
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, June 4, 1994                   TAG: 9406060158
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Short

TECH CONFERENCE SEEKS TO BOOST VA. WIRELESS INDUSTRY

Like the personal computer industry in 1979, the wireless communications industry is poised for rapid expansion. Virginia Tech brought researchers together with product developers and buyers Friday as part of its effort to ensure the state gets a share of the new business.

On Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission will announce the ground rules for an auction of a radio spectrum previously reserved for government communications. The broadcast space would be available only for companies developing new, wireless communications devices, including telephones, computers and fax machines. Companies could bid for licenses to provide new services to businesses and individuals as early as the end of the year.

The state established the Center for Wireless Telecommunications at Virginia Tech in July to promote the technology, and increased the annual appropriation from $300,000 to $500,000 this year. The research group also provides matching funds for research.

At the conference, there were 20 technical and tutorial presentations on wireless communications systems by experts in the field from the United States and six other countries. Companies such as BellSouth, GTE and Motorola had representatives at the conference shopping for new technology they can incorporate into their communications systems.

by CNB