[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 18, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-12070]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 18, 1994]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------


ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
 

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Chapter I

[IC Docket No. 94-31; FCC No. 94-96]

Preparation for ITU World Radiocommunication Conferences

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice of inquiry.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In this Notice of Inquiry (NOI), the Federal Communications 
Commission (FCC) seeks information to assist it in developing U.S. 
proposals relating to issues on the agenda of WRC-95, and in refining 
recommended and preliminary agendas for WRC-97 and WRC-99, 
respectively. WRC-95 is scheduled to convene October 23-November 17, 
1995, in Geneva. The FCC's goal in this proceeding is to formulate 
proposals and positions on issues to be addressed by WRC-95, and to 
introduce agendas for WRC-97 and WRC-99, that best represent U.S. 
interests, that will enhance the U.S. competitive position in world-
wide communications matters, and that will foster the introduction of 
seamless, global communications and universal access.

DATES: Comments must be filed on or before June 6, 1994, and reply 
comments must be filed on or before June 27, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M St., NW., 
Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Damon C. Ladson, Office of International Communications, (202) 632-
0935, or Steve Sharkey, Office of Engineering and Technology, (202) 
653-8151.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Notice 
of Inquiry, PR Docket No. 94-32, FCC No. 94-97, Adopted April 20, 1994, 
and released May 5, 1994. The full text of this Notice of Inquiry is 
available for inspection during normal business hours in the Records 
Room of the Federal Communications Commission, room 239, 1919 M St., 
NW. Washington, DC. The complete text may be purchased from the 
Commission's copy contractor, ITS, Inc., 2100 M St., NW., suite 140, 
Washington, DC, 20037, telephone (202) 857-3800.

Summary of Notice of Inquiry

    1. The purpose of this proceeding is to solicit information and 
comments that address technical and regulatory matters related to the 
agenda items included in the WRC-93 final acts. The information we 
receive will assist us in determining U.S. positions that will advance 
U.S. goals at WRC-95. Additionally, in accordance with the four-year 
planning cycle for WRC's adopted by the 1992 ITU Additional 
Plenipotentiary Conference, WRC-95 will recommend an agenda for WRC-97 
and a preliminary agenda for WRC-99. We seek information on topics for 
those agendas.
    2. WRC-95 will include a review of the Radio Regulations based upon 
a report of the Voluntary Group of Experts (VGE) which was tasked with 
examining the international Radio Regulations for the purpose of 
identifying ways in which the regulations can be simplified. The VGE 
report includes both general and specific recommendations regarding 
allocation matters, and a rewrite of the regulatory procedures related 
to use of frequencies (e.g., articles 11-17), operational, and 
administrative matters. WRC-95 will also consider issues intended to 
facilitate use of frequency bands allocated to the mobile-satellite 
service (MSS). MSS issues include a review of technical constraints 
associated with bands below 3 GHz that are allocated to MSS, a review 
of the date of entry into force of MSS allocations in the 1980-2010 MHz 
and 2170-2200 MHz bands in Regions 1 and 3, future MSS spectrum 
requirements, and allocations and regulatory aspects of feeder links, 
including sharing FSS spectrum between non-geostationary MSS and 
geostationary MSS. In addition, WRC-95 will address preliminarily the 
following topics: (1) Various space service matters; (2) revision of 
Appendices 30 and 30A for Regions 1 and 3; and (3) availability of 
high-frequency broadcasting (HFBC). We request comment on these issues.
    3. The preliminary agenda for WRC-97 agreed on by WRC-93 includes 
the following topics: (1) Unresolved issues from WRC-95, including 
specifically those related to the mobile-satellite service, revision of 
Appendices 30 and 30A; (2) HFBC matters; (3) various maritime and 
aeronautical issues (e.g. Chap. IX, NIX, App. 18 (VHF), and Art. 61); 
and (4) several unresolved Resolutions and Recommendations from past 
conferences. We request comment on an agenda for WRC-97 and on a 
preliminary agenda for WRC-99.
    4. Finally, a number of steps are being taken in addition to this 
NOI to prepare for future WRCs. The Commission will establish an 
Industry advisory committee to develop independent private sector 
proposals and positions on WRC agenda items. We also invite comment on 
establishment of a regularized process within the FCC to prepare for 
WRC, such as maintaining an open docket in this proceeding.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 94-12070 Filed 5-17-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-M