PUBLIC NOTICE![](media/image1.png){width="0.6541666666666667in"
height="0.6604166666666667in"}

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

445 12th STREET, S.W.

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 **DA 01-2744**

News media information 202/418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202/418-2830 Internet:
http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov

**CABLE SERVICES BUREAU ACTION November 26, 2001**

> **FCC Registration Number**
>
> **Required for All Filings by Cable Operators and Other MVPDs
> Effective December 3, 2001**

On August 24, 2001, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted
a rule requiring a mandatory FCC Registration Number (FRN).[^1] An FRN
will be required on and after December 3, 2001, for all filings in the
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service and the Cable Television
Relay Service (CARS). Primarily, this applies to CARS license
applications, Aeronautical Frequency Notifications, Registration
Statements, Special Temporary Authority (STA), and Change of Operational
Information. A more complete list is included below. Due to
implementation of the CORES (COmmission REgistration System) and the
required FRN, several important changes will occur for the filings by
Multichannel Video Program Distributors (MVPDs)[^2]. This Public Notice
provides guidance about the ensuing changes.

### How does the new FRN affect me as a filer?

As a new filer or a current filer who has not yet obtained an FRN, you
must first register in CORES to receive an FRN. As of December 3, 2001,
you must provide your FRN on each FCC Form 159 and FCC Form 162
submitted manually to the FCC. For all filings for which a fee is
required, you must submit FCC Form 159 with the filing. For filings for
which a fee is not required, such as a Change of Operational Information
submitted pursuant to Section 76.1610 of the Rules, you must submit FCC
Form 162 with the filing. You may obtain these forms over the Internet
at http://www.fcc.gov/formpage.html, by calling the Forms Distribution
Center at 1-800-418-FORM (3676), or from the fax-on-demand service at
(202) 418-0177.

In addition to provision of the FRN, the following are important changes
affecting current filers:

-   You should use the same FRN you obtained for a filing for a
    particular CARS license, identified by a call sign, or Community
    Unit, identified by a CUID, for all subsequent filings pertaining to
    that call sign or CUID, so that a link among related transactions is
    maintained. A new FRN should be associated with a call sign or CUID
    only when there is a change of ownership of the CARS station or
    cable system.

-   For Aeronautical Frequency Notifications (AFN), the FRN you provide
    on the FCC Form 159 should be the same as the FRN previously
    associated with the reference CUID. All other CUIDs that belong to
    the same AFN group as the reference CUID should have the same FRN.
    If we receive an FRN where CUIDs covered by the AFN do not have an
    associated FRN, each such CUID will be assigned the FRN that is on
    the FCC Form 159.

-   Updating information in CORES such as address, telephone number,
    etc., will [not]{.underline} update this information in the Cable
    Operations and Licensing System (COALS). To update information
    pertaining to your call sign or community unit, you must follow the
    routine procedures prescribed for making the changes for the various
    filings as required by Part 76 and Part 78 of the Commission's
    Rules.

### How will this change the filing process?

Because all filings are currently in paper form, the only changes will
be that the FRN will be required on the FCC Form 159 in addition to the
information previously provided and an FCC Form 162 will be required for
filings that do not require fees. When the Cable Operations and
Licensing System (COALS) is made available for electronic filing, the
FRN will be integrated into the types filings made on line through that
system.

### How do I obtain an FRN?

Access CORES at https://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/cores/CoresHome.html to
register. To receive your FRN manually, submit an FCC Form 160. Form 160
is available on the FCC's web site at http://www.fcc/gov/formpage.html,
by calling the FCC's Forms Distribution Center at 1-800-418-FORM (3676),
or from the FCC's fax-on-demand service by dialing (202) 418-0177. For
assistance, you may contact the CORES Help Desk by telephone,
877-480-3201, or by email, CORES@fcc.gov.

### How do I obtain a CORES password?

When you register at the CORES website, your FRN and your password will
be displayed on your registration confirmation page. If you register
manually after December 3, 2001, using FCC Form 160, you will receive a
letter via USPS containing your password. If you have registered and did
not receive your password, please contact the CORES Help Desk by
telephone, 877-480-3201, or by email, CORES@fcc.gov.

### Is it Possible to Deactivate FRNs?

Yes, but we strongly recommend that prior to deactivating an FRN, you
check to make sure no active call signs or CUIDs are associated with the
FRN you plan to deactivate. You will not be able to file license
applications, including renewals and modifications, for a call sign if
the FRN associated with it has been deactivated. You also will not be
able to file Aeronautical Frequency Notifications or Change of
Operational Information for a CUID if the FRN associated with it has
been deactivated. If you have inadvertently deactivated an FRN with an
existing call sign, contact the CORES Help Desk by phone, 877-480-3201,
or by email, CORES@fcc.gov.

### Where may I get further information or assistance?

The CORES homepage has comprehensive answers to frequently asked
questions (FAQ) at https://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/cores/CoresHome.html.
Effective December 3, 2001, the CORES Help Desk will be the contact for
all password-related issues. For assistance contact the CORES Help Desk
by telephone, 877-480-3201, or by email, CORES@fcc.gov. CORES Help Desk
hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time
(ET), Saturday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, and Sunday 12 noon to 6 p.m. ET.
Hours will be extended after December 3, 2001.

### What Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service filings require an FRN?

The following filings require an FRN. This list may not be inclusive. If
the filing you are making is not on this list, you should review Part 1,
Subpart W, and Section 1.1106 of the Commission's Rules and the rule
that prescribes the particular filing. If you still are uncertain,
contact the Cables Services Bureau at 202-418-7200 or go to our website
at http://www.fcc.gov/csb/csstaff.html for contact information.

-   Aeronautical Frequency Notifications (47 C.F.R. § 76.1804)

-   Cable Community Registrations (47 C.F.R. § 76.1801)

-   Change Of Operational Information (47 C.F.R. § 76.1610)

-   CARS Special Temporary Authority (STA) (47 C.F.R. § 78.33)

-   Petitions for Special Relief (47 C.F.R. § 76.7)

-   CARS Microwave Applications (47 C.F.R. §§ 78.11-78.40)

-   CARS Microwave Change/ Modifications (47 C.F.R. §§ 78.11-78.40)

-   CARS Microwave Renewals (47 C.F.R. § 78.29)

-   CARS Microwave Transfers And Assignments (47 C.F.R. § 78.35)

-   Cumulative Leakage Index Filing Waivers (47 C.F.R. § 76.611)

-   Pole Attachment Complaints (47 C.F.R. § 1.1404)

[^1]: Adoption of a Mandatory FCC Registration Number, 16 FCC Rcd 16138
    (2001).

[^2]: Multichannel video programming distributors include operators of
    cable systems, multichannel distribution systems (MDS), multichannel
    multipoint distribution systems (MMDS), direct broadcast satellites
    (DBS), private cable systems (PCO), and similar providers of
    multiple channels of video programming. 47 U.S.C. § 602(13).