News media information 202 / 418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.govPUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 1919 M St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 March 31, 1998 WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU RELEASES LICENSING DATA FOR REVIEW The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau is developing and implementing a Universal Licensing System to combine 11 separate databases and provide greater efficiencies in the entire licensing process. Through this system, the FCC and the general public will have access to technical and administrative data for authorizations in all wireless services. In addition, graphical information system technology will be available to enable the public to use map-based queries to determine wireless licensees in a given area. In order to maximize the benefits of these research tools, licensing data must be up-to-date and accurate. The need for current data concerning authorizations is also increased by the Commission's use of competitive auctions to award licenses by geographic area. Under this process it is important that the FCC and the public have access to accurate information concerning incumbent licensees. The number of licensees within a geographic area, their location, and the frequencies they are authorized to use can affect business plans for geographic area licenses. An accurate licensing database is also important in protecting the rights of incumbent licensees, facilitating their relocation when required, and resolving interference complaints. The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau has made its licensing database files available for review by licensees and other interested parties. There are two means of finding wireless licensing data on the Internet at http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/. For licensees with only a few authorizations, click on "Search WTB Databases" and use the general menu reports to retrieve license data. For licensees with numerous authorizations, click on "WTB Database Files". You will find files of authorizations for each wireless service and access to daily transaction files of database changes from the past week. In the near future, the Bureau will request that licensees compare their authorizations with the Commission's licensing databases to determine if discrepancies exist and to inform the Bureau of those discrepancies. At this time, if any licensees would like to voluntarily alert the Commission as to any discrepancies they have discovered, they may do so by submitting a copy of their authorization or may provide a copy of their original application for authorization and any subsequent applications for modification of the license. Any documentation submitted should clearly indicate differences between the authorization and the licensing database. This information may be mailed to: -1- Attn: Licensing Discrepancies Federal Communications Commission Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Information Technology Division 1270 Fairfield Road Gettysburg, PA 17325-7245 Questions may be directed to Melissa Hower at (717) 338-2544 or by e-mail at mhower@fcc.gov. -FCC-