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                                   Before the

                       Federal Communications Commission

                             Washington, D.C. 20554


                                      )                                      
     In the Matter of                                                        
                                      )                                      
     Towerstream Corporation                                                 
                                      )   File No.: EB-FIELDSCR-12-00004030  
     Licensee of Fixed Earth                                                 
     Stations                         )   NAL/Acct. No.: 201232600017        
                                                                             
     KA407 and KA412,                 )   FRN: 0015467749                    
                                                                             
     Miami, Florida                   )                                      
                                                                             
                                      )                                      


             NOTICE OF APPARENT LIABILITY FOR FORFEITURE AND ORDER

   Adopted: September 26, 2012 Released: September 26, 2012

   By the Resident Agent, Miami Office, South Central Region, Enforcement
   Bureau:

   I. INTRODUCTION

    1. In this Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture and Order (NAL),
       we find that Towerstream Corporation (Towerstream), licensee of
       co-located Fixed Earth Stations, KA407 and KA412, in Miami, Florida,
       apparently willfully and repeatedly violated Section 301 of the
       Communications Act of 1934, as amended (Act), and Section 25.102(a) of
       the Commission's rules (Rules), by operating a fixed earth station in
       Miami, Florida without the requisite Commission authorization. We
       conclude that Towerstream is apparently liable for a forfeiture in the
       amount of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000). In addition, we direct
       Towerstream to submit, no later than thirty (30) calendar days from
       the date of this NAL, a statement signed under penalty of perjury
       stating that it is in compliance with the Commission's satellite
       communications requirements.

   II. BACKGROUND

    2. Towerstream is authorized to operate fixed earth stations under Call
       Signs KA407 and KA412 using antennas measuring 15.5 meters in diameter
       and 9.3 meters in diameter at 4045 NW 97th Ave., Miami, Florida. On
       October 4, October 6, and November 10, 2011, agents from the
       Enforcement Bureau's Miami Office (Miami Office) determined that
       transmissions on the frequency 6381.9 MHz were emanating from a third
       (but smaller) antenna located at 4045 NW 97th Ave., Miami, Florida.

    3. On November 10, 2011, agents from the Miami Office contacted
       Towerstream's vice president of engineering and operations and
       arranged to inspect Fixed Earth Stations KA407 and KA412 later that
       day with one of Towerstream's engineers. The Towerstream engineer
       confirmed that it was using an antenna measuring 3.8 meters in
       diameter. The Commission's records, however, do not reflect any
       authorization being granted to Towerstream to operate its earth
       stations with an antenna measuring 3.8 meters in diameter.

   III. DISCUSSION

    4. Section 503(b) of the Act provides that any person who willfully or
       repeatedly fails to comply substantially with the terms and conditions
       of any license, or willfully or repeatedly fails to comply with any of
       the provisions of the Act or of any rule, regulation, or order issued
       by the Commission thereunder, shall be liable for a forfeiture
       penalty. Section 312(f)(1) of the Act defines "willful" as the
       "conscious and deliberate commission or omission of [any] act,
       irrespective of any intent to violate" the law. The legislative
       history to Section 312(f)(1) of the Act clarifies that this definition
       of willful applies to both Sections 312 and 503(b) of the Act, and the
       Commission has so interpreted the term in the Section 503(b) context. 
       The Commission may also assess a forfeiture for violations that are
       merely repeated, and not willful.  The term "repeated" means the
       commission or omission of such act more than once or for more than one
       day.

     A. Unlicensed Operations

    5. The evidence in this case is sufficient to establish that Towerstream
       violated Section 301 of the Act and Section 25.102(a) of the Rules.
       Section 301 of the Act states that no person shall use or operate any
       apparatus for the transmission of energy or communications or signals
       by radio within the United States, except under and in accordance with
       the Act and with a license granted under the provisions of the Act.
       Section 25.102(a) of the Rules states that "[n]o person shall use or
       operate apparatus for the transmission of energy or communications or
       signals by space or earth stations except under, and in accordance
       with, an appropriate authorization granted by the Federal
       Communications Commission." According to the Commission's records,
       Towerstream is authorized to operate fixed earth stations under Call
       Signs KA407 and KA412 using antennas measuring 15.5 meters in diameter
       and 9.3 meters in diameter at 4045 NW 97th Ave., Miami, Florida. On
       October 4, October 6, and November 10, 2011, agents from the Miami
       Office observed transmissions emanating on the frequency 6381.9 MHz
       from an unauthorized antenna, measuring 3.8 meters in diameter, that a
       Towerstream engineer confirmed was in operation. The Commission,
       however, has no record that Towerstream ever submitted any application
       to modify its licenses to authorize operation of a fixed earth station
       using a 3.8 meter antenna at this location. Accordingly, Towerstream's
       use of an unauthorized antenna was outside of the scope of its license
       authorizations. Based on the evidence before us, we find that
       Towerstream apparently willfully and repeatedly violated Section 301
       of the Act and Section 25.102(a) of the Rules by operating a fixed
       earth station without appropriate authorization granted by the
       Commission.

    B. Proposed Forfeiture Amount and Reporting Requirement

    6. Pursuant to the Commission's Forfeiture Policy Statement and Section
       1.80 of the Rules, the base forfeiture amount for operation without an
       instrument of authorization for the service is $10,000. In assessing
       the monetary forfeiture amount, we must also take into account the
       statutory factors set forth in Section 503(b)(2)(E) of the Act, which
       include the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the
       violations, and with respect to the violator, the degree of
       culpability, any history of prior offenses, ability to pay, and other
       such matters as justice may require. Because Towerstream is a
       multi-million dollar business, a forfeiture above the base forfeiture
       amount is necessary to ensure that it serves as an effective deterrent
       (and not simply a cost of doing business) against Towerstream's future
       noncompliance with the Commission's satellite communications
       requirements. Applying the Forfeiture Policy Statement, Section 1.80
       of the Rules, and the statutory factors to the instant case, we
       conclude that Towerstream is apparently liable for a total forfeiture
       in the amount of $15,000.

    7. We also direct Towerstream to submit a written statement, pursuant to
       Section 1.16 of the Rules, signed under penalty of perjury by an
       officer or director of Towerstream, stating that its operation of
       Fixed Earth Stations KA407 and KA412 are in full compliance with the
       Rules and with the terms of its authorizations. This statement must be
       provided to the Miami Office at the address listed in paragraph 10,
       below, within thirty (30) calendar days of the release date of this
       NAL.

   IV. ORDERING CLAUSES

    8. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 503(b) of the
       Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and Sections 0.111, 0.204,
       0.311, 0.314, and 1.80 of the Commission's rules, Towerstream
       Corporation is hereby NOTIFIED of this APPARENT LIABILITY FOR A
       FORFEITURE in the amount of fifteen  thousand dollars ($15,000) for
       violations of Section 301 of the Act and Section 25.102(a) of the
       Commission's rules.

    9. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 1.80 of the
       Commission's rules, within thirty (30) calendar days of the release
       date of this Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture and Order,
       Towerstream Corporation SHALL PAY the full amount of the proposed
       forfeiture or SHALL FILE a written statement seeking reduction or
       cancellation of the proposed forfeiture.

   10. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Towerstream Corporation SHALL SUBMIT a
       statement as described in paragraph 7, above, to the Miami Office
       within thirty (30) calendar days of the release date of this Notice of
       Apparent Liability for Forfeiture and Order. The statement must be
       mailed to Federal Communications Commission, Enforcement Bureau, South
       Central Region, Miami Office, P.O. Box 520617, Miami, FL 33152-0617.
       Towerstream Corporation shall also e-mail the written statement to
       SCR-Response@fcc.gov.

   11. Payment of the forfeiture must be made by check or similar instrument,
       wire transfer, or credit card, and must include the NAL/Account number
       and FRN referenced above. Towerstream Corporation shall also send
       electronic notification on the date said payment is made to
       SCR-Response@fcc.gov. Regardless of the form of payment, a completed
       FCC Form 159 (Remittance Advice) must be submitted. When completing
       the FCC Form 159, enter the Account Number in block number 23A (call
       sign/other ID) and enter the letters "FORF" in block number 24A
       (payment type code).   Below are additional instructions you should
       follow based on the form of payment you select:

     * Payment by check or money order must be made payable to the order of
       the Federal Communications Commission.  Such payments (along with the
       completed Form 159) must be mailed to Federal Communications
       Commission, P.O. Box 979088, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000, or sent
       via overnight mail to U.S. Bank - Government Lockbox #979088,
       SL-MO-C2-GL, 1005 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63101. 

     * Payment by wire transfer must be made to ABA Number 021030004,
       receiving bank TREAS/NYC, and Account Number 27000001.  To complete
       the wire transfer and ensure appropriate crediting of the wired funds,
       a completed Form 159 must be faxed to U.S. Bank at (314) 418-4232 on
       the same business day the wire transfer is initiated. 

     * Payment by credit card must be made by providing the required credit
       card information on FCC Form 159 and signing and dating the Form 159
       to authorize the credit card payment. The completed Form 159 must then
       be mailed to Federal Communications Commission, P.O. Box 979088, St.
       Louis, MO 63197-9000, or sent via overnight mail to U.S. Bank -
       Government Lockbox #979088, SL-MO-C2-GL, 1005 Convention Plaza, St.
       Louis, MO 63101. 

   12. Any request for full payment under an installment plan should be sent
       to:  Chief Financial Officer-Financial Operations, Federal
       Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room 1-A625,
       Washington, D.C.  20554.  If you have questions regarding payment
       procedures, please contact the Financial Operations Group Help Desk by
       phone, 1-877-480-3201, or by e-mail, ARINQUIRIES@fcc.gov.

   13. The written statement seeking reduction or cancellation of the
       proposed forfeiture, if any, must include a detailed factual statement
       supported by appropriate documentation and affidavits pursuant to
       Sections 1.16 and 1.80(f)(3) of the Rules. Mail the written statement
       to Federal Communications Commission, Enforcement Bureau, South
       Central Region, Miami Office, P.O. Box 520617, Miami, FL 33152-0617
       and include the NAL/Acct. No. referenced in the caption. Towerstream
       Corporation also  shall e-mail the written response to
       SCR-Response@fcc.gov.

   14. The Commission will not consider reducing or canceling a forfeiture in
       response to a claim of inability to pay unless the petitioner submits:
       (1) federal tax returns for the most recent three-year period; (2)
       financial statements prepared according to generally accepted
       accounting practices (GAAP); or (3) some other reliable and objective
       documentation that accurately reflects the petitioner's current
       financial status. Any claim of inability to pay must specifically
       identify the basis for the claim by reference to the financial
       documentation submitted.

   15. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a copy of this Notice of Apparent Liability
       for Forfeiture and Order shall be sent by both Certified Mail, Return
       Receipt Requested, and First Class Mail to Towerstream Corporation at
       Tech II, 55 Hammarlund Way, Middletown, RI 02842.

   FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

   Stephanie Dabkowski

   Resident Agent

   Miami Office

   South Central Region

   Enforcement Bureau

   47 U.S.C. S: 301.

   47 C.F.R. S: 25.102(a).

   See License File No. SES-RWL-20040305-00317 (KA407); and License File No.
   SES-RWL-20040422-00574 (KA412).

   47 U.S.C. S: 503(b).

   47 U.S.C. S: 312(f)(1).

   H.R. Rep. No. 97-765, 97th Cong. 2d Sess. 51 (1982) ("This provision
   [inserted in Section 312] defines the terms `willful' and `repeated' for
   purposes of section 312, and for any other relevant section of the act
   (e.g., Section 503) . . . . As defined[,] . . . `willful' means that the
   licensee knew that he was doing the act in question, regardless of whether
   there was an intent to violate the law. `Repeated' means more than once,
   or where the act is continuous, for more than one day. Whether an act is
   considered to be `continuous' would depend upon the circumstances in each
   case. The definitions are intended primarily to clarify the language in
   Sections 312 and 503, and are consistent with the Commission's application
   of those terms . . . .").

   See, e.g., Application for Review of Southern California Broadcasting Co.,
   Memorandum Opinion and Order, 6 FCC Rcd 4387, 4388 (1991), recons. denied,
   7 FCC Rcd 3454 (1992).

   See, e.g., Callais Cablevision, Inc., Notice of Apparent Liability for
   Monetary Forfeiture, 16 FCC Rcd 1359, 1362, para. 10 (2001) (Callais
   Cablevision, Inc.) (proposing a forfeiture for, inter alia, a cable
   television operator's repeated signal leakage).

   Section 312(f)(2) of the Act, 47 U.S.C. S: 312(f)(2), which also applies
   to violations for which forfeitures are assessed under Section 503(b) of
   the Act, provides that "[t]he term 'repeated', when used with reference to
   the commission or omission of any act, means the commission or omission of
   such act more than once or, if such commission or omission is continuous,
   for more than one day." See Callais Cablevision, Inc., 16 FCC Rcd  at
   1362.

   47 U.S.C. S: 301.

   47 C.F.R. S: 25.102(a).

   See supra note  3.

   See 47 C.F.R. S:S: 25.117, 25.130 (requiring licensees to submit
   applications to modify the terms of their licenses on FCC Form 312 and
   prohibiting licensees from making any such modifications prior to
   application grant).

   The Commission's Forfeiture Policy Statement and Amendment of Section 1.80
   of the Rules to Incorporate the Forfeiture Guidelines, Report and Order,
   12 FCC Rcd 17087 (1997) (Forfeiture Policy Statement), recons. denied, 15
   FCC Rcd 303 (1999); 47 C.F.R. 1.80.

   47 U.S.C. S: 503(b)(2)(E).

   In 2011, Towerstream Corporation reported $26.495 million in annual
   revenues. http://finance.yahoo.com/q/is?s=TWER+Income+Statement&annual
   (last visited Aug. 29, 2012).

   See Forfeiture Policy Statement, 12 FCC Rcd at 17099-100, para. 24
   (stating need to take into account a violator's ability to pay in
   determining the amount of a forfeiture to guarantee that forfeitures
   issued against large or highly profitable entities are not considered
   merely an affordable cost of doing business). See, e.g., Tesla
   Exploration, Inc., EB-11-PA-0153, Notice of Apparent Liability for
   Forfeiture, FCC 12-88, 2012 WL 3195376, at *3, para. 10 (Aug. 3, 2012)
   (upwardly adjusting proposed forfeiture due to violator's ability to pay);
   Time Warner Entertainment-Advance/Newhouse Partnership, Notice of Apparent
   Liability for Forfeiture and Order, 27 FCC Rcd 8047, 8049, para. 6 (Enf.
   Bur. 2012) (same).

   47 C.F.R. S: 1.16.

   47 U.S.C. S:S: 301, 503(b); 47 C.F.R. S:S: 0.111, 0.204, 0.311, 0.314,
   1.80, 25.102(a).

   An FCC Form 159 and detailed instructions for completing the form may be
   obtained at http://www.fcc.gov/Forms/Form159/159.pdf.

   See 47 C.F.R. S: 1.1914.

   47 C.F.R. S:S: 1.16, 1.80(f)(3).

   Federal Communications Commission DA 12-1535

                                       3

   Federal Communications Commission DA 12-1535