PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
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WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554                                           

News media information 202/418-0500     Fax-On-Demand  202/418-2830     Internet:  http://www.fcc.gov    ftp.fcc.gov


                                          Released: June 19, 1997


      FCC RELEASES MICROWAVE GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM

The Federal Communications Commission has released a new version of its Geographic
Information System (GIS) to provide public access to the Commission's Microwave license
database.  The GIS now allows users to graphically query Microwave licenses over the World
Wide Web using any standard web browser.

Users may elect to query by call sign, if known, or to query all licenses authorized to operate
within a user-specific range of frequencies.  If the latter is selected, users may optionally perform
a point-radius search by entering a valid post office address or center point coordinates
(latitude/longitude) to retrieve information about all licenses matching their search criteria.

Once a map is created, users have the ability to zoom in or out depending on the level of detail
they would like to see.  They also have the ability to 'drill down' to focus only on those licenses
surrounding the specified frame of reference, such as MTA, BTA, MSA/RSA, States or
Counties.  In addition, GIS users may retrieve technical data associated with a particular license
by selecting the "Detail by Callsign" option.

The GIS application is part of a continual effort by the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau to
make spectrum data available to the public in a quick, easy to use format. In addition to
providing access to the Microwave database, the GIS currently provides access to the Auctions
database for generating maps of completed FCC spectrum auctions.  Future plans include
expanding the functionality to provide on-line access to other FCC licensing databases.

The GIS can be accessed using any World Wide Web browser at "http://uls-gis.fcc.gov".

For technical questions, assistance, or problems contact the Technical Support Group at
(202) 414-1250 or via E-Mail at betacomm@fcc.gov.

For informational inquiries regarding the GIS, contact Tom Dombrowsky at (202) 418-0620.

                            - FCC -