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 NEWS  Federal  Communications  FCC  445  12  th  Street,  S.  W.  Washington,  D.  C.  20554  This  is  an  unofficial  announcement  of  FCC  action.  Release  of  the  full  text  of  a  FCC  order  constitutes  official  action.  See  MCI  v.  FCC.  515  F  2d  385  (D.  C.  Circ  1974).  News  Media  Information  202  /  418-  0500  Internet:  http://  www.  fcc.  gov  TTY:  1-  888-  835-  5322 
 FOR  IMMEDIATE  RELEASE  NEWS  MEDIA  CONTACT  March  13,  2003  Michelle  Russo  (202)  418-  2358 
 FCC  IMPLEMENTS  NEW  ELECTRONIC  FILING  CAPABILITY  Marks  Final  Step  in  Implementation  of  COALS 
 Washington,  DC  –  The  Federal  Communications  Commission  (“  FCC”)  today  expanded  electronic  filing  capabilities  to  make  it  easier  for  multichannel  video  programming  distributors 
 (MVPDs)  to  submit  applications,  reports,  and  other  documents.  This  action  represents  more  progress  in  the  FCC’s  modernization  initiative,  allowing  the  agency  to  conduct  effective  and  timely  licensing 
 activities  and  respond  to  Congress,  consumers,  and  the  communications  industries  in  a  timely  manner. 
 Today’s  Report  and  Order  launches  the  final  step  in  implementation  of  the  Cable  Operations  and  Licensing  System  (COALS)  by  amending  FCC  rules  and  creating  three  new  forms  to  allow  for 


 electronic  filing.  COALS  makes  license  and  cable  operational  information  more  accessible  to  FCC  staff,  enabling  the  staff  to  more  efficiently  monitor  spectrum  usage  and  competitive  conditions  in  the 
 cable  and  multichannel  video  marketplace. 
 When  COALS  is  fully  implemented,  MVPDs  will  be  able  to  use  the  Internet  to  file  cable  community  registrations,  aeronautical  frequency  notifications,  operational  change  information,  cable 
 television  system  reports,  annual  signal  leakage  reports,  and  Cable  Television  Relay  Service  (CARS)  applications.  As  outlined  in  the  Report  and  Order,  electronic  filing  of  each  type  of  data  will  become 
 mandatory  six  months  after  the  FCC  has  determined  that  the  form  for  collecting  it  has  been  reliably  automated.  Following  today’s  action,  as  required  by  the  Government  Paperwork  Reduction  Act,  the 
 FCC  will  publish  a  notice  in  the  Federal  Register  seeking  public  comment  on  the  new  forms,  which  are  included  as  an  Appendix  in  today’s  Report  and  Order.  The  new  forms  are  also  subject  to  approval  by 
 the  Office  of  Management  and  Budget. 
 The  FCC  said  that  COALS  will  provide  sufficient  benefits  and  ease  of  use  for  almost  all  applicants  and  filers.  In  order  to  address  concerns  that  mandatory  filing  may  impose  burdens  on  small 
 operators,  the  FCC  did  two  things:  (1)  provided  a  transitional  period  during  which  electronic  filing  would  be  optional;  and  (2)  provided  for  waivers  where  electronic  filing  would  impose  an  unreasonable 
 burden.  Also,  in  order  to  ensure  a  smooth  transfer  to  the  new  system,  the  Media  Bureau  will  update  its  web  site  to  provide  helpful  information  on  COALS  and  conduct  tutorials  on  its  use. 


 Action  by  the  Commission,  March  13,  2003  by  Report  and  Order  (FCC  03-  55).  Chairman  Powell,  with  Commissioners  Abernathy,  Copps,  Martin  and  Adelstein. 
 --  FCC-- 
 Media  Bureau  contacts:  Michael  Lance,  Wayne  McKee  at  (202)  418-  7200.  TTY:  (202)  418-  7172 
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