Press Statement of FCC Chairman William E. Kennard on FCC
        Actions to Allocate Additional Wireless Spectrum
                        October 12, 2000

The explosive growth in wireless communications has created tremendous demand for
spectrum.  The steps we take today will result in 50 MHz of additional spectrum being inserted
into the marketplace for companies to provide new and exciting services to consumers.  This
spectrum was reallocated from Federal Government use and will enable a wide variety of
commercial fixed and mobile services, including fixed wireless access to the Internet, which will
facilitate the provision of advanced broadband services across the country, particularly in rural
areas.
 
Our actions follow the principles outlined in the FCC's Strategic Plan and Spectrum Policy
Statement to maximize the efficient use of spectrum and make more spectrum available while
ensuring that the public interest is served.  These actions will assist in our effort to ensure that a
spectrum drought does not constrain the growth of new services.

                            - FCC -