
commenters should limit their consideration to these bands.
The Commission stated that use of the remaining 150 megahertz of
spectrum identified by the Department of Commerce for delayed
reallocation will be considered at a later date.  However, the
Commission encourages interested parties to participate in the
Department of Commerce's process to make a final identification
of
spectrum for reallocation by filing comments with the Department.

     Action by the Commission April 20, 1994, by Notice of
Inquiry
(FCC 94-97).  Chairman Hundt, Commissioners Quello and Barrett.

                                   -FCC-

     News Media contact: Patricia A. Chew at (202) 632-5050.
     Office of Engineering and Technology contact: Steve Sharkey
at
(202) 653-8151.