220 MHz Audit Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there an audit and who does it affect?

The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) is conducting its second spectrum audit of licenses authorized under Part 90 of the Commission's rules. These audits are being performed to increase the accuracy of the Commission's licensing database in order to efficiently and effectively manage the radio spectrum. Under Section 90.157, if a station has discontinued operations for one year or more, it is considered to be permanently discontinued and, therefore, the license automatically cancels. Section 1.955 of the Commission's rules require a licensee to notify the Commission of the discontinuance by filing a FCC Form 601.

The 220 MHz licenses included in this audit are site-specific licenses, authorized under Phase I of 220 MHz licensing, and are in the following radio services:

• QT - 220 MHz non-nationwide 5-channel trunked systems
• QD - 220 MHz non-nationwide data
• QO - 220 MHz non-nationwide other

This audit does not affect geographic-area licenses granted following the 220 MHz auctions or 220 MHz licenses authorized for public safety, mutual aid, or emergency medical services.

When did the audit start?

During the week of May 12, 2003, WTB mailed audit letters to all licensees in the QT, QO, QD radio services at their address of record in the Universal Licensing System. Licensees were directed to respond to the audit by June 13, 2003. During the week of July 7, 2003, WTB will mail a second audit letter and notice of cancellation to all licensees who did not respond to our first correspondence. Licensees will have 30 days from the date on the second audit letter and notice of cancellation to respond to the license audit. Information from the audit will automatically update the Commission’s database.

What does the audit ask?

The audit requires licensees in the QT, QD, and QO radio services to certify that their authorized station(s) has not discontinued operations for a period of one year or more.Section 90.157 of the Commission's rules states that any station authorized under Part 90 (which includes the 220 MHz services) that has not operated for one year or more is considered to have been permanently discontinued, and when a station has been permanently discontinued, the station license cancels automatically.

Do I need to respond?

If you are a licensee in the QT, QO, or QD radio service, you must timely respond to the audit request online via Audit Filing. To verify whether your license(s) is included in the audit and find out when the audit letter was mailed, you can search license call sign(s) in the Audit Search.

NOTE: If it is indicated that a letter was mailed but you have not received it, you are still required to notify the FCC of the current status of your license(s). If you did not receive your audit letter, you should verify the mailing address in ULS. If it is listed incorrectly, in addition to responding to the audit, you should file an Administrative Update application via ULS to correct this information. However, you still must respond to the audit using Audit Filing.

When do I have to respond by?

You must respond within thirty (30) days of the date on the audit letter. Failure to timely respond can lead to possible administrative sanctions, including loss of the license or monetary forfeitures.

How do I respond to the audit?

Licensees must respond, within thirty (30) days of the date on the audit letter, online via Audit Filing. Only these electronic responses will be accepted. To submit a response, you will need your FCC Registration Number (FRN), password, and audit reference number. The audit reference number is located at the top of the audit letter and can also be located in the Audit Search. If you do not have an FRN because you have not registered in theCommission Registration System (CORES), you will be able to register when you access Audit Filing by clicking on Register in CORES.

NOTE: The audit letter also provides specific instructions on how to file a proper response.

When I access Audit Filing, what will I see and what responses can I make?

Once you have entered your FRN, password, audit reference number, and certifier information, you will get a list of your call signs that are included in the license audit under the reference number entered. A response can be made for an entire call sign, a specific location, or a discrete frequency. Your response options are limited to "operational" or "cancel." You can confirm that all stations licensed under a call sign have (1) not permanently discontinued operations for a period of one year or more and are, therefore, operational or (2) discontinued operations for a period of one year or more and, therefore, the license has cancelled automatically. The options for responding to a specific location or a discrete frequency are the same as the options for a call sign. The location or frequency is either (1) operational as defined above or (2) it is not operational as defined above and has cancelled automatically and is deleted from the license. Once your responses have been entered, you will receive a confirmation message.

NOTE: By completing the certification, you are representing to the Commission that all responses are true, correct, and made in good faith, and that you are duly authorized to sign for the licensee in these matters.

What if I receive multiple audit letters?

If you receive multiple audit letters, you must respond to the audit for each letter using the reference number located on each letter.

If I wish to make changes to my license, can I do so via Audit Filing?

No. You can not correct your mailing address, modify your station, or renew your license through Audit Filing. You must file the appropriate application via the Universal Licensing System (ULS). Likewise, you can not respond to the spectrum audit by filing an application in ULS. You must respond online via Audit Filing.