FCC Releases 2006 Application Fee Filing Guides Across Bureaus and Offices

Overview and Statutory Authority

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued updated Application Fee Filing Guides outlining the fee requirements, payment type codes, application forms, and submission instructions for various regulatory filings. Authority to impose and collect fees is established under Title III, Section 3001 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989 (Public Law 101-239/Public Law 101-39), revising Section 8 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. § 158).

The guides compile fee schedules across multiple operating units, including the Enforcement Bureau, International Bureau, Media Bureau, Wireline Competition Bureau, and the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET). Application processing fees collected under Section 8 are deposited directly into the U.S. Treasury and are subject to periodic review and congressional modification.

• Statutory basis: Section 8 of the Communications Act (47 U.S.C. § 158).
• Applicable rule provisions: 47 CFR Part 1, Subpart G, Section 1.1101 et seq.
• Effective date for updated fee schedules: October 17, 2006.

General Remittance and Payment Procedures

All fee payments submitted to the Commission must be accompanied by FCC Form 159 (Remittance Advice), unless payment is made via an online electronic filing system with integrated credit card processing. If multiple applicants or more than two call signs are included in a single filing, FCC Form 159C (Continuation Sheet) must be used.

Under the Debt Collection Improvement Act (DCIA), the Commission withholds action on applications and benefit requests upon discovering that an applicant is delinquent in non-tax debts owed to the FCC, and will dismiss such filings if the debt is not resolved.

Payments may be submitted via check, bank draft, money order, credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover), wire transfer, or designated electronic fund transfer. Cash is not accepted, and checks must be drawn on U.S. financial institutions in U.S. dollars and dated within six months.

• Mailing location for feeable mail-in applications: Designated P.O. Box at Pittsburgh, PA 15251.
• Courier and hand-delivery address: FCC, c/o Mellon Client Service Center, 500 Ross Street, Room 670, Pittsburgh, PA 15262-0001 (Attention: FCC Module Supervisor).
• Nonfeeable applications: Delivered directly to the Office of the Secretary, Room TW-B204, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554.

Enforcement Bureau and Wireline Competition Bureau Schedules

The Enforcement Bureau guide specifies processing charges for common carrier formal complaints, audits, and pole attachment disputes. The Wireline Competition Bureau guide outlines fees for tariff transmittals, domestic Section 214 authorizations, depreciation studies, and accounting rule waiver petitions.

Issuing carriers submit required tariff fees to the Mellon Bank lockbox in accordance with Part 61 of the Commission's rules.

• Common Carrier Formal Complaint (CIZ): $190.00 per defendant (47 CFR § 1.735).
• Common Carrier Field Audit (BMA): $98,400.00; Review of Attest Audit (BLA): $53,710.00.
• Pole Attachment Complaint (TPC): $240.00.
• Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) Petition (CLEA): $5,605.00.
• Domestic Section 214 Application (CUT): $965.00.
• Tariff Filing / Special Permission / Part 69 Waiver (CQK): $775.00 per transmittal or request.
• Depreciation Update Study Single State (BKA): $32,680.00; Each Additional State (CVA): $1,075.00.
• Accounting Rule Waiver Petition (BEA): $7,365.00.

Media Bureau Application Schedules

The Media Bureau fee schedule details charges across commercial radio, commercial television, translator and booster services, Cable Television Relay Service (CARS), and cable system administrative filings.

Filings must be submitted on designated FCC forms, such as Form 301 for construction permits, Form 302 for license applications, Form 303-S for license renewals, and Form 323 for biennial ownership reports.

• Commercial TV Construction Permit (New/Major): $4,005.00 (MVT); Minor Change: $895.00 (MPT); Renewal: $160.00 (MGT).
• Commercial AM Construction Permit (New/Major): $3,565.00 (MUR); Minor Change: $895.00 (MPR); Directional Antenna: $675.00 (MOR); Renewal: $160.00 (MGR).
• Commercial FM Construction Permit (New/Major): $3,210.00 (MTR); Minor Change: $895.00 (MPR); Directional Antenna: $565.00 (MLR); Renewal: $160.00 (MGR).
• FM Translator / TV Translator / LPTV New or Major Permit: $675.00 (MOF / MOL); New License: $135.00 (MEF / MEL); Renewal: $60.00 (MAF / MAL).
• Class A Television Construction Permit (New/Major): $4,005.00 (MVT); New License: $270.00 (MJT).
• CARS New License / Modification / Renewal / Assignment (TIC): $245.00.
• Cable Special Relief Petition (TQC): $1,250.00.
• Cable Community Registration Form 322 (TAC): $60.00.
• Aeronautical Frequency Notification Form 321 (TAC): $60.00.

International Bureau and Satellite Services

The International Bureau mandates electronic filing through the International Bureau Filing System (IBFS) for all satellite space and earth station applications. Filing fees cover international radio communications, Section 214 authorizations, satellite earth and space stations, direct broadcast satellites (DBS), and foreign broadcast delivery permits.

Separate fees apply to geostationary (GSO) and non-geostationary (NGSO) space station systems, as well as individual earth stations and Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) systems.

• International Fixed Public Radio Initial Permit: $810.00 (CSN); License Renewal: $585.00 (CON).
• Overseas Cable Construction Section 214: $14,415.00 (BIT); Common Carrier Cable Landing License: $1,620.00 (CXT); Non-Common Carrier: $16,035.00 (BJT).
• Transmit/Receive Earth Station Initial License: $2,410.00 (BAX); Modification / Renewal / STA: $170.00 (CGX).
• VSAT System Initial License: $8,895.00 (BGV); Mobile Satellite Blanket Authorization: $8,895.00 (BGB).
• GSO Space Station Launch & Operate Initial or Replacement: $110,580.00 (BNY); Modification: $7,900.00 (BFY).
• NGSO Space Station Launch & Operate System: $380,835.00 (CLW); Modification: $27,205.00 (CGW).
• Direct Broadcast Satellite Construction Permit & Launch Authority: $31,140.00 (MXD).
• Recognized Operating Agency (ROA) Application: $965.00 (CUG).

Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) Schedules

The OET guide outlines the fee requirements for equipment authorization filings, grantee code registrations, and experimental radio licenses. Applications for equipment authorization (FCC Form 731) and Grantee Code assignments must be submitted electronically through the OET Equipment Authorization System.

Exhibits for equipment authorization applications must be uploaded within 5 calendar days of submission, and required fee payments must be processed within 15 calendar days to avoid application dismissal. Payment for a new Grantee Code must be completed within 30 calendar days of assignment or the code will be removed from the database.

• Grantee Code Assignment (EAG): $60.00.
• Equipment Certification - Parts 11, 15 & 18 Devices (EGC): $1,165.00.
• Equipment Certification - All Receivers except TV/FM (EEC): $455.00.
• Equipment Certification - All Other Devices (EFT): $585.00.
• Class II Permissive Change (EAC): $60.00; Class III Permissive Change (ECC): $585.00.
• Confidentiality Request under Certification (EBC): $170.00.
• Advance Approval of Subscription TV Systems (EIS): $3,565.00; Confidentiality Request (EBS): $170.00.
• Experimental Radio Services (Form 442 New/Mod, Form 405 Renewal, Form 702/703 Assignment/Transfer, STA, Confidentiality) (EAE): $60.00 per document.