NEWSWT 97-5    WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACTION      February 20, 1997

                                 FCC ADOPTS A CONSOLIDATION PLAN FOR THE
                      PRIVATE LAND MOBILE RADIO SERVICES
                            (PR Docket No. 92-235) 

     The Commission has adopted rules that set forth a consolidation plan for the Private
Land Mobile Radio (PLMR) Services below 800 MHz and addresses other issues raised in
conjunction with the consolidation.  Throughout this proceeding, the Commission's broad
objective has been to promote more efficient use of the existing PLMR spectrum allocation to
satisfy future communications requirements.

     In June, 1995, the Commission adopted a Report and Order in this proceeding which
served as a critical first step in our effort.  That Report and Order created a new channel
plan, structured to encourage the use of narrowband technologies and thereby increase the
capacity of the PLMR bands.  Within this framework, the Commission also concluded that
the PLMR Services should be consolidated and that competition should be introduced into the
frequency coordination process.  
     
     As the second step towards our goal, the Commission, in its action today, has
consolidated the twenty existing PLMR Services into two pools -- one for Public Safety and
one for Industrial/Business.  By today's action, the Commission:

      provides for an efficient distribution of channels;
      ensures the integrity of public safety communications;
      permits licensees to better utilize technologically innovative and efficient
       equipment; and
      reduces costs and administrative burdens.
     
     Today's action also introduces competition into frequency coordination business. 
Previously, frequency coordinators had sole control over the frequencies within their pool. 
Now, frequency coordinators will compete against each other.  The Commission expects that
this will reduce prices and improve services to PLMR licensees and lead to more efficient
use of PLMR spectrum.


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     The new Public Safety Pool will include all frequencies that are assigned to any of the
six current Public Safety Radio Services and the Special Emergency Radio Service.  To
ensure that the integrity of public safety communications are maintained, each of the current
coordinators will maintain responsibility for administering the same frequencies as it does
under the current system.  One exception is that for frequencies which are currently assigned
to the Local Government Radio Service any of the current certified public safety frequency
coordinators will be able to coordinate these frequencies.  Consolidating in this manner will 
promote the development of wide-area trunked systems that will save scarce resources. 
Further, it will promote interoperability by allowing all governmental entities as well as non-
governmental entities involved in ensuring the safety of life to communicate with one
another.  

     The Industrial/Business Pool will be comprised of frequencies that were previously
assigned to any of the Industrial and Land Transportation (I/LT) Radio Services.  This pool
will be administered by the entities currently designated as certified frequency coordinators
for any of the I/LT services.  Under the plan, each coordinator will have the authority to
coordinate the use of any frequency within the pool, with the exception of frequencies that
are currently assigned solely to the Railroad, Power, or Petroleum Radio Services. 
Applicants for those frequencies will be required to obtain frequency coordination from the
same entity that currently coordinates those frequencies.

     In addition to consolidating the PLMR services, the Commission establishes a method
for PLMR users to implement highly efficient trunked systems in the bands below 800 MHz. 
Finally, it adopts a plan for disposing of the low power "offset" channels in the 450-470
MHz band.

     Action by the Commission February 20, 1997 by Second Report & Order (FCC 97-
61).  Chairman Hundt, Commissioners Quello, Ness and Chong.
  
                                   - FCC - 

News Media contact: Kara Palamaras or Audrey Spivack at (202) 418-0654  
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau contact: Ira Keltz at (202) 418-0616