PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 1919 M STREET, N.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 98-167 News media information 202/418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202/418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov Report No. IN 98-5 Released: February 2, 1998 COMMISSION STARTS PLANNING FOR 1999/2000 WORLD RADIOCOMMUNICATION CONFERENCE; PUBLIC MEETING TO BE HELD FEBRUARY 10 TO DISCUSS PREPARATIONS The FCC has begun its preparations for the 1999/2000 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-99), which is scheduled to be held in late 1999 or early 2000. Today, the FCC's International Bureau announced that:  The existing Advisory Committee for the 1997 World Radiocommunication Conference has been rechartered as the WRC-99 Advisory Committee. The initial meeting of the WRC-99 Advisory Committee, which is open to the public, will be held on February 10, 1998, from 9:30 am to 12:00 noon, in the Commission Meeting Room (Room 856), 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, DC.  Primary responsibility for WRC-99 will be shifted from the International Bureau's Satellite and Radiocommunication Division to the Bureau's Planning and Negotiations Division, which is led by Richard Engelman. Damon C. Ladson will direct the FCC's WRC-99 preparatory activities.  Guiding Principles for the FCC's WRC-99 preparatory activities have been adopted.  A new WRC-99 internet site has been established. Like previous WRCs, WRC-99 will address issues critical to U.S. industry. Particular emphasis will be placed on: Non-geostationary Orbit Fixed-Satellite Service (NGSO-FSS)/Geostationary Orbit Fixed-Satellite Service (GSO-FSS) sharing issues; Mobile-Satellite Service (MSS) issues; spectrum allocation between 35 GHz and 50 GHz; terrestrial issues; space services issues including those related to inter-satellite service links; maritime and aeronautical issues; Broadcast Satellite Service (BSS) Plan issues; High Frequency Broadcast (HFBC) planning issues; regulatory and procedural issues related to WRC-99 agenda items; and any other issues related to WRC-99 agenda items or preliminary agenda items for the future World Radiocommunication Conferences. International Bureau Chief Regina Keeney stated that: "The WRC-97 Advisory Committee was a key contributor to the United States' successful preparations for WRC-97. We are rechartering that Advisory Committee to provide a public forum in which proposals for WRC-99 can be developed. At the same time, we plan to improve our preparations process in order to enhance our ability to develop our proposals and to effectively build support for them." The draft Agenda for the initial meeting of the WRC-99 Advisory Committee is attached. The principles that will guide the Commission's WRC-99 Team are also attached. Additionally, the Commission has established a new WRC-99 world wide web site at: http://fcc.gov/wrc-99. Comments may be presented at the Advisory Committee meeting or by email to this web site. For additional information please contact Damon C. Ladson, Director of the FCC's WRC-99 Prep Team, at 418-0725 or Rick Engelman, Chief of the International Bureau's Planning and Negotiations Division, at (202) 418-2150. AGENDA Fir st meeting of the WRC-99 Advisory Committee Fed eral Communications Commission 191 9 M Street, N.W., Room 856 Was hington, D.C. 20554 Feb ruary 10, 1998; 9:30 am - 12:00 noon 1. Opening Remarks 2. Approval of Agenda 3. Report on FCC Reorganization of WRC Preparatory Process 4. Suggestions for Improving the WRC Preparatory Process 5. Report on Recent International Telecommunication Union meetings 6. Advisory Committee Structure and Meeting Schedule 7. Other Business FCC WRC-99 TEAM Director - Damon C. Ladson Bureau/Office Advisors Wireless Telecommunications Bureau - David Wye Office of Engineering and Technology - Bruce Franca/Fred Thomas Mass Media Bureau - Keith Larson Cable Services Bureau - John Wong/Michael Lance Office of Plans and Policy - Bob Pepper Issue Coordinators Frequency Allocations - Damon Ladson/Richard Engelman Regional Relations - Cecily C. Holiday ITU-R Study Group Activities - William Luther Regulatory Issues - Frank Williams/Audrey Allison Satellite Policy - Cecily C. Holiday Satellite Technical/Allocations Issues - Ron Repasi Fixed Satellite Technical Issues - Julie Garcia Mobile Satellite Service Issues - Alex Roytblat Broadcast Satellite Issues - Kimberly Baum Terrestrial Policy Issues - Maureen C. McLaughlin Terrestrial Technical/Allocations Issues - Charles Breig Terrestrial Broadcasting Issues - Larry Olson Maritime Issues - Richard Swanson Aeronautical Issues - Marcus Wolf Space Science Issues - Diane Garfield Team Operations Operations Manager - Chuck Magnuson Public Outreach/Legal Advisor - Linda Dubroof WRC Web Site Coordinator - Tom Lucey FCC WRC-99 Advisory Committee Officers FCC Designated Federal Official - Damon C. Ladson FCC Alternate Designated Federal Official - Maureen C. McLaughlin Federal Communications Commission WRC-99 GUIDING PRINCIPLES As we prepare for the 1999 World Radiocommunication Conference, we will:  Promote the principles of competition, community, and common sense We will strive for competition that benefits consumers. We will take steps to ensure that the benefits of the communications revolution reach everyone within every community. We will adopt policies and positions that are practical, easy to understand, and reflect an understanding of the markets and businesses they affect.  Conduct a fair and open process We will perform all preparatory activities in a fair and open manner. We will actively solicit ideas and proposals from the broadest range of parties. We will attempt to address the needs of all parties, including consumers, industry, and government.  Search for global solutions that meet domestic needs We recognize that the telecommunications industry is increasingly global in nature. We will pursue global approaches that build upon and expand the global opportunities provided to U.S. interests by the World Trade Organization's agreement on basic telecommunications services. We will also search for opportunities to bring services and capabilities available outside the U.S. into our marketplace.  Participate at the ITU as a global partner We will work closely with other countries in the Americas and elsewhere to develop common positions and joint proposals, and will attempt to harmonize differing views and pursue global agreement whenever possible.  Work as a team We will work closely with the U.S. Department of State, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and other interested U.S. government agencies, in our discussions and processes. We will work closely with industry and create an environment that promotes teamwork.  Meet our commitments We will strive to meet our milestones and we will provide timely briefings and information to the Commission, U.S. government, and industry.