PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 445 12TH ST, S.W.; TW-A325 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 00-317 February 18, 2000 Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) Extends Mandatory Electronic Filing Date for Microwave Licensees to Coincide with Availability of Electronic Filing Via the Internet Mandatory Electronic Filing Takes Effect on April 1, 2000, or When Filing Via the Internet Becomes Available, Whichever is Later In the ULS Report and Order in WT Docket No. 98-20, the Commission revised its rules to require electronic filing via the Universal Licensing System ULS of all applications (excluding emergency requests) for certain Microwave services, which, in general, consist of Part 101 Common Carrier Microwave Services (see table below). The WTB began use of ULS for the Microwave services on August 30, 1999, but provided a 6-month transition period before requiring electronic filing for those services. That 6-month transition period ends at midnight on February 29, 2000, at which time mandatory electronic filing was to take effect. The Bureau recently issued a Public Notice reminding Microwave applicants of this deadline and providing detailed information on how to connect to ULS and access the FCC network. However, to further ease the transition to mandatory electronic filing, the WTB has decided to extend the date at which the rule becomes effective until April 1, 2000, or the date on which application filing via the Internet becomes available (projected for early April, 2000), whichever is later. The Bureau understands that application filing via the Internet will provide a greater number of applicants easier access to the system, and wishes to assist the transition to ULS in every way possible. The WTB will issue a Public Notice announcing the availability of electronic filing via the Internet and specifying the date on which mandatory electronic filing for Microwave licensees will take effect. Use of Pre-ULS Forms Prohibited After February 29, 2000 The deadline for using pre-ULS forms will not change. Beginning March 1, 2000, the Bureau will dismiss without prejudice all manually filed Microwave applications that are filed on forms 415, 415T, 430, 313, 313R, 402R, 701, 702, 703, and 704. All manually filed Microwave applications must be submitted on Forms 601 or 603, as appropriate. Where manual filing of Forms 601 and 603 is allowed, the Bureau will accept manually filed applications filed only on the August 1999 edition (or subsequent editions) of Form 601 and on the February 1999 (or subsequent editions) of Form 603. The WTB strongly recommends that all filers take advantage of electronic filing via ULS, which will result in expedited processing compared with manual filing. Mandatory Electronic Filing Beginning April 31, 2000, or the date on which electronic filing via the Internet becomes available (whichever is later), certain Microwave licensees and applicants must electronically file Form 601, Application for Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Radio Service Authorization, and Form 603, FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Application for Assignments of Authorization and Transfers of Control, as set forth below. Where manual filing of Forms 601 and 603 is allowed, the Bureau will accept manually filed applications filed only on the August 1999 edition (or subsequent editions) of Form 601 and on the February 1999 (or subsequent editions) of Form 603. After electronically filing an application in ULS, filers will receive a file number, indicating that the application has been received by the system. Filers can then view the application online beginning the next business day by pointing their web browser to www.fcc.gov/wtb/uls and clicking on the "Application Search" button. When sending attachments to applications, please note that: 1. Attachments, in general, delay processing, so avoid sending attachments altogether if possible. 2. Adobe PDF format for attachments is preferable, but all commonly used word processing and spreadsheet formats are acceptable. A complete list of acceptable formats can be found in the ULS help files. 3. Attached documents must not be password protected. 4. Attachments should not contain Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs), as the FCC cannot screen them from attachments. 5. Attachments should not contain image files (i.e., jpg, gif, tif, etc.), as ULS is unable to convert such files. 6. When sending an attachment that cannot be submitted electronically, filers should mail the attachment as follows: a. submit a separate attachment electronically explaining that there is/are attachment(s)s coming via mail due to the inability to send it/them in an electronic format, and list the attachments. b. after submitting an application, perform a print preview and send the first page of the application, along with the attachments, so that the FCC will have the correct file number. c. mail the attachment(s) to the FCC's Gettysburg, PA office at: Attn: ULS Attachments, 1270 Fairfield Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325-7245. Radio Service Codes Subject to Mandatory Electronic Filing Radio Service Codes That May Be Filed Electronically or Manually CE Common Carrier DEMS % of call signs registered: 72 PE Private DEMS AI Broadcast Auxiliary Aural Intercity Relay CT Common Carrier Local Television Transmission % of call signs registered:83 WA Private Point-to-Point, Eligibility Aviation AB Broadcast Auxiliary Aural Microwave Booster CF Common Carrier Point-to-Point % of call signs registered:55 MG Private Point-to-Point, Eligibility Industrial/Business AS Broadcast Auxiliary Aural Studio Transmitter Link LD Local Multipoint Distribution Service % of call signs registered:100 WM Private Point-to-Point, Eligibility Marine TI Broadcast Auxiliary TV Intercity Relay TN 39 GHz, Market Area % of call signs registered:n/a MW Private Point-to-Point, Eligibility Public Safety TB Broadcast Auxiliary TV Microwave Booster WR Private Point-to-Point, Eligibility - Radiolocation TS Broadcast Auxiliary TV Studio Transmitter Link TP Broadcast Auxiliary TV Pickup TT Broadcast Auxiliary TV Translator Relay Unified Policy for Reviewing Microwave License Applications and Pleadings Also beginning April 1, 2000 or the date on which electronic filing via the Internet becomes available (whichever is later), the Bureau will implement its unified policy for dismissing and returning applications, as well as pleadings related to such applications (unified policy), for the Microwave services. The unified policy takes effect for all radio services for which electronic filing has been available for more than 6 months. Under the unified policy, applications or pleadings that are defective will be dismissed, rather than returned to the applicant for correction, except as described previously by the Bureau. To find out more about the Unified Dismissal Policy, consult the Public Notice titled "Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Revises and Begins Phased Implementation of its Unified Policy for Reviewing License Applications and Pleadings," available on the Bureau's ULS Homepage (http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/uls) via the "ULS Releases" link. Finding Basic Information About Microwave Filings in ULS On August 6, 1999, the Bureau released a Public Notice containing an overview of the use of ULS for licensing in the Microwave Services, as well as a detailed description of the procedures licensees need to follow in order to make filings and check on the status of their applications. This document, titled "Wireless Telecommunications Bureau to Begin Use of Universal Licensing System (ULS) for Microwave Services on August 30, 1999," DA 99-1543, is available on the Bureau's ULS Homepage (http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/uls) under "ULS Headlines." 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 web page at http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/uls. Those having specific questions not addressed on the web page 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 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 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 and Forms Information: 1-888-CALLFCC (225-5322), choose option #2. E-mail questions may be sent to 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 8:00 am to 5:30 pm Eastern Time. Obtaining Forms: The FCC offers several ways to obtain forms (including pre-ULS forms). Forms can be acquired via the FCC forms page at http://www.fcc.gov/formpage.html; via the Forms Request System (forms are mailed to those who request them) at 1-800-418-FORM (3676); and via the Fax on Demand System at 202-418-0177.