*Pages 1--3 from Microsoft Word - 13392.doc* PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 445 12th STREET, S. W. WASHINGTON, D. C. 20554 DA 01- 2744 1HZV PHGLD LQIRUPDWLRQ  )D[2Q'HPDQG  ,QWHUQHW KWWSZZZIFFJRY IWSIFFJRY CABLE SERVICES BUREAU ACTION November 26, 2001 FCC Registration Number Required for All Filings by Cable Operators and Other MVPDs Effective December 3, 2001 On August 24, 2001, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a rule requiring a mandatory FCC Registration Number (FRN). 1 An FRN will be required on and after December 3, 2001, for all filings in the Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service and the Cable Television Relay Service (CARS). Primarily, this applies to CARS license applications, Aeronautical Frequency Notifications, Registration Statements, Special Temporary Authority (STA), and Change of Operational Information. A more complete list is included below. Due to implementation of the CORES (COmmission REgistration System) and the required FRN, several important changes will occur for the filings by Multichannel Video Program Distributors (MVPDs) 2 . This Public Notice provides guidance about the ensuing changes. How does the new FRN affect me as a filer? As a new filer or a current filer who has not yet obtained an FRN, you must first register in CORES to receive an FRN. As of December 3, 2001, you must provide your FRN on each FCC Form 159 and FCC Form 162 submitted manually to the FCC. For all filings for which a fee is required, you must submit FCC Form 159 with the filing. For filings for which a fee is not required, such as a Change of Operational Information submitted pursuant to Section 76.1610 of the Rules, you must submit FCC Form 162 with the filing. You may obtain these forms over the Internet at http:// www. fcc. gov/ formpage. html, by calling the Forms Distribution Center at 1- 800- 418- FORM (3676), or from the fax- on- demand service at (202) 418- 0177. In addition to provision of the FRN, the following are important changes affecting current filers: ƒ You should use the same FRN you obtained for a filing for a particular CARS license, identified by a call sign, or Community Unit, identified by a CUID, for all subsequent filings pertaining to that call sign or CUID, so that a link among related transactions is maintained. A new FRN should be associated with a call sign or CUID only when there is a change of ownership of the CARS station or cable system. ƒ For Aeronautical Frequency Notifications (AFN), the FRN you provide on the FCC Form 159 should 1 Adoption of a Mandatory FCC Registration Number, 16 FCC Rcd 16138 (2001). 2 Multichannel video programming distributors include operators of cable systems, multichannel distribution systems (MDS), multichannel multipoint distribution systems (MMDS), direct broadcast satellites (DBS), private cable systems (PCO), and similar providers of multiple channels of video programming. 47 U. S. C. § 602( 13). 1 2 be the same as the FRN previously associated with the reference CUID. All other CUIDs that belong to the same AFN group as the reference CUID should have the same FRN. If we receive an FRN where CUIDs covered by the AFN do not have an associated FRN, each such CUID will be assigned the FRN that is on the FCC Form 159. ƒ Updating information in CORES such as address, telephone number, etc., will not update this information in the Cable Operations and Licensing System (COALS). To update information pertaining to your call sign or community unit, you must follow the routine procedures prescribed for making the changes for the various filings as required by Part 76 and Part 78 of the Commission’s Rules. How will this change the filing process? Because all filings are currently in paper form, the only changes will be that the FRN will be required on the FCC Form 159 in addition to the information previously provided and an FCC Form 162 will be required for filings that do not require fees. When the Cable Operations and Licensing System (COALS) is made available for electronic filing, the FRN will be integrated into the types filings made on line through that system. How do I obtain an FRN? Access CORES at https:// svartifoss2. fcc. gov/ cores/ CoresHome. html to register. To receive your FRN manually, submit an FCC Form 160. Form 160 is available on the FCC’s web site at http:// www. fcc/ gov/ formpage. html, by calling the FCC’s Forms Distribution Center at 1- 800- 418- FORM (3676), or from the FCC’s fax- on- demand service by dialing (202) 418- 0177. For assistance, you may contact the CORES Help Desk by telephone, 877- 480- 3201, or by email, CORES@ fcc. gov. How do I obtain a CORES password? When you register at the CORES website, your FRN and your password will be displayed on your registration confirmation page. If you register manually after December 3, 2001, using FCC Form 160, you will receive a letter via USPS containing your password. If you have registered and did not receive your password, please contact the CORES Help Desk by telephone, 877- 480- 3201, or by email, CORES@ fcc. gov. Is it Possible to Deactivate FRNs? Yes, but we strongly recommend that prior to deactivating an FRN, you check to make sure no active call signs or CUIDs are associated with the FRN you plan to deactivate. You will not be able to file license applications, including renewals and modifications, for a call sign if the FRN associated with it has been deactivated. You also will not be able to file Aeronautical Frequency Notifications or Change of Operational Information for a CUID if the FRN associated with it has been deactivated. If you have inadvertently deactivated an FRN with an existing call sign, contact the CORES Help Desk by phone, 877- 480- 3201, or by email, CORES@ fcc. gov. Where may I get further information or assistance? The CORES homepage has comprehensive answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) at https:// svartifoss2. fcc. gov/ cores/ CoresHome. html. Effective December 3, 2001, the CORES Help Desk will be the contact for all password- related issues. For assistance contact the CORES Help Desk by telephone, 877- 480- 3201, or by email, CORES@ fcc. gov. CORES Help Desk hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a. m. to 10 p. m. Eastern Time (ET), Saturday 8 a. m. to 7 p. m. ET, and Sunday 12 noon to 6 p. m. ET. Hours will be extended after December 3, 2001. 2 3 What Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service filings require an FRN? The following filings require an FRN. This list may not be inclusive. If the filing you are making is not on this list, you should review Part 1, Subpart W, and Section 1.1106 of the Commission’s Rules and the rule that prescribes the particular filing. If you still are uncertain, contact the Cables Services Bureau at 202- 418- 7200 or go to our website at http:// www. fcc. gov/ csb/ csstaff. html for contact information. i Aeronautical Frequency Notifications (47 C. F. R. § 76.1804) i Cable Community Registrations (47 C. F. R. § 76.1801) i Change Of Operational Information (47 C. F. R. § 76.1610) i CARS Special Temporary Authority (STA) (47 C. F. R. § 78.33) i Petitions for Special Relief (47 C. F. R. § 76.7) i CARS Microwave Applications (47 C. F. R. §§ 78.11- 78.40) i CARS Microwave Change/ Modifications (47 C. F. R. §§ 78.11- 78.40) i CARS Microwave Renewals (47 C. F. R. § 78.29) i CARS Microwave Transfers And Assignments (47 C. F. R. § 78.35) i Cumulative Leakage Index Filing Waivers (47 C. F. R. § 76.611) i Pole Attachment Complaints (47 C. F. R. § 1.1404) 3