WASHINGTON—People can now swap out their last-minute FCC filings with last-minute gift-wrapping, as FCC filing deadlines set for Dec. 24 have been extended to Monday, Dec. 28, as a result of an executive order.

The FCC issued a public notice saying that because of the executive order given by President Donald Trump on Dec. 11 closing the federal government department and agencies on Christmas Eve, all of its deadlines due on Dec. 24 have been moved to Dec. 28. Per FCC rules, if a filing deadline falls on a holiday then it is moved to the next business day.

In addition, the FCC said that Dec. 24 will not count in computing filing periods of less than seven days, since it will be a commission holiday.

WASHINGTON—With the spread of coronavirus continuing to grow, the FCC has announced that it has closed its hand-delivery file location at its headquarters in Washington, D.C.

As an alternative, the FCC is encouraging outside parties to utilize its electronic filing systems. Except for when the filer requests that materials be withheld from public inspection, any document may be submitted electronically through the Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS).

In the event that a paper filing must be sent, the FCC asks that UPS, FedEX, Freight or any other overnight mail service be sent to:

Federal Communication Commission
9050 Junction Drive
Annapolis Junction, MD 20701

All United States Postal Service first class, express and priority mail can be sent to FCC headquarters (445 12th St., SW, Washington, D.C. 20554).

If a party is unable to meet a deadline because of the hand-delivery closure, a waiver can be requested of the applicable deadline to the extent permitted by law, says the FCC.

While a temporary measure, the closure of hand deliveries will continue for the foreseeable future. This follows the FCC previously closing its headquarters to visitors except in the case of operational necessity and special permission.

The official announcement is available online. 

WASHINGTON—The repack process takes another step forward as the FCC’s Incentive Auction Task Force and Wireless Telecommunications Bureau has found that the long-form applications for the 600 MHz licenses are acceptable for filing. The FCC does state that it may return or dismiss any application that upon further examination is found to be defective or not in conformance with the Commission’s rules.

With this announcement, the Commission has also set a deadline for petitions to deny the approved applications for Oct. 23. Oppositions to a petition to deny must then be filed by Oct. 30. Any replies to oppositions will be due no later than Nov. 6.

All pleadings filed regarding a 600 MHz long-form application should reference the file number of the application. The pleadings must be filed electronically through the FCC’s Universal Licensing System or by paper. Paper filings must include an original and copy of each filing and must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Office of the Secretary, FCC.

For more information on the delivery process, read the complete public notice.

The initial review of the long-form applications of other winning bidders in Auction 1001 is ongoing. Another notice will be released when those applications are accepted for filing.