NOTICE ************************************************************************* NOTICE ************************************************************************* This document was originally prepared in Word Perfect. If the original document contained-- * Footnotes * Boldface & Italics --this information is missing in this version The document format (spacing, margins, tabs, etc.) is changed too. If you need the complete document, download the Word Perfect version. For information about downloading documents (FTP) see file pnmc5021. File pnmc5021 (.txt & .wp) is in directory \pub\Public_Notices\Miscellaneous. ************************************************************************* Before the Federal Communications Commission Washington, D.C. 20554 In the Matter of ) ) Electronic Filing of License Renewal ) and Modification Applications in the ) Amateur Radio Service ) ) Order Adopted: July 16, 1996 Released: July 17, 1996 By the Deputy Associate Bureau Chief, Office of Operations: 1. We have received requests from several amateur operators in the Amateur Radio Service to allow the sixteen volunteer-examiner coordinators (VECs) to file, on their behalf, license renewal applications and modification applications (indicating change of name, change of mailing address, and change of call sign) electronically. The VECs are authorized to coordinate the efforts of volunteer examiners (VEs) who prepare and administer the Amateur operator license examinations for the Commission. For the reasons discussed below, VECs will be permitted, but not required, to file Amateur Radio Service license renewal and modification applications electronically. The Commission also will continue to accept applications filed manually (via hard copy). 2. We note, as an initial matter, that we anticipate developing a capability that will allow individual amateur operators to file their applications electronically and receive a license grant immediately. While this capability is evolving, however, we believe that the public interest would be served by affording amateur operators the opportunity to file their license renewal and modification applications electronically. The Communications Act of 1934, as amended, authorizes the Commission to utilize the voluntary and uncompensated services of amateur operators in preparing and administering examinations for amateur operator licenses. The Commission relies upon the VECs to coordinate the efforts of the VEs. The VECs receive the application forms from the VEs, screen them and, for qualified examinees, forward electronically the data thereon or forward the application (via hard copy) to the Commission. Most such applications are filed electronically and this procedure has been highly successful in eliminating delays in obtaining licenses. The available software, hardware, procedures and experience can similarly eliminate delays in processing of license renewal and modification applications. 3. Although electronic filing of applications for license renewal or modification is not a license examination preparation or administration function, we will permit any VEC to perform this additional function on behalf of amateur operators because such action is procedural in nature. We nonetheless will consider such activity to be separate from their responsibilities as VECs and require that, if provided, it be at no cost to the Government. In this connection, the compensation, if any, the organization receives as a result of providing this service is a matter that is between the amateur operators choosing to use the organization's services and the organization. In addition, no VEC organization will be required to perform this service, nor will it be mandatory that such applications be filed electronically. The Commission will continue to process renewal and modification applications filed via hard copy on FCC Form 610 with the Commission. 4. In view of the above, we find good cause for waiver of the Commission's Rules to allow any FCC Form 610 to be filed electronically by VECs. It is in the public interest to allow (but not require) these organizations to perform this function. This will provide for more efficient application processing for Amateur service license grants. Accordingly, Section 97.21 of the Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R.  97.21, which requires FCC Form 610 documents for the purpose of modifying the grantee's name, mailing address, or call sign to be submitted to: FCC, 1270 Fairfield Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325-7245, IS WAIVED to the extent that this requirement is considered satisfied when the FCC Form 610 document is received by a VEC, screened, and the data contained therein is forwarded electronically or on diskette to: FCC, 1270 Fairfield Road, Gettysburg PA 17325-7245. Consistent with existing procedures, when the data is forwarded electronically, the VEC must retain the actual FCC Form 610 documents for at least fifteen months and make them available to the FCC upon request. All other applicable rules of the Federal Communications Commission pertaining to requirements for filing of applications are unaffected by this Order. This waiver may be terminated by the Commission at any time if, at its discretion, the need for such action arises. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION W. Riley Hollingsworth Deputy Associate Bureau Chief Office of Operations Wireless Telecommunications Bureau