[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 204 (Monday, October 24, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-26386]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 24, 1994]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

 

Public Information Collection Requirement Submitted to Office of 
Management and Budget for Review

October 18, 1994.
    The Federal Communications Commission has submitted the following 
information collection request to OMB for review and clearance under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, 44 U.S.C. Section 3507. Persons 
wishing to comment on this information collection should contact 
Timothy Fain, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10102, NEOB, 
Washington, D.C. 20503, (202) 385-3561. For further information, 
contact Judy Boley, Federal Communications Commission, (202) 418-2014.

    Please note: The Commission has requested expedited review of 
this collection by October 25, 1994, under the provisions of 5 CFR 
1320.18.

Title: Implementation of Section 309(j) of the Communications Act--
Competitive Bidding, Fifth Report and Order, PP Docket No. 93-253.
OMB Control Number: None.
Action: New Collections.
Respondents: Individuals, State or local governments, Non-profit 
institutions, Business or other for-profit, including small businesses.
Frequency of Response: On occasion.
Estimated Annual Burden: No. of Estimated Average Estimated Annual.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Hours per                  
                          Section/forms                             Respondents      response         Burden    
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 24.103..................................................            3356            2               6712
Section 24.204..................................................           11100             .50            5550
Section 24.709..................................................            3000             .50            1500
Section 24.709(c)(2)............................................            1000            2               2000
Section 24.714..................................................             200             .50             100
Section 24.714(b)...............................................             100             .50              50
Section 24.719..................................................             200            3                600
Section 24.806..................................................           12000            2              24000
Section 24.813..................................................           12000            1              12000
Section 24.813(f)...............................................             200            2.5              250
Section 24.815(j)\1\............................................            1000            1               1000
Section 24.819..................................................              50           20               1000
Section 24.825..................................................              10            3                 30
Section 24.828-24.829...........................................              40            2                 80
Section 24.830..................................................             100           20               2000
Section 24.839..................................................             100             .50              50
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Recordkeeping requirement.                                                                                   
Total Annual Burden: 56,922 Hours.                                                                              

    Needs and Uses: In the Fifth Report and Order in PP Docket No. 93-
253, the Commission has amended 47 CFR Part 24 to add new Subparts H 
and I. Subpart H contains the general rules and requirements governing 
the competitive bidding process for broadband PCS initial licenses. 
Subpart I contains the general rules and requirements for processing 
applications. Applicants are required to file certain information so 
that the Commission can determine whether the applicants are legally, 
technically and financially qualified to be licensed and to determine 
whether applicants claiming designated entity status are entitled to 
certain benefits. Affected public are any member of the public who 
wants to become or remain a licensee.
    The foregoing estimates include the time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. Send comments regarding the burden estimates 
or any other aspect of the collection of information, including 
suggestions for reducing the burden, to the Federal Communications 
Commission, Records Management Branch, Paperwork Reduction Project, 
Washington, D.C. 20554 and to the Office of Management and Budget 
Paperwork Reduction Project, Washington, D.C. 20503.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
    Section 24.204 is amended by replacing references to ``Section 
24.305'' and ``Section 24.307'' in paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2), 
respectively, with ``Sec. 24.705'' and ``Sec. 24.707''.

Subpart H--Competitive Bidding Procedures for Broadband PCS

Sec.
24.701  Broadband PCS subject to competitive bidding
24.702  Competitive bidding design for Broadband PCS licensing
24.703  Competitive bidding mechanisms
24.704  Withdrawal, default and disqualification penalties
24.705  Bidding application (FCC Form 175 and 175-S Short-Form)
24.706  Submission of upfront payments and down payments
24.707  Long-form applications
24.708  License grant, denial, default, and disqualification
24.709  Eligibility for licenses for frequency Blocks C and F
24.710  Limitation on licenses won at auction for frequency Blocks C 
and F
24.711  Installment payments for licenses for frequency Blocks C and 
F
24.712  Bidding credits for licenses for frequency Blocks C and F
24.713  Tax certificates
24.714  Eligibility for partitioned licenses
24.720  Definitions

Subpart H--Competitive Bidding Procedures for Broadband PCS

Section 24.701  Broadband PCS Subject to Competitive Bidding

    Mutually exclusive initial applications to provide broadband PCS 
service are subject to competitive bidding procedures. The general 
competitive bidding procedures found in 47 CFR Part 1, Subpart Q 
will apply unless otherwise provided in this part.

Section 24.702  Competitive Bidding Design for Broadband PCS 
Licensing

    (a) The Commission will employ the following competitive bidding 
designs when choosing from among mutually exclusive initial 
applications to provide broadband PCS service:
    (1) Simultaneous multiple round auctions
    (2) Sequential auctions
    (b) The Commission may design and test alternative procedures. 
The Commission will announce by Public Notice before each auction 
the competitive bidding design to be employed in a particular 
auction.
    (c) The Commission may use combinatorial bidding, which would 
allow bidders to submit all or nothing bids on combinations of 
licenses, in addition to bids on individual licenses. The Commission 
may require that to be declared the high bid, a combinatorial bid 
must exceed the sum of the individual bids by a specified amount or 
percentage. Combinatorial bidding may be used with any type of 
auction design.
    (d) The Commission may use single combined auctions, which 
combine bidding for two or more substitutable licenses and award 
licenses to the highest bidders until the available licenses are 
exhausted. This technique may be used in conjunction with any type 
of auction.

Section 24.703  Competitive Bidding Mechanisms

    (a) Sequencing. The Commission will establish and may vary the 
sequence in which broadband PCS licenses will be auctioned.
    (b) Grouping. In the event the Commission uses either a 
simultaneous multiple round competitive bidding design or 
combinatorial bidding, the Commission will determined which licenses 
will be auctioned simultaneous or in combination.
    (c) Reservation Price. The Commission may establish a 
reservation price, either disclosed or undisclosed, below which a 
license subject to auction will not be awarded.
    (d) Minimum Bid Increments. The Commission will, by announcement 
before or during an auction, require minimum bid increments in 
dollar or percentage terms.
    (e) Stopping Rules. The Commission will establish stopping rules 
before or during multiple round auctions in order to terminate an 
auction within a reasonable time.
    (f) Activity Rules. The Commission will establish activity rules 
which require a minimum amount of bidding activity. In the event 
that the Commission establishes an activity rule in connection with 
a simultaneous multiple round auction, each bidder will be entitled 
to request and will be automatically granted one waiver of such rule 
during each auction stage.
    (g) Suggested Minimum Bid. The Commission may establish 
suggested minimum bids on each license. Bids below the suggested 
minimum bid would count as activity under the activity rule only if 
no bids at or above the suggested minimum bid are received.

Section 24.704  Withdrawal, Default and Disqualification Penalties

    (a) When the Commission conducts a simultaneous multiple round 
auction pursuant to Sec. 24.702(a)(1), the Commission will impose 
penalties on bidders who withdraw high bids during the course of an 
auction, who default on payments due after an auction closes, or who 
are disqualified.
    (1) Bid withdrawal prior to close of auction. A bidder who 
withdraws a high bid during the course of an auction will be subject 
to a penalty equal to the difference between the amount bid and the 
amount of the winning bid the next time the license is offered by 
the Commission. No withdrawal penalty would be assessed if the 
subsequent winning bid exceeds the withdrawn bid. This penalty 
amount will be deducted from any upfront payments or down payments 
that the withdrawing bidder has deposited with the Commission.
    (2) Default or disqualification after close of auction. If a 
high bidder defaults or is disqualified after the close of such an 
auction, the defaulting bidder will be subject to the penalty in 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section plus an additional penalty equal to 
three (3) percent of the subsequent winning bid. If the subsequent 
winning bid exceeds the defaulting bidder's bid amount, the 3 
percent penalty will be calculated based on the defaulting bidder's 
bid amount. These amounts will be deducted from any upfront payments 
or down payments that the defaulting or disqualified bidder has 
deposited with the Commission.
    (b) When the Commission conducts sequential oral auctions 
pursuant to Sec. 24.702(a)(2), the Commission may modify the 
penalties set forth in subsection (a) above to be paid in the event 
of bid withdrawal, default or disqualification; provided, however, 
that such penalties shall not exceed the penalties specified above.
    (1) If a bid is withdrawn before the Commission has declared the 
bidding to be closed for the license bid on, no bid withdrawal 
penalty will be assessed.
    (2) If a bid is withdrawn after the Commission has declared the 
bidding to be closed for the license bid on, the penalty specified 
in paragraph (a)(2) of this section will apply.

Section 24.705  Bidding Application (FCC Form 175 and 175-S Short-
Form)

    All applicants to participate in competitive bidding for 
broadband PCS licenses must submit applications on FCC Forms 175 and 
175-S pursuant to the provisions of Secs. 1.2105 of the Chapter and 
24.813. The Commission will issue a Public Notice announcing the 
availability of broadband PCS licenses and, in the event that 
mutually exclusive applications are filed, the date of the auction 
for those licenses. This Public Notice also will specify the date on 
or before which applicants intending to participate in a boardband 
PCS auction must file their applications in order to be eligible for 
that auction, and it will contain information necessary for 
completion of the application as well as other important information 
such as the materials which must accompany the Forms, any filing fee 
that must accompany the application or any upfront payment that will 
need to be submitted, and the location where the application must be 
filed.

Section 24.706  Submission of Upfront Payments and Down Payments

    (a) Where the Commission uses simultaneous multiple round 
auctions or oral sequential auctions, bidders will be required to 
submit an upfront payment in accordance with Sec. 1.2106 of this 
Chapter and Sec. 24.711(a)(1).
    (b) Winning bidders in an auction must submit a down payment to 
the Commission in accordance with Sec. 1.2107(b) of this Chapter and 
Sec. 24.711(a)(2).

Section 24.707  Long-Form Applications

    Each winning bidder will be required to submit a long-form 
application on FCC Form 401, as modified, within ten (10) business 
days after being notified that it is the winning bidder. 
Applications on FCC Form 401 shall be submitted pursuant to the 
procedures set forth in Subpart I of this Part and Sec. 1.2107(c) 
and (d) of this Chapter and any associated Public Notice. Only 
auction winners (and applicants seeking partitioned licenses 
pursuant to agreements with auction winners under Sec. 24.714) will 
be eligible to file applications on FCC Form 401 for initial 
broadband PCS licenses in the event of mutual exclusivity between 
applicants filing Form 175. Winning bidders need not complete 
Schedule B to Form 401.

Section 24.708  License Grant, Denial, Default, and 
Disqualification

    (a) Except with respect to entities eligible for installment 
payments (see Sec. 24.711), each winning bidder will be required to 
pay the balance of its winning bid in a lump sum payment within five 
(5) business days following the award of the license. Grant of the 
license will be conditioned upon full and timely payment of the 
winning bid amount.
    (b) A bidder who withdraws its bid subsequent to the close of 
bidding, defaults on a payment due or is disqualified will be 
subject to the penalties specified in Sec. 1.2109 of this Chapter.

Section 24.709  Eligibility for Licenses for Frequency Blocks C and 
F

    (a) General Rule.
    (1) No application is acceptable for filing and no license shall 
be granted for frequency Block C or frequency Block F, unless the 
applicant, together with its affiliates and persons holding 
interests in the applicant and their affiliates, have gross revenues 
of less than $125 million in each of the last two calendar years and 
total assets of less than $500 million at the time the applicant's 
short-form (Form 175) application is filed.
    (2) No application is acceptable for filing and no license shall 
be granted for frequency Block C or frequency Block F, if, at the 
time the application is filed, the applicant (or person holding an 
interest in the applicant) is an individual and he or she (or 
affiliates) has $100 million or greater in personal net worth at the 
time the applicant's short-form (Form 175) application is filed.
    (3) Any licensee awarded a licensee pursuant to this section (or 
pursuant to Sec. 24.839(d)(2)) shall maintain its eligibility until 
at least five years from the date of initial license grant, except 
that increased gross revenues, increased total assets or personal 
net worth due to non-attributable equity investments (i.e. from 
sources whose revenues, total assets and personal net worth are not 
considered under paragraph (b)(4) of this section), debt financing, 
revenue from operations, business development or expanded service 
shall not be considered.
    (b) Attribution and Aggregation of Gross Revenues, Total Assets, 
and Personal Net Worth.
    (1) Except as specified in paragraphs (b)(3) and (4) of this 
section, the gross revenues and total assets of the applicant (or 
licensee) and its affiliates, and other persons that hold interests 
in the applicant (or licensee) and their affiliates shall be 
considered on a cumulative basis and aggregated for purposes of 
determining whether the applicant (or licensee) is eligible for a 
license for frequency Block C or frequency Block F under this 
section.
    (2) The personal net worth of individual applicants (or 
licensees) and other persons that hold interests in the applicant 
(or licensee), and their affiliates, if under the amount in 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section, shall not be considered for 
purposes of determining whether the applicant (or licensee) is 
eligible for a license for frequency Block C or frequency Block F 
under this section.
    (3) Where an applicant (or licensee) is a consortium of small 
businesses, the gross revenues and total assets of each small 
business shall not be aggregated.
    (4)(i) The gross revenues, total assets and personal net worth 
of a person that holds an interest in the applicant (or licensee) 
shall not be considered for purposes of determining financial 
eligibility so long as:
    (A) Such person holds no more than 25 percent of the applicant's 
(or licensee's) passive equity and is not a member of the 
applicant's (or licensee's) control group; and
    (B) The applicant (or licensee) has a control group that owns at 
least 25 percent of the applicant's (or licensee's) total equity 
and, if a corporation, holds at least 50.1 percent of the 
applicant's (or licensee's) voting interests.
    (ii) The gross revenues, total assets and personal net worth of 
a person that holds an interest in the applicant (or licensee) shall 
not be considered for purposes of determining financial eligibility 
so long as:
    (A) Such person holds no more than 49.9 percent of the 
applicant's (or licensee's) passive equity and is not a member of 
the applicant's (or licensee's) control group; and
    (B) The applicant (or licensee) has a control group that 
consists entirely of members of minority groups and/or women and 
that owns at least 50.1 percent of the applicant's (or licensee's) 
total equity and, if a corporation, at least 50.1 percent of the 
applicant's (or licensee's) voting interests.
    (iii) The gross revenues, total assets and personal net worth of 
a person that holds an interest in the applicant (or licensee) shall 
not be considered for purposes of determining financial eligibility 
so long as:
    (A) Such person owns no more than 25 percent of the applicant's 
(or licensee's) total equity, which shall include not more than 15 
percent of the voting stock;
    (B) The applicant (or licensee) is a publicly traded 
corporation; and
    (C) The applicant (or licensee) has an eligible control group 
that holds at least 50.1 percent of the voting stock, if a 
corporation, and at least 25 percent of the applicant's (or 
licensee's) equity.

    Note: Ownership interests shall be calculated on a fully diluted 
basis; all agreements such as warrants, stock options and 
convertible debentures will generally be treated as if the rights 
thereunder already have been fully exercised, except that the such 
agreements may not be used to appear to terminate or divest 
ownership interests before they actually do so.

    (c) Short-Form Application Certification; Long-Form Application 
Disclosure.
    (1) All applicants for a license for frequency Block C or 
frequency Block F shall certify on its short-form application (Form 
175) that they are eligible to bid on and obtain licenses in those 
blocks pursuant to this section.
    (2) In addition to the requirements in subpart I, all applicants 
that are winning bidders on frequency Blocks C and F shall, in an 
exhibit to their long-form applications--
    (i) Identify each member of the applicant's control group, 
regardless of the size of the member's total interest in the 
applicant, and each member's minority group or gender 
classification, if applicable;
    (ii) Disclose the gross revenues and total assets of the 
applicant and its affiliates, and other persons that hold interests 
in the applicant and their affiliates (including all members of the 
applicant's control group), unless exempted under paragraph (b)(4) 
of this section; and
    (iii) Certify that the personal net worth of the applicant (if 
an individual), each affiliate and each person that holds an 
interest in the applicant is less than $100 million.
    (d) Audits. Applicants and licensees claiming eligibility under 
this section shall be subject to random audits by the Commission.
    (3) Definitions. The terms affiliate, business owned by members 
of minority groups and women, consortium of small businesses, 
control group, gross revenues, members of minority groups, passive 
equity, personal net worth, publicly traded corporation, and total 
assets used in this section are defined in Sec. 24.720.

Section 24.710  Limitation on Licenses Won at Auction for Frequency 
Blocks C and F

    (a) No applicant may be deemed the winning bidder of more than 
98 of the licenses available for frequency Blocks C and F. Any 
applicant who is the high bidder for more than 98 of the licenses 
available for frequency Blocks C and F shall be required to withdraw 
its bid(s) for a sufficient number of licenses to achieve compliance 
with this section and may be subject to bid withdrawal penalties 
under Sec. 24.704.
    (b) For purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, licenses will 
be deemed to be won by the same bidder if an entity that controls or 
has the power to control any applicant that wins licenses at the 
auction, has the power to control any other applicant that wins 
licenses at the auction.

Section 24.711  Installment Payments for Licenses for Frequency 
Blocks C and F

    (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of this 
section, an applicant that has $75 million or less in gross revenues 
in each of the preceding two calendar years and that is a winning 
bidder for frequency Blocks C or F in a BTA market other than the 
fifty largest markets and any eligible applicant that is a winning 
bidder for frequency Blocks C or F in one of the fifty largest BTA 
markets, may pay the full amount of its winning bid in installments 
as follows:
    (1) Each eligible bidder shall pay an upfront payment of $0.015 
per MHz per pop for the maximum number of licenses (in terms of MHz-
pops) on which it intends to bid.
    (2) Each winning bidder shall make a down payment equal to ten 
percent of their winning bids; a winning bidder shall bring its 
total amount on deposit with the Commission (including upfront 
payment) to five percent of its winning bids within five business 
days after the auction closes and the remainder of the down payment 
(five percent) shall be paid within five business days after the 
application required by Sec. 24.809(b) is granted.
    (3) Each eligible licensee shall pay the remainder of its 
winning bids in installment payments with interest imposed based on 
the rate for ten-year U.S. Treasury obligations applicable on the 
date the license is granted, plus 2.5 percent; interest-only 
payments for the first year; and principal and interest payments 
amortized over the remaining nine years of the license.
    (4) For purposes of determining whether an applicant has $75 
million or less in gross revenues, gross revenues shall be 
attributed to the applicant and aggregated as provided in 
Sec. 24.709(b), except that Sec. 24.709(b)(4)(iii) shall not apply.
    (b) An applicant that qualifies as a business owned by members 
of minority groups and/or women may pay the full amount of its 
winning bid in installments in the same manner as in paragraphs 
(a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section, except that interest-only 
payments may be paid for the first three years and interest shall be 
paid at the rate for ten-year U.S. Treasury obligations applicable 
on the date the license is granted.
    (c) An applicant that qualifies as a small business or as a 
consortium of small businesses may pay the full amount of its 
winning bid in installments in the same manner as in paragraphs 
(a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section, except that interest-only 
payments may be paid for the first two years.
    (d) An applicant that qualifies as a small business owned by 
members of minority groups and/or women or as a consortium of small 
businesses owned by members of minority groups and/or women may pay 
the full amount of its winning bid in installments in the same 
manner as in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section, except 
that interest-only payments may be paid for the first five years and 
interest shall be paid at the rate for ten-year U.S. Treasury 
obligations applicable on the date the license is granted.
    (e) Unjust Enrichment.
    (1) If a licensee that utilizes installment financing under this 
section seeks to assign or transfer control of its license to an 
entity not meeting the eligibility standards for installment 
payments, the licensee must make full payment of the remaining 
unpaid principal and any unpaid interest accrued through the date of 
assignment or transfer as a condition of approval.
    (2) If a licensee that utilizes installment financing under this 
section seeks to make any change in ownership structure that would 
result in the licensee losing eligibility for installment payments, 
the licensee shall first seek Commission approval and must make full 
payment of the remaining unpaid principal and any unpaid interest 
accrued through the date of assignment or transfer as a condition of 
approval. Increases in gross revenues or total assets that result 
from equity investments that are not attributable to the licensee 
under Sec. 24.709(b)(4), revenues from operations, business 
development or expanded service shall not be considered changes in 
ownership structure under this paragraph.
    (3) If a licensee seeks to make any change in ownership that 
would result in the licensee qualifying for a less favorable 
installment plan under paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of this section, 
the licensee shall seek Commission approval and must adjust its 
payment plan to reflect its new eligibility status under paragraph 
(a), (b) or (c) of this section. A licensee may not switch its 
payment plan to a more favorable plan.

Section 24.712  Bidding Credits for Licenses for Frequency Blocks C 
and F

    (a) A winning bidder that qualifies as a small business or a 
consortium of small businesses may use a bidding credit of ten 
percent to lower the cost of its winning bid.
    (b) A winning bidder that qualifies as a business owned by 
members of minority groups and/or women may use a bidding credit of 
fifteen percent to lower the cost of its winning bid.
    (c) A winning bidder that qualifies as a small business owned by 
members of minority groups and/or women or a consortium of small 
business owned by members of minority groups and/or women may use a 
bidding credit of twenty-five percent to lower the cost of its 
winning bid.
    (d) Unjust Enrichment.
    (1) If a licensee that utilizes a bidding credit under this 
section seeks to assign or transfer control of its license to an 
entity not meeting the eligibility standards for bidding credits or 
seeks to make any other change in ownership that would result in the 
licensee no longer qualifying for bidding credits under this 
section, the licensee must seek Commission approval and reimburse 
the government for the amount of the bidding credit as a condition 
of the approval of such assignment, transfer or other ownership 
change.
    (2) If a licensee that utilizes a bidding credit under this 
section seeks to assign or transfer control of its license to an 
entity meeting the eligibility standards for lower bidding credits 
or seeks to make any other change in ownership that would result in 
the licensee qualifying for a lower bidding credit under this 
section, the licensee must seek Commission approval and reimburse 
the government for the difference between the amount of the bidding 
credit obtained by the licensee and the bidding credit for which the 
assignee, transferee or licensee is eligible under this section as a 
condition of the approval of such assignment, transfer or other 
ownership change.

Section 24.713  Tax Certificates

    (a) Any non-controlling initial investor in a business owned by 
members of minority groups and/or women and who provides ``start-
up'' financing, which allows such business to acquire a broadband 
PCS license(s), and any non-controlling investor who purchases an 
interest in a broadband PCS license held by a business owned by 
members of minority groups and/or women within the first year after 
license issuance, may, upon the sale of such investment or interest, 
request from the Commission a tax certificate.

    Note: For purposes of this subsection non-controlling investor 
means any person who is not part of the control group of a business 
owned by members of minority groups and/or women as defined in 
Sec. 24.720(k).

    (b) Any broadband PCS licensee who assigns or transfers control 
of its license to a business owned by members of minority groups 
and/or women may request that the Commission issue the licensee a 
tax certificate. Any licensee that obtains a broadband PCS license 
through the benefit of a tax certificate under this subsection shall 
not assign or transfer control of its license within one year of its 
license grant date, unless such assignee or transferee qualifies as 
a business owned by members of minority groups and/or women, which 
shall not assign or transfer control of the license within one year 
of the grant date of the assignment or transfer.
    (c) Any licensee in the Domestic Public Cellular Radio 
Telecommunications Service who assigns or transfers control of its 
cellular license(s) to a business owned by members of minority 
groups and/or women may request that the Commission issue the 
licensee a tax certificate. Such tax certificates will only be 
issued if the principal purpose of the assignment or transfer of 
control is to allow the cellular licensee to become eligible for a 
broadband PCS license(s) beyond the limitations imposed on the 
cellular licensee by Sec. 24.204. Any licensee that obtains a 
cellular license through the benefit of a tax certificate under this 
paragraph shall not assign or transfer control of its license within 
one year of its license grant date, unless such assignee or 
transferee qualifies as a business owned by members of minority 
groups and/or women, which shall not assign or transfer control of 
the license within one year of the grant date of the assignment or 
transfer.

Section 24.714  Eligibility for Partitioned Licenses

    (a) Notwithstanding Sec. 24.202, an applicant that is a rural 
telephone company, as defined in Sec. 24.720(e), may be granted a 
broadband PCS license that is geographically partitioned from a 
separately licensed MTA or BTA, so long as the MTA or BTA applicant 
or licensee has voluntarily agreed (in writing) to partition a 
portion of the license to the rural telephone company.
    (b) If partitioned licenses are being applied for in conjunction 
with a license(s) to be awarded through competitive bidding 
procedures--
    (1) The applicable procedures for filing short-form applications 
and for submitting upfront payments and down payments contained in 
this Part and Part 1 of this Chapter shall be followed by the 
applicant, who must disclose as part of its short-form application 
all parties to agreement(s) with or among rural telephone companies 
to partition the license pursuant to this section, if won at auction 
(see 47 CFR Sec. 1.2105(a)(2)(viii));
    (2) Each rural telephone company that is a party to an agreement 
to partition the license shall file a long-form application for its 
respective, mutually agreed-upon geographic area together with the 
application for the remainder of the MTA or BTA filed by the auction 
winner.
    (c) If the partitioned license is being applied for as a partial 
assignment of the MTA or BTA license following grant of the initial 
license, request for authorization for partial assignment of a 
license shall be made pursuant to Sec. 24.839.
    (d) Each application for a partitioned area (long-form initial 
application or partial assignment application) shall contain a 
partitioning plan that must propose to establish a partitioned area 
to be licensed that meets the following criteria:
    (1) Conforms to established geopolitical boundaries (such as 
county lines);
    (2) Includes the wireline service area of the rural telephone 
company applicant; and
    (3) Is reasonably related to the rural telephone company's 
wireline service area.

    Note: A partitioned service area will be presumed to be 
reasonably related to the rural telephone company's wireline service 
area if the partitioned service area contains no more than twice the 
population overlap between the rural telephone company's wireline 
service area and the partitioned area.

    (e) Each licensee in each partitioned area will be responsible 
for meeting the construction requirements in its area (see 
Sec. 24.203).

Section 24.720  Definitions

    (a) Scope. The definitions in this section apply to 
Secs. 24.709-24.715, unless otherwise specified in those sections.
    (b) Small Business; Consortium of Small Businesses.
    (1) A small business is an entity that--
    (i) Together with its affiliates has average annual gross 
revenues that are not more than $40 million for the proceeding three 
calendar years;
    (ii) Has no attributable investor or affiliate that has a 
personal net worth of $40 million or more;
    (iii) Has a control group all of whose members and affiliates 
are considered in determining whether the entity meets the $40 
million annual gross revenues and personal net worth standards; and
    (iv) Such control group holds 50.1 percent of the entity's 
voting interest, if a corporation, and at least 25 percent of the 
entity's equity on a fully diluted basis, except that a business 
owned by members of minority groups and/or women (as defined in 
paragraph(c) of this section) may also qualify as a small business 
if a control group that is 100 percent composed of members of 
minority groups and/or women holds 50.1 percent of the entity's 
voting interests, if a corporation, and 50.1 percent of the entity's 
total equity on a fully diluted basis and no single other investor 
holds more than 49.9 percent of passive equity in the entity. 
Ownership interests shall be calculated on a fully diluted basis; 
all agreements such as warrants, stock options and convertible 
debentures will generally be treated as if the rights thereunder 
already have been fully exercised, except that the such agreements 
may not be used to appear to terminate or divest ownership interests 
before they actually do so.
    (2) For purposes of determining whether an entity meets the $40 
million gross revenues and $40 million personal net worth standards 
in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, gross revenues and personal net 
worth shall be attributed to the entity and aggregated as provided 
in Sec. 24.709(b), except that Sec. 24.709(b)(4)(iii) shall not 
apply.
    (3) A small business consortium is a conglomerate organization 
formed as a joint venture between mutually-independent business 
firms, each of which individually satisfies the definition of a 
small business in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
    (c) Business Owned by Members of Minority Groups and/or Women. A 
business owned by members of minority groups and/or women is an 
entity:
    (1) That has a control group composed 100 percent of members of 
minority groups and/or women who are United States Citizens, and
    (2) Such control group owns and holds 50.1 percent of the voting 
interests, if a corporation, and
    (i) Owns and holds 50.1 percent of the total equity in the 
entity, provided that all other investors hold passive interests; or
    (ii) Holds 25 percent of the total equity in the entity, 
provided that no single other investor holds more than 25 percent 
passive equity interests in the entity. Ownership interests shall be 
calculated on a fully diluted basis; all agreements such as 
warrants, stock options and convertible debentures will generally be 
treated as if the rights thereunder already have been fully 
exercised, except that the such agreements may not be used to appear 
to terminate or divest ownership interests before they actually do 
so.
    (d) Small Business Owned by Members of Minority Groups and/or 
Women; Consortium of Small Businesses Owned by Members of Minority 
Groups and/or Women. A small business owned by members of minority 
groups and/or women is an entity that meets the definitions in both 
paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section. A consortium of small 
businesses owned by members of minority groups and/or women is a 
conglomerate organization formed as a joint venture between 
mutually-independent business firms, each of which individually 
satisfies the definition of a small business in paragraphs (b)(1) 
and (c) of this section.
    (e) Rural Telephone Company. A rural telephone company is a 
local exchange carrier having 100,000 or fewer access lines, 
including all affiliates.
    (f) Gross Revenues. Gross revenues shall mean all income 
received by an entity, whether earned or passive, before any 
deductions are made for costs of doing business (e.g., cost of goods 
sold), as evidenced by audited quarterly financial statements for 
the relevant period.
    (g) Total Assets. Total assets shall mean the book value (except 
where generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) require market 
valuation) of all property owned by an entity, whether real or 
personal, tangible or intangible, as evidenced by the most recent 
audited quarterly financial statements.
    (h) Personal Net Worth. Personal net worth shall mean the market 
value of all assets (real and personal, tangible and intangible) 
owned by an individual, less all liabilities (including personal 
guarantees) owed by the individual in his individual capacity or as 
a joint obligor.
    (i) Members of Minority Groups. Members of minority groups 
includes individuals of African American, Hispanic-surnamed, 
American Eskimo, Aleut, American Indian and Asian American 
extraction.
    (j) Passive Equity. Passive equity shall mean:
    (1) For corporations, non-voting stock or stock that includes no 
more than five percent of the voting equity;
    (2) For partnerships, joint ventures and other non-corporate 
entities, limited partnership interests and similar interests that 
do not afford the power to exercise control of the entity.
    (k) Control Group. A control group is an entity, or a group of 
individuals or entities that possesses de jure control and de facto 
control of an applicant or licensee, and as to which the applicant's 
or licensee's charters, bylaws, agreements and any other relevant 
documents (and amendments thereto) provide:
    (1) That the entity and/or its members own unconditionally at 
least 50.1 percent of the total voting interests of a corporation;
    (2) That the entity and/or its members receive at least 50.1 
percent of the annual distribution of any dividends paid on the 
voting stock of a corporation;
    (3) That, in the event of dissolution or liquidation of a 
corporation, the entity and/or its members are entitled to receive 
100 percent of the value of each share of stock in its possession 
and a percentage of the retained earnings of the concern that is 
equivalent to the amount of equity held in the corporation; and
    (4) That the entity and/or its members have the right to receive 
dividends, profits and regular and liquidating distributions from 
the business in proportion to its interest in the total equity of 
the applicant or licensee.

    Note: Voting control does not always assure de facto control, 
such as, for example, when the voting stock of the control group is 
widely dispersed (see, e.g., Sec. 24.270(l)(2)(iii)).

    (l) Affiliate. (1) An individual or entity is an affiliate of:
    (i) An applicant; or
    (ii) A person holding an attributable interest in an applicant 
under Sec. 24.709 (both referred to herein as ``the applicant'') if 
such individual or entity--
    (A) Directly or indirectly controls or has the power to control 
the applicant, or
    (B) Is directly or indirectly controlled by the applicant, or
    (C) Is directly or indirectly controlled by a third party or 
parties that also controls or has the power to control the 
applicant, or
    (D) Has an ``identity of interest'' with the applicant.
    (2) Nature of control in determining affiliation.
    (i) Every business concern is considered to have one or more 
parties who directly or indirectly control or have the power to 
control it. Control may be affirmative or negative and it is 
immaterial whether it is exercised so long as the power to control 
exists.

    Example. An applicant owning 50 percent of the voting stock of 
another concern would have negative power to control such concern 
since such party can block any action of the other stockholders. 
Also, the bylaws of a corporation may permit a stockholder with less 
than 50 percent of the voting stock to block any actions taken by 
the other stockholders in the other entity. Affiliation exists when 
the applicant has the power to control a concern while at the same 
time another person, or persons, are in control of the concern at 
the will of the party or parties with the power to control.

    (ii) Control can arise through stock ownership; occupancy of 
director, officer or key employee positions; contractual or other 
business relations; or combinations of these and other factors. A 
key employee is an employee who, because of his/her position in the 
concern, has a critical influence in or substantive control over the 
operations or management of the concern.
    (iii) Control can arise through management positions where a 
concern's voting stock is so widely distributed that no effective 
control can be established.

    Example. In a corporation where the officers and directors own 
various size blocks of stock totaling 40 percent of the 
corporation's voting stock, but no officer or director has a block 
sufficent to give him or her control or the power to control and the 
remaining 60 percent is widely distributed with no individual 
stockholder having a stock interest greater than 10 percent, 
management has the power to control. If persons with such management 
control of the other entity are persons with attributable interests 
in the applicant, the other entity will be deemed an affiliate of 
the applicant.

    (3) Identity of interest between and among persons. Affilation can 
arise between or among two or more persons with an identity of 
interests, such as members of the same family or persons with common 
investments. In determining if the applicant controls or has the power 
to control a concern, persons with an identity of interest will be 
treated as though they were one person.

    Example. Two shareholders in Corporation Y each have 
attributable interests in the same PCS application. While neither 
shareholder has enough shares to individually control Coporation Y, 
together they have the power to control Corporation Y. The two 
shareholders with these common investments (or identity in interest) 
are treated as though they are one person and Coporation Y would be 
deemed an affiliate of the applicant.

    (i) Spousal Affliation. Both spounses are deemed to own or 
control or have the power to control interests owned or controlled 
by either of them, unless they are subject to a legal separation 
recognized by a court of competent jurisdiction in the United 
States. In calculating their net worth, investors who are legally 
separated must include their share of interests in property held 
jointly with a spouse.
    (ii) Kinship Affiliation. Immediate family members will be 
presumed to own or control or have the power to control interests 
owned or controlled by other immediate family members. In this 
context ``immediate family member'' means father, mother, husband, 
wife, son, daughter, brother, sister, father- or mother-in-law, son- 
or daughter-in-law, brother- or sister-in-law, step-father or -
mother, step-brother or -sister, step-son or -daughter, half brother 
or sister. This presumption may be rebutted by showing that
    (A) The family members are estranged,
    (B) The family ties are remote, or
    (C) The family members are not closely involved with each other 
in business matters.

    Example: A owns a controlling interest n Corporation X. A's 
sister-in-law, B, has an attributable interestin a PCS application. 
Because A and B have a presumptive kinship affiliation, A's interest 
in Corporation X is attributable to B, and thus to the applicant, 
unless B rebuts the presumption with the necessary showing

    (4) Affiliation through stock ownership.
    (i) An applicant is presumed to control or have the power to 
control a concern if he or she owns or controls or has the power to 
control 50 percent or more of its voting stock.
    (ii) An applicant is presumed to control or have the power to 
control a concern even though he or she owns, controls or has the 
power to control less than 50 percent of the concern's voting stock, 
if the block of stock he or she owns, controls or has the power to 
control is large as compared with any other oustnding block of 
stock.
    (iii) If two or more persons each owns, controls or has the 
power to control less than 50 percent of the voting stock of a 
concern, such minority holdings are equal or approximately equal in 
size, and the aggregate of these minority holdings is large as 
compared with any other stock holding, the presumption arises that 
each one of these persons individually controls or has the power to 
control the concern; however, such presumption may be rebutted by a 
showing that such control or power to control, in fact, does not 
exist.
    (5) Affilation arising under stock options, convertible 
debentures, and agreement to merge. Stock, options, convertible 
debentures, and agreements to merge (including agreements in 
principle) are generally considered to have a present effect on the 
power to control the concern. Therefore, in making a size 
determination, such options, debentures, and agreements are 
generally treated as though the rights held thereunder had been 
exercised. However, an affilate cannot use such options and 
debentures to appear to terminate its control over another concern 
before it actually does so.

    Example 1. If company B holds an option to purchase a 
controlling interest in company A, who holds an attributable 
interest in a PCS application, the situation is treated as though 
company B had exercised its rights and had become owner of a 
controlling interest in company A. The gross revenues of company B 
must be taken into account in determining the size of the applicant.

    Example 2. If a large company, BigCo, holds 70% (70 of 100 
outstanding shares) of the voting stock of company A, who holds an 
attributable interest in a PCS application, and gives a third party, 
SmallCo, an option to purchase 50 of the 70 shares owned by BigCo, 
BigCo will be deemed to be an affilate of company A, and thus the 
applicant, until SmallCo actually exercises its option to purchase 
such shares. In order to prevent BigCo from circumventing the intent 
of the rule which requires such options to be considered on a fully 
diluted basis, the option is not considered to have present effect 
in this case.

    Example 3. If company A has entered into an agreement to merge 
with company B in the future, the situation is treated as though the 
merger has taken place.
    (6) Affiliation under voting trusts.
    (i) Stock interests held in trust shall be deemed controlled by 
any person who holds or shares the power to vote such stock, to any 
person who has the sole power to sell such stock, and to any person 
who has the right to revoke the trust at will or to replace the 
trustee at will.
    (ii) If a trustee has a familial, personal or extra-trust 
business relationship to the grantor or the beneficiary, the stock 
interests held in trust will be deemed controlled by the grantor or 
beneficiary, as appropriate.
    (iii) If the primary purpose of a voting trust, or similar 
agreement, is to separate voting power from beneficial ownership of 
voting stock for the purpose of shifting control of or the power to 
control a concern in order that such concern or another concern may 
meet the Commission's size standards, such voting trust shall not be 
considered valid for this purpose regardless of whether it is or is 
not recognized within the appropriate jurisdiction.
    (7) Affiliation through common management. Affiliation generally 
arises where officers, directors, or key employees serve as the 
majority or otherwise as the controlling element of the board of 
directors and/or the management of another entity.
    (8) Affiliation through common facilities. Affiliation generally 
arises where one concern shares office space and/or employees and/or 
other facilities with another concern, particularly where such 
concerns are in the same or related industry or field of operations, 
or where such concerns were formerly affiliated, and through these 
sharing arrangements one concern has control, or potential control, 
of the other concern.
    (9) Affiliation through contractual relationships. Affiliation 
generally arises where once concern is dependent upon another 
concern for contracts and business to such a degree that one concern 
has control, or potential control, of the other concern.
    (10) Affiliation under joint venture arrangements.
    (i) A joint venture for size determination purposes is an 
association of concerns and/or individuals, with interests in any 
degree or proportion, formed by contract, express or implied, to 
engage in and carry out a single, specific business venture for 
joint profit for which purpose they combine their efforts, property, 
money, skill and knowledge, but not on a continuing or permanent 
basis for conducting business generally. The determination whether 
an entity is a joint venture is based upon the facts of the business 
operation, regardless of how the business operation may be 
designated by the parties involved. An agreement to share profits/
losses proportionate to each party's contribution to the business 
operation is a significant factor in determining whether the 
business operation is a joint venture.
    (ii) The parties to a joint venture are considered to be 
affiliated with each other.
    (m) Publicly Traded Corporation. A publicly traded corporation 
is a business entity organized under the laws of the United States 
whose shares, debt or other ownership interests are traded on an 
organized securities exchange within the United States.

Subpart I--Interim Application, Licensing, and Processing Rules for 
Broadband PCS

Sec.
24.801  [Reserved]
24.802  [Reserved]
24.803  Authorization required
24.804  Eligibility
24.805  Formal and informal applications
24.806  Filing of broadband PCS applications; Fees; Number of copies
24.807  [Reserved]
24.808  [Reserved]
24.809  Standard application forms and permissive changes or minor 
modifications for the broadband Personal Communications Services
24.810  [Reserved]
24.811  Miscellaneous forms
24.812  [Reserved]
24.813  General application requirements
24.814  [Reserved]
24.815  Technical content of applications; maintenance of list of 
station locations
24.816  Station antenna structures
24.817  [Reserved]
24.818  [Reserved]
24.819  Waiver of rules
24.820  Defective applications
24.821  Inconsisent or conflicting applications
24.822  Amendment of application to participate in auction for 
licenses in the broadband Personal Communications Services filed on 
FCC Form 175
24.823  Amendment of applications for licenses in the broadband 
Personal Communications Services (other than applications filed on 
FCC Form 175)
24.824  [Reserved]
24.825  Application for temporary authorizations
24.826  Receipt of application; applications in the broadband 
Personal Communications Services filed on FCC Form 175 and other 
applications in the broadband Personal Communications Services
24.827  Public notice period
24.828  Dismissal and return of applications
24.829  Ownership changes and agreements to amend or to dismiss 
applications or pleadings
24.830  Opposition to applications
24.831  Mutually exclusive applications
24.832  Consideration of applications
24.833  [Reserved]
24.834  [Reserved]
24.835  [Reserved]
24.836  [Reserved]
24.837  [Reserved]
24.838  [Reserved]
24.839  Transfer of control or assignment of license
24.840  [Reserved]
24.841  [Reserved]
24.842  [Reserved]
24.843  Extension of time to complete construction
24.844  Termination of authorization

Subpart I--Interim Application, Licensing, and Processing Rules for 
Broadband PCS

Section 24.801  [Reserved]

Section 24.802  [Reserved]

Section 24.803  Authorization Required

    No person shall use or operate any device for the transmission 
of energy or communications by radio in the services authorized by 
this part except as provided in this part.

Section 24.804  Eligibility

    (a) General. Authorizations will be granted upon proper 
application if:
    (1) The applicant is qualified under all applicable laws and 
Commission regulations, policies and decisions;
    (2) There are frequencies available to provide satisfactory 
service; and
    (3) The public interest, convenience or necessity would be 
served by a grant.
    (b) Alien ownership. A broadband PCS authorization to provide 
Commercial Mobile Radio Service may not be granted to or held by:
    (1) Any alien or the representative of any alien.
    (2) Any corporation organized under the laws of any foreign 
government.
    (3) Any corporation of which any officer or director is an alien 
or of which more than one-fifth of the capital stock is owned of 
record or voted by aliens or their representatives or by a foreign 
government or representative thereof or any corporation organized 
under the laws of a foreign country.
    (4) Any corporation directly or indirectly controlled by any 
other corporation of which any officer or more than one-fourth of 
the directors are aliens, or of which more than one-fourth of the 
capital stock is owned of record or voted by aliens, their 
representatives, or by a foreign government or representative 
thereof, or by any corporation organized under the laws of a foreign 
country, if the Commission finds that the public interest will be 
served by the refusal or revocation of such license.
    (c) A broadband PCS authorization to provide Private Mobile 
Radio Service may not be granted to or held by a foreign government 
or a representative thereof.

Section 24.805  Formal and Informal Applications

    (a) Except for an authorization under any of the conditions 
stated in Section 308(a) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 
U.S.C. Sec. 308(a)), the Commission may grant the following 
authorizations only upon written application received by it: station 
licenses; modifications of licenses; renewals of licenses; transfers 
and assignments of station licenses, or any right thereunder.
    (b) Except as may be otherwise permitted by this part, a 
separate written application shall be filed for each instrument of 
authorization requested. Applications may be:
    (1) ``Formal applications'' where the Commission has prescribed 
in this Part a standard form; or
    (2) ``Informal applications'' (normally in letter form) where 
the Commission has not prescribed a standard form.
    (c) An informal application will be accepted for filing only if:
    (1) A standard form is not prescribed or clearly applicable to 
the authorization requested;
    (2) It is a document submitted, in duplicate, with a caption 
which indicates clearly the nature of the request, radio service 
involved, location of the station, and the application file number 
(if known); and
    (3) It contains all the technical details and informational 
showings required by the rules and states clearly and completely the 
facts involved and authorization desired.

Section 24.806  Filing of Broadband PCS Applications; Fees; Number 
of Copies

    (a) As prescribed by Secs. 24.705, 24.707 and 24.809, standard 
formal application forms applicable to broadband PCS may be obtained 
from either:
    (1) Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC 20554; or
    (2) By calling the Commission's Forms Distribution Center, (202) 
632-3676.
    (b) Applications to participate in competitive bidding for 
broadband PCS service must be filed on FCC Form 175 in accordance 
with the rules in Sec. 24.705 and Part 1, Subpart Q of this Chapter. 
In the event of mutual exclusivity between applicants filing FCC 
Form 175, only auction winners will be eligible to file subsequent 
long-form applications on FCC Form 401 to provide broadband PCS 
service. Mutually exclusive applications filed on FCC Form 175 are 
subject to competitive bidding under those rules. Broadband PCS 
applicants filing FCC Form 401 need not complete Schedule B.
    (c) All applications for broadband PCS licenses (other than 
applications to participate in competitive bidding filed on FCC Form 
175) shall be submitted for filing to: Federal Communications 
Commission, Washington, DC 20554, Attention: Broadband PCS 
Processing Section.
    Applications requiring fees as set forth at Part 1, Subpart G of 
this chapter must be filed in accordance with Sec. 0.401(b) of this 
Chapter.
    (d) All correspondence or amendments concerning a submitted 
application shall clearly identify the name of the applicant, 
applicant identification number or Commission file number (if known) 
or station call sign of the application involved, and may be sent 
directly to the Common Carrier Bureau, Broadband PCS Processing 
Section.
    (e) Except as otherwise specified, all applications, amendments, 
correspondence, pleadings and forms (including FCC Form 175) shall 
be submitted on one original paper copy and with three microfiche 
copies, including exhibits and attachments thereto, and shall be 
signed as prescribed by Sec. 1.743 of this Chapter. Filings of five 
pages or less are exempt from the requirement to submit on 
microfiche, as are emergency filings such as letters requesting 
special temporary authority. Those filing any amendments, 
correspondence, pleadings and forms must simultaneously submit the 
original hard copy which must be stamped ``original''. Abbreviations 
may be used if they are easily understood. In addition to the 
original hard copy, those filing pleadings, including pleadings 
under Sec. 1.2108 of this Chapter, shall also submit two paper 
copies as provided in Sec. 1.51 of this Chapter.
    (1) Microfiche copies. Each microfiche copy must be a copy of 
the signed original. Each microfiche copy shall be a 148mm X 105mm 
negative (clear transparent characters appearing on an opaque 
background) at 24X to 27X reduction for microfiche or microfiche 
jackets. One of the microfiche sets must be a silver halide camera 
master or a copy made on silver halide film such as Kodak Direct 
Duplicatory Film. The microfiche must be placed in paper microfiche 
envelopes and submitted in a B6 (125mm x 176mm) or 5 x 7.5 inch 
envelope. All applicants must leave Row ``A'' (the first row for 
page images) of the first fiche blank for in-house identification 
purposes. Each microfiche copy of pleadings shall include:
    (i) The month and year of the document;
    (ii) The name of the document;
    (iii) The name of the filing party;
    (iv) The file number, applicant identification number, and call 
sign, if assigned;
    (v) The identification number and date of the Public Notice 
announcing the auction in response to which the application was 
filed (if applicable).
    (2) All applications and all amendments must have the following 
information printed the mailing envelope, the microfiche envelope, 
and on the title area at the top of the microfiche:
    (i) The name of the applicant;
    (ii) The type of application (e.g., 30 MHz MTA, 30 MHz BTA, 10 
MHz BTA);
    (iii) The month and year of the document;
    (iv) The name of the document;
    (v) The file number, applicant identification number, and call 
sign, if assigned; and
    (vi) The identification number and date of the Public Notice 
announcing the auction in response to which the application was 
filed (if applicable).

Section 24.807  [Reserved]

Section 24.808  [Reserved]

Section 24.809  Standard Application Forms and Permissive Changes 
or Minor Modifications for the Broadband Personal Communications 
Services

    (a) Applicants to participate in competitive bidding for 
broadband PCS licenses must be filed on FCC Forms 175 and 175-S.
    (b) Subsequent application by auction winners or non-mutually 
exclusive applicants for broadband PCS licenses under Part 24. FCC 
Form 401 (``Application for New or Modified Common Carrier Radio 
Station Under Part 22'') shall be submitted by each auction winner 
for each broadband PCS license applied for on FCC Form 175. In the 
event that mutual exclusivity does not exist with respect to a 
license identified on an applicant's FCC Form 175, the Commission 
will so inform the applicant and the applicant will also file FCC 
Form 401. Blanket licenses are granted for each market frequency 
block. Applications for individual sites are not needed and will not 
be accepted. See Sec. 24.11. Broadband PCS applicants filing FCC 
Form 401 need not complete Schedule B.
    (c) Extensions of time and reinstatement. When a licensee cannot 
complete construction in accordance with the provisions of 
Sec. 24.203, a timely application for extension of time (FCC Form 
489) must be filed.
    (d) License for mobile subscriber station--These stations are 
considered to be associated with and covered by the authorization 
issued to the carrier serving the land mobile station. No additional 
authorization is required.

Section 24.810  [Reserved]

Section 24.811  Miscellaneous Forms

    (a) Licensee qualifications. FCC Form 430 (``Common Carrier and 
Satellite Radio Licensee Qualifications Report'') shall be filed by 
broadband Personal Communications Service licensees only as required 
by Form 490 (Application for Assignment or Transfer of Control Under 
Part 22).
    (b) Renewal of station license. Except for renewal of special 
temporary authorizations, FCC Form 405 (``Application for Renewal of 
Station License'') must be filed in duplicate by the licensee 
between thirty (30) and sixty (60) days prior to the expiration date 
of the license sought to be renewed.

Section 24.812  [Reserved]

Section 24.813  General Application Requirements

    (a) Each application (including applications filed on Forms 175 
and 401) for a broadband PCS license or for consent to assign or 
transfer control of a broadband PCS license shall disclose fully the 
real party or parties in interest and must include in an exhibit the 
following information:
    (1) A list of any business five percent or more of whose stock, 
warrants, options or debt securities are owned by the applicant or 
an officer, director, stockholder or key management personnel of the 
applicant. This list must include a description of each such 
business principal business and a description of each such business' 
relationship to the applicant.
    (2) A list of any party which holds a five percent or more 
interest in the applicant, or any entity in which a five percent or 
more interest is held by another party which holds a five percent or 
more interest in the applicant (e.g., If Company A owns 5% of 
Company B (the applicant) and 5% of Company C, then Companies A and 
C must be listed on Company B's application).
    (3) A list of the names, addresses, citizenship and principal 
business of any person holding five percent or more of each class of 
stock, warrants, options or debt securities together with the amount 
and percent held, and the name, address, citizenship and principal 
place of business of any person on whose account, if other than the 
holder, such interest is held. If any of these persons are related 
by blood or marriage, include such relationship in the statement.
    (4) In the case of partnerships, the name and address of each 
partner, each partner's citizenship and the share or interest 
participation in the partnership. This information must be provided 
for all partners, regardless of their respective ownership interests 
in the partnership. A signed and dated copy of the partnership 
agreement must be included in the application.
    (b) Each application for a broadband PCS license must;
    (1) Submit the information required by the Commission's Rules, 
requests and application forms;
    (2) Be maintained by the applicant substantially accurate and 
complete in all significant respects in accordance with the 
provisions of Sec. 1.65 of this chapter;
    (3) Show compliance with and make all special showings that may 
be applicable;
    (c) Where documents, exhibits, or other lengthy showings already 
on file with the Commission contain information which is required by 
an application form, the application may specifically refer to such 
information, if:
    (1) The information previously filed is over one A4 (21 cm  x  
29.7 cm) or 8.5  x  11 inch (21.6 cm  x  27.9 cm) page in length, 
and all information referenced therein is current and accurate in 
all significant respects under Sec. 1.65 of this chapter; and
    (2) The reference states specifically where the previously filed 
information can actually be found, including mention of:
    (i) The station call sign or application file number whenever 
the reference is to station files or previously filed applications; 
and
    (ii) The title of the proceeding, the docket number, and any 
legal citations, whenever the reference is to a docketed proceeding.

However, questions on an application form which call for specific 
technical data, or which can be answered by a ``yes'' or ``no'' or 
other short answer shall be answered as appropriate and shall not be 
cross-referenced to a previous filing.
    (d) In addition to the general application requirements of 
Subpart F and Secs. 1.2105 of this Chapter, 24.813 and 24.815, 
applicants shall submit any additional documents, exhibits, or 
signed written statements of fact:
    (1) As may be required by these rules; and
    (2) As the Commission, at any time after the filing of an 
application and during the term of any authorization, may require 
from any applicant, permittee or licensee to enable it to determine 
whether a radio authorization should be granted, denied or revoked.
    (e) Except when the Commission has declared explicitly to the 
contrary, an informational requirement does not in itself imply the 
processing treatment of decisional weight to be accorded the 
response.
    (f) All applicants (except applicants filing FCC Form 175) are 
required to indicate at the time their application is filed whether 
or not a Commission grant of the application may have a significant 
environmental impact as defined by Sec. 1.1307 of this Chapter. If 
answered affirmatively, the requisite environmental assessment as 
prescribed in Sec. 1.1311 of this Chapter must be filed with the 
application and Commission environmental review must be completed 
prior to construction. See Sec. 1.1312 of this chapter. All 
broadband PCS licensees are subject to a continuing obligation to 
determine whether subsequent construction may have a significant 
environmental impact prior to undertaking such construction and to 
otherwise comply with Sec. 1.1301 through 1.1319 of this Chapter. 
See Sec. 1.1312 of this Chapter.

Section 24.814  [Reserved]

Section 24.815  Technical Content of Applications; Maintenance of 
List of Station Locations

    (a) All applications required by this part shall contain all 
technical information required by the application forms or 
associated Public Notice(s). Applications other than initial 
applications for a broadband PCS license must also comply with all 
technical requirements of the rules governing the broadband PCS (see 
Subparts C and E of this Part as appropriate). The following 
paragraphs describe a number of general technical requirements.
    (b) Each application (except applications for initial licenses 
filed on Form 175) for a license for broadband PCS must comply with 
the provisions of Secs. 24.229-24.238 of the Commission's Rules.
    (c)-(i) [Reserved]
    (j) The location of the transmitting antenna shall be considered 
to be the station location. Broadband PCS licensees must maintain a 
current list of all station locations, which must describe the 
transmitting antenna site by its geographical coordinates and also 
by conventional reference to street number, landmark, or the 
equivalent. All such coordinates shall be specified in terms of 
degrees, minutes, and seconds to the nearest second of latitude and 
longitude.

Section 24.816  Station Antenna Structures

    (a) Unless the broadband PCS licensee has received prior 
approval from the FCC, no antenna structure, including radiating 
elements, tower, supports and all appurtenances, may be higher than 
61 m (200 feet) above ground level at its site.
    (b) Unless the broadband PCS licensee has received prior 
approval from the FCC, no antenna structure that is located either 
at an airport or heliport that is available for public use and is 
listed in the Airport Directory of the current Airman's Information 
Manual or in either the Alaska or Pacific Airman's Guide and Chart 
Supplement, at an airport or heliport under construction that is the 
subject of a notice or proposal on file with the FAA and, except for 
military airports, it is clearly indicated that the airport will be 
available for public use, or at an airport or heliport that is 
operated by the armed forces of the United States, or at a place 
near any of these airports of heliports, may be higher than:
    (1) 1 m above the airport elevation for each 100 m from the 
airport runway longer than 1 km within 6.1 km of the antenna 
structure.
    (2) 2 m above the airport elevation for each 100 m from the 
nearest runway shorter than 1 km within 3.1 km of the antenna 
structure.
    (3) 4 m above the airport elevation for each 100 m from the 
nearest landing pad within 1.5 km of the antenna structure.
    (c) A broadband PCS station antenna structure no higher than 6.1 
m (20 feet) above ground level at its site or no higher than 6.1 m 
above any natural object or existing manmade structure, other than 
an antenna structure, is exempt from the requirements of paragraphs 
(a) and (b) of this section.
    (d) Further details as to whether an aeronautical study and/or 
obstruction marking and lighting may be required, and specifications 
for obstruction marking and lighting, are contained in Part 17 of 
the FCC Rules, Construction, Marking and Lighting of Antenna 
Structures. To request approval to place an antenna structure higher 
than the limits specified in paragraph (a), (b), and (c) of this 
section, the licensee must notify the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) on FAA From 7460-1 and the FCC on FCC Form 854.

Sections 24.817-24.818  [Reserved]

Section 24.819  Waiver of Rules

    (a) Requests for waiver.
    (1) A waiver of these rules may be granted upon application or 
by the Commission on its own motion. Requests for waivers shall 
contain a statement of reasons sufficient to justify a waiver. 
Waivers will not be granted except upon an affirmative showing:
    (i) That the underlying purpose of the rule will not be served, 
or would be frustrated, by its application in a particular case, and 
that grant of the waiver is otherwise in the public interest; or
    (ii) That the unique facts and circumstances of a particular 
case render application of the rule inequitable, unduly burdensome 
or otherwise contrary to the public interest. Applicants must also 
show the lack of a reasonable alternative.
    (2) If the information necessary to support a waiver request is 
already on file, the applicant may cross-reference to the specific 
filing where it may be found.
    (b) Denial of waiver, alternate showing required. If a waiver is 
not granted, the application will be dismissed as defective unless 
the applicant has also provided an alternative proposal which 
complies with the Commission's rules (including any required 
showings).

Section 24.820  Defective Applications

    (a) Unless the Commission shall otherwise permit, an application 
will be unacceptable for filing and will be returned to the 
applicant with a brief statement as to the omissions or 
discrepancies if:
    (1) The application is defective with respect to completeness of 
answers to questions, informational showings, execution or other 
matters of a formal character; or
    (2) The application does not comply with the Commission's rules, 
regulations, specific requirements for additional information or 
other requirements. See also Sec. 1.2105 of this Chapter.
    (b) Some examples of common deficiencies which result in 
defective applications under paragraph (a) of this section are:
    (1) The application is not filled out completely and signed;
    (2)-(4) [Reserved]
    (5) The application (other an application filed on FCC Form 175) 
does not include an environmental assessment as required for an 
action that may have a significant impact upon the environment, as 
defined in Sec. 1.1307 of this chapter.
    (6) [Reserved]
    (7) The application is filed prior to the Public Notice issued 
under Sec. 24.705, announcing the application filing date for the 
relevant auction or after the cutoff date prescribed in that Public 
Notice.
    (c) [Reserved]
    (d) If an applicant is requested by the Commission to file any 
documents or any supplementary or explanatory information not 
specifically required in the prescribed application form, a failure 
to comply with such request within a specified time period will be 
deemed to render the application defective and will subject it to 
dismissal.

Section 24.821  Inconsistent or Conflicting Applications

    While an application is pending and undecided, no subsequent 
inconsistent or conflicting application may be filed by the same 
applicant, its successor or assignee, or on behalf or for the 
benefit of the same applicant, its successor or assignee.

Section 24.822  Amendment of Application to Participate in Auction 
for Licenses in the Broadband Personal Communications Services 
Filed on FCC Form 175

    (a) The Commission will provide bidders a limited opportunity to 
cure defects in FCC Form 175 specified herein except for failure to 
sign the application and to make certifications, defects which may 
not be cured. See also Sec. 1.2105 of this Chapter.
    (b) In the broadband PCS, the only amendments to FCC Form 175 
which will be permitted are minor amendments to correct minor errors 
or defects such as typographical errors. All other amendments to FCC 
Form 175, such as changes in the information supplied pursuant to 
Sec. 24.813(a) or changes in the identification of parties to 
bidding consortia, will be considered to be major amendments. An FCC 
Form 175 which is amended by a major amendment will be considered to 
be newly filed and cannot be resubmitted after applicable filing 
deadlines. See also Sec. 1.2105 of this Chapter.

Section 24.823  Amendment of Applications for Licenses in the 
Broadband Personal Communications Services (Other Than Applications 
Filed on FCC Form 175)

    (a) Amendments as of right. A pending application may be amended 
as a matter of right if the application has not been designated for 
hearing.
    (1) Amendments shall comply with Sec. 24.829, as applicable; and
    (2) Amendments which resolve interference conflicts or 
amendments under Sec. 24.829 may be filed at any time.
    (b) The Commission or the presiding officer may grant requests 
to amend an application designated for hearing only if a written 
petition demonstrating good cause is submitted and properly served 
upon the parties of record.
    (c) Major amendments, minor amendments. The Commission will 
classify all amendments as minor except in the cases listed below. 
An amendment shall be deemed to be a major amendment subject to 
Sec. 24.827 if it proposes a substantial change in ownership or 
control.
    (d) If a petition to deny (or other formal objection) has been 
filed, any amendment, request for waiver or other written 
communication shall be served on the petitioner, unless waiver of 
this requirement is granted pursuant to paragraph (e) of this 
section. See also Sec. 1.2108 of this Chapter.
    (e) The Commission may waive the service requirements of 
paragraph (d) of this section and prescribe such alternative 
procedures as may be appropriate under the circumstances to protect 
petitioners' interests and to avoid undue delay in a proceeding, if 
an applicant submits a request for waiver which demonstrates that 
the service requirement is unreasonably burdensome.
    (f) Any amendment to an application shall be signed and shall be 
submitted in the same manner, and with the same number of copies, as 
was the original application. Amendments may be made in letter form 
if they comply in all other respects with the requirements of this 
chapter.
    (g) An application will be considered to be a newly-filed 
application if it is amended by a major amendment (as defined in 
this section), except in the following circumstances:
    (1) [Reserved]
    (2) [Reserved]
    (3) The amendment reflects only a change in ownership or control 
found by the Commission to be in the public interest;
    (4) [Reserved]
    (5) The amendment corrects typographical transcription or 
similar clerical errors which are clearly demonstrated to be 
mistakes by reference to other parts of the application, and whose 
discovery does not create new or increased frequency conflicts.

Section 24.824  [Reserved]

Section 24.825  Application for Temporary Authorizations

    (a) In circumstances requiring immediate or temporary use of 
facilities, request may be made for special temporary authority to 
install and/or operate new or modified equipment. Any such request 
may be submitted as an informal application in the manner set forth 
in Sec. 24.805 and must contain full particulars as to the proposed 
operation including all facts sufficient to justify the temporary 
authority sought and the public interest therein. No such request 
will be considered unless the request is received by the Commission 
at least 10 days prior to the date of proposed construction or 
operation or, where an extension is sought, at least 10 days prior 
to the expiration date of the existing temporary authorization. The 
Commission may accept a late-filed request upon due showing of 
sufficient reasons for the delay in submitting such request.
    (b) Special temporary authorizations may be granted without 
regard to the 30-day public notice requirements of Sec. 24.827(b) 
when:
    (1) The authorization is for a period not to exceed 30 days and 
no application for regular operation is contemplated to be filed;
    (2) The authorization is for a period not to exceed 60 days 
pending the filing of an application for such regular operation;
    (3) The authorization is to permit interim operation to 
facilitate completion of authorized construction or to provide 
substantially the same service as previously authorized; or
    (4) The authorization is made upon a finding that there are 
extraordinary circumstances requiring operation in the public 
interest and that delay in the institution of such service would 
seriously prejudice the public interest.
    (c) Temporary authorizations of operation not to exceed 180 days 
may be granted under the standards of Section 309(f) of the 
Communications Act where extraordinary circumstances so require. 
Extensions of the temporary authorization for a period of 180 days 
each may also be granted, but the applicant bears a heavy burden to 
show that extraordinary circumstances warrant such an extension.
    (d) In cases of emergency found by the Commission, involving 
danger to life or property or due to damage of equipment, or during 
a national emergency proclaimed by the president or declared by the 
Congress or during the continuance of any war in which the United 
States is engaged and when such action is necessary for the national 
defense or safety or otherwise is furtherance of the war effort, or 
in cases of emergency where the Commission finds that it would not 
be feasible to secure renewal applications from existing licenses or 
otherwise to follow normal licensing procedure, the Commission will 
grant radio station authorizations and station licenses, or 
modifications or renewal thereof, during the emergency found by the 
Commission or during the continuance of any such national emergency 
or war, as special temporary licenses, only for the period of 
emergency or war requiring such station, without the filing of 
formal applications.

Section 24.826  Receipt of Application; Applications in the 
Broadband Personal Communications Services Filed on FCC Form 175 
and Other Applications in the Broadband Personal Communications 
Services

    (a) All applications for the initial provision of broadband PCS 
must be submitted on FCC Forms 175 and 175-S. Mutually exclusive 
initial applications in the broadband Personal Communications 
Services are subject to competitive bidding. FCC Form 401 
(``Application for New or Modified Common Carrier Radio Station 
Under Part 22'') must be submitted by each winning bidder for each 
broadband PCS license for which application was made on FCC Form 
175. In the event that mutual exclusivity does not exist between 
applicants for a broadband PCS license that have filed FCC Form 175, 
the sole applicant will be required to file FCC Form 401. The 
aforementioned Forms 175, 175-S, and 401 are subject to the 
provisions of 47 CFR Part 1, Subpart Q (``Competitive Bidding 
Proceedings'') and Subpart H of this Part. Blanket licenses are 
granted for each market frequency block. Applications for individual 
sites are not needed and will not be accepted. See Sec. 24.11.
    (b) Applications received for filing are given a file number. 
The assignment of a file number to an application is merely for 
administrative convenience and does not indicate the acceptance of 
the application for filing and processing. Such assignment of a file 
number will not preclude the subsequent return or dismissal of the 
application if it is found to be not in accordance with the 
Commission's Rules.
    (c) Acceptance of an application for filing merely means that it 
has been the subject of a preliminary review as to completeness. 
Such acceptance will not preclude the subsequent return or dismissal 
of the application if it is found to be defective or not in 
accordance with the Commission's rules. (See Sec. 24.813 for 
additional information concerning the filing of applications.)

Section 24.827  Public Notice Period

    (a) At regular intervals, the Commission will issue a public 
notice listing:
    (1) The acceptance for filing of all applications and major 
amendments thereto;
    (2) Significant Commission actions concerning applications 
listed as acceptable for filing;
    (3) Information which the Commission in its discretion believes 
of public significance. Such notices are intended solely for the 
purpose of informing the public and do not create any rights in an 
applicant or any other person.
    (4) Special environmental considerations as required by Part 1 
of this chapter.
    (b) The Commission will not grant any application until 
expiration of a period of thirty (30) days following the issuance 
date of a public notice listing the application, or any major 
amendments thereto, as acceptable for filing; provided, however, 
that the Commission will not grant an application filed on Form 401 
filed either by a winning bidder or by an applicant whose Form 175 
application is not mutually exclusive with other applicants, until 
the expiration of a period of forty (40) days following the issuance 
of a public notice listing the application, or any major amendments 
thereto, as acceptable for filing. See also Sec. 1.2108 of this 
Chapter.
    (c) As an exception to paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2) and (b) of this 
section, the public notice provisions are not applicable to 
applications:
    (1) For authorization of a minor technical change in the 
facilities of an authorized station where such a change would not be 
classified as a major amendment (as defined by Sec. 24.823) were 
such a change to be submitted as an amendment to a pending 
application;
    (2) For issuance of a license subsequent to a radio station 
authorization or, pending application for a grant of such license, 
any special or temporary authorization to permit interim operation 
to facilitate completion of authorized construction or to provide 
substantially the same service as would be authorized by such 
license;
    (3) For extension of time to complete construction of authorized 
facilities (see Sec. 24.203;
    (4) For temporary authorization pursuant to Sec. 24.825(b);
    (5) [Reserved]
    (6) For an authorization under any of the proviso clauses of 
Section 308(a) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 308(a));
    (7) For consent to an involuntary assignment or transfer of 
control of a radio authorization; or
    (8) For consent to a voluntary assignment or transfer of control 
of a radio authorization, where the assignment or transfer does not 
involve a substantial change in ownership or control.

Section 24.828  Dismissal and Return of Applications

    (a) Except as provided under Sec. 24.829, any application may be 
dismissed without prejudice as a matter of right if the applicant 
requests its dismissal prior to designation for hearing or, in the 
case of applications filed on Forms 175 and 175-S, prior to auction. 
An applicant's request for the return of his application after it 
has been accepted for filing will be considered to be a request for 
dismissal without prejudice. Applicants requesting dismissal of 
their applications may be subject to penalties contained in 
Sec. 1.2104 of this Chapter. Requests for dismissal shall comply 
with the provisions of Sec. 24.829 as appropriate.
    (b) A request to dismiss an application without prejudice will 
be considered after designation for hearing only if:
    (1) A written petition is submitted to the Commission and is 
properly served upon all parties of record, and
    (2) The petition complies with the provisions of Sec. 24.829 
(whenever applicable) and demonstrates good cause.
    (c) The Commission will dismiss an application for failure to 
prosecute or for failure to respond substantially within a specified 
time period to official correspondence or requests for additional 
information. Dismissal shall be without prejudice if made prior to 
designation for hearing or prior to auction, but dismissal may be 
made with prejudice for unsatisfactory compliance with Sec. 24.829 
or after designation for hearing or after the applicant is notified 
that it is the winning bidder under the auction process.

Section 24.829  Ownership Changes and Agreements to Amend or to 
Dismiss Applications or Pleadings

    (a) Applicability. Subject to the provisions of Sec. 1.2105 of 
this Chapter (Bidding Application and Certification Procedures; 
Prohibition of Collusion), this section applies to applicants and 
all other parties interested in pending applications who wish to 
resolve contested matters among themselves with a formal or an 
informal agreement or understanding. This section applies only when 
the agreement or understanding will result in:
    (1) A major change in the ownership of an applicant to which 
Secs. 24.823(c) and 24.823(g) apply or which would cause the 
applicant to lose its status as a designated entity under 
Sec. 24.709, or
    (2) The individual or mutual withdrawal, amendment or dismissal 
of any pending application, amendment, petition or other pleading.
    (b) Policy. Parties to contested proceedings are encouraged to 
settle their disputes among themselves. Parties that, under a 
settlement agreement, apply to the Commission for ownership changes 
or for the amendment or dismissal of either pleadings or 
applications shall at the time of filing notify the Commission that 
such filing is the result of an agreement or understanding.
    (c) The provisions of Sec. 22.927 of the Commission's Rules will 
apply in the event of the filing of petitions to deny or other 
pleadings or informal objections filed against broadband PCS 
applications. The provisions of Sec. 22.928 of the Commission's 
Rules will apply in the event of dismissal of broadband PCS 
applications. The provisions of Sec. 22.929 of the Commission's 
Rules will apply in the event of threats to file petitions to deny 
or other pleadings or informal objections against broadband PCS 
applications.

Section 24.830  Opposition to Applications

    (a) Petitions to deny (including petitions for other forms of 
relief) and responsive pleadings for Commission consideration must 
comply with Sec. 1.2108 of this Chapter and must:
    (1) Identify the application or applications (including 
applicant's name, station location, Commission file numbers and 
radio service involved) with which it is concerned;
    (2) Be filed in accordance with the pleading limitations, filing 
periods, and other applicable provisions of Secs. 1.41 through 1.52 
of this Chapter except where otherwise provided in Sec. 1.2108 of 
this Chapter;
    (3) Contain specific allegations of fact which, except for facts 
of which official notice may be taken, shall be supported by 
affidavit of a person or persons with personal knowledge thereof, 
and which shall be sufficient to demonstrate that the petitioner (or 
respondent) is a party in interest and that a grant of, or other 
Commission action regarding, the application would be prima facie 
inconsistent with the public interest;
    (4) Be filed within thirty (30) days after the date of public 
notice announcing the acceptance for filing of any such application 
or major amendment thereto (unless the Commission otherwise extends 
the filing deadline); and
    (5) Contain a certificate of service showing that it has been 
mailed to the applicant no later than the date of filing thereof 
with the Commission.
    (b) A petition to deny a major amendment to a previously-filed 
application may only raise matters directly related to the amendment 
which could not have been raised in connection with the underlying 
previously-filed application. This subsection does not apply, 
however, to petitioners who gain standing because of the major 
amendment.

Section 24.831  Mutually Exclusive Applications

    (a) The Commission will consider applications for broadband PCS 
licenses to be mutually exclusive if they relate to the same 
geographical boundaries (MTA or BTA) and are timely filed for the 
same frequency block.
    (b) Mutually exclusive applications filed on Form 175 for the 
initial provision of broadband PCS are subject to competitive 
bidding in accordance with the procedures in Subpart H of this part 
and in Part 1, Subpart Q of this Chapter.
    (c) An application will be entitled to comparative consideration 
with one or more conflicting applications only if the Commission 
determines that such comparative consideration will serve the public 
interest.
    (d)-(j) [Reserved]

Section 24.832  Consideration of Applications

    (a) Applications for an instrument of authorization will be 
granted if, upon examination of the application and upon 
consideration of such other matters as it may officially notice, the 
Commission finds that the grant will serve the public interest, 
convenience and necessity. See also Sec. 1.2108 of this Chapter.
    (b) The grant shall be without a formal hearing if, upon 
consideration of the application, any pleadings or objections filed, 
or other matters which may be officially noticed, the Commission 
finds that:
    (1) The application is acceptable for filing and is in 
accordance with the Commission's rules, regulations and other 
requirements;
    (2) The application is not subject to a post-auction hearing or 
to comparative consideration pursuant to Sec. 24.831 with another 
application(s);
    (3) A grant of the application would not cause harmful 
electrical interference to an authorized station;
    (4) There are no substantial and material questions of fact 
presented; and
    (5) The applicant is qualified under current FCC regulations and 
policies.
    (c) If the Commission should grant without a formal hearing an 
application for an instrument of authorization which is subject to a 
petition to deny filed in accordance with Sec. 24.830, the 
Commission will deny the petition by the issuance of a Memorandum 
Opinion and Order which will concisely state the reasons for the 
denial and dispose of all substantial issues raised by the petition.
    (d) Whenever the Commission, without a formal hearing, grants 
any application in part, or subject to any terms or conditions other 
than those normally applied to applications of the same type, it 
shall inform the applicant of the reasons therefor, and the grant 
shall be considered final unless the Commission revises its action 
(either by granting the application as originally requested, or by 
designating the application for a formal evidentiary hearing) in 
response to a petition for reconsideration which:
    (1) Is filed by the applicant within thirty (30) days from the 
date of the letter or order giving the reasons for the partial or 
conditioned grant;
    (2) Rejects the grant as made and explains the reasons why the 
application should be granted as originally requested; and
    (3) Returns the instrument of authorization.
    (e) The Commission will designate an application for a formal 
hearing, specifying with particularity the matters and things in 
issue, if upon consideration of the application, any pleadings or 
objections filed or other matters which may be officially noticed, 
the Commission determines that:
    (1) A substantial and material question of fact is presented 
(see also Sec. 1.2108 of this Chapter);
    (2) The Commission is unable for any reason to make the findings 
specified in paragraph (a) of this section and the application is 
acceptable for filing, complete and in accordance with the 
Commission's rules, regulations and other requirements; or
    (3) The application is entitled to comparative consideration 
(under Sec. 24.831) with another application (or applications).
    (f) The Commission may grant, deny or take other action with 
respect to an application designated for a formal hearing pursuant 
to paragraph (e) of this section or Part 1 of this Chapter.
    (g) [Reserved]
    (h) Reconsideration or review of any final action taken by the 
Commission will be in accordance with Subpart A of Part 1 of this 
Chapter.

Section 24.833-24.838  [Reserved]

Section 24.839  Transfer of Control or Assignment of License

    (a) Approval required. Authorizations shall be transferred or 
assigned to another party, voluntarily (for example, by contract) or 
involuntarily (for example, by death, bankruptcy or legal 
disability, directly or indirectly or by transfer of control of any 
corporation holding such authorization, only upon application and 
approval by the Commission. A transfer of control or assignment of 
station authorization in the broadband Personal Communications 
Service is also subject to Secs. 24.711(e), 24.712(d), 24.713(b) 
(unjust enrichment) and 1.2111(a) of this Chapter (reporting 
requirement).
    (1) A change from less than 50% ownership to 50% or more 
ownership shall always be considered a transfer of control.
    (2) In other situations a controlling interest shall be 
determined on a case-by-case basis considering the distribution of 
ownership and the relationships of the owners, including family 
relationships.
    (b) Forms required.
    (1) Assignment.
    (i) FCC Form 490 shall be filed to assign a license or permit.
    (ii) In the case of involuntary assignment, FCC Form 490 shall 
be filed within thirty (30) days following the event giving rise to 
the assignment.
    (2) Transfer of control.
    (i) FCC Form 490 shall be submitted in order to transfer control 
of a corporation holding a license or permit.
    (ii) In the case of involuntary transfer of control, FCC Form 
490 shall be filed within thirty (30) days following the event 
giving rise to the transfer.
    (3) Form 430. Whenever an application must be filed under 
paragraphs (a)(1) or (2) of this section, the assignee or transferee 
shall file FCC Form 430 (``Common Carrier Radio License 
Qualification Report'') unless an accurate report is on file with 
the Commission.
    (4) Notification of completion. The Commission shall be notified 
by letter of the date of completion of the assignment or transfer of 
control.
    (5) If the transfer of control of a license is approved, the new 
licensee is held to the original construction requirement of 
Sec. 24.203.
    (c) In acting upon applications for transfer of control or 
assignment, the Commission will not consider whether the public 
interest, convenience and necessity might be served by the transfer 
or assignment of the authorization to a person other than the 
proposed transferee or assignee.
    (d) Restrictions on Assignments and Transfers of Licenses for 
Frequency Blocks C and F. No assignment or transfer of control of a 
license for frequency Block C or frequency Block F will be granted 
unless--
    (1) The application for assignment or transfer of control is 
filed after five years from the date of the initial license grant;
    (2) The application for assignment or transfer of control is 
filed after three years from the date of the initial license grant 
and the proposed assignee or transferee meets the eligibility 
criteria set forth in Sec. 24.709;
    (3) The application is for partial assignment of a partitioned 
service area to a rural telephone company pursuant to Sec. 24.714 
and the assignee meets the eligibility criteria set forth in 
Sec. 24.709; or
    (4) The application is for an involuntary assignment or transfer 
of control to a bankruptcy trustee appointed under involuntary 
bankruptcy, an independent receiver appointed by a court of 
competent jurisdiction in a foreclosure action, or, in the event of 
death or disability, to a person or entity legally qualified to 
succeed the deceased or disabled person under the laws of the place 
having jurisdiction over the estate involved; provided that, the 
applicant requests a waiver pursuant to this paragraph.
    (e) If the assignment or transfer of control of a license is 
approved, the assignee or transferee is subject to the original 
construction requirement of Sec. 24.203.

Sections 24.840-24.842  [Reserved]

Section 24.843  Extension of Time To Complete Construction

    (a) If construction is not completed within the time period set 
forth in Sec. 24.203, the authorization will automatically expire. 
Before the period for construction expires an application for an 
extension of time to complete construction (FCC Form 489) may be 
filed. See paragraph (b) of this section. Within 30 days after the 
authorization expires an application for reinstatement may be filed 
on FCC Form 489.
    (b) Extension of Time to Complete Construction. An application 
for extension of time to complete construction may be made on FCC 
Form 489. Extension of time requests must be filed prior to the 
expiration of the construction period. Extensions will be granted 
only if the licensee shows that the failure to complete construction 
is due to causes beyond its control.
    (c) An application for modification of an authorization (under 
construction) does not extend the initial construction period. If 
additional time to construct is required, an FCC Form 489 must be 
submitted.
    (d) [Reserved]

Section 24.844  Termination of Authorization

    (a) Termination of authorization.
    (1) All authorizations shall terminate on the date specified on 
the authorization or on the date specified by these rules, unless a 
timely application for renewal has been filed.
    (2) If no application for renewal has been made before the 
authorization's expiration date, a late application for renewal will 
be considered only if it is filed within thirty (30) days of the 
expiration date and shows that the failure to file a timely 
application was due to causes beyond the applicant's control. During 
this 30-day period, a reinstatement application must be filed on FCC 
Form 489. Service to subscribers need not be suspended while a late-
filed renewal application is pending, but such service shall be 
without prejudice to Commission action on the renewal application 
and any related sanctions. See also Sec. 24.16 (Criteria for 
Comparative Renewal Proceedings).
    (b) Termination of special temporary authorization. A special 
temporary authorization shall automatically terminate upon failure 
to comply with the conditions in the authorization.
    (c) [Reserved]

[FR Doc. 94-26386 Filed 10-21-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-M