**DA 05-2521**

**Released: September 24, 2005**

# WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU ANNOUNCES EXTENSION OF FILING AND REGULATORY DEADLINES FOR WIRELESS LICENSEES IN AREAS IMPACTED BY HURRICANE RITA

In anticipation of the impact from Hurricane Rita, President Bush issued
a major disaster declaration for Texas and Louisiana on September 20,
2005.[^1] Pursuant to our authority to waive rules for good cause[^2]
and to alleviate any additional burden that may be caused by our filing
requirements and regulatory deadlines, we hereby extend certain
deadlines occurring between September 20, 2005 and November 20, 2005,
until November 21, 2005 for affected licensees and applicants in Texas
and Louisiana, including the Gulf of Mexico ("affected areas"). In this
context, \"affected" licensees and applicants include those licensees
and applicants that operate facilities, or, in a significant manner
essential to the business operation, rely on personnel, records, or
financial institutions located in these areas to provide services or to
conduct substantial business activities with the Commission.

\(1\) We extend until November 21, 2005, deadlines associated with
Wireless Radio Service[^3] applications, notifications, and reports
pursuant to Parts 1 (Subpart F only), 13, 20, 22, 24, 27, 74 (excluding
Subparts A, G, and L), 80, 87, 90, 95, 97, or 101 of the Commission's
rules occurring between September 20, 2005 and November 20, 2005,
including, but not limited to, filings regarding license modifications,
license renewals, and notifications of construction. Licensees filing in
accordance with this extension must include with their filing a
certification upon the penalty of perjury that the deadlines could not
be met within the time otherwise provided in the Commission\'s rules
because of the hurricane.

\(2\) We also extend until November 21, 2005, all construction deadlines
and other regulatory deadlines applicable to wireless radio services
pursuant to Parts 1 (Subpart F only), 13, 20, 22, 24, 27, 74 (excluding
Subparts A, G, and L), 80, 87, 90, 95, 97, or 101 of the Commission's
rules occurring from September 20, 2005 to November 20, 2005.

In addition to the relief granted above, Section 1.931(a) of the
Commission's rules is hereby waived on our own motion through November
20, 2005, to allow the filing of STA requests for Wireless Radio
Services in manners other than electronically on FCC Form 601.[^4]
Furthermore, because the President issued a major disaster declaration
for Texas and Louisiana, all STA filings related to Hurricane Rita will
be considered "emergency filings" pursuant to Section 1.915(b) of the
Commission's rules[^5] and will be processed as expeditiously as
possible. Affected licensees must include a certification that the STA
request is in response to the hurricane. To file STA requests via email
or fax, or to receive an oral STA, licensees may contact the following
personnel:

-   Parts 22, 24, and 27 (excluding the Broadband Radio Service and
    Educational Broadband Service): James Gumbert (202) 418-1337;
    fax (202) 418-1412; <James.Gumbert@fcc.gov>.

-   Parts 27 (Broadband Radio Service and Educational Broadband Service
    only), 74, and 101: Mary Shultz (717) 338-2656; fax (717) 338-2696;
    <Mary.Shultz@fcc.gov>.

-   Parts 87, 90, 95, and 97: Tracy Simmons (717) 338-2657; fax (717)
    338-2696; <Tracy.Simmons@fcc.gov>.

Finally, licensees are reminded that Sections 22.307, 90.407, and
101.205 of the Commission's rules address operation during periods of
emergency for licensees authorized under these rule parts.[^6] These
rules allow licensees to provide emergency communications during a
period of emergency in a manner or configuration not specified in the
station authorization or in the rules governing such stations.

By the Acting Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau

**\--FCC\--**

[^1]: *See* <http://www.fema.gov/media/index.shtm#rita> (September 23,
    2005)*.*

[^2]: 47 C.F.R. § 1.3.

[^3]: *Wireless Radio Services.* All radio services authorized in Parts
    13, 20, 22, 24, 27, 74, 80, 87, 90, 95, 97 and 101 of this chapter,
    whether commercial or private in nature.

[^4]: 47 C.F.R. § 1.931(a).

[^5]: 47 C.F.R. § 1.915(b).

[^6]: ^?^ 47 C.F.R. §§ 22.307, 90.407, 101.205.