FCC Adjusts Application Fees

Last week, the FCC released an Order adjusting its fees for processing applications and other filings.  The Commission is required to adjust the schedule of application fees in every even-numbered year to reflect increases or decrease in the Consumer Price Index.  Applications for new site-based licenses and major modifications will now cost $105, while the application fee for special temporary authority will be remain $150.  Applications for new geographic-based licenses that are not auctioned will now be $340.FCC Ends Form 477 Collections

The FCC released an Order last week ending the collection of broadband deployment data through FCC Form 477.  The Commission will continue to collect broadband and voice subscription data using Form 477, but filers will submit data as of December 31, 2022, through the Broadband Data Collection system.  The Form 477 filing system will no longer be used to collect new submissions but will remain open only for filers to make corrections to existing filings for data as of June 30, 2022, and earlier.

EAS Test Performance Filings Due

The FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau issued a Public Notice last week directing parties subject to the Emergency Alert System (“EAS”) rules to submit their annual Form One filings by February 28, 2023.  Under the Commission’s rules, EAS participants must submit information regarding their performance on nationwide tests of the EAS in the online EAS Test Reporting System (“ETRS”) on a yearly basis.  The Bureau plans to open ETRS for Form One filings on January 3, 2023, and will provide details by future Public Notice.

RDOF Support Authorized

The FCC issued a Public Notice last week authorizing support for 1,764 winning bids through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (“RDOF”) (Vol. XIX, Issue 42).  Due to the upcoming Christmas Day and New Year’s Day holidays, the Commission waived the rules requiring applications to submit letters of credit and Bankruptcy Code opinion letters within ten business days of the issuance of the Public Notice.  Applicants must now submit the appropriate letters by 6:00 p.m. on January 9, 2023.