WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission announced last week that access to its Universal Licensing System will soon be available via the Internet.
“Anyone with a computer and Internet software will be able to use his or her Internet account to research and review application and licensing data in ULS … [it is a] fast, convenient, and low-cost method of researching current wireless spectrum use,” said the FCC.
Currently, ULS is accessed through a wide-area network. Users connect to the WAN by dialing a toll-free number. The FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau had expected to convert this access to a 900-toll call but instead went the other direction by putting it on the Internet. Those filing applications and participating in auctions will continue to use the WAN.
The FCC has been phasing-in ULS since 1997. The next service to be converted to ULS will be the Amateur Service, scheduled for deployment in August. The wireless bureau plans to convert its Antenna Registration System to ULS next month.
WTB received the Vice President’s Hammer Award for reinventing government for its deployment of ULS. “The Vice President chose the hammer because you can use a hammer to tear down something old and to build something new,” said Karen Freeman of the National Partnership for Reinventing Government. This is the second Hammer Award WTB has received. It received its first award for its auctions program.
