NEWS                                              December 5, 1996

         FARQUHAR DISCUSSES TOWER SITING, UNIVERSAL SERVICE AND OTHER
                       BUREAU PRIORITIES AT FCBA LUNCHEON

     Michele C. Farquhar, Chief of the FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
(WTB) addressed the Federal Communications Bar Association's Wireless Practice
Committee about upcoming Bureau priorities, particularly tower siting, other entry barriers
and universal service.  

     In her address, she noted that "we have no greater priority right now than the
completion of the PCS C-Block licensing process."  She noted that the WTB will make a
similar commitment to the D, E and F Block licensees.  She stated, "We [WTB] intend to
ensure that no one can use the petition to deny process anti-competitively, merely for delay."

     Other priorities mentioned by Farquhar were eliminating barriers to entry in wireless
facilities siting and petitions for preemption of State and local regulation.  With respect to
wireless facilities siting, Farquhar stated that the Bureau is "spreading information and
technical assistance far and wide."  The FCC has established an internal Facilities Siting Task
Force comprised of members of the WTB and other bureaus and offices in the FCC.  The
Task Force answers telephone, e-mail and written inquiries on a daily basis; they have met
with the National League of Cities, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Association
of Counties, the American Planning Association, and the National Association of
Telecommunications Officers and Advisors; and they give presentations to local governments,
zoning boards and wireless provider organizations throughout the country.   The Task Force
has also prepared and issued two Fact Sheets explaining the provisions of Section 704 and the
FCC's new RF guidelines.  The Bureau also intends to release a third Fact Sheet in January
concerning access to Federal and State properties.  She also noted that the FCC will be
holding a large public forum on siting issues in January.

     Farquhar also noted that the Bureau has ten petitions for preemption pending under
Section 253, which provides that no State or local regulation may prohibit or have the effect
of prohibiting the ability of a carrier to provide any interstate or intrastate telecommunications
service.  Farquhar stated that, "These and other petitions are a high priority in the coming
months, and we expect to see additional filings as we continue to transition from the initial
implementation of the new Act to its enforcement."  She also noted that the FCC will be co-
hosting a public forum on December 16 concerning the use and  management of public rights-
of-way under Section 253.
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     Another priority she mentioned was universal service reform.  Farquhar discussed the
Bureau's participation in the universal service proceeding, noting, "We have sought to assure
that the Commission's new rules will not discriminate in favor of the wireline industry, that
they will be responsive to the technological capabilities of wireless carriers, and that they will
ensure that wireless carriers are eligible to receive support for providing universal service."

     Lastly, Farquhar discussed the Bureau's licensing priorities, including its backlog
reduction efforts (See Public Notice released December 4, 1996, "Commercial Wireless
Division Provides Information On Case Backlog Reduction and Procedures for Status
Inquiries"). 
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News Media contact: Kara Palamaras at (202) 418-0654  
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau contact: Karen Guilick at (202) 418-0600