PUBLIC NOTICE

     Federal Communications Commission
     1919 M St., N.W.
     Washington, D.C. 20554

   
                                          Released:  April 8, 1997
                                 
        WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU ANNOUNCES FREE
                  BETA TESTING FOR 30 DAY PERIOD
                                 
The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau is making available on a beta test basis, for
approximately 30 days, free of charge, access to three database applications: 1) Amateur
query; 2) frequency search program for the 929 and 931 MHz databases and; 3) database
transaction downloads.  The beta test period will begin on April 8, 1997 and will extend to May
12, 1997 for this first group.

Access to the programs is available through the beta test site at
http://gullfoss.fcc.gov/beta.htm.  The site map for the application is from the FCC home page
at www.fcc.gov through to the FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau internet site at
http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/wirehome.html.  Choose Wireless Electronic Commerce on the
Wireless Bureau's home page and further choose Beta Page for Future Electronic Commerce
Applications.  Select your applications from the Beta Testing Page.

The applications are as follows:

Amateur - This application allows realtime query to the Amateur database using a number of
parameters including dates, zip codes, licensees, and callsigns.  Any comments should be e-
mailed to betacomm@fcc.gov.

Frequency search program - 929 MHz and 931 MHz - This application does a radius search
for a given latitude and longitude on 929 MHz or 931 MHz stations.  Any comments should be
e-mailed to betacomm@fcc.gov.

Transaction download - This application allows users to download from a choice of seven days
transactions for each Wireless database.  The various database tables are extracted into flat
files.  Documentation may be downloaded.  Each day's data will be overwritten every seven
days.   At the end of the beta test period, a complete offload of the databases will be available
in CD-ROM format from ITS, the FCC's public access contractor.  These CD-ROM's are
produced quarterly.  The transactions online will enable the public to keep up to date records
of the Commission's activity using the CD-ROM data as a base for initiating one's own data
base.  Any comments should be e-mailed to betacomm@fcc.gov.

During the beta test period, there will be no charge for access.  At the end of the beta testing
period, the applications will be available on the FCC's wide area network at a charge of $2.30
per minute.  The first two minutes of access will be free.

Additional applications will be added to the beta testing program as they are available
including Form 900 renewal application for all services.

To enroll as an official beta tester and receive E-mail notifications concerning the beta testing,
send an E-mail to khoutz@fcc.gov.

Further questions may be directed to the Consumer Assistance Branch, toll free 1-800-322-
1117 or to Technical Support (202) 414-1250.

                               -FCC-