NEWS November 19, 1996 THE WIRELESS BUREAU RELEASES FISCAL YEAR 1995-1996 PROGRESS REPORT Summary of Major Accomplishments and Initiatives of the Bureau The FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) released a Progress Report today (attached), highlighting the Bureau's efforts on major initiatives and accomplishments for the 1995-1996 Fiscal Year. "The Bureau has been extraordinarily busy during the last twelve months. We've already completed many of our proceedings to implement the Telecommunications Act of 1996, while introducing new pro-competitive and streamlining initiatives and continuing our successful auctions program," says Michele C. Farquhar, WTB Bureau Chief. "The Chairman, Commissioners and their staffs, as well as the Bureau staff deserve credit for keeping pace with the work load during this intense period." WTB's mission is to promote economic growth and competition, to ensure that all Americans share the benefit of this growth, and to implement efficient processes to carry out these goals. In 1995/6, the Bureau has taken many concrete steps to make this vision a reality, and has taken action on far more rulemaking proceedings than during any previous period. In the past year, WTB has successfully "reinvented" its processes. It has initiated electronic filing for 75% of its services; increased the number of its rulemakings by 78% from last year; processed over 406,934 applications; reduced its licensing backlog by 75%; reduced its number of pending informal complaints by 62%; increased by 72% number of consumer telephone calls answered in a day; and established a web site that has received approximately 84,000 hits since its launch in February, 1996. The Bureau has also promoted economic growth and competition by ensuring that services get to market quickly, fairly, and efficiently. In 1995/6, the Bureau auctioned 2,008 licenses to 326 winners (291 of which were small businesses) for Broadband PCS (C Block), 900 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio, Multipoint Distribution Service, and Direct Broadcast Satellite. These auctions raised over $11 billion for the American taxpayer. Faster licensing and microwave relocation reforms will enable these services to come on-line quickly. - more - - 2 - In addition, the Bureau has fostered policies that increase competition among wireless services. For example, in June, the Commission adopted an Order prohibiting certain wireless providers from unreasonably restricting the resale of their services as well as another Order governing "manual" roaming to enable wireless customers to use their phones when they are traveling. Similarly, the Commission's rulemaking proposing enhanced spectrum flexibility, partitioning and disaggregation for PCS and the introduction of new competitive wireless services at 28 and 38 GHz will facilitate economic growth and a more market-based approach to spectrum management. WTB also worked to facilitate wireless entry into the local exchange market through its efforts on the Interconnection Order, released in August, and the CMRS Flexibility Order, released in June. The Bureau has also promoted access to services and other public interest goals. In June, the Commission adopted rules which require that all cellular, broadband PCS and geographic area SMR licensees transmit emergency calls within twelve months after the effective date of the rule. The Bureau also has been working closely with the Public Safety Wireless Advisory Committee (PSWAC), which will release its final report on the wireless communications needs of the public safety community through the year 2010 to the Commission and NTIA in September. To facilitate access to those with disabilities, the Commission adopted rules in July creating a new Low Power Radio Service which will allow persons with disabilities to use auditory assistance devices with less risk of interference. In September, the FCC released a Notice of Inquiry on Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The NOI represents an important first step to ensure access to telecommunications services and equipment to those with disabilities. The Bureau also continues to work with the wireless industry, hearing aid manufacturers, audiologists and consumers to resolve wireless hearing aid compatibility and interference issues. To help promote access to school children, WTB, with the CTIA Foundation, coordinated a public forum entitled "Using Wireless Technologies in the Classroom," at the J.O. Wilson Elementary School in Washington, D.C. on May 21. The Bureau also has been working with the Office of Engineering and Technology on the NII/SUPERNET proceeding, which would make available spectrum for a new category of unlicensed equipment that could provide advanced telecommunications services to educational institutions and other users. The Bureau is also working to ensure that the Commission's Universal Service proceeding considers how wireless technologies may provide a more efficient method of delivering telecommunications services to schools and libraries. -FCC- News Media Contact: Kara Palamaras at (202) 418-0654