Report GN 95-3         GENERAL ACTION           March 20, 1995 
     
                                                                                                                                         FCC PERMITS NY METROPOLITAN AREA 
     PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCIES TO USE
     FREQUENCIES AT 482-488 MHz
     
          
          The Commission waived Parts 2 and 90 of its Rules to permit the
     assignment of frequencies in the 482-488 MHz band (television channel 16) for
     the public safety radio services in New York City Metropolitan area.  This Waiver
     is granted for a period of at least five years or until the Commission assigns
     Channel 16 in New York City for advanced television service (ATV) and a
     broadcast licensee is authorized and ready to commence ATV operations.
     
          TV Channel 16 is currently allocated to the broadcasting service but there
     is no Channel 16 allotment in New York City.  The FCC believes that
     circumstances warrant a waiver of the Commission's Rules to permit public safety
     use of Channel 16.  Use of this channel for public safety operations will provide
     needed spectrum relief to help alleviate congestion of public safety radio
     frequencies in the New York City area and to help meet the needs of the public
     safety community for interoperability of communications for responding to
     emergency situations.
     
          Action by the Commission March 14, 1995 by Order (FCC 95-115). 
     Chairman Hundt, Commissioners Quello, Barrett, Ness and Chong.
     
     
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