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Universal Licensing
System
Everything You Need For Wireless Licensing and Research
Universal Licensing System
ULS Puts Information
at Your Fingertips
The Universal Licensing System (ULS) is the easy, online answer to your wireless licensing and research needs. Every year the FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau processes more than four hundred thousand applications for wireless services. ULS simplifies the application and licensing processes and provides secure, world-wide access through the Internet. This results in reduced filing time and financial savings for both customers and the federal government.
More than an electronic filing system, ULS is a powerful information tool that enables you to research applications, licenses, and antenna structures. It also keeps you informed with weekly public notices, FCC rulemakings, processing utilities, a telecommunications glossary, and much more. Plus ULS features a Geographical Information System (GIS), a digital mapping technology that identifies spectrum usage in relation to geographical areas.
ULS was designed to meet the needs of many audiences. We continue to improve the system using feedback from the public, including your responses to our online surveys; your suggestions at ULS licensing demonstrations and public forums; and your letters and emails.
Wireless Services
All Auctioned Wireless ServicesPaging (Part 22 and Part 90)
Radiotelephone Services, including Cellular (Part 22)
Land Mobile Radio Services (Part 90)
Fixed Microwave Services (Part 101)
Maritime Services (Part 80)
Aviation Services (Part 87)
Broadcast Auxiliary Services:
Land Mobile and Microwave (Part 74)
Amateur Radio (Part 97)
Commercial Radio Operators (Part 13)
Personal Radio Services (Part 95)
Getting Started with ULS
Register
In order to file an application, register an antenna structure, or sit for an
FCC radio operator exam, you must register with ULS. Web registration is quick
and easy. Click "Register" on the ULS home page, and enter your Tax
Payer Identification Number (TIN). Then indicate whether you are an individual
or a business entity. Enter basic contact information, choose a password, and
(if applicable) provide your existing call signs or ASR numbers. Your password
is used to keep your ULS transactions confidential. You need to register only
once.
Note: For those submitting applications through a third party, it is highly recommended that you pre-register in ULS to obtain your password before the third party files on your behalf. This includes amateurs taking license examinations and land mobile applicants filing through frequency coordinators. Amateur clubs need to contact FCC technical support prior to filing.
File
ULS contains everything you need for electronic filing of wireless applications.
Simply click the "ULS Filing" link, login, and choose the purpose
of your application from the menu. ULS will prompt you for call signs, file
numbers, or other information. As you complete your application, the system
monitors your responses to ensure all required fields are entered.
If you need to leave an application in the middle of the process, or if your network connection is interrupted, ULS will save your partially completed application and make it available to you through a convenient "work in progress" page when you next login
When you have completed the application, select "Submit" to send it to the Commission. That's all there is to it! After your application has been submitted, ULS will automatically calculate any FCC fees, provide a link to a pre-filled payment page (Form 159) and even allow you to pay on line with a credit card.
Major Purpose Applications
Applications containing detailed information may require review by FCC staff.
ULS makes submitting and processing these applications much less demanding.
The major purpose applications are-
New Application
File a first-time application to the system.Amendment to an Existing Application
Revise a current application. (See "Modification" to make changes to a license.)Assignment of Authorization
File to assign an existing license to another party.Extension of Time
Request to extend the deadline for meeting construction or coverage requirements, or extend the time allowed for consummation of an assignment or transfer.Modification
Change the terms, conditions, or specifications of an existing license. (For changes of address, fax, phone, etc., use "Administrative Update.")Renewal/Modification
Renew and modify your license in one step. Note: For faster processing when a deadline is approaching, request a "Renewal Only" separately BEFORE submitting a "Modification." (For changes of address, fax, phone, etc., use "Administrative Update.")Transfer of Control
Transfer control of a license-holding entity to another party.
Coordinated Applications
ULS enhances filing for certified third party frequency coordinators, Volunteer
Exam Coordinators (VECs), and Commercial Operator License Exam Managers (COLEMs).
Coordinators and exam managers have the capability to submit large numbers of
electronic applications simultaneously. All certified land mobile coordinators
are given a unique login that allows them to file interactive applications without
their customers' individual passwords.
Special Temporary Authority
The FCC grants Special Temporary Authority (STA) to permit immediate or temporary
operation of certain radio facilities during emergency situations, when a delay
in operation would seriously prejudice the public interest, for special functions
or events, for testing purposes, and for other unusual situations. Carriers
in site-based services may request an STA electronically through ULS. Initial
STA requests are filed like other new applications, but STA must be selected
on the online form. Note: Applicants in market-based services cannot currently
file STA requests electronically; instead they should file manually using FCC
Form 601.
Form 601
Application for Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Radio Service Authorization. Use the 601 to file initial applications as well as most licensing-related requests and notifications.Form 602 (Coming soon to ULS)
Ownership Disclosure Information. Use the 602 to provide information regarding license ownership as required by FCC rules.Form 603
Application for Assignment of Authorization or Transfer of Control. Use Form 603 to assign wireless licenses from one party to another, including partitioning or disaggregation, and transfer control of wireless licenses that require FCC approval or notification -Form 605
Quick-Form Application for Authorization in the Ship, Aircraft, Amateur Restricted and Commercial Operator, and General Mobile Radio Services. Use this "short form" for applications in these services.
Simple Purpose Applications
Nearly seventy-five percent of the applications we receive each year are for
simple purposes such as renewing a license, making a required notification,
or submitting a change of address. ULS dramatically speeds processing of these
applications.
Simple purpose applications include-
Administrative Update
Change or make corrections to licensee name, address, phone number, fax number, e-mail address, contact information, and control point information.Duplicate License
Request a paper copy duplicate of an existing license.
Cancellation of License
Cancel an existing license.Renewal Only
Apply for an additional license term. Note: You must file within the 90 day period prior to the end of the current license term.Required Notification
Notify the FCC that an assignment or transfer has been consummated or that a construction or coverage requirement has been met.Withdrawal of Application
Request the FCC cease processing a pending application.
Filing a simple purpose application IS simple with ULS.
Here are a couple of examples of how easy it is to file a simple purpose application
with ULS. We recommend you begin by updating your contact information to ensure
your FCC license is sent to your current address.
To update your contact information,
To renew your license,
Search
Registration is not required to use the powerful ULS search engines. Application
Search enables you to quickly check the status of pending applications and examine
their attachments. License Search allows you to view licenses and any special
conditions, comments or other filings associated with them.
ULS gives you the power to search by one or more of the designated information fields found on licenses and applications. The more fields you use for your search criteria, the more specific your results will be. If you are looking for a single application or license, search using the file number or call sign. You can also choose Geosearch to find records by state and county, within a radius of a street address, or by latitude and longitude
Mapping Your Search
One of the most exciting features of ULS is digital mapping. The Geographic
Information System (GIS) creates dynamic maps and displays licensed spectrum
in relation to geographical boundaries. Used with Geosearch, GIS mapping is
ideal for illustrating the locations of licensees in a specific state or region.
To access GIS, simply click the "map" button on a ULS search results
page.
Antenna Structure Registration (ASR)
As part of its ongoing effort to promote air safety, the FCC requires owners
to register certain antenna structures-generally those more than 200 feet (60.96
meters) in height or those located near an airport. If you are filing for a
new or modified license which requires ASR, you must provide the ASR number
on your application. The ASR Search page allows you to check existing registrations
and provides a link to TOWAIR, the FCC's landing facility slope calculator.
TOWAIR is used to determine if an antenna structure requires FAA notification
and FCC registration.
Accessibility
The FCC is working closely with representatives from the disabled community
and members of the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative to improve accessibility
for all users.
WTB Home Page
www.fcc.gov/wtb
ULS Home Page
www.fcc.gov/wtb/uls
FCC Technical Support
(202) 414-1250
TTY: (202) 414-1255
Note: The FCC Technical Support Hotline is generally available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday 12 noon to ó p.m. EST. You may also contact FCC technical support via e-mail at ulscomm@fcc.gov.
Licensing Support and Forms Information
(888) 225-5322
(717) 338-2888
Note: The Licensing Support and Forms Information Hotline is generally available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
You may also obtain help via e-mail at ulshelp@fcc.gov.
All calls to FCC hotlines are recorded.
Disclaimer
The FCC makes no warranty whatsoever with respect to ULS software. In no event
shall the Commission, or any of its officers, employees or agents, be liable
for any damages whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of business
profits, business interruption, loss of business information, or any other loss)
arising out of or relating to the existence, furnishing, functioning or use
of the software. Moreover, no obligation or liability will arise out of the
Commission's technical, programming, or other advice or service provided in
connection with ULS software.
The Federal Communications
Commission
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
Auctions and Industry Analysis Division
Universal Licensing System
445 12th Street, SW-CY
Washington, DC 20554
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