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If you need the complete document, download the WordPerfect version or Adobe Acrobat version, if available. ************************ ************************ ***************** PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 445 TWELFTH STREET, 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 99-1594 Released: August 11, 1999 WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU ANNOUNCES PROCEDURES FOR 900 MHz METROPOLITAN TRADING AREA LICENSEES TO FILE CONSTRUCTION NOTIFICATIONS Notifications may be submitted electronically via the Universal Licensing System By this Public Notice, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau ("Bureau") announces the steps that auctioned Metropolitan Trading Area ("MTA") licensees in the 896-901/935-940 MHz ("900 MHz") band must take when they notify the Commission of their construction requirement election at the end of their three-year benchmark. Section 90.665(c) of the Commission's rules requires a 900 MHz MTA licensee to construct and place into operation a sufficient number of base stations to provide coverage to at least one-third of the population of its MTA within three years of license grant, and to at least two-thirds of the MTA population within five years of license grant. Alternatively, an MTA licensee may demonstrate, through a showing to the Commission, that it is providing substantial service. Because most 900 MHz MTA licenses were awarded between August 12 and August 16, 1996, these licensees will reach their three-year construction benchmark between August 12 and August 16, 1999. Pursuant to section 1.946 of the Commission's rules, 900 MHz MTA licensees have fifteen (15) days from the date that they reach their three-year benchmark to notify the Commission that they are either (1) covering at least one-third of their MTA population and will provide coverage to at least two-thirds of their MTA population in five years, or (2) will provide substantial service to their MTA by the five year construction deadline. Licensees are strongly encouraged to file their notifications electronically via the Universal Licensing System ("ULS"), but may also file them manually using FCC Form 601. In either case, licensees who choose the substantial service option should attach to their filing a statement that they choose to provide substantial service at the five year construction benchmark. Electronic Filing Licensees filing electronically via ULS should access the ULS, provide their Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), Sub Group Identification Number (SGIN) if applicable, and password, and select "Required Notification" as the Application Purpose. In addition to filling out the form online, licensees will have an opportunity to upload electronic files containing information necessary for the Bureau to evaluate the notification of construction. With this in mind, licensees should have electronic versions of the necessary documents on hand when filing. We also note that licensees choosing the substantial service option should state, in an exhibit to their FCC Form 601, that they plan to provide substantial service within five years from the date of the grant of their license. Attachment A to this Public Notice describes how to submit a Required Notification electronically and upload necessary attachments. Detailed instructions on accessing the ULS are available via the internet at http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/uls. We emphasize that, in order to file electronically via ULS, the licensee must register its TIN and associate the appropriate 900 MHz SMR call sign(s) with that TIN. Detailed instructions on TIN registration are available via the internet by pointing your web browser at http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/uls and selecting "Getting your Login and Password (TIN/Call Sign Registration)," or by calling our Technical Support Hotline at (202) 414-1250. Because failure to register its TIN and call signs restricts a licensee's ability to file electronically, the Bureau urges all 900 MHz SMR licensees to register immediately, if they have not already done so. Manual Filing Licensees who chose to manually file their notification on FCC Form 601, should file the FCC Form 601 with attachments to: 900 MHz MTA Construction Notification Federal Communications Commission Wireless Telecommunications Bureau 1270 Fairfield Road Gettysburg, PA 17325-7245 For further information contact Linda Spence of the Bureau's Commercial Wireless Division at (717) 338-2625. ATTACHMENT A SUBMITTING A REQUIRED NOTIFICATION VIA ULS The instructions below supplement the instructions for FCC Form 601, and provide context for 900 MHz SMR licensees filing notifications of construction. To file a "Required Notification" electronically via ULS, follow the instructions described below. Please note that licensees may file individually for each call sign, or file a single application for all call signs associated with a particular TIN. 1. Establish a Dial-up connection to the FCC Network, open your web browser, and point it toward the following URL http://wtbwww05.fcc.gov 2. Select the Online Filing button in the left frame. 3. Enter your TIN, SGIN (if applicable), and Password and select Continue. 4. Choose Select New Filing. 5. Select purpose of application = Required Notification and select Continue. 6. Select purpose of submission = 1 and select Continue. 7. Enter the applicable Call Sign(s) and scroll to the bottom of the page. 8. Enter the name and title of the authorized representative signing the form, and select Continue. 9. At this point, you may upload attachments (electronic files) in support of your notification (e.g., word processor documents, scanned documents). Select the appropriate attachment type. If none apply, choose Other. Click the Browse button and locate the file you wish to upload. Type in a short description of the file you wish to upload. Select Upload to upload the file. 10. Repeat step (9) for each file to be uploaded. Select List at any time to see a summary list of files you have uploaded as attachments to this application. 11. After you have uploaded all attachments, select Continue and select OK on the warning screen. 12. You may Print Preview the application, or proceed and select the Submit button to file the Required Notification with the Commission. After you file the Required Notification, a confirmation screen and file number will appear. Again, you will have an opportunity to Print Preview the application.