$//PN, WTB announces Voluntary Negotiation period for 2 GHz, DA 96-838//$

                                                                 PUBLIC NOTICE
                                                                              
                                                        Federal Communications
                                                                    Commission
   1919 M St., N.W.
   Washington, D.C. 20554
                                                                              
DA                                                                      96-838

                                                                                                                                                May 24, 1996

                                                                              WIR      ELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU ANNOUNCES COMMENCEMENT
OF        THE VOLUNTARY NEGOTIATION PERIOD FOR 2 GHZ MICROWAVE
INC         UMBENTS OPERATING IN THE BROADBAND PCS "C" BLOCK 

In the Emerging Technologies docket (ET Docket No. 92-9), the Commission
established a three-stage process for relocation of microwave incumbents currently
operating on 2 GHz frequencies allocated to Broadband PCS.  The first phase is a
two-year voluntary negotiation period (three years for public safety incumbents) during
which PCS licensees may negotiate with microwave incumbents regarding relocation. 
The second phase is a one-year mandatory negotiation period (two years for public
safety incumbents) during which the parties are obligated to negotiate in good faith. 
The mandatory negotiation period is triggered at the option of the PCS licensee, but
PCS licensees may not invoke their right to mandatory negotiation until the voluntary
negotiation period has expired.  Following the expiration of the mandatory period,
incumbents who have not entered into negotiated agreements are subject to
involuntary relocation under the Commission's rules.

The Commission's rules provide that the voluntary negotiations period for 2 GHz
incumbents commence with the acceptance of applications for the emerging
technology service.  See e.g., 47 C.F.R.  94.59(b).  By this Public Notice, the
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau announces that the two-year voluntary
negotiation period for 2 GHz microwave incumbents operating in the broadband PCS
"C" block shall be deemed to have commenced on May 22, 1996, the date that the C
block auction winners filed their long form applications.  Accordingly, under current
rules, the voluntary negotiation period for non-public safety microwave licensees in
these blocks expires on May 22, 1998.  For public safety microwave licensees
operating in C block, the three-year voluntary negotiation period began on May 22,
1996 and expires May 22, 1999.  The duration of these periods is potentially subject
to change, however, based on the Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making recently
adopted by the Commission in WT Docket No. 95-157. In the Further Notice, the
Commission sought comment, inter alia, on whether to shorten the voluntary
negotiation period for C block from two years to one year (three years to two years for
public safety incumbents) and lengthen the mandatory period from one year to two
years (two years to three years for public safety incumbents).  Comments in response
to the Further Notice are due May 28, 1996 and reply comments are due June 7,
1996.  

For further information contact Michael Hamra at (202) 418-0620.