PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 1919 M STREET N.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON, D.C. 20230 NTIA news releases are available via the Internet at ftp.ntia.doc.gov, gopher.ntia.doc.gov and http://ntia.doc.gov. FCC News Media Information (202) 418-0500. Recorded listing of releases and texts (202) 418-2222. REVISED February 25, 1997 FCC WRC-97 ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND NTIA APPROVE SECOND SET OF DRAFT PRELIMINARY PROPOSALS FOR WRC-97 The Commission's WRC-97 Advisory Committee and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) have approved a second set of draft preliminary proposals for the upcoming World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC- 97). In accordance with the streamlined procedures developed to improve the United States conference preparation process, we are providing the public with this early opportunity to review and comment on draft proposals before further consideration. Final U.S. proposals will be determined by the Department of State based on the recommendations of the FCC and NTIA. This second set of joint preliminary draft proposals, numbers 10-20 (the first set of joint preliminary draft proposals, numbers 1-9, was released by Public Notice on September 24, 1996), was developed by the FCC WRC-97 Advisory Committee, working through its Informal Working Groups, and NTIA, through the Radio Conference Subcommittee of the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee. The draft proposals: 10) propose 3 levels of priority above routine priority, to protect maritime safety telecommunications: distress, urgency and safety. (Agenda Item 1.6.3) 11) provide for the common worldwide primary allocation of space-based active sensors in the bands 13.25-13.4 GHz and 13.4-13.75 GHz (Agenda Item 1.9.2) 12) realign allocations between 50.2-71 GHz to not only protect passive systems operating in the unique oxygen absorption frequency range, but also those of the inter-satellite service and the fixed and mobile services. Provide for changes to the allocations for the inter-satellite service to preclude interference to passive sensors. Provide for the allocation of the inter- satellite service in the band 65-71 GHz. (Agenda Item 1.9.4.3) 13) provide for the common worldwide primary allocation of space-based active sensors in the band 9500-9800 MHz. (Agenda Item 1.9.2) 14) upgrade the secondary allocation to provide for frequency spectrum at 35.5-36 GHz and 94-94.1 GHz for use by space-based active earth sensors. Add a footnote to limit the use of the 94-94.1 GHz band to spaceborne cloud radars. (Agenda Item 1.9.2) 15) provide for the common worldwide primary allocation of space-based active sensors in the band17.2-17.3 GHz. (Agenda Item 1.9.2) 16) modify the simplified Radio Regulations developed at WRC-95. Modifications are presented in three parts. Part One, Chapter N-IX, Distress and Safety Communications for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System; Part Two, Modifications to Article S18 (Articles 24 Licenses): Article S47 Operators Certificates (Article 55, Certificates for Personnel of Ship Stations and Ship Earth Stations,); Article S48 Personnel (Article 56, Personnel of Stations in the Maritime Mobile and the Maritime Mobile Satellite Service); and Part Three, Suppress Resolutions 200, 210 and 330 and No Change to Resoluation 331. (Agenda Item 1.6.1) 17) modify notification and registration of frequency assignments under Article S11. (Agenda Item 1) 18) modify Appendix S18 [18], Table of Transmitting Frequencies of the band 156-174 MHz for stations in the maritime mobile services; propose NOC for S5.287[669], propose a new resolution to review efficiency of use of the 156-174 MHz Band by the Maritime Mobile service,and modify Resolution 310 (Rev Mob.-87). (Agenda Item 1.6.2) 19) modify provisions of Articles S13 and S14. (Agenda Item 1) 20) revise Article S12/17 of the Radio Regulations. (Agenda Item 1.4) Members of the public are invited to provide to the FCC and NTIA comments on the second set of joint preliminary draft proposals attached to this notice. Members of the public should send an original and one copy of their comment to the Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. Comments should clearly note "Reference No. ISP-96-005" to ensure proper routing and should refer to specific proposals by their Joint Preliminary Draft Proposal number. Copies of comments should also be submitted to the Director, Office of Spectrum Plans and Policies, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Department of Commerce, Room 4099, Washington, D.C. 20230. -2- Parties preferring to e-mail their comments should address their comments to WRC97@fcc.gov and WRC97@ntia.doc.gov and reference "Second Draft Proposals" in the subject line. The deadline for comments on this second set of joint preliminary draft proposals is March 25, 1997. Timely comments will be considered by the FCC WRC-97 Advisory Committee and will be made available for public inspection at the FCC's International Reference Center, 2000 M Street, N.W., Room 102, Washington, D.C., telephone (202) 418- 1492. Copies of the documents can be purchased through the FCC's duplication contractor, ITS, Inc. (telephone: 202-857-3800). Further information about the FCC WRC-97 Advisory Committee, including its schedule of meetings, is available on the Internet at http://www.fcc.gov/ib/wrc97/. Meetings of the Advisory Committee and its Informal Working Groups are open to the public. For further information, contact Cecily C. Holiday, FCC International Bureau, at (202) 418-0719, or William T. Hatch, NTIA, at (202) 482-1138. - FCC/NTIA - -3-