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WHAT IS PCS ALL ABOUT <br />AND HOW DOES IT IMPACT MINNESOTA <br />MUNICIPALITIES <br />By <br />Mr. Robert Erickson <br />City Administrator Lakeville, Minnesota <br />John R. DuBois Ph.D. <br />Minnesota Registered Professional Communications Engineer <br />Edina, Minnesota <br />The latest "buzz word" associated in the press and broadcast media with the <br />information superhighway concept is PCS or Personal Communications Services. <br />PCS is a term referring to communications services that enable people and devices to <br />communicate independent of location. PCS networks and devices operate over a wide <br />range of frequencies assigned and authorized by the Federal Communications <br />Commission (FCC). The two major frequency spectrum ranges that include most of <br />the PCS are the 800-900 MHz band and the 1800-2000 MHz band. <br />BACKGROUND <br />PCS emerged in the past decade with the introduction of car phones, portable phones, <br />pagers and mobile fax products. But this was only the beginning of a wireless <br />revolution. Technology exists today to provide new PCS services such as telepoint, <br />wireless PBX and mobile data, as well as products which combine voice and data <br />services such as a personal digital assistant. With the completion of the FCC's recent <br />spectrum re -allocation and licensing process for new PCS services, the explosive <br />growth of wireless communications will continue. This growth will have a significant <br />impact in several areas upon Minnesota municipalities. <br />TERMS <br />A more complete list of PCS products and services includes: <br />Cellular Service - A PCS service that provides two-way voice and data <br />communications through hand-held, portable and car dash -mounted phones and <br />