DA 01-1157

May 7, 2001

**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**

On May 21, 2001, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) will begin
use of the Universal Licensing System (ULS) for all application and
licensing activity in the Commercial Radio Operator services.[^1]

ULS is the new, interactive licensing database developed by WTB to
consolidate 11 existing licensing systems used to process applications
and grant licenses in wireless 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 Commercial Radio
Operator services are part of WTB's ongoing phased deployment of ULS.

This deployment actually completes WTB's multi-year deployment of all
wireless services to ULS, which began in 1997; and thus marks a very
significant milestone for WTB and the FCC.

This Public Notice summarizes the procedures that will take effect on
May 21, 2001, for operator licensing in the Commercial Radio Operator
services using ULS and in accordance with the ULS rules. The conversion
of the Commercial Radio Operator services to ULS may affect all aspects
of filing of applications with WTB, and we encourage licensees to become
familiar with these changes now (even if you do not anticipate renewing
or modifying your license in the near future).

For further information regarding the ULS rules and procedures, please
refer to the FCC's ULS Internet site at
<http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/uls>.[^2]

**GENERAL ISSUES RELATING TO CONVERSION**

Following are some key points on conversion of Commercial Radio Operator
services to ULS:

-   The license classes DO (GMDSS Radio Operator License) and DM (GMDSS
    Radio Maintainer License) are available in a consolidated class
    (DB). To consolidate, the purpose must be a MD (modification), and
    the existing DO serial number must be shown in Item 5 of the Main
    Form 605, and the DM serial number shown in Item 1A of Schedule E.
    This consolidation will not be assumed based on classes you hold;
    you must file a MD to make use of the consolidated class. If you
    currently hold a DO or DM and are requesting a DB by way of passing
    additional examination elements, you should apply as MD selecting DB
    as operator class and file the original Proof of Passing
    Certificate.

-   Applicants must submit their DOB (date of birth). If your DOB is not
    submitted and it is not present in the ULS database, the application
    will be dismissed.

-   Applicants for any of the T1, T2, or T3 classes (radiotelegraphy
    license classes) must submit a manual (paper) application and supply
    a photograph in compliance with Instructions. If the application is
    filed through a commercial operator license examination manager
    (COLEM), the COLEM must forward the photograph.

-   Unless the application is filed through a COLEM, any filing that
    requires a Proof of Passing Certificate must be filed manually (on
    paper) to the Bureau's processing facility at Gettysburg, Pa.
    (Federal Communications Commission, Wireless Telecommunications
    Bureau, 1270 Fairfield Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325-7245. The Proof of
    Passing Certificate must be the original.

-   Restricted Permits and Commercial Renewals should be filed at the
    Federal Communications Commission, Wireless Telecommunications
    Bureau, P.O. Box 358245, Pittsburgh, PA 15251-5245.

-   Renewals filed to Federal Communications Commission, Wireless
    Telecommunications Bureau, P.O. Box 358245, Pittsburgh, PA
    15251-5245 will be treated as a RO (Renew Only), with no changes. If
    you wish to make administrative changes along with your renewal, you
    must file a RM (Renewal Modification) purpose.

-   International addresses are allowed to be included only on
    Restricted Permits. Any CM (regular commercial operator) application
    with an international address included will be dismissed.

-   Due to size of the RP (Restricted Permit) database, we are not
    converting those records. Therefore, applicants who need a
    replacement of an RP must apply in ULS with the application purpose
    of New.

-   Restricted Permits granted in ULS will be issued a serial number.
    This is a new feature for RPs. The serial numbers that you are
    accustomed to seeing for Commercial Radio Operator Licenses will
    change slightly. They will begin with two alphabetic characters
    (which will indicate the operator class they hold), followed by all
    numeric characters.

-   With the implementation of ULS, we will send renewal reminder
    letters for Commercial licenses.

-   Filing a RM with no changes will result in a dismissal; this purpose
    code is meant for Renewals accompanied by modifications or changes
    to the license.

**OVERVIEW OF ULS CONVERSION**

### [NEW FCC FORM 605]{.underline}

On May 21, 2001, WTB will begin use of FCC Form 605 with an edition date
of March, 2001 or later (OMB Control Number 3060-0850) for Commercial
Radio Operator service application filings for license renewals,
modifications, cancellations, application withdrawals and amendments,
requests for duplicate licenses, and administrative updates (change of
address or other administrative data changes).

Applications for new licenses or a change in operator class may continue
to be filed through a COLEM.

### [New Filing Procedures]{.underline}

Commercial Radio Operator licensees may file FCC Form 605 electronically
(interactively) or manually (see "ULS Filing Procedures" below).
Electronically filed applications will be subject to automated edit
checking, enabling the applicant to correct before submitting the
application. Manually filed applications will not be checked
automatically, and may be subject to dismissal if they are defective or
incomplete.

Commercial Radio Operator licensees may continue to use pre-ULS
application forms (FCC Forms 753 for Restricted Permits, 755 for
Restricted Limited and 756 for Commercial applications) for a six-month
transition period, until November 21, 2001.

###  [Effect of ULS Data Conversion on Processing Prior to May 21]{.underline}

The ULS conversion process requires the transfer of existing Commercial
Radio Operator services licensing data into the ULS database. To
accommodate the transfer, it will be necessary to discontinue electronic
filing activity in the pre-ULS system as follows: Electronic files
submitted by COLEMs under the current filing system will not be accepted
after **May 11, 2001**.

**[ULS System Will Become Unavailable Weekend of May 18-21,
2001]{.underline}**

As part of the conversion of Commercial Radio Operator services to ULS,
the ULS system will be unavailable beginning at 3 p.m., Friday, May 18,
2001, and you should expect it to remain unavailable until 8 a.m.
Monday, May 21, 2001.

### [Automated Processing of Commercial Radio Operator Applications in ULS]{.underline}

Under ULS, applicants may file FCC Form 605 electronically at any time
24 hours a day, seven days a week. Automated processing of
electronically filed applications will occur nightly on each business
day, beginning at approximately 11 p.m., EDT. When the nightly
processing run is completed, ULS will generate a file listing the day's
licensing activity, and processing results will be available for query
through the ULS Internet Public Access files system. Applications filed
on weekends and holidays will be given a receipt date for, and will be
processed on, the next business day.

**[REGISTRATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS (TINs)]{.underline}**

In order to file any application in ULS electronically or manually, you
must (1) register your TIN in ULS and associate your current call signs
with your TIN; and (2) provide your TIN on all applications filed on or
after May 21, 2001.

For individuals, the TIN is your Social Security Number (SSN). Under
some circumstances, Commercial Radio Operator applicants or licensees
may not be required by law to have a TIN (*e.g*., citizens of foreign
countries and certain nonresident aliens). The FCC will provide you with
an FCC-generated identification number for access to ULS ***if and only
if*** you are not required by law to have a TIN. To determine whether
you fall within this category, call ULS Technical Support at (202)
414-1250.

WTB urges Commercial Radio Operator applicants and licensees to register
their TINs ***immediately***, and not to wait until the ULS conversion
date for the service. You only need to register your TIN once.

**IMPORTANT: If you do not register your TIN, you will be UNABLE to file
applications in ULS. Additionally, applications that do not contain your
TIN on or after May 21, 2001 will be DISMISSED as defective.**

**There are several ways to register your TIN in ULS:**

1.  [Electronic TIN Registration:]{.underline}

WTB strongly recommends electronic registration. To register
electronically, access the FCC\'s ULS Internet site at
<http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/uls>, click on the \"ULS TIN/Call Sign
Registration\" link, and follow the online instructions.

When you register your TIN electronically, you select a password to
identify yourself in future, private transactions with the FCC database.
(This is analogous to setting a PIN when your bank gives you a new ATM
card.) Your password can be 5 to 30 characters (letters and/or numbers)
long and is case-sensitive. For additional security, you must also
specify a personal or corporate identifier. We recommend that you not
use your Commercial Radio Operator serial number or any other call sign
that can be associated with you as a password or identifier.

After registering your TIN, you will be asked to enter your serial
number. Associating your serial number with your TIN in ULS will enable
you to file renewals, modifications, notifications, and other filings
with respect to the serial number identified.

2.  [Automatic TIN Registration Through COLEMs (available beginning May
    21, 2001):]{.underline}

As a convenience for Commercial Radio Operator applicants and licensees,
WTB has established an automatic TIN registration process for Commercial
Radio Operator applications filed through COLEMs. If you are filing an
application through a COLEM and have not previously registered your TIN,
you may submit your TIN to the COLEM with the application. When the
COLEM files the application on your behalf with FCC, your TIN will be
automatically registered in ULS. If you register your TIN through the
automated COLEM registration process, you must still get a password if
you file in ULS electronically in the future. To get a password, call
ULS Technical Support at (202) 414-1250.

3.  [Manual TIN Registration:]{.underline}

To register your TIN manually, use FCC Form 606 (TIN Registration Form).
This form can be obtained from the Internet at
http://www.fcc.gov/formpage.html, or by calling the FCC\'s Forms
Distribution Center at 1-800-418-FORM (3676). FCC Form 606 also allows
you to associate your call signs with your TIN. If you register your TIN
manually, you must call ULS Technical Support at (202) 414-1250 to
obtain a password before you can file applications electronically in
ULS.

A manually filed FCC Form 606 should be mailed to:

> Federal Communications Commission
>
> Information Technology Division
>
> 1270 Fairfield Road
>
> Gettysburg, PA 17325-7245

[For More Information on TIN Registration:]{.underline} Fact Sheet
Number 206-U, released in April 1999, discusses TIN registration in a
question-and-answer format. A link to this Fact Sheet is available on
the ULS Internet site (<http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/uls>) under the "ULS
Headlines" section. The ULS Internet site contains additional
information about registering your TIN under the topic "Getting your
Login and Password (Tin/Call Sign Registration)." The site also contains
a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about TIN registration.

### 

### [Confidentiality of TIN Information]{.underline}

Once registered, your TIN will not be disclosed to the public. Instead,
the ULS will generate a Licensee Identification Number that will be used
in place of your TIN on publicly available records.

### [PROVIDING YOUR TIN ON APPLICATIONS]{.underline}

In addition to registering your TIN, beginning May 21, 2001, you must
also include the TIN or Licensee Identification Number on all
applications filed in ULS. **All applications filed on or after this
date that do not include the information described below will be
DISMISSED as defective.**

All paper applications filed directly with the FCC or via Mellon Bank
***must*** include a TIN.

For applications that a COLEM files on your behalf after May 21, 2001,
you will have the option of providing either your TIN or your Licensee
Identification Number to the COLEM. Because you obtain a Licensee
Identification Number when you register your TIN, you should register
your TIN ***prior*** to qualifying for a Commercial Radio Operator
license if you wish to provide a Licensee Identification Number in place
of your TIN.

WTB encourages applicants to include their TIN on all filings submitted
to the FCC between now and May 21, 2001. If you do not provide your TIN
with an application filed before May 21, 2001, processing of your
application may be delayed. If you do not provide your TIN with an
application filed on or after May 21, 2001, your application will be
dismissed.

**[FILING PROCEDURES UNDER ULS]{.underline}**

FCC Form 605 replaces all letter requests and old forms (Form 753 for
Restricted Permits, Form 755 for Restricted Limited Use and Form 756 for
Commercial applicants) previously used by Commercial Radio Operator
Radio Services licensees. FCC Form 605 will be used for all Commercial
Radio Operator licensing applications filed directly with the FCC or via
Mellon Bank. Manual filers must use an edition of FCC Form 605 with a
March 2001 edition date or later. Filings on earlier editions of FCC
Form 605 will be dismissed as defective.

[Required and Optional Applicant Information:]{.underline} All
Commercial Radio Operator Radio Services licensees must provide a U.S.
mailing address on their applications. (All applications must specify an
address where the applicant can receive mail delivery by the United
States Postal Service, except for applicants for a Restricted
Radiotelephone Operator Permit, and applicants for a Restricted
Radiotelephone Operator Permit---Limited Use.[^3] FCC Form 605 also
includes fields for applicant telephone number, fax number, and e-mail
address.

[Use of Pre-ULS Forms:]{.underline} Commercial Radio Operator licensees
may continue to use Forms 753, 755 and 756 until November 21, 2001,
provided that they submit their TINs and certain other required
information with the application. **Applications filed on Forms 753, 755
and 756 after November 21, 2001 will be dismissed as defective.**

Although licensees have the option of continuing to use pre-ULS forms
during the six-month transition period, WTB strongly urges applicants
and licensees to begin using FCC Form 605 immediately. Choice of
application form and filing method will affect processing in the
following way:

(1) **FCC Form 605 filed electronically---**is the most efficient filing
    method and will result in expedited processing compared to filing
    manually. Reminder: any application that requires the original Proof
    of Passing Certificate cannot be filed electronically.

(2) **FCC Form 605 filed manually---**will result in expedited
    processing compared to filing pre-ULS forms or letter requests.

(3) **Pre-ULS forms or letter requests---**is ***not*** recommended and
    will result in slower processing than options described above.
    Submissions on pre-ULS forms received before May 21, 2001, but still
    pending as of conversion, are subject to processing delay while WTB
    contacts you to obtain additional information needed to process
    these applications under ULS. Applicants filing pre-ULS forms or
    letter requests ***must*** remember to include their TIN and DOB
    (Date of Birth) with each filing submission. As of May 21, 2001,
    failure to provide TIN and DOB on each application or letter request
    will result in dismissal.

NOTE: Applicants who do not use pre-printed FCC Form 159 in connection
with an electronically filed application must enter ULS-generated file
number in the FCC Form 159 box labeled FCC Code 2. If problems arise
trying to print FCC Form 159, call FCC Technical Support Hotline at
(202) 414-1250 (available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
EDT). Mellon Bank must receive FCC Form 159 and accompanying fee within
10 calendar days of submitting the application. Credit card payments can
be made online in ULS.

[Where to Send Payments for Electronically-filed
Applications.]{.underline} If you do not wish to use the online payment
option, payments and the Form 159 should be sent to:

Federal Communications Commission

ULS Electronic Filings

P.O. Box 358994

Pittsburgh, PA 15251-5994

**[WHERE TO SEND MANUALLY FILED APPLICATIONS IN THE COMMERCIAL RADIO
OPERATOR SERVICES]{.underline}**

Manually filed applications **that do not require fees** should be sent
to:

Federal Communications Commission

1270 Fairfield Road

Gettysburg, PA 17325-7245

Manually filed applications **that require fees** should be sent to:

Federal Communications Commission

Wireless Telecommunications Bureau

P.O. Box 358130

Pittsburgh, PA 15251-5130

**[FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE]{.underline}**

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 site at
<http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/uls>[.]{.underline} Individuals having specific
questions not addressed on the Web site may contact Commission staff via
phone or e-mail as described below.

[FCC Technical Support Hotline]{.underline}: (202) 414-1250, 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., EDT. 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]{.underline}: 1-888-CALL-FCC (225-5322), or via
e-mail at <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 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EDT.

Comments on ULS should be sent via email to: <ulscomm@fcc.gov>.

[^1]: The conversion affects those services licensed under the
    Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. Part 13. For a definition of
    "Commercial Radio Operator Radio Services," see 47 C.F.R. § 13.7(b).

[^2]: Additional information can be found in the *ULS Report and Order*.
    *See* Amendment of Parts 0, 1, 12, 22, 24, 26, 27, 80, 87, 90, 95,
    97, and 101 of the Commission\'s Rules to Facilitate the Development
    and Use of the Universal Licensing System in the Wireless
    Telecommunications Services, WT Docket No. 98-20, *Report and
    Order*, 13 FCC Rcd 21027 (1998), *recon*., FCC 99-139 (adopted June
    10, 1999, released June 28, 1999). *See also* \"Wireless
    Telecommunications Bureau Announces New Universal Licensing System
    (ULS) Filing Procedures and Revised Application Forms Effective
    February 16, 1999,\" *Public Notice*, February 10, 1999.

[^3]: *See* Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. § 13.10.