PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
1919 M STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554                                 DA 99-1965

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


                                        Released:  September 22, 1999 

Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Seeks Comment on CellNet Data Systems, Inc. 
Request for Limited Exception to the Application Freeze for the 928/952 MHz Multiple Address
                         Systems Bands 


Comment Date:  October 7, 1999                    Reply Date:  October 18, 1999 

On August 17, 1999, CellNet Data Systems, Inc., (CellNet), filed five applications for authorization
along with a petition for expedited relief from the application freeze in the 928/952 MHz Multiple
Address Systems (MAS) bands implemented by the MAS Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making and
Order (MAS Further Notice).  CellNet, a user (through its subsidiaries) of MAS frequency bands to
provide remote meter reading information services to utilities, seeks authority to apply for five station
authorizations in the 928/952 MHz bands to fulfill a pre-existing commitment.  

Formerly, the Commission suspended the acceptance of applications proposing to provide subscriber-
based MAS services in the 928/952/956 MHz bands.  Recently, this suspension was expanded to include
all applications for authorization in the 928/952/956 MHz bands, regardless of the type of service
proposed, because the MAS Further Notice sought comment on using competitive bidding procedures to
assign licenses to provide non-subscriber based MAS services.  

In 1996, CellNet entered into a 15-year utility services agreement with Northern States Power Company,
to provide remote meter reading services for approximately 1.1 million gas and electric meters within the
utility's service territory.  CellNet asserts that the unique circumstances associated with this agreement
warrant a grant of the requested relief and that such action will serve the public interest because it will
enable CellNet to expand its original contract to cover an additional 850,000 meters, thereby improving
Northern States Power Company's ability to provide high quality service to additional service areas. 
According to CellNet, its network deployments allow the utility to reap various public safety benefits,
including reductions in the quantity and duration of outages and an enhanced ability to detect outages,
fraud and theft.  In addition, CellNet argues that granting it relief will not undermine the purpose of the
application suspension because the requested relief would have only a minor impact on future
Commission decisions regarding licensing mechanisms for the MAS bands.  CellNet maintains that
reasonable alternatives to the 928/952 MHz bands are not available.

Interested parties may file comments on the CellNet Petition no later than October 7, 1999.  Parties
interested in submitting reply comments must do so no later than October 18, 1999.  All comments
should reference CellNet Petition, and DA 99-1965, and should be filed with the Office of Secretary,
Federal Communications Commission, 445 Twelfth  Street, S.W., TW-A325, Washington, D.C. 20554. 
A copy of each filing should be sent to International Transcription Service, Inc. (ITS), 1231 20th Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, (202) 857-3800 and to Shellie Blakeney, Federal Communications
Commission, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, 445
Twelfth Street, S.W., Room 3-A223, Washington, D.C. 20554.  Copies are also available for public
inspection during regular business hours in the Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, Wireless
Telecommunications Bureau, 445 Twelfth Street, S.W., Room 4-C330, Washington, D.C. 20554.

For further information, contact Shellie Blakeney of the Public Safety and Private Wireless Division at
(202) 418-0680.

By the Chief, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division