May 31, 1994

    CHAIRMAN HUNDT ADDRESSES FIRST MEETING OF FCC'S INDUSTRY ADVISORY
       COMMITTEE FOR THE 1995 WORLD RADIOCOMMUNICATION CONFERENCE 


     Calling them "participants in . . .[the] MSS revolution, and
the experts who will contribute to the development of cohesive,
strong and effective U.S. positions for WRC-95," Chairman Reed
Hundt welcomed the members of the FCC Industry Advisory Committee
(IAC) for the 1995 International Telecommunication  Union (ITU)
World Radio communications Conference (WRC-95).  

     The ITU is chaired by Gary Epstein, a Washington
telecommunications attorney and former Chief of the FCC's Common
Carrier Bureau.  

     The goal of the IAC is to prepare for the WRC-95 through the
development of recommended U.S. positions and proposals.  These
recommendations will contribute to the formulation of final U.S.
proposals that will advance U.S. interests at the ITU conference. 
A major focus of WRC-95 will be the introduction of mobile
satellite services (MSS).

     Chairman Hundt noted that MSS technology "offers a unique
opportunity for truly universal mobile and fixed
telecommunications services in rural and remote areas, by filling
in coverage gaps between terrestrial service areas." 

     He pointed out that "commercial low-Earth orbit (LEO)
satellite systems can extend this seamless coverage throughout
the world.  Consequently, MSS Will be an integral part of the
Global Information Infrastructure (GII), a point emphasized by
the Vice President and affirmed by officials around the world at
the ITU World Telecommunication Development Conference in Buenos
Aires two months ago.

                                  - FCC -