NEWS                                                    February
14, 1997
                                    
                                    
          FCC TO HOLD CONFERENCE, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1997,
                  TO DISCUSS PROPOSED AUCTIONS FOR 1997


     The Federal Communications Commission's Office of
Communications Business Opportunities (OCBO) in conjunction with
the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) will host a free
conference entitled "Auctions '97" on Wednesday, February 19,
1997, at the Washington Marriott Hotel, 1221 22nd Street, NW,
Washington, DC. 

     This one-day conference is designed to inform potential
auction participants and investors about services proposed for
auction by the FCC in 1997.  

     FCC speakers include: Commissioner Susan Ness; Michele
Farquhar, Chief, WTB; William Kennard, General Counsel; Catherine
Sandoval, Director, OCBO; Karen Brinkmann, Associate Chief , WTB;
Kathleen Ham, Chief, Auctions Division, WTB; David Furth, Chief,
Commercial Wireless Division, WTB and Michael Marcus, Associate
Chief,Office of Engineering and Technology.  Other distinguished
government speakers include Larry Irving, Assistant Secretary,
National Telecommunications Information Administration,
Department of Commerce; Ginger Lew, Deputy Administrator, U.S.
Small Business Administration (SBA) and David Zesiger, Assistant
General Counsel for Advocacy, (SBA).

     "Auctions '97" will feature FCC panelists discussing auction
procedures, regulatory issues for wireless entrepreneurs, and
auction opportunities in new and existing wireless services. 
Private sector representatives will share their views on
technological and market developments. There will also be panel
discussions on contracting opportunities in the
telecommunications industry and financing.

     Small business Personal Communications Services (PCS)
auction winners, Mickey Sims, President & Chief Executive
Officer, Poka Lambro and Jim Winston, Secretary and
General Counsel, Urban Communicators PCS L.P. will be the
luncheon keynote speakers. They will discuss their auction
experiences, business plans, and the capital fundraising
process. 

     Space is limited. To register for the conference and arrange
to attend the luncheon, please call Kim Sescoe at (202) 546-4356.
                                        
                                 - FCC   -