DA 96-1414

                          PUBLIC NOTICE


FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
1919 M STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554
     
News media information 202/418-0500  

                                          Released: August 22, 1996
                                                                   
    COMMISSION ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF AUCTION TRACKING SOFTWARE
                                   
A software tool for tracking the progress of the Federal Communications Commission's PCS D/E/F-Block auction will be made available to the public at approximately 9:00 a.m EST, on Friday,     August
23, 1996.  The software will be available via the Internet and the FCC Auctions Bulletin Board System. 
Attachments A, B, and C to this Public Notice provide detailed instructions concerning access of this
software via the Internet (Attachment A) and Auctions BBS (Attachments B and C). 

The tracking tool is a Microsoft   Excel  v5.0 WorkBook, which runs on Microsoft Windows  v3.1
and Windows  for WorkGroups  v3.11.  With this auction tracking tool, bidders can import round
results and analyze the bidding in the D/E/F block auction.  The "Markets" and "Bidders" worksheets
are the central features of the tools.  The "Markets" worksheet presents bidding activity for every
license in the auction.  It includes data such as the standing high bid and bidder, number of bids placed,
and price per POP (the high bid in a market divided by the population of the market).   The "Bidders"
worksheet presents data on all bidders participating in the auction, including information on the dollar
value of a bidder's standing high bids, number of new bids placed during the round, and number of
standing high bids.  Users can sort these worksheets by a variety of data elements.  The tools also
include a "Summary" worksheet which presents vital statistics on the auction and a "Rounds" worksheet
which lists summary statistics for every round of the auction. These tools should be of particular use to
small bidders and other persons tracking the auctions who cannot afford customized tracking software.  

DISCLAIMER. The Commission makes no warranty whatsoever with respect to the auctions tracking
software packages.  In no event shall the Commission, or any of its officers, employees, or agents, be
liable for any damages whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of business profits, business
interruption, loss of business information, or any other loss) arising out of or relating to the existence,
furnishing, functioning or use of the auctions tracking software packages that are available to the public
in connection with FCC spectrum auctions.  Moreover, no obligation or liability will arise out of the
Commission's technical, programming or other advice or service provided in connection with the
auctions tracking software packages.

USER REQUIREMENTS. This software is not designed for novice computer users. To be used
effectively, you must have extensive experience with:
* Microsoft Windows
* Microsoft Excel v5.0
* the FCC simultaneous multiple-round auction format

SOFTWARE and HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS. At a minimum, you will need the following:
* Microsoft Windows v3.1 or later
* Microsoft Excel v5 or later
* a computer able to run the above software
* 8MB of available hard disk space
* 16MB of RAM and a Pentium  based processor are highly recommended

For additional information regarding this public notice, please contact the FCC Auctions Technical
Support Center, and 202-414-1250

                               - FCC -                             Attachment A


        PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING THE SOFTWARE VIA THE INTERNET

The tracking tool for the D/E/F block auction can be obtained from the FCC's FTP site, either through
the World Wide Web (www.fcc.gov), or by directly connecting to the ftp site as described below.  The
address of the site is ftp.fcc.gov and can be accessed using conventional ftp communications software. 
Persons using a World Wide Web browser can access the site using the following address: 
ftp://ftp.fcc.gov

Once you have accessed the FCC ftp site, you can find the tracking tool software in the following
directory:

     pub/Auctions/PCS/Broadband/BTA/Auction_11/Programs

For the DEF-block tool, download the following two files to a directory on your computer:
     readme.wp or readme.txt
     deftrack.exe  

Make a note of which directory you download the files to.  You will need this information to install the
software.

A detailed description of the software and instructions for installing it are included in the readme  file for
each auction.  Two versions of the readme file are provided for each auction tracking tool. 
Readme.wp is a WordPerfect  version of the readme file which can also be imported by Microsoft 
Word  users.  Readme.txt is a text file for users who do not have access to a word processor capable
of reading WordPerfect files.  The text file can be opened and read in most word processing applications
or a text editor.  Please review the readme file carefully as it includes important information on
installing and using the tool.  Technical support for the tracking tools can be obtained at (202) 414-1250.  Please review the readme file thoroughly before calling technical support.

                             Attachment B


      PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING THE SOFTWARE VIA THE AUCTIONS BBS
                          Non-ANSI Emulation

If you are unable to access the tracking tool software via FTP, it can also be obtained from the FCC's
Auctions Bulletin Board System.  The BBS can be accessed via modem using a standard
communications software package such as pcANYWHERE, TELIX, PROCOMM, etc.  The phone
number for the BBS is (202) 682-5851.  Use the setting of "no parity", 8 data bits, and 1 stop bit
(N,8,1).  If this is your first time using the Auctions BBS follow steps 1-5, otherwise go to step 6.

     1.   Press [Enter.  Type New and press [Enter].  If the word "ANSI" is blinking, type Y
          for yes and refer to instructions in Attachment C.  If the word "ANSI" is not
          blinking, type N for No.
  
     2.   Type in your first and last name and press [Enter].  This will be your login name

     3.   When asked to verify your login name type in Y and press [Enter]

     4.   Type in what you want your password to be and press [Enter]

     5.   Retype the password for verification and press [Enter]. Type C and press [Enter]

     6.   Log on to the BBS using your name and password.

     7.   Type B and press [Enter], Type B and press [Enter]. Type P and press [Enter]

     8.   Type the letter next to the file readme.wp or readme.txt and press [Enter]

     9.   Type T to tag the file for downloading and press [Enter]

     10.  Type R to redraw the page and press [Enter].  Type the letter next to the file
          btatrack.exe and press [Enter]

     11.  Type T to tag the file for downloading and press [Enter]

     12.  Type X and press [Enter], type X and press [Enter], type X and press [Enter], type X
          and press [Enter]        

     13.  Type the letter representing the transfer protocol you want to use, and press [Enter]. 
          How the file is downloaded and the directory to which it is downloaded depends on the
          user's communications software.

     14.  When the download is completed, press [Enter], type Y and press [Enter] to end your
          session.


Make a note of which directory you download the files to.  You will need this information to install the
software.

A detailed description of the software and instructions for installing it are included in the readme  file for
each auction.  Two versions of the readme file are provided for each auction tracking tool. 
Readme.wp is a WordPerfect  version of the readme file which can also be imported by Microsoft 
Word  users.  Readme.txt is a text file for users who do not have access to a word processor capable
of reading WordPerfect files.  The text file can be opened and read in most word processing applications
or a text editor.  Please review the readme file carefully as it includes important information on
installing and using the tool.  Technical support for the tracking tools can be obtained at (202) 414-1250.  Please review the readme file thoroughly before calling technical support.                             Attachment C

      PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING THE SOFTWARE VIA THE AUCTIONS BBS
                            ANSI Emulation


If you are unable to access the tracking tool software via FTP, it can also be obtained from the FCC's
Auctions Bulletin Board System.  The BBS can be accessed via modem using a standard
communications software package such as pcANYWHERE, TELIX, PROCOMM, etc.  The phone
number for the BBS is (202) 682-5851.  Use the setting of "no parity", 8 data bits, and 1 stop bit
(N,8,1).  If this is your first time using the Auctions BBS follow steps 1-5, otherwise go to step 6.

     1.   Type New, [Enter].  If the word "ANSI" is blinking, type Y for yes.  If the word
          "ANSI" is not blinking, type N and refer to instructions in Attachment B.  

     2.   Type in your first and last name and press [Enter].  This will be your login name

     3.   When asked to verify your login name type in Y and press [Enter]

     4.   Type in what you want your password to be and press [Enter]

     5.   Retype the password for verification and press [Enter]

     6.   Log on to the BBS using your name and password.

     7.   Type B and press [Enter], Type B and press [Enter], Type P and press [Enter]

     8.   Type the letter next to the file readme.wp or readme.txt

     9.   Press the spacebar to tag the file for downloading

     10.  Type the letter next to the file btatrack.exe

     11.  Press the spacebar to tag the file for downloading

     12.  Type [Ctrl]-T.  Type D to download all tagged files and press [Enter].

     13.  Type the letter representing the transfer protocol you want to use, and press [Enter].
          How the file is downloaded and the directory to which it is downloaded depends on the
          user's communications software.

     14.  Type X when the download is completed, then type X and press [Enter] and continue to
          do so until asked whether you want to terminate the connection.  Type Y to confirm that
          you want to end your session.



Make a note of which directory you download the files to.  You will need this information to install the
software.

A detailed description of the software and instructions for installing it are included in the readme  file for
each auction.  Two versions of the readme file are provided for each auction tracking tool. 
Readme.wp is a WordPerfect  version of the readme file which can also be imported by Microsoft 
Word  users.  Readme.txt is a text file for users who do not have access to a word processor capable
of reading WordPerfect files.  The text file can be opened and read in most word processing applications
or a text editor.  Please review the readme file carefully as it includes important information on
installing and using the tool.  Technical support for the tracking tools can be obtained at (202) 414-1250.  Please review the readme file thoroughly before calling technical support.