**PUBLIC NOTICE**![](media/image1.png){width="0.7388888888888889in"
height="0.7458333333333333in"}

**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 99-1228**

June 23, 1999

# Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Recommends Licensees Take Steps to Prepare for Electronic Filing Via the Universal Licensing System (ULS)

*Electronic Filing Required for Cellular, Paging, Offshore, and
Auctioned Licenses Beginning July 1, 1999*

In the *ULS Report and Order* in WT Docket No. 98-20, the Commission
revised its rules to require electronic filing via ULS of all license
applications (excluding emergency requests) for services that are
subject to licensing by auction.[^1] This rule is to take effect for
Part 22 Paging, Cellular, and Offshore licenses, as well as most
Auctioned licenses on July 1, 1999. An implementation timetable is
included as Attachment A to this Public Notice. Attachment B to this
Public Notice contains a list of the Paging, Cellular, Narrowband PCS,
Broadband PCS, WCS and Auctioned 900 MHz SMR call signs that have not
yet been registered in ULS. In implementing this rule, the Bureau will
(excluding emergency requests) dismiss without prejudice all
manually-filed applications received on or after the mandatory
electronic filing deadline.

The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (Bureau) recommends that
licensees prepare for mandatory electronic filing by, at a minimum,
taking the steps listed below. As soon as possible, each licensee
should:

(1) Verify that it has the correct hardware and software to utilize ULS
    License Search, Application Search, and Online Filing. Note: ULS
    search functions are now available on the internet or via the FCC
    network, but online filing is available [only]{.underline} via the
    FCC network, not the internet;

(2) Check the ULS website (<http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/uls>) for scheduled
    down-time so that it may plan its filings accordingly;

(3) Plan on completing all parts of the application form online well in
    advance so that it only needs to access the application and hit the
    "Submit" button on the filing date (*Note*: Form 602 is not yet
    available for electronic filing. Until the Bureau issues a Public
    Notice announcing the availability of Form 602 for electronic
    filing, Form 602 must be filed manually);

(4) Use License Search to verify license expiration and construction
    dates well in advance;

(5) Verify that it has a TIN/SGIN/password combination to access each of
    its call signs by filing a sample Administrative Update application
    to ensure that each call sign is present. The licensee must have
    already registered its TIN/SGIN online or manually using FCC Form
    606, and associated each of its call signs with the appropriate
    TIN/SGIN combination;

(6) Read the online "Help" files well in advance regarding the type of
    application it intends to file;

(7) For applications where ULS location numbers or ULS file numbers are
    required (*e.g*., application purposes MD, NT, EX, and WD), verify
    each location number using License Search and each file number using
    Application Search;

(8) Start its filing as early as possible and keep a recent "Print
    Preview" of the application in case its computer, software, or phone
    line fails. Ideally, the print preview will be done at the point
    where the application is substantially complete (*e.g*., where only
    the signature is missing) so that there is no doubt as to the intent
    of the filing. In lieu of printing a hard copy, applicants may want
    to use the Adobe Acrobat print driver to save an electronic copy of
    the print preview in "PDF" format;

(9) If it encounters a problem during filing, contact Technical Support
    as soon as possible, noting the time and date of the call, and the
    Technical Support representative's name;

(10) If it plans to file a non-*pro forma* ownership change (*i.e*., a
     transfer of control of assignment of license), be aware that this
     is a [three-step process]{.underline} requiring both parties to the
     transaction to access the system and fill in portions of the form.
     For assignments, the assignor fills out and "Approves" the filing,
     the assignee completes and "Approves" the filing, and the assignor
     signs and "Submits" the filing. Similarly for transfers, the
     licensee fills out and "Approves" the filing, the transferee
     completes and "Approves" the filing, and the licensee signs and
     "Submits" the filing. The Bureau recommends filling in the form
     through the third step well in advance, so that all that remains to
     do on the desired filing date is to access the application and hit
     the "Submit" button;

(11) When filing a transfer of control (purpose TC), be aware that the
     Licensee must use its TIN/SGIN/password to access the system and
     provide the TIN/SGIN (but not the password) of the Transferor (may
     be the same as the licensee) as well as the TIN/SGIN (not the
     password) of the Transferee. Applicants should obtain the
     appropriate TIN/SGIN information well in advance; and,

(12) When filing an assignment of license (purpose AA), be aware that
     the Assignor must use its TIN/SGIN/password to access the system
     and provide the TIN/SGIN (but not the password) of the assignee.
     Applicants should obtain the appropriate TIN/SGIN information well
     in advance.

**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 webpage
at

http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/uls. Those having specific questions not
addressed on the webpage may

contact Commission staff via phone or e-mail as described below.

**[FCC Technical Support Hotline]{.underline}**: (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]{.underline}**:
1-888-CALL-FCC (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

EST.

**ATTACHMENT A**

**TIMETABLE FOR MANDATORY ELECTRONIC FILING**

**RADIO SERVICE ULS AVAILABLE ELECTRONIC FILING REQUIRED AS OF**

Paging and Radiotelephone Service June 1998 July 1, 1999

Offshore Radiotelephone Service August 1998 July 1, 1999

Auctioned LMDS September 1998 July 1, 1999

PCS and WCS September 1998 July 1, 1999

Auctioned 800 MHz SMR September 1998 July 1, 1999

Auctioned 220 MHz Service November 1998 July 1, 1999

Cellular Radiotelephone Service December 1998 July 1, 1999

Auctioned LMS December 1998 July 1, 1999

Aircraft Radio Service January 1999 Not required

GMRS April 1999 Not required

Auctioned 900 MHz SMR April 1999 October 14, 1999

[^1]: Amendment of Parts 0, 1, 13, 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 Service, WT Docket No. 98-20, *Report and Order*,
    13 FCC Rcd. 21027 (1998) (*ULS Report and Order*.)