Report No. DC-2696         ACTION IN DOCKET CASE          December 20, 1994



         FCC PROPOSES RULES TO ESTABLISH A NEW PART 101 GOVERNING
                TERRESTRIAL MICROWAVE FIXED RADIO SERVICES
                          (WT DOCKET NO. 94-148)

     The FCC has proposed to consolidate and simplify the
regulations for common carrier and private fixed microwave
services, currently contained, respectively, in Parts 21 and 94
of the rules, to create a new Part 101.

     The Commission said the proposed changes would reduce
redundancy now contained in the rules and remove obsolete rules
and language.  The changes would also simplify and clarify the
requirements for filing license and other authorization
applications, the processing of applications and other requests,
and the operation of common carrier and private operational fixed
microwave stations.

     First, the Commission proposed to make minor editorial
changes in the definitions.  In instances where a definition now
appears in more than one rule section and is phrased
inconsistently, the Commission has proposed using the phrasing
that it believes is the most precise.  In cases were a definition
appears in Part 2 of the rules as well as in another part, the
proposed Part 101 definition will adopt the Part 2 definition in
order to conform with the International Telecommunication
Convention or the International Radio Regulations.  The
Commission also proposed to change the name and all relevant
terms related to the Private Digital Termination System service
to match the name and terms of the identical Common Carrier
Digital Electronic Message Service.

     Second, the Commission proposed eliminating several
application showings that are currently required of common
carrier microwave applicants under Part 21 of the rules, but are
not essential for processing these applications. 


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     These are: 1) financial showing; 2) public interest showing;
3) eliminating the requirement that applicants submit a copy of
any franchise or other authorization when such authorizations are
required by local law; 4) eliminating the showings regarding
control over the station and maintenance procedures; 5)
eliminating the vertical profile sketch and the site availability
showing, as these showings are not necessary for processing and
lack of site availability has not been a problem in the common
carrier services being transferred to Part 101; and, 6) comments
are requested on whether the public interest showing currently
required of applicants in the Point-to-Point Microwave Radio
Service should be retained or deleted.  

     The Commission also proposed to allow electronic filing for
all fixed microwave services authorized under Part 101 as is
currently allowed for private land mobile applications.  The
Commission proposed technical changes affecting transmitter power
limitations and interference standards.   Finally, the Commission
request comments on what requirements it should adopt regarding
retention or posting of the station license.

     Action by the Commission December 9, 1994, by Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 94-314).  Chairman Hundt, Commissioners
Quello, Barrett, Ness, and Chong.

                                   -FCC-

     News Media contact: Patricia A. Chew at (202) 418-0500.
     Wireless Telecommunications Bureau contact: Robert James at
(202) 634-1706.