NEWS

Report No. WT 96-1        WIRELESS TELECOM ACTION             January 11, 1996

                   FCC AMENDS THE "BUILD-OUT" RULES FOR 
               THE INTERACTIVE VIDEO AND DATA SERVICE (IVDS) 

     The FCC has amended its rules to modify the "build-out" requirements for the IVDS.
The Commission's action eliminates the one-year build-out requirement, while retaining the
three-year and five-year build-out requirements.  The action will allow the IVDS industry
additional time to develop and deploy new and innovative applications.

     As amended, the IVDS service rules will continue to provide that licensees must make
service available to at least thirty percent of the service area population or geographic service
area within three years of the grant of the license, and fifty percent within five years.  The
Commission's action follows a Notice of Proposed Rule Making in WT Docket No. 95-131,
adopted July 31, 1995, which, in turn, was initiated in response to requests by IVDS auction
winners. 

     Action by the Commission December 14, 1995, by Report & Order (FCC 95-506). 
Chairman Hundt and Commissioners Quello, Barrett, Ness and Chong.

                                  - FCC -

News Media contact:  Stacey Reuben Mesa at (202) 418-0654.
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau contact:  Donna L. Kanin at (202) 418-0656.