The FCC has fined Fox Television $12,800 for operating an earth station under an expired license.
In its Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (DA 09-1247) to Fox Television Stations Inc., the Commission cited the licensee of Earth station call sign E970411 for “operating its station without Commission authority, in apparent willful and repeated violation of Section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934 as amended and Section 25.102 of the Commission's Rules and for failing to file a timely renewal application for its Earth station in apparent willful violation of Section 25.121(e) of the Rules.”
When Fox Television became aware the license had expired, it filed an application requesting special temporary authority (STA) to continue to operate the uplink and then filed an application to license the station. The FCC's International Bureau notified the FCC's Enforcement Bureau, as it appeared that Fox had operated the Earth station without authorization. Fox Television admits that it operated E970411 without Commission authority after Sept. 26, 2007.
The FCC reduced its proposed forfeiture of $16,000 to $12,800 because Fox Television made voluntary disclosures to the Commission staff and undertook corrective measures after learning of its violations but prior to any Commission inquiry or initiation of enforcement action.
If your facility has an uplink, be sure to check the license expiration dates.
