News media information  202 / 418-0500
                                            Fax-On-Demand  202 / 418-2830
                                            Internet:  http://www.fcc.gov
                                                 ftp.fcc.govPUBLIC NOTICE
                                                                         
                                        Federal Communications Commission
                                                    445 12th Street, S.W.
                                                   Washington, D.C. 20554
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                     FILING OF CALL SIGN REQUESTS
                      TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED

                                                       DA 99-2063
                                       RELEASED:  OCTOBER 4, 1999

Effective 11:59 p.m. on Friday, October 22, 1999, the filing of requests for the registration or
change of radio and television broadcast station call signs will be temporarily suspended for a one-
week period.  This suspension is necessary in order for the Mass Media Bureau to replace the
current manual system with the Commission-approved online call sign reservation and
authorization system.  Paper filings submitted to the Commission's Washington, D.C. and
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania offices during this one-week period will be returned without processing. 
Activation of the online system is scheduled for Monday, November 1, 1999.  

The Bureau's new online call sign system, which is accessible through the Internet, will enable
users to determine the availability and licensing status of call signs and to request an initial or
change an existing call sign.  The system will allow permittees and licensee to effectively reserve a
selected call sign as soon as the user has submitted its call sign request, providing greater certainty
and efficiency to the process.  In addition, because all the steps and instructions to reserve call
signs are included within the online system, it will prevent users from filing defective or
incomplete call sign requests, as may occur under the current manual system.

If a fee is required, as in the case of call sign changes for existing commercial radio and television
broadcast stations, the electronic system will also automatically provide the user with the proper
paper form, with the correct amount and fee payment code preprinted on it, for submission to the
Commission's lockbox bank in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  An upgraded feature of this new online
system is the user's ability to remit any required fee payment electronically via use of its Master
Card or Visa credit card.

By subsequent Public Notice, the Bureau will announce the activation of the online call sign
reservation and authorization system and set forth the procedures for accessing that system.

For further information, please contact James Brown at (202) 418-1600.

By:  Chief, Mass Media Bureau  

                             - FCC -