NEWSNEWS                                                          May 6, 1996
                                                                             
            BROADBAND PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES "C BLOCK" 
                               AUCTION CLOSES
             Historic Auction Designed Solely for Entrepreneurs
                                      
     The FCC's Personal Communications Services (PCS) Entrepreneurs' Block (C Block)
auction, which began on December 18, 1995, closed today, after 184 rounds raising a total
net revenue of $10,216,596,324.  Two hundred fifty-five bidders qualified to bid in the
auction, the largest number of bidders in any FCC auction thus far.  Of the 493 licenses
auctioned, 20% were won by entities claiming women-owned status and 31% won by those 
claiming minority-owned status.

     "'C' stands for the courage of your convictions," said FCC Chairman Reed E. Hundt. 
"These steadfast entrepreneurial winners will become the fifth new competitor in each
market, paving the way for small businesses and new entrants, including minorities and
women, to compete in the wireless marketplace."

      In this auction, the Commission simultaneously auctioned 493 Basic Trading Area
(BTA) licenses to provide Personal Communications Services in the 2 GHz band.  These
licenses will authorize service on 30 MHz of frequency block C, which encompasses 1895-
1910 MHz paired with 1975-1990 MHz.  Broadband PCS can be used to provide wireless
telephony, data, advanced paging and other services.
            
     "The more players involved, the more competition, the lower the prices, and more
choice for the consumer," said Michele C. Farquhar, Chief, Wireless Telecommunications
Bureau.  

     The auction was limited to "entrepreneurs," or those with less than $125 million in
gross revenues and less than $500 million in total assets.  Small businesses, those with no
more than $40 million in gross revenues, were entitled to additional special provisions, such
as bidding credits and installment payments.  

     "This auction is creating opportunity for small business," said Catherine Sandoval,
Director, Office of Communications Business Opportunities.  "We congratulate the winners
and thank Congress and the FCC staff for making it possible."
 - FCC -

News Media Contact:  Kara Palamaras at (202) 418-0654
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau contact: Louis Sigalos at (202) 418-0660