Upcoming FCC Broadcast and Telecom Deadlines for September – November
Broadcast Deadlines:
September 4, 2020
Improving Low Power FM Radio Rules - Comments are due in response to two petitions for reconsideration in MB Dockets 19-193 and 17-105, filed by Foundation for a Beautiful Life and Todd Urick et al.
September 14, 2020
Improving Low Power FM Radio Rules - Reply Comments are due in response to two petitions for reconsideration in MB Dockets 19-193 and 17-105, filed by Foundation for a Beautiful Life and Todd Urick et al.
September ??, 2020
Annual Regulatory Fees - On a date not yet determined but perhaps September 25, 2020, and certainly before September 30, 2020, annual regulatory fees will be due. These will be due and payable for Fiscal Year 2020 and will be based upon a licensee's/permittee's holdings on October 1, 2019, plus anything that might have been purchased since then and less anything that might have been sold since then. The fees must be paid through the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC" or the Commission") online Fee Filer, and once again this year, the FCC will not accept checks as payment of the fees but will require some form of electronic payment (credit card, ACH transfer, wire transfer, and the like). Please keep in mind that timely payment is critical, as late payment results in a 25 percent penalty, plus potential additional interest charges.
October 1, 2020
Radio License Renewal Applications Due - Applications for renewal of license for radio stations located in Iowa and Missouri must be filed in the Licensing and Management System (LMS). These applications must be accompanied by Schedule 396, the Broadcast Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Program Report, also filed in LMS, regardless of the number of full-time employees.
Radio Post-Filing Announcements - As of this writing, radio stations licensed in Iowa and Missouri must begin broadcasts of their post-filing announcements concerning their license renewal applications on October 1. These announcements must continue on October 16, November 1, November 16, December 1, and December 16. Once complete, a certification of broadcast, with a copy of the announcement's text, must be posted to the Online Public Inspection File (OPIF) within seven days, or by December 23. It is, however, possible that the updated rules governing public notices will go into effect during the period of the announcements, in which case, stay tuned for updates on transition to the new requirements.
Television License Renewal Applications Due - Applications for renewal of license for television stations located in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands must be filed in LMS. These applications must be accompanied by Schedule 396, the Broadcast EEO Program Report, also filed in LMS, regardless of the number of full-time employees.
Television Post-Filing Announcements - Under current regulations, television stations licensed in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands must begin broadcasts of their post-filing announcements concerning their license renewal applications on October 1. These announcements must continue on October 16, November 1, November 16, December 1, and December 16. Once complete, a certification of broadcast, with a copy of the announcement's text, must be posted to the OPIF within seven days, or by December 23. As noted above, however, it is possible that the updated rules governing public notices will go into effect during the period of the announcements, in which case, stay tuned for updates on transition to the new requirements.
EEO Public File Reports - All radio and television station employment units with five or more full-time employees and located in Alaska, American Samoa, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Iowa, the Mariana Islands, Missouri, Oregon, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Washington must place EEO Public File Reports in their OPIFs. For all stations with websites, the report must be posted there as well. Per announced FCC policy, the reporting period may end ten days before the report is due, and the reporting period for the next year will begin on the following day.
Telecom Deadlines:
September 1, 2020
FCC Form 477 - This form is filed online biannually on March 1 and September 1. The Commission collects a variety of information about broadband deployment and wireless and wired telephone service on Form 477. Broadly speaking, the following providers must fill Form 477: 1) facilities-based providers of broadband connections to end users, 2) providers of wired or fixed wireless local exchange telephone service, 3) providers of interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service; and 4) facilities-based providers of mobile telephony (mobile voice) services. If you have any questions about whether your company must file Form 477 or what information your company is required to submit in the filing, you should contact your telecommunications counsel.
September ??, 2020
Annual Regulatory Fees - On a date not yet determined but certainly before September 30, 2020, annual regulatory fees will be due. These will be due and payable for Fiscal Year 2020 and will be based upon a licensee's/permittee's holdings on October 1, 2019, plus anything that might have been purchased since then and less anything that might have been sold since then. The fees must be paid through the FCC's online Fee Filer, and once again this year, the FCC will not accept checks as payment of the fees but will require some form of electronic payment (credit card, ACH transfer, wire transfer, and the like). Please keep in mind that timely payment is critical, as late payment results in a 25 percent penalty, plus potential additional interest charges.
November 1, 2020 (Due November 2, 2020 because Nov. 1 falls on a Sunday)
Quarterly Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet (FCC Form 499-Q) - FCC rules require telecommunications carriers and interconnected VoIP providers to file quarterly revenue statements reporting historical revenue for the prior quarter and projecting revenue for the next quarter. The projected revenue is used to calculate contributions to the Universal Service Fund (USF) for high cost, rural, insular and tribal areas as well as to support telecommunications services for schools, libraries, and rural health care providers. USF assessments are billed monthly.
November 14, 2020 (Due November 16, 2020 because Nov. 14 falls on a Saturday)
Quarterly Percentage of Interstate Usage (PIU) Reporting and Certification - Prepaid calling card providers (PCCPs) must report the percentage of interstate use factors and associated call volumes to carriers that provide them with transport services. Additionally, PCCPs must file traffic information and a certification signed by a company officer stating that the provider is in compliance with the FCC's PIU and USF reporting requirements.