FCC Takes Steps to Implement Apple Computer's Proposed Wireless "NII Band"

WASHINGTON, D.C.--April 25, 1996--The Federal Communications Commission
today proposed rules to implement a wireless "NII Band," which would
extend the National Information Infrastructure, including the Internet, to
students and teachers, libraries, health care facilities, families and
businesses that the NII could not otherwise reach.

Apple Computer, Inc. first proposed the NII Band in May 1995 and asked the
FCC to allocate 300 MHz for unlicensed wireless devices. Apple proposed
that much of the NII Band would be available for longer-reach "community
network" links. These links would allow schools, libraries, those in rural
locations and other communities to establish low-cost, low-power directed
links connecting to one another and to the nation's broader information
resources, including the Internet. Such outdoor, point-to-point community
network links could span multiple kilometers depending on local
conditions.

Apple further proposed that a portion of the NII Band be set aside for very
high rate ("VHR") local data communications throughout buildings and
campuses. VHR networks would convey not only large amounts of data, but
also voice, video and multimedia content. WINForum also filed a petition
requesting spectrum for similar local-area VHR networks.

"NII Band wireless connections will revolutionize the way in which many
Americans work, learn and communicate, because these connections will help
extend and equalize public participation in the important 'mega trends' of
technology--the convergence of Internet and pervasive multimedia," said
Dr. Gilbert F. Amelio, Apple's chairman and chief executive officer. "The
Commission, by proposing today to invest valuable spectrum as the 'working
capital' for public-benefit networks, is fostering a collaborative
partnership among schools, families, government and business to extend
information access and usage through interactive computer communications
technologies."

"NII Band operations won't replace licensed wireless technologies, because
the physics of radio require trade-offs of distance, bandwidth and
coverage," said Jim Burger, Apple's senior director of worldwide
government affairs. "Instead, NII Band functions will not only complement
those of licensed carriers but stimulate more traffic for them. Each
technology offers a unique assortment of capabilities."

Apple's petition builds upon the company's pioneering efforts to create a
spectrum resource that would allow computer users to communicate
wirelessly, using devices and networks they would install, configure and
operate in accordance with their own individual needs. Apple's "Data-PCS"
petition for rulemaking, filed in 1991, led to the FCC's allocation of 30
MHz (in the 2 GHz range) for unlicensed wireless PBXs and local data
networks. The NII Band (in the 5 GHz range), like the Data-PCS band, would
be open to all manufacturers and users willing to comply with some basic
"rules of the road" designed to assure equitable sharing of the spectrum
resource.

Last month FCC Chairman Reed Hundt participated in NetDay '96 , a
state-wide California event for which almost 20,000 volunteers turned out
to "wire" schools and bring them into the information age. "Once the NII
Band proposal becomes a reality, wireless may be the choice of
technologies for many schools to significantly reduce the costs and other
difficulties of hard-wiring classrooms that were made obvious on NetDay,"
said Burger.

Apple's Dr. Amelio urged the public to support the NII Band through the
FCC's process that began with the issuance today of the Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking. "Increasingly, our world is being shaped by instant access to
resources, and the ability to use those resources in meaningful ways. The
NII Band would be a public band, and the Commission needs to hear from the
people it would serve."

Apple Computer, Inc. a recognized innovator in the information industry and
leader in multimedia technologies, creates powerful solutions based on
easy-to-use personal computers, servers, peripherals, software and
personal digital assistants. Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Apple
(NASDAQ: AAPL) develops, manufactures, licenses and markets solutions,
products, technologies and services for business, education, consumer,
entertainment, scientific and engineering and government customers in over
140 countries.

Apple's home page on the World Wide Web: http://www.apple.com/
 
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