WT 97-4       WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACTION          February 19, 1997 
          FCC ESTABLISHES SERVICE AND AUCTION RULES FOR THE
         WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE IN THE 2.3 GHz BAND
                        (GN Docket No. 96-228)

     Pursuant to provisions of the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997, the
FCC today adopted a Report and Order that amends the Commission's Rules to reallocate and
assign the use of the frequencies at 2305-2320 and 2345-2360 MHz.  To be known as the
Wireless Communications Service (WCS).

     The rules adopted today also give WCS licensees flexibility to provide a broad range of
wireless services that are consistent with the allocation table and associated international
agreements.  The WCS spectrum is located on either side of the 25 MHz of spectrum allocated
for satellite Digital Audio Radio Service ("satellite DARS").  In the Report and Order the
Commission also adopted technical rules to protect satellite DARS reception from out-of-band
emissions from WCS transmitters.  The Commission noted that there is a substantial risk that
these technical rules will make mobile operations on WCS spectrum technologically infeasible,
at least for the foreseeable future.

     The Report and Order adopted today also:

      Provides for the award of two 10 MHz WCS licenses for each of 52 Major
       Economic Areas and two 5 MHz WCS licenses for each of 12 Regional Economic
       Area Groupings, and determines that all WCS licenses will be awarded by means of
       a simultaneous, multiple-round electronic auction.

      Considers the needs of public safety radio services, as directed by the
       Appropriations Act, and states the Commission's belief that creating new funding
       sources to meet future public safety communications needs would substantially aid
       public safety agencies in upgrading their systems for use on new spectrum.  The
       Commission also referred to other pending proceedings in which it expects that
       additional spectrum will be allocated for public safety use.

      Indicates that WCS licensees will be permitted to partition their service areas into
       smaller geographic service areas and to disaggregate their spectrum into


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       smaller blocks without limitation, and that WCS spectrum holdings will not be
       considered for purposes of the CMRS spectrum cap.  There also will be no
       eligibility restrictions for WCS spectrum, with the exception of applicable foreign
       ownership restrictions set forth in Section 310 of the Communications Act.

      Provides that WCS licenses will be for a term of 10 years, and will carry a renewal
       expectancy similar to that afforded PCS and cellular licensees.  In addition, WCS
       licensees will be required to provide "substantial service" within their 10-year
       license term.

      Requires winning bidders for WCS licenses to designate in their long-form
       applications the type(s) of WCS service(s) they will provide.  Their regulatory
       treatment will depend on these designations.  WCS licensees that provide satellite
       DARS services will be governed by the rules to be adopted in IB Docket No. 95-91.

      Requires certain WCS transmitters and devices to conform to our environmental
       rules governing radiofrequency safety.  

      Adopts the competitive bidding rules set forth in Part 1 of the Commission's Rules
       for the WCS auction, with some exceptions.  The FCC will make available on all
       WCS licenses bidding credits of 25 percent and 35 percent for bidders that qualify
       as small businesses and very small businesses, respectively, using the revenue
       standards employed in broadband PCS.  

     Action by the Commission February 19, 1997 by Report and Order (FCC 97-50). 
Chairman Hundt, Commissioners Quello, Ness and Chong with Commissioners Ness and
Chong issuing separate statements.
                               - FCC -

News Media contact: Kara Palamaras at (202) 418-0654
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau contact: Josh Roland at (202) 418-0660
Office of Engineering and Technology contact: Tom Mooring at (202) 418-2450