NEWS IN 97-5                  INTERNATIONAL ACTION          March 13, 1997

COMMISSION PROPOSES TO ALLOCATE SPECTRUM FOR FIXED-S   ATELLITE
SERVICES AND SETS FORTH A PLAN FOR THE 36-51.4 GHz BAND 
(IB Docket No. 97-95 )
 
       Today in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking the Commission proposed spectrum
allocations for both geostationary and non-geostationary Fixed Satellite Services ("FSS").  The
Commission also sought comment on whether other operations could be accommodated in
these proposed satellite bands.  Adoption of suggested proposals in this Notice will benefit
individual consumers and businesses, both in the United States and world-wide, by
introducing new satellite competitors to the telecommunications service market.

       The various satellite proposals before the Commission would offer a variety of services
such as: cellular backhaul and PCS backhaul services, corporate private data distribution
service, private line networks, and backup and disaster recovery.  The Commission seeks to
give companies that propose such services the opportunity to make them available to the
public.

       Specifically, this Notice proposes to add a fixed satellite allocation to the 37.5 - 38.5
and 40.5 - 41.5 GHz bands.  These bands would be used for geostationary and non-
geostationary fixed satellite downlinks.  The Commission also proposes to designate the 48.2 -
50.2 GHz Band for corresponding satellite uplinks.  To protect terrestrial operations, the
Commission proposes to upgrade, from secondary to primary, the fixed and mobile service
allocations throughout the 40.5 - 42.5 GHz band.  Finally, the Commission proposed to add a
fixed allocation to the 46.9 - 47.0 GHz band.

       This Notice also provides an overview of the Commission's band segmentation plan
for the 36-51.4 GHz frequency band.  Given the ubiquitous nature of some of the services
proposed in these frequencies, it is not likely that satellite and terrestrial systems will be able
to share the same spectrum without significant technical constraints on operations.  The
Commission's proposed segmentation for the 36-51.4 GHz spectrum will allow both satellite
and wireless communications services the best opportunity to succeed. 
               
       

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       In addition, the Commission seeks comment on whether, and to what extent, 
terrestrial services, on an "underlay" basis can be accommodated in the satellite bands.  The
Notice proposes government sharing arrangements in these band segments and seeks comment
on other creative sharing solutions for commercial and government operations.  Finally, the
Notice proposes allocations for commercial wireless operations in the neighboring bands.

       This proposal by the Commission presents a plan for the entire band that will help
clarify the relationship among individual proceedings, assist in planning for the 1997 World
Radio Conference, and assure that proposed uses are considered.  Furthermore, it describes the
associated changes that would be necessary in the domestic and international allocations. 
Service and licensing rules for specific subbands, and specific designations for terrestrial
services, are the subject of separate ongoing and future proceedings.
       
       Action by the Commission March 13, 1997, by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC
97-85).  Chairman Hundt, Commissioners Quello, Ness and Chong.

       
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       News Media contact:  Meribeth McCarrick at (202) 418-0256.
       International Bureau contact:  Virginia Marshall at (202) 418-0778.