NEWSReport No. WT 98-22  WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACTION     July 29, 1998
                                    
           FCC ADOPTS RULES PROMOTING COMMERCIAL USE OF 47 GHz BAND
                (ET Docket No. 94-124, WT Docket No. 98-136)

     The Commission recently adopted a Memorandum Opinion and Order (Reconsideration
Order) and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Notice) representing the next step in the commercial
utilization of the 47.2-48.2 GHz frequency band (47 GHz band).  The 47 GHz band is one of several
 millimeter wave  bands above 30 GHz for which technology initially developed for military use
now holds the potential for commercial use.  The development of this band will foster the growth of
new services and commercial opportunities for businesses and the American public.

     In the Reconsideration Order, the Commission upheld the conclusions it reached in the
Second Report and Order in this proceeding.  Specifically, the Commission concluded that it should
take a flexible approach to regulating this  frontier  band, allowing licensees to offer any service
consistent with the United States Table of Allocations and the Commission's Rules.  In developing
service rules for the 47 GHz band, the Commission decided that, in instances where it could not
accommodate all potential uses, it would establish rules to accommodate the likely dominant use of
the band.  The Reconsideration Order upholds the Commission's finding that the likely dominant use
will be fixed, point-to-multipoint services delivered through the deployment of stratospheric
platforms.  The Commission also determined that the Second Report and Order does not preclude
satellite operations in the 47 GHz band. 

     In the Notice, the Commission seeks comment on various proposals. First, the Commission
proposes to subject the 47 GHz band generally to its Part 27 licensing and operating rules.  Second,
the Notice seeks comment on options to structure rules for the 47 GHz band that account for the fact
that the band is allocated to both Government and non-Government use.  Finally, the Commission
proposes to use its Part 1 competitive bidding rules to assign initial licenses in the 47 GHz band.

     Action by the Commission, June 30, 1998, by Memorandum Opinion and Order on
Reconsideration and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 98-142).  Chairman Kennard,
Commissioners Ness, Furchtgott-Roth, Powell, and Tristani.

  -FCC-

     News media contact:  Meribeth McCarrick at 202-418-0654.
     Wireless Telecommunications Bureau contact: Stan Wiggins, Eli Johnson, or 
     Ed Jacobs at (202) 418-1310.