October 10, 1997

The Commission today issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to enhance the ability of MDS and ITFS licensees to engage in fixed two-way transmissions. Chairman Hundt voted in support of the NPRM and has issued the following press statement:

PRESS STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN REED HUNDT ON NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING RE TWO-WAY CAPABILITY FOR WIRELESS CABLE

The rulemaking launched by the Commission today typifies our efforts to promote bandwidth growth and marks an important step in bringing better services to the American public. The proposed changes would allow the benefits of new digital technologies, such as two-way capability, to flow to the benefit of the educational community. At the same time, the proposed changes would promote marketplace competition by allowing the wireless cable industry the flexibility it needs to keep pace with its competitors.