*EPF511 07/11/2003
Text: U.S. Resolves Diverse Issues at World Telecom Conference
(Spectrum allocations, nation security among issues negotiated) (730)

The United States successfully resolved issues relating to government, commercial and consumer interests at the 2003 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-03) recently completed in Geneva, according to a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) press release.

The conference, attended by representatives from more than 140 countries, established voluntary national security communications guidelines and made new allocations of airwave spectrum for such uses as Wi-Fi and broadband-in-flight, the July 10 press release said.

Wi-Fi allows short-range wireless communication, and broadband-in-flight provides high-speed Internet access to airline passengers.

"The results of WRC-03 will further advance the digital migration to new spectrum-based technology platforms and further protect homeland security," said FCC Chairman Michael Powell.

Ambassador Janice Obuchowski led the U.S. delegation to the meeting held June 9-July 4.

WRCs are held every two to four years to achieve international agreement on major radiocommunication issues.

Following is the text of the FCC press release:

(begin text)

INTERNATIONAL BUREAU REPORTS ON SUCCESS OF THE 2003 WORLD RADIOCOMMUNICATION CONFERENCE

July 10

Washington, D.C.-- Today, the International Bureau reported to the Commission on the results of the 2003 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-03), which concluded on July Fourth in Geneva, Switzerland. Under the leadership of U.S. Ambassador Janice Obuchowski, the United States and more than 140 other countries reached agreement on international allocations for consumer, government and military services. Specific outcomes of the meeting balanced U.S. interests, supported homeland security and expanded choices for U.S. consumers.

-- Balanced U.S. interests. At the WRC-03, the United States successfully balanced its vital government, commercial and consumer interests.

-- Supported homeland security. The WRC-03 established voluntary guidelines for countries implementing public safety, a regulatory approach for the U.S. Global Positioning System and other new systems, as well as protections against interference to military radars.

-- Expand choices for U.S. consumers. The WRC made spectrum allocations and decisions regarding various new satellite and terrestrial wireless services, including Wi-Fi, which allows wireless communication within short-ranges, and broadband-in -flight, which provides high-speed Internet access to airline passengers.

"The results of WRC-03 will further advance the digital migration to new spectrum-based technology platforms and further protect homeland security," said FCC Chairman Michael Powell. "I applaud the U.S. delegation and the fine and thoughtful leadership of Ambassador Obuchowski. I am also particularly grateful to the FCC WRC-03 team for bringing home a victory for U.S. consumers."

Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy stated, "It was a great honor for me to serve on the U.S. Delegation. Thanks to the hard work of the entire U.S. Delegation, including our FCC representatives, from the U.S. perspective, it was a very successful conference."

Commissioner Michael Copps, also a member of the U.S. Delegation, said "I know we are still assessing the results of WRC-03, but it appears that we attained several of our most important objectives and made notable progress across just about the whole gamut of policy concerns that we took to Geneva."

In addition to Commissioner Abernathy and Commissioner Copps, the FCC delegation included Donald Abelson, Chief of the International Bureau; Alexander Roytblat, FCC WRC Director; John Giusti, FCC Delegation Chair; Christopher Murphy, Assistant to Ambassador Obuchowski; as well as representatives from several FCC Bureaus and Offices. A dozen team members participated in the four-week conference in Geneva while over 30 agency staff provided technical and policy support from FCC headquarters.

The international community set the agenda for WRC-03 three years ago. Thereafter, with input from industry, the FCC team contributed substantially to the development of U.S. positions going into the conference. Now, the Commission looks forward to implementing the recommendations of WRC-03 promptly.

Under the auspices of the United Nations, World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRCs) are held by the International Telecommunication Union every two to four years to achieve international consensus on the primary radiocommunication issues facing the international community. WRCs consider specific radiocommunication matters while ensuring rational, equitable, efficient and economical use of the radio-frequency spectrum. WRC-03 took place in Geneva, Switzerland, June 9-July 4, 2003.

The next WRC is scheduled to convene in 2007. For further information, see the Commission's website: www.fcc.gov/ib/wrc-03/.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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