This week, the FCC denied a waiver request to accept late-filed applications for the renewals of eight radio licenses, and dismissed the late-filed renewal applications.

Section 1.949(a) of the FCC’s rules requires radio licensees to file renewal applications no later than the expiration dates of the licenses.  Additionally, FCC policy allows radio license  renewal applications to be retroactively granted if filed up to 30 days after the license’s expiration, although the licensee may be subject to enforcement action for untimely filing and for unauthorized operation during the unlicensed period.   Here, the company’s licenses expired on October 29, 2012, November 1, 2012, and November 5, 2012, but the company did not file its renewal applications until December 24, 2012.

This release provides an important reminder to monitor your FCC licenses, and be prepared to timely file renewal applications.  Licensees that fail to timely file renewal applications risk enforcement action, and may need to seek special temporary authority to continue operating the license post-expiration.  If you have any questions about FCC license renewals, please contact Scott Friedman at (312) 372-3930 or sfriedman@cm-chi.com.