FCC decrees Federal Government Shutdown; suspends all telecom licensing, RF spectrum activity

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued the following statement on its official Federal Government shutdown page:

"We regret the disruption, but during the Federal Government-wide shutdown, the FCC is limited to performing duties that are immediately necessary for the safety of life or the protection of property. FCC online systems will not be available until further notice. If you need to contact the FCC to address an emergency situation, please call: (202) 418-1122 or email: [email protected]."

"Telecommunications companies must continue to use the Network Outage Reporting System (NORS - Direct Link), which will remain available during the shutdown, to file reports of telecommunication service disruptions pursuant to Part 4 of the FCC's rules. NORS allows companies to file Notifications, Initial Reports and Final Reports. The information on service disruptions is essential to maintain and improve the reliability and security of the telecommunications infrastructure."

"Vacancy announcements for positions that were open for receipt of applications have been closed and will re-open when the Government is operational. [Additionally] during this time, the FCC is not accepting any deliveries of supplies, or services that have not been identified as necessary for the safety of life or the protection of property."

Concurrent with these announcements, the Commission has issued a Public Notice concerning procedures for submissions that would be due to the FCC during the shutdown. View the Public Notice Here.

The FCC has also made available its official Plan for Orderly Shutdown Due to Lapse of Congressional Appropriations in PDF document format.

"Generally, during a shutdown all FCC activities other than those immediately necessary for the protection of life or property will cease," begins the document.

It further decrees: "Suspended activities include, among many others: Consumer complaint and inquiry phone lines cannot be answered; consumer protection and local competition enforcement must cease; licensing services, including broadcast, wireless, and wireline, must cease; management of radio spectrum and the creation of new opportunities for competitive technologies and services for the American public [emphasis added] must be suspended; and equipment authorizations, including those bringing new electronic devices to American consumers, cannot be provided."

View/download the FCC Shutdown Plan (PDF)