FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: News Media contact:

June 8, 2000 Rosemary Kimball at (202) 418-0500

INTERNATIONAL BUREAU REPORTS ON SUCCESS OF

THE 2000 WORLD RADIO COMMUNICATIONS CONFERENCE

(WRC-2000)

Washington, DC -- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
participated as part of the United States delegation to the 2000 World
Radiocommunication Conference in Istanbul, Turkey, which concluded last
Friday, June 2. The month-long Conference, held every two to three years
under the auspices of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU),
reached agreement on several major spectrum-related issues.

The U.S. Delegation was headed by Ambassador Gail S. Schoettler and
consisted of delegates from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC),
the Department of State, the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration, and other Federal agencies, and 157 delegates from
private industry.

The U.S. delegation included Commissioners Susan Ness and Harold
Furchtgott-Roth and FCC International Bureau Chief Donald Abelson, as
well as Damon Ladson, the Vice Chair of the U.S. delegation. Nine FCC
staff members were in Istanbul for the entire month-long meeting. The
U.S. delegation has returned with a long list of accomplishments that
will help ensure commercial successes, create new jobs, increase global
competition and clear the way for speedy introduction of emerging
technologies.

> Three particularly noteworthy success were agreements which:

-   Facilitate the development of technology for wireless phones that
    not only are able to call to anywhere from anywhere, but are also
    able to access the Internet from anywhere on Earth;

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-   Develop policies designed to maximize use of the spectrum to provide
    new services, both terrestrial and satellite, to people throughout
    the world; and

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-   Finalize sharing arrangements that permit satellite services more
    flexibility in sharing spectrum, which should result in the
    introduction of new services and more competition.

William E. Kennard, chairman of the FCC, said, \"This was a very
productive WRC. As a result of the decisions reached in Istanbul in the
last month, all nations of the world are closer to enjoying the benefits
of the Information Age. I want to acknowlege in a special way the hard
work of Ambassador Schoettler and the rest of the U.S. delegation,
including Commissioners Susan Ness and Harold Furchtgott-Roth.\"

FCC Commissioner Susan Ness said, "WRC-2000 should be remembered not
just for the excellent results achieved on wireless and satellite
matters globally, but for the well-prepared, cohesive and effective work
of the entire United States delegation. I commend Ambassador Schoettler
for her leadership. I am particularly proud of the FCC staff, both in
Istanbul and at home, who did such an outstanding job.\"

FCC Commissioner Harold-Furchtgott-Roth said, "I am very proud of the
fine work of the FCC staff who have prepared for two years for the World
Radio Conference. They and the U.S. government staff ably represented
the United States on technical and legal issues alike. The entire U.S.
delegation also benefited from the superb leadership of Ambassador Gail
Schoettler. The final result of the conference is that U.S. interests
and the interests of consumers around the world have been advanced.\"

The major issues debated at this conference were: (1) identification of
international frequency bands for third-generation wireless mobile
communications systems (IMT-2000), (2) sharing of spectrum between
satellite networks in non-geostationary satellite orbits (NGSO) and
geostationary satellite orbits (GSO), (3) sharing issues between
satellite and terrestrial radio services in the 37-43.5 GHz band
(V-Band), (4) additional frequencies for Global Positioning System
(GPS), (5) re-planning of the broadcasting-satellite service frequency
bands in Regions 1 and 3, and (6) the use of the 4 and 6 GHz
fixed-satellite service bands by earth stations on vessels while in
foreign waters or ports.

The United States was successful in achieving a flexible international
multi-band approach for third-generation wireless mobile communications
services (e.g., cellular and personal communication services). These
services are internationally referred to as "IMT-2000." The
identification of spectrum for IMT-2000 is contained in five footnotes
and resolutions. These cover: (1) currently identified, (2) 806-960 MHz,
(3) bands above 1 GHz (1710-1885 MHz and 2500-2690 MHz), (4) the
satellite component and (5) High Altitude Platform Stations. Additional
resolutions emphasize that administrations must have flexibility to
determine the timing and availability of bands to be used for IMT-2000
in order to meet particular marketplace needs.

With regard to sharing of spectrum between satellite networks in
non-geostationary satellite orbits (NGSO) and geostationary satellite
orbits (GSO), the United States achieved a global compromise that will
allow for the competitive entry of NGSO systems into the Ku‑band, while
protecting existing GSO links.

In the V-Band, the U.S. achieved the key goal of obtaining 2GHz (40-42
GHz) of spectrum globally for the fixed satellite services (FSS). This
represents the last near-term "frontier" for the deployment of global
satellite systems. Additionally, the U.S. negotiated a compromise that
protects existing high-density deployment of terrestrial fixed services
(such as those providing competition to local exchange carriers) and
also provides for future deployment of new terrestrial services.
Finally, as part of theV-Band compromise, the U.S. achieved globally
harmonized spectrum for terrestrial and satellite services.

For GPS, the U.S. secured additional spectrum for the enhancement of the
U.S. GPS system, and was able to block the provision of additional for
the mobile-satellite service near the frequency bands used by GPS
systems.

Compromise was also achieved on replanning for broadcast satellite
services (BSS) in Regions 1 and 3. The new plan gives 10 analog channels
to countries in Europe and Africa and 12 channels for Asia and
Australia. The agreement protects U.S. FSS that are operational but
still waiting in a backlog of pending ITU applications to receive full
clearance.

Finally, the U.S. agreed to a resolution relating to the operation of
ship earth stations in the 4 and 6 GHz bands in foreign waters and
ports.

International Bureau Contacts: Damon Ladson (202-418-0725) and John
Giusti(202-418-1407).

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