FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: January 21, 2000 Rosemary Kimball at (202) 418-0511 U.S. AND CANADA REACH AGREEMENT REGARDING SHARING IN THE 24 GHz AND 39 GHz BANDS ALONG THE U.S./CANADA BORDER The Federal Communications Commission and Industry Canada have signed an interim Arrangement setting forth sharing requirements for broadband wireless systems along the U.S.-Canada border in the 24.25-24.45 GHz, 25.05-25.25 GHz and 38.6-40.0 GHz frequency bands. This Arrangement benefits the public by clearly defining border area coordination requirements for these segments of the 24 GHz and 39 GHz bands. Such clear requirements will encourage prompt implementation of new services, such as high speed internet access, high speed data, and local exchange services, that are expected to be offered in these flexible use bands. In addition, the Arrangement will assist bidders in evaluating service areas along the border in the upcoming 24 GHz and 39 GHz auctions. Under this Arrangement, coordination of broadband wireless systems will be carried out by the licensees for the service areas on either side of the border. The Arrangement encourages licensees on both sides of the border to develop their own cross-border sharing agreements and includes a list of service areas that may be needed to coordinate with each other. This innovative approach will give greater flexibility to licensees and allow more efficient marketplace solutions to be developed. If licensees develop their own sharing agreement, that agreement governs and the specific coordination provisions contained in the Arrangement will not apply. In the absence of a licensee sharing agreement, certain "power flux density" (pfd) levels are specified and different coordination requirements are imposed depending on the pfd level involved. For operations below a certain pfd level, no coordination is required. In commenting on the Arrangement, Donald Abelson, Chief of the International Bureau stated: "This Arrangement gives licensees the flexibility to develop their own border sharing agreements and will encourage quick development of the 24 and 39 GHz bands." This Arrangement was reached as part of an on-going Commission effort to negotiate agreements with Canada and Mexico that will promote efficient spectrum use in border areas. The full text of the Arrangement has been placed on file at the International Bureau Reference Room CY-A257, located on the Courtyard level of 445 12th St. S.W. Copies are also available from the International Transcription Service at (202) 857-3800 and can be downloaded from the FCC's International Bureau internet site at http://www.fcc.gov/ib/pnd/agree. - FCC - International Bureau contact: Sam Tropea at (202) 418-2115. Wireless Telecommunications Bureau contact: Michael Pollak at (202) 418-1682.