FCC Needs to Implement Shift to Electronic Communication, O'Rielly Says
The FCC needs to step up its shift toward electronic communications, Commissioner Michael O'Rielly said in a blog post Wednesday. Pointing to recommendations in a February report on FCC process reform that all bureaus with licensing responsibility move to electronic…
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means of communication, O'Rielly put the onus on the Office of the Managing Director to implement the shift: “What is the hold-up on completing this very reasonable review of our licensing and notification processes, and why haven’t other actions been taken to move towards electronic recordkeeping and communications?” O'Rielly praised the shifts to paperless licensing that already have happened, as in the Wireless Bureau seeking input on the Universal Licensing System and the Antenna Structure Registration System having a paperless option. “Considering that the Commission issues almost half a million wireless licenses and authorizations per year at a cost of over $300,000, this could result in substantial savings,” O'Rielly said. He pointed to recent enforcement actions related to conventional mail -- such as an applicant not receiving notices of delinquency sent to the wrong address -- as evidence of the advantage of electronic communications. “Chairman Wheeler set the Commission on the right path on this particular item, but now we need to follow through at a much swifter pace," O'Rielly said. "The process reform initiative and the Chief Information Officer completely agree this is a priority area, and are working hard on it," said an FCC spokesman in an email.