*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 14129.doc* PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th St., S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Fax- On- Demand 202 / 418- 2830 TTY 202 / 418- 2555 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov ftp fcc gov DA 01- 2891 December 13, 2001 FILING PERIOD FOR COMMERCIAL RADIO OPERATOR LICENSE RENEWAL APPLICATIONS (Corrected) 1 Recently, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (Bureau) has received applications to renew commercial radio operator licenses 2 that were filed earlier than permitted by the Commission’s Rules. Accordingly, by this Public Notice, the Bureau reminds interested persons of the filing period for commercial operator license renewal applications under the Commission’s Rules. By way of background, holders of commercial radio operator licenses formerly could renew their licenses at any time during the last year of the license term and up to five years after the license expiration date. 3 In 1998, however, in conjunction with implementation of the Universal Licensing System (ULS), 4 the Commission amended its Rules to provide that renewal applications for all of the Wireless Radio Services must be filed no sooner than ninety days prior to expiration of the license. 5 We recognize, as a general matter, that there may be instances where a licensee is unable to seek renewal during this ninety- day period. 6 Applicants who are unable to submit their renewal applications 1 This Public Notice corrects certain portions of the Public Notice released on September 13, 2001, DA 01- 2105. 2 Commercial radio operator licenses include Radiotelegraph Operator’s Certificates, Radiotelephone Operator Licenses and Permits, Marine Radio Operator Permits, and GMDSS Radio Operator and Maintainer Licenses. See 47 C. F. R. § 13. 7( b). 3 See 47 C. F. R. § 13. 13( b) (1998). 4 ULS is the interactive licensing database developed by the Bureau to consolidate the 11 licensing systems used to process applications and grant licenses in the Wireless Radio 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 for the public. The Bureau began using ULS for all application and licensing activity associated with commercial radio operator licenses on May 21, 2001. See Wireless Telecommunications Bureau to Begin Use of Universal Licensing System for Licensing in Commercial Radio Operator Services on May 21, 2001; Deployment Means Conversion of All WTB Services to ULS Is Now Complete, Public Notice, 16 FCC Rcd 9472 (WTB 2001). 5 47 C. F. R. § 1. 949( a); see also In the Matter of Biennial Regulatory Review - Amendment of Parts 0, 1, 13, 22, 24, 26, 27, 80, 87, 90, 95, and 101 of the Commission's Rules to Facilitate the Development and Use of the Universal Licensing System in the Wireless Telecommunications Services, Report and Order, WT Docket No. 98- 20, 13 FCC Rcd 21027 (1998) (Report and Order). The five- year grace period for commercial operator license renewals was not changed. See Report and Order, 13 FCC Rcd at 21071 ¶¶ 95- 96; see also 47 C. F. R. § 13.13( b). 6 For example, a licensee may have contracted to be at sea during the entire 90- day license renewal period, and thus unable to seek renewal of the license during the filing window. 1 during this time may submit their applications for renewal in advance of the filing period. Such applications must be accompanied by a request for a waiver of the ninety- day rule explaining the circumstances necessitating the premature filing of the renewal application. Applicants are reminded that requests for waivers of Commission Rules must be supported by a showing of good cause. 7 For further information regarding this Public Notice, please contact Genevieve Augustin, Esquire, Policy and Rules Branch, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, at (202) 418- 0680, TTY (202) 418- 7233, or via e- mail at gaugusti@ fcc. gov. Action by the Chief, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. -FCC- 7 See 47 C. F. R. § 1.925( b)( 3). 2