REMARKS OF COMMISSIONER RACHELLE CHONG
                               BEFORE THE 
            CELLULAR TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
                              MARCH 4, 1997
                              SAN FRANCISCO


                   "Progress in the Year of the Rat and 

                     What's Hot in the Year of the Ox"


     Welcome to my city -- "Baghdad by the Bay."  Are we having fun yet?!  While
you're here, I hope you hop onto the cable cars and stroll across the Golden Gate Bridge
for the view.  If you are "into" cell sites, you can take the ferry to Alcatraz Island where
you can see a unique kind of "cell site."  Don't get locked in!!  The FCC may not "bail"
you out!

     I also recommend you visit Chinatown.  One tip:  Don't mistake the touristy Grant
Avenue for Chinatown.  Instead, explore the narrow side streets and the back alleys, where
you will find a fascinating community.  For example, on Stockton Street, Chinatown's
residents shop for the freshest Asian vegetables, live poultry, and seafood so fresh, it's still
swimming! 

     Well, I confess that Chinatown is on my mind not just because we are in San
Francisco, but because I was told by CTIA that 1997 was dubbed the "Year of
Deployment" by many PCS licensees who will roll out their services.  The "Year of
Deployment" has a real Chinese sound to it.

     You see, a few weeks ago here in Chinatown, the Chinese community celebrated
the Year of the Rat, and celebrated the arrival of the Year of the Ox.  If you are confused,
let me fill you in on Chinese astrology.  

     Once upon a time, Buddha felt that the Chinese people were too widely scattered
and in need of organization.  On Chinese New Year, Buddha called all of the kingdom's
animals together for a meeting, but only 12 beasts arrived.  These beasts were the aggressive
Rat, the hardworking Ox, the smiling Tiger, the cautious Rabbit, the impressive Dragon,
the wise Snake, the gifted Horse, the artistic Goat, the merry Monkey, the proud Rooster,
the faithful Dog and the meticulous Boar.

     Buddha decided to honor these twelve animals for coming -- which just goes to
show you can get pretty far in life by just showing up!  Buddha gave each animal a year of
its own, bestowing the nature and characteristics of that animal to those born in that
particular year.

     Suppose your company started up last year, 1996.  That was the Year of the Rat. 
As a Rat, you are charming and aggressive, with a weakness for partying.  Don't despair
for your bottom line, however!  Rats are very frugal, with a love for money.  Rats are
ambitious, and like to invent things, so maybe you can make some money that way.

     This year is the Year of the Ox.  According to Chinese astrology charts, this year is
characterized by endurance.  If your company is born in 1997, you will be bright,
stubborn, and have strong ideas.  But Wall Street needn't worry.  Oxes achieve prosperity
through hard work, persistence and patience.

     If your start up is planned for 1998, your company will be born in the Year of the
Tiger.  Tigers have an adventurous streak, seeking out new challenges (perhaps in the local
loop?), and approaching them with optimism.  Tigers are courageous, sensitive and
persistent.  Now that you have some familiarity with the Chinese calendar, I wanted to
highlight what the FCC accomplished in the Year of the Rat.  I will then share what I
think is hot for your industry in this Year of the Ox.  And at the end of my speech, you
will probably know that I was born in 1959, the Year of the Boar!

Overview

     In the Year of the Rat, the FCC made tremendous progress on issues your industry
cares about.  We scurried to implement the 1996 Act in a way that will let competition
reign in all telecom markets.

     We put in place number portability rules in order to promote increased service
provider choice for consumers.  

     We gave you an opportunity to receive support should you elect to provide
universal service.  
     
     We delivered new opportunities to compete in the wireless industry, finishing the
PCS and cellular unserved auctions.

     We have heard your concern about the trend of local barriers to market entry, and
have begun interpreting and enforcing the preemption section of the new Act, Section 253.

     On siting issues, we completed our RF emissions order, and aggressively reached out
to localities on siting issues.

     In a September Notice of Inquiry, we took an important first step to providing
access to telecommunications services and equipment to those with disabilities.  

     This year, the FCC intends to finish work on implementation of the 1996 Act.  At
yesterday's opening session, Dennis Strigl had it right when he said that "competition" is
the word of the year.  We plan to issue procompetitive decisions on universal service,
number portability, and access charges.  

     I am focusing not just on getting the decisions out, but also on how they get
implemented.  I was distressed that yesterday, the CEO of Sprint PCS gave the FCC a low
score for following through with its decisions.  I want to improve that score.
We also plan to adopt more uniform rules for conducting auctions and will put more
spectrum on the block for services like Wireless Communications Service, 220 MHz,
paging, LMDS (Local Multipoint Distribution Service), 39 GHz, and 800 MHz.

     We also would like to harmonize spectrum policies in our Unlicensed Wireless
Services, address public safety spectrum needs, look at whether spectrum caps are still
necessary, and consider our current construction requirements for wireless service licensees. 

     As you can see, the Commission has been a real Tiger on your issues.  Michele
Farquhar and her Wireless Bureau have pounced on issues and resolved them swiftly.  I
salute our Wireless Staff, who are indeed "wireless and tireless."  I join the Chairman in
thanking Michele for her outstanding job as Bureau Chief.

The FCC in the Year of the Rat

     Let me now delve into a few of our beastly dockets.  1996 -- the Year of the Rat --
got off to an unusual start.  Within the first five weeks, there was a government furlough, a
blizzard, and then the passage of the historic Telecommunications Act. 

     Chinese astrologists tell us that the Year of the Rat is often a fast paced one, in
which people are industrious and hardworking.  This was an apt description of the
Commission in 1996, as we worked furiously to implement the Act.

Interconnection

     Our August interconnection order was the first major order we put out.  It was 700
plus pages long, which means it can do double duty as a door stop.

     All kidding aside, our hefty interconnection decision is a weighty one for your
industry.  This decision established a whole new regime of how your companies will
interconnect with the local telephone network.  

     When crafting our interconnection rules, I fought hard to ensure that the FCC
retained authority under Section 332 as to LEC-CMRS interconnection.  I took this
position because in my view, Congress created a national regulatory framework for CMRS
providers in 1992.  Congress was rightly concerned that imposing multiple state regulatory
regimes on CMRS providers would be burdensome and inhibit the industry's growth.

     I also worked to ensure that wireless providers had some key interconnection rights
including:  (1) the right to reciprocal and symmetrical compensation; (2) the right to
reasonable, non-discriminatory rates; (3) the right to wide area interconnection; (4) the right
to renegotiate certain existing agreements; and (5) the right to stop paying LECs for calls
that originate on the landline network. 
 
     We also tried to establish some interim proxy rates for interconnection. 
Unfortunately, the pricing portion of our decision was stayed by the 8th Circuit court.

     As one speaker pointed out yesterday, however, FCC decisions are one thing; 
marketplace reality is another.  I know that despite our clear rules and our best intentions,
wireless providers are having a hard time getting all of the LECs to comply with the
unstayed portions of the decision.  

     For example, I have heard that some LECs are refusing to give wireless providers
interconnection rates that have been approved in state arbitration proceedings for other
carriers.  

     Others have told me that some LECs are refusing to pay symmetrical rates for
interconnection.  Several paging providers have reported that LECs are threatening to
terminate interconnection arrangements unless they agree to pay to terminate traffic that
originates on the LEC networks.  They also said some LECs are refusing to negotiate with
paging carriers in earnest.  

     I believe that this type of behavior violates our new interconnection rules, and that
swift enforcement is warranted.  If you have serious problems with your interconnection
negotiations, let us know and we will do what we can to help.  

     Just yesterday, for example, the Common Carrier Bureau issued a letter clarifying
that LECs cannot charge any CMRS providers, including paging providers, for traffic that
originates on the LEC's system.  

     One last word:  I've noted a disturbing trend which is the increasing litigation
related to interconnection.  Of course, all players have a right to seek judicial review of
regulatory decisions.  However, I share Chairman Tauzin's concern that litigation in fact
delays the benefits of competition to consumers and may result in a patchwork quilt of
legal interpretations.

Universal Service

     The next major decision we tackled was our reform of the nation's universal service
rules. A Federal-State Joint Board put out a recommended decision in November, with a
final universal service decision due out by the FCC this May.

     As to the Recommended Decision, I wanted to highlight a few key points that were
critical to my support and important to your industry:
     
     First, the Joint Board sought to make sure that our new rules would not
discriminate in favor of an incumbent or competitive service provider or any particular
technology.

     Second, the Joint Board added as a guiding principle, the notion of competitive and
technological neutrality.  In other words, eligible telecom carriers -- regardless of their
technology -- will be able to provide universal service and receive support.  You can do this
either as a local loop provider or as a service provider to schools, libraries, and rural health
care providers.

     This is important because the new law makes clear that all telecommunications
carriers will be required to pay into the universal service fund -- including wireless carriers.

     Now for the not so good news from your point of view.  The Joint Board found
that Section 332(c) does not preclude states from requiring CMRS providers to contribute
to any state universal service support mechanism.

     For those of you who envision getting into the local loop, I urge you to get
involved in our current proxy model debate.  I want to know your perspective on whether
the proxy models accurately identify high cost areas.  Will they provide sufficient universal
service support to encourage competitive entry into these areas?
     
     I believe that wireless carriers have a great opportunity to serve Americans as
universal service providers.  I urge you to be as aggressive as a Dragon when it comes to
applying your technology to universal service markets.

Siting and RF Emissions
     
     Now, on to the ever popular topic of cell siting.  I hope that Section 704 has made
siting faster and less controversial, especially the part that preempted local regulation of RF
emissions.

     In August, the FCC adopted new RF emissions guidelines based on limits in the
ANSI/IEEE 1992 standard and the NCRP 1986 report.  Although I had some concern
about this hybrid approach, the good thing about our guidelines is that they command the
broad support of federal agencies charged with the protection of the public health. 

     As is the case with any new law, there have been lots of questions about how
Section 704 should be interpreted.  To help resolve some of these issues, we formed a 


Wireless Facilities Siting Task Force.  Our Task Force has been aggressively reaching out to
local agencies.  They have been educating them through live forums, informal guidance
letters, and siting Fact Sheets.

     The staff also recently put out a public notice seeking comment on a CTIA petition
requesting a declaratory ruling regarding cell site moratoria.  Chairman Hundt sent out a
letter to 33 cities highlighting the FCC's concern about the impact of moratoria.  The
Chairman asked why the moratoria were imposed.  We hope putting the spotlight on this
issue will help stem the tide of moratoria and get your sites up faster.

Preemption Petitions

       Along a similar line, 1996 was also a year in which the Commission dealt with 12
preemption petitions.  The petitions run the gamut from taxes to local franchising
requirements.  The common thread among them is that they allege that the state or local
law in question constitutes entry regulation or a barrier to entry.

       Let me give you a few examples.  One petition challenges an Oregon State property
tax assessment on a PCS license.  Another involves Minnesota city ordinances that require
CMRS providers to obtain a local franchise in order to use the public rights-of-way. 
Another involves whether the government of Guam may prevent the incumbent telephone
provider from bidding on PCS licenses in the Northern Mariana Islands.   

       I'm quite troubled by this trend of state action that may inhibit wireless licensees
from providing service.  The law clearly says that states and local governments cannot
regulate the rates or entry of CMRS providers.  This type of state regulation was expressly
preempted by Congress in Sections 332 and 253 of the Act.  

       We have already issued two preemption decisions, one in the Classic case and one in
the New England Payphone case.  You can see that we are committed to eliminating entry
barriers where they exist.  

E-911 and N11

       Also in June of last year, the FCC adopted rules to govern the availability of basic
911 services and the implementation of enhanced 911 -- or E-911 -- for wireless services.  I
thought these new rules were important, because I know that many people, like those
Cautious Rabbit types, buy wireless phones for security reasons.  Moreover, when
Americans dial 911 in an emergency, they expect help to be sent.

       The goal of our order was to make it even easier for subscribers to dial 911 on their
wireless phones.  In addition, we wanted the public safety agencies to automatically receive
the callers' phone number and location.  

       The call back and location information will make it much easier for emergency
assistance providers to save lives and safeguard property.  This is important because, as we
heard yesterday from Dr. Martinez of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
the faster the response time, the better the outcome. 

       I understand that the technology is there for E-911 to be a reality.  The trials have
been very successful.  What is critical, however, is ensuring that carriers and industry agree
on standards and protocols. 

       I recognize that wireless providers will incur costs serving some non-subscribers
under this regime.  This is why I insisted that cost recovery mechanisms be established at
the state and local level.  I congratulate your industry and the public safety community for
working together on this important issue.

       I also wanted to briefly mention our recent N11 code order.  To ease congestion of
calls to 911 emergency services, the FCC has set aside the "311" code as a non-emergency
number.

       I'm told that 911 is not congested in all places, but having said that, the public
safety folks tell me that people call 911 for things like directions to the baseball stadium,
getting cats down from trees, and, believe it or not, instructions on how to cook a
Thanksgiving turkey!

       I think establishing an easy to remember non-emergency number is a terrific idea,
because when people call 911, we want those calls to go through right away.  However,
because 311 is a non-emergency number, wireless carriers don't have the same obligations
for 311 calls that they do for 911 calls. 

       I hope your industry will get involved in the outreach and education of the public
about the new 311 code if it is activated in your service area.  And I ask any members of
the media to also help get the word out to the community.

What's Hot in the Year of the Ox

       Okay, let's move now to what I think is going to be hot at the FCC this year, the
Year of the Ox.  Luckily, Ox years are characterized by endurance.  Given the heavy work
piled on the FCC's cart this year, we are going to need an Ox's strength to pull steadily
ahead and complete our work.

Cellular Privacy

       In  1997, the cellular industry may have had its ox gored a little by Congress.  The
Year of the Ox started off with the spotlight being put on the cellular industry on privacy 

issues.  Last month, the House Subcommittee on Communications held a hearing to alert
Americans to the problem of cellular eavesdropping.  

       In the hearing room, it was shown how quickly and easily an FCC-certified scanner
may be modified to scan cellular frequencies.  Through the course of the hearing, it became
apparent that the Commission needs to be more aggressive in enforcing our scanner
regulations.  Also, it became clear that the roles of the FCC and the Department of Justice
need to be rationalized to make enforcement easier and swifter.

       I hope that the attention that this issue received has caused the cellular industry to
commit to better educate the public about privacy issues.  At the FCC, we have committed
to work to better prevent illegal modifications to scanners through our type acceptance
process, and to step up our enforcement procedures.  Last week, we issued a notice warning
the public against modifying or advertising the modification of scanning receivers in order
to eavesdrop on cellular telephone calls.

Driving Risks of Mobile Phones
 
       Another potential hot issue for your industry stems from media attention on a
recent Canadian study.  That study found that drivers who used car phones were four
times more likely to have accidents.  

       In light of this study, I would like to ask the industry to step up your public
education efforts about safe driving habits.  Stressing the risks involved and the availability
of hands free technology would be helpful.  I do recognize, however, what a benefit mobile
phone users have been for law enforcement officials.  They often aid the highway patrol in
reporting accidents and reporting road hazards.

CMRS Spectrum Caps

       On another topic, the FCC is considering amending its 45 MHz spectrum cap.  The
cap currently applies only to broadband PCS, cellular and SMR licensees who are classified
as CMRS providers.  We have proposed to apply the cap to all licenses in these services,
regardless of whether the licensee is classified as a CMRS or Private Mobile Radio Service.

       I recently have raised the issue of whether we ought to retain the CMRS spectrum
cap at all, given the increased competition in the wireless marketplace.  I've talked with the
Bureau and they tell me there is something in the works that may address this issue.  I'd be
interested in hearing your thoughts.


Public Safety

       Another hot topic this year at the Commission is Public Safety.  We have received a
detailed report from the Public Safety Wireless Advisory Committee with many good
recommendations.  It is now the FCC s turn to act.  

       I have personally put public safety towards the top of my priority list.  I want to
ensure that the public safety community and those private users who operate in a quasi-
public fashion have the spectrum they need to deliver the very reliable communications
that are necessary to save lives and protect property.  I have encouraged our staff to act
expeditiously on this docket, and I hope they will.

Spectrum Policy

       I also think spectrum policy issues will be very hot, both at the FCC and up on the
Hill.  For one thing, the Commission held a spectrum en banc hearing about a year ago. 
It s high time that we put together a comprehensive spectrum policy statement that we all
agree on that will help guide us as we move forward.  

       The truth is that we have been doing spectrum policy on an ad hoc basis, and I
think a more consistent approach is warranted.  One of our main jobs as a Commission is
to manage the spectrum in the public interest.  Like Commissioner Ness, I am confident
that if we work together, we can put forward a sensible policy.

       I know that many of you have some concerns about some of our recent spectrum
management policy decisions.  Commissioner Ness addressed a number of these concerns in
her speech yesterday.  Since she and I are in general agreement about spectrum
management, I don't need to repeat what she said.  However, let me make three points that
I hope will provide some assurance.

       First, I know some of you who bought spectrum in our recent auctions are worried
that the FCC has been struck with "Auction Fever" and that we are putting too much
wireless spectrum -- for example, WCS -- on the market too fast.  I share Chairman
Tauzin's concerns that if we keep making spectrum available, we might impede the orderly
deployment of services we have already licensed.

       Second, although I believe that auctions are an effective licensing method, they don't
make sense for all services.  I highlight the fact that Congress has carefully excluded some
services from auctions, for example, private, public safety, and broadcasting.   While
auctions are beneficial as a licensing device, they are not a replacement for good spectrum
management.   



       Third, from my point of view, WCS was an anomaly.  I know that CTIA and
many manufacturers argued that not defining a specific service would slow development of
new technology, raise equipment costs, and discourage manufacturer investment.  

       The only reason I agreed to such a flexible allocation for WCS was because of the
statutory deadlines under which we were operating.  In that short time period, we did not
have the luxury of time to decide which service would best serve the public interest.

Conclusion

       You can see that the Years of the Rat and the Ox have seen the FCC working hard
on your issues, and not monkeying around.  Like the meticulous Boar, we are rutting
through the issues with care.

       So good luck in the Year of the Ox.  As they say in Chinatown:  Gung Hay Fat
Choy, or Happy New Year!