From: FZC@CU.NIH.GOV (Paul Robinson)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: [TDR] DISA Yaks to FCC on PCS
Date: 4 Jan 93 23:41:26 GMT
Reply-To: TDARCOS@MCIMAIL.COM
Organization: TELECOM Digest
X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 13, Issue 9, Message 4 of 15

"DISA yaks to FCC on PCS"

(Gee, I've always wanted to do a 'Variety' style headline.  :) )

Article Summary
Government Computer News, January 4, 1993, Page 38

This is a summary of an article about a technology you've probably
never seen, complained about by an agency you've probably never heard
of.

In an article titled "Defense agency wants PCS voice services in
public domain", author S. A. Marud tells how the Defense Information
Systems Agency (DISA) has jumped into the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) inquiry into the standards to be set on the operation
of the startup Personal Communications Services (PCS) industry.

PCS is a wireless digital technology which operates at 2 gigahertz.
Cellular is analog.  Also, one advantage of the service is that a
number can be assigned to a person, not to a telephone.

Two groups in DISA, the Federal Wireless Services User Forum (FWSUF)
and the Interagency Cellular Radio Working Group (ICRWG) were the
impetus for filing comments.  They want to be certain that PCS
supports at least Group 3 / Group 4 Fax, paging, images, and voice and
data encrypted with an STU-III device.  i.e. that a group 3 fax modem
should work the same whether it's plugged into a wall jack or a PCS
phone.  PCS should also support dialing "0" for Operator and 911 for
Emergency.  ICRWG wants there to be two nationwide carriers for PCS,
or in the alternative, at least one frequency block reserved
nationally to one carrier and the rest awarded to local carriers.

DISA's concerns on National Security and Emergency Preparedness makes
it want certain basic services (Such as area code 710?) to be part of
the new system, and that at least voice services to be available
through the public switched (read local telco, AT&T, FTS-2000, MCI
etc.) network.  The systems should be made to be interoperable
(meaning the phone you use in Dallas should also work in Kansas City,
Chicago, New York and Los Angeles), either from the start or soon
after some industry standards can be developed.  DISA would also
prefer that PCS licenses be issued for large areas if no nationwide
carrier(s) are authorized.

DISA is worried that PCS may be declared to be "private carriers"
which means that the government cannot mandate that they be part of
the Telecommunications Priority System (TSP) which allows the
government to sieze telephone lines.  TSP was invoked by the federal
government for more than 4000 circuits and services during Hurricane
Andrew.

Certain industry groups are watching the rulemaking process on PCS,
including the Wireless Information Network Forum (which represents
computer and communications companies including Apple, AT&T & IBM),
Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) (guess who
they represent).  CTIA is worried that the FCC might decide that PCS
license won't be issued to a cellular operator in the same area.

A decision on how the PCS industry is to be structured is expected
from the FCC sometime in Fall 1993.


Paul Robinson -- TDARCOS@MCIMAIL.COM
These opinions are mine alone.