PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 445 12th STREET, S.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 News media information 202/418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202/418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov MASS MEDIA BUREAU IMPLEMENTS CALL SIGN RESERVATION AND AUTHORIZATION SYSTEM DA 99-2372 Released: November 1, 1999 As part of its ongoing electronic filing initiative, the Mass Media Bureau announces the availability of the radio and television broadcast station online call sign reservation and authorization system. Effective 12:01 p.m., Monday, November 1, 1999, users can access this system via the Internet from the Mass Media Bureau's Web Site at: http://www.fcc.gov/mmb The Bureau's new online call sign system enables users to determine the availability and licensing status of call signs and to request an initial or change an existing call sign. The system allows permittees and licensees to effectively reserve a selected call sign as soon as the user has submitted its call sign request, providing greater certainty and efficiency to the process. In addition, because all the steps and instructions to reserve call signs are included within the online system, it will prevent users from filing defective or incomplete call sign requests. If a fee is required, as in the case of call sign changes for existing commercial radio and television broadcast stations, the electronic system also automatically provides the user with the proper paper payment form (FCC Form 159), with the correct amount, fee payment code, and call sign request transaction code preprinted on it, for submission to the Commission's lockbox bank in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Payment remittance must be received at the lockbox bank within 15 days from the date of the call sign request. An upgraded feature of this new online system is the user's ability to remit any required fee payment electronically via use of its Master Card or Visa credit card. Internet access to the call sign reservation and authorization system at the Commission's Web Site requires a user to have E-mail capability and, at a minimum, a browser such as Netscape version 3.04 or Internet Explorer version 3.51. To automatically generate a paper version of the FCC Form 159, the above browsers will suffice. However, users electing to pay a required fee electronically by credit card will need a browser version that has a 128-bit encryption capability. Netscape version 4.05 and Internet Explorer version 4.2 have the 128- bit encryption capability required for the elctronic credit card payment option. For further information, please contact Grace Fowler (technical) at (202) 418-2656 or James Brown (legal) at (202) 418-1600. By: Chief, Mass Media Bureau -FCC-