*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 26983.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: April 23, 2003 Meribeth McCarrick at (202) 418- 0654 FCC ACTS TO PROMOTE HOMELAND SECURITY AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF WIRELESS BROADBAND SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF PUBLIC SAFETY Washington, D. C. – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted an item establishing licensing and service rules for the 50 megahertz of spectrum in the 4940- 4990 MHz band (4.9 GHz band). This action promotes effective public safety communications and innovation in wireless broadband services in support of public safety and homeland security. The adopted rules are another step in the FCC’s ongoing efforts to develop a regulatory framework in which to meet the current and future public safety communications needs. The adopted rules are intended to promote spectrum access for a variety of new broadband applications such as high- speed digital technologies and wireless local area networks for incident scene management, dispatch operations and vehicular operations. This action also promotes interoperability by providing a regulatory framework in which traditional public safety entities can pursue strategic partnerships with both traditional public safety entities, such as the Federal Government, and non- traditional public safety entities, such as utilities and commercial entities, in support of their missions regarding homeland security and protection of life and property. The Commission’s action makes significant strides towards ensuring that agencies involved in the protection of life and property possess the communications resources needed to successfully carry out their mission. For example, it is anticipated that the 4.9 GHz band will accommodate technologies and operations requiring varying bandwidths and operations that are both temporary and permanent in nature. Consequently, the adopted rules will provide 4.9 GHz band licensees with the maximum operational flexibility practicable. The item also encourages effective and efficient utilization of the spectrum. Specifics of the Memorandum Opinion and Order and Third Report and Order (MO& O and 3 rd R& O): In the MO& O, the Commission denied petitions for reconsideration of the FCC’s decision to prohibit aeronautical mobile operations in the 4.9 GHz band. The FCC noted such operations could be allowed on a case- by- case basis provided that there is a sufficient technical showing that the proposed operations would not interfere with in- band and adjacent band radio astronomy operations. In the 3rd R& O, the Commission established licensing and service rules for the 4.9 GHz band. The major decisions reached include: 1