*Pages 1--1 from Microsoft Word - 19295.doc* NEWS 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). News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov TTY: 1- 888- 835- 5322 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: June 28, 2002 Maureen Peratino (202) 418- 0506 FCC and Industry Canada Sign Arrangement on Sharing of Frequency Bands by 2- Way Multipoint Distribution Systems Washington D. C. -- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Industry Canada have signed an Interim Arrangement that will facilitate development of Multipoint Distribution Systems (MDS) near the U. S.- Canada border. MDS includes video distribution and digital broadband services for use by the public. This Arrangement sets forth the principles and mechanisms for spectrum sharing by MDS operations in the 2150- 2162 MHz and 2500- 2690 MHz bands near the U. S.- Canada border. It includes new 2- Way systems that previously had not been permitted in the border area. The Arrangement also applies to one- way digital and analog MDS, and the Instructional Television Fixed Service. The Arrangement provides the criteria needed to determine which MDS stations near the border require coordination. Coordination of MDS providers in both the United States and Canada must be based on either the terms contained in the Arrangement or the development of separate cross- border sharing agreements. Two categories of existing one- way MDS stations that were licensed prior to the signing of this Arrangement are grandfathered and may continue to operate as already authorized without any further coordination: (a) those that were successfully coordinated or notified prior to the signing of this Arrangement; and (b) those located more than 80 km from the border that are now subject to the terms of the new Arrangement. The full text of the Interim Arrangement is on file at the International Bureau Reference Room CY- A257, located on the Courtyard level of 445 12 th St. S. W. Copies also are available from the FCC’s duplicating contractor, Qualex International at (202) 863- 2893 and can be downloaded from the FCC’s International Bureau internet site at http:// www. fcc. gov/ ib/ sand/ agree. For further information, contact Tim Maguire, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau at (202) 418- 2155 or Thomas Lucey, International Bureau at (202) 418- 2161. - FCC - 1