$//PN, WTB Invites Parties to Meeting Re: Proposals for 800 MHz SMRS, DA 95-1965//$ RECORD ONLY PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 1919 M STREET, N.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 DA 95-1965 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� News Media Information (202) 418-0500. Recorded listing of releases and texts (202) 418-2222. Report No. WT 95-23 Wireless Telecommunications Action September 12, 1995 WIRE LESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU INVITES INTERESTED PARTIES TO A TTEND MEETING REGARDING PENDING PROPOSALS FOR WIDE-AREA LICE NSING OF AND COMPETITIVE BIDDING RULES FOR THE 800 MHz SPEC IALIZED MOBILE RADIO SERVICE On October 20, 1994, the Commission adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making in PR Docket No. 93-144, which proposed a new regulatory framework for licensing 800 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) systems. The Further Notice addressed, among other things: (a) designation of certain 800 MHz SMR spectrum primarily for wide-area licensing in defined market-based service areas with the remaining 800 MHz SMR spectrum designated for continued licensing on a local basis; (b) rights and obligations of wide-area licensees; (c) provisions for continued operations by incumbent licensees under their existing authorizations; and (d) competitive bidding issues. Over 80 parties filed initial comments and over 60 parties filed reply comments in response to the Further Notice. Numerous written ex parte presentations also have supplemented the record. In addition, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau ("Bureau") has met with various representatives of the 800 MHz SMR industry in an effort to facilitate industry consensus on the major issues addressed in the Further Notice. On July 25, 1995, the Bureau released a Public Notice seeking comment on the appropriate measures to address the issues raised by the Supreme Court's recent decision in Adarand Constructors, Inc. v. Pe쨅 as it may relate to the proposed treatment of designated entities in the 800 MHz SMR auction. The term "designated entities" refers to small businesses, rural telephone companies, and businesses owned by minorities or women. Commenters were encouraged to provide as much evidence as possible with regard to past discrimination, continuing discrimination, discrimination in access to capital, underrepresentation and other significant barriers facing businesses owned by minorities and women in the 800 MHz SMR service and in licensed communications services generally. On September 18, 1995, the Bureau will host a meeting to discuss the disposition of the issues presented in the Further Notice. The meeting will convene at 11:00 a.m. at 2000 M Street, N.W., Room 847, Washington, D.C. 20554. It is estimated that the meeting will be one hour in duration. All interested parties are invited to attend and are requested to limit the number of attendees to no more than two representatives. All parties planning to attend this meeting should contact Kerri Staples of the Legal Branch of the Commerical Wireless Division at (202) 418-0620 by 5:30 p.m. on Friday, September 15, 1995, to confirm their attendance and number of attendees. This is a non-restricted public notice and comment proceeding. Ex parte presentations are permitted except during the Sunshine Agenda period, provided they are disclosed pursuant to the Commission's rules. For further information, please contact D'wana R. Speight or David Kirschner in the Legal Branch, Commercial Wireless Division at (202) 418-0620.