Report No. IN 99-9          INTERNATIONAL ACTION        February 25, 1999

         FCC PROPOSES STEPS TO IMPLEMENT "GMPCS-MOU", 
     FACILITATING DEPLOYMENT OF NEW GLOBAL MOBILE SATELLITE
       SERVICES WHILE PROTECTING AGAINST  INTERFERENCE TO
                    RADIONAVIGATION SERVICES
                     (IB  Docket 99-67)   
                                
     Today, the Commission proposed rules to implement the international arrangements
governing Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite (GMPCS) systems that were
adopted under the auspices of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) last year.  The
arrangements, referred to as the GMPCS Memorandum of Understanding and related
Arrangements (GMPCS-MoU) are intended to facilitate worldwide deployment and trans-border
use of fixed and mobile satellite terminals and equipment used to communicate with global
satellite systems (GMPCS terminals).  The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking adopted today
outlines a comprehensive procedure for the licensing, marking, certification, and customs
treatment of GMPCS terminals. It also proposes important safeguards against potential
interference to existing aeronautical radionavigation services.  

     In 1996, the ITU convened a World Telecommunications Policy Forum to address 
regulatory and technical issues related to the emerging GMPCS technology. Since that time, the
United States, a signatory to the GMPCS MoU, worked closely with U.S. industry to  develop
the GMPCS- MoU.  The new ITU registry and global marking process outlined in the final
GMPCS MoU are to be funded by the industry on a full cost-recovery basis.  

     The GMPCS MoU is designed to facilitate the mutual recognition and cross-border
transport of GMPCS terminals providing voice, data, Internet and broadband services.  The
Commission proposes to amend its rules to enable manufacturers to obtain certification for
GMPCS terminals through the Commission's equipment certification process and proposes to
require this certification for all GMPCS terminals sold or leased for use in the United States. The
proposed procedures also contemplate that all GMPCS terminals sold outside the United States
that are to be used in the United States or transported through the United States be required to
bear the "ITU mark."  Many foreign countries will view this mark as sufficient to allow equipment
to cross national borders, and the mark will likely facilitate the sale of GMPCS in other countries.  




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     Under this proposal, any GMPCS terminal manufactured or transported from abroad for
use in the United States and bearing an ITU mark must be authorized by another administration
and may operate only with a licensed GMPCS service provider.  If a GMPCS terminal is not so
authorized or does not meet the FCC's technical requirements, a licensed GMPCS service
provider will be responsible for denying it access to its satellite system.

     Further, the Commission proposed to adopt a phased-in out-of-band emissions limit for
GMPCS terminals transmitting in the band 1610-1660.5 MHz in order to protect reception of
aeronautical radionavigation signals in the 1559-1605 MHz band and to seek comment on
applying #911 position location requirements on mobile satellite service terminals.  Finally, the
Commission proposed a set of procedures designed to enable the U.S. Customs Service to
enforce its rules with minimum additional burden at points-of-entry throughout the country. 

     Action by the Commission February 25, 1999, by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC
99-37).  Commissioners Kennard, Ness, Furchtgott-Roth, Powell and Tristani. 


     News Media contact: Rosemary Kimball at (202) 418-0500; 
     International Bureau contacts: Tracey Weisler at (202) 418-0744 and Bill Bell at (202)
418-0741.

                            - FCC -