FOR RECORD ONLY
$//PN,WJG Maritel Waiver,DA 95-1266//$
$/80.153 Coast station operator requirements/$                    
                                             DA 95-1266
          
RELEASED: June 8, 1995

        WJG MARITEL CORPORATION FILES FOR WAIVER OF MARITIME RULES
           TO PERMIT AUTOMATED PUBLIC COAST STATION OPERATIONS


      On April 19, 1995, WJG MariTEL Corporation (WJG) filed a request for
waiver of Sections 80.153, 80.207, 80.371(c), and 80.453 of the Commission's
Rules, 47 C.F.R. 80.153, 80.207, 80.371(c), and 80.453, to permit automated
operations at 77 public coast stations along the east coast, gulf coast, and
the Mississippi river.

      Currently, public coast stations link marine VHF radios and the public
switched telephone network via a marine operator.  WJG requests that the
maritime service rules be waived to permit an automated link, eliminating the
need for a live operator, and making the logistics of ship-to-shore phone
calls transparent to the end user.

      Interested parties should address comments regarding this request by
July 8, 1995, to the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, Attn:
Private Wireless Division, 1919 M Street, NW, Washington, DC  20554.  For
further information regarding WJG's request, contact Roger Noel of the
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau at (202) 418-0680.


   - FCC -