*Pages 1--7 from Microsoft Word - 3084.doc* PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 445 12th STREET, S. W. WASHINGTON, D. C. 20554 News Media Information: (202) 418- 0500 Fax- On- Demand: (202) 418- 2830 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov ftp. fcc. gov DA 00- 1849 August 14, 2000 WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU TO FULLY IMPLEMENT THE USE OF THE UNIVERSAL LICENSING SYSTEM (ULS) FOR PART 22 COMMERCIAL AVIATION AIR- GROUND RADIO SERVICE ON AUGUST 14, 2000 On August 14, 2000, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (Bureau) will begin use of the Universal Licensing System (ULS) for licensing activity relating to Part 22 Commercial Aviation Air-Ground Radiotelephone (CA) for all application purposes. On November 3, 1999, the Bureau released a Public Notice, DA 99- 2419, announcing the implementation of ULS for the remaining Part 22 Commercial Wireless Services. At that time, the Bureau stated some, but not all, electronic filing capabilities were being implemented for the CA Radio Service. The Bureau noted that it would release a future Public Notice announcing full implementation of the CA Radio Service and set forth: (1) the date mandatory electronic filing would go into effect for CA; (2) the date the Bureau’s Unified Dismissal Policy would be implemented for CA; and (3) a sunset date for use of pre- ULS forms by CA applicants 1 . By this Public Notice we announce that CA is fully implemented in ULS as of August 14, 2000, and that the above referenced deadlines will be February 14, 2001. ULS is the interactive licensing database developed by the Bureau to consolidate and replace eleven existing licensing systems used to process applications and grant licenses in wireless services. ULS provides numerous benefits, including fast and easy electronic filing, improved data accuracy through automated checking of applications, and enhanced electronic access to licensing information. The deployment of the CA Radio Services in ULS is part of the Bureau's ongoing phased deployment of ULS in all wireless services. For further information regarding the ULS rules and procedures, please refer to the FCC’s ULS Internet site at http:// www. fcc. gov/ wtb/ uls/ 2 1 However, usage of ULS Form 601 for filing renewal applications and ULS Form 602 for filing Ownership information will become effective August 14, 2000. 2 Additional information can be found in the ULS Report and Order. See Amendment of Parts 0, 1, 12, 22, 24, 26, 27, 80, 87, 90, 95, 97, and 101 of the Commission's Rules to Facilitate the Development and Use of the Universal Licensing System in the Wireless Telecommunications Services, WT Docket No. 98- 20, Report and Order, 13 FCC Rcd 21027 (1998), recon., FCC 99- 139 (adopted June 10, 1999, released June 28, 1999). See also "Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Announces New Universal Licensing System (ULS) Filing Procedures and Revised Application Forms Effective February 16, 1999," Public Notice, February 10, 1999 1 2 The following sections of this Public Notice contain an overview of the ULS conversion process for the CA Service, as well as contact information for applicants and licensees who have additional questions about ULS. The chart below summarizes the implementation dates contained herein. Conversio n to ULS Mandatory Electronic Filing and Unified Dismissal Policy Effective Use of Pre- ULS Forms Until Online Filing Available (all purposes) Commercial Aviation Air- ground (CA) 11/ 8/ 99 February 14, 2001 February 14, 2001 1 August 14, 2001 NEW APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND USE OF ULS FORMS FOR THE CA SERVICE Applicants and licensees in the CA Service will be subject to the following filing procedures as of August 14, 2000: I. Application Filings Other Than Assignments of Authorization and Transfers of Control Form 601 Filing Procedures Beginning August 14, 2000, Form 601 (OMB Approval Number 3060- 0798) will be available in the CA Service for filing new station applications, license modifications, application amendments, license renewals, license cancellations, application withdrawals, requests for duplicate licenses, administrative updates, notification of construction, and requests for special temporary authority. Form 601 replaces pre-ULS forms (Forms 405, 489, and 600) and letter requests for these purposes. Form 601 is also used to request a waiver or extension of time of coverage or construction requirements in conjunction with an application or license. Mandatory Electronic Filing For a six- month transition period after August 14, 2000, applicants and licensees in the CA Service may file Form 601 electronically or manually. Beginning on February 14, 2001, the CA licensees and applicants will be required to file Form 601 electronically. Where manual filing of Form 601 is allowed, the Bureau will accept manual applications filed on the February 1999 or later editions. The most recent version of FCC Form 601 is June 2000. Forms can be downloaded at http:// www. fcc. gov/ formpage. html. Use of Pre- ULS Forms CA applicants and licensees in the CA Service may continue to use existing (pre- ULS) until February 13, 2001, but the Bureau strongly urges applicants and licensees to use Form 601 and to file electronically. We will dismiss without prejudice any letter requests or pre- ULS forms filed for these services on or after February 14, 2001. The choice of application form and filing method will affect applications in the following way: 2 3 (1) ULS Form filed electronically -- the most efficient filing method; will result in expedited treatment compared to filing manually. (2) ULS Form filed manually -- will result in expedited treatment compared to filing old forms or letter requests. (3) Old forms or letter requests filed manually -- not recommended; will result in slower processing than the options described above. In the event that applicants in the CA Service elects to use pre- ULS forms during the transition period, as of August 14, 2000, they must provide certain additional required information with their applications (including TIN information) as set forth in Appendix A. Processing of applications filed on or after August 14, 2000 that do not contain the information prescribed in Appendix A will be delayed until we can contact the applicant and obtain the information. Specifying Location Numbers In the CA Services, locations are specified by numbers. Licensees must be sure to use the location numbers listed under ULS when applying to modify their licenses or face delays in processing. NOTE: In some cases, the correct location number will be different from the location number in the original license grant, if it was not granted in ULS. Licensees should pay careful attention to the location numbers when filing electronically, and should confirm location numbers by reviewing their license using the “License Search” tools available at the ULS Internet Homepage (http:// www. fcc. gov/ wtb/ uls) before submitting manual applications. How to File Form 601 • For instructions on filing Form 601 electronically, point your web browser to http:// www. fcc. gov/ wtb/ uls. • To file Form 601 manually, follow the instructions on the form, and see the "Where to Send Manually Filed Applications" section, below. • For instructions on using pre- ULS forms in lieu of Form 601, see “Use of Pre- ULS Forms,” above. 3 4 II. Transfer and Assignment Filing Procedures Form 603 Filing Procedures Form 603 (OMB Approval Number 3060- 0800) is used for filing applications for assignment of license and transfer of control. Form 603 replaces Form 490. Form 603 is also used to notify the Commission that an approved assignment or transfer has been consummated, or to request an extension of time to consummate the transaction. For further information regarding Form 603 filing procedures see the Public Notice released on November 3, 1999, DA 99- 2419. III. Ownership Information (Form 602) Form 602 (OMB Approval Number 3060- 0799) collects required ownership information from applicants and licensees in auctionable wireless services that are subject to the ownership disclosure requirements set forth in Section 1.2112( a) of the Commission's Rules, and replaces Form 430. “Auctionable services” includes all wireless services other than those specifically exempted from competitive bidding procedures pursuant to Sections 1.2102( b) and 1.2102( c) of the Commission’s rules. The CA Service licensees and applicants that are subject to these ownership reporting requirements must file Form 602 in conjunction with the filing of an initial license application, renewal application, or application for assignment or transfer, unless the applicant or licensee already has an updated Form 602 on file. Applicants and licensees are required to submit only a single FCC Form 602. Once the applicant or licensee files initially, it has no obligation to file the form with subsequent applications, regardless of service, so long as the ownership information on the previous filing of Form 602 has not changed. For more information regarding Form 602, see “Wireless Communications Bureau Answers Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Reporting of Ownership Information on FCC Form 602,” Public Notice, DA 99- 1001, May 25, 1999.” How to File Form 602 • For instructions on filing Form 602 manually, follow the instructions on the form, and see the "Where to Send Manually Filed Applications" section, below. • Use of pre- ULS forms in lieu of Form 602: Will not be permitted after August 14, 2000. NOTE: Form 602 is currently not available for electronic filing. Until further notice from the Commission all Form 602’s must be filed manually. ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE CA SERVICE Unified Dismissal Policy The Bureau has announced a unified dismissal policy will take effect in each wireless service six months after the service is converted to ULS. Accordingly, this policy will take effect for the CA Service on February 14, 2001. 3 3 See Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Announces Unified Policy for Dismissing and Returning Applications and Dismissing Pleadings Associated with Applications, Public Notice, DA 99- 385 (rel. Feb. 24, 4 5 Although the unified dismissal policy does not take effect for the CA Service until February 14, 2001, the Bureau encourages applicants and licensees to become familiar with the unified dismissal policy now. Information on the policy is available on the ULS Internet Homepage at www. fcc. gov/ wtb/ uls/ policy. html. Because electronic filing provides for on- line checking of applications, electronic filers are more likely to detect and correct errors before submitting applications, and therefore reduce the risk that their applications will be returned or dismissed. For this reason, the Bureau strongly encourages applicants to choose electronic filing. APPLICATION FEES Applicants using ULS remain subject to existing application fees under Section 1.1102 of the rules, 47 CFR § 1.1102. ULS, however, will simplify the process of submitting fees to the Commission. When an applicant submits an application electronically, ULS will assign a file number and show the correct fee amount due and the payment type code on a confirmation screen. Clicking on the “Form 159” button will pre- fill this information on the FCC Form 159. ULS will then instruct the applicant on how to print out the pre- filled FCC Form 159 so that it can be mailed to Mellon Bank at the address specified below. 4 NOTE: Applicants who do not use the pre- printed FCC Form 159 in connection with an electronically filed application must enter the ULS- generated file number in the FCC Form 159 box labeled FCC Code 2. If problems arise while trying to print FCC Form 159, call the FCC Technical Support Hotline at (202) 414- 1250 (TTY – (202) 414- 1255) for assistance (Monday through Friday, from 7 a. m. to 10 p. m., Saturday, from 8: 00 a. m. to 7: 00 p. m., and Sunday, from 12: 00 p. m. to 6: 00 p. m., local eastern time ). Mellon Bank must receive the FCC Form 159 and accompanying fee within 10 calendar days of submitting the application. For more information see the Public Notice, DA 99- 1411, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Provides Fee Payment Checklist For Applicants Using The Universal Licensing System, available in the ULS Releases section of the ULS Information Center at http:// www. fcc. gov/ wtb/ uls. Where to Send Payments for Electronically- filed Applications. All payments for electronically filed applications should be sent to: Federal Communications Commission ULS Electronic Filings P. O. Box 358994 Pittsburgh, PA 15251- 5994 1999); Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Postpones Effective Date of Unified Dismissal Policy for Applications in the Wireless Services, Public Notice, DA 99- 811 (rel. April 29, 1999). These documents are available under the “Unified Dismissal/ Return Policy” topic on the “Information Center” section of the ULS internet homepage, http:// www. fcc. gov/ wtb/ uls. 4 The FCC Form 159 will display in a separate browser window. If, after clicking on the “Form 159” button, you do not see the form, check the task bar at the bottom of your Windows 95/ 98 screen for a button labeled “Form 159.” Click on this button to view the FCC Form 159. 5 6 WHERE TO SEND MANUALLY- FILED APPLICATIONS All other manually- filed applications that require fees should be sent to: Federal Communications Commission P. O. Box 358130 Pittsburgh, PA 15251- 5130 All manually- filed applications and letter requests that do not require fees, including FCC Form 602, should be sent to: Federal Communications Commission 1270 Fairfield Road Gettysburg, PA 17325- 7245 Copies of FCC Forms can be obtained by calling the Commission's Forms Distribution Center at 1- 800- 418- 3676 (outside the Washington, D. C. area) or 202- 418- 3676 (in the Washington, D. C. area). Copies of these forms can also be obtained via the Internet at http:// www. fcc. gov/ formpage. html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE For general information about ULS, including answers to frequently asked questions regarding submitting applications, finding the status of pending applications, and searching the ULS database, the Commission recommends first consulting the ULS webpage at http:// www. fcc. gov/ wtb/ uls. Individuals having specific questions not addressed on the webpage may contact Commission staff via phone or e- mail as described below. FCC Technical Support Hotline: (202) 414- 1250 (TTY – (202) 414- 1255), or via e- mail at ulscomm@ fcc. gov. Contact the Technical Support Hotline about questions concerning computer access to ULS, TIN registration, uploading files, or submitting attachments in ULS. The hotline is available Monday through Friday, from 7 a. m. to 10 p. m., Saturday, from 8: 00 a. m. to 7: 00 p. m., and Sunday, from 12: 00 p. m. to 6: 00 p. m., local eastern time. In order to provide better service to ULS users and ensure the security of the electronic filing system, all calls to the hotline are recorded. ULS Licensing Support: 1- 888- CALL- FCC (225- 5322) (select Auction/ ULS Forms prompt), or via e- mail at ulshelp@ fcc. gov. Contact Licensing Support with questions about which application purpose( s) are appropriate for a particular filing, what information is being requested on a ULS Form or Schedule, or any other ULS- related licensing matter. ULS Licensing Support is available Monday through Friday, from 8 a. m. to 5: 30 p. m. local eastern time. Comments on ULS should be sent via email to: ulscomm@ fcc. gov. 6 7 Appendix A INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS FOR FILING FCC FORM 489/ 600 FOR THE CA SERVICE Beginning August 14, 2000, we will accept filings made on FCC Forms 489 and 600 provided that the following information is supplied. Identify the Form/ Schedule you are filing in the right column, and supplement your application with responses to the Form 601 Questions listed in the left column. 601 ITEM( S) 600 Item( s) 8( a) Does this filing request a Waiver of the Commission’s rules Required 8( b) If a feeable waiver request is attached, multiply the number of Stations times the number of rule sections and enter the result. 10( a) Taxpayer Identification Number (see page 2) Required 10( b) SGIN if applicable (see page 2) Required 14 Name of Real Party of Interest of Applicant Required 15 Taxpayer Identification Number Required 38 Is the applicant exempt from FCC application fees Required 39 Is the applicant exempt from the FCC regulatory fees Required SCHEDULE “D” SCHEDULE “F” 6 FCC Antenna Structure Registration # or N/ A Required (Commercial Air- Ground ) SCHEDULE “K” FCC FORM 489 TIN Tax Identification Number Required 5( b) Location Number Required INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS FOR LETTER REQUESTS Beginning August 14, 2000, we will accept letter requests provided that, in the upper right- hand corner of the form, the applicant provides the following additional information: (a) The applicant’s TIN (b) The applicant’s SGIN (when applicable) 7