*Pages 1--2 from  Microsoft Word - 18566.doc*
 NEWS  News  media  Information  202  /  418-  0500  TTY  202  /  418-  2555  Fax-  On-  Demand  202  /  418-  2830  Internet:  http://  www.  fcc.  gov  ftp.  fcc.  gov  Federal  Communications  Commission  445  12  th  Street,  S.  W.  Washington,  D.  C.  20554  This  is  an  unofficial  announcement  of  Commission  action.  Release  of  the  full  text  of  a  Commission  order  constitutes  official  action.  See  MCI  v.  FCC.  515  F  2d  385  (D.  C.  Circ  1974).  FOR  IMMEDIATE  RELEASE:  NEWS  MEDIA  CONTACT: 
 June  13,  2002  Meribeth  McCarrick:  (202)  418-  0654 
 FCC  INITIATIES  PROCEEDING  TO  PROMOTE  COMMERCIAL  DEVELOPMENT  OF  SPECTRUM  IN  THE  71-  76  GHZ,  81-  86  GHZ  AND  92-  95  GHZ  BANDS 


 Washington,  D.  C.  –  The  Federal  Communications  Commission  (FCC)  has  initiated  a  proceeding  to  examine  methods  to  promote  the  commercial  development  and  growth  of  spectrum  in  the 
 71-  76  GHz,  81-  86  GHz  and  92-  95  GHz  bands.  These  bands  have  never  before  been  occupied  by  non-government  users.  Specifically,  the  FCC  seeks  comment  on  its  proposed  rules  to  allow  use  of  these 
 spectrum  bands  for  a  broad  range  of  new  fixed  wireless  services.  Potential  uses  of  this  spectrum  include  high-  speed  wireless  local  area  networks,  broadband  access  systems  for  the  Internet,  point-  to-  point 
 communications,  and  point-  to-  multipoint  communications.  These  special  uses  are  possible  because  of  the  shorter  wavelengths,  which  are  about  three  to  five  millimeters,  and  because  of  other  technical 
 characteristics  that  differentiate  the  71-  76  GHz,  81-  86  GHz  and  92-  95  GHz  bands  from  other  bands. 
 Currently,  this  region  of  the  spectrum  is  essentially  undeveloped  and  available  for  new  uses.  Accordingly,  the  FCC  seeks  to  develop  a  flexible  and  streamlined  regulatory  framework  that  will 


 encourage  innovative  uses  of  the  spectrum;  accommodate  future  developments  in  technology  and  equipment;  promote  competition  in  the  communications  services,  equipment  and  related  markets;  and 
 advance  the  potential  sharing  between  non-  Federal  Government  and  Federal  Government  systems.  Additionally,  the  FCC  anticipates  that  its  proposals  will  encourage  the  use  of  technologies  developed  in 
 military  and  scientific  applications  in  a  broad  range  of  new  products  and  services,  such  as  high-  speed  wireless  local  area  networks  and  broadband  access  systems  for  the  Internet. 


 Background: 
 In  July  2000,  the  Commission  held  a  public  forum  on  possible  new  uses  of  the  92-  95  GHz  band.  Several  speakers  at  the  forum  indicated  that  due  to  recent  technological  developments,  new  uses  of 


 this  band  are  approaching  practicality.  In  addition,  in  July  2001,  Loea  Communications  Corporation  experimented  with  technology  it  developed  for  use  of  the  71-  76  GHz  and  81-  86  GHz  bands.  As  a  result, 
 Loea  filed  a  petition  requesting  the  establishment  of  service  rules  for  the  licensed  use  of  the  71-  76  GHz  and  81-  86  GHz  bands  on  September  10,  2001. 


 Specifics  of  the  adopted  Notice: 
 The  Commission  seeks  comment  on  the  following  issues  regarding  use  of  the  71-  76  GHz,  81-  86  GHz  and  92-  95  GHz  bands: 


 -  Updating  allocations  in  the  71-  76  GHz,  81-  86  GHz  and  92-  95  GHz  bands  to  reflect  changes  in  the  international  allocations  made  at  the  1987  and  2000  World  Radio 
 Conferences; 
 -  Developing  an  appropriate  band  plan  for  the  71-  76  GHz,  81-  86  GHz  and  92-  95  GHz  bands; 


 -  Providing  for  unlicensed  use  in  some  or  all  of  these  bands; 
1
 -  Authorizing  the  new  licensed  services  under  Part  101  of  its  Rules  and  the  new  unlicensed  devices  under  Part  15  of  its  Rules; 
 -  Licensing  the  spectrum  administered  under  Part  101  by  geographic  service  areas,  site-based  areas,  or  some  other  scheme. 
 Action  by  the  Commission  on  June  13,  2002  by  Notice  of  Proposed  Rulemaking  (FCC  02-  180).  Chairman  Powell,  Commissioners  Abernathy,  Copps  and  Martin  with  Commissioners  Abernathy,  Copps 
 and  Martin  issuing  separate  statements. 
 Wireless  Bureau  Contacts:  Brian  O’Donnell  and  Gerardo  Mejia  at  (202)  418-  0680  or  bodonnel@  fcc.  gov  and  gmejia@  fcc.  gov 


 Office  of  Engineering  and  Technology  contact:  Michael  Marcus  at  (202)  418-  2418  or  mmarcus@  fcc.  gov 
 GEN  Docket  No.  02-  xx 
2