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. May 28, 1997 FCC's WRC-97 ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND NTIA APPROVE THIRD SET OF DRAFT PRELIMINARY PROPOSALS FOR WRC-97 The Commission's WRC-97 Advisory Committee and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) have approved a third 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. This set of joint preliminary draft proposals, numbers 21-30, was 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. These draft proposals seek to: JPDP 21 upgrade to primary the allocations for the Meteorological- Satellite and Earth Exploration-Satellite Services at 401- 403 MHz (WRC-97 Agenda Item 1.9.1); JPDP 22 delete unnecessary provisions for coordinating frequency assignments in the NAVTEX system (Article 14A) now being handled by the International Maritime Organization (WRC-97 Agenda Item 1.6.4); JPDP 23 add an allocation in the 5250-5350 MHz band for the Earth Exploration-Satellite and Space Research Services (WRC- 97 Agenda Item 1.9.2); JPDP 24 add an allocation in the 8500-8650 MHz band for the Earth Exploration-Satellite and Space Research Services (WRC- 97 Agenda Item 1.9.2); JPDP 25 modify Appendix S3 to adopt Category A spurious emission limits (WRC-97 Agenda Item 1.7); JPDP 26 add a definition to the Radio Regulations for frequency adaptive systems (WRC-97 Agenda Item 1.5); JPDP 27 replace Recommendation 621 to improve administration of wind profiler radars and discourage their use of the 400.15- 406 MHz band (WRC-97 Agenda Item 1.9.3); JPDP 28 merge allocations in the 1.5/1.6 GHz bands for Aeronautical Mobile Satellite (Route), Land Mobile Satellite, and Maritime Mobile Satellite Services into the Mobile-Satellite Service (WRC-97 Agenda Item 1.9.1); JPDP 29 review single sideband receiver population statistics in time for consideration by WRC-99 (WRC-97 Agenda Item 1.4); and JPDP 30 amend Article S52 to permit use of new digital technology on HF by Maritime Service and approve resolution directing WRC-99 to further update Radio Regulations to provide for digital radio telecommunications in the HF A1A Morse Telegraphy and Telephony Bands (WRC-97 Agenda Item 1.6.5). The first set of joint preliminary draft proposals, numbers 1-9, was released by Public Notice on September 24, 1996. The second set, containing joint preliminary draft proposals 10-20, was released on February 25, 1997 and revised on March 24, 1997. Members of the public are invited to provide to the FCC and NTIA comments on the third set of 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 "Third Draft Proposals" in the subject line. The deadline for comments on this third set of joint preliminary draft proposals is June 16, 1997. 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 -