PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 1919 M STREET N.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON, D.C. 20230 NTIA news releases are available via the Internet at ftp.ntia.doc.gov, gopher.ntia.doc.gov and http://ntia.doc.gov. FCC News Media Information (202) 418-0500. Recorded listing of releases and texts (202) 418-2222. September 24, 1996 FCC WRC-97 ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND NTIA APPROVE DRAFT PRELIMINARY PROPOSALS FOR WRC-97 The Commission's WRC-97 Advisory Committee and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) have approved a first set of draft preliminary proposals for the upcoming World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-97). In accordance with the streamlined procedures developed to improve the United States conference preparation process, we are providing the public with this early opportunity to review and comment on draft proposals before further consideration. Final U.S. proposals will be determined by the Department of State based on the recommendations of the FCC and NTIA. These joint preliminary draft proposals were developed by the FCC WRC-97 Advisory Committee, working through its Informal Working Groups, and NTIA, through the Radio Conference Subcommittee of the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee. The draft proposals seek: 1) to continue simplification of the international Radio Regulations; 2) to improve sharing criteria for worldwide Mobile Satellite-Service (MSS) allocations below 1 GHz; 3) to ensure availability of 1610-1626.5 MHz and 2483.5-2500 MHz for non- geostationary (NGSO) MSS systems; 4) to harmonize MSS 2 GHz allocations; 5) to extend bands designated for sharing between NGSO MSS and GSO Fixed- Satellite Service systems to 19.3-19.7 GHz and 29.1-29.5 GHz; 6) to upgrade the space research service allocation at 410-420 GHz for extra- vehicular activities by astronauts; 7) to upgrade the allocation for Earth Exploration-Satellite service (EES) (space-to- Earth) at 25.5-27 GHz; 8) to establish a common worldwide primary allocation for the EES at 8025- 8400 MHz; and 9) to maintain the current allocation for passive space borne sensors at 10.6-10.68 GHz and 10.68-10.7 GHz. Members of the public are invited to provide to the FCC and NTIA comments on the joint preliminary draft proposals attached to this notice. Members of the public should send an original and one copy of their comment to the Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. Comments should clearly note "Reference No. ISP-96-005" to ensure proper routing and should refer to specific proposals by their Joint Preliminary Draft Proposal number. Copies of comments should also be submitted to the Director, Office of Spectrum Plans and Policies, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Department of Commerce, Room 4099, Washington, D.C. 20230. Parties preferring to e-mail their comments should address their comments to WRC97@fcc.gov and WRC97@ntia.doc.gov and reference "First Draft Proposals" in the subject line. The deadline for comments on this first set of joint preliminary draft proposals is October 24, 1996. Timely comments will be considered by the FCC WRC-97 Advisory Committee and will be made available for public inspection at the FCC's International Reference Center, 2000 M Street, N.W., Room 102, Washington, D.C., telephone (202) 418-1492. Copies of the documents can be purchased through the FCC's duplication contractor, ITS, Inc. (telephone: 202-857-3800). Further information about the FCC WRC-97 Advisory Committee, including its schedule of meetings, is available on the Internet at http://www.fcc.gov/ib/wrc97/. Meetings of the Advisory Committee and its Informal Working Groups are open to the public. For further information, contact Cecily C. Holiday, FCC International Bureau, at (202) 418- 0719, or William T. Hatch, NTIA, at (202) 482-1138. - FCC/NTIA -