PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
1919 M STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554                                  DA 97-645

News media information 202/418-0500     Fax-On-Demand  202/418-2830     Internet:  http://www.fcc.gov    ftp.fcc.gov


                                         Released: March 28, 1997

                     PUBLIC COMMENT INVITED 
           ON PETITION FOR DECLARATORY RULING FILED BY
             SPRINT SPECTRUM, L.P. d/b/a SPRINT PCS 
                                 
     On March 13, 1997, Sprint Corporation, Cox Communications, Inc., Tele-Communications,
Inc., and Comcast Corporation (collectively, "Sprint Spectrum Partners" or "Petitioners"), for
themselves individually and as parents of general partners in partnerships that collectively hold the
outstanding partnership interests in Sprint Spectrum, L.P. d/b/a Sprint PCS ("Sprint PCS"), filed a
Petition for Declaratory Ruling that Sprint PCS complies with Section 310(b)(4) of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended.  We request comment on this petition and the issues
discussed below.

     Petitioners request a ruling that Sprint PCS may indirectly hold common carrier radio
licenses so long as the levels of foreign equity and voting interest in each Sprint Spectrum Partner
are no greater than the amount permitted for each general partner individually under Section
310(b)(4) of the Communications Act.  Petitioners also argue that the pending World Trade
Organization (WTO) agreement to liberalize foreign investment in common carrier radio licenses
warrants the exercise of the Commission's discretion to permit investment over the 25 percent
threshold of Section 310(b)(4) for the interim period until the WTO agreement goes into effect. 
Alternatively, Petitioners request the Commission to rule that a multiplier may be used to calculate
the level of foreign voting interests in Sprint PCS based on the relative levels of voting interest of
the Sprint Spectrum Partners' subsidiary corporations.

     Interested parties may file comments on the Sprint Spectrum Partners' Petition for
Declaratory Ruling no later than April 28, 1997.  Reply comments may be filed no later than May
13, 1997.  All comments should be sent to the Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications
Commission, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554.  A copy of each filing should be sent
to International Transcription Service, Inc. (ITS), 2100 M Street, N.W., (202) 857-3800 and to Mika
Savir, Commercial Wireless Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Room 7002, 2025 M
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554.

     The full text of Sprint Spectrum Partners' Petition for Declaratory Ruling is available for
public inspection and duplication during regular business hours in the Wireless Telecommunications
Bureau Reference Room, Federal Communications Commission, 2025 M Street, N.W., Room 5608,
Washington, D.C. 20554.  Copies may also be obtained from ITS.

     For further information contact Mika Savir, Commercial Wireless Division, Wireless
Telecommunications Bureau, at (202) 418-0620.

     Action by Chief, Commercial Wireless Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.