Report No. ET 97-4  ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY ACTION  March 17, 1997

       COMMISSION ALLOCATES 70 MEGAHERTZ OF SPECTRUM TO THE
                     MOBILE-SATELLITE SERVICE
                        (ET Docket 95-18)

     The Commission today issued a First Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed
Rule Making that allocates 70 megahertz of spectrum in the 2 GHz band to the Mobile-Satellite
Service (MSS).  The action allocates the 1990-2025 MHz and 2165-2200 MHz bands to MSS, to
be available January 1, 2000.  In order to make this spectrum available for MSS operations, the
Commission amended the current allocations to the Broadcast Auxiliary Service (BAS) and
Fixed Service (FS).  In the Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making, the Commission proposed
to establish new channels for BAS, and requested comment on relocation of the incumbent
services.

     In the First Report and Order, the Commission stated that allocating these bands to MSS
will enable communications providers to offer services in underserved and remote areas where
PCS, cellular, and other mobile services are unavailable.  Allocation of 70 megahertz to MSS
will ensure universal service and allow operation of domestic and international satellite services. 
The action aligns U.S. allocations with international allocations adopted at the 1995 World
Radiocommunications Conference.  The Commission determined that it will be necessary to
relocate BAS licensees in order to make the 1990-2025 MHz band available to MSS, and to
relocate FS licensees in the 2165-2200 MHz band in cases where band sharing between MSS and
FS is infeasible.  In order to maintain necessary BAS operations, the Commission added 20
megahertz of spectrum at 2110-2130 MHz to the current BAS allocation.  The costs of any
necessary relocations will be borne by MSS licensees.

     In the Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making, the Commission proposed to convert
BAS from channels of 17- and 18-megahertz bandwidth to channels of 15-megahertz bandwidth. 
This would maintain the current seven channels of BAS and take advantage of advances in
technology to make BAS more spectrum-efficient.  The Commission also requested public
comment on the costs, timing, and procedures for relocating BAS and FS licensees to make room
for new MSS operations.

     Finally, the Commission deferred action on technical standards and licensing issues for
the new 2 GHz MSS spectrum until applications for licenses ar received.  The Commission also
denied a pioneer's preference request filed by Celsat, Inc., on the grounds that the request did not
demonstrate the technical feasibility of Celsat's proposed new MSS technology.

Action by the Commission, March 14, 1997, by Report and Order and Notice of Proposed Rule
Making (FCC 97-95).  Chairman Hundt, Commissioners Quello, Ness, and Chong.

                             - FCC -

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